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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
Thanks, Karen. Funny but I was able to borrow the audio tape from the library today. So, I began listening to it and I am intrigued by the characters etc. I think I will change over to reading the book since I can reread wonderful passages etc.
I'm now reading Margot by Jillian Cantor.
I'm reading Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride. I have been struggling with it because it takes place in Scotland and the author is Scottish. I am not a native speaker. The dictionary is on fire, I'm using it so much! I try to infer the meaning of the words but still...I hope to get used to it soon so can enjoy it.
Starting The Son in Law by Charity Norman today.
Some Luck In this, the first book of her American Century trilogy, Jane Smiley introduces her readers to Rosanna and Walter Langdon, the young couple whose lives begin near to 1900 and whose stories are molded and shaped by the major events that made up what is considered by many to be The American Century. At first, I found myself feeling let down by Smiley's not giving me one character to care about, to follow throughout the book. Once I realized that I was mistaken, that Ms. Smiley had given me the entire 20th Century to care about, I relaxed into her short, quickly moving chapters, curious to see how the events of each year weighed against those of the years that came before.
I started Nightwood by Djuna Barnes a few days ago, but didn't get very far. Tonight I picked it up again, starting at page 1. I like it better now.
The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill – 3*** An engaging mystery featuring Dr Siri Paiboun, the 72-year-old chief coroner of Laos. He struggles to arrive at the truth despite a barely equipped morgue, and the efforts of the Party officials to deliberately derail his investigations. I’ll read more of this series.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished Go Set a Watchman. I plan on reading TKAM but not just yet. Will be in !Manhattan today seeing a show and will be thinking about my next read.
Just finished -- finally! The Complete Father Brown -- and updating my various book challenges. I also have to decide what book I'll read next ...
Astrid wrote: "I started reading Paul Auster's "The Book of Illusions" today. I haven't read anything he wrote in a while, but didn't take many pages to remember why I love his fiction!"I'm about half way through The Book of Illusions. I love Auster's writing in general but the first 1/3 of this book left me a unfulfilled. I'm loving it now that the real story has taken off, though.
Currently reading
should finish this up tomorrow evening. Quick read. The characters in the book are a lot of fun.
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson – 3*** Ursula Todd is born on a snowy night in February 1910 …over and over again. Sometimes she remembers how things turned out in a previous life, other times she seems totally unaware that she has been here before. I was fascinated by how Atkinson would explore a small change – taking this path rather than that lane, for example – and the effects of that decision. However, I did find the constant rebirths somewhat repetitive. Finella Woolgar dos a fine job performing the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just started reading WIDEACRE BY PhilippaGregory.
Just started reading WIDEACRE BY PhilippaGregory.
Just finished Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick. Really well-written and revealing account of people's lives in North Korea. Moving and subtle. Highly recommended. Five star review from me: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Holly wrote: "Just started reading WIDEACRE BY PhilippaGregory."
Funny but in theory I love Phillip Gregory and her books since I love historical fiction. But the reality is really don't like how she presents a book. Too much repetition and too much whining.
Anne of Windy Poplars by L M Montgomery – 3*** I love Anne Shirley – who wouldn’t, she’s so optimistic, kind and straightforward. However, book four in this series is written in two distinctly different styles – epistolary and third-person narrative; and I felt that switching between these two styles detracted from the book. I think I may have reached my limit with this series, but I can’t bring myself to rate it lower than 3 stars, however, because I like Anne so much, and I did enjoy her efforts at matchmaking.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Starting The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey today.
Sharyl wrote: "I'm currently reading Until I Find You, by John Irving. I always enjoy his writing :)"
Along with Joyce Carol Oates and Philip Roth after reading one book I could never read another one. Not for lack of trying but I just managed a few pages and put the book down.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman – 2** Gaiman is a talented writer and I appreciate his skill in crafting the story, but this just wasn’t the book for me. I do applaud Gaiman’s superb narration of the audio version – I believed he was a 7-year-old boy, and a middle-aged man; he was convincing as 11-year-old Lettie Hempstock and as evil Ursula Monkton.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jackie wrote: "Starting The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey today.I enjoyed this one.
The Tortilla Curtain by T Coraghessan Boyle – 3*** Two couples – illegal immigrants Candido and America Rincon, and LA liberals Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher – lives intersect over the course of nine months near Topanga Canyon. I found myself siding with opposing points of views at different times in the story. It is at once a satire, a comedy, and a tragedy. There is much to think about and it remains current and topical 20 years after it was first published. T C Boyle narrates the audio version himself and does a credible job.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book Concierge wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I just started reading Mudbound by Hillary Jordon."I loved that book!"
I was up until 3:30 am, I couldn't quit reading!
Book Concierge wrote: " The Tortilla Curtain by T Coraghessan Boyle – 3*** Two couples – illegal immigrants Candido and America Rincon, and LA liberals Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher – li..."
What a wonderful way of describing your reaction to a book! I think that means that it was a very good. I've wanted to read it for quite a while and will have to find a way to sneak it into the stack I'm currently trying to winnow down ... Between the kindle and my splurges at used book stores and library sales, I've go 85 ready for reading. If I only could read faster!
I'm about 2/3rds of the way through A Cold Treachery by Charles Todd -- one of my favorite authors and I've neglected to read any for a while (so went and ordered four in a row).
Right now I'm reading Tod Goldberg's Gangsterland, and triple fisting poetry books.
Patricia wrote: "I just started reading Mudbound by Hillary Jordon."Very good read.
I'm almost done reading The Loved Ones which is a well written but complex book. (In other words I need to really concentrate so it's been slow going.)
I'm starting No Safe House by Linwood Barclay today.
I've preordered the new Star Wars book, Aftermath, and the new Robert Galbraith book, Career of Evil. Preordering books is one of the best things. When they show up at my door it's like getting a surprise present (that I paid for lol).
Mod
The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks – 2.5** Two love stories converge on a snowy mountainside. I knew going in that this would be a romance, somewhat maudlin, and intended to produce tears. I basically got what I expected, though I didn’t shed any tears. Sparks does a good job of writing entertaining romance novels. And this is no exception. It was a fast, easy read. Ron McLarty and January LaVoy did a good job performing the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pamela wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " The Tortilla Curtain by T Coraghessan Boyle – 3*** What a wonderful way of describing your reaction to a book! I think that means that it was a very good. I've wanted to read it for..."
My F2F book group had a spirited discussion of it last weekend. We meet for lunch - 11:30 a on a Saturday. We didn't leave the restaurant until 2:00p!
I just finished Crazy Love You, 2 **'s. It started out ok and went downhill. I just grew tired of reading about his real life, then having to read about it again as he wrote about it in his comic book. Fans of Stephen King or Neil Gaiman might enjoy it.
The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton – 4**** In 1855 a gang of thieves carried out an elaborate scheme to steal a shipment of gold from a moving train. This is Crichton’s fictionalized novel based on what is known of the truth, with a good deal of conjecture and embellishment. What a rollicking good story! I was entertained from beginning to end.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just started The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian
byLawrence Block.I recently got into this series and it has been a wonderfully witty and smart series. I don't think you can go wrong with Lawrence Block!
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer – 4**** WOW. I was expecting a true crime story, but got an expansive history of the LDS church, and it’s history of violence. Fascinating, frightening and totally engrossing. Krakauer is a good journalist and his research shows, but where he excels is in writing a gripping narrative. Scott Brick does a fine job narrating the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pamela wrote: "Just started The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian byLawrence Block.I recently got into this series and it has b..."
Thanks for sending this. I like to hear of authors I don't know and this sounds like a book I'll enjoy.
Ok. Just finished Gangsterland. Sure, it's a mob novel with plenty of murder, but there are some really interesting discussions and thoughts on religion, redemption and personal choices. If you want about 13 or 14 murders AND something to think about... Try this one.
Okay! Mostly I'm reading books set in exotic (to me) places, such as "Ali and Nino," in Azerbajain (sp?) and Lily King's "Euphoria" - in New Guinea.I'm holidaying right now in Ellicottville, upstate New York, close to a little memorial library. They sell books for a few cents so I picked up Scott Turow, Barbara Kingsolver, and George Stephanopoulis's "All Too Human," a biography of his years as years as senior advisor to Clinton. Fascinating.
Book Concierge wrote: " Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer – 4**** WOW. I was expecting a true crime story, but got an expansive history of the LDS church, and it’s ...
I listened to this as well on audio a few years ago but the story has stuck with me. Pretty scary.
I'm reading Fourth of July Creek, listening to The Paying Guests
and also reading
Bark it depends on where I am. I'm hooked on all 3 right now and just enjoying the break between semesters to read what I want
In starting The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist today.
I've recently finished The Girl on the Train and Every Fifteen Minutes. Both were good suspense books.Now I'm reading Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garcia.
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The Next Best Book Club
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I suggest not reading TKAM again before GSAW.
Read GSAW for what it is: a story by a young Harper Lee before being guided by editors and family to change it.
I completely understand and respect differing opinions than mine; in fact, I might have agreed 20 plus years ago. For me, now, GSAW is a gift from Harper Lee.