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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
Wedding Belles by Haywood Smith – 2** In book three in the Red Hat Club series Georgia’s only daughter, Callie, has just announced her engagement – to a totally unsuitable man! The novel covers several months of Georgia commiserating with her pals in the Red Hat Club as she worries about the great mistake her daughter is about to make. The writing is repetitive and the two subplots did little but fill pages. Still, it’s a fast read and there were a couple of entertaining (if totally implausible) moments.
Full Review HERE
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne – 3*** This is a classic adventure tale – imaginative, humorous, suspenseful and even though high implausible still great fun. Simon Prebble does a fine job narrating the audio version. He has good pacing and he brings the characters to life. I especially liked his voice for the irascible Professor Lidenbrock.
Full Review HERE
The Poet Slave of Cuba by Margarita Engle – 4**** Subtitle: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano. Engle studied Manzano’s poetry and life and decided that to do justice to the power of his words, the biography should also be written in verse. Her poems are powerful, evoking a visceral response to the cruelty, sadness, dashed hopes and lost opportunities the young Juan experienced. But there is also the triumph of his indomitable spirit and a voice that would not be silenced. I’m so glad I came across this little gem.
Full Review HERE
I thoroughly enjoyed Burial Rites, Patricia!I've just started The Never List by Koethi Zan.
The Lady in Gold by Anne-Marie O’Connor – 4**** This is a story of a portrait of a beautiful Viennese Jewish salon hostess, the now-vanished turn-of-the-century Vienna cultural scene of which it became an emblem, the atrocities of the Nazi regime, and the efforts of Adele’s heirs to recover this and other paintings from an Austrian government that wished to hide the realities of war-time complicity. I was interested from beginning to end, though wish a little more time had been spent on Klimt and Adele.
Full Review HERE
Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach – 3.5*** Science writer Mary Roach tackles the human digestive system in this work of nonfiction. Roach entertains and informs as she reports on various scientific studies, in some cases interviewing the researcher, and/or participating a re-creation of the study.
Full Review HERE
Jackie wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed Burial Rites, Patricia!I've just started The Never List by Koethi Zan."
I just finished, loved it! Even though you read about the dirt under the fingernails and it goes downhill from there lol!
Miracle at St Anna by James McBride – 3*** Inspired by the experiences of African American Buffalo Soldiers serving in Tuscany during World War II, McBride has crafted a novel of brotherhood, faith and redemption. He uses magical realism to great effect, but doesn’t sugarcoat the harsh realities and brutality of war and deprivation.
Full Review HERE
I always have better luck finding small press poetry collections than small press novels (my own fault!), so I am super happy to be reading and loving Academy Gothic
Bushwhacked: Life in George W Bush’s America by Molly Ivins and Lou Dubose – 4**** The subtitle really says it all. It’s a somewhat dated book, today, and yet frighteningly appropriate in this “primary” season. Oh, how I miss Molly Ivins!
Full Review HERE
After reading a number of short stories because nothing appealed to me, I finally picked up a re-read of Up the Down Staircase.
Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl – 4**** The subtitle – The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise – is a pretty good synopsis of Reichl’s memoir of her tenure as a restaurant critic for the New York Times. I loved her stories of the various restaurants, but what I really appreciated was a glimpse at her growth as a person. A delicious memoir, and I devoured every word.
Full Review HERE
I'm going to start Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.
The Christie Caper by Carolyn G Hart – 1* This is book #7 in the Death on Demand series, featuring mystery bookstore owner Annie Darling. The main reason I read mysteries (even cozy mysteries) is for the plot and suspense, but there isn’t enough action here to keep me interested. It’s over-written and poorly plotted.
Full Review HERE
Finished & really enjoyed Big Little Lies. Going to start The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin today.
Black Coffee by Agatha Christie & Charles Osborne – 2** This is the seventh work featuring Hercule Poirot. It’s a traditional locked room mystery, with plenty of suspects. Originally written as a play it was novelized by Charles Osborne some twenty years after Christie’s death. The result is a little stilted, though the dialogue and basic plot are classic Christie.
Full Review HERE
I'm in the middle of reading a romance which I don't do very often unless its romantic suspense but when you're in the mood you're in the mood so I'm reading His Housekeeper's Christmas Wish.
Going to start The Son by Philipp Meyer today.
I started Dracula the Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt last night.
Aloft by Chang-rae Lee – 4* Jerry Battle is the narrator of this character-driven novel. It is his unavailability – emotionally and physically – that colors all the relationships he has. My reactions to Jerry were as puzzling as his own reactions to what’s going on around him – I was angry, confused, frustrated, ready to give up, wanted to go on, and ultimately loved him and his family.
Full Review HERE
The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square by Rosina Lippi – 2** This is pretty typical chick lit romance. Handsome, wealthy stranger comes to town and charms everyone, especially the vulnerable lady who has remained aloof and whom everyone protects. The whole thing is predictable, and Lippi doesn’t even try very hard to give us a reasonable plot to move the story forward. It fulfilled a challenge and was a quick read, but I’m in no hurry to read anything else by this author.
Full Review HERE
Book Concierge wrote: " Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach – 3.5*** Science writer Mary Roach tackles the human digestive system in this work of nonfiction. Roach entertains ..."
I've heard lots of good things and I have to say that it's a weird subject. Will have to get to it eventually.
Right now I'm watching the Murdoch Mysteries, based on the books of Maureen Jennings and reading Outsider in Amsterdam by Janwillem van de Wetering. New author for me.
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach – 4* Like she did for death and digestion, Roach educates and entertains in her third book, this time focusing on sex. I found it both interesting and entertaining. Sandra Burr did a fine job on the audio version. Her pacing is good and she gives just the right mix of gravity and light-hearted fun to the text.
Full Review HERE
Mrs Jeffries Dusts for Clues by Emily Brightwell – 3*** In book two of the series the action focuses on a missing servant girl. I enjoyed this cozy mystery, featuring Mrs Jeffries and other household staff who keep Inspector Witherspoon at the top of his game. I thought the ending was rushed, and the resolution a little too convenient. Also, the epilogue added nothing to the story. Still it was a reasonably satisfying cozy.
Full Review HERE
Just finish reading The Secrets of Silk by Allison Hobbs which was awesome.
Jane wrote: "Started Bill Bryson's The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid this morning and I'm laughing out loud!"I LOVE his books!
Book Concierge wrote: "Finished reading Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang (a/k/a Ailing Zhang) – 4****You might fall in love with Lisa See's series. I have been in or lived in each and every city mentioned in all her books and all of its character and history is PERFECT! (I left out P!ink's first word there). True.
The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith – 3*** This is the third installment in the series featuring philosopher Isabel Dalhousie. What I really like about this series are Isabel’s philosophical musings, and this one is no exception. The central ethical dilemma seems to be when to keep one’s mouth shut vs when to tell all one knows. Hilary Neville does a fine job performing the audiobook. She has good pacing and I love the way she voices Isabel.
Full Review HERE
Chris wrote: "Jane wrote: "Started Bill Bryson's The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid this morning and I'm laughing out loud!"I LOVE his books!"
I've read a few of his and I think that one is my favorite! The tv and the refriderator parts were hilarious! I swear I think he could write about going out to get the mail and make us laugh!
Finished and loved The Son by Philipp Meyer. Going to start The Distance between us by Maggie O'Farrell tonight.
I started reading Matt Haig's The Humans today and I'm halfway through with it, which is always a good sign :)
Patricia wrote: "Chris wrote: "Jane wrote: "Started Bill Bryson's The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid this morning and I'm laughing out loud!"I LOVE his books!"
I've read a few of his and I think that one ..."
Patricia, try "In a Sunburned Country" (can't recommend it enough) and "A Walk in the Woods." Love to hear what you think!
Better late than never, but I FINALLY started "The Lightening Thief." Liking it so far! The kid's a riot. Brings me back to those dreadful school days and those summer camping movies where you side with all the mischief-makers!
Question: Am I the only one who choked on classics like "Riders of the Purple Sage," "Tortilla Flats," and "The Great Gatsby"? Yuck.
Chris wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Chris wrote: "Jane wrote: "Started Bill Bryson's The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid this morning and I'm laughing out loud!"I LOVE his books!"
I've read a few of his and ..."
I bought A Walk in the Woods this summer then noticed on my goodreads list I've already read it lol! I'm sure it's worth reading again. I will check and see if I've read the other one, I guess I can't be sure!
Chris wrote: "Question: Am I the only one who choked on classics like "Riders of the Purple Sage," "Tortilla Flats," and "The Great Gatsby"? Yuck."I really appreciate classics as well : Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, If Beale street could talk ....
I am reading 'The Call of the wild' by Jack London at the moment.
Call Of The Wild was the first book I ever remember reading! Heady stuff for a young boy. I still remember a quote from it that goes: "One damn fine day, that Buck...he gonna kill that Spitz." Am I not right?
Thanks for sharing, Tim. I have not noticed that one ... But this one :
“He had learned well the law of club and fang, and he never forewent an advantage or drew back from a foe he had started on the way to Death. He had lessoned from Spitz, and from the chief fighting dogs of the police and mail, and knew there was no middle course. He must master or be mastered; while to show mercy was a weakness. mercy did not exist in the primordial life. It was misunderstood for fear, and such misunderstandings made for death. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten, was the law; and this mandate, down out of the depths of Time, he obeyed.”
A Mind to Murder by P D James – 4**** This is an engaging, interesting and complex murder mystery. I love Dalgliesh and his quiet, deliberate manner. James crafts a plot that seems straightforward, but which includes numerous red herrings to keep the reader off balance. Well done!
Full Review HERE
I've just started A Quiet Belief in Angels by R.J. Ellory.
After having it on my to-read list for a long time, I'm finally reading Emily St. John Mandel's novel Station Eleven and I love it!
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The Next Best Book Club
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Book two in the mystery series featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone. I like this series. Kinsey is a smart, resourceful woman who takes her job seriously and doesn’t rely on some strong handsome type to come along and save her. The action is fast, the characters entertaining and Grafton includes enough twists and red herrings to keep this reader guessing right along with the characters.
Full Review HERE