The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
I am reading Consider Phlebas. I am enjoying it so I don't think it is the book rather general tiredness but I keep dozing off which is making it a long read.
Chris wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Chris - I liked that book! I wasn't sure if I was going to as I'd seen various reviews saying it was a kind of fairy story and they're not usually my cuppa tea."Jackie, I'm 100% th..."
Just started reading The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. And I was thinking was taking a long time in the opening 'scene' -- then realized the book is over 800 pages! I'll be reading it for a while. But I had been considering The Snow Child -- its good to hear that people enjoyed it.
Lesley-Anne wrote: "
This is a fabulous story about a man whose life is swapped with another man's who looks identical to him, and how he lives this new fraudulent life. Extremely grip..."
I read this in Nov 2014 - 4**** from me.
Chris wrote: "I'm about half of the way through The Snow Child and everything about it is very well done."Glad you are liking it. It's definitely a different kind of book.
Jackie wrote: "Today I'm going to start reading American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld."It was a 4-star read for me. But I couldn't help but compare with Laura & George W Bush's lives. Hope you enjoy!
The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee – 3*** The subtitle is: A Memoir, a History. That pretty much describes this book. What I liked most about the book were his stories about bookshops from his personal experience, i.e. the memoir sections. But Buzbee also gives the reader a history of books – from clay tablets to scrolls to paper – and book-selling. And those sections I found less engaging.
Full Review HERE
Idyll I just finished Idyll by James Derry. It was a fantastic read. Tomorrow I get to restart The Chrysalids for the fourth time with an English class. A book that I love, but to be honest, on that I'm not looking forward to teaching yet again.
The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel – 3***The wives of the original U.S. Astronauts had just as much of the “right stuff” as their hero-husbands. Koppel reveals their strengths, their weaknesses, their fears and joys, their stumbles and triumphs. These were some STRONG women, and it’s about time they were recognized. Orlagh Cassidy does a marvelous job narrating the audio book. Her pace is good, and she has enough skill as a voice artist to give the women sufficiently distinct voices (most of the time), so there is little confusion.
Full Review HERE
Pamela, I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Luminaries. It was one of those books that I thought I should enjoy, but I gave up on it fairly early on. Can't remember exactly why now, but if you give it a positive review I may try it a second time.
Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy – 3*** The second in a series of cozy mysteries featuring White House Executive Chef Ollie Paras begins at Thanksgiving and takes the reader through preparations to decorate the White House for Christmas. This was fairly entertaining, but I guessed what was going on FAR ahead of Ollie, and even, apparently, the Secret Service Agent in Charge! Oh well … I read this genre for the escape from reality. And this certainly fills that bill.
Full Review HERE
I'm just starting Dead Wake- The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Eric Larson. I've been wanting to read it for awhile. It's one of my early Valentine's Day gifts:)
I am reading Ghostly Adventures by Christopher Belzano
I am reading Afghan Rumour Bazaar by Nushin Arbabzadah. Its quite interesting.
Another day by David Levithan / Candide by Voltaire (it's for a literature course that i'm doing) but still liking it
Well, I just read "Me Before You" and I need a new book to read because omg, I'm still in shock!
Feb 15 - currently readingTEXT –
A Brief History of Montmaray / Michelle CooperAUDIO in the car -
All the Light We Cannot See / Anthony DoerrPortable AUDIO -
Dream When You're Feeling Blue / Elizabeth Berg
Maria (Mulu) wrote: "Well, I just read "Me Before You" and I need a new book to read because omg, I'm still in shock!"Totally understandable reaction ... I am planning to read the sequel ... some time in the future ...
Book Concierge wrote: "Maria (Mulu) wrote: "Well, I just read "Me Before You" and I need a new book to read because omg, I'm still in shock!"Totally understandable reaction ... I am planning to read the sequel ... some..."
I said the same! but I need to get over MBY first... if I can askdasld.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – 4****The girl on the train is Rachel – a depressed alcoholic who is sure she has witnessed important information concerning a missing woman. Or was that accurate? This is a gripping, fascinating psychological thriller. I was hooked from the beginning and didn’t guess the culprit until the reveal. The ending is nothing short of chilling. The audio is capably narrated by three voice artists: Clare Corbett, Louise Brealey and India Fisher. But I have no way of knowing who voices which character.
Full Review HERE
Pamk wrote: "Pamela, I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Luminaries. It was one of those books that I thought I should enjoy, but I gave up on it fairly early on. Can't remember exactly why now, bu..."I'm about 42 percent into the book (reading on the kindle) and the story is moving along fairly well. It still feels just so long but then its been advertised as a parody of 18th century novels, so if you keep that in mind, no wonder it seems to take so long in reading. I'd have to say though its annoying that its been over a week since I started and I'm still not finished.
I'm going to start The Girl With All the Gifts today by M.R. Carey.
I just finished The Wise Man's Fear. It was epic. I can't wait for the next one.Now I am reading Messenger of Fear. I got it as a giveaway here.
I just finished I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban and am still reading Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and have started A Prayer for Owen Meany and Dog on It
The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie – 2** This is an intricately plotted mystery, but Miss Marple doesn’t appear until page 153. Most of the detective work is done by Jerry Burton and the local investigator. it seems that almost everyone in town is a potential culprit, including the vicar’s wife! But of course, after hearing a few casual remarks Miss Marple solves the case.
Full Review HERE
I'm reading a book about a club, and the first rule is I'm not supposed to talk about it :p
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – 4****A blind French girl and a young German orphan find their lives intersect in the walled Brittany town of Saint-Malo in August 1944. Doerr gives us wonderful descriptions, letting the reader experience the world as Marie-Laure or Werner does. Doerr peoples the novel with a wide assortment of characters, but the two young people at its core will stay with me for a long time, as will the haunting strains of Clair de Lune. The audio version is performed by Zach Appelman, who does a marvelous job. His gift as a voice artist makes it easy to believe he is speaking for a blind teenaged girl, a confused German boy, an elderly uncle, or a gruff soldier.
Full Review HERE
Just finished Wonders of the Invisible World by Christopher Barzak. Wonderful writing, loveable characters, twisty plot. Today I begin reading Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper – 2** Sixteen-year-old Sophie FitzOsborne writes of her life in the crumbling castle on the small island of Montmaray. It is 1936 and their isolation is about to end as news from the mainland lets them know the world is on the brink of war. Sounds exciting but overall I was bored. There are a few moments of decently written suspense, and I liked the strong female characters. But the cliffhanger ending seems manipulative, and I’m not sure I care enough about what happens next to read book two in the series. I see the appeal for the YA audience, but it’s not for me.
Full Review HERE
I'm starting Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie today.
I love Gene Wolfe.Ursula K. Le Guin described him as "our Melville."
His works are not for the faint of heart, though. They are highly intricate and symbolic.
I love his Latro in the Mist, where the central character is keeping a daily journal so that he will have a record of what has happened to him (because he loses his memory whenever he sleeps).
The Book of the New Sun (4 volumes) is a classic.
I'm working through The Wizard Knight (2 volumes) and The Book of the Short Sun (3 volumes).
A castle romance fantasy. Not bad so far.
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum – 4****I’ve been disappointed by so many books that were “book-club favorites,” so I wasn’t expecting much, but I’m very glad I read it. Are we doomed to love “Those who save us,” despite their otherwise reprehensible behavior? The reader is at an advantage over Trudy, because s/he learns Anna’s secret long before Trudy. Complex issues, well-developed characters, and a compelling narrative.
Full Review HERE
Finally finished my slog through Consider Phlebas. If you want specifics my review is hereHave just started The Secret Adversary which is great so far.
Today I'm starting a couple of books (the second one is something I can only read a chapter at a time given the topic and dense writing) Fallen Land and Logic, Or, The Right Use Of Reason In The Inquiry After Truth: With A Variety Of Rules To Guard Against Error In The Affairs Of Religion And Human Life, As Well As In The Sciences.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys – 2.5** In 1941 Stalin’s Soviet Army invaded Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and deported many of the residents of those countries to Siberia. Sepetys based this novel on the story of her own grandparents. There is an important historical story here, but the writing left me cold. The teen narrator really irritated me. Emily Klein didn’t help with her narration on the audio book. I found her performance overly dramatic to the point that I wanted to “boo” her.
Full Review HERE
Book Concierge wrote: " The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel – 3***The wives of the original U.S. Astronauts had just as much of the “right stuff” as their hero-husbands. ..."
I really enjoyed it as well, Book Concierge. We so often focus on the heroes that we forget that there is usually someone behind them that through their support, help them become heroes.
I'm going to start reading Cloudstreet by Tim Winton today.
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – 3***This was a pretty entertaining high-school romance, set in Paris. I’m way past the teen angst stage, but I was rather charmed by Anna and this teen drama. It was a fast read with characters right out of central casting, but it held my attention. I can certainly see the appeal for the YA crowd at which it is aimed.
Full Review HERE
Just Shy of Harmony by Philip Gulley – 3*** This is book 2 in the Harmony Series, and I just love them. They are gentle stories with a good sprinkling of humor, and a few life lessons learned, but without being preachy.
Full Review HERE
Dream When You’re Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg – 2.5** Berg takes us to Chicago at the time of World War II in this story about three sisters, their lively Irish family, and the men they love. It started out okay, got very interesting in the middle and then completely lost credulity in the last two chapters. What I most enjoyed about this novel was the look at everyday life on the domestic front during this very trying time in history. I especially liked the way Berg talked about the way that the roles of women in America were forever being changed by the requirements of war. Berg narrated the audio version herself. She does a credible job, but she should really let a professional voice artist read her books.
Full Review HERE
The Good Thief’s Guide to Amsterdam by Chris Ewan – 3***This is the first in a mystery series featuring Charlie Howard, successful author and part-time professional burglar. I thought it was highly entertaining, with a fast pace, interesting characters, and a great setting. I was charmed by Charlie and I’ll definitely read more of this series.
Full Review HERE
I'll be starting The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters today.
I just started reading "American Girls Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers" by Nancy Jo Sales. I'm on page 80 and am riveted. Also, saddened and horrified. Not surprised though. I have seen the same things the author discusses, happening to girls I care about. I've often felt alone with my worry about what all this social media, liking, rating, etc is doing to girls when the teens are a difficult age already. If you are a parent, relative, family friend of a teen, female or male teen, you should be reading this book.
I couldn't wait and started Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House. I'm only letting myself read a bit at a time so I don't finish far too early like I did with Fallen Land
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The Next Best Book Club
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Jackie, I'm 100% the same way. It didn't sound like it would be my ideal type of book, and magical realism doesn't normally do much for me, but this one is very good and is holding my interest throughout.