The Next Best Book Club discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Book Related Banter
>
What Are You Reading - Part Deux
message 3051:
by
Karen M
(new)
Aug 04, 2016 04:09PM
Finished Baby Doll which was a really good read and have started a Josephine Tey book which is a re-read The Daughter of Time. I read this book so long ago it may as well be a new book to me!
reply
|
flag
Finished Blue Monday by Nicci French. Liked it a lot. Look forward to reading the rest of the series.Starting The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff today.
Zia Summer by Rudolfo Anaya – 3*** This is a very atmospheric murder mystery, full of the magical realism that goes with ghost stories and folk tales. But the plot has a fair amount of very real and gritty violence, perpetrated by flesh-and-blood humans, not paranormal entities. The way Anaya describes the landscape, and various characters’ relationship with the land is frequently poetic. I particularly loved Don Eliseo and his cronies, and the ways they helped (or hindered) Sonny’s investigation.
Full Review HERE
The Diva Takes the Cake – Krista Davis– 1.5*
Book two in the Domestic Diva series has event planner Sophie Wilson in charge of her sister, Hannah’s, wedding. I read mysteries – even cozy mysteries – for the murder plot. And this one is just plain ridiculous. The best thing about the book is the rivalry between Sophie and Natasha, including the competing advice given at the beginning of each chapter. Oh well, it satisfied several challenges and it was a fast read.
Full Review HERE
Today I finished The Daughter of Time which I don't have to tell anyone, since it was written by Josephine Tey, was a really good read. About to start an ARC of The Secret Ways of Perfume by Cristina Caboni.
Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming – 4**** In general I am not a big fan of celebrity memoirs, but Cumming’s memoir of a childhood living with an abusive father, and how he came to terms with the abuse, faced his past and overcame it is well worth reading.
Full Review HERE
The Double Bind – Chris Bohjalian– 4****
Seven years ago Laurel survived a vicious attack in the Vermont woods. Now, in her work at a homeless shelter, she is looking through a box of photographs left by a deceased client, when she discovers a photo that convinces her they contain clues to a hidden family secret. Bohjalian crafts a compelling and intricate scenario with layer upon layer of complexity. I loved the way he drew me in, made me believe in Laurel – and Bobbie – and then forced me to reconsider the veracity of their claims. I’m left breathless and drained at the end. And … wanting to start over again to see what clues Bohjalian left that I missed the first time around.
Full Review HERE
Today I'm going to start The American Boy by Andrew Taylor.
Murder in Belleville by Cara Black – 2.5** This is the second book in the series, and I find that I like the premise of the series, better than I like the books so far. Aimée Leduc is a strong, intelligent, capable woman who doesn’t rely on a convenient strong man to help her (most of the time). But Black seems to get lost in her intricate plots. There are so many threads to follow, so many suspects, so many different dangerous situations, and somehow they don’t really mesh well. Still, I see promise, and I’d be willing to read another.
Full Review HERE
A Fatal Grace – Cara Black – 3*** How could CC de Poitiers have been electrocuted in the midst of a curling match in Three Pines – and without anyone seeing a thing? Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has his work cut out for him solving this mystery, and I love the quiet, efficient way he investigates. I figured out the murderer pretty early, but still enjoyed watching how Gamache arrived at the conclusion. I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
Full Review HERE
Last night I started reading my first Peter Robinson, In the Dark Places and all I can say is it won't be the last! ;)
One Bad Apple by Sheila Connolly – 3*** This is a strong opening for a cozy mystery series. I like Meg; she’s intelligent, relatively self-sufficient, and not easily intimidated. I figured out the culprit long before Meg or the police, and I thought the ending was a little less than satisfying. Still, I like the way Connolly is developing Meg’s relationships with the town’s residents, and there are some delicious recipes featuring apples at the end.
Full Review HERE
Finished United We Spy by Ally Carter Monday night. I was so into the book coming home that night, I actually missed my bus stop and had to walk back five or six blocks. Currently reading Third Girl by Agatha Christie.
Lori wrote: "Hi Everyone, So the last What Are You Reading was glitching something serious, and I apologize for that.
Here's a clean new thread by which you can share your current reads, because we are curi..."
I just finished 1984 by George Orwell, and I'm so upset with myself for not having read this book sooner. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I read Animal Farm a few years back, and thought it was amazing, but 1984 blew it right out of the water.
Anyway, I've just started reading The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I'm only about 20 or so pages in, but it's kinda hard for me to get into. I've heard it's really good though so I hope it picks up the pace soon!
Finished In the Dark Places and am now a real fan of Peter Robinson. I added the first book in the series to my series wish list.I just about started An Unmarked Grave and so far it's very good and there is already a mysterious death.
Kayla wrote: "I just finished 1984 by George Orwell, and I'm so upset with myself for not having read this book sooner. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I read Animal Farm a few years back, and thought it was amazing, but 1984 blew..."Great book ... once you read it, it's easy to see why it has remained a standard in high school curricula.
La’s Orchestra Saves the World – Alexander McCall Smith – 4**** Alexander McCall Smith has a gentle way of introducing the reader to his characters. La and the other residents of the town go about their business in this small Suffolk village during WW2; they worry, rejoice, are fearful, find love, relish friendships, enjoy simple pleasures and take action when they can. I applauded La’s resilience and her ability to maintain her faith in the basic goodness of others. Her scope of influence may have been small, but she was a treasure to those within that circle.
Full Review HERE
I'm going to start reading The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne today. Been looking forward to this one :)
Finished An Unmarked Grave and I am about to start reading a thriller, The Pharm House: A Harding Family Story.
Chasing Cezanne – Peter Mayle – 3*** This is a fun romp of a crime caper, featuring the rich and famous, a couple of big-time art thieves, a curious (but legitimate) art dealer, and an art forger who is ready to make a change. Of course, there’s also a lovely young lady to brighten the landscape. And who could argue against the delights and magic of Paris and Provence? It reminds me of the Cary Grant movies of the 1940s and 1950s.
Full Review HERE
The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah – 3*** It’s a compelling story, and I really liked having the action take place within the lives of these two women. However, at about the midpoint of the narrative, it took a turn towards a romantic melodrama that just really irritated me. And I thought the flashback “mystery” was entirely unnecessary and manipulative. Good but not great.
Full Review HERE
I just started Exile which is the second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger
A Deadly Cliché
– Ellery Adams – 3*** I like this series. I like Olivia’s independence and “get on with it” attitude. Her relationships with the town’s residents are developing nicely in this second installment. She is definitely beginning to open up to the possibility of love and affection in her life. I thought the reveal was a little over-the-top, but I was still sufficiently entertained. I’ll keep reading this series.
Full Review HERE
Book Concierge wrote: "A Deadly Cliché A Deadly Cliché
– Ellery Adams – 3***
I like this series. I like Olivia’s independence and “get on with it” attitude. Her relationships with the town’s resi..."
One of my favorite series!
Deck the Halls
– Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark– 3***
Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, combine their talents in a new mystery series featuring the collaboration of the two writers’ lead characters. This is an interesting and fun mystery. Of course, the reader always knows who the culprit is, but it’s fun to watch the police, Regan and Alvirah arrive at the solution. I’ve never read anything by either of these authors before, so the characters were completely new to me, but I never felt lost and the way they come together seemed plausible. All told, this is a quick, entertaining cozy with a satisfying ending.
Full Review HERE
I'm reading
. I got it free to read and review. So far it's very good.
Just finished The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne. Thoroughly enjoyed it, as I thought I would. Later today I'm going to start Love Anthony by Lisa Genova.
Once Upon a River
– Bonnie Jo Campbell – 3*** I hardly know what to write about this novel. Very early on I was disturbed by Margo and the adults around her. I wanted to hug her and keep her safe and warm. And then I wanted to shake her till her teeth rattled. And yet … she is a compelling character and I couldn’t just turn away from her. Still, this is no Huckleberry Finn. Twain’s central character had a certain innocence about him, which Margo seems to lack.
Full Review HERE
Mothers, Tell Your Daughters
– Bonnie Jo Campbell – 2.5** I think it was a mistake to read/listen to Campbell’s novel (Once Upon a River) back-to-back with this collection of short stories. I can take only so much distress, so much sexual tension and acting out, so much of watching women make bad choice after bad choice after even worse choice. There were a few stories that were humorous or touching, but most were distressingly dismal and depressing.
Full Review HERE
I just finished The Memory Stones.Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just started The Blind Astronomer's Daughter
Today I started reading The Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson which I won in a First Reads giveaway. So far very good.
I recently read The Library at Mount Char, Undermajordomo Minor, and Eating the Dinosaur.Now, I'm reading The Tommyknockers.
Finished 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Pretty funny book, liked it though. Looking for another to read if you have any suggestions.
Evalani wrote: "Finished 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Pretty funny book, liked it though. Looking for another to read if you have any suggestions."I read Jules Verne about once a year and his books are really interesting especially when you consider he died in 1905 but was writing about submarines and trips to the moon.
Isla and the Happily Ever After
– Stephanie Perkins – 2** It’s Paris (and Barcelona), it’s young love, what’s not to like? Teen-age angst on steroids, that what. I confess that I am way past this stage in life, but I definitely see the appeal for the target YA audience. It was a fast read and satisfied several challenges, so it wasn’t a total waste.
Full Review HERE
I'm reading a collection of short stories called Sherlock Holmes in America
The Island of Dr Moreau
– H.G. Wells – 4**** “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” I cannot think of a more succinct way to describe the basic theme of this book. And yet, it is so much more – a strong, philosophical and ethical argument both for and against vivisection and experimentation. A moral tale of one man’s descent as a result of his ego, and how he is able to draw others into his twisted way of thinking.
Full Review HERE
I'm reading a cozy mystery, No Farm, No Foul. It's a fun light read which I think I need before I start reading The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America for my ftf book club.
Latte Trouble
– Cleo Coyle – 3*** Book three in the Coffee House series is fast, entertaining, and enjoyable. I figured out the culprit way before Clare (or the police), but it was still fun watching them work through the clues. As always, Coyle includes some interesting tidbits about coffee, which I liked (even though these segues detracted from the plot).
Full Review HERE
Karen M wrote: "I'm reading a cozy mystery, No Farm, No Foul. It's a fun light read which I think I need before I start reading [book:The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the ..."Cozy mysteries are my comfort food!
Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
– Lucy Knisley – 3*** This is a delightful graphic memoir. Knisley is the daughter of a chef, and has had a close relationship with food since early childhood. She enjoys experiencing new tastes, textures, and smells, and considers food not just as sustenance but a central enjoyment in her life.
Full Review HERE
I'm enjoying The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Grace Interrupted
– Julie Hyzy – 3*** Book number two in the Manor House Mysteries has Marshfield Manor grounds overrun by a group of Civil War re-enactors. When one of them is found stabbed, the Manor’s gardener, Jack Embers, is a suspect. Grace jumps in to clear Jack’s name. I like Grace, but seriously, does Grace really have to get embroiled in this mess? Well, it wouldn’t be a cozy without an amateur sleuth. The character I like the best, is the irascible assistant, Frances. What a hoot she is.
Full Review HERE
The Mirror Crack’d From Side To Side
– Agatha Christie – 3.5*** Miss Marple is showing her age but she’s really not so frail as people think, and she can still out-detect the most experienced Scotland Yard inspector. Christie really kept me guessing on this one. There are plenty of suspects, and lots of red herrings. Miss Marple is at her best in using her knowledge of human behavior and deducing the truth.
Full Review HERE
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Next Best Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
High Heat (other topics)Mai Tai One On (other topics)
Any Ordinary Day (other topics)
Death By Honeymoon (other topics)
Murder in Murloo (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lee Child (other topics)Jill Marie Landis (other topics)
Leigh Sales (other topics)
Jaden Skye (other topics)
Brigid George (other topics)
More...
