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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
message 3501:
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Danita
(new)
Mar 04, 2017 04:47PM
Just finish reading part 3 of the double dippin series. Now on 2 part 4.
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Later today I'm going to start reading Someone by Alice McDermott. It's not a very lengthy book so I'm hoping it's going to be a shorty but goody :)
Jackie , Alice McDermott is one of my very favorite authors. Quiet novels , lovely writing, not a lot of action but beautiful stories in my opinion. Hope you enjoy !
I enjoyed This Is What a Librarian Looks Like: A Celebration of Libraries, Communities, and Access to Information. 5 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon – Alexander McCall Smith – 3.5***
I rarely get past book four or five in a mystery series, because they become formulaic for me and I lose interest. But this series is a wonderful exception. As in most of the books, there are two cases the Ladies work on in this 14th installment, but the real focus of the series is on the relationships between the characters. Fans of the series will find most of the characters they have come to love present.
LINK to my review
Thanks Angela. I haven't read any of her work before. I don't mind books that don't have a lot of action going on as long at all as I'm enjoying the writing!
South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula was the location for this "domestic suspense" novel by Aussie author Dianne Maguire, Things We Cannot See. 3★Important subject about teens and sexual predators written by a former social worker.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Going to start reading Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith today.
Under the Wide and Starry Sky – Nancy Horan – 2.5**
This work of historical fiction tells the story of the relationship of Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne and Robert Louis Stevenson. Once again Horan turns her attentions to a man who was difficult to live with, and a woman who was conflicted about her life with that man. It should have been interesting, but this book somehow failed to capture me. The best part was their lives in Samoa, only about 100 pages in a nearly 500-page book.
LINK to my review
Picked up a copy of Trophy Hunt and so far it's been a good read about mysterious deaths of wildlife followed up by local folks kicking the bucket in Wyoming. The case is worked by a game warden with his own share of drama keeping up with his own life. Still interesting half way through the book.
I am reading The Handmaid's Tale for the 2017 Reading Challenge group read. I'm only about 70 pages in but it's very good so far.I am also reading A Clockwork Orange for the TBR Twins in that same group. The language and syntax in that book is astounding.
I'm listening to Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir on cd in the car for my real life book club. Her voice kind of annoyed me at first, but she's growing on me.
When my 5-year-old is in the car, we've been listening to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Roald Dahl is one of my favorite children's book authors.
The Memoirs of CleopatraI currently reading The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George, it is pushing me out of my comfort zone a bit. One because it is a around 1,000 pages long and it makes very people who today are very well known into normal problematic people. It makes me see that Cleopatra was a real person to not just the idolized queen she is represented as but it makes me feel a bit weird because I see myself so much in her. It's also very funny, I'm really enjoying this book.
Currently devouring:A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
And
Pilgrim by Timothy Findley: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...
I just finished The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit and give it 5 stars. Excellent book and I would recommend it to everyone!
Arjun wrote: "Currently devouring:A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
And
Pilgrim by Timothy Findley: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show..."
That looks like an interesting pair to read at the same time, Arjun!
I gave The Outsiders four stars. I know it's considered YA but it was a really good read. Now, I have moved on to a favorite author, Tony Hillerman, Skinwalkers. Guess I'm still in a mood for a good mystery.
Pretty little picture book with cute animals and fairies - perfect for libraries. Just in time for northern hemisphere Spring 2017.Do Fairies Bring the Spring?. 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Arjun wrote: "Currently devouring:A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
And
Pilgrim by Timothy Findley: https://www.goodreads..."
Oh they are. They require different sets of emotions and sensibilities which is what I crave when I'm reading multiple books. Reading books that never really force you to think in a different direction defeats the purpose of being a Bibliophile as far as I'm concerned.
Deeper Than the Dead – Tamy Hoag – 3.5***
Set in a California town a few hours from Los Angeles, in 1985, Hoag’s thriller begins when four children stumble upon the partially buried body of a woman while playing in the woods. Hoag writes a tight, suspenseful tale. The action is fast-paced, and I was completely captivated from beginning to end.
LINK to my review
Anthony wrote: "Picked up a copy of Trophy Hunt and so far it's been a good read about mysterious deaths of wildlife followed up by local folks kicking the bucket in Wyoming. The case is worked by a ..."I really like this Joe Pickett series by C J Box
Gorgeous little picture book - get it before the summer road trips! The Big Adventures of Tiny House - Tiny is transformed and takes us all across the USA. I shared a few illustrations - too cute to resist. :)
5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Vicious Vet – M.C. Beaton – 3***
Book two in the popular Agatha Raisin cozy mystery series. I was not a fan of the first Agatha Raisin book, but she’s growing on me. One of the review blurbs calls Agatha “a glorious cross between Miss Marple, Auntie Mame, and Lucille Ball, with a tad of pit bull tossed in” (St Petersburg Times). I’m beginning to see that combination here, and I’m starting to appreciate the humor in Agatha’s character.
LINK to my review
Jackie wrote: "Going to start reading Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith today."Almost picked this up today ... I need another book like a hole in the head by I'm intrigued. You'll have to share what you think of it, Jackie.
Meanwhile, I'm reading Dorothy L. Sayers: The Complete Stories and The Velvet Turnshoe by Cassandra Clark. Will begin My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante later in the month as its my physical book club's book of the month.
Book Concierge wrote: "The Vicious Vet
– M.C. Beaton – 3***
Book two in the popular Agatha Raisin cozy mystery series. I was not a fan of the first Agatha Raisin book, but she’s gr..."
Just started this one today. My first Agatha was one of the latest ones and I liked the character so much I decided to read the series from the beginning. It's so nice when a character is "human" and so very far from perfect!
i am reading The Whites Flower by BRENDAN GRAHAM.The story is set in Ireland during the potato famine or Great Famine,it is extraordinary how the British allowed so many thousands died in their doorsteps,
Hi Pamela,I gave Child 44 4 stars. It's definitely worth a read, imo, but I was just a little disappointed in it. I can't quite put my finger on the reason why. Maybe it was because I'd read a few glowing reviews or maybe it's more to do with me. Generally I prefer the psychological thrillers. It was easy enough to read though & I enjoyed the style of writing. If you do get round to reading it, let me know what you think of it :)
I'm going to start reading At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier later today.
Station Eleven – Emily St John Mandel – 4****
The snow falling on Toronto gives the city a peaceful look, but the hysteria caused by a spreading plague that kills within days cannot be stopped. Dystopian or postapocalyptic novels are really not my thing, but I found this novel quite interesting. Mandel moves back and forth in time, and from character to character, keeping the reader off balance.
LINK to my review
Loved 11/22/63 because Stephen King is such a good writer, and he can be quite the romantic!5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Today I'm starting A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George. It's the first in the Inspector Lynley series.
I just finished Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs It is excellent and I think it is a book everyone should read. It is a real eye opener about our war on drugs and how there may be better ways. Here is my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Fierce Radiance – Lauren Belfer – 2.5**
Well this sounded much more interesting than it wound up being. I definitely enjoyed some aspects of the novel. I like reading medical histories, and the race to develop a procedure to mass produce penicillin was an important effort in World War II. But, Belfer included a romantic subplot, as well as broken family ties, a murder, and other elements. There is just too much going on between the covers of this book, and I never got caught up in the story.
LINK to my review
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Loved 11/22/63 because Stephen King is such a good writer, and he can be quite the romantic!5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I'm also a huge Stephen King fan. Loved this book.
I am reading Palm Beach Deadly by Tom Turner. It's one of the Palm Beach series about a couple of detectives who solve crimes in that town. Good stories with interesting fun characters. Free, by the way, on Kindle Unlimited.
I seem to have developed an addiction. Finished reading Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener and am now in the middle of Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley.
The Dog Stars – Peter Heller – 3***
I am not a great fan of post-apocalyptic novels. And yet, here I am reading another one. Heller’s writing is both poetic and spare, with short sentences that come at the reader like staccato gun fire. This gives the novel a feeling of impending danger, of uncertainty and fear. I wanted to rush through it, and yet, I wanted to take my time to understand what was happening and how these characters were dealing with this different world.
LINK to my review
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is an amazing, award-winning debut.My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I will be starting Surfacing by Margaret Atwood later today.
Jackie wrote: "Hi Pamela,I gave Child 44 4 stars. It's definitely worth a read, imo, but I was just a little disappointed in it. I can't quite put my finger on the reason why. Maybe it was because I'd read a fe..."
Thanks for the review. I'm interested in the Tracy Chevalier's "At the Edge of the Orchard," too. I've read several of her books, and loved them, and currently have "The Last Runaway" and "The Virgin Blue" to read.
Book Concierge wrote: " The Dog Stars
– Peter Heller – 3***
I am not a great fan of post-apocalyptic novels. And yet, here I am reading another one. Heller’s writing is both poetic..."
I also gave this novel three stars and like you, don't really like the idea of post apocalyptic novels but have read several. This seems less dark that "The Road" even though in that book, the ending seemed more hopeful.
Has anyone read Night Film by Marisha Pessl? I remember seeing mixed reviews prior to finding it on a clearance table and buying it anyway. Well, I've started it and its really different. Will have to get into it further to see if I like it.
Hi Pamela,I like Tracy Chevalier's books too. I think she's pretty good at transporting you to the era she's writing about. I've read the Runaway book but not the Virgin one - I don't think I have anyway!
I've read the Night Film book and personally I really liked it. I seem to remember it had photos or emails or something which, for me, added a little something and made it a bit different.
Cricket and crims!The Rules of Backyard Cricket by Aussie author Jock Serong.
Colourful story of brothers who are like a psychotic Shane Warne split in two. (Google him if you don't know him.)
4.5★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Voyager – Diana Gabaldon – 3***
Book three in the popular Outlander series. This isn’t great literature, but the series is fun to read. This installment delves more deeply into the supernatural, which I thought detracted from the central story.
LINK to my review
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