The Next Best Book Club discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Book Related Banter
>
What Are You Reading - Part Deux
South Australia became home to popular Scottish-born rocker Jimmy Barnes whose autobiography is in two parts. The first is Working Class Boy
Scottish slums to SA migrant hostels was frying pan to fire!
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I recently reread American Gods. Great book.This morning, I finished John Dies at the End.
Now, I'm going to reread The Gunslinger.
The Gatekeeper – Kathryn Smith – 4****
Subtitle: Missy LeHand, FDR, and the Untold Story of the Partnership That Defined a Presidency. This is a fascinating biography of the woman “beside” the man, who despite her influence at the time, quickly slipped out of the public’s consciousness.
LINK to my review
One of my favourite authors is Aussie Tim Winton whose recent non-fiction Island Home is an important addition to Australian literature and to conservation campaigns worldwide. 
Non-fiction, part memoir, part reminiscences, part passion about how to save his beloved island - Australia - from the insidious effects of development and climate change.
5★ My review with some good photos
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Serpents Tale – Ariana Franklin – 3.5***
Book two in the series. There are several things I like about this series, starting with Adelia Aguilar – a strong, independent, resilient, and resourceful heroine. Franklin does a lot of research and it shows in the way she sets the tone and describes the landscape and relationships in 12th century England. The plot is intricate, and had more than one surprise for the reader.
LINK to my review
Today I started The Goldfinch on audio. Seven hours in and I'm not looking forward to tomorrow because I have it on download from the library and I only have 2 weeks to get through it so I'll be putting in another 7 hours of listening. My ftf book club picked it so I don't have a choice but boy as good as it is I'm just not looking forward to all the hours I'll have to spend on one book. Audio goes a lot slower than reading. I've read A Song of Ice and Fire books and gotten though 1000 plus pages in only a week, can't imagine how long it would take to listen.
Final Jeopardy – Linda Fairstein – 3***
Linda Fairstein mined her own experience as a top prosecutor in New York’s Sex Crimes Unit for this debut thriller, starring NYC prosecutor Alexandra Cooper. It’s a fast-paced mystery with plenty of suspects, interesting plot twists, a likeable main character, and some complicated relationships. I’ll definitely read more of this series.
LINK to my review
Still listening to
but it is very good. I don't think I will do long books on audio again. For some reason it's driving me crazy with a desire to read something, anything else and the book is really very good. I guess its the sitting and listening that's getting to me, I don't know.
An oldie for a challenge was the 1908 book, The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare, by G.K. Chesterton, probably something later fantasy/thriller writers grew up with, since a lot felt familiar.My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hi everyone,I'm currently reading a dystopian thriller, Cutting the Bloodline, by Angeline Trevena, in which a future UK government has identified a 'crime gene' and outcasts all those identified has having the gene.
I'm also reading Misfortune by Heather Osborne which is the 2nd in a series of crime thrillers and is a great read so far.
Into the Beautiful North – Luis Alberto Urrea – 3.5***
This is a quest novel, a coming-of-age story, and a road trip adventure, populated by one of the most eclectic cast of characters in literature. I loved Nayeli, whose smile is like the sunrise. She’s honest, fierce, loyal to her friends, and determined to succeed in her mission. The novel is translated from Spanish to English, but still includes much Spanish and even some “Spanglish.” This may be challenging for readers who don’t speak Spanish.
LINK to my review
Hey guys, I finished Victoria Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic! It was a great read and loved the characters. If you enjoy fantasy/magic/adventure, you may also enjoy it.
Review is here.
Karen M wrote: "Still listening to but it is very good. I don't think I will do long books on audio again. For some reason it's driving me crazy with a desire to read something, ..."My husband got into a phase where he was interested in listening to audio books and we went through Michael Shaara's Civil War Trilogy, but I think I still prefer reading, especially those longer books like the The Goldfinch. I wish I had liked it better ... I just didn't have that much sympathy for the main character. Donna Tartt's writing is very good but just not my favorite.
Pamela wrote: "Karen M wrote: "Still listening to but it is very good. I don't think I will do long books on audio again. For some reason it's driving me crazy with a desire to ..."I agree the writing was good but parts were sort of dragged out and there were a lot of incidents (I guess for emphisis) to show the relationship between Boris and Theo was "ride or die" over the years. (I really felt 'okay, I get, enough already'.) I did enjoy it and I do really love long books (A Song of Ice and Fire & Make Way for Lucia) but this one was hard to get through. My ftf book club meets in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to hear their opinions. Oh, and I liked Boris far more than Theo. Boris stayed true to his nature throughout.
I'm reading The Rosie Project which is fairly short and funny.
Karen M wrote: "I'm reading The Rosie Project which is fairly short and funny. ."I really enjoyed that one, Karen - hope you do too!
Another 5★ winner: Half of a Yellow Sun by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The flag of Biafra has/had half of a yellow sun.
Link to my review
Malicious Intent – Kathryn Fox – 3.5***
Great debut in a crowded field, starring Sydney’s only female freelance forensic pathologist. Fox writes a tense, compelling mystery thriller with a (mostly) strong female lead. I had identified the culprit pretty quickly, certainly by half-way through the novel, but enjoyed watching the characters figure it out for themselves.
LINK to my review
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Karen M wrote: "I'm reading The Rosie Project which is fairly short and funny. ."I really enjoyed that one, Karen - hope you do too!"
I think I'll add The Rosie Effect to my wish list.
Happy Never After – Kathy Hogan Trochek – 3***
I like this mystery series. It’s a little edgier than a traditional cozy, because Callahan is a former Atlanta Police Officer, but it has many of the classic elements of a cozy. I really enjoyed the premise in this installment, especially as I was a teenager in the era of the sixties girl groups.
LINK to my review
I finished The Heart's Invisible Furies. 5 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book Concierge wrote: "Happy Never After
– Kathy Hogan Trochek – 3***
I like this mystery series. It’s a little edgier than a traditional cozy, because Callahan is a former Atlant..."
It's a good series. Loved the girls who worked for House Mouse. I read 4 or 5 of them a number of years ago.
Great new favourite book in my favourite genre (short stories) is Caitlin Hamilton Summie's To Lay To Rest Our Ghosts, a collection of stories, often inter-connected like those of Pulitzer prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout.
4.5★Link to my reviewIf you're a NetGalley reviewer, it's still available till July 31. https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
I've just read & given 5 stars to Wake by Anna Hope. Now I'm reading Enduring Love by Ian McEwan.
Elephant Company – Vicki Constantine Croke – 3.5***
Subtitle: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II. The subtitle really intrigued me and I was eager to read about this particular episode, but the author gives us more than 200 pages of background before we get to World War II and the vital role Williams and his elephants played in the fight against the Japanese.
LINK to my review
July 31 - Currently ReadingTEXT –
My Mrs. Brown / William NorwichAUDIO in the car –
Kitchens of the Great Midwest / J. Ryan StradalMP3 Player AUDIO -
Half Broke Horses / Jeannette Walls
I read Wall's The Glass Castlein 2013 for my physical book club and generally enjoyed it, despite really getting angry at parents that would not do better by their children.I'm currently reading a classic: Miss Pinkerton
by Mary Roberts Rinehart.
Baker Towers – Jennifer Haigh – 3.5***
This is the kind of character-driven literary fiction that I love to read and discuss with my F2F book club. Haigh focuses on the Novak family to tell the story of America in the years following World War II. It’s a microcosm of American life, that encompasses many of the issues faced by the nation during the 1930s through 1970s.
LINK to my review
Quirky first novel Quiet Until the Thaw by Alexandra Fuller, channelling her 'inner Lakota' to show the plight and humour of the disenfranchised American Indians (as they are always called in the book).
4★ Link to my review
Recently read Little Gold by Allie Rogers. 12-yo girl trusts nobody, and with good reason.
3.5★ Link to my review
Okay, finished Not My Father's Son and also Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam and have started reading two new books. First is from one of the first ladies of mystery Mary Roberts Rinehart, The After House and the other is One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd.
Sycamore Row – John Grisham – 3***
A wealthy man commits suicide and leaves the majority of his estate to his black housekeeper. Why would he do such a thing? John Grisham can certainly write a thriller, and his courtroom scenes are entertaining, suspenseful and informative. I liked the various characters, or more accurately, I like the way Grisham writes these characters, even the smarmy attorneys hired by Seth’s children and Lettie’s n’er-do-well husband and distant relatives.
LINK to my review
Nobody needs me to remind them of this wonderfully readable autobiography of Maya Angelou, but that won't stop me from recommending I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings!
5★ Link to my review
Started Remembering Christmas for a reading challenge in another group. Sweet, Christian story which is not my usual thing but it's kind of nice for a change. Bit weird since it's August but what the heck!
I just finished Into the Water by Paula Hawkins and am about to start Theft by Finding by David Sedaris
August 6 - Currently ReadingTEXT –
The Dud Avocado / Elaine DundyAUDIO in the car –
Lucky Man / Michael J. Fox MP3 Player AUDIO –
Don't You Cry / Mary Kubica
This took me back to raising my kids! Worse Things Happen at Sea by favourite Aussie actor William McInnes and his late wife, Sarah Watt, is a funny, tender, uninhibited memoir (sort of). 
4.5★ Link to my review
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...
Fever Dogs: Stories by Kim O'Neil
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...