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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
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Angela M
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Aug 07, 2017 06:33AM
I finished The Hidden Light of Northern Fires. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Bliss – Kathryn Littlewood – 2**
The Bliss family’s special Cookery Booke is full of ancient recipes for treats such as Cookies of Truth and Singing Gingersnaps. I think some middle-grade readers will be entertained and enjoy this, but I found it really awful. A few entertaining scenes and recognition that I am NOT the intended audience cause me to give it 2 stars.
LINK to my review
Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener – M.C. Beaton – 3***
This series is growing on me, as I get to know Agatha better. She’s a smart woman in business (apparently), but she is woefully bad at relationships. It takes a long time to get to the murder with all the relationship drama, but once Agatha discovers the body, her curiosity keeps her nosing about. All in all a satisfying cozy mystery.
LINK to my review
Today I started The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar. I've always had a fascination with Royal Russian family and I admit that it was more about Anastasia. My 12 year old cousin was babysitting me by taking me to see a Disney movie. Well, she swore me to secrecy and took me to see the movie with Yul Brenner and Ingrid Bergman. Now, I was 8 years old and I am not Russian and was way too young but I can recall thinking maybe I was Anastasia! LOL Always a romantic!
Karen M wrote: "Today I started The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar. I've always had a fascination with Royal Russian family and I admit that it was more about Anastasia. My 12 year old cousin w..."What a wonderful way to kindle your passion for Russian royalty! Lovely memory - and who knows? Maybe . . .
When historical fiction is also good literature, it's a win-win for me! A Thousand Splendid Suns is the story of two Afghan girls, by acclaimed author Khaled Hosseini, who previously wrote The Kite Runner about two Afghan boys. 
4.5★ Link to my review
I liked The Kitchen Boy, Karen. Hope you're enjoying it :)Patty, A Thousand Splendid Suns is one of my favourite books. Loved it.
I'm reading The Road Home by Rose Tremain. I'm almost at 100 pages and finding the story a bit boring so far, although I do like her style of writing.
Jackie wrote: "I liked The Kitchen Boy, Karen. Hope you're enjoying it :)Patty, A Thousand Splendid Suns is one of my favourite books. Loved it.
I'm reading The Road Home by Rose Tremain. I'm almost at 100 pag..."
Really enjoying The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar. I have previously read the non-fiction Nicholas and Alexandra. I also have The Secret Daughter of the Tsar and I think I might have another ebook on the same subject. Just a bit obsessed.
I just finished reading Beneath a Scarlet Sky which was a giveaway for me. I gave this WWII book about a 17 year old boy in Milan Italy 5 stars. My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I also finished The Unseen World which took me awhile to review. I enjoyed the book and have it 3 1/2 stars but I apparently expected more than others.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Now I am reading Insane Clown President: Dispatches from the 2016 Circus which is just reminding me of how much the last election was like a Jerry Springer show.
Last night I started Forty Rooms which looks promising. The book is broken up into very small segments each one a room from a young girls life...and then into adulthood. Right now she is 4 1/2-6 and she sees ghosts along with imaginary friends but I don't think they stay with her into adulthood. Anyway it is very descriptive writing.
Just finish reading The Roof is on Fire: Hell House 2 by Brenda Hampton. It was a very good read. I put it on my top shelf.
When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi – 4****
This memoir was written when Paul Kalanithi was in his mid-thirties, about to finish his training as a neurosurgeon, and had been diagnosed with an aggressive lung cancer. I was interested and moved by his story.
LINK to my review
I finished Call Me By Your Name! It was very different from any romance novel I've ever read. Here's my review
And the movie trailer was released last week as well!
5★ OCD to the max! Addition by Aussie author Toni Jordan gives us Grace - smart, funny, always counting. Link to my review
Sworn to Silence – Linda Castillo – 4****
First in a series. This is a tight, fast-paced thriller. I really like Kate; she’s intelligent, resourceful, fiercely protective, determined and a strong leader. Readers looking for a “cozy” Amish book should look elsewhere. There is a violent sexual predator on the loose and the victims endure torture and physical violence. I will keep reading this series.
LINK to my review
A good tale covering the conflict between Native Americans and the buffalo hide hunters wiping out the last of the great herds. Realistic and well paced look at the conflict at Adobe Walls told in a historical-fiction context.
Over the weekend I started reading Divergent and for something fun Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell
5★ for Helen Garner's searing story of a fascinating Canberra murder trial in Joe Cinque's Consolation, A True Story of Death, Grief and the Law.
My review
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "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![book..."
I recently purchased this book at a library sale and I'm so glad that I have. I'll be starting it soon but right now, I'm beginning another book I've wanted to read for quite a while: [book:A Man Called Ove|18774964]
by Fredrik Backman.
My Mrs Brown – William Norwich – 4****
This is a lovely, charming story of one woman’s quest, at once modest and outlandish: to own an Oscar de la Renta sheath dress with jacket. Mrs Brown’s genuine goodness and politeness serve her well. Despite being the target of mean-girl behavior at work, and some serious setbacks, she perseveres quietly and consistently. It’s a wonderful fable, and I just love Mrs Brown.
LINK to my review
Pamela McLaren I found the book "A Man Called Ov" quite charming and recommended to my physical book club girls.
Iam reading a book by Stephken king entitled "Mr. Mercedes...its very good thus far...
Finally reading Raise the Titanic! which has been on the shelf waiting for around two years. Really should say I'm devouring it, read 196 pages today so far. 
Pamela wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "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"Great you scored a copy of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Pamela, and I hope you like it as well as A Man Called Ove. They are very different but excellent reads!
Just finished Last Drinks by Aussie Andrew McGahan. Alcohol, politics, alcohol, corruption, alcohol, murder. Mystery based on 20-year reign of an infested Queensland State Government. (Did I mention the alcohol?)
4.5★Link to my review
Kitchens of the Great Midwest – J Ryan Stradal – 3.5***
A debut novel that shows the writer’s promise. The story is told in roughly chronological order, but each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character. Through them the reader gets to know Eva, “the mysterious chef behind the most sought-after dinner reservation in the country.”
LINK to my review
After devouring Raise the Titanic! I'm going lighter withThe Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and The Monarch of the Glen.Have to say I could not put Raise the Titanic! down so no cleaning was done or much of anything else until I finished it. Read it over 24 hour period but I did sleep and cook.
Donnalee wrote: "Pamela McLaren I found the book "A Man Called Ov" quite charming and recommended to my physical book club girls."I finished it a couple of days ago, Donnalee, and I totally agree with you! It was a delight from start to finish, unlike the other book for my physical book club, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins its easy enough to read but I can't get truly into the story because I have contempt for the three main women characters.
Karen M wrote: "After devouring Raise the Titanic! I'm going lighter withThe Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and The Monarch of the Glen.Have to say I could not put Ra..."
I agree with you about [book:Raise the Titanic!. Clive Cussler is a guilty pleasure of mine and I know what you mean about reading it in 24 hours. I always enjoy reading his stories because there is a bit of history there and then the men are always handsome and strong, the women beautiful and every one of them terrifically smart. Loads of fun reading every time! I have his book Shock Wave
I read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry last year and found it to be wonderful, along the same lines as A Man Called Ove. Hope you enjoy it and The Monarch of the Glen.
Fun! Wish You Were Here - a Thelma and Louise (no Louise) sorting-herself-out, warts-and-all road trip across America in a bright red, 1989 muscle car! By Sheridan Jobbins, Aussie journalist, screenwriter, TV presenter.
4★ Link to my review
Pamela wrote: "Karen M wrote: "After devouring Raise the Titanic! I'm going lighter withThe Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and The Monarch of the Glen.Have to say I could ..."
Thanks Pamela! I really enjoyed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and did not anticipate the ending, always a sign of a well written book. Since I finished one book I decided to go ahead and read Carrie by Stephen King another author I really enjoy but don't seem to read very often.
Half Broke Horses – Jeannette Walls – 4****
In what she calls a “true life novel,” Walls turns her attention to her maternal grandmother: Lily Casey Smith. Walls is a wonderful storyteller; she really brings Lily and all the other characters to life. And what a life! The author also does a fine job of putting the reader into this time and place. I could practically smell the horses, and feel the dust on my skin.
LINK to my review
I finished Frankenstein, thank God (goodbye, summer homework). And, now I'm reading A Game of Thrones for fun! It's so good so far (some parts are not as fun to read because I've seen the show, so it feels repetitive and weird, but the details only in the book is so refreshing to learn about).
I read The Green Phoenix: A Novel of the Woman Who Re-Made Asia, Empress Xiaozhuang. 3 stars. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Groot – Jeff Loveness (illustrated by Brian Kesinger) – 2**
Hmmm. Really don’t know what to say about this graphic novel / comics collection starring a talking tree with limited vocabulary, and a perpetually irritated Rocket Raccoon. Clearly I’m not the target audience, but I think I see the appeal. It satisfied a challenge and took my mind off my troubles for an hour.
LINK to my review
Lucky Man – Michael J Fox – 4****
Michael J Fox was barely thirty years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This is his memoir in which he explains how and why “I consider myself a lucky man.” He is honest and forthright in describing his childhood, early career, missteps, alcohol abuse, successes, and failures. I was interested and engaged in his story. Not your typical celebrity memoir.
LINK to my review
A bit more than half ways through The Monarch of the Glen and I started The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café.
I am almost halfway through The Bad Seed by William March
Romance, politics, and mystery! Enjoy a trip to Kakadu National Park, the World Heritage site in Australia's wild Northern Territory.Kakadu Sunset by Aussie author Annie Seaton.
3.5★ Link to my review
Don’t You Cry – Mary Kubica – 2.5**
Quinn is a bad roommate, but when Esther goes missing, she’s concerned and determined to find the truth. Meanwhile, Alex is besotted with the strange woman, Pearl, who frequents the diner where he works. The plot is convoluted and complicated, yet somehow lacks suspense. I was not impressed.
LINK to my review
Finished The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café and so I started Clapton: The Autobiography. Been a fan since he was in Cream.
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