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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
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Danita
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Oct 18, 2017 04:55PM
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Double Indemnity - James M Cain – 5*****
Cain is a master of the roman noir. His writing is every bit as seductive as the temptress at the heart of his story. You just know this is going to end badly but you cannot tear yourself away, you just HAVE to continue.
LINK to my review
I finished Future Home of the Living God. 5 stars. My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished The Little Stranger and really enjoyed it. I am now reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and liking it so far but am not too far in.
The Illusion of Separateness – Simon Van Booy – 3.5***
Van Booy tells this interwoven story from different perspectives and in different time periods. Throughout we see how a small act of kindness – or cruelty – can reverberate through time and across continents. The writing is poetic and fluid. I felt immersed in the story, and was never disoriented by the changing perspectives or time lines. I want to read it again, and I would definitely read another book by this author.
LINK to my review
Aussie Author Michael Sala has written about his (now) hometown of Newcastle, NSW, in The Restorer, where short-fused Roy is trying to restore a house and his family.
3.5★ Link to my review
Book Concierge wrote: "
Dracula
- Bram Stoker – 5*****
If you’ve seen any of the movies, you know the basic plot, but the original novel is so much more! To begin there is the typical Victor..."
This is definitely my next read! I've had it sitting by the bed far too long and October just seems like the right time to read.
But before I do, I've got about 200 more pages of Wilbur Smith's River God to finish!
Just starting Daphne du Maurier's My Cousin Rachel. I've read so many of her books but some how I never read this one.
I am currently reading When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon, Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa, and Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard by Mawi Asgedom.
Read The Forbidden Game - 2 starsMy review (well, part of it. It took me way too much time to get through just 16 pages of the book):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am currently reading A Stolen Marriage by one of my favorite authors, Diane Chamberlain.
The Children Act – Ian McEwan – 3***
Fiona Maye is a High Court judge who presides over cases in family court, but while she is dealing with this heart-breaking legal case, her personal life also demands attention. The decisions she makes will have consequences for all. I like the way that McEwan explores hidden emotions and the effects of those feelings on the characters’ decisions and actions. I was interested in the subject, but McEwan lost me as the novel progressed. When it ended I felt like I was missing something.
LINK to my review
I finished In Every Moment We Are Still Alive. 4.5 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A great little picture book about a boy with autism who'd like help. Jillian Ma's gorgeous In My World 
5★ from me. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Terra Nullius, by Indigenous Aussie author Claire G. Coleman, is a unique take on colonisation, incorporating history, philosophy and religion, oh yes, and fantasy and sci-fi! 
3.5★ rounded up to 4. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Murder in the Paperback Parlor – Ellery Adams – 2**
Number two in the “Book Retreat Mysteries” series set in Storyton Hall, “the perfect getaway for literature lovers.” This has all the elements of a typical cozy mystery: an amateur sleuth, a “cute” occupation / back story, a little romantic tension, and more suspects than you can shake a stick at. The premise of Storyton Hall, however, lost me a little – most likely because I had not read the first book in the series. I did love all the references to books, however. I think I’ll go back and read book # 1 before I give final judgment on the series.
LINK to my review
Book Concierge wrote: " The premise of Storyton Hall, however, lost me a little – most likely because I had not read the first book in the series.."
The first book does explain the history/purpose of Storyton Hall. I still have books two and three in Mount TBR. I had to set this author aside (for a little while anyway) after she disappointed and angered me with the ending of another series.
Norwegian By Night – Derek B Miller – 4****
An eighty-two-year-old former Marine suffering from PTSD, leaves his New York home to live with his granddaughter and her husband in Oslo, Norway. Isolated by language, Sheldon still recognizes a bad situation when the neighbor woman is attacked by a violent stranger. He grabs the woman’s small son, and flees. How he eludes both the bad guys and the police, while keeping the boy safe is the central plot. But Miller’s character study of this unlikely hero is what makes the novel shine. A wonderful debut!
LINK to my review
My Cousin Rachel was a slow read but only because I wanted to really absorb the language. Daphne du Maurier was such a wonderful writer. Now I have moved on to something a bit different, The Dirty Book Club.
I'm reading Outcasts United: an American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference by Warren St. John.
I'm back into Odd. Purchased and read the first four of the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz, then realized I had more I needed to read. Working on Odd Apocalypse now. Love Dean's prose!
Oct 30 - Currently ReadingTEXT –
Karma by Cathy OstlereAUDIO in the car –
Drums of Autumn by Diana GabaldonMP3 Player AUDIO –
The Hidden Child by Camilla Läckberg
Heart and Soul – Maeve Binchy – 3***
This is a story of family, friends, patients and staff whose lives intersect at a heart clinic in Dublin. This was the right book for me at the right time – a gentle, engaging story that focuses on relationships. It is a sort of snapshot of a year in these people’s lives. This is a sequel to Nights of Rain and Stars, with many of those characters appearing here as well.
LINK to my review
I'm going to start reading Summertime, All the Cats Are Bored by Philippe Georget.
Book Concierge - I have read all of Maeve Binchy's books and really miss her. In this stressful world she was the calm sense I could look forward to read.Have you ever read anything by Rosamunde Pilcher. She wrote one of my all things me favorite books, The Shell Seekers and many others I enjoyed. If you liked Binchy, I have no doubt you will enjoy her books too.
I am currently reading An Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff. Next up is The Book of Separation by Tova Mirvis and then Moonglow by Michael Chabon for s book group.
Murder in the Mystery Suite – Ellery Adams – 3***
Book number one in the Book Retreat Mystery series. This was a delightful cozy mystery. The premise is a bit outlandish, but it makes for a colorful cast of characters. And I love all the literary references.
LINK to my review
Nancy from NJ wrote: "Book Concierge - I have read all of Maeve Binchy's books and really miss her. In this stressful world she was the calm sense I could look forward to read.Have you ever read anything by Rosamunde ..."
I have not read Pilcher ... thanks for the recommendation ....
Sundown, Yellow Moon – Larry Watson – 2**
I’ve read several of Watson’s other books and am a fan of his writing, but this was clearly not his best work. The narrator’s inability to let go of a murder/suicide in his home town during his teens, and his inability to connect with those around him make for a decidedly distant experience. At the end I’m left feeling “is that all?”
LINK to my review
I'm reading Paris by Edward Rutherfurd. It's not very well written but I'm planning a trip to Paris and this is a nice way to get to know a bit of the city's history.
I read Where the Past Begins: A Writer's Memoir. 3 stars. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Almost finished with Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House, #14 in the series. This has been my go to series when I need something light or funny or help getting back on track with reading.
I'm starting Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave.
Karma – Cathy Ostlere – 3***
This young adult novel is told entirely in verse, making for a very fast read. While there is a “love story” in the plot, the book includes some pretty serious matter: religious strife between Sikhs and Hindus, civil and political unrest in India, and the treatment of women. Maya is a strong female lead, despite the trauma she’s faced and her withdrawal into herself.
LINK to my review
Finished Sadness Is a White Bird: A Novel. 5 stars. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished
.Really enjoyed it. It was the author's debut.
My review can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Crumb wrote: "I just finished .Really enjoyed it. It was the author's debut.
My review can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Glad to see you liked it, it's on my list. : )
Ukulele Murder – Leslie Langtry – ZERO stars
This is just bad. The writing is hackneyed, the dialogue is tortured, the plot is ridiculous, and none of the characters is believable. Even worse, in my opinion, is the lame attempt at humor in re Nani’s mother’s alcoholism. Alcoholism is *never* funny.
LINK to my review
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