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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Leslie wrote: "Jen wrote: "Just finished The Mosquito Coast. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Nice review. You made me think I might like this book despite the f..."
I've got to watch this one!
I finally finished my favorite science fiction series to date by reading Dust. I was pleased with the entire series.
Just finished Wind/Pinball: Two Novels, the first books by novelist Haruki Murakami. I love Murakami and enjoyed these books very much.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Benjamin wrote: "I finally finished my favorite science fiction series to date by reading Dust. I was pleased with the entire series."Hmmm... I am hoping to finish up a sci fi series this year (Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series). Maybe this should be my sci fi series for next year? What kind of sci fi is it?
I've written my review for Sindbad the Sailor and other stories link here My earlier review, of the companion edition of "Tales of the Arabian Nights" also illustrated by Edmund Dulac and published by Omega, can be linked to from the review or alternatively found on my shelves.
That's a great series, Benjamin. I'm not a fan of sci fi/dystopian really but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Leslie wrote: "Benjamin wrote: "I finally finished my favorite science fiction series to date by reading Dust. I was pleased with the entire series."Hmmm... I am hoping to finish up a sci fi se..."
Coming back from Wikipedia I feel slightly more confident in answering your question.
The Silo Series, Wool Omnibus,Shift,Dust, is a soft science fiction series set in an apocalyptic near future setting. I think it expertly utilizes the limited perspectives of the characters to build suspense throughout the series. There is some advanced technology, but I don't think it is unrealistic for the time frame (2200ish).
I really got into the series because I thought that maybe, just maybe, the story could become fact in the upcoming centuries. If you like stories that focus on perspective, internal struggles, moral issues and other non-physical aspects of life, although physical struggles do occur in the series, then you may enjoy the series.
I highly recommending reading The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity, if any of the medical issues the book covers concern you...or may in the future. Which these are are listed in my review. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I don't have a glass ball, so I am very glad to have read this book.
Just finished What She Left Behind. Super good read. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished The Woman in White. I've given it 3.5 stars. The story starts off promising, but towards the last third, it gets a bit drawn out.My Review
@Benjamin -- thanks for the info. I like all different kinds of sci fi and fantasy so I will try at least the first book.In the meanwhile, I have finished listening to the Librivox recording of a Wodehouse book, The Coming of Bill. Apparently this was Wodehouse's one and only attempt at a non-comic book; while not as zany as his more famous Jeeves and Wooster books, it was still pretty funny. I guess he couldn't restrain himself from the humor :)
just finished Gaskell's North and SouthReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(though the real workout is a work in progress!)
I've just reviewed a couple of books. Both good 4 star reads, for different reasons. I am Legend
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Letters of Note
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have completed The Nightingale. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Maybe if you have not read a lot of books about WW2 in France you might like this more than me. You like romance and action? Maybe you should check it out then.
Finished The Promise of Home: A Mill River Novel . 3 stars . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished Willful Creatures by Aimee BenderThis probably not a proper review but this is what I thought: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I whizzed through Falling Free - Grover Gardner's narration of the audiobook was marvelous (as usual with him!). While I read this as part of Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series, it really is a stand-alone novel. In fact, I think it would be better to read it that way as then you wouldn't miss Miles & company from the rest of the series!
Last night finished The Pocket Wife, which I didn't love. Here's my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Have just now, this sunny afternoon, finished Silver Bay. My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tom wrote: "Finished Sanctuary by William Faulkner. 4 Stars."Have you read anything else by him, Tom?
Thousand Pieces of Gold is a delightful book. I whole-heartedly recommend it. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gill wrote: "Tom wrote: "Finished Sanctuary by William Faulkner. 4 Stars."Have you read anything else by him, Tom?"
Yes. The Sound and the Fury - one of my all time favorite books.
Tom wrote: "Finished Sanctuary by William Faulkner. 4 Stars."Based on your encouragement, I requested this through interlibrary loan - just picked it up at the library yesterday! If you loved The Sound and the Fury, you should try Light in August if you haven't read it already.
Leslie wrote: "Tom wrote: "Finished Sanctuary by William Faulkner. 4 Stars."Based on your encouragement, I requested this through interlibrary loan - just picked it up at the library ..."
I plan to eventually read all of Faulkner's work. If you end up liking Sanctuary, Requiem for a Nun is the sequel, which I just discovered last night.
Mod
Have you read anything else by him, Tom?"
Yes. The Sound and the Fury - one of m..."
Mine as well!
Leslie, I too enjoyed Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series (reading only) and found Falling Free interesting but not relevant, although it does get mentioned in at least one of the other books. Question: Did you read any of the books before you bought the audio? If so, does the audio add enough to make them worth 're-listening' to if on sale?
Struggled to find a book to settle to after reading The Lake House, which I have yet to review but loved. I have discarded several books since that. Often the problem after reading a good book.
Dale, I see you're a tougher grader than I am, giving 3 stars (to my 5 stars) to one of my favorites, Gurnsey Literary & Potato etc. Nevertheless, here are a couple of recommendations:Dear Mr. Knightley;
Prayers for Sale.
I didn't check to see if you've read Robyn Carr's The House on Olive Street about four writers.
The Lake HouseHi Dale, I just put "The Lake House" on my to read list - it sounds really good and I love Kate Morton!
Dale wrote: "Struggled to find a book to settle to after reading The Lake House, which I have yet to review but loved. I have discarded several books since that. Often the problem after reading ..."
I'm having a similar problem after finishing The Handmaids Tale (which I had already read and loved). I'm stuck!
I'm having a similar problem after finishing The Handmaids Tale (which I had already read and loved). I'm stuck!
@Dale Thanks for the reminder. I've entered the giveaway and added book to my tbr. I always enjoy a good Kate Morton; she usually does not muck up historical points and her novels are just a good comfy read for me.
Jon wrote: "Leslie, I too enjoyed Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series (reading only) and found Falling Free interesting but not relevant, although it does get mentioned in at least one of t..."I started off reading the omnibus paperbacks (which I got from my mom) and read Cordelia's Honor, Young Miles and Miles, Mystery, and Mayhem all in print. I discovered I could get the digital audiobooks from my library partly through Miles Errant. Grover Gardner does all the audiobooks for this series & is a brilliant narrator. I am thinking about going back and listening to Shards of Honour and Barrayar but would I do it if I had to buy the audio? I'm not sure. But if you could get them through your library I would definitely say it is a great way to revisit the series.
Just finished >
Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her Dog to the Magnetic North Pole - my review - 08.18.15 - 4♦ - adventure, north pole, solo expedition, survival, memoir, non-fiction
Jon wrote: "Dale, I see you're a tougher grader than I am, giving 3 stars (to my 5 stars) to one of my favorites, Gurnsey Literary & Potato etc. Nevertheless, here are a couple of recommendations:I liked it and was glad I read it Jon. Just didn't love it as much as some others did. My husband enjoyed it more. Thanks for the suggestions. And no, haven't read that one by Robyn Carr.
Will check them out.
B the BookAddict wrote: "@Dale Thanks for the reminder. I've entered the giveaway and added book to my tbr. I always enjoy a good Kate Morton; she usually does not muck up historical points and her novel..."That is probably a good description Bette. I certainly enjoyed it. Glad you entered the giveaway. I got my copy in a giveaway and I was thrilled to bits. Review should appear tomorrow.
JuliaOrlando wrote: "Just finished > [book:Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her Dog to th..."Good stuff! You certainly don't need fiction to get an exciting read.
Liked the book (which btw, was without Charles Vess illustrations - Pakistani stores apparently don't have the full version)
Loved the film (the screenplay by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn added great stuff to the story).
I've read three children's picture books among other things in the last couple of weeks, all of which refreshingly subvert the stereotypes of "pink princesses" etc.The Fairytale Hairdresser and the Little Mermaid by Abie Longstaff - ★★★★ - Jean's review
The Worst Princess by Anna Kemp - ★★★ - Jean's review
And today,
Princess Daisy and the Dragon and the Nincompoop Knights by Steven Lenton - ★★★ - Jean's review
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John :) - That brought back memories. Although we were all very proud of the prizes we won, and they certainly felt hard-earned! I think you're secretly envious of the 8 year-old Hilary ;)
Mostly the winners would be given a bookmark so we could choose our books, and the plate would be beautifully written, and then pasted in later ready for the prize-giving.
The Fairytale Hairdresser and the Little Mermaid by Abie Longstaff
★★★★ my review