What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 6,351-6,400 of 12,687

[B the BookAddict]

It's interesting, isn't it, how differently we all feel about books. Over here, if you dislike Winton, you keep that to yourself, that's my experience, anyway; a thing I learned after being 'laid into' at a f2f book group.

[[deleted user]]

B the BookAddict wrote: "It's interesting, isn't it, how differently we all feel about books. Over here, if you dislike Winton, you keep that to yourself, that's my experience, anyway; a thing I learned after being 'laid ..."

I know what you mean. In Australia, he is almost sacred.

[B the BookAddict]

Hi, Greg. We have another Greg, a Moderator/member. I thought I was talking to him! Welcome to AAB, hope you have a look around our threads and finds some interesting posts. Lots of friendly book lovers here who are happy to be friends.

[Angela M]

Finished God's Kingdom. 4 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

I needed a good book. The House on Coliseum Street filled the bill.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Diane S ☔]

Finished the lovely and quiet Weathering
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenny]

Diane S.✨ wrote: "Finished the lovely and quiet Weathering
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

That one sounds really nice Diane.

[Chrissie]

I can definitely recommend Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It is moving, interesting and to the point. It doesn't get off track.

[Bionic Jean]

My review of Dombey and Son is here

A cool 5 stars for Mr Dickens :)

[LauraT]

Jean wrote: "My review of Dombey and Son is here

A cool 5 stars for Mr Dickens :)"

One of his best also in my opinion!

[Angela M]

Finished Early One Morning. 4 stars . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)]

Just finished Dead Eyed a 4* read. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Shirley]

Just finished The Martian. It was a three star read for me, good but not great. Hopefully will see the film next week. I think people say it's better than the book.

[Marta]

Shirley wrote: "Just finished The Martian. It was a three star read for me, good but not great. Hopefully will see the film next week. I think people say it's better than the book."

They do? I also hope the movie is better (although that rarely happens). I've found the book interesting, but too technical. Also, in my opinion, the character was not very believable. OK, I understand that he was supposed to be a toughie, but really - stranded on Mars and just dealing with all the adversities like it was no biggie at all? No deeper thoughts, emotions, etc.

[Bionic Jean]

Good to hear Laura! I was surprised :)

[Breana]

I just got done reading 13 Reasons Why, it's a great book. If you like fiction books about real world issues (specifically depression), I highly recommend it

[Charbel]

I finished The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud. 4 stars. My review is here.

[dely]

Marta wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Just finished The Martian. It was a three star read for me, good but not great. Hopefully will see the film next week. I think people say it's better than the book."..."

I didn't like it either, for the same reasons. In my opinion it's a book that doesn't give anything to the reader; at least, I didn't find what I'm looking for when I read a book.

[GeneralTHC]

dely wrote: "Marta wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Just finished The Martian. It was a three star read for me, good but not great. Hopefully will see the film next week. I think people say it's better t..."

I've been thinking about trying to read this again. I read a little bit off it when it came out and it struck me as being ... sorta toilet humor-ish is the only way I know to put it. But, I didn't read that much of it. I was just thinking I may have liked it when I was, like, 12. I don't know, though; I'm probably way off.

[Canadian Jen]

Finished The House of the Spirits. Great read. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Charbel]

Dhanaraj wrote: "@ Charbel: Have you seen the film MISERY? It is well made. Watch it if you have not."

I saw it as soon as finished the book. It was really good.

[GeneralTHC]

Charbel wrote: "Dhanaraj wrote: "@ Charbel: Have you seen the film MISERY? It is well made. Watch it if you have not."

I saw it as soon as finished the book. It was really good."

Kathy Bates is excellent in that movie.

[Chrissie]

Jen wrote: "Finished The House of the Spirits. Great read. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

That is my all time favorite by Allende. For me it is that book that exhibits the best of magical realism. Her newer bookers are not at all that good, so be careful and don't assume all are so superb!

[B the BookAddict]

I read this before GR so didn't do a review but I do remember that I really enjoyed this one. Might be time for a re-read.

[[deleted user]]

I haven't read anything by Allende but I really want to!

[Chrissie]

Heather wrote: "I haven't read anything by Allende but I really want to!"

I think her best by far is The House of the Spirits, then the one about her daughter and also Daughter of Fortune and Portrait in Sepia. I would not recommend the others.

[B the BookAddict]

Chrissie, have your tried Maya's Notebook? It's post Pinochet but is still gritty in other ways.

[Chrissie]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Chrissie, have your tried Maya's Notebook? It's post Pinochet but is still gritty in other ways."

No, I haven't, Bette. Should I give it a try? Yeah, maybe there she is sticking to what she writes best-Chile and family.

I would like to try My Invented Country: A Nostalgic Journey Through Chile, but it is not available to me.

[Suz]

My latest read which I really enjoyed was this The Red Door. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[dely]

Chuck wrote: "I've been thinking about trying to read this again. I read a little bit off it when it came out and it struck me as being ... sorta toilet humor-ish is the only way I know to put it."

Lol, you have put it down very well. It wasn't humorous at all; at least I didn't laugh because the funny parts were dreary (I don't know if it's the right word).

[Canadian Jen]

Chrissie wrote: "Jen wrote: "Finished The House of the Spirits. Great read. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

That is my all time favorite by Allende. For me it is tha..."

Boo :( I was hoping they all were

[Canadian Jen]

Heather wrote: "I haven't read anything by Allende but I really want to!"

I highly recommend Heather!

[Angela M]

Heather , I'd recommend Allende's Daughter of Fortune. I think that's my favorite of hers .

[dely]

I've finished 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff 3*
It was a lovely read, moving and perfect for booklovers.

[Chrissie]

Jen wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Jen wrote: "Finished The House of the Spirits. Great read. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

That is my all time favorite by Allende...."

Jen, not for me at least, but I am picky. Paula is the one about her daughter and excellent. My Invented Country: A Nostalgic Journey Through Chile I would try is I could get it though. She started going downhill with The Stories of Eva Luna (2 stars from me). Zorro I tried but had to dump it. She had begun writing for kids and that is when I recognized the downward trend. Also, they can now get drippy, lovey-dovey.

[Dhanaraj]

@Charbel: I am happy that you watched the film (MISERY).

@dely: How was Charing Cross? And like I said to Charbel about a movie based on the book ge had read, let me now tell you that there is a movie on Charing Cross as well ( Anthony Hopkins is superb). Watch it.

[Angela M]

I have read The Dance Begins. Prequel to the book that follows here. 4 stars and Pretending to Dance. 3 generous stars . My review :https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[dely]

Dhanaraj wrote: "@dely: How was Charing Cross? And like I said to Charbel about a movie based on the book ge had read, let me now tell you that there is a m..."

It was a fast and lovely read.
I will look for the movie, if I can find it on the internet.

[B the BookAddict]

Chrissie wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "Chrissie, have your tried Maya's Notebook? It's post Pinochet but is still gritty in other ways."

No, I haven't, Bette. Should I give it a try? Yeah, maybe..."

Think I read/reviewed it before I joined this group. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

Bette, I am going to go read your review.

[Dhanaraj]

@ dely: The movie was available in youtube. I watched it in youtube only.

[dely]

Dhanaraj wrote: "@ dely: The movie was available in youtube. I watched it in youtube only."

Fine! Thanks for letting me know.

[Shirley]

Marta wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Just finished The Martian. It was a three star read for me, good but not great. Hopefully will see the film next week. I think people say it's better than the book."..."

Goid point, Marta, I agree that there's not much depth of feeling, although I suspect that's intentional, as the "Martian" was trying to inject humour into his journal in an attempt to lighten his mood. It's technical, but was still worth a read, but I will be interested to see how the film version turns out.

[LauraT]

Chrissie wrote: "Jen wrote: "Finished The House of the Spirits. Great read. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

That is my all time favorite by Allende. For me it is tha..."

For me too. I've read almost all her other books. SOme I've liked quite, some less, but no one as much as her first...

[LauraT]

I've finished yesterday Family Album by Penelope Lively.
I've liked it quite a lot: I love books about complex families, the longer the better. I come from a little family - only two of us children - but my mom had 5 sisters, two brothers and a lot of couisins. They were in Sardinia, but I spent there most of my summer holidays - that in Italy are still three months long - so I sort of feel at home in big, complicated families...

[Joy]

Marta wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Just finished The Martian. It was a three star read for me, good but not great. Hopefully will see the film next week. I think people say it's better than the book."..."

I found it a tedious story. The main character's constantly positive attitude irritated me and removed all suspense. As for humour? Where?
We were given this book for world book night and I'm astonished it made it onto the give-away list. (And I do like sci-fi.)

[Chrissie]

I completed The Secret Chord. I am glad I did.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Angela M]

Chrissie ,
I'm glad you finished it . Thanks for the informative review and the links . I'll be reading it soon .

[Chrissie]

Angela M wrote: "Chrissie ,
I'm glad you finished it . Thanks for the informative review and the links . I'll be reading it soon ."

I am glad I finished it too, and you are welcome.

[B the BookAddict]

LauraT wrote: "I've finished yesterday Family Album by Penelope Lively.
I've liked it quite a lot: I love books about complex families, the longer the better. I come from a little fam..."

I really liked that book, Lively is such a talented writer. Have you read Moon Tiger?