What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 6,851-6,900 of 12,687

[Dhanaraj]

Gill wrote: "I use 'like' to mean that I have found it interesting to read the review, for whatever reason."

I too agree to your opinion.

[Terry ~ Huntress of Erudition]

I agree with Jean, that Like button is praising the way the review is written, rather than if I agree with everything said about the book.
Since I most often use the Goodreads app on my phone while commuting to and from work, I wish there was a like button on the app, but I have to go to my regular computer to Like someone's review, reply directly to someone's post or add a book link to a post.

[Dhanaraj]

Read an interesting short book, provocatively titles as Are Women Human? Astute and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society. It is an easy read with some witty remarks. Liked it. Four Stars.
The review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

The Brothers Ashkenazi by Israel J. Singer, the older brother of Isaac Bashevis Singer, was a disappointment to me.

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

[LauraT]

Love both writers' book

[Dale]

Susan wrote: "Jean — I "like" reviews in both the senses you mention. Sometimes I "like" a review because I agree with the reviewer, and sometimes because they have expressed their viewpoint so well, even if I l..."
I agree with both Jean and Susan here. I can like a review because it is well written without actually agreeing with the reviewer's assessment of the book, so long as their reasoning is clear. However if I have really disliked a book I may sometimes choose not to 'like' the review either, because I don't want to be seen as though I 'like' the book. Or I may clarify my 'like' with a comment that shows I thought the review was well written but didn't agree with the assessment of the book. A lot depends on how much time I have.

[GeneralTHC]

Gill wrote: "Darnia, I am always impressed by how well other people manage, when they are writing in a language that is not their mother tongue. It's not something that I am able to do.

There are many members of this group for whom English is not their mother tongue; so you are in good company! "

Gill, absolutely! I often think about this.

[Angela M]

Finished My Name is Lucy Barton. 5 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Diane S ☔]

Finished But You Did Not Come Back
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: "The Brothers Ashkenazi by Israel J. Singer, the older brother of Isaac Bashevis Singer, was a disappointment to me.

My review: https://www.goodreads.c..."

I hope to read it soon. Now I'm curious to see if it works for me.

[Petra]

Finished: The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips
I enjoyed the writing and will be looking at other books by this author.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Suz]

My review of Missing You is here:

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

By the delectable Harlan Coben. It appears I have a slight crush.. ;)))

[Chrissie]

dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "The Brothers Ashkenazi by Israel J. Singer, the older brother of Isaac Bashevis Singer, was a disappointment to me.

My review: https:..."

This is weird. I remember distinctly your having said that you had read it and liked it a lot. I am all confused. I was wondering why I thought so very differently from you!

*******************

ETA: I found your statement - in the thread about what we would be reading in November. You liked two other books by the author, not this one. I thought I was going crazy! No, goofed thins a bit.

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: "dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "The Brothers Ashkenazi by Israel J. Singer, the older brother of Isaac Bashevis Singer, was a disappointment to me.

My r..."

I've read only The Family Carnovsky and have two to read.

[[deleted user]]

I finished my audiobook of The Miniaturist yesterday. It was a slow burner and the the twist was quite predictable but overall I enjoyed the story. I wasn't sure I quite had the sense of being in old Amsterdam as I listened but I'm not sure if that is just because I'm adapting to listening to books

[Susan]

I've just finished So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures, which wasn't as good as it should have been.

Four stars from me!

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

[Suz]

I read this memoir today When The Music Changes... So Does The Dance: A Memoir by Margaret Gerada. Recommended. Here is my review:

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

[B the BookAddict]

Heather wrote: "I finished my audiobook of The Miniaturist yesterday. It was a slow burner and the the twist was quite predictable but overall I enjoyed the story. I wasn't sure I quite had the sense of being in old Amsterdam..."

No, Heather, it wasn't just you being on an audio book. My chief complaint (and other readers, too) is that the author does not use the setting of old Amsterdam to any advantage. There are really not many passages that make the reader understand exactly where and when the book is set. Such a shame, it had good potential. My review points this out and agrees with what you say: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Leslie]

Suzanne wrote: "My review of Missing You is here:

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

By the delectable Harlan Coben. It appears I have a slight crush.. ;)))"

Ooh, I like Coben too! I'll have to add that to my (too long) TBR :)

[dely]

I left midway The Sayings of Muhammad. Abrahamic religions are not for me.
My short review why I didn't finish it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Leslie]

I finished Lady Fortescue Steps Out yesterday -- it was a quick fun read but I was a bit disappointed. I had hoped for something similar to Georgette Heyer but this wasn't as good. 3*

[GeneralTHC]

Suzanne wrote: "My review of Missing You is here:

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

By the delectable Harlan Coben. It appears I have a slight crush.. ;)))"

I think I've read about 6 Coben books. I like him a lot too. I actually have everyone of his eBooks. His last book, I thought, was VERY good: The Stranger.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished The Crossing
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Canadian Jen]

Finished . Had a hard time finishing it. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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

Just finished Lost Girls , a solid 5* read. it is one of those on the edge of your seat, don't come near me, I'm reading books! Can't wait for #4 in the series. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Angela M]

Finished Wherever There Is Light. 2.5 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Leslie]

Jen wrote: "Finished Spare Change. Had a hard time finishing it. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Oh dear, I have this on my Kindle... maybe I will move it further down the tbr without taking it all the way off just yet.

[Ann]

I just finished an astonishing novel, The Lizard Cage, by Karen Connolly about a burmese political prisoner and on orphan boy who lives at the prison. It's sometimes harrowing to read but also very beautiful and moving. Wow!

[Suz]

Finished this one in a day, loved it, an excited 5 stars from me!

Addition. My review:

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

[Tom]

Finished A Pianist Under the Influence by Jonathan Biss. 5 Stars.

[LauraT]

Heather wrote: "I finished my audiobook of The Miniaturist yesterday. It was a slow burner and the the twist was quite predictable but overall I enjoyed the story. I wasn't sure I quite had the sense of being in o..."

It's on my TBR list. Maybe next year ...
While I've finished Defending Jacob. Terrible story, but well written

[Bionic Jean]

Ann wrote: "I just finished an astonishing novel, The Lizard Cage, by Karen Connolly ..."

Hi Ann,

That's one of the few novels I've had to abandon because I found it so harrowing. It seemed unremitting, so I'm glad that some good came out of it in the end for the reader. I see that it's unrated on your shelves at the moment. What do you think? Are you going to rate it?

[Dhanaraj]

Completed reading a short story/novella: The Wife of Pilate. It is a spiritual discourse (Christian) in the form of a short story. Liked it. 4 stars. If interested check the review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

Stalin's Daughter: The Extraordinary and Tumultuous Life of Svetlana Alliluyeva is totally fantastic.

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

I absolutely loved it!

[Ann]

@Jean, I have to use a newer computer than the one I have at home to rate books. I will rate it a 5* when I get a chance. I thought it was very well written and moving without being mawkish. When people are able to hold on to their humanity in the face of horrible treatment I find it amazing. I also have a great deal of respect for Buddhism. It's also very timely in light of what's happening in Myanmar with Suu Kyi and the elections. I admit, though, it's not for everyone.

[Bionic Jean]

Gosh Ann - maybe I should have given it longer! At some times we may feel unable to cope with these tough reads - perhaps at another time I would have felt the same though. I do agree with you about the Buddhist attitude.

Thanks for replying :)

[Diane S ☔]

Finished The Tears of Dark Water
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ann, one day I will get to that one.

[Leslie]

I finished Huxley's debut novel -- more amusing than funny, if you know what I mean...

Here is my review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Petra]

I finished Amsterdam yesterday and absolutely loved it! I'm pretty sure it's my favorite (of the three I've read) of McEwan's books. So, so well done.
My review is short so as not to even hint at the contents more than the blurb says. The less known, the better:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

So I want people to read Stalin's Daughter: The Extraordinary and Tumultuous Life of Svetlana Alliluyeva.

I woke up at 4 AM irritated b/c I had left stuff out of my review. I should have given examples of the humor. One chapter is entitled something like, 'Don't Try To Commit Suicide in a Tight Skirt". What else? Svetlana wanted to be cremated after her death. She told her daughter, Olga, to spread her ashes over a river in Wisconsin. Then she got thinking ....her daughter would be accused of polluting the river because they were the ashes of Stalin's daughter! Her daughter spread then over the Pacific.

[Chrissie]

Petra, I have not read McEwan. I guess I should do something about that. I thought I would try Atonement. Is that a good idea?

[LauraT]

Petra wrote: "I finished Amsterdam yesterday and absolutely loved it! I'm pretty sure it's my favorite (of the three I've read) of McEwan's books. So, so well done.
My review is short so as not to e..."

My favourite is still Atonement, but I liked Amsterdam a lot

[Chrissie]

Laura, so I guess I have chosen a good one.

[Terry ~ Huntress of Erudition]

Loved Atonement - he is an amazing writer. I plan to read Amsterdam in February 2016.

[Chrissie]

Thanks for all the encouragement about Atonement

[Petra]

Loved Atonement, Chrissie. It's a good place to start.
I think McEwan is an author that one either "loves or hates". You'll know if you like his style of writing fairly quickly. I hope you like it.

[Chrissie]

Petra, well I have put it on my wish-list, so we will see. I have to get some books to read soon for the rest of this month. However, The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin is pulling me strongly after completing Stalin's Daughter: The Extraordinary and Tumultuous Life of Svetlana Alliluyeva, which I have to recommend to everyone.

[Leslie]

Petra wrote: "Loved Atonement, Chrissie. It's a good place to start.
I think McEwan is an author that one either "loves or hates". You'll know if you like his style of writing fairly quickly. I hope you like it."

Oh dear -- I read his The Child in Time which I found dreadfully dull but had hoped that I would like Atonement better. It sounds like maybe I won't...

[Petra]

Oh dear, Leslie. Atonement is worth a try, though. Perhaps McEwan does have a lemon in his bunch of books? I've only read 3 so far. I may not be a good judge.

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

Just finished Joe Victim ..thoroughly recommend it but you do need to read The Cleaner first. it definitely is not a stand alone book. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...