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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Maelanie wrote: "Here is another quote from "Twelve Years a Slave"
The effect of these exhibitions of brutality on the household of the slave-holder, is apparent. Epps’ oldest son is an intelligent lad of ten or t..."
A good book Mealanie!
The effect of these exhibitions of brutality on the household of the slave-holder, is apparent. Epps’ oldest son is an intelligent lad of ten or t..."
A good book Mealanie!

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

Mahalo Chrissie."
Mimi, have you hated Victorian novels too? You have to like extra long books though...."
I read A. Dumas since I was 10....haha. I was always the weirdo with big books....:-)


Mahalo Chrissie."
Mimi, have you hated Victorian novels too? You have to like extra l..."
Which is you r favorite by Dumas?

I read all his books, before I found out he was black. His brilliance multiplied with that discovery. He wrote about white rich and famous......simply wow. :-)

I read all his books, before I found out he was black. His brilliance multiplied with that discovery. He wrote ab..."
That is my favorite Dumas as well, although The Count of Monte Cristo runs a close second. I also didn't know that he was black (mulatto) -- I read the biography of his father last year (The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo) which was a fascinating look at blacks in France in the eighteenth & early nineteenth century (basically before the French Revolution through to Napoleonic times).

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


I read all his books, before I found out he was black. His brilliance multiplied with that discovery. He wrote ab..."
Thanks.

I read all his books, before I found out he was black. His brilliance multiplied with that discovery..."
Thanks for the biography book Leslie, I'm putting it on my TBR list.
Mahalo :-)) Have a great weekend!



Honami wrote: "I just finished reading "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. I found it really intriguing, and I recommend reading it to all people-it will certainly make you cry! I'm looking for a book which is s..."
I loved this book too Honami, and I like the way you describe it: "sad but has a warm atmosphere." That's a good description actually, it's such an intimate story between the kids at the school with all the little details of their interaction. That's what makes what happens later so powerful and haunting. Ah Tommy! It made me cry (more than once) too.
I don't know if I've read another book quite like it though. Ishiguro is so unique!
I loved this book too Honami, and I like the way you describe it: "sad but has a warm atmosphere." That's a good description actually, it's such an intimate story between the kids at the school with all the little details of their interaction. That's what makes what happens later so powerful and haunting. Ah Tommy! It made me cry (more than once) too.
I don't know if I've read another book quite like it though. Ishiguro is so unique!

Literature map tells me that readers who like Ishiguro will mostly like books by Daphne du Maurier. I find this result interesting - but both of these authors have written books I have loved so perhaps it is a good recommendation.
Leslie wrote: "Honami wrote: "I just finished reading "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. I found it really intriguing, and I recommend reading it to all people-it will certainly make you cry! I'm looking for a ..."
The matching seems a little odd Leslie, but then again, I've loved books by both authors too. :)
The matching seems a little odd Leslie, but then again, I've loved books by both authors too. :)


I really enjoyed this one too Honami. Can't really think of a similar book now, but will do some thinking ;)


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

Missing Nimama (a GR Giveaway win) - I should read more than the blurbs in the giveaways and check the homepages as well. This is a children's book...not what I was expecting. However, this tells an important story.
In Canada, aboriginal women have been disappearing over the years and very often never found (and when found, deceased). It's a mystery that is just getting some attention from the law.
In 32 pages, this book tells of the loss that both mother and daughter must go forward with after the mother becomes one of the missing. It's very beautifully illustrated and the story is told in free verse. A glossary of Cree words is also included, as well as a short synopsis of the situation in Canada.
The Year of Cozy: 125 Recipes, Crafts, and Other Homemade Adventures (another GR Giveaway win) - although pretty basic in the crafts included, this book has some interesting recipes (sweet & savory flavored butters, fruit flavored sugars & honeys, homemade ice cream and smore kits). There are also suggestions for taking up activities and getting in touch with oneself; enjoying the moments in life. I thought this was a good book for what it was. I think some of the recipes and craft projects would be fun to do with the kids.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Go Set a Watchman - started out rough and I almost gave up on it but it totally redeemed itself by the end. I'm glad I stuck it out. Worth it.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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

Here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Now it is fixed.

Thank you Greg, I believe all of Ishiguro's works have such a special atmosphere, and I love it so much. Every time I read this book, it makes me cry!

Thank you Leslie, I didn't know the author Daphne du Maurier, so I looked up some information and found it very interesting. I will surely try it!

Thank you Jenny, I'm so happy to hear that you also enjoyed it. His works are always full of originality and artistry, aren't they?

I haven't actually read anything else by him yet, do you have a recommendation?

Written on My Heart: A Novel - I wasn't a big fan. Somehow the level of description pulled me out of the story a lot, though I did find the characters interesting and the plot compelling enough to finish.
The Vegetarian - fantastic. Very hard to describe but there's a sense of horror as you read through the story and the descent into mental illness is interesting. I found that it really reminded me of many aspects of living in Seoul as well.

Chinook, how are you and the little one?

My Italian and English review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Chinook, how are you and the little one?"
Diane, I can only presume you are referring, in part, to the vile dog-meat trade which exists in Seoul today. One of the reasons I would never visit South Korea.

Chinook, how are you and the little one?"
That was definitely the toughest scene in the book.
I doubt that the practice of eating dog meat will last much longer. Younger people see dogs as pets, rather than working animals and it is typical for doc restaurants to be mostly old men. South Korea has a much faster rate of social change than anywhere I've lived in the West.
We are great - Kait has learned the word no and I can see that the terrible twos are coming, but she's a great little kid. Loves to read already :)


You always make me lol with your comments! Keep it coming.
BTW...I'm a total sucker for touching books and movies. My kids make fun of me all the time! :-))

You should try When We were Orphans. I'm not sure if you'll like it, since it is totally different from Never Let Me Go. However, it's a great book which makes me cry, too!
dely wrote: "I'm so glad that I have finally read Les Misérables. It would be also more than 5 stars if I could. I have finished it yesterday evening and I still have tears in my eyes. And I'm miss..."
Glad you liked it so much!
Glad you liked it so much!

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