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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Phrynne wrote: "Finished and enjoyed Amnesia by Peter Carey 
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Hi, Phrynne, nice to see you here.
Hello Diane:) I thought this looked like an active and friendly group!
I have read The Things We Never Said by Susan Elliot WrightMy review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3 stars for my latest Myron Bolitar spin. Back Spin by Harlan Coben. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished a GR Giveaway win, We're All in This Together. I enjoyed this story. It's warm, sensitive, humorous and a satisfying read. It was what I would call a "beach read" because some depth is lacking but the story is interesting to the end and enjoyable.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Suzanne wrote: "3 stars for my latest Myron Bolitar spin. Back Spin by Harlan Coben. Here's my review: ..."I haven't read any Myron Bolitar in a while -- I should get back into that series!
My review for The Master by Claire North
. Such a good trilogy!https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
I've only read a couple of the Hornblower books Leslie, but they were so fun!, a great sense of humor too - I think one of the ones I read and loved was Flying Colours. One day I want to start the series properly from the beginning.
Greg wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Greg wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I finished The African Queen by C.S. Forester (the guy that wrote the Horatio Hornblower books). Very fun adventure/WW1 story with some si..."That would make a nice personal challenge ;)
I read a great mystery yesterday (staying up too late in order to finish it) -- Smallbone Deceased. I give it 4½★!
Leslie wrote: " Hi there Chuck!! I was just wondering where you were hiding last week so glad to see you posting again :) "IHi! Thank ya, Leslie! Hope to be participating more again soon.
Dóra wrote: "I've just finsihed We Were Liars (finally). It was just not for me... at all."Me neither!
4★ for an entertaining insider look at Aussie politics by experienced former staffer and now political journalist Niki Savva.
What she doesn't know about the ins and outs of Canberra isn't worth knowing. I highly recommend her recent book The Road to Ruin: How Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin Destroyed Their Own Government.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I’ve just finished Manhattan, When I Was Young, a coming-of-age memoir set in the world of the New York publishing industry of the 1960s. It covers similar ground as My Salinger Year, but lacks its charm. I’m not sure how I feel about Manhattan, When I Was Young. There are some beautifully-written passages, but also some very clunky syntax. The author comes across as very neurotic (I know that’s unfair, because she was struggling with depression, which wasn’t as well understood back then as it is today), not to mention (dare I say it?) more than a bit bitchy.
3.5 ★
My review of Slade House by David Mitchell
. This was a good one!https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just finished Martin Chuzzlewitwhich I enjoyed and do recommend. My review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Shikha wrote: "I've just finished the book - Mister God, This is AnnaThe conversations of the author with Anna are profound and thought provoking. It's hard to believe that such a child could exist..."
Heard about the book and it was in my radar. Your thoughts on the book are interesting as well May be, I will give a try soon. Thanks.
Pam wrote: "Read a Diana Wynne Jones, The Dark Lord of Derkholm."She was a great author for children , YA and those of us who just like children's books sometimes! I liked The Dark Lord of Derkholm but I think my favourites are the Chrestomanci series.
I have completed The Dust That Falls from DreamsMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Clearly this will be the beginning of a series.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "4★ for an entertaining insider look at Aussie politics by experienced former staffer and now political journalist Niki Savva...."Is it worthwhile for someone who knows less than zero about Australian politics?
Esther — I'm not Patty, but I think The Road to Ruin: how Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin destroyed their own government assumes the reader is familiar with the Australian political landscape. This was one of my criticisms of the book; it didn't provide the background which would have given it a broader audience and greater longevity.
I've just finished reading Dying: A Memoir. Here's a link to my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just finished reading Faithful. There was more to it than I expected. Here's a link to my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished reading The Wright Brothers, which I found highly readable and interesting. I don't have a particular interest in aeronautics and picked this up on a whim and I'm really glad that I read it. This book covers the Wright brothers' story for the years of 1900-1912, when they were making their discoveries. They are a fascinating duo.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Susan wrote: "Esther — I'm not Patty, but I think The Road to Ruin: how Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin destroyed their own government assumes the reader is familiar with the Australian political la..."Thanks for the heads up. I love books about politics but if you aren't given some background you can get lost.
Esther wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "4★ for an entertaining insider look at Aussie politics by experienced former staffer and now political journalist Niki Savva...."Is it worthwhile for someone who knows less than zero about Australian politics?."
Nope. Not really. If you were a real political junkie and had some concept of how our Parliament works, maybe. But probably not.
Susan wrote: "Esther — I'm not Patty, but I think The Road to Ruin: how Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin destroyed their own government assumes the reader is familiar with the Australian political la..."I agree, Susan, but I don't think Savva was interested in doing a study of the system, as such, although she did provide some quotes which said the "system" worked because it was possible to remove PMs who weren't performing as expected. Still fun.
I read Hemingway in Love: His Own Story this morning. A quick read and not a good one at that.The book is nothing more than the author flaunting his relationship with Hemingway (which seems kind of parasitic because the author benefits with trips, dinner, expensive drinks), telling tales on the rich & famous of the time and telling Hemingway's story. Nothing new in what is said and no corroboration required as it's all "he told me....". Besides no one is left alive to corroborate or dispute what's said.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Joy wrote: "Pam wrote: "Read a Diana Wynne Jones, The Dark Lord of Derkholm."She was a great author for children , YA and those of us who just like children's books sometimes! I liked The Dark Lord of Derkho..."
Yes, I love her Dalemark series and some of the one offs such as Dogsbody which is the first book I read of hers.
I have finished She which was good but not great (3½★) and A Good Man in Africa which I found a bit disappointing - I prefer Evelyn Waugh's Black Mischief.
A terrific 5★ book, could be YA, but I recommend it to anyone. Magic artwork. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is the story of a 13-year-old boy whose mum is dying of cancer. He has a recurring nightmare, but then a monster appears and tells him stories that he and we all benefit from (after being appropriately shaken). Life is scary.
My review (including an illustration):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "A terrific 5★ book, could be YA, but I recommend it to anyone. Magic artwork. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is the story of a 13-year-old boy whose mum is dying o..."
I loved A Monster Calls even though it made me cry on almost every page.
Esther wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "A terrific 5★ book, could be YA, but I recommend it to anyone. Magic artwork. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is the story of a 13-year-old ..."
You know, Esther, a lot of people said they cried, but it didn't affect me that way. I think I went through the mental acrobatics that Conor did to keep himself sane . . . just keep on keeping on.
Two very different books form my last two reviews. The Red Cardigan by J.C. Burke my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and Doctor's Orders by Elena M. Reyes my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Well so far I am thoroughly enjoying the The Balkan Trilogy. I have completed the first book, that being The Great Fortune.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished If at Birth You Don't Succeed: My Adventures with Disaster and Destiny - I was expecting more of a comedy vibe based on his workout Wednesdays shows on YouTube but what I got was more about learning to be a good partner, especially when you are used to being taken care of.
Chinook, I saw that you really liked The Great Fortune too. Did you read the entire The Balkan Trilogy? is it going to stay this good?
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