What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 9,301-9,350 of 12,687

[Chinook]

I couldn't find the second when I lived in Korea. I meant to read the rest though.

[Angela M]

I finished To The Bright Edge of the World. 4 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

Chinook wrote: "I couldn't find the second when I lived in Korea. I meant to read the rest though."

Did you listen or read? Actress Harriet Walter narrates all three audiobooks and does a wonderful job. So far the second book is good too. Lots of characters, but now I can keep them straight; Each one has a particular personality, and they feel real. I like that. There is something about the writing that is particularly special.

[Phrynne]

My review of Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith

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

[Ashlie]

I just finished reading Toys to Sew: Dozens of Patterns for Dolls, Animals, Doll Clothes, and Accessories by Claire Garland. I really liked it. Claire Garland is one of my favorite authors. Most of the projects in this book are too difficult for me, but I might try to make some of the little felt bears.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Ashes of Fiery Weather
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Leslie]

I finished the 2nd and 3rd Book of The Good Soldier Švejk in an older translation (borrowed from my dad) and found it much more to my taste than the newer translation I read on my Kindle for Book 1 - I attribute that to the different translation but it might have been the content ^..^

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

[Pam]

Read the sequel to The Dark Lord of Derkhom, Year of the Griffin. It's a lightweight comedic tale rather than the large scale multi-subplot black comedy of the first book and there's a bit of an own goal when a summary is included of events elsewhere that sound as if they would have made a much better sequel, judging from the element that impinges on the events of this tale.

[Hannah]

I finished Villette today. Absolutely horrible book, in my opinion. I wrote a measly two small paragraph review not even worth posting here because it doesn't say anything.

[Terry ~ Huntress of Erudition]

>Hannah wrote: "I finished Villette today. Absolutely horrible book, in my opinion. I wrote a measly two small paragraph review not even worth posting here because it doesn't say anything."

Hahaha! I was moderator in a GR group that only read novels by 19th century authors and I used to cringe every time "Vilette" came up as a nomination - I really just did not want to read it, but I couldn't get away without participating in the discussion.

[Hannah]

Terry, did you end up reading it? Also, do you like any other novels by the Bronte sisters? I do not. If you haven't read it, it is most certainly not worth your time.

[Phrynne]

My review of Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb

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

[Gill]

I've just finished reading Beyond the Northlands: Viking Voyages and the Old Norse Sagas. It was such a well written, interesting book.

Here's a link to my review:

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

[Diane S ☔]

Read Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Pam]

Just read a Diana Wynne Jones fantasy, The Homeward Bounders.

[Shirley]

I have just finished reading The Girl with All the Gifts - which I thought was very good - four stars - kept me reading anyway!!

[Chrissie]

My review of The Spoilt City (the second of the Balkan Trilogy):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I recommend the entire trilogy.

[Greg]

Shirley wrote: "I have just finished reading The Girl with All the Gifts - which I thought was very good - four stars - kept me reading anyway!!"

It was a very suspenseful read after midway through - not bad characterizations for that sort of book either. I liked it. The only problem is, (view spoiler)[now that all the people are dead or converted, what are they going to eat? (hide spoiler)]

[Petra]

I finished Girl Runner. I picked it up on a whim while browsing the library stacks. I thought it might be an interesting story of female Olympic runners in the 1920s: their trials, training, lives together as a team, breaking into the Olympics for the first time in the 800 metre race, friendships, etc.
Instead, it was a life story of one runner from an unlucky and secretive family. The secrets aren't even well kept, are heavily foreshadowed in obvious ways.
There's very little about the Olympics, racing, training, etc. Its a jumble of a story. I can't say that it isn't "okay" to read but it's nothing to remember either.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Canadian Jen]

Finished Good Morning, Midnight...Don't be discouraged by the genre as this was a 5* read for me. Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[B the BookAddict]

Jen, your link leads to the book not the review.

[Joy]

Pam wrote: "Just read a Diana Wynne Jones fantasy, The Homeward Bounders."

Another good one! Have you read The Time of the Ghost ? It's really spooky.

[Shirley]

Greg wrote: "Shirley wrote: "I have just finished reading The Girl with All the Gifts - which I thought was very good - four stars - kept me reading anyway!!"

It was a very suspenseful read aft..."

Ha ha, good question! I guess the (view spoiler)[ children will have to breed animals since they can only eat protein... (hide spoiler)]

[Phrynne]

My review of A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray Five stars for the cover but not for the book inside it:)

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

[Chrissie]

Phrynne wrote: "Five stars for the cover but not for the book inside it:)
"

That made me laugh. It is horrible, but one is easily affected by a book's cover. I don't think this should be true, but it is. Even the title of a book is important for attracting or detracting readers!

[Phrynne]

Chrissie wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Five stars for the cover but not for the book inside it:)
"

That made me laugh. It is horrible, but one is easily affected by a book's cover. I don't think this should be true, but..."

I am often attracted by covers and also put off by some of them:)

[Chrissie]

Phrynne wrote: "I am often attracted by covers and also put off by some of them.."

Me too, but I wish I were not this way. It is nonsensical. It is the writing that counts.

[Phrynne]

I know that too in my sensible brain. My nonsensical brain likes pretty covers:)

[Gill]

Phrynne wrote: "My review of A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray Five stars for the cover but not for the book inside it:)

https..."
I felt moved to look at the reviews for the book, it's astonishing how many of them comment on the wonderful cover.

[Phrynne]

My review of Crucifixion Creek by Barry Maitland .

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

[B the BookAddict]

Yep, guilty here too; a book cover can easily sway me either way in choosing a book.

[Guy]

I gave this 3 stars but really more like 3.5 - If you like a good fun read this is for you. In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd

My review

[Guy]

Really enjoyed The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and no, there are not illustrations included.

My Thoughts

[B the BookAddict]

Guy, I can't get into your review from that link, 'My Thoughts' (?)

[Guy]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Guy, I can't get into your review from that link, 'My Thoughts' (?)"

Thanks not sure what happened. retyped it. Thanks!

[Diane S ☔]

Finished The Orphan Mother: A Novel
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Suz]

I didn't get the hype with this one :(

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. My review:

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

[Phrynne]

My review for The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear

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

[Suz]

Have had my Harlan Coben fix again with Fool Me Once. My review:

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

[Canadian Jen]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Jen, your link leads to the book not the review."

thanks - just fixed

[Leslie]

@Suzanne - A new Coben! I will have to put in my library request :)

[Pam]

Joy wrote: "Pam wrote: "Just read a Diana Wynne Jones fantasy, The Homeward Bounders."

Another good one! Have you read The Time of the Ghost ? It's really spooky."

No I haven't read that one Joy. It's not one of those I have as hard copies. I have just read Wilkin's Tooth though (published in the US as Witch's Business) but haven't yet had time to review it.

However, I have read a 1970 children's historical by Ruth ArthurThe Saracen Lamp

[Johanna]

Great title!

Guy wrote: "I gave this 3 stars but really more like 3.5 - If you like a good fun read this is for you. In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd

My review"

[Chrissie]

I just finished the third book of the The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning. I have written a review of the entire trilogy:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The entire trilogy should be read, or preferably listened to narrated by Harriet Walter, in one go.

[Diane S ☔]

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

[Leslie]

Chrissie wrote: "I just finished the third book of the The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning. I have written a review of the entire trilogy..."

So glad you liked these Chrissie!

[Leslie]

I finished the audiobook of The Caine Mutiny -- the book covers a longer time period than the classic film with Humphrey Bogart and the characters are more nuanced. Well worth reading (even if you have seen the movie).

I then breezed through a mystery which was due back at the library tomorrow -- The Z Murders. Pleasant Golden Age mystery/suspense tale with lots of romantic subplot...

[Travis]

A few months ago I picked up Dispatches by Michael Herr after I learned of his death. Herr was a famous journalist who spent several years in Vietnam during the war. I'm usually not one for non-fiction, but I knew Herr had helped pen the screenplays for Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket, so I gave it a shot, and it did not disappoint.
This is one of the realest, grittiest books I've ever read. It truly puts you right in the action and makes you imagine how you or your friends and family would act if put in those situations. I would love to spend a night in foggy Saigon - or maybe not.

[Guy]

Travis wrote: "A few months ago I picked up Dispatches by Michael Herr after I learned of his death. Herr was a famous journalist who spent several years in Vietnam during the war. I'm usually not one..."

Sounds fascinating - Thanks Travis - adding to TBR

[Chrissie]

Leslie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I just finished the third book of the The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning. I have written a review of the entire trilogy..."

So glad you liked these ..."

A great trilogy. Seriously, if The Levant Trilogy were available I would have hopped over to that immediately. What do you think of Guy??????? and Prince Yakimov? I have a strong suspicion that some characters who have disappeared will turn up again in the Levant Trilogy!