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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Seem to have forgotten to put my last 2 reads on here, by Robin Hobb - Fool's Errand which I enjoyed although it was very sad towards the end, and book 2 of the trilogy, The Golden Fool, which evidenced "book 2 syndrome", losing my interest in places.
I have completed Missing Person by Patrick Modiano. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2014. It is very short. I am glad I read it. It is not your typical read. What I liked best about it was the writing....but I am not so sure how many people will want to read a book for its writing over plot and theme.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jen wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Jen wrote: "Just finished A Gentleman in Moscow. Fabulous read. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."I'm about halfway through it. I'm..."
Not EVERYBODY loves A Gentleman in Moscow. I thought it was just OK, whereas I lovedRules of Civility.
Just finished reading Sanctuary with Gill and Dianne, whose insights and commentary made it a really enjoyable reading experience! This is my third Faulkner book and the first one where it was easy to follow the story - a noir thriller that kept you turning the pages. Unfortunately, due to drastic editing by Faulkner and others, the writing was quite uneven, but in parts Faulkner's unbelievable gift for lyrical, poetic language shone through and it was a delight to read.
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've reluctantly given up on The Childhood of Jesus by Coetzee. Has any of you guys read it? Not a review but a bunch of thoughts on the book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just finished reading Autumn. I couldn't put it down. 4.5 stars. I don't think I got everything, and will definitely re-read it soon.Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gill, I've seen that one going around with lots of good reviews. Have you read other books by Ali Smith? I've only read a few and had mixed feelings about them, so I'm unsure whether to try this one.
Jenny wrote: "I've reluctantly given up on The Childhood of Jesus by Coetzee. Has any of you guys read it? Not a review but a bunch of thoughts on the book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/sho..."
Thanks for warning me and others.
I've also read Lions by Bonnie Nadzam I liked it very much, despite a few things I struggled with. The writing is exquisite! my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pink wrote: "Gill, I've seen that one going around with lots of good reviews. Have you read other books by Ali Smith? I've only read a few and had mixed feelings about them, so I'm unsure whether to try this one."Pink, I've never even finished any other book by her. I couldn't get to grips with them. So, either this one is different or I'm different!
Ah that makes me more interested then! If you've had issues with her other books too, but still enjoyed this one, then it might be worth me trying it. Thanks :)
Pink, I tried reading Smith's There but for the but found it seriously annoying; gave up on it about half way through.
Bette, there's a few of us who has problems with her then. I think I've finished 2 of her books, with mixed results and given up on another. Although she does have something that makes me keep returning. I'll probably check this one out once my library gets a copy.
This evening I completed The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox. I have sat glued to it during much of the day.Wonderful audiobook narration by Daniella Nardini. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've finished System of Ghosts by Lindsay Tigue, a book of poetry which won the Iowa Poetry Price. It miraculously ended up being the perfect companion to Lions which I also just read.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Phrynne wrote: "My review for The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Sounds good - I've got this one in my TBR.
The Marshalsea also was a major setting in Dickens' novel Little Dorrit.
Read and enjoyed the second in that series, The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins by Antonia Hodgson.
I just finished a back to back read of Dracula and The Historian - first time reading Dracula, second time reading The Historian.Spoiler alert: I liked Dracula. I found The Historian even more painful the second time around, probably worse because I read it immediately after Dracula.
My reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Angela M wrote: "I finished Faithful. 4 stars. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Great review, Angela! I also have an ARC of this, hoping to get started in the next few weeks.
Thanks , Sam! I'll be interested in your thoughts.
I just loved this one! 5★ for The Fly Strip 
It's still available on NetGalley till the end of October if anyone's a NG reader.
Very funny, touching story of a 17-year-old boy dealing with family tragedy while still maintaining a funny, sarcastic sense of humour. Not just YA.
I liked it better than The Catcher in the Rye.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chrissie wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I've reluctantly given up on The Childhood of Jesus by Coetzee. Has any of you guys read it? Not a review but a bunch of thoughts on the book: https://www.goodreads...."
I actually have read that. Not my favorite Coetzee book by far, but the man is a master of literary fiction as far as I am concerned. He's won the Man Booker Award a couple of times and the Nobel for Literature, as well as many other awards. I just absolutely loved Life & Times of Michael K.
Chuck, I wasn't sure if you were responding to me or Jenny. In my view Waiting for the Barbarians is better than Life & Times of Michael K. Have you read Waiting for the Barbarians? Do, if you haven't.
If you have any interest in the Boer Wars or Churchill I definitely recommend Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill. Candice Millard is a really good author. I have given all three of her books four stars. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A September re-read I had forgotten to mention. The Storm at the Door by Stefan Merrill BlockMy review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chuck wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I've reluctantly given up on The Childhood of Jesus by Coetzee. Has any of you guys read it? Not a review but a bunch of thoughts on the book: https..."
I know Chuck, he's one of my favourite authors, so disliking it as much as I did surprised me quite a bit. Do you remember what you thought of it? Any idea what Coetzee was going for?
Chrissie wrote: "Chuck, I wasn't sure if you were responding to me or Jenny. In my view Waiting for the Barbarians is better than Life & Times of Michael K. Have you read Waiting for the Barbarians? Do,..."Oops, I see now what happened. Yeah, it was Jenny I was replying to. I haven't read Waiting for the Barbarians, but i always appreciate a good recommendation. Thanks!
Finished Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved, and Died Under Nazi Occupationhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jenny wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I've reluctantly given up on The Childhood of Jesus by Coetzee. Has any of you guys read it? Not a review but a bunch of thoughts on t..."
No, I'm sorry, Jenny, it's been a few years; I don't really remember the specifics. I think I blew through that novel in one sitting, if I recall correctly. i just remembered feeling pretty "meh" about it.
Many adore the writing of Marilynne Robinson. I completed the short book: Housekeeping. It was not my cup of tea. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chuck wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Chuck, I wasn't sure if you were responding to me or Jenny. In my view Waiting for the Barbarians is better than Life & Times of Michael K. Have you read [book:Waiting for the Barb..."That one is my favorite by the author.
After being in a little bit of a reading slump, I have finally finished Beauty and Sadness. It ended up quite different from what I had expected - sort of a Japanese version of An American Tragedy though completely different in style.
I finished Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet which was nice but not great. 3.5 starsI have now switched between cosy fiction to military scifi and am reading Horus Rising .
Not being a gamer I was mildly intimidated by the world of Warhammer 40K (with a name like that who wouldn't be!) but whether they are bio-powered machines or enhanced humans, within a few lines Dan Abnett manages to create an emotional connection to his characters such that I am thoroughly invested in their fate.
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I'm about halfway through it. I'm thinking the ..."
Looking fwd to your thoughts, Chuck. it's well done - no doubt about it.