All About Books discussion
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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Here's my review of
The Sweet Smell of Murder by author Cindy Bell:-https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. Let's put it this way. It could have been lots better. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
There are much better books on "passing". Try Passing instead. Just my view.
I loved this one! Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley5★ for the Letter Library which has inspired a real ('virtual') Letter Library.
I loved the teens, the people, and the Howling Books Bookshop.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood. Loved it!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
LauraT wrote: "Finished the overfamous A Christmas Carol: it's not really Christmas without it!!!"I agree, Laura. If I don't read the book, I see the movie (with Alistair Sim) at least once each year.
I've just finished reading 50 Standout articles from Australia's top thinkers: The Conversation Yearbook 2016. I found it interesting and informative. It covers many issues, and is not only Australia focused. I recommend it.Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have completed The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate—Discoveries from A Secret World. It is worth reading, even if it isn't perfect.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have finished The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje 3*Despite the slow start, I'm happy I've read it. The whole book has a slow pace but going on with the reading it started being interesting.
My English review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished the second thrilling book in Tony Parsons Max Wolfe series
The Slaughter Man. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Despite the slow start, I'm happy I've read it. The whole book has a slow pace but going on with the reading it..."
Looked for it and found!
LauraT wrote: "Looked for it and found! "I'm curious to see if you will like it.
Yesterday I've read a very short book by Fernando Pessoa: Il banchiere anarchico (The Anarchic Banker, but I couldn't find an English edition on GR). 3*It was interesting but I don't know if I will read more by Pessoa. He describes things in such a detailed way that at the end I was a bit confused about what he wanted to say.
Petra wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Finished the overfamous A Christmas Carol: it's not really Christmas without it!!!"I agree, Laura. If I don't read the book, I see the movie (with Alistair Sim) at leas..."
I too prefer the Alistair Sim version of the movie! For the past few years, I have listened to the audiobook of this but this year I haven't been in a very Christmassy mood.
dely wrote: "Yesterday I've read a very short book by Fernando Pessoa: Il banchiere anarchico (The Anarchic Banker, but I couldn't find an English edition on GR). 3*It was interes..."
I like your description as to how Pessoa writes, dely. That's how I feel about him.
dely, you sent me on a search - and here's The Anarchist Banker in English. It's in a compilation book:http://www.csend.org/images/articles/...
I'll have a read of it some time.
Read the second in the second set of five books by Roger Zelazny, about Amber - Blood of Amber and given my disappointment with this one in particular, won't be bothering to find copies of the last three - as I've explained in my review here.
So many have praised Lab Girl, so I figured I would try it. I was hoping to get both a biography of a modern day research scientist and information about recent botanical discoveries. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gill wrote: "dely, you sent me on a search - and here's The Anarchist Banker in English. It's in a compilation book:http://www.csend.org/images/articles/...
I'll have a read of ..."
Thanks Gill! I thought it could be part of a collection of short stories.
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Just finished 
Duplicity by Sibel Hodge https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."I am thinking to test this, you know a foray into the mystery / crime genre?????? Or is it hopeless for me? Is it truly believable? You have said it is gripping.
Chrissie wrote: "Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Just finished Duplicity by Sibel Hodge https://www.g..."it is plausible.....and once I got into it, I simply could not put it down. I will have a think about the best one to start you on and pm you. *:D How dark do you want it to be?
I have finished Letters Against the War by Tiziano Terzani. It is a must read! I rated it 5* but it's worth even more.My Italian and English review (English at the bottom): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
dely wrote: "I have finished Letters Against the War by Tiziano Terzani. It is a must read! I rated it 5* but it's worth even more.My Italian and English review (English at the b..."
Shouldn't I start with Duplicity? Dark doesn't both me if it is real. My biggest problem is when I start wondering why I am reading about a crime that did NOT take place and why I should be upset about something fictional. I don't like cinematic.
Chrissie wrote: "dely wrote: "I have finished Letters Against the War by Tiziano Terzani. It is a must read! I rated it 5* but it's worth even more.My Italian and English review (Eng..."
Chrissie, you quoted the wrong member. I can't help you with Duplicity :P
Finished Gillian Bradshaw's Hawk of May, first in an Arthurian trilogy. A bit disappointing - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1390905407
Two extremely short reviews for: Reykjavík Nights: Murder in Reykjavík (a bit disappointing)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And:
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (exceeded my initial expectations)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna and thought it was wonderful. I thought the characters were engaging and loved her prose. I was dismayed by the part of the book that covered the ugly McCarthyism and anti-communist hysteria in the U.S. after the Second World War. It was a witch hunt for communists and communists sympathizers that ruined many lives in the U.S. Trumbo is a good movie that show what was going on then through the story of one screenwriter who was blacklisted.
My latest two reads 8 Sandpiper Way review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and Helen Keller review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished reviews for:The Leavers - family and immigrant novel, coming of age and coming to terms with oneself and one's past, funny, insightful, poignant - 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...The Essex Serpent - end of Victorian era set fiction, great characters, beautiful language, highly atmospheric, slow but savory, deep questions particular to that time (science v faith, expansion of view of women are/can be) but still important today - 4 stars
My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I very much enjoyed Forty Autumns: A Family's Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin WallMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rad Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Themhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have just finished Snowflower and the Secret Fan. Unusually for one of my 5 star books it didn't give me the warm fuzzies or leave me a sobbing wreck and the writing was not that stunning. It is, however, the most amazing evocation of a women's life in 19th century China.
Probably if I'm truly honest it was 4.5 stars but I had no problem bumping it up to 5 for GR.
My review to
The Candy Cane Cupcake Killer by Livia J. Washburn:-https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Have just finished The Light Between the Oceans. I really enjoyed it and rated it 5 stars. I would recommend it, fantastic book. Although it didn't really 'get going' until around 20% in. My recommendation would be to persevere, totally worth it.
I agree, Gemma. I hope the movie version doesn't spoil the story by making it too much like a soap opera, though.
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All About Books
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Factual background with entertaining imagined relationships and romance.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...