All About Books discussion
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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Boy, Ali Smith knows how to write! Didn't realise a previous book had been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.Loved her new one, Autumn - 4.5★
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Gentleman in Moscow is a new favourite. I don't know how Amor Towles manages to create such a full, busy world confined within a Russian hotel after the Russian revolution.My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have completed: Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 – A World on the EdgeMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Boy, Ali Smith knows how to write! Didn't realise a previous book had been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.Loved her new one, Autumn - 4.5★
My review
https://..."
I thought this one was great, Patty.
Mod
I just finished It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. It's about fascism coming to America in 1935.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Raul wrote: "I, Claudius was a very exciting read, I thought I'd be reading it in between another book but it took all of the time and attention, I simply couldn't put it down.https://www.goodrea..."
Greg wrote: Good to hear Raul, it's high up on my to-read list!
It's been a few years since I read it, but I loved I, Claudius! Quite captivating.
My latest review is for Authority, the second book in the Southern Reach trilogy. I didn't like it as much as the first one, but it was worth reading. Probably a bit too long though.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished Ramsey Campbell's Hungry Moon and posted a review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1925761435.
Finished somewhat mixed and certainly minority reviews for two popular novels. Both rated 3 stars (though if pressed, I preferred the former), and felt both were incredibly intellectually stimulating but either missed the mark emotionally or had a weaker plot and characterization in service entirely to the ideas presented.
The Underground Railroad: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Americanah: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Picking back up where I left off last year with re-reading Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Book 5 was disappointing; here's hoping Book 6 will be better!
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gill wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Boy, Ali Smith knows how to write! Didn't realise a previous book had been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.Loved her new one, Autumn -..."
It was your review that prompted me to read it, Gill - thanks!
Greg wrote: "Patti & Gill, I have several by Ali Smith on my to-read list. She definitely seems like an author I would like."I'm going to look for some more, Greg. Will have to check your list!
I just finished White Tears, what a bizarre, unsettling, but compelling read.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Also put up a mini review for South Pole Station: A Novel, a dark comedic novel set at a South Pole research station, not really for me but well written and I would recommend it for certain readers.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just finished The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Really great concept, although I think I liked the idea more than the way it was written. It didn't grip me but I thought it was so imaginative and creepy I still gave it four stars. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished Un brigante chiamato Libero by Vincenzo Labanca. Only 2*. There isn't an English edition. It's a book about brigandage in South Italy after the unification of Italy (1861). It's fiction though all the dates and characters are real and accurate.I have written only an Italian review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
This one sounds good Angela! Great review!
Greg, thanks ! It really was a moving story . Beautifully depicted grief. As I mentioned in the review, the author was a grief counselor and I'm sure that gave her this perspective.
My friend Margo suggested I read The Temporary Gentleman by Sebastian Barry. This is my second by the author. Boy can he write, and he captures Ireland and what it is to be Irish wonderfully. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermithttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
How to find love in a bookshop by Veronica Henry is a charming read about books and a bookshop with a bit of romance on the side.review is here
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Diane S ☔ wrote: "Finished The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermithttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Look at the direction we are going! People don't talk; they just click a little button to say they like something or added a book by clicking a button because another did or...... I am sure you get what I am saying!
I think I could easily be a hermit if I had access to a computer. You talk when you need to talk. People then talk when they really have something to say, although nowadays even on computers there is a lot of empty talk.
I hope I am not being too blunt.......
I've just finished reading Bears in the Streets: Three Journeys Across a Changing Russia. It took me a bit of time to settle into it, but I found it interesting enough.Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I recently completed The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough and finally got around to completing a review. I thought it was well-done and enjoyable.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...?
I've just finished a book of short stories All the Beloved Ghosts. They varied in quality, but with more good than bad.Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Albert wrote: "I recently completed The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough and finally got around to completing a review. I though..."Overall, I enjoyed the book more than you but we both felt more should have been said about Washington's health problems and that the construction did get a bit confusing! A diagram is much easier to see and understand!
Chrissie wrote: "Albert wrote: "I recently completed The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough and finally got around to completing a r..."Pictures and diagrams help a lot, but sometimes I still struggle unless I have the chance to experience something physically.
Finished Forty Autumns: A Family's Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wallhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Diane S ☔ wrote: "Finished Forty Autumns: A Family's Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wallhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Sounds good! Added it.
Finished
The Steel Kiss by Jeffery Deaver a few days back. Scary book, in the fact that it quite conceivably could happen...... https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a very important book! For anyone that knows someone little, and especially for the caregivers of those little ones!Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox
My glowing 5 star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
[book:Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Thei..."
Wonderful Suzanne! I do believe this, completely. It was fun too; I used to love reading stories to my nephew when he was young.
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
You've been reading a lot of great books Diane as always - I was intrigued by the stories from North Korea too!
Getting caught up on reviews. Finished Dirty Work by Larry Brown not long ago, a novel which I will not soon forget. If you have not tried Brown, I encourage you to do so.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...?
I enjoyed This Is What a Librarian Looks Like: A Celebration of Libraries, Communities, and Access to Information. 5 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chrissie wrote: "I have, Albert! I thought Fay was really good. Have you read that one? Do you have a favorite?"Chrissie, Father and Son is definitely my favorite so far, but I have heard great things about both Fay and Joe.
Angela M wrote: "I enjoyed This Is What a Librarian Looks Like: A Celebration of Libraries, Communities, and Access to Information. 5 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Did it make you feel at home, Angela?!
Finished up Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight this week. A most enjoyable read. The audio was great.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...?
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All About Books
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I gue..."
It ties everything up neatly Greg.