What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 1,901-1,950 of 12,687

[Cathie]

Finished The Blazing World...it was great! I can't really say anything else that other reviews haven't already covered.

[Chrissie]

Cathie wrote: "Finished The Blazing World...it was great! I can't really say anything else that other reviews haven't already covered."

Thanks for letting me know.

[_jolb.85_]

@ Gemma - The only thing that disappointed me with A Discovery of Witches, was the ending - I wanted to know how they sorted all the problems and danger! Now I have to wait for the second one to arrive back in the library!

[Gemma]

@ Jo. Yes. I know what you mean. I suppose when the author decided in advance that it's going to be a trilogy, that's the danger! I've got the second one, but not got round to reading it yet. It's pretty huge! I went to a signing with Deborah Harkness, it was great hearing her talk about the characters and how she felt. Hopefully she does another when the third book is out late this year.

[B the BookAddict]

I've finished The Constant Princess (Tudors #1) by Philippa Gregory

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Amber]

just read Ruthless by Steven F. Freeman and def recommend it if you enjoy thrillers.

[Leslie]

Jean wrote: "Me too, Laura and Joy. And Mary Barton is amazing too - so very moving."

I liked Cranford more than North and South, but Wives and Daughters has been my favorite so far. I hope to get to Mary Barton this year sometime!

[Leslie]

I listened to the audiobook of the YA book The False Prince. Sort of a boy's version of Anastasia, but fantasy rather than historical fiction. A fun book if you want a light read.

[_jolb.85_]

I'm torn at the moment between starting to read Anna Karenina(again - I've been trying to read it since 2009 and I'm still on page 92) or Frankenstein after watching Penny Dreadful last night..

[Ali]

I just finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. It is very straightforward and yet very interesting. A very easy read.

Now Ive started Blood Meridian and I have to say I've never read anything more violent before; pure ruthless, unwarranted violence. McCarthy is one of a kind.

[Roderick]

Hi Ali,

Unfortunately Blood Meridian is just gratuitous violence without any character exploration or gripping plot. I think it's McCarthy's worst novel and I am a huge fan of his. Books like "The Road" and "No Country for Old Men" are in my opinion much better. I don't get why "Blood Meridian" is so highly acclaimed.

I finished "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison and that was definitely a thumbs up.

All the best!

[LauraT]

Just finished Love Marriage. Liked it but not loved it.
I liked the story of this big family - I always love big families stories, I tend to feel at home as if it were mine! - and the History of the Tamil people which I didn't know at all.
I found sometims complicated the fact that the writer passed from one theme to another through the link of one word, confusing me a bit: big families complicated plot, and if you jump up and down is not always easy to follow you!

[Dhanaraj]

@ Laura T: You learned something about Tamils from Sri Lanka. That is nice to know for a Tamil like me.

[Cathie]

Chrissie wrote: "Cathie wrote: "Finished The Blazing World...it was great! I can't really say anything else that other reviews haven't already covered."

Thanks for letting me know."

Sure! She put time into the research of this novel which really impressed me, considering it's not historical fiction per se.

Enjoy!

[Angela M]

I have just read The Rise & Fall of Great Powers. 5 stars - loved it.

Also just read in the last 24 hours because I could not put it down, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, also 5 stars. You have got to read this book!

[Chrissie]

Cathie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Cathie wrote: "Finished The Blazing World...it was great! I can't really say anything else that other reviews haven't already covered."

Thanks for letting me know...."

I have read others by the author and was impressed. Often they concern art.

[LauraT]

Dhanaraj wrote: "@ Laura T: You learned something about Tamils from Sri Lanka. That is nice to know for a Tamil like me."

Yes Dhanaraj! I was thinking about you the whole book, I really didn't know the story of that terrible "war" in Sri Lanka ... men can be terrible, all over the world repeating the same mistake ever and ever, never learning ...

[Dhanaraj]

LauraT wrote: "Dhanaraj wrote: "@ Laura T: You learned something about Tamils from Sri Lanka. That is nice to know for a Tamil like me."

Yes Dhanaraj! I was thinking about you the whole book, I really didn't kno..."

The genocide in Sri Lanka never came to the public focus. But then the Tamils had a tough time there and even now they have a difficult life. The Tamils that you encounter in the West are mostly those who escaped the civil war situation in Sri Lanka. They are like people without the homeland.

[dely]

Dhanaraj wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Dhanaraj wrote: "@ Laura T: You learned something about Tamils from Sri Lanka. That is nice to know for a Tamil like me."

Yes Dhanaraj! I was thinking about you the whole book, I re..."

My son started reading some time ago The Cage: The Fight for Sri Lanka and the Last Days of the Tamil Tigers but he has put it now on a break. In the future I hope I'll have time to read it too (otherwise I will ask my son to make me a summary).

[Dhanaraj]

@dely: I did not want to be too 'pushy' with that issue and so had avoided the linking of some books. The book that you have mentioned is one of the books I had intended to link.

[dely]

Dhanaraj wrote: "@dely: I did not want to be too 'pushy' with that issue and so had avoided the linking of some books. The book that you have mentioned is one of the books I had intended to link."

Perhaps people are interested to know better what happened in Sri Lanka. I haven't read the book so I don't know if the author takes some part. I think it is always interesting and useful to know also what is happening in the other countries. Have you read the book?

[Chrissie]

Deli and Dhanaraj, Michael Ondaatje has good books on Sri Lanka. I would recommendAnil's Ghost.

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: "Deli and Dhanaraj, Michael Ondaatje has good books on Sri Lanka. I would recommendAnil's Ghost."

I have a couple of his books in my wishlist: The Cat's Table and Running in the Family. Will add also yours!

[Chrissie]

Dely, I really liked The English Patient, but of course that one is not set in Sri Lanka! I had some trouble with Running in the Family. (My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) I often have problems with short stories but there were other problems too. Hmm, I have not been able to decide whether to read The Cat's Table, just thinking of long boat trips makes me claustrophoibic.

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: "Dely, I really liked The English Patient, but of course that one is not set in Sri Lanka! I had some trouble with Running in the Family. (My review: https://www.goodreads.c..."

I had seen the film and it wasn't bad. I have read a short piece of your review (I rarely read full reviews of books I haven't yet read) and it however intrigues me.

[Chrissie]

I just finished The Condor Passes, and enjoyed all of it. All I could do was listen to it until it ended, and I don't really understand how a book with such content could so pull me in!!!!

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

So now I have broken all my rules and immediately bought another by the same author! I will read the other books I have waiting later.

[Alice]

I'm still plugging away at Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. It's a slow read and I'm getting a bit bored. Another thing is that the protagonist Philip is getting on my nerves! I'm finding myself incapable of empathizing with him - he seems like a stupid masochist!

[Chrissie]

Dely, I can read reviews because by the time I read the book, I have forgotten what I read in the reviews. Sometimes it is good to have a head like a sieve! But also, each person gets different things even from the very same book.

[Dhanaraj]

dely and Chrissie: I have not read the book by Ondaatje. But then in Tamil Nadu we have much literature on the issue of Tamils. Unfortunately they are not much translated in English. However you can very well try A Second Sunrise and Waking is Another Dream: Poems on the Genocide in Eelam.
Will try to get other English translations.

[dely]

Dhanaraj wrote: "dely and Chrissie: I have not read the book by Ondaatje. But then in Tamil Nadu we have much literature on the issue of Tamils. Unfortunately they are not much translated in English. However you ca..."

Thanks ;)

[B the BookAddict]

I have been reminded of this deliciously taut novel in another group. Swimming Home by Deborah Levy Highly Recommended

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

Dhanaraj wrote: "dely and Chrissie: I have not read the book by Ondaatje. But then in Tamil Nadu we have much literature on the issue of Tamils. Unfortunately they are not much translated in English. However you ca..."

Thanks for those titles. They are new to me.

[Diane S ☔]

Bette BookAddict wrote: "I have been reminded of this deliciously taut novel in another group. Swimming Home by Deborah Levy Highly Recommended

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.c..."

Read that one. Our reviews highlight many of the same points. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[B the BookAddict]

Diane S. wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "I have been reminded of this deliciously taut novel in another group. Swimming Home by Deborah Levy Highly Recommended

My review is here:..."

We did, too! I think like you, I didn't love it but thought it was worth reading. I am interested to read more of her work.

[Leslie]

Alice wrote: "I'm still plugging away at Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. It's a slow read and I'm getting a bit bored. Another thing is that the protagonist Philip is getti..."

I found that the story picked up towards the end. I don't know how far you are into it, but in my mind the real story doesn't really start until he is an adult...

[Bionic Jean]

I'm thinking maybe I should read Of Human Bondage again, as I had remembered it as his best book. But maybe that was a young person's rose-coloured reaction, if Philip is so unbearable. Time for a reread :)

[Alice]

Leslie wrote: "Alice wrote: "I'm still plugging away at Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. It's a slow read and I'm getting a bit bored. Another thing is that the protagonist P..."

I'm already two-thirds into it! I agree that the pace picks up a bit, but I keep thinking that Philip is a little pathetic in his love relationships, especially that with Mildred! Makes me grind my teeth...

[Alice]

Jean wrote: "I'm thinking maybe I should read Of Human Bondage again, as I had remembered it as his best book. But maybe that was a young person's rose-coloured reaction, if Philip is so unbearable..."

Jean, would love to hear what you think :)

[Ali]

Roderick wrote: "Hi Ali,

Unfortunately Blood Meridian is just gratuitous violence without any character exploration or gripping plot. I think it's McCarthy's worst novel and I am a huge fan of his. Books like "T..."

I have to agree with what you said. I bought it because of the hype. I really enjoyed the borders trilogy by him but this one is just VIOLENCE.

And Invisible Man is on my list. Definitely gonna buy it when I have some money saved for another visit to the bookstore. Its one of my weaknesses, I cant help myself whenever I see good books and I carry my list in my wallet. Every single time I spend more than necessary. But what you're gonna do? Its books :D

[Petra]

I just finished reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane and would recommend it. It's quirky, "other worldly", fun and even thought provoking. It is fantasy, with a blend of "real" & "unreal" worlds. If you like that sort of thing I highly recommend this book.

[Beth]

I just finished Sarah's Key - really good book, 4 1/2 stars and I do recommend it.

[Chrissie]

Ali wrote: "And Invisible Man is on my list. Definitely gonna buy it when I have some money saved for another visNative Sonit to the bookstore. ..."

I did a reread of Invisible Man, having read it ages ago, but on my second reading I found it dated. I am extremely picky and only rate according to my own personal reaction. Since then so much else has been written in the same vein. Ellison was friends with Richard Wright, so I have decided to reread Native Son. That is waiting for me on my Ipod.

[Chrissie]

Beth wrote: "I just finished Sarah's Key - really good book, 4 1/2 stars and I do recommend it."

I also had trouble with Sarah's Key. I found the info on the Vel' d'Hiv fascinating, but the modern thread failed completely! I am glad it worked for you though.

[Roderick]

@Chrissie, I agree partly that it is a bit dated. Invisible Man is a different take on the racism issue though that I do believe is timeless. Instead of blasting the persecutors, it explores the inner psychology of African American culture. Perhaps there are other books out there that do the same. I'm just not aware of them.

[LauraT]

Petra wrote: "I just finished reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane and would recommend it. It's quirky, "other worldly", fun and even thought provoking. It is fantasy, with a blend of "real" ..."

I'm "half way" with Gaiman books: some I love - Coraline, some others leave me perplexed ...
I'll see to this then if you say so Petra

[LauraT]

Chrissie wrote: "I did a reread of Invisible Man, having read it ages ago, but on my second reading I found it dated. I am extremely picky and only rate according to my own personal reaction. Since then so much else has been written in the same vein. Ellison was friends with Richard Wright, so I have decided to reread Native Son. That is waiting for me on my Ipod. "

Those were the books of my course in angloamerican literature in University, along with Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and The Autobiography of Malcom X. Extreamly interesting!

[[deleted user]]

I read The Invisible Man a few years ago and I really didn't get it. I found it quite boring and I think that was because I found it very dated. Is be tempted to reread now I'm a bit older (I was 18!) and have a greater understanding of the meaning of the text but my memories of struggling through it are putting me off!

[LauraT]

Heather wrote: "I read The Invisible Man a few years ago and I really didn't get it. I found it quite boring and I think that was because I found it very dated. Is be tempted to reread now I'm a bit older (I was 1..."

I reread it one year ago with Rowena and I have to admit it IS dated. But I think it express really well how things were back then in the USA, not using a realistic register - which would have been much more easy, like Richard Wright ...

[Chrissie]

We all seem to feel that Invisible Man is dated, at least when you read it now. I liked it much more years ago when the ideas were revolutionary/ "new".
This is important to keep in mind, but since I am not "judging" the value of a book it doesn't usually affect my rating. If I don't like it I don't! I think a four star rating went down to a two for me! SOME books keep their high ratings. They are the wonderful books. Those are the real classics, I think.

I hope I enjoy Native Son as much as I did the first time.

[Beth]

Chrissie wrote: "Beth wrote: "I just finished Sarah's Key - really good book, 4 1/2 stars and I do recommend it."

I also had trouble with Sarah's Key. I found the info on the Vel' d'Hiv fascinating,..."

Chrissie, I agree. That is where the book fell short for me - especially as it neared the end.