What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 2,101-2,150 of 12,687

[dely]

Pink wrote: "Aw Dely, I think I loved Rebecca more than you did, it really spurred me on to join in with the du Maurier readalongs this year. Have you read any others? I think My Cousin Rachel has been my favou..."

It's my first Du Maurier and I don't know if I will pick up other books by her for now. For me a book must have a "essence" and though Rebecca was really beautifully written, I didn't receive something by this book and it's important that i receive or learn something from a book. I also must relate to some character and I couldn't do it with this book.

[dely]

Shirley wrote: "That's interesting to read what you thought of Rebecca - I have never thought of it in that way, but I guess most of us would be strong compared to the main character - I'm glad it made you feel stronger! I think it's just a great story and I too like the detailed descriptions. One of my favourite books. "

Some recommendations of The Novel Cure: From Abandonment to Zestlessness: 751 Books to Cure What Ails You are working and Rebecca is one of them!

[dely]

Jean wrote: "Dely - no, I did not feel it was a personal attack, but there is a place Goodreads provide for us to talk about a specific book, ("your review") so that our thoughts do not get lost, and I link to that place, as do others who want a little more depth."

I have read your review and it was very interesting. It may sound strange but I usually read reviews when I finish a book! Sometimes I read reviews, above all non-fiction, but also of fiction, it depends a lot of how much a book interests me: the more I want to read it, the less I read reviews. I give just a look to the ratings of my friends and so I already know if I could like it or not.

[Dhanaraj]

About reading reviews: If I am certain that I may not read that book I may read the reviews of some of my friends. If a book interests me and if I intend to read it, I usually look into the star ratings of my friends and others. If I am satisfied I go for the book. I read it and after that I write my own review and then I go search out for the reviews of friends. There may be some exceptions to this rule. But generally this is the norm I follow.

[Bionic Jean]

Angela - oh yes, I had forgotten that! So even a mutual loathing for a book can lead to a positive contact! LOL I enjoy your reviews very much, and have not actually read many of the books you read. Or not yet :D

Pink - yes, still on for July for me :) Great if you can also read "The Scapegoat" later. I was just finding one a month a bit too much Daphne!

Dely - I do the same, reading after I've read the book! Sometimes straight after my review, but usually just as and when. I don't read before my review though, as then I wouldn't know my own thoughts! I especially like to read my friends' reactions to a book if I've read it recently.

Thank you for your "like", by the way. Feel free to comment after my review itself, any time - whatever your opinion of it :)

[Angela M]

Finished reading Island of a Thousand Mirrors, a moving story of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the impact on two families. 5 stars - highly recommended.

My review if you are interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[dely]

Angela wrote: "Finished reading Island of a Thousand Mirrors, a moving story of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the impact on two families. 5 stars - highly recommended.

My review if you are inter..."

I've added it to my wishlist, it seems very interesting.

[Angela M]

dely ,
It was interesting . I really knew nothing about this conflict and this author brings it to life .

[dely]

Angela wrote: "dely ,
It was interesting . I really knew nothing about this conflict and this author brings it to life ."

I know only a little bit about it. I have seen that there isn't an Italian edition so I think this book will stay for sure a long time in my wishlist.

[Petra]

Holly wrote: "I've finally finished The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.
..."

Wilkie writes good books. Woman In White is a favorite of mine, too.
I recommend The Moonstone, The Dead Secret and The Two Destinies (in that order).

[LauraT]

Petra wrote: "Holly wrote: "I've finally finished The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.
..."

Wilkie writes good books. Woman In White is a favorite of mine, too.
I recommend [book:The..."

As usual of the same mind!

[B the BookAddict]

I need to get into Wilkie Collins. That's a strange nickname for William, isn't it?

[Charbel]

Bette BookAddict wrote: "I need to get into Wilkie Collins. That's a strange nickname for William, isn't it?"

Lol! We have a The Woman in White readalong you're welcome to join in.

[B the BookAddict]

Thanks, Charbel, I'll check out for a library copy.

Further to my reading of the Tudors, The Tudor Wars and the War of the Roses, I have decided:

You could not have kept me at a royal court in England in the 15th and 16th century for all the money in the world. I like my head just where it is - planted very firmly on my shoulders, thank you very much.

[Alejandro]

I have just read...

The Storied Life of A.J. Friky

by Gabrielle Zevin

And I totally recommended!!! A "must-read" to any reader!

Check my review on the link (there aren't spoilers)

[Petra]

LauraT wrote: "As usual of the same mind! ..."

:D

[B the BookAddict]

Fabulous review, Alejandro.

[Alice]

I've just finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray and love it. It would have gotten 5 stars from me if not for the ending, which I find a little abrupt and melodramatic.

My review:-

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

[Alice]

I've also nearly finished The Portable Oscar Wilde. I love "The Ballad of Reading Gaol"! This collection of plays, novel, poems, essays and letters really helps one get some insight into Oscar Wilde's character and personality.

[Chrissie]

I just finished The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Most everyone knows of her The Heart is a Lonely Hunter but this one is even better. It is all in the words, how she expresses emotions that we as kids have felt. Remember that preteen period in your own life? You read this and wow all the confusion of that time comes back. At the same time she puts it in a place (Georgia) and a time (1944). Don't expect any history book though, just how a child may have felt about what everyone was talking about.

Here is my review if you want more: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I do not give spoilers, just how the book affected me; you may react totally differently.

I listened to it on audiobook and wow!

[Shirley]

Chrissie wrote: "I just finished The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Most everyone knows of her The Heart is a Lonely Hunter but this one is even better. It is al..."

Thanks Chrissie, that sounds good! I have The Heart is a Lonely Hunter to read at home, so once I have read that one (presuming I like it!) I will try this one.

[Gill]

I've just finished The Rings of Saturn. It's the second book I've read by Sebald; both were equally impressive.

You won't see me write this very often!! But I have reviewed this book https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm not sure the link is correct, it seems to link to my complete page not my review. I'm sure someone will advise me!

Edited courtesy of Dhanarah and Jenny's help!

[Dhanaraj]

Gill's review can be found in this link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenny]

I am really glad you liked it as much as you did Gill!

Go to the bookpage where you will find your review and then press on My Review on the left side above it which will take you directly to it. From there you can link it.

This should be it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenny]

crossposting seems to be my favorite past time activity these days, LOL

[Dhanaraj]

Jenny wrote: "crossposting seems to be my favorite past time activity these days, LOL"

LOL.....

[Chrissie]

Shirley wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I just finished The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Most everyone knows of her The Heart is a Lonely Hunter but this one is even..."

TMOTW is better! It is so simple and something anyone can relate to. I wish you could do this one first, but I too chose THIALH first because it is more famous. Before reading I wasn't at all sure. It sounded kind of strange.

[Shirley]

Chrissie wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I just finished The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Most everyone knows of her The Heart is a Lonely Hunter but ..."

Thanks Chrissie, that's another book to look forward to then!

[Beth]

Chrissie wrote: "I just finished The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Most everyone knows of her The Heart is a Lonely Hunter but this one is even better. It is al..."

Loved this book - loved everything she wrote. Ballad of the Sad Cafe was amazing too.

[Chrissie]

I have added Ballad of the Sad Café to my wishlist, from which I buy books. Reflections in a Golden Eye draws me less. Beth, have you read this?

[Leslie]

Bette BookAddict wrote: "I need to get into Wilkie Collins. That's a strange nickname for William, isn't it?"

I don't think Wilkie is a nickname for William - his full name is William Wilkie Collins, so I suspect Wilkie is a family name of some sort.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Lost for Words, a satirical look at the the behind scenes maneuvering at a major book award. Said to be the Booker, though itnis called something different in the book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Diane S ☔]

Chrissie wrote: "I have added Ballad of the Sad Café to my wishlist, from which I buy books. Reflections in a Golden Eye draws me less. Beth, have you read this?"

I own Ballad, it came in a book with some of her short stories.

[Laurel]

I just finished Ransom Rigg's Hollow City, the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I have to say it was quite a let down after the 5 stars I gave to the first book. I didn't dislike it, it just didn't live up to what made the first book so unique. Here's my review if anyone is interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

Diane S. wrote: "Ballad, it came in a book with some of her short stories."

The Audible version is the same, which is the one I can get.

[Catherine]

Laurel wrote: "I just finished Ransom Rigg's Hollow City, the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I have to say it was quite a let down after the 5 stars I gave t..."

Thank you for your review. I just borrowed this book in digital form from my library but have had to push myself to read it. It just isn't catching my attention like the first one did. I couldn't put the first one down, but this second one I have to fight to read. I just may put it down and go and read the other books I have waiting.

[Chrissie]

I just completed The Prince of Frogtown. This is about the author and his relationship with his own father. It is also about his stepson. To understand how to be a father, to this boy who appeared on his doorstep at the age of 10, he had to understand his troubled relationship with his own father.

I had difficulty, in the beginning, warming to these people, and I didn't know who was who. It is set in Alabama in the 1950s and 1960s, but it has nothing to do with racial questions. It is about poor white people in a small Southern town.

My review explains why I thought it was so very good:

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

[B the BookAddict]

Leslie wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "I need to get into Wilkie Collins. That's a strange nickname for William, isn't it?"

I don't think Wilkie is a nickname for William - his full name is Willi..."

Thank you, Leslie. The main author page doesn't show his full name.

[B the BookAddict]

I've finished The Obituary Writer by Ann Hood 3.5★

Some beautiful writing and some lovely lines from poems but the two stories link far too late in the novel for my writing.

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

[Leslie]

I finished the audiobook of Once by Morris Gleitzman today - IMO it is a better children's/YA book about the Holocaust than The Book Thief.

[dely]

I have finished another book about Saint Francis (my edition has The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi and The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi) and I think I have read enough about him.

I had already read "The Little Flowers" and I re-read them willingly. Didn't like a lot the writings though I love the "Canticle of the Creatures".

I suggest these books only to who is interested in Saint Francis of Assisi and I would suggest to read first a book about his life; in this way we understand better his writings.

[Angela M]

Yesterday I finished From Time to Time. Here's my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
I would highly recommend it after the first book Time and Again. This is my favorite time travel book.

[B the BookAddict]

I've finished Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 4★

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

[B the BookAddict]

In another thread, members were talking about David Foster Wallace. A non-fiction book by Jonathan Franzen which contains an essay on Wallace is Farther Away.

It is a collection of speeches and essays by Franzen and wonderful reading. I've put up my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[B the BookAddict]

Further to my post on Americanah:

Put up your hand if the most you knew about Nigeria was those pesky scamming emails. My hand is up. I'm not especially proud of that but there it is.

Americanah will teach you about the diverse people and cultures of Nigeria. No, it's not just another race book although it does discuss the issue of race. It really takes you inside modern Nigerians; how they live, what their lives are like, what expectations they have and also the choices they do not have.

[Janice]

Shirley wrote: "I've just finished The Almond Tree. Wow! What a powerful book! I won it in a goodreads giveaway, but I wasn't expecting to be so blown away by it!"

I did as well, but haven't read it yet...now moved up on my TBR for this summer, thanks Shirley!!!

[Janice]

Charbel wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "I need to get into Wilkie Collins. That's a strange nickname for William, isn't it?"

Lol! We have a The Woman in White readalong you're welcome to join in."


when is the woman in white read a long - I've read it already and loved it, would definitely read it again!

[Petra]

I finished a few books over the weekend:

The Strange Case of the Broad Street Pump: John Snow and the Mystery of Cholera, which I really enjoyed. I have read The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World a couple of years ago and that ignited an interest in John Snow, for some reason (completely unexplained by me, that's for sure).
Anyway, these 2 books are good companion reads. Ghost Map focusses only on the 1854 cholera epidemic of Broad Street, while The Strange Case Of The Broad Street Pump is broader in range. It looks at John Snow's career as a whole, with Broad Street being just a small part. It also shows the history of cholera and how it moved around the world.
Interesting read, both books.

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story - my biggest surprise was to find that this was a YA book. It read as one (I listened to the audio) and I wasn't expecting that.
This is a good story of Salva's life as a "forgotten boy", losing his home, living in camps, living with danger and fear. The story is told in such a way as to not cause fear in a child (10-12 yrs) reading the book.
Nya's story is more peaceful but shows how limited life can be.
The book is mainly about the human spirit and how it never gives up hope. I enjoyed this book.

A Textbook Casewhich is a short story featuring Lincoln Rhyme & his crew. I've enjoyed the Lincoln Rhyme series a lot and was pleased to find this story and The Obit (both Lincoln Rhyme stories) in Trouble in Mind: The Collected Stories, Volume 3.
Both stories were true Lincoln Rhyme. The Obit was a bit too short and the suspense didn't build but it was still fun to read.

[Chrissie]

Just thought I would add that I figured out why I felt I should like The Cartographer of No Man's Land more than I really did. It is devoid of humor, and it is not that I need LOL humor.I added an ETA to my review!

[Diane S ☔]

I finished Falling Out of Time, a short book that is prose, poetry and gives voice to the grief one feels when losing a child. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...