What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 3,101-3,150 of 12,687

[Angela M]

Recently read : The Other Side of the Bridge. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Also The Rosie Effect. My review :https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[B the BookAddict]

@Angela Good reviews!

[Angela M]

Thanks , Bette !

[Bionic Jean]

I've just read the second volume of E. M. Forster's Collected Short Stories, ie half of them. Here is my review

of the volume, containing mini-reviews of each story.

I still think his best one is "The Machine Stops", which I first read 40-odd years ago. Perhaps this should be on the "Changing Perspectives" thread, as it clearly hasn't, in this case!

[Amber]

finished Party Games and Dead and Beloved and they were pretty good reads.

[Robin P]

Heather wrote: "I've just finished Gone Girl. I see it has very mixed reviews from my friends on here but I loved it! I haven't done much if a review as it was too difficult to do without spoilers but I would reco..."

I just read it myself. Many people loved it but I just can't see why. I found it both ridiculous ( people are not so crazy in such consistent ways) and depressing (who would want to see the world that way?) I suppose we are not meant to take it seriously. The funny thing is that if the same type of plot was written as fantasy, such as Game of Thrones, I probably would have liked it fine.

[Alannah]

Just finished Where She Went, which is the sequel to If I stay

[Jackie]

Yesterday I finished A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash. Never ceases to amaze & frighten me the acts that some people carry out in the name of religion and also that others can be sucked into believing it's right too. Not a true story but inspired by a real event. Good book, really enjoyed it. 4 stars from me!

[Chrissie]

I just finished Lindbergh

I highly recommend it. How often do you read a book that never ever drags?

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

So you think you already know all about Lindbergh? Well, not everything, most probably just the basics!

[Andrew]

I recently finished Jeremiah's Codes and I highly recommend it if you are want a fast paced action novel that keeps you wanting more. It has a great story that unfolds throughout the book and keeps you turning the page to find out more as to what is happening. The intrigue is intense and the author's style is very easy to digest. I found myself drawn into Bennett's life and his quest to find the truth. There is even a romantic build up in it. I gave it 5 stars and definitely one I would read again. Give it a look in....

[Kirsten]

Just finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as narrated/performed by Kenneth Branagh. I loved it!

Full disclosure: I've always loved Conrad. (I know lots of people don't.) I find him accessible, and HEART OF DARKNESS is one of his most atmospheric.

Branagh's performance really makes you feel as if the Congo is closing in around you. Highly recommended.

[Pink]

Kirsten wrote: "Just finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as narrated/performed by Kenneth Branagh. I loved it!

Full disclosure: I've always loved Conrad. (I know ..."

Good to know as I got the free whisper sync audiobook and ebook from Amazon last week, after seeing it mentioned on here.

[Leslie]

Kirsten wrote: "Just finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as narrated/performed by Kenneth Branagh. I loved it!

Full disclosure: I've always loved Conrad. (I know ..."

I recently (a few months ago) listened to this audiobook. Glad to run across another person who doesn't hate this book...

[Leslie]

dely wrote: "Finished yesterday Diary of a Mad Old Man by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. Didn't like it at all, there was nothing interesting, it wasn't well written, didn't like the characters..."

:( This is a book that I have seen on several lists so it was in my periphary. Sorry to hear that you didn't like it and (based on what you said on your 2014 reads thread), it doesn't sound like I would like it either... Oh, well, finding that out is what these threads are for!

[Leslie]

I finished The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny the other day -- I started reading it before bed and the next thing I knew it was 4 am and I was finishing it!!

[Diane S ☔]

Love Louise Penny.

[Janice]

I, too, Love Louise Penny and have read every one of her stories from the beginning, still have to jump into her lastest and wait patiently for her next release, Aug 2015...pick up 'still life' if you haven't already and start the journey with her and Gamache and their friends...you won't regret it!

[Chrissie]

I look with complete envy when so many read mystery stories and love them.

Diane, do you think I should try the first in the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny? The series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/4215... (They can be super but still something that might not work for me; I am fully aware of this.)

Should they be read in order?

So why is this series and the author so good?

[Ensoleillé]

Just finished gone girl

[dely]

Leslie wrote: ":( This is a book that I have seen on several lists so it was in my periphary. Sorry to hear that you didn't like it and (based on what you said on your 2014 reads thread), it doesn't sound like I would like it either... Oh, well, finding that out is what these threads are for! "

Perhaps you should give it a try. I've read some reviews on GR by people that rated it 4 or 5 stars but they don't explain very well why they liked it. There's only one but I don't agree with what this reader has written. This reviewer also writes that moralists and religious people should stay away from this book because they won't like it. I'm neither the one nor the other and however I didn't like it but for literary reasons.

[Petra]

Chrissie wrote: "Should they be read in order?

So why is this series and the author so good? .."

Chrissie, the Louise Penny series is good because she develops wonderful characters who grow and change through the series. Her books are very people orientated, with a mystery thrown in. I find a lot of mystery books are about the mystery and the people can become rather cardboard (they aren't developed, they are stereotypes, etc) but in this series, you get to know the people and really like them and want to know more about them.
For this reason, yes, they should be read in order.

I'm not much of a mystery reader myself. I like them but not so much. I do, though, really like this series and would recommend them.

[Chrissie]

Sandy and Petra, you are both so terribly sweet to guide me. You see, I want to like mysteries.......but rarely do unless they are real crimes. That this series is also focused on character portrayal sounds like a perfect fit, because that I always want. I will all the first one and test it.

THANK YOU very, very much.

[Greg]

Ensoleillé wrote: "Just finished gone girl"

What did you think of Gone Girl Sonny? I've seen wildly diverging reactions from other members of the group; so I'm curious. By the way, the Vegas section of The Goldfinch blew me away - so incredible! I'll post more details later when I have more time, but wow!

[Greg]

Kirsten wrote: "Just finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as narrated/performed by Kenneth Branagh. I loved it!

Full disclosure: I've always loved Conrad. (I know ..."

I'm also a fan of Conrad's writing Kirsten. Heart of Darkness isn't my favorite of his works, but I do like it! :)

[B the BookAddict]

Petra wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Should they be read in order?

So why is this series and the author so good? .."

Chrissie, the Louise Penny series is good because she develops wonderful characters who grow and c..."

Petra, thanks for the insight into LP's books; I don't read much crime these days but I can see myself trying her books.

Sandy wrote: "Chrissie, although I am Canadian to the core, I am ashamed to admit that I have not read the Louise Penny series. I have heard a lot of commentary on the radio, and most people sing her praises. Th..."

Sandy, that's an excellent review; thanks for the link.

[Ensoleillé]

Gone girl is a fun read. I really enjoyed it. I will right a proper comment when I am next on. I need to read :)

[Shirley]

I've just finished The Goldfinch. Thought it was a very good read. Still collecting my thoughts but will post in the group reads thread soon.

[Chrissie]

Just finished The Young HemingwayThe Young Hemingway. I am going to immediately continue with the next book in the series: Hemingway: The Paris Years. I simply cannot stop now.

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

I have read better biographies, but heck it is not bad.

[Renato]

Kirsten wrote: "Just finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as narrated/performed by Kenneth Branagh. I loved it!

Full disclosure: I've always loved Conrad. (I know ..."

This one has been on my list for a long time. I really have to make some time for it!!

As for myself, in preparation for Ulysses, I finished some days ago A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Here's my review.

Now I can finally join the discussion for Ulysses!!

[Angela M]

Renato ,
What a thoughtful review ! I read this many , many years ago in college . Thank you for refreshing my mind . Looking forward to you joining the Ulysses discussion .

[Renato]

Thanks, Angela. I'll try to catch up with you all this weekend! :-)

[Gill]

Renato wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "Just finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as narrated/performed by Kenneth Branagh. I loved it!

Full disclosure: I've always loved ..."

I'm reading them back to front, Renato!

[Chrissie]

Hemingway thoroughly admired Conrad's writing, and his insights made me appreciate Conrad more! The central theme of Hemingway: The Paris Years, and also important in the first book of the series (The Young Hemingway) is how Hemingway learned from other authors. This is new for me, and I really have come to enjoy the literary analysis presented. This is not what I usually look for in a biography; usually I want to know the individual spark that makes a person different. I recommend both books.

[Kirsten]

Thanks to those of you who offered your solidarity with me for liking Conrad! Will have to read another of his soon! Too bad Branagh hasn't done any more of his work.

[Petra]

I finished listening to Nightwoods. It was fine; not nearly as good as Cold Mountain, though.
Perhaps it was a matter of expectations. I thought this would be a thriller of a book and it wasn't. It is a good read in terms of family trust, growth and healing but the thriller aspect is minor.

[B the BookAddict]

Yesterday, I read Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant 4.75★

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

[Chrissie]

Bette, glad that you too enjoyed it.

[J]

has anyone read Zoo by James Patterson?? is it any good? can you recommend me some of his best books!

[Jamie]

I read Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki And His Years Of Pilgrimage and was completely blown away.by Haruki Murakami's story and writing. It's by far one of the best books I've read this year and I'm going to have to read more of his work. 5 very sparkly stars for me.

[Chrissie]

Just completed: Hemingway: The Paris Years

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

[Angela M]

I have just read Rose Under Fire, a definite 5 star book. My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Also read Far As the Eye Can See: A Novel - 3 stars but worth reading . My review :https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Shellie]

I just read My Pink Room. It was a very heart felt book about how one girl coped with the death of her father who died from Cancer when she was 10 years old. It was a very good book.

[Greg]

Shellie wrote: "I just read My Pink Room. It was a very heart felt book about how one girl coped with the death of her father who died from Cancer when she was 10 years old. It was a very good book."

That sounds very sad Shellie!

[Shellie]

It was a very sad book. It was based on a true story. She talked about how it affected her from childhood to adulthood.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Some Luck https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Violeta]

Just finish Doll Bones, its a children's book, but it was mysteriously cute. :-)

[Amber]

finished A Slice of Murder

it was a pretty good pizza mystery

[Kirsten]

Just finished reading Arcadian Genesis by Greig Beck. It's not that long, a short novella or a long short story, take your pick. But it's a thrilling introduction to the characters and the series. Sort of a Special Forces X-Files.

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Angela M]

I just finished J. It was three stars for me for this Booker prize nominated book. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I liked didn't love it but feel it's an important book.

[Chrissie]

I completed As I Lay Dying

1 star - this book is worse than bad,simply terrible!

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