What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 3,251-3,300 of 12,687

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Dr. Mutter's Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

I really liked The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra.

It is a good Halloween read, if you want something that is creepy and TRUE. Tell me - why did they have to be killed? The Kaiser wasn't killed after WW1! He went to the Netherlands.

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

[Skylar]

I just read Always On My Mind by Jill Shalvis. I enjoyed it.

[Alannah]

Just read The Distant Hours by Kate Morton, a bit disappointing, I felt like I didn't know what was going on.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Citizens Creek; a part of history in which I was unaware. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[GeneralTHC]

I read a pretty good one last night for Halloween: The Ghost Pirates. I gave it 4 stars. They had such a way with words back then.

[Chrissie]

Diane, I would like to some time read Cane River by the author.

[LauraT]

Finished Pot-Bouille by Émile ZolaÉmile Zola. Really a good book, èerfect description of the corrupted society of France of the second Empire. To read even if you've not reqad the other of the series

[Jenny]

Sandy wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Finished Pot-Bouille by Émile ZolaÉmile Zola. Really a good book, èerfect description of the corrupted society of France of the second Empir..."

Sandy, Gill, Laura and I are reading through series since last year, taking it by publication order. But they can just as well be read as stand alones.

[B the BookAddict]

Alannah wrote: "Just read The Distant Hours by Kate Morton, a bit disappointing, I felt like I didn't know what was going on."

I've found with her books that when the book has two time frames, it's hard to tell sometimes whether the character speaking is in the present or the past. Whether she means the grown-up narrator or the narrator as a child:(

[Jenny]

Sandy wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Sandy wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Finished Pot-Bouille by Émile ZolaÉmile Zola. Really a good book, èerfect description of the corrupted society o..."

LOL, so now it looks like I am talking to myself!! ;) There's a thread for the Zola Project itself, which a schedule for the upcoming reads: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... in case you ever feel in a Zolean mood and would like to join for one.

[B the BookAddict]

Jenny wrote: "Sandy wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Finished Pot-Bouille by Émile ZolaÉmile Zola. Really a good book, èerfect description of the corrupted society of France of th..."

I have to get me into Zola at some stage of my reading!

[Jenny]

No worries at all! I was just joking :)

[dely]

Finally I have finished Kristin Lavransdatter, the whole trilogy. Going through 1000 pages was a torture, I really didn't like it: 1 star.

[Skylar]

I just finished reading Slammed by Colleen Hoover. It was awesome and emotional. I definitely recommend it.

[Diane S ☔]

Dely, kudos for sticking with something you did not like.

Sandy, added that book and you are right I am very interested. Thanks.

[Beth]

dely wrote: "Finally I have finished Kristin Lavransdatter, the whole trilogy. Going through 1000 pages was a torture, I really didn't like it: 1 star."

I've done this (forced myself to read something that I absolutely loathed) and have described this as feeling like I was at a never-ending dentists appointment....but, when I finished I was proud of myself that i could force myself to do it - it's kind of a self-discipline thing...or maybe its just masochistic :) Not sure but congrats on finishing what you started!

[Chrissie]

dely wrote: "Finally I have finished Kristin Lavransdatter, the whole trilogy. Going through 1000 pages was a torture, I really didn't like it: 1 star."

OMG, I am glad I quit! I am sorry it turned out so bad. I figured it wouldn't fit me. Clearly it didn't fit you either, but many people enjoy it. Such is life.

[dely]

Beth wrote: "I've done this (forced myself to read something that I absolutely loathed) and have described this as feeling like I was at a never-ending dentists appointment....but, when I finished I was proud of myself that i could force myself to do it - it's kind of a self-discipline thing...or maybe its just masochistic :) Not sure but congrats on finishing what you started! "

If I must tell the truth, at the end I wasn't proud of myself but I felt stupid to have read the whole book, more than 1000 pages! Usually I give up books I don't like but this time I had some reasons to finish it: first because I was reading it in a readalong, second because I had already read Jenny by the same author and after a slow start it was an enjoyable read and third because I had payed 14 euro for this book!

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: "dely wrote: "Finally I have finished Kristin Lavransdatter, the whole trilogy. Going through 1000 pages was a torture, I really didn't like it: 1 star."

OMG, I am glad I quit! I am sor..."

I think I would have hated it less if I had left before. Going on with the reading I hated always more the characters, above all Kristin.

[Chrissie]

dely wrote: " Going on with the reading I hated always more the characters, above all Kristin.
"

I agree totally. You deserve a badge for sticking it out. Was it that Kristin's behavior was not believable? Or was it believable but you detested her?

I do think we may have enjoyed it more with a good translator.

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: "I agree totally. You deserve a badge for sticking it out. Was it that Kristin's behavior was not believable? Or was it believable but you detested her?

I do think we may have enjoyed it more with a good translator. "

The badge of most brave (or stubborn) reader of the month :D

I think both the reasons you mention: in some parts I had the feeling there was missing something so I wasn't able to understand the behavior of the characters. I don't know if it is the fault of the translation or if the author isn't able to look deep in the psychological side of people.
I also detested Kristin's behavior because I couldn't relate to her and to her Christian side. She thinks to have sinned and runs to the priest to confess (every 5 pages!). I don't believe in confession, I find it useless. If a person knows to have done something wrong he/she should solve the problem from the roots making an introspection and trying to change his/hers personality.

[Chrissie]

Dely, I again agree with what you are saying. It would have driven mu up a tee to have her constantly going to confession....and trying to force myself to accept this b/c that was HER belief.

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: "Dely, I again agree with what you are saying. It would have driven mu up a tee to have her constantly going to confession....and trying to force myself to accept this b/c that was HER belief."

That of the confession was only an example, there is a lot more about Christianity I didn't like because I don't share these points of view. Perhaps a Christian believer will like all this side of the book.

[[deleted user]]

Yeee! Good job dely! I have to confess that I haven't opened that book in at least 2 weeks, but I am resolved I will conquer it!

[Chrissie]

dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Dely, I again agree with what you are saying. It would have driven mu up a tee to have her constantly going to confession....and trying to force myself to accept this b/c that was ..."

Of course! It is so hard to explain to a believer how one thinks. You know that is one think I adored about The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra, I could comprehend their faith. I completely understood how they thought. The same thing happens with Dostoyevsky's writing.

[Chrissie]

Giorgia, one can also reason that time is limited.

[Chrissie]

Do you want an exciting book that you simply cannot put down, then read this: Fay.

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

It is so un-Chrissie, but I loved it. It is not for a prude though.

[Angela M]

I have just read The Children Act, 4 star, thought provoking book. My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


I also recently readGorry Rua Morning. Another 4 star , moving story of war and a mother's love for her children . My review :https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Diane S ☔]

Chrissie wrote: "Do you want an exciting book that you simply cannot put down, then read this: Fay.

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

It is so un-Chrissie, but I loved it. ..."

Will read it before the end of the month as it a read for another group I am in.

[B the BookAddict]

Angela wrote: "I have just read The Children Act, 4 star, thought provoking book. My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


I also recently read[book:Gorry Rua Morning|2326469..."

Good reviews, Angela. You sure are whipping thru books at the moment.

[Angela M]

I've been staying up late - lol !

[B the BookAddict]

Angela wrote: "I've been staying up late - lol !"

I know what you mean. People say to me 'how do you read so many books?', I say 'Easy, no sleep'. lol.

[Chrissie]

Diane S. wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Do you want an exciting book that you simply cannot put down, then read this: Fay.

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

It is so un-Chrissie,..."

I hope you like it. I am almost embarrassed to say I liked it as much as I did.

[Dhanaraj]

Finished reading a Non Fiction book (The Search Warrant) by this year's Nobel Prize winner, Patrick Modiano. An interesting book in which the writer re-creates the moods and tensions of a Jewish person in the Occupied Paris of 1941. This book as it progressed reminded me much of the writings of W. G. Sebald. Here is the link to the review that I wrote for it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Robin P]

I have just finished Driftless. I loved it! I think it's beautifully written, thought-provoking, heartwarming and often funny.

[dely]

After 1000 pages of Kristin Lavransdatter I needed something very short so this morning I have read a short story, Saturday Date by Ken Doyle.
It was just an ok read, not bad but nothing worthy. It talks about a homeless woman in Mumbai that sings to get alms. This woman has visions of the Virgin Mary and thanks to these visions she has a wonderful voice for singing.

[Chrissie]

I finished and liked The Rush: America's Fevered Quest for Fortune, 1848-1853.

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

Non-fiction.

[Angela M]

Recently read This is Where I Leave You. Funny, sometimes sad family story that made me laugh out loud. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Julia]

I enjoyed The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A good film was made of the book in France: "Le hérisson" (The Hedgehog).


Josiane Balasko is wonderful as the concierge, Renée Michel, and Garance Le Guillermic is perfect as Paloma Josse, the young girl.

[Chrissie]

Julia, like you, I gave that four.VERY GOOD book.

[Evelyn]

I too loved The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Great review Julia! I didn't know it has been made into a movie, will definitely look for it.

[Julia]

Agreed, Chrissie; this is one of my favorite quotations:

“There's so much humanity in a love of trees, so much nostalgia for our first sense of wonder, so much power in just feeling our own insignificance when we are surrounded by nature...yes, that's it: just thinking about trees and their indifferent majesty and our love for them teaches us how ridiculous we are - vile parasites squirming on the surface of the earth - and at the same time how deserving of life we can be, when we can honor this beauty that owes us nothing.”

But then, my only bumper sticker reads: "I don't just hug trees, I kiss them too." :-)

[Chrissie]

Julia, great quote, among others! I am a nature person too. I am so happy to no longer live in a city.

[GeneralTHC]

Sounds like I need to read The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

[Diane S ☔]

Loved both books, Elegance of the hedgehog and This is where I leave you. Wonderful reviews ladies.

[Robin P]

I thought I would love Elegance of the Hedgehog - it's brainy and French, too characteristics I usually adore. But I found it depressing and mostly unbelievable. I actually liked the movie better.

I just finished Driftless, which I thought was excellent. It is thought-provoking, heartwarming and often funny. The author describes the life and surroundings of his rural setting in original ways. The language is beautiful without being annoying (some authors seem to be saying "Look how beautifully I can write, I've been to workshops!")

[Chrissie]

Robin, vivez la diférence. It is good when we all voice our different views.

Why is the town in Wisconsin called Words? Driftless looks interesting.

[LauraT]

Just started The Hangman's Daughter; liking it; especially the style

[Angela M]

@Robin - thanks for telling us about Driftless . I've added it to my list .