What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 3,401-3,450 of 12,687

[Greg]

Evelyn and everyone else who read The Bone Clocks, is the consensus that Cloud Atlas is better to read as a first intro to the author? I like fantasy; so fantasy is just fine - I'm mainly wondering which one people thought had a stronger story & characters. I want to read something by him and am debating which one to read first!

[Evelyn]

Greg, Cloud Atlas was the first one I read, simply because a friend lent it to me. I have also seen the movie, which helped. I think I had a stronger connection to the Cloud Atlas characters because the story circled back to each of them as it progressed, unlike The Bone Clocks, Holly Sykes excepted. There are no connecting characters or story line between these two books, so I don't think it really matters which one you tackle first - both are quite long. I thnk go with whichever story synopsis interests you more.

[Greg]

Thanks Evelyn!

[Kristi]

Greg wrote: "Evelyn and everyone else who read The Bone Clocks, is the consensus that Cloud Atlas is better to read as a first intro to the author? I like fantasy; so fantasy is jus..."

I think I heard somewhere that you 'should' read David Mitchell's books in the order that they were published. There is some character carry-over. That being said, I haven't read them in order. I read Cloud Atlas first, and it set the bar so high that I don't know if I'll ever like another of his other books quite as much.

[Julia]

I just finished reading Secrets of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst and really enjoyed it. It's the 2nd book in The Wolf Chronicles trilogy. It's prehistoric YA fiction and told from a young wolf's POV and tells the story of relationships between the wolf's pack and prehistoric man. I'm looking forward to the last book, which will be released next week.

[Greg]

Thanks for the tip Kristi :)

[Meera]

I finished The Husband's Secret which I rated 3. I thought it was entertaining but I was bored by some of the characters.
Also finished In the After by Demitria Lunetta, a YA post-apocalyptic novel, that I also rated 3. It told a good story and was suspenseful but the writing could have been more complex and some of the story line was predictable. I'm starting to feel like this genre has a formula that authors are following, which is disappointing.

[Kristi]

I read The List today. It was sent to me as part of the Book Riot Quarterly delivery earlier this year. It had an interesting plot, but I don't think the author did enough with it. The book didn't feel complete, to me. It is a YA novel, but not necessarily one that can appeal to adults. I probably wouldn't have chosen to read it, if not for it being sent to me.

[Pink]

Interesting to hear about the order of David Mitchell books. I've read Cloud Atlas and have The Bone Clocks reserved at the library (currently down to number 46 in the waiting list) but I've also heard that there's some character continuation in his books, though I don't know which books or which characters!. I actually have The thousand autumns of Jacob de Zoet out from the library at the moment, as I'd heard good things about this one too...it's another long one though!

[[deleted user]]

I enjoyed The Thousand Autumns, Pink. Not as much as Cloud Atlas though

[Chrissie]

Just completed Chanel: An Intimate Life. It was so good I simply could not put it down.

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

You have to be interested in Chanel and you can't be allergic to history. There is no book that fits all readers.

If you are interested in the artists and authors in France before and then between the two wars, you will probably like it too. Lovers and authors and artists galore. Of course, fashion too.

[Paula]

After Fathers and Crows by William T. Vollmann (Book 2 in his amazing Seven Dreams series) I needed a brain vacation read while waiting for Argall (Book 3). So I borrowed The Dead Detective. But ugh, it was not good at all. I like this kind of book candy, but this one was pretty bad. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

[Angela M]

I just finished Cathedrals In The Sky, a sad but really moving story- 4 stars for me. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Evelyn]

This morning I finished The Rosie Effect. Quick easy read, made me laugh out loud several times, but also tugged on my heart-strings. Very enjoyable.

[Kristi]

I finally finished Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea this past weekend. I liked the plot and ideas within the book, but reading it was a chore. I think I would have been more impressed with it if I had read it about 100 years ago.

I read What We See When We Read yesterday. It also had some interesting ideas, but I wouldn't suggest anyone rush out to find a copy. It was sent to me in the most recent Book Riot Quarterly delivery.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, wonderful story. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

Bette, somewhere you wrote, I simply cannot find it, that you were reading a book that everyone loved BUT NOT YOU. You kept your moth shut and declined to explain your reaction since you felt you were the oddball. In my view, it is very important that all views are expressed otherwise the real picture and rating of a book is skewed. Those of us who don't like a book must explain clearly why.

[dely]

I finished reading, finally, The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber and for me it was a 1 star book.
I couldn't relate to the characters, found the whole story annoying, didn't feel any emotions reading it and the end...well, it isn't an ending, I really felt mocked by the author after 900 pages. Till the end it could have been an ok read, a 2 stars, but that ending was really irritating. I know a lot of people like this book but it wasn't for me.
I've read it for my "novel cure challenge" and this story should help for people who suffer from lack of ambition. Well, after reading the story of Sugar, a prostitute who wants to come out of her misery, I'm really glad I'm a person without amibtions or targets. I live my serene life day after day and by sure I would never behave like Sugar to have something more from my life.

[Katie]

I've been reading Long Walk to Freedom since April and have finally finished it! I learned so much about Mandela and about South Africa's history in general. I lent the book from my sister-in-law and I'm so glad I read it. It focused mainly on his politics but did have mentions of his personal life/family. It has opened my eyes and that's the best thing that can happen when reading a book I think. I gave it a five star rating because although it took me ages to read I've learned from it and it was interesting. I would recommend it to anyone!

[B the BookAddict]

Chrissie wrote: "Bette, somewhere you wrote, I simply cannot find it, that you were reading a book that everyone loved BUT NOT YOU. You kept your moth shut and declined to explain your reaction since you felt you w..."

I think you might be referring to my comments on The Rosie Project. The whole premise felt predictable, horribly predictable, I found that main character incredibly annoying and the humor did not amuse me.

[B the BookAddict]

@Dely What a pity you didn't like it. But we can't all feel the same about books, can we? The reading world would be very boring if we did.

I loved it for the historical factor. Found it easier to relate to Sugar as women did have to live their lives like this i.e. prostitution and everything living that life entailed. Disliked the male character and thought he would revert to type eventually. I did feel Faber took me back to Victorian London incredibly well.

While I generally like to read Historical Faction rather than Historical Fiction, I really did the novel. I read it because so many people here had mentioned they loved/enjoyed it and I was lucky because I did too:)

[dely]

B the BookAddict wrote: "@Dely What a pity you didn't like it. But we can't all feel the same about books, can we? The reading world would be very boring if we did.

I loved it for the historical factor. Found it easie..."

A few of my GR's friends loved this book so I was sorry to don't like it.
The male characters were all, except Henry, deprecable. The book really showed how women were victims of men also those of high society. In fact I was sorry also for Agnes and Sophie. This theme could have been interesting but I couldn't like the story on his whole, it didn't grip me and at the end I didn't care about them or what was happening in their lives. And I hate Faber for the ending, you know what I mean.

[Chrissie]

Dely and Bette, it helps me to decide when I hear different points of view about The Crimson Petal and the White.

Bette, thanks for offering your reaction to The Rosie Project! I love your preference for "historical faction" over historical fiction. I belong in that group too.

[LauraT]

dely wrote: "I finished reading, finally, The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber and for me it was a 1 star book.
I couldn't relate to the characters, found the whole story ..."

I wasn't so terribly hard on it, but I have to say I didn't like as much as generally is

[B the BookAddict]

dely wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "@Dely What a pity you didn't like it. But we can't all feel the same about books, can we? The reading world would be very boring if we did.

I loved it for the historica..."

Oh yeah, I agree with you about the ending! Major bummer there; I was disappointed with Faber's choice.

[Leslie]

Katie wrote: "I've been reading Long Walk to Freedom since April and have finally finished it! I learned so much about Mandela and about South Africa's history in general. I lent the book from my s..."

That is a great book for our human rights/freedom fighting theme located HERE!

[Chrissie]

Just completed The Little Friend

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

I don't regret a minute spent listening to this, even if it is quite long. I have tried to explain what the book offers to help determine which readers will like it most.

[B the BookAddict]

A book read some time ago but well worth a mention here: The Rain Before it Falls by Jonathan Coe

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

[Chrissie]

Bette, on your recommendation I have now added that one by Coe to my wishlist. Another great review!

[LauraT]

Chrissie wrote: "Bette, on your recommendation I have now added that one by Coe to my wishlist. Another great review!"

By him I've loved The Rotters' Club and the sequel The Closed Circle, and liked several others - if not all of them!

[a_reader]

Yesterday I finished The Luminaries.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4 Stars. It was difficult read in some aspects such as keeping all the details straight, but I'm glad to have persevered.

[B the BookAddict]

LauraT wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Bette, on your recommendation I have now added that one by Coe to my wishlist. Another great review!"

By him I've loved The Rotters' Club and the sequel [book:The Clo..."

I think he's a really talented writer:)

Chrissie wrote: "Bette, on your recommendation I have now added that one by Coe to my wishlist. Another great review!"

Thanks, Chrissie:)

[Angela M]

I just finished Station Eleven, a 5 star book for me. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[[deleted user]]

Last night I finished a powerful book of short stories, The Corpse Exhibition: And Other Stories of Iraq.

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

[B the BookAddict]

I've read The Good Life by Jay McInerney 5★

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

[Chrissie]

I REALLY enjoyed Brazzaville Beach. No question four stars. It is ia hard book to explain.

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

[Petra]

I finished reading A Time to Dance, a Time to Die: The Extraordinary Story of the Dancing Plague of 1518 today.
It has some interesting aspects. The general idea is that the dancing "plagues" of history are due to psychological conditions, not medical. If people believe in something strongly enough, they do weird things. In these cases, the belief that God has forsaken people and his wrath is upon them, coupled with hard economic situations and perhaps difficult political times, puts the people in a psychological situation in which they can slip into trances that make them dance.
It would be a lot more plausible without the constant use of "maybe", "perhaps", "could have been", "safely assume", etc.
In general, this is an interesting phenomena that just doesn't have enough information written about it to be made into a book. It would have made an interesting essay.
In the end, it's not a waste of time to read it but it's not stellar either. :(

[LauraT]

Intersting subject and booknPetra

[Chrissie]

Oh, Dhanaraj, I have laughed ALL the way through The Diary of Adam and Eve. This is so very funny. Thank you for telling me about it.

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

[Chrissie]

I just completed: Train Dreams

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

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Driving the King: A Novel https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[B the BookAddict]

I've just read History of the Rain by Niall Williams

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

[Diana]

Angela wrote: "I just finished Station Eleven, a 5 star book for me. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Ahh, I read it last month - must read your review!

[Diana]

MSJ (Sarah) wrote: "Yesterday I finished The Luminaries.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4 Stars. It was difficult read in some aspects such as keeping all the details straight, but I..."

It was long, that's for sure. I thought it was quite well done and inventive. I like new plotting ideas like that.

[Chrissie]

I don't give that many books five stars, but that is what I gave Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants.

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

It is an important book. It captures you attention and is easy to read.

[[deleted user]]

Just gave up on The Bone Clocks after reading 400 pages. I found I just didn't care about the characters. I've been trying to read all the nominees for the Man Booker Prize, and that's why I choose this. Here's my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[Chrissie]

Terri, that is not your review. I get to the page about Pnin.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks, Chrissie. Here's the correct link:

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

[Kristi]

I have finished The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi. I found the first half a little difficult to get through, but I really liked it once I could see the whole picture. This book is tagged as many different genres in Goodreads--dystopia, fantasy, apocalyptic, etc--but I think it is best described as speculative fiction. It reminded me a bit of Oryx and Crake, which is one of my favorite novels.

[Chrissie]

Terri wrote: "Thanks, Chrissie. Here's the correct link:

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

You are welcome. But this goes to your review of Pnin. I thought you would be giving us your review of The Bone Clocks. I am totally confused. I am referring to your message 478.