What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 3,901-3,950 of 12,687

[Angela M]

@Terri and Bette, another Canadian author that I like very much is Mary Lawson . I've read all three of her novels and I think you both would like them if you haven't read any .

[Diane S ☔]

I agree with Angela about Mary Lawson, she is fantastic. Somewhat in line with Cather and Haruf.

[Sonya]

I just finished Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins. I read the whole series though I haven't seen the last movie yet. Of course, as usual, the books are better than the movies. I know they are young adult novels meant for high schoolers, but they're still good stories. The last one, Mockingjay, however was the worst book in the series. It was kind of anti-climatic, very stale with a lack of movement in the plot. After the well written first two books, I was really let down by the last one.

[Chrissie]

Speaking of Mary Lawson. I enjoyed The Other Side of the Bridge. So that is at least three of us who enjoy her writing.

[Chrissie]

Terri wrote: "I really like the Canadian authors that I have read as well, Terri. I wonder, is writing a talent endemic to Canadians or have we just been lucky with our choices?

A question I've never much thou..."

Terri, I love Robertson Davies too.

[Angela M]

Carol Shields , although American born , became a Canadian citizen after she married a Canadian and moved to Canada, so I believe she is considered a Canadian writer . She has wrote a number of novels , among them , my favorite, The Stone Diaries

[Angela M]

Carol Shields , although American born , became a Canadian citizen after she married a Canadian and moved to Canada, so I believe she is considered a Canadian writer . She has wrote a number of novels , among them , my favorite, The Stone Diaries

[B the BookAddict]

Chrissie wrote: "I completed The Moon and Sixpence. I thought it would give me more about Paul Gauguin. Still, it is written by Maugham and he certainly has a way with words.

My review: https://www.g..."

Found on Wiki a book based on Gaugin's life, for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_...

[B the BookAddict]

For Canadian writers, I like: Margaret Atwood, Carol Shields, Kathleen Winter and Leonard Cohen.
Mary Lawson and Margaret Laurence are on my tbr.

[Leslie]

B the BookAddict wrote: "For Canadian writers, I like: Margaret Atwood, Carol Shields, Kathleen Winter and Leonard Cohen.
Mary Lawson and ..."

No one has mentioned Charles de Lint, who writes wonderful magical realism novels. I also think of Saul Bellow as Canadian but am not sure...

[Janice]

my real life book club read The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence) last year - a very powerful, emotionally heavy family saga, as soon through the eyes of the matriarch, Hagar Shipley, 90 yrs old.
I found it to be a tough read but it was amazing to the end. The Diviners is also an amazing write, but a little different.
I hope you enjoy. I have Atwood, Lawson and Davies on my TBR, I also read Carol Shields The Stone Diaries and had a problem staying with it.

[Nancy from NJ]

Angela M wrote: "@Terri and Bette, another Canadian author that I like very much is Mary Lawson . I've read all three of her novels and I think you both would like them if you haven't read any ."

I also enjoy Mary Lawson. She does evoke feelings of Willa Cather.

[Chrissie]

The Life and Works of Chopin is good. Jeremy Siepmann, the author, has done many concise biographies of musicians. You get both the music and the story!

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

[Nancy from NJ]

I just finished The Twin's Daughter which was a real who done it with a clever twist. I did enjoy this book.

[Chrissie]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I completed The Moon and Sixpence. I thought it would give me more about Paul Gauguin. Still, it is written by Maugham and he certainly has a way with words.

My revi..."

LauraT recently told me of that one, Mario Vargas Llosa's The Way to Paradise. I now have it on my lists. Thanks. Good author too.

[Diane S ☔]

Janice wrote: "Diane S. wrote: "Finished Wolf Winter, very apropos title. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."


Thanks Diane for your rev - I do love Nordic Noir and this tends me to..."

Hope you enjoy, when you get to it.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Unravelling Oliver, a psychologically twisty read. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[[deleted user]]

Angela M wrote: "@Terri and Bette, another Canadian author that I like very much is Mary Lawson . I've read all three of her novels and I think you both would like them if you haven't read any ."

Thanks, Angela! I'll definitely check her out.

[Evelyn]

I have finished The Town House by Nora Lofts. I really enjoyed both the story and the writing.

[Monica]

Evelyn wrote: "I have finished The Town House by Nora Lofts. I really enjoyed both the story and the writing."

This looks quite good, Evelyn. I've added it to my reading list...thanks. Will you continue on with this series?

[Greg]

Leslie wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "For Canadian writers, I like: Margaret Atwood, Carol Shields, Kathleen Winter and"

I really enjoy Charles de Lint

[Gill]

Terri wrote: "I really like the Canadian authors that I have read as well, Terri. I wonder, is writing a talent endemic to Canadians or have we just been lucky with our choices?

A question I've never much thou..."

I've just started reading books by Louise Penny. I enjoy her style and the level of complexity of the plots.

And Carol Shields also

[Alice]

The only Canadian author I've read is Alice Munro. Loved her collection of short stories Runaway. I have Margaret Atwood on the radar :)

[Charbel]

I've read Atwood, but is it weird that I don't keep track of the nationalities of the authors?

[Leslie]

Charbel wrote: "I've read Atwood, but is it weird that I don't keep track of the nationalities of the authors?"

No -- I didn't until last year when we had the round-the-world challenge.

[Evelyn]

Monica wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "I have finished The Town House by Nora Lofts. I really enjoyed both the story and the writing."

This looks quite good, Evelyn. I've added it to my reading list...tha..."

I will Monica, but not right away as I have so many unread books already! I am sure I will find the next two at another used book sale, especially as I will be looking for them!

[Evelyn]

Charbel wrote: "I've read Atwood, but is it weird that I don't keep track of the nationalities of the authors?"

I don't either Charbel, unless it is specifically mentioned to me, like in a challenge or if it comes up in a discussion.

[Angela M]

Just read Rodin's Lover. My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Nancy from NJ]

Evelyn wrote: "Charbel wrote: "I've read Atwood, but is it weird that I don't keep track of the nationalities of the authors?"

I don't either Charbel, unless it is specifically mentioned to me, like in a challen..."

And I have the name of every book and author I have read since I was 9 years old. Book lovers do have their obsessions.

[Nancy from NJ]

Forget about Gone Girl, The Good Girl or The Girl on the Train, I just read what will most likely be on my 10 top reads list for 2015. The book title is The Memory Box by Eva Lesko Nataliano. If you like a roller coaster ride of a book, this is for you.

[dely]

Yesterday I finished The Taliban Cricket Club by Timeri N. Murari for the recommendation swap. Here the review, in English, where I try to explain why I didn't like it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

I have completed A Fifty-Year Silence: Love, War, and a Ruined House in France

I explain my thoughts in my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Nancy from NJ]

I am now reading First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen which is a sequel to her first book, Garden Spells and The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing by Mira Jacobs.

[Nancy from NJ]

Tracey wrote: "Just read Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald I got involved with this 'story' straight away and anyone who loves all things Gatsby/Fitzgerald will love it. told from F Scott Fitzgeralds..."

Tracey - if you enjoyed Z, you might want to read F.Scott Fitzgerald's semi-autobiographical book about himself and Zelda in Tender Is the Night.

[Julia]

Just finished The Kindness of Strangers

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

[Monica]

Just finished Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb. (My first time reading this author.) Very well written...will read more by this author. I would suggest this book to anyone who's read either The Name of the Wind, or The Lies of Locke Lamora. (I enjoyed the Hobb book more than the last two mentioned.)

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

[Julia]

Great review Monica!

[Leslie]

I finished Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett this morning -- loved it! Here is my review. I want to thank Heather who first introduced me to the Discworld series!

[Angela M]

Just read Green on Blue: A Novel , a tough story on the war in Afghanistan but worth reading . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Shirley]

I've just read The Secret Place by Tana French, which I really enjoyed - gave it 3 stars, would have been 4 except there was a supernatural element that I didn't much like. I just felt it didn't really add to the story, and it would have been better without it.

[[deleted user]]

@Leslie I love that I introduced Terry Pratchett to somebody! The books are wonderful, a really good read when you need some escapism and to not be too challenged

@Monica Robin Hobb is an author that has been recommended to me for at least the past 10 years. I really should pick up her books!

[Alannah]

Just finished Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens and really enjoyed it. It is becoming harder and harder to pick a favourite now because there are so many great books. That being said, I didn't enjoy Hard Times because I felt it was too rushed. It was nothing like his regular writing.

[Leslie]

Alannah wrote: "Just finished Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens and really enjoyed it. It is becoming harder and harder to pick a favourite now because there are so many great books. That being said, I..."

I agree that I found Hard Times not up to the usual Dickens standard. You should compare notes with Jean about Barnaby Rudge as she is currently reading it :)

[Amber]

I just finished my first book for the women in horror reading challenge I made for myself and it is Be Careful What You Wish For which is a vampire short story set in New Orleans and I found the book for free on Smashwords. It was a pretty good read.

Here's my review if you want to check it out: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Monica]

Julia wrote: "Great review Monica!"

Thanks, Julia!

Heather wrote:@Monica Robin Hobb is an author that has been recommended to me for at least the past 10 years. I really should pick up her books!

Heather, it took years of "nudging" to get me to finally read one of Hobb's book...and I'm glad I did. I'll read more of her work. When (not if) you read Hobb, I'll be curious to read your thoughts.

[Janice]

Monica wrote: "Julia wrote: "Great review Monica!"

Thanks, Julia!

Heather wrote:@Monica Robin Hobb is an author that has been recommended to me for at least the past 10 years. I really should pick up her books!..."

Monica,
One of my dearest colleagues reads and highly recommends Robin Hobb but I do know there are many trilogies and colony series. which one did you start with and which would you recommend to start, I've held off, but after reading The sparrow, I'm a little more open to reading sci-fi. thankS!

[Monica]

Janice wrote: "One of my dearest colleagues reads and highly recommends Robin Hobb but I do know there are many trilogies and colony series. which one did you start with and which would you recommend to start, I've held off, but after reading The sparrow, I'm a little more open to reading sci-fi. thankS! "

Janice, I am not an expert on Hobb, but when I asked opinions from "fantasy-genre" readers, most suggested starting with her Farseer Trilogy because it was so well written. Before I read any of her work I downloaded a Kindle sample to see how it would read to me. You could get samples from several of her series and see which ones appeal to you.

I will finish off the Farseer Trilogy before I venture on to others. Do let us know your opinion when (it's only a matter of time) you read Hobb.

[Janice]

Monica wrote: "Janice wrote: "One of my dearest colleagues reads and highly recommends Robin Hobb but I do know there are many trilogies and colony series. which one did you start with and which would you recomme..."

thank you, I will

Im going to order from library right now...done

[Greg]

Leslie and Alannah, I actually liked Hard Times but partly because of the Victorian-era problem it highlights. As a story, it isn't on the top tier of Dickens books for me, but I do like it.

[Bionic Jean]

Alannah and Leslie - I am loving Barnaby Rudge! I can remember having previously said that I didn't feel historical novels were Dickens's forte - well I now wish I could take that back as the descriptions of the riots are so powerful and intense. Yet his quirky humour is present too, in all the eccentric characters and environments. I know of no other author who can do this quite so well. This is my second reading of the novel (first was audio) and I am savouring every word.

Do feel free to comment on "my" thread Alannah :) I've put a couple of pics up there of the Maypole - and the real-life Grip too, which you might be interested in.