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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Finally finished The Girl on the Train. Pretty decent. I rated 3.75-stars. It probably deserves a little bit higher rating than that, but I can't help but compare it to GONE GIRL. I'd bet anything it will become a movie.
I recently finished Casting Shadows Everywhere. 5 stars! I loved it on the very first page and every single page after that - I never stopped. It's so dark and yet so funny. The prose is gorgeous. It's described as a cross between Fight Club and Catcher in the Rye which couldn't be more correct.
Chuck wrote: "Finally finished The Girl on the Train. Pretty decent. I rated 3.75-stars. It probably deserves a little bit higher rating than that, but I can't help but compare it to GONE GIRL. I..."I agree about the movie.
I definitely enjoyed A Partial History of Lost Causes, but I found the book description really misleading. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I listened to A.D. 30. I tend to enjoy books set in the time of Jesus because of the turmoil and uncertainty of the times in general and the addition of an entirely new way of thinking being preached through the land. It must have been a difficult time to live one's life. I found this book uneven. The writing isn't great, some parts of the story are unrealistic in ways beyond the mystical new preachings (I'm usually okay with the mystical elements of this time as they probably were in the minds of the people) but the author seemed to stick with the actual known history as a backbone to his story and there were elements about faith and what it means to believe & be faithful that were interesting. All in all, an uneven read but I may pick up the sequel when it comes out one day....maybe.
Here's my review (it's as lukewarm as the above comment): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished Gone Girl Gone Girl It has really disappointed me. Took ages to get into, then got quite good and felt it was going somewhere. But then a terrible ending. I would not recommend at all. Bit confused by all of the rave reviews..
LOL Gemma! So was I! Have you read my review? It's a bit ... acerbic.
Have just read your review, Jean. Very accurate. The characters really are very self centred. I really could not stand Amy. And found that I quite liked Nick until his decision making at the end, which proved that he was in fact very self centred. It's been going around in my head all afternoon, I'm actually really angry with the whole book. I'll be dropping it off at a charity shop tomorrow.
LOL Gemma! Somehow I don't think I'll be going to see the film ...
I've just finished Half the World in Winter by Maggie Joel.My comment on the novel is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Despite having too many books going at once, I went off-plan and whizzed through #9 in the Inspector Gamache series, How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny. You can see my review here.
I just finished Stray by Rachel Vincent You can read my review by clicking on one of the linkes below.
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Gemma wrote: "Just finished Gone Girl Gone Girl It has really disappointed me. Took ages to get into, then got quite good and felt it was going somewhere. But then a terrible ending. I would not ..."
That is such a shame. I really liked the ending, I thought it was very clever and fitted with the rest of the story. I read an article about the ending where Gillian Flynn questions what alternative would have been better. Any thoughts (in spoilers)?
That is such a shame. I really liked the ending, I thought it was very clever and fitted with the rest of the story. I read an article about the ending where Gillian Flynn questions what alternative would have been better. Any thoughts (in spoilers)?
I didn't like the ending when I first read it but the more I thought about it, I did. Like that it wasn't a tidy ending and I agree Alice, it did fit the tone of the book. I know she changes the ending for the movie but have not seen it yet.
Diane S. wrote: "I didn't like the ending when I first read it but the more I thought about it, I did. Like that it wasn't a tidy ending and I agree Alice, it did fit the tone of the book. I know she changes the en..."
I haven't seen it but from what I have read the main twist of the ending is still there
I haven't seen it but from what I have read the main twist of the ending is still there
Gemma wrote: "Just finished Gone Girl Gone Girl It has really disappointed me. Took ages to get into, then got quite good and felt it was going somewhere. But then a terrible ending. I would not ..."It was overhyped, in my opinion. That happens!
The end of Gone Girl made me think that these two totally deserved each other . This is the only book I have ever given 1 star to . Maybe it's just not my kind of book . I actually don't read thrillers. Two of my nieces convinced me to read it and I should have trusted my intuition and not read it . One of those books where I wish I could have my time back . I know Gemma , Jean and I are in the minority . I won't go see the movie .
Heather wrote: "Gemma wrote: "Just finished Gone Girl Gone Girl It has really disappointed me. Took ages to get into, then got quite good and felt it was going somewhere. But then a terrible ending..."I was the opposite, I quite liked it to start with, but then it just got more and more ridiculous and by the end I didn't like it at all! I'm not sure what would have made a better ending, I will have to have a think about it. Good question, though. In a way, I would quite like to see the film - just to see how they tackle it.
I don't think you are in the minority, Angela. In this group I think I am the majority in enjoying it! I think Bette agreed with me in enjoying it so I'm not completely alone.
I don't mind not liking characters in books and I didn't like Nick or Amy. In fact, I think the fact I didn't like either of them actually improved the book for me.
I don't mind not liking characters in books and I didn't like Nick or Amy. In fact, I think the fact I didn't like either of them actually improved the book for me.
Gemma wrote: "Just finished Gone Girl Gone Girl It has really disappointed me. Took ages to get into, then got quite good and felt it was going somewhere. But then a terrible ending. I would not ..."I thought I was the only one Gemma. I had a similar experience with The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
I do think certain new authors or even older unknown ones have great PR campaigns and many good books are never heard about.
I just finished rereading Tears of the Moon by Di Morrissey which was a reread. I read this for a challenge and also because I just discovered there is a sequel. When I first read this book which is set in Australia, I loved it. But this time around a little bit less.
Actually I think every single one of the characters - minor ones too - in Gone Girl were unlikable. But for me, that that is not why I didn't like it. It never is. I found them unbelievable, and that is not acceptable in a thriller. The plot I found to be contrived. Increasingly all the characters were mere puppets being manipulated by the author to fit it. There is no sense of place; no description or interesting use of language. This is a novel which is plot-driven, so we do not expect much if those, yet we do not even have any development or explanation of character. I was not at all surprised to hear that the author was changing the ending for the film. It just confirmed my suspicions that it was a money-spinner. It did not read at all like a novel the author cared about, more a piece sold for shock and thrill value. It would be OK if it worked on that level. I too like my silly comfort reads. But for me, chicklit doesn't fit that bill, and neither does this equally formulaic stuff.
With this one, I'm right at one end of the marmite spectrum! :D
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I suspect I would be on your side of the marmite spectrum with Gone Girl Jean, but I can't really say for sure because I haven't read it.
Jean and Greg, I haven't read Gone Girl, but I don't intend to. Nice, when you do not have to add a book to your lists.
Well I must have read it for a reason - I think lots of Goodreads friends do actually like it.
Heather wrote: "I don't think you are in the minority, Angela. In this group I think I am the majority in enjoying it! I think Bette agreed with me in enjoying it so I'm not completely alone.I don't mind not lik..."
Oh yes, I did enjoy it! But also felt the two characters totally deserved each other by the novel's close. The ending blew me away actually, I was so surprised. I don't think I'd read it again though (because I know the ending). Not sure I would bother seeing the film; I'd be scared they'd ruin it. (Although I could put up with looking at Ben Affleck for a couple of hours!)
I've tried to read "Gone Girl" several times, but I think I'm in the minority when I say that I just can't get into it. I probably won't try it again, it's now on my quit/abandon shelf.
Jean wrote: "Actually I think every single one of the characters - minor ones too - in Gone Girl were unlikable. But for me, that that is not why I didn't like it. It never is. I found them unbe...With this one, I'm right at one end of the marmite spectrum!"
No idea what the marmite spectrum means??
I thought GONE GIRL was absolutely awesome for what it is: genre fiction. It's been on the Best Sellers list for two years. I think the younger generation can recognize people for actually being that way.
Chuck, Gemma who started the conversation on Gone Girl is a very young woman so I'm not sure I agree that age is a deciding factor . I don't believe I would have liked it any better if I were 40 years younger .
Ditto Angela.Sorry Bette, I think you call it Vegemite? Love it or hate it.
Just now completed reading a wonderful novella Rock Crystal. The first Five Star book for me in 2015. It is a fantastic book for Christmas season. That is the only regret. I did not read it in Christmas season. Here is the link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Five stars...good to know, Dhanaraj. I have that story as part of: The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 08. Got my copy from http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12573, but haven't read it yet.
Thanks Monica. I have seen that it received mixed reviews. But it is a classic. You will know it when you read it.
Yesterday I've finished Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant. I liked it but I think that Maupassant gives his best in short stories; I liked much more also A Woman's Life.
Chrissie wrote: "Jean and Greg, I haven't read Gone Girl, but I don't intend to. Nice, when you do not have to add a book to your lists."Same here!
I have just finished a book of short stories, In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield. I found it different in feel to the other 2 short story books of hers I have read (The Garden Party and Other Stories & Bliss & Other Stories). This collection almost felt like a "slice of life" novel - the stories were more connected.
@dely -- I agree that I think Maupassant's short stories are his best writing (but I have only read a little of his work).
Julia wrote: "I've tried to read "Gone Girl" several times, but I think I'm in the minority when I say that I just can't get into it. I probably won't try it again, it's now on my quit/abandon shelf."I started it and knew soon after I would never read it. Why read about such unliikable characters? I won't see the movie either. If that makes me an old fogey I don't care.
I am drawn to these psychological twisty novels. For some reason I keep trying to understand why people act the way they do. Find people's motivations fascinating, but I read many other things too.
Well, if these are intended to be recognisably representative characters from their generation, and we are also expected to believe they are "actually being that way" then that saddens me greatly. I tend to believe more in people's worth, in every day and age, rather than these shallow caricatures. But then I think many people of all ages have insight, not that it is exclusively a younger generation's prerogative. And interestingly - here's a thought for our more youthful readers to mull over - it has been thought in many cultures throughout history that age brings wisdom. See here.
Personally, I think it's down to the individual. Some people will like this book, some won't. I'm not sure I like the logical conclusion of such a book not being intended for an older generation. The idea of having to read "age-appropriate" material is something I very much resist. I read a children's picture book yesterday. There's not a child in sight anywhere. But I enjoyed it immensely, and gave it 5*. I will be as attentive to my review of that as to any other. Ya boo sucks! ;)
I haven't read Gone Girl, but I have seen the movie. I don't know what changes were made from book to movie, but I was thoroughly engrossed in the movie. I have not seen a movie that held my attention so closely all the way through in eons. It was suspenseful and surprising, not one that followed any typical formula that I am familiar with. I have recommended the movie to many people, based on their feedback, they had similar experiences to me. I think perhaps I will stick with loving the movie and not potentially wreck it by reading the book.....
Diane S. wrote: "I am drawn to these psychological twisty novels. For some reason I keep trying to understand why people act the way they do. Find people's motivations fascinating, but I read many other things too."I ditto Diane S. I enjoyed the book and took it for what it is, a fiction novel with twisted characters. I actually liked all of Gillian Flynn's novels, probably Dark Places is my favourite of the three.
I have to agree with Jean it is a "marmite" type novel (love the definition BTW :)
Finished the non twisty, or should I say real life twisty A Backpack, a Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka: A Memoirhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I don't think it was a dislike of characters that ruined the book for me. I was really routing for Nick. I think I just expected something a lot more than I got.
Jean wrote: "Well, if these are intended to be recognizably representative characters from their generation, and we are also expected to believe they are "actually being that way" then that saddens me greatly...."I do think they're meant to be "recognizably representative characters from their generation." I wouldn't be too sad about it, though. I mean they're not supposed to be pillars of society or anything. They're representative of a disturbed couple in a dysfunctional relationship. Amy is a sociopath tailor-made for the younger generation, surely.
Angela M wrote: "Chuck,
Gemma who started the conversation on Gone Girl is a very young woman so I'm not sure I agree that age is a deciding factor .
I don't mean to say that age is the one deciding factor. It's just more geared towards the younger generation, IMO. And I would add it's probably more of American thing also.
Chuck , I'm about as American as you can get and I don't think that or my age impacted what I thought of the book . I'm not sure that cheating husbands and psychotic wives are indigenous to any one nationality.
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We keep the books together, but we have ..."
My bedroom as a child had all my parents books. My mum had a few Jackie Collins novels in there and when I was about 8/9 I used to try and read them to be grown up (I didn't know what they were about, just it was grown up to read my mums books!). I'm not sure I understood very much which is probably a good thing!