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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
I have also just finished reading The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Here's the link to my short review of this book
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished Disconnected by Jennifer Weiner which was really a short story or novella at 38 pages. This was one of the most depressing books I have read in a long time Glad that it was only 38 pages.
Gill wrote: "I have also just finished reading The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Here's the link to my short review of this book
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
Have you ever seen the movie Tom Jones with the then young and handsome man, Albert Finney? If not try to dind this film.
Nancy from NJ wrote: "Gill wrote: "I have also just finished reading The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Here's the link to my short review of this book
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
I've seen the film, Nancy. I remember it is quite a romp! There's more depth to the book than I was expecting, after the film.
Am not quite finished yet with Halsey's Typhoon: The True Story of a Fighting Admiral, an Epic Storm, and an Untold Rescue. I did not like the beginning but when things started developing (the Typhoon, originally named Cobra, but it went down in history as Halsey's Typhoon) it became a really good book. It is hard to imagine, how much the Americans troops must have suffered in the 'Pacific Ocean theater'. The author does a particularly good job describing how Admiral Halsey just could not cope with the concept of kamikaze pilots and he was going to deal with it, his way!
Chrissie wrote: "I read Lisette's ListMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Thanks, Chrissie. I remain guided by your assessment and have removed from my tbr.
I can only speak for myself, Bette. I don't want to be rude to others who like it, but it was NOT for me.
Can't recommend it highly enough Pink. Not only is it beautifully written, but the story is gripping and it's a page turner. I read it in 5 days. Many people comment on the scenes of violence, but having red Red Sorghum a few months ago, the two or three scenes of war and violence were not a big deal for me.
Pink wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Just finished reading The Orenda by Joseph Boyden. Loved it!"
I've heard a lot of good things about this."
Chrissie wrote: "I read Lisette's ListMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Chrissie, I think it's just what we see all of the time on Goodreads - that not all books are for everyone. I loved this book . Yes, as you point out it is a fictional story and for me the story is about more than the paintings, though. It is about life and death,the strengths of people during times of adversity , about war and the deepest bonds of friendship , about the resilience of people and about love . Obviously , a very different perspective than yours but that's what's so interesting about Goodreads .
I think that fictionalized stories with real people have to be taken for what they are - an author imagining what they would have been like not necessarily what they were like which might be told in a work of non-fiction .
In any event , different views are what make this an interesting place ! :)
In these days I don't have a lot of time for GR so I watch only a few threads a day. Sorry, also, if I miss a message!A few days ago I've finished My Childhood by Maxim Gorky and it's a 5 stars for me. It's the kind of book I love: simple but powerful language; amazing and moving descriptions of the people, emotions, landscapes...
I've written a review in English if someone is interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
dely wrote: "In these days I don't have a lot of time for GR so I watch only a few threads a day. Sorry, also, if I miss a message!A few days ago I've finished My Childhood by [author:Maxim Gork..."
Ooh, I'll have a look at this. Thanks a lot, dely
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A few days ago I've finished My Childhood by [auth..."
Me too!
Angela M wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I read Lisette's ListMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Chrissie, I think it's just what we see all of the time on Goodreads - that not ..."
Angela, I am so much of a realist I get annoyed with simplified fictional stories. I am glad you had a good reading experience though.
dely wrote: "In these days I don't have a lot of time for GR so I watch only a few threads a day. Sorry, also, if I miss a message!A few days ago I've finished My Childhood by [author:Maxim Gork..."
I really did think you would give that five stars and you did. :0)))
Sandy: no, I have not, but I will now. Three Day Road is on my list for the next time I buy books. The Orenda is a good place to start as it's not directly related to the story of the first two, which should be read in sequence.Sandy wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Just finished reading The Orenda by Joseph Boyden. Loved it!"
Oh, I really need to try Joseph Boyden! Have you read the first two, Johanna?"
Finished The Last of the Duchess: The Strange and Sinister Story of the Final Years of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor by Caroline BlackwoodMy review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gill wrote: "Nancy from NJ wrote: "Gill wrote: "I have also just finished reading The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Here's the link to my short review of this book
https://www.goodreads.com..."
Yes, you used exactly the right word - a romp and also quite bawdy.
I finished The Lover by Marguerite DurasMy short review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gill wrote: "Ooh, I'll have a look at this. Thanks a lot, dely "LauraT wrote: "Me too! "
I hope you will like it as I did!
Chrissie wrote: "I really did think you would give that five stars and you did. :0))) "
We have very similar tastes!
B the BookAddict wrote: "I finished The Lover by Marguerite DurasMy short review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Good stuff, huh?!I gave it four stars too. I read it in French school.
I've just finished Longbourn by Jo Baker. I'm finding it hard to rate, as I liked some things about it, but there were a couple of things I really didn't like.
I've finished Omon Ra by Victor Pelevin and gave it 1 star. Too absurd and surreal happenings, I have headache.It's already the second book I read by him because a lot of people say that he is the best Russian author of these times. But I'm not able to enjoy his books, I don't understand them, they are too complicated for me and I don't like his writing style. I think it's also fault of the translation because there are a lot of word games and assonance that lose their meaning if not read in Russian. There are also many references to famous Russians I don't know. I don't think I will read other books by him.
I have just finished reading Banners of Silk, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Normally I have no interest in fashion but the story of Charles Worth fascinated me. He was a man of vision, whose innovations dictated the fashion of the day. I read on Wikipedia that his label continued on until his grandson retired from the business.
Finished reading Muriel Spark's The Girls of Slender Means. An excellent book. I loved it. Here is my review. It contains spoilers and it is a good review for those who have read the novel already. The review also may be biased. The link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chrissie wrote: "I can only speak for myself, Bette. I don't want to be rude to others who like it, but it was NOT for me."If I'm going to read about real people, then I'd rather read something which is also based on fact so I can learn!
dely wrote: "In these days I don't have a lot of time for GR so I watch only a few threads a day. Sorry, also, if I miss a message!A few days ago I've finished My Childhood by [author:Maxim Gork..."
I love that you've read this and taken the time to review it in English. It's wonderful to mak people aware of this great author. Loved your review.
B the BookAddict wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I can only speak for myself, Bette. I don't want to be rude to others who like it, but it was NOT for me."If I'm going to read about real people, then I'd rather read something w..."
You and I are both addicted to learning.
B the BookAddict wrote: "I love that you've read this and taken the time to review it in English. It's wonderful to mak people aware of this great author. Loved your review. "Thanks! I should start writing more reviews in English also because nearly all my friends on GR are English speakers, I have only a few Italian friends.
dely wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "I love that you've read this and taken the time to review it in English. It's wonderful to mak people aware of this great author. Loved your review. "Thanks! I should sta..."
Dely, also keep in mind that GR is informal, so don't worry about mistakes. I love reading your English reviews. When I started GR I made up my mind that everything here would be done JUST for fun. I am at least not writing an essay for school, that would take all the fun out of it.
Johanna wrote: "Can't recommend it highly enough Pink. Not only is it beautifully written, but the story is gripping and it's a page turner. I read it in 5 days. Many people comment on the scenes of violence, but..."
I actually know nothing at all about the book, not one thing, but just the fact that so many people I follow say good things about it, has brought it to my attention and made me want to read it.
Chrissie wrote: "Dely, also keep in mind that GR is informal, so don't worry about mistakes. I love reading your English reviews. When I started GR I made up my mind that everything here would be done JUST for fun. I am at least not writing an essay for school, that would take all the fun out of it. "Thanks! I'm a little bit paranoic but you are right, we aren't at school and our reviews should help other members to decide if they could like the book or also for ourselves, to remember our opinions also after a long time.
For example now, for Omon Ra, I would like to write a review to explain why I didn't like it but I can't find the words to tell it, nor in English neither in Italian!
I have finished Pebble in the Sky which was good but not as good as Asimov's later novels. I also finished listening to Flo Gibson narrate the wonderful classic, Pride and Prejudice. Her narration was uninflected (no 'voices' for the various characters) which I usually don't like, but it worked well in this book. I don't know how many times I have read P&P before, but this was my first time listening to it. I strongly recommend it!
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I've just finished To the Lighthouse and have given it 4 stars.I was captivated by Woolf's skilful use of imagery.
My review:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Recently read and reviewed Big Little Lies and Gilead. Both vastly different typed of books. I'd recommend Gilead to anyone who hasn't read it. The other one I had mixed feelings about as you will see by the review.
dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Dely, also keep in mind that GR is informal, so don't worry about mistakes. I love reading your English reviews. When I started GR I made up my mind that everything here would be d..."Not being able to find the words to explain one's emotions is the hard part of writing reviews! For me, writing helps me find those words. You write something and as soon as you have it on the paper you know, " NO, that isn't it, and you go deeper."
Chrissie wrote: "You write something and as soon as you have it on the paper you know, " NO, that isn't it, and you go deeper." "It's a good tip but I would say "No, that isn't, I give up!" :D
Dely, well maybe writing doesn't work for you, but it does for me. But I often go n thinking and think later of how I could have been more clear. I am never satisfied.
Chrissie - I feel that way too :)Leslie - Have you ever heard Prunella Scales narrate Jane Austen? She is absolutely superb! Unfortunately, I think she only ever does abridged versions, but they are worth a try, in the spirit of listening to a dramatisation, I think.
Perhaps her husband could have a word with her, as Timothy West has recorded superb unabridged renderings of the complete Barsetshire novels by Anthony Trollope.
Jean wrote: "Chrissie - I feel that way too :)"Hi, twin.
Jean wrote: "Leslie - Have you ever heard Prunella Scales narrate Jane Austen? She is absolutely superb! Unfortunately, I think she only ever does abridged versi..."Nope. I will keep my eyes open at the library though! I got the Flo Gibson narration as a freebie (along with about 15 other classics) when Amazon & Audible first introduced 'Whispersync'. You "bought" the free Kindle book and then got the audiobook also free. Sadly, that deal is over now.
Timothy West has also done the six Trollope Palliser novels. Superb. If anyone is afraid of approaching these, the audiobook approach is a pretty good one.
I finished The Tortilla Curtain, and I do recommend it, even if it is not perfect. I will definitely be reading another by T.C. Boyle. He is coming out with a new one. :0)My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished reading the new Stephen King short story called A Death which was pretty good and I link to the story in my review so enjoy!Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished Royal Assassin, the second book in the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. The author's ability to craft an interesting tale carries well...however longer is not always better...a bit slow in parts for me. Still, very enjoyable. I'll pick up the final book in the trilogy after a break; it's another long one.
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All About Books
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