What Have You Recently Finished Reading?

[Sharon]

Finished reading The First Lie by Diane Chamberlain I really enjoyed this short story.

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

[[deleted user]]

I finished Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea and Chris Abani's Becoming Abigail recently. I was really impressed by both books, though it was my second reading of The Old Man and the Sea, I felt that I'd been away too long.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I finally managed to finish Doctor Sleep yesterday! I never thought I was going to get through it.
I did like it by the end but think the beginning could have actually been fleshed out a bit more to make it more interesting in some parts.

[Elaine]

I just finished 11/22/63, , which was awesome. Not sure how I'm going to be able to top it.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Elaine wrote: "I just finished 11/22/63, , which was awesome. Not sure how I'm going to be able to top it."

Oh I'm so glad you liked it Elaine. I finished that on audio a couple of weeks ago and loved it too. The details in it were just fascinating!

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I recently finished listening to Storm Front and absolutely loved it!
Harry Dresden is such a cool character and a bit old school which I really like. I can't wait to get into the next one now.

[[deleted user]]

read The Very Hungry Bum. It's a parody of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and it's hilarious. get the book from Atlas Jones & co. for around $AUS 16. It's small but it packs a punch.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Greg wrote: "read The Very Hungry Bum. It's a parody of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and it's hilarious. get the book from Atlas Jones & co. for around $AUS 16. It's small but it packs a punch."

Sounds hilarious! That type of humour is right up my alley so I might have to see if I can find it.

[Sharon]

Finished reading Hades by Candice Fox I LOVED IT!

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

[Sharon]

Finished reading Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington 4★

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

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I recently finished listening to the audio of The Drawing of the Three .
This is my second time around reading the Dark Tower series and I really am loving the feeling of nostalgia it's bringing.
I never, ever re-read a book because there are just too many new ones out there but I really felt a pull towards this series again lately.

[Kate S]

I am glad you're enjoying your re-reading.

The topic of re-reading has come up a lot in my life lately. I am a re-reader. I enjoy revisiting storylines, characters, places, I already know. It's a little like visiting old friends. Not every book I read is re-readable, but sometimes it's just nice to know I have a comfortable place to go at the end of the day. I think it's a little like re-watching a favorite movie.

It is nice to see the reason you don't typically re-read is because there are too many other books out there, not because you've "been there, done that" which has recently been the reason I've heard too often. :)

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Oh, I forgot, I also recently finished Troll Mountain: Episode 1 which is the first instalment in a new series by Matthew Reilly.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Kate S wrote: "I am glad you're enjoying your re-reading.

The topic of re-reading has come up a lot in my life lately. I am a re-reader. I enjoy revisiting storylines, characters, places, I already know. It's..."

There are definitely a few books that I would love to re-read if I had more time. Most of the books I read when I was a teenager I would probably read again, if not for any other reason than to see how my interpretation of the books might have changed now I'm older.

[Kate S]

Another interesting reason to re-read a book. I have certainly re-read a handful of classics I read for school which now that it's not directed and I'm not in trouble for reading ahead, I love or at least enjoy more.

Once in a while, when I've been reading especially difficult books, I find it nice to go back to my favorites. Also, when I have challenged myself to read something very difficult, I like to be able to break it up with a book or two I already know I love.

[Kate S]

I have been making my way through this year's Tournament of Books.

I have just finished reading The Son by Philipp Meyer which I gave 3 stars, but it is on the high end of the 3 star spectrum. I did not care for the violence (which was crucial to keeping the realistic factor) or the excessive sexual relations. I did like following the generations of the McCullough family through the American Wild West and the stories of Texas.

Also At Night We Walk in Circles by Daniel Alarcón which was interesting, but the book went around in circles. A debut author who is talented and had a story to tell, it will be interesting to see how he develops as an author.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Kate S wrote: "I have been making my way through this year's Tournament of Books.

I have just finished reading The Son by Philipp Meyer which I gave 3 stars, but it is on the high..."

That Tournament of Books seems a really interesting concept.
It will be interesting to see which one wins!

[Kate S]

I've been following it for a couple of years. Last year they picked the Pulitzer Prize winner, before the Pulitzer group did.

I don't always agree with the judges, but someone said, it really depends on how the book hits the judges at the time the judges read it. So, it's kind of a crap shoot, but it's fun to read the books and then see what some of the current authors think about them and how that compares to your opinions.

[Sharon]

Finished reading : Fairway to Heaven by Lily Malone 5★

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

[Sharon]

Finished reading : Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James 5★

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

[Sharon]

Finished reading: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 4★

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

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Sharon wrote: "Finished reading: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 4★

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

Oooh, I've been thinking of reading that one myself. I've seen it around so much over the past few months!

[Sharon]

Michelle wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Finished reading: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 4★

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

Oooh, I've been thinking of r..."

I'm sure you'd enjoy it Michelle :)

[Sharon]

Finished reading Upside Down, Inside Out by Monica McInerney 3★

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

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Today I finished reading Forever Odd and really enjoyed it.

For once I am organised so here is my review:

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

[Sharon]

Finished reading Bereft by Chris Womersley 4★

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

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I managed to finish listening to Fool Moon on audio yesterday.
I have to say that I really enjoy this series and have already started listening to Grave Peril as I'm so keen to keep going!

[Sharon]

Finished reading : The Secret River by Kate Grenville 4★

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

[Elaine]

Last night I just could not put down and finished The Street Sweeper . What an amazing book and one I would highly recommend if you haven't read it. Five star read for me.

[Sharon]

Finished reading The Lost Girls by Wendy James 5★

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

[Sharon]

Finished reading Safe Harbour by Helene Young 5★

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

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I finished listening to Grave Peril on audio today and loved it. I gave it four stars!
I can't wait to get further into this series.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

So I had the best reading day yesterday because my son was sick so I didn't work and sat cuddling him and reading all day instead.
I managed to finally finish Brother Odd which I've been reading for almost a month as it just wasn't grabbing me like the first two in the series.
I also managed to finish The Great Gatsby as well which is exciting as I'm ticking so many classics off my list this year and am feeling really proud about it!
I also managed to put another big dent into Swan Song which was our quarterly chunkster read for January-March which I still haven't been able to finish!

[Shaun P.]

I finished Fool Moon over the weekend. I am really loving the Harry Dresden series so far. Every chapter ends in a way that makes you just have to keep reading to see how Harry handles the situation he has gotten himself into that chapter. So well written and such a great character!

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Shaun wrote: "I finished Fool Moon over the weekend. I am really loving the Harry Dresden series so far. Every chapter ends in a way that makes you just have to keep rea..."

Awesome! I love this series. I'm up to reading book 4 very soon. It's one of those series that makes you really want to keep reading just keep seeing what is going to happen next to poor Harry.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I finished The Alchemist today and all I can say is that it was very.... quaint.
It's one of those books that are written in a very simple language and doesn't really have anything hugely noteworthy that happens. It's all about the message you're supposed to take away after reading it I guess.
I gave it 3 stars.

[Colleen]

Rereading Stones from the River and enjoying it all over again. Hope I can finish it soon so I can get to the "new" books, lol.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

Colleen wrote: "Rereading Stones from the River and enjoying it all over again. Hope I can finish it soon so I can get to the "new" books, lol."

I've never heard of this one before but it looks really interesting!

[Carol]

HI, just finished , my first Sarah Jio novel.

Just started reading
and also my first experience with Ann Pachette

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I finished The Husband's Secret this week and had my bookclub meeting about it yesterday.
This book certainly made some interesting discussion come out that's for sure!
I myself thought it was ok but some of the characters just annoyed me a bit too much for me to enjoy a lot of the book.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I just finished listening to Summer Knight on audio and although I liked it I didn't find it as great a story as the others so far.
I'm still looking forward to getting further through this series though.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

So I just finished listening to A Storm of Swords today on audio while getting some work done from home and oh boy am I exhausted!
This book really took it out of me as there was just so much going on to try and keep track of.
I think I need to listen to a bit of a lighter book next to recover a little!

[Carol]

This week I finished, The Dream Lover, Elizabeth Berg's newest and a well done departure into historical fiction, and Stephen King's, Blaze, which I liked a lot more than I expected.

[Michelle, Too many books, too little time!]

I just finished reading The Art of Drowning by Frances Fyfield last night and really didn't enjoy it at all. It was way too slow to develop for me and I didn't really feel for any of the characters. It was also very predictable unfortunately.

[Carol]

Just finished In the Unlikely Event

There are so many characters and narratives, many of them important but minor.I had a hard time keeping them straight. About 1/3 through I felt more involved and connected to the main characters and their story.

[Colleen]

Sharyl wrote: "Carol, that sounds like a good one! I recently read The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson, and wad impressed."

I'm going to get to that books soon.

Just finished At the Water's Edge, which was entertaining and good - happy ending, which I think all of her books wind up with.

[Todd]

After returning from Kathmandu in early June after dealing with all the earthquakes and turmoil there, I quietly went on a huge reading jag. Amongst many other books I read, the book I got totally engrossed and lost in was The Fifth Wave . . . I bought it for my daughter but I ended up reading it. The second book in the series was excellent, too.

[Colleen]

Last book I finished was The Paris Wife, which was really good. Now I have to read some Hemingway :)

Presently into Sacajawea, which is going to be long....

[Todd]

I am about ready to start Secret History by Donna Tartt . . . I still think about The Goldfinch and enjoyed it so much I figure I'll give one of her other books a shot.

[Carol]

After going to a book talk by Meg Donahue last week, I read her newest,