Has Anyone Read This Book?

[John]

Hear, hear to all you say, Jean. Thank you.

[L.K.]

Just finished

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

I think those who like YA/middle grade would enjoy this.

[Leslie]

Jean wrote: "I think one of the good things about Goodreads - and in particular this group - is that we do keep coming up against others with different opinions in a "safe" environment where we can all agree to..."

Just wanted to say that you put this so well - I think that this aspect is one of the greatest strengths of our group.

[Bionic Jean]

I agree Leslie and it's both extraordinary and rare that it's been like that from day one. It's thanks to the mods that we all feel like this. Many thanks to you all to Becca, Jenny, Laura, Leslie, Rowena and Shirley (alphabetically) - you all work really well together :)

[Angela M]

I haven't been in this group very long , but I already feel at home here . I'm on vacation at the moment but I hope to get more involved . Thanks .

[Shirley]

Jean wrote: "I agree Leslie and it's both extraordinary and rare that it's been like that from day one. It's thanks to the mods that we all feel like this. Many thanks to you all to Becca, Jenny, Laura, Leslie,..."

Aw, thanks Jean!

[Leslie]

Jean wrote: "I agree Leslie and it's both extraordinary and rare that it's been like that from day one. It's thanks to the mods that we all feel like this. Many thanks to you all to Becca, Jenny, Laura, Leslie,..."

:)

[Bionic Jean]

I didn't mean to make you all comment by the way!! LOL Or to gush (if it comes across like that.) I just think if someone is doing a good job then you should say so! There's quite enough of the other in this world...

Can't actually get back to the topic now as I'm not sure I can recommend what I'm reading yet! Help, someone! :D

[L.K.]

Finished Bane of Souls

I'd recommend this to someone who likes fantasy and detailed worlds/descriptions.

[Dhanaraj]

Is anyone aware of Julian Barnes and John Banville writing crime fiction under the pen names of Dan Kavanagh and Benjamin Black? If so, has he/she read any books and what is the opinion.
The links: Duffy by Julian Barnes.
Christine Falls by John Banville.

[LauraT]

Didn't know that!!!

[Amber]

Hey dhanaraj. I've never heard of those authors or those books so I don't know what so say. :) Good luck with them if you decide to read them.

[Dhanaraj]

I like both Julian Barnes and John Banville and so when I learned that they had also written crime fiction, it was a surprise to me as well.

[L.K.]

I finished People Like Us by D.Z.C.

It's not my usual genre so I have a hard time deciding who might enjoy this. It's been referenced as Mystery/Crime. It was a slow read, but well worth it if you like cynical, dry humor and a character with a little bit of loose morals.

[Amber]

Andragathiaby Sherry Allred was a pretty good YA fantasy romance. I def enjoyed it and would recommend it to all fans of YA fantasy and romance books. It was a modern fairytale story. Plus you can read it and download it to your e-reading devices for free on goodreads too. :)

[Jenny]

Dhanaraj wrote: "Is anyone aware of Julian Barnes and John Banville writing crime fiction under the pen names of Dan Kavanagh and Benjamin Black? If so, has he/she read any books and what is the opinion.
The links..."

I was aware of John Banville writing crime fiction using an alias, and though I've always been curious, I've never dared to touch them, since for some reason I find John Banville impossible to read. That is not to say his books mightn't be good, I just for the life of me can't get into them.

[Dhanaraj]

@ Jenny: You are right about John Banville. I have read only a book by him. Based on that experience I can say that I loved his language more than his plot.

[L.K.]

I finished D.Z.C.'s second book, Xanadu

I'd recommend his work to anyone who likes dry, cynical humor, and isn't easily offended by characters with loose morals. Seriously an amazing author.

[Sarah. B]

Has anyone read The Good Earth. It looks interesting.

[Leslie]

Sarah - a gentle reminder to use links to book titles along with (or instead of) book covers. Many of the mobile apps don't work well with cover images, and we would all like to know what book you are referring to!

edit: A good case in point, as I now see that you are referring to The Good Earth which I just finished about a week ago! My cover didn't look like that... I would definitely recommend it!

[Alannah]

Sarah wrote: "Has anyone read. It looks interesting."

I haven't read it, would love to hear what you think if you do pick it up. :)

[Sarah. B]

Sorry about that. Have edited my post. Have just ordered a copy from my library so will let you know what I think

[L.K.]

I just finished No Return

I can say this isn't a light read, but it is worth checking out.

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

[Nicole]

Sarah, I would also recommend The Good Earth. One of the best I have ever read.

[Anastasia]

In absence of a topic about recommendations on a specific request, I'll try here: can you recommend me a book set in a stable, even if only in a part?
Today I woke up with this strange wish of reading books like these!

[Bionic Jean]

Anastasia - how about The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans ?

[Book Ninja]

I just finished 'We need to talk about Kevin' by Lionel Shriver. It is a really good book with an unexpected ending. I recommend it to all. It's worth the read.
A movie has also been made of it. AFTER reading the book do watch that too :)

[Leslie]

Anastasia wrote: "In absence of a topic about recommendations on a specific request, I'll try here: can you recommend me a book set in a stable, even if only in a part?
Today I woke up with this strange wish of read..."

·Black Beauty - children's story told from the point-of-view of the horse
·almost any of Dick Francis's mysteries will include stables; I suggest Dead Cert or Bonecrack

[LauraT]

I was also thinking of black beauty...

[L.K.]

Just finished some amazing short stories.

For anyone who likes Sci-fi:
The Bottom Of The Sea
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

For anyone who likes ghost/supernatural stories:
Bright, Still
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

For anyone who likes horror:
Cornhusker: Demon Gene
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[GeneralTHC]

I think CATCH 22 is a great book--in small doses.

[LauraT]

Chuck wrote: "I think CATCH 22 is a great book--in small doses."

Good to know

[Terry]

I agree. I recommend reading Catch 1-3 first, then Catch 2 and 5 the following day, followed by a blast of Catch 6 to 14 at the weekend..

[Bionic Jean]

And a grim dose of catch 'er in the wry the following week, Terry?

[LauraT]

Terry wrote: "I agree. I recommend reading Catch 1-3 first, then Catch 2 and 5 the following day, followed by a blast of Catch 6 to 14 at the weekend.."

A bit long wasy to go though! I think I'll start from 22!

[Petra]

Sarah wrote: "Has anyone read The Good Earth. It looks interesting."

I read it years ago and remember enjoying it. It was an easy book to get through (if I recall correctly) so it would be worth checking out.

[LauraT]

Petra wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Has anyone read The Good Earth. It looks interesting."

I read it years ago and remember enjoying it. It was an easy book to get through (if I recall correctly) so it woul..."

I liked it quite a lot when I read it years ago. In Italy the church formade it 70 years ago: my mother had to read it "undercover" and when she was discovered she had a lot of troubles!

[L.K.]

Yet another great book this weekend. Journey to Altmortis by Thaddeus White.

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

[amber]

Has anyone here read Venus in Furs? I'm thinking of reading it in prep for a play I'm going to see and don't really know anything about it beyond the subject matter.

[Leslie]

amber wrote: "Has anyone here read Venus in Furs? I'm thinking of reading it in prep for a play I'm going to see and don't really know anything about it beyond the subject matter."

Not me... what play are you going to see?

[amber]

It's called Venus in Fur. This is the write-up from the theatre website: Sexy. Provocative. Hilarious. The smash Broadway hit, dubbed “90 minutes of good, kinky fun” by The New York Times, makes its Chicago debut in a delicious new production.

When Vanda arrives several hours late to her audition for a play based on a nineteenth-century erotic novel, the director, Thomas, is less than impressed. But Vanda’s masterful performance flips the script on Thomas’ expectations and turns the session into a tango for dominance between actress and director, woman and man. Hailed as “seriously smart and very funny” by The New York Times, Venus in Fur is a laugh-out-loud study of the politics of sex and power that’s guaranteed to charm and mesmerize.

[Leslie]

Sounds intriguing.

[amber]

I'll let you know in few weeks. :)

[L.K.]

I'd recommend The Dragon Gem to anyone looking for a light fantasy, quick escape, and entertaining narrator.

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

[Diane S ☔]

Finished La variante di Lüneburg an amazing book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

Yup, I would definitely recommend Alison Weir's The Life of Elizabeth I or in fact any of her non-fiction books.

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

[LauraT]

Diane S. wrote: "Finished La variante di Lüneburg an amazing book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I was thunderstuck by it Diane S. Really a book to recomend

[L.K.]

I finished Beam's second piece in the Korin's Journal series The Forgotten King. If anyone read the first one, I'd highly recommend the second, though it might be wise to wait a month or so since the second book contains a lot of recapping.

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

[Amber]

I read Battle Magic that was pretty good by Tamora Pierce. you can read my review of it here. It was a pretty good YA fantasy.

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

[B the BookAddict]

I'm gobsmacked by Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

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