What I'm Reading FEBRUARY 2014

[Jane]

Ruth, I agree with Joan, I really enjoyed The Interestings once I got into it. I haven't read many books that include a focus on economic differences among friends. Talent, long time friendship, characters' connections to their families of origin...the scope is large and that's the kind of book I like. I think it's Meg Wolitzer's best book.

[Robert]

Nicole, yes -- each of the Travis McGee has a color in the title.

[Kat]

Jane, glad you mentioned the theme of economic differences between friends--that makes me much more inclined to read it than I was. Money is too little talked about in contemporary novels, I think. That's one thing I love about Austen--you know exactly what everybody is worth and how it's affecting their futures.

[Book Concierge]

Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger – 3***
This is a fast-paced thriller with an intelligent, resourceful, courageous heroine who thinks – and acts – for herself. Yes, there is a romantic interest, but Ridley doesn’t just rely on Jake to save her. She’s strong-willed and independent, and takes matters into her own hands. Some plot points seemed to get a little overboard, but on the whole this was an entertaining read. I’d definitely read another book by Unger.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lyn]

I just finished The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat. Good-hearted characters one truly enjoys spending time with - recommended.

[Book Concierge]

The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fanny Flagg – 4****
What a delightful read! I just fell in love with Sookie, and enjoyed going along on her journey of self-discovery. Flagg never lets the minor characters take over the plot; rather, they add color and provide a framework for Sookie’s story. And her reactions are very real and understandable. Anyone would be thrown for a loop after receiving such a shock. What’s so fun about the book is watching her come to grips with what she has learned and growing into an even better version of the person she has always been. I also enjoyed the history on the women who flew for the Army Air Corps in WW2 with almost no recognition of their service.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Book Concierge]

Lyn wrote: "I just finished The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat. Good-hearted characters one truly enjoys spending time with - recommended."

I loved this book! You might also like Fannie Flagg's newest The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion

[Cateline]

Just finished Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. Disappointing, a bit meh. Too much extraneous information for my taste.
My review, here... https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joan]

Cateline wrote: "Just finished Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. Disappointing, a bit meh. Too much extraneous information for my taste.
My review, here... https://www.goodrea..."

That was my reaction too. Rather an overpraised book in my estimation.

[Cateline]

I'm wondering if the film is any better, concentrating on the actual crime and trial. Tempting. :)

[Joan]

No, it was bad too.

[Cateline]

Joan wrote: "No, it was bad too."

Ratz. Thanks. :)

[Sheila]

just finished a light and delightful read Tahir Shah's The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca which I reviewed for my blog about his experience of rennovating an old house in Morocco. We read it on Great African Reads board here on GoodReads and he stopped by the board and answered some readers questions and posted a thank you for the review on my blog!!! - now that's a first for me :)

[Ruth]

Closing this thread now. Shall we convene over in MARCH?