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Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2016
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Tom
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Jul 20, 2016 02:14PM
Just starting Hard Red Spring, an ambitious novel that looks at 100 years of Guatemalan history as seen through the eyes of Americans who chose for whatever reason (political, commercial or religious) to make that turbulent land their home. I'm looking forward to revisiting, literarilly, this beautiful country that I spent time in in my youth.
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Tom wrote: "Just starting Hard Red Spring, an ambitious novel that looks at 100 years of Guatemalan history as seen through the eyes of Americans who chose for whatever reason (political, comme..."
You might someday want to read Guatemalan historical fiction through the eyes of the people who actually live(d) there -- try Miguel Ángel Asturias, Monteforte Toledo, Rigoberta Menchú, or Luis Cardoza y Aragon - all translated. Asturias is outstanding.
You might someday want to read Guatemalan historical fiction through the eyes of the people who actually live(d) there -- try Miguel Ángel Asturias, Monteforte Toledo, Rigoberta Menchú, or Luis Cardoza y Aragon - all translated. Asturias is outstanding.
Midway through Clinch, by Martin Holmen -- Scandinavian crime done right (set in the 1930s); also just began Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters.
I finished The Merry Wives of Maggody
by Joan Hess.In this 16th book in the series Mrs. Jim Bob (the mayor's wife) organizes a golf tournament to benefit 'golf widows.' Murder ensues and Chief of Police Arly Hanks investigates. I'm a big fan of this series....which is usually hilarious. This book was a disappointment though. 3 stars.
My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nancy wrote: "Midway through Clinch, by Martin Holmen -- Scandinavian crime done right (set in the 1930s); also just began Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters."I like the title.. Fingersmith, even without reading a synopsis, it sounds neat.
I recently finished All Involved by Ryan Gattis. Interesting narrative style. Gritty and realistic look at early 90s riots in LA. I'm now enjoying Death Penalty by William Coughlin. Solid legal thriller with some terrific characterizations. I'm surprised I haven't read his stuff before.
Just finished the cozy mystery Lowcountry Book Club. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finally got around to reading Ruth Ware's first novel In a Dark, Dark Wood. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Now I can't wait to read her next one!
For more reviews and author interviews visit: https://fictionophile.wordpress.com/
Katheryn wrote: "Just finished the cozy mystery Lowcountry Book Club. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Your review mentions a ghost in the story. One of my favorite 'haints' (ghosts) in cozies is in Carolyn Haines 'Sarah Booth Delaney' series...the haint is very fashionable and funny :)
I just finished The Anatomist's Wife and gave it 4 stars. Here's my review:This is the first book in a new Victorian-era historical romantic mystery series. I know the genre, and I can say that the book fit my expectations, with better-than-average writing for the genre, an interesting murder plot, and a slowly developing love interest for the lady protagonist. As the widow of a deceased anatomist who was forced by him to draw the cadavers he was studying (because of her artistic talent and training) she is despised and feared by high society, and yet her unique background is helpful in solving the case. I enjoyed the book, but I felt that it was a little slow, with too many significant glances and secret smiles that had to be described and analyzed in detail. So, for me, I needed a bit quicker pace.
I finished Among the Wicked
by Linda Castillo,In this 8th book in the series, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder goes undercover in a New York State Amish community to investigate the death of a teenager and look into rumors of 'bad things' happening. Good book, but not Castillo's best. 3 stars.
My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bill wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Midway through Clinch, by Martin Holmen -- Scandinavian crime done right (set in the 1930s); also just began Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters."
I like the ti..."
It's not my favorite of Sarah Waters' novels, but it was quite good. Very Dickensian and a top-notch plot.
I like the ti..."
It's not my favorite of Sarah Waters' novels, but it was quite good. Very Dickensian and a top-notch plot.
And speaking of Fingersmith, I finished it yesterday. Very twisty and once you get past the first shock, there are more to come. Now reading Saint Peter's Snow, by Leo Perutz -- written in 1932. So far, very mysterious and just plain creepy.
I was recently recommended a book called "Not Black and White" by author G.A. Beller. G.A. BellerI love thrillers and anything that involves scandal and this book definitely delivered. I really got invested in the characters, real and fictional. The author did a wonderful job of humanizing them and really getting to the root of their motivations...and seeing the fallout of some of the decisions made throughout the book really had me on the edge of my seat. Check this on out this summer: www.gabeller.com
I just abandoned Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz and I was very disappointed. My review is here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've been neglecting goodreads! Bad girl, anyway in the last week I've read Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer and it was excellent, and just finished a book of creepy short stories by Karl Drinkwater called They move below
I've just started the second Joe Leaphorn book, Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman and am enjoying already. I don't think it'll take long to finish.
Jim wrote: "I am starting
by
James Lee Burke"You're on a roll with James Lee Burke :)
I love his books. Have you tried any audio versions. The narrator is terrific.
I just finished Rocket Boys, the book that inspired the movie October Sky. As always, the book was better. Here is my review.
I read The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games back to back - loved both of them. Tom Clancy - my new favorite author!Now reading The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov - favorite SF author. I love his robot series and Foundation series.
Barbara wrote: "... You're on a roll with James Lee Burke :)I love his books. Have you tried any audio versions. The narrator is terrific."
Hi Barbara. Yes. I keep telling myself that I am going to take a break and have actually tried to read a different book in between but I am enjoying the Dave Robicheaux character too much. I haven't checked out an audio version ... yet. I may have to do that. I heard the author compliment the narrator too.
Thomas wrote: "I like James Lee Burke also"Hi Thomas. Have you read any of the other series? Hackberry Holland? Billy Bob Holland?
Hi JimI have not read any of the other series. Robicheaux plus 2 stand alones. See my list https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Recent books that I have read:Vanish my review,5/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
One False Move my review, 4/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Outsider in Amsterdam my review, 4.5/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Badlands my review, 4/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished reading Others of My Kind by James Sallis. It was a 5-star read.I began Gorky Park and The Decagon House Murders. Both are excellent, in different ways.
Rereading
by
Agatha ChristieI have read this book a couple of times before but it is so good it is one of those books I can read over and over.
Carol wrote: "Just finished reading Others of My Kind by James Sallis. It was a 5-star read.I began Gorky Park and The Decagon House Murders. Both a..."
I enjoyed Gorky Park too. The complete Arcady Renko series is excellent.
Bill wrote: "Carol wrote: "Just finished reading Others of My Kind by James Sallis. It was a 5-star read.I began Gorky Park and [book:The Decagon House Murders|255..."
I'm excited to hear this, Bill. Now if only the font was larger in the edition I"m reading, in deference to my tired middle-aged eyes. ..
I read Behind closed doors by B A Paris I rated 3 ★ because I enjoyed the last 100 pages now I'm reading I let you go by Claire mackintosh and it's better than I expected
Currently reading The Queue, by Basma Adel Aziz, an Egyptian writer, set in an unnamed Arabic country. Not a crime novel, but a look at a society under the weight of a totalitarian authority. So far, I'm really, really liking it.
Nancy wrote: "Currently reading The Queue, by Basma Adel Aziz, an Egyptian writer, set in an unnamed Arabic country. Not a crime novel, but a look at a society under the weight of a totalitarian ..."This one looks fascinating, Nancy. I look forward to your review.
Carol wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Currently reading The Queue, by Basma Adel Aziz, an Egyptian writer, set in an unnamed Arabic country. Not a crime novel, but a look at a society under the weight of a..."
I'm finding myself shaking my head a lot reading this book. The situation these people are in is just so unreal. Surreal, actually.
I'm finding myself shaking my head a lot reading this book. The situation these people are in is just so unreal. Surreal, actually.
I read The Last Detective by Peter Lovesey. I enjoyed it even though I've become somewhat bored by police procedurals. My review is here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished The Three-Body Problem
by Liu Cixin. This is the first book of a sci-fi trilogy that's been creating a lot of buzz.
It's not a mystery, but there's plenty of mysterious stuff going on.
Good story, set in China during the Cultural Revoluton. 4.5 stars.
My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished a couple books over the weekend; one awesome, the other merely entertaining.
The Handmaid's Tale. I started this several years ago and quickly put it down. I'm not sure why because when I started it again last month I was immediately enthralled. It could be that the times we live in make this once again, frighteningly relevant. Here is my review.
Trapped is the fifth book in the Iron Druid urban fantasy series. While it isn't as good as the previous books in the series, it's still entertaining. I especially like Luke Daniel's narration and voicing of Oberon, the Irish Wolfhound. Here is my review.
Tom wrote: "I finished a couple books over the weekend; one awesome, the other merely entertaining.
The Handmaid's Tale. I started this several years ago an..."I really enjoyed your review of The Handmaid's Tale. I'm glad you enjoyed on your second attempt. Sometimes it just depends on your mood at the time you try a book, I think. It's one of my all-time favourites.
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