EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion
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The Last Book I Read Was...
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Janice
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May 26, 2023 05:49PM
I just finished reading The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve
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I’m hopeless at group reads, so I’ll probably post mostly here. I retired early a couple of years ago, and I’m really enjoying having unfettered time for reading, music, my pets, and so on. One of many goals is to fill in gaps in my reading, which fits with the mission of this group. Even though I’m well-read by conventional standards, there are always plenty of titles and authors that I never got around to, or were never assigned in my many literature classes. Two examples that I read a few years back are The Catcher in the Rye and On the Road, both of which I loved when I finally got to them. But then, I tend to love everything. I’m an easy-to-please reader whose average Goodreads rating sits at 4.66.
Currently working on Anna Karenina (in the classic Constance Garnett translation), among others.
Just finished and highly recommended: Edna Ferber’s Come and Get It. Having greatly enjoyed the 1936 movie version, I took up the novel and was interested to discover that it is very different in many respects and covers a much longer time-span than even the two generations of the movie. A rich and wonderful reading experience, completely absorbing. One startling development that is not in the film knocked me right off my chair.I especially relate to this novel because I have lived on its Northern Wisconsin turf. “Butte des Morts” is Neenah in the northeast, close to where I resided in Little Chute. “Iron Ridge” is Hurley in the northwest, the great northwoods area that I often visited. The timber and paper industries are at the core of the narrative.
Ferber is adept at what critics call “solidity of specification”, description of exterior elements as in Balzac. You always know how the rooms are furnished, how the characters are dressed. (I was surprised to have it pointed out that Trollope, even writing at the length he does, doesn’t much bother with this, and it is true.)
Patrick wrote: "Just finished and highly recommended: Edna Ferber’s Come and Get It. Having greatly enjoyed the 1936 movie version, I took up the novel and was interested to discover that it is very ..."Yay for Edna!
^ Ferber doesn’t get the love that Edith Wharton or Willa Cather do, but she deserves attention.
Reading this morning in Plutarch’s Lives, the Dryden / Clough translation in the old Modern Library Giant edition. Now that’s as classical as it gets. Long sentences with many clauses, you really have to pay attention. I like this quotation about empire: “And indeed there was nothing did more advance the greatness of Rome, than that she did always unite and incorporate those whom she conquered into herself.”Along with books such as Plutarch, one might take a look at Moses Hadas’s helpful guide Ancilla to Classical Reading.
Samantha wrote: "November 9"😂
oh, wait......
The Unified Theory of Motivation and living by Manohar Man Shrestha
The Kate Daniels' adventures continue with the surprise release of
Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews.This is the second story in the Wilmington trilogy. Chronologically,
it follows after the main series of 10 novels and before Blood Heir.
For those who have never read the UF Kate Daniels series, a new reader could start with the Wilmington trilogy to get a taste for Kate & team.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle I gave it 5 stars! And here is my small review: This was a very difficult read with quite a bit of profanity, but that wasn't the difficult part of the book. I was immersed in Jesse's story and couldn't wait to see if and how he would rise "From the Ashes." It reminded me of how blessed I am and how some people have the strength and courage and, finally, the desire to rise up from the bottom. It also reminded me of how when my children were young, we would meet up with homeless people out and about that, it is so important not to judge anybody as we don't know their story, and each person deserves basic needs, respect, care, and love.
The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. Fascinating historical fiction about the Whiskey Rebellion in late 18th century after the American Revolution. Rated 4 stars.
Finished Elizabeth: A Novel of Elizabeth I by Evelyn Anthony. Rated 4 stars. First published in 1960. My first read by this author. Set in 16th century England. Wonderful dialogue and descriptions of the reign of Elizabeth I and her contemporaries.
Magic BitesAfter reading the second installment of Kate Daniels: The Wilmington Years, I just had to do a re-read of the series. I found this audiobook version for Kate Daniels #1 made by Graphic Audio which uses a full cast to "perform" / read the book and includes sound effects.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie FordRated 4 stars. Read Libby Kindle & listened on Libby Audio. Narration by Feodor Chin. Set in 1940's & 1980's Seattle, Washington, USA. In my opinion the title fits the story perfectly.
Magic Burns Dramatized Adaptation : Kate Daniels 2 (Kate DanielsYes, Renée Raudman was a great narrator of Ilona Andrews's Kate Daniels series, but GraphicAudio made a really good version of Magic Burns Dramatized Adaptation : Kate Daniels 2 (Kate Daniels.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm sorry I'm not trying to be rude but how do I leave this discussion?
Magic Strikes by Ilona AndrewsGoing through my re-read of the Kate Daniels series and #3 is where the series begins to gain momentum. It's a great jumping off point for new readers.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Confessions of a Courtesan by Elizabeth Charles AKA Deborah Hale. Historical fiction/romance set in late 18th century England. Rated writing 3 stars although would rate audio narration by Gabrielle Baker 4 stars.
Woman Reading wrote: " Magic Strikes by Ilona AndrewsGoing through my re-read of the Kate Daniels series and #3 is where the series begins to gain moment..."
I loved this series. I just finished the 2 new books in the spin-off Kate series.
I haven't read the writers other series but they're on my list. I suppose I'll get to it one of these days.
Jenna wrote: "Woman Reading wrote: " Magic Strikes by Ilona AndrewsGoing through my re-read of the Kate Daniels series and #3 is where the series..."
I've read everything in the Kate Daniels universe and then turned to Ilona Andrews's other series. I've read all the others except The Edge series, and they're worth seeking out. The Kinsmen and the Innkeeper novels are more sci-fi ish than Kate Daniels and Hidden Legacy is the most PNR of all their stories. Happy reading!
Magic Bleeds by Ilona AndrewsEven with a re-read, this is still one of my personal favorites in the series. It's probably also the latest point in the series in which a new reader could jump into the Kate Daniels world.
my review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Magic Slays by Ilona AndrewsIt was better than I had remembered.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
After sooo long and a tad sooner than I expected
The Rougon-Macquart Cycle: Complete Collection - ALL 20 Novels In One Volume: The Fortune of the Rougons, The Kill, The Ladies' Paradise, The Joy of Life, ... Germinal, Nana, The Downfall and more
In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. KluneIt was a recommendation from someone on a different Goodreads group. I actually really enjoyed it. It was my first time trying that author.
Magic Rises by Ilona AndrewsOne of the better installments in this fantastic series.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Shadows in Bronze #2 Marcus Didius Falco by Lindsey Davis. Rated 4 stars. Historical mystery set in 1st century Rome. Enjoyed this more then #1. I was more invested in the main characters & some new interesting faces were introduced. Read on Kindle while listening to Hoopla Audio. Fantastic narration by Simon Prebble!
Magic Breaks by Ilona AndrewsMy second favorite installment in the Kate Daniels series --
my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Magic Shifts by Ilona AndrewsA "HEA" is hard to come by in post-apocalyptic Atlanta.
My review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Magic Binds by Ilona AndrewsThis re-read of the series is holding up really well.
My review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Magic Triumphs by Ilona AndrewsThe "finale" of a great series ends on an expected high note. My review for the entire series -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I’m currently reading The Alibi by Sandra Brown and loving it!
Brooke wrote: "I’m currently reading The Alibi by Sandra Brown and loving it!"i like sandra brown but i don't think i've read that one. let me know if it's any good & i'll add it to my pile.
Finished Emma by Jane Austen. One of my favorites in classic literature.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Blood Heir by Ilona AndrewsA debut novel of a spin off series from the Kate Daniels universe -- my review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The True Love Experiment by Christina LaurenFans of Fizzy Chen from The Soulmate Equation, this is Fizzy's story! It's been hit or miss with me for Christina Lauren novels, and this is a hit.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Clean Sweep by Ilona AndrewsA fun start to a new series with a blend of urban fantasy and sci-fi. --
My review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Mrs. Porter Calling #3 entry in the Emmy Lake historical fiction series by A.J. Pearce. Set in London during WWII. Rated 3 stars. Sweet read. Lovely audio narration by Anna Popplewell.
Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews#2 in the Innkeeper Chronicles & a pivotal event for the future of the Inn.
It's not necessary to read the debut novel first.
My Review --
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
One Fell Sweep by Ilona AndrewsThis series have been written in an episodic manner. It's still fun to read then out of sequence.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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