EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion
FOR FUN!!!
>
The Last Book I Read Was...
message 1601:
by
Peggyzbooksnmusic
(new)
Nov 08, 2024 02:40PM
Read the short graphic novel version of
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Charles M. Schulz. Rated 5 stars and on my Favorite shelf. The original TV version will stream free on Apple+ App in USA on November 23rd & November 24th.
reply
|
flag
I'd advise one to read The Age of Innocence (AoI) first, published in 1920, and The Glimpses of the Moon, published two years after. If the first book dealt with (feigned) naivete and ethical struggles, the second features a cast of characters who are unabashedly themselves, or use their shamelessness or blasé attitude to hide their woes, their callousness a shield.
This book is more jaded, missing the earnestness of true passion and forbidden love from AoI to induce sympathy from the reader. Instead, I felt...
full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Stupendous book. Only David McCullough can make me interested in reading about construction projects LOL, because as is his writing mantra, he made the narration of its history about the people. Getting to know the different personalities and idiosyncrasies and genius of the makers of the Canal was just plain fun! These were men with infinite will and verve, whether they had a shovel in their hand, or penning legislation, making medical discoveries, crafting arguments, drumming up financial support or capturing the public's interest.
The Panama Canal is a...
full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My second Hardy book of the year, and seeing a pattern. Hardy women are martyrs, suffering so that other characters - and by that, i mean the male ones - can learn and grow. Not to say that Hardy's book wasn't feminist in its own way. Tess is strong and resilient, though it erodes over time, and maintains a quiet dignity (for awhile anyway), or is it just useless suffering in silence, and there's much critique of the arbitrary law of society that suppresses or shames natural feelings (see: institutional Christianity!!). The end result though, is....
full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Good bones of a book, I even cried a little at times. I really believed in the closeness of the family, that even after tragedy, they leaned on each other instead of falling apart. However, after sitting with this book a couple days, I realized the main character is kind of...inconsequential to the story. He wasn't...
full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I didn't expect it to be so philosophical, pleasantly surprised. Don't start it expecting sci-fi or horror. Rather, through Jekyll + Hyde's written confession, it ruminates on the dominant or budding psychological theories of its day, the ego vs the id. Couple that with the moody, misty London city and a crime, and strange things behind closed doors, you have one of the first detective novels. The idea of...
full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Jackaby #1 Jackaby by William Ritter. Rated 3 stars. Enjoyed this 1st entry in a Young Adult/Paranormal/Historical mystery series set in late 19th century America. Nice audio narration by Nicola Barber.
Finished
Joe Black: More than a Dodger by Martha Jo Black and Chuck Schoffner, a sports journalist. Rated 4 stars.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finally set aside time to write my review for
vThe Vikings: A History by Robert FergusonMy Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finally pulled the Murderbot Diaries off of my TBR list -- starting with
All Systems Red by Martha Wells,I shouldn't have waited so long; these are great.
My Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
A Twist in Time #2 Kendra Donovan Time-Slip historical mystery series by Julie McElwain. Set in 1815 England. Rated 4 stars. Thought this was better then #1 so will probably continue the series.
Finished
Murder at the Breakers #1 Gilded Newport historical mystery by Alyssa Maxwell. Rated 4 stars.
Finally, a TBR book off of my shelf, 10 years it’s been sitting there! Whoo hoo, I enjoy a challenge.The Giver by Lois Lowry | Review
I finally started Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries last summer, which was long overdue. This is a gem of a series! In #2, Murderbot investigates its past.
Artificial ConditionMy review -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Lady Odelia's Secret #2 Scott de-Quincy by Jane Steen. Historical mystery set in 1880's England. Rated 4 stars.Link to my spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Rated 5 stars and on my favorite shelf. Historical fiction set in 1950's Washington D.C. USA. Link to my spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Country Girl #1 Truscott Family by Sally Tarpey. Rated 3 stars. Young Adult historical fiction set in England during WWI. Link to my short spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict. Rated 3 stars. Historical fiction set in 1930's Austria and 1940's Hollywood.Link to my short; spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier today and absolutely loved it. It was my first by Daphne du Maurier and will definitely not be the last.
Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Jane and the Man of the Cloth #2 Jane Austen Historical Mystery by Stephanie Barron. Rated 4 stars.Link to my short spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a great job. The mix of fantasy, mystery and paranormal was pretty cool. Rated it 4 stars though- some things definitely could be improved, the author used so many similes it was distracting at times.Also finally got around to Shadow and Bone (wanted to join in on the group read, but my reading pace was too slow). I've already read Six of Crows, and while Shadow and Bone isn't as good, I enjoyed my time with it. It uses more typical YA tropes than Six of Crows in my opinion, which took some getting used to.
Just finished reading Divine Rivals. I have mixed feelings about this book... I definitely feel like the MMC and MFC character interactions with secondary characters should have been explored more, and that (for me at least) the author didn't provide enough description on the setting and characters for me to picture everything in my head, and yet... I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happened! I think this is going to end up being a 3 star rating for me.
Just finished Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and compared to My Cousin Rachel it wasn't near as good, but I still gave it a 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ review.
Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Paris Assignment by Rhys Bowen. Rated 3 stars. Historical fiction set during WWII. Espionage with some romance.Link to my spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished (finally), Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I gave it 3⭐⭐⭐ for it became tedious in the middle. However, there are some very enjoyable scenes in the book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Last book I've read is not on any review platform despite winning a regional book of the month award. It's nonfiction, about one of the most mysterious deaths that ever happened in my city: May 7th 1977; one of the founding fathers of students' anti-establishment movement is found in a building neither he or anyone particularly close to him was living. Ignoring all the details that don't fit, a medical examiner declares falling off the stairs as the official cause of death. As usual with rushed investigations like that, it immediately sounds suspicious for everyone.
I enjoyed about a half of it, when the author was only presenting every new piece of evidence, and only seemed to dislike one person involved.
In second half too much emphasis was placed on understanding the traitor in the group (who says the same thing in every interview presented, and also almost seemed to have fun with his double life), as well as clearing the name of the physician who made the initial report, despite him ignoring important facts (such as livor mortis not fitting the placement of the body), as well as having a history of writing obduction reports that covered up torture of political prisoners.
Also, I ran some facts through my mom, who was also a student back then, and knew some of the people involved. She caught one of the witnesses outright lying, which the author never double-checked.
And at times it really shows that neither the author nor the editing team comes from our city.
If you've read all the way to here, thank you for letting me rant~!
Finished a non-fiction about American baseball:The Bad Guys Won! : A Season of Brawling, Boozing, Bimbo Chasing, and Championship Baseball with Straw, Doc, Mookie, Nails, the Kid, and the Rest of the 1986 Mets, the Rowdiest Team Ever to Put on a New York Uniform--and Maybe the Best by Jeff Pearlman. Rated 4 stars.
Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Lost Manuscript by Cathy Bonidan. Contemporary dual timeline (1983 to 2016) first published in France and translated by Emma Ramadan. Rated 4 stars. Delightful! Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished my third Daphne du Maurier book, The Loving Spirit, and compared to My Cousin Rachel and Rebecca, this one was somewhat of a let-down.
My 3⭐⭐⭐ review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Long Season by Jim Brosnan. Non-fiction sports; baseball. Rated 4 stars. Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Socialite's Guide to Murder #1 Pinnacle Hotel historical mystery by S.K. Golden. Set in 1950's New York City, NY. Rated 3 stars. Entertaining, cozy read.Link to my spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
A Marriage of Lions by Elizabeth Chadwick one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Rated 4 stars. Set in 13th century England. Link to my short spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If you're interested in a Christian sweet, clean romance set on the beach, this will hit the spot. My 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ review for Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Another sweet, clean romance by Denise Hunter that I finished reading the other week, A Novel Proposal. I gave it a 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ review.My spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finally read Neuromancer, a sci-fi classic.
Honestly not for me but interesting to see the inspiration for a lot of modern tropes.
⭐⭐ and here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander. Rated 3 stars. Cozy, contemporary fiction set in England with a little romance included. I enjoyed it enough that I might read this author again when in the mood for a "light" read. If you read the Goodreads blurb that pretty much gives the reader the plot. Loved the cover!
Read another Denise Hunter book, Summer by the Tides. If you are not a Christian, and not interested in women's fiction with a romance, I do not recommend it. My spoiler-free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven yesterday. I will warn you it is very depressing, but worth the read. My spoiler-free 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished a wonderful Pride & Prejudice variation regarding the middle sister Mary called The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. I gave it a 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating, which is rare for me. My spoiler-free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith. #1 in a historical mystery series set in 1890's Montana, USA. Rated 3.5 stars bùmped up to 4 stars.Link to my spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read a new author to me, Charles Martin and his book When Crickets Cry, which I gave a 3⭐⭐⭐ review because even though the prose was absolutely beautiful, the ending was too easy and the hero had a God-complex. Someone else may like this Christian novel more than me because of the ending. My link to a spoiler-free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read a sweet, clean Regency romance that would make a good beach read. Gave it a 3⭐⭐⭐ review because it repeated itself too much at times, but if you're looking for a quick, light romance, you may like it. My link to the spoiler-free review for An Amiable Foe by Jennie Goutet:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An Engagement with the Enemy by Sally Britton was such a fun read. If you like sweet, clean Regency Romances I highly recommend it. The link to my 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ spoiler-free review below:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If you're in the mood for a Regency Romance with a gothic twist, you might enjoy this:
Charming the Recluse by Mindy Burbidge Strunk
My review with the spoiler hidden: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Bastard #1 Kent Family by John Jakes. Historical fiction first published in 1974. Set in 18th century France, England and Boston, USA just before the start of the American Revolution. Rated 4 stars. Link to my spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished a Christian, sweet and clean Regency Romance set during Christmas time. If you like this sort of thing, I recommend this short, easy, escape read.
A Seasonal Pursuit by Rebecca Connolly
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March. #1 in a historical mystery series set in late 19th century Colonial India. Rated 4 stars. Loved the book cover! Excellent audio narration by Vikas Adam.Link to my spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just read
The Conquering Family by the late Thomas B. Costain. This is the first in a 4 book Medieval historical non-fiction series written in the 1940's and 1950's about the Plantagenets. Enjoyed and rated 3 stars.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
Peril at Owl Park #2 Aggie Morton young adult hisrorical mystery by Marthe Jocelyn. Set in 1902 England. Rated 4 stars. Link to my spoiler free review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read
Summer of '49 by the late David Halberstam. Rated 5 stars and in my opinion a book most baseball fans would enjoy.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Parfit Knight #1 Rockliffe historical romance by Stella Riley AKA Juliet Blyth. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Link to my short, spoiler-free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Deluge: A Post-Apocalyptic Disaster ThrillerJust finished this, 2nd book in a 3-part series but I don't think I'll bother with book 3.
I'm hopeless at reviews, 3/5 stars for me. It was just average. The actual disaster (earthquake, tsunami and subsequent societal collapse) were ok, but I had a hard time getting invested or immersed when it was obvious the main characters had super plot armour despite their often incredibly stupid actions.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle CosimanoMy review : https:://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7602995441
Books mentioned in this topic
Coronation Year (other topics)The Devil Take Tomorrow (other topics)
The Martian Chronicles (other topics)
Emily of New Moon (other topics)
A Murder for the Books (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jennifer Robson (other topics)Gretchen Jeannette (other topics)
L.M. Montgomery (other topics)
Victoria Gilbert (other topics)
A.J. Pearce (other topics)
More...



