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June-July Book Pool Challenge
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Ninitha (Niko)
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Jun 27, 2017 01:34PM
Oh bummer! Gotta keep an eye out for December then. :)
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Of course there is. The scatter brain that I am, thought we were heading into August.
Book 227/6
4 stars, enjoyed this very much. Makes me want to read more about the Whanganui River back in the old days.
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big thank you to whoever nominated "the rules of backyard cricket"; I'm only a small fraction of the way through it and just had to comment on the richness of the writing. *swoons*
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Finished 1/7
Ru
3★ Fragments of writing - beautiful, almost poetic fragments but still fragments,so in spite of the very moving story, which is probably at least partially autobiographical, not really my thing.
Book 2 - Fantastic beasts and where to find themJ K ROWLING
M.O.M classification: Frikkin' genius
Even thought the author's genius needs no further validation, one can't help gush and marvel at the world she has created, everytime she opens up a portal to it. The details of the beasts, its names, the history and the underlying humour present in most, apparently earnest, description and recollections of Newt Scamander is outstanding. Equally amazing are the scribbles made my Harry and Ron throughout the book. Not only do they make you chuckle, but they also take you on a trip down memory lane and highlight important segments from the main series. Though this is not what I imagined this book to be, I loved it nonetheless. If anything, this book raised my respect for Rowling's imagination a few folds more.
Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "big thank you to whoever nominated "the rules of backyard cricket"; I'm only a small fraction of the way through it and just had to comment on the richness of the writing. *swoons*"Thanks Darkpool! It's one of my favourite finds this year and I was hoping someone else would enjoy it as much as I did.
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Book #5
Finished 3/7/17
4* read - loved the story, the characters and the setting. Jenny Pattrick really knows how to bring alive New Zealand historical fiction.
Book: 3 - The DressFinished: Jul 2
Rate: 3
I liked the story but the writing let it down a bit.
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Book 6: Crazy Rich AsiansFinished: 03/07/17
3/5 stars, was ok, it slowed me down a bit as I didn't feel like reading it haha.
Good to know about Natchez Burning, might have to add that one to the list!
Yes Erica, it was! Just started reading the Thorn Birds, so I hope I enjoy this one more than the last two I've read lately!
Book 4: If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney SheldonDate 4th July
5 stars
whoever recommend this book, I can't wait to read the rest of this series
Katrina wrote: "Book 6: Crazy Rich AsiansFinished: 03/07/17
3/5 stars, was ok, it slowed me down a bit as I didn't feel like reading it haha.
Good to know ..."
I get what you mean about Crazy Rich Asians. It came highly recommended as a light read but I'm finding it hard to get through it. The pace is prettt slow.
Katherine wrote: "Book 4: If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney SheldonDate 4th July
5 stars
whoever recommend this book, I can't wait to read the rest of this series"
That was me Katherine, I really liked it too! Glad you did too, I will be reading more of his books, they're great :)
Ninitha wrote: [bookcover:Crazy Rich Asians|16085481..."
Glad I'm not the only one who struggled with that one then Ninitha!
Katrina wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Book 4: If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney SheldonDate 4th July
5 stars
whoever recommend this book, I can't wait to read the rest of this series"
That was me Katherine, I really like..."
I went after work today & got the 2nd book out of that series
Book 3The Widow
Read a thriller after forever and it was nice to anticipate and guess and try to furiously workout who the culprit is. Having said that, I think the Widow could have been so much more. It was fact paced and kept me hooked right until the last chapter where it fell a little flat. I expected more. The setting and characters and the pace were ripe for a fantastic twist, a twist that sadly wasn't to be. 3/5 for this one!
Forgot to updateBook 4 (Actually this was book three but I forgot to update it) Crazy Rich Asians
This book killed me a little with its uninspiring characters and slow pace. I kept waiting for the story to begin, for something novel worthy to happen but it did not. Truth be told, I wanted to phone it in many time but the thought of this challenge kept me going. Let just say I'm glad this book is done. Phew! 1/5
PS: I was the one who suggested this book and for that, I'm sorry!
Mod
Erica wrote: "Is it The Widow you're referring to?"Eeks! In my enthusiasm to get myself rid of the book, I forgot to add the name. *Sigh*
I've edited my post. The book was Crazy Rich Asians.
Mod
Eeks! In my enthusiasm to get myself rid of the book, I forgot to add the name. *Sigh*
I've edited my post. The book was Crazy Rich Asians."
I had this one on my "to-read" list for quite a while, but read a lot of tepid reviews on GR. Looks like I made the right decision to remove it.
Book 5If I was your girl
Applause to the author for encroaching on an area not many others have dared to. Having said that, the treatment was very superficial. Neither was the topic adequately addressed, nor were the pains properly highlighted. An easy read. 3/5
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Erica wrote: "You're on a role Ninitha! I'll update tally when I'm near my laptop tomorrow :)"Thanks Erica. I've been off poorly the last few days and so have taken time off work and been curled up in bed with these books.
Book 3A Man Called Ove
5/5
I loved this book so much! I listened to it via audiobook and I think it helped a lot more in making me cry (haha). I never thought I could fall in love with an angry old man who has no love for cats but I did.
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Book #6
Finished 8/7/17
4* read - these were two quirky and a little bit kinky tales haha. Fun weekend read.
Book 6Walking Free
The true account of an asylum seeker. His trip from Iraq to Australia and the troubles he faced. I'm on the fence about how I feel about this book. While there are parts that are genuinely appalling, there are others that feels rushed, almost like we aren't being given the full picture. The author has also painted himself with a golden brush. He apparently did no wrong and the hostile attitude of others is either tagged as character flaws or calculated attacks with an agenda. Nonetheless, the book helps gain some perspective on Iraq post the attacks on Kuwait and under Saddam administration.
2.5/5
Collision by Joanna Orwin
Book #3
Finished:10/7
I rate it around 3.5 stars. Historical fiction about the first contact between the French and the Maori in the Bay of Islands in 1772. This collision of cultures did not end well. Orwin has kept close to the historical facts of Marion du Fresne's expedition, only introducing two fictional characters, one young French sailor and one young Maori warrior to bring both sides of the story to life. If I hadn't just read Anne Salmond's nonfiction account of this event I would have rated this higher. This was an important episode of NZ history.
Book 7Smut
What a delightful little book. It's a short read that makes me smile quite a bit. The first tale, I felt ended rather abruptly whereas the second one was more properly tied up, with no loose ends. There is also A Midsummer night's dreamesque quality about the stories. I actually did enjoy it very much. Lot of chuckles, plenty smiles. 4/5 for Smut.
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Collision by Joanna Orwin
Book #3
Finished:10/7
I rate it around 3.5 stars. Historical fiction about the first contact between the Fre..."
I've seen this one at the libs a few times but have read a bit of historical fiction I was after a break. Might have to check it out later in the month perhaps.
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A Man Called Ove
5/5
I loved this book so much! I listened to it via audiobook and I think it helped a lot more in making me cry (haha). I never though..."
I think I read this last year, or the year before. Great story a!
Book 3
4/5
a suitably thrilling thriller, and how lovely to read something with a setting I'm familiar with although at times it feels a bit like a love-letter to Auckland: some of the descriptive passages go on a bit long!
Book 8Ru
A massive thank you to whoever it was that included is book into pool. Ru is an experience. It's poetic. It's enlightening. It's the past. It's the present. It's a stirring trip down memory lane. It's tragic. It's beautiful. It's a brilliant kaleidoscope of a range of feelings and emotions articulately packed into a short book. If the translation is this poetic, I am left wondering how amazing the original must be. 10/5 for this one.
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Ru
A massive thank you to whoever it was that included is book into pool. Ru is an experience. It's poetic. It's enlightening. It's the past. It's the present. It's a stirring trip down me..."
That was me! It wasn't the right book for me, but I'm glad I led another reader to it.
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Can I just add a big thank you to everyone who suggested such a diverse set of books. I've been everywhere from London to Vietnam, to 1800s to present day, this past month. My moods have had peaks and troughs to mirror the mood of the books and I've enjoyed everyone of it. So a quick thank you, before I forget to. :)
Mod
+1 This is the only group I belong to where I can get a heads up on contemporary books - & NZ books as well. Even if I do poorly in the challenges I at least increase my to-read lists! :)
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Ninitha wrote: "Can I just add a big thank you to everyone who suggested such a diverse set of books. I've been everywhere from London to Vietnam, to 1800s to present day, this past month. My moods..."Good to know. I've only gotten active in this group (and limited to this thread) this past month and I have loved the recommendations. Will definitely be sticking around. I like the reading tribe on here. :)
Mod
Slow going here : )Book 2:
Date: July 3
Stars: 4
I love the creativity behind this Harry Potter 'text book' - down to the fact that it has an introduction by the 'original author', assorted editions, and 'notes' scribbled in by Harry himself. Cute carry-one from the series.
Book 7 The Thorn BirdsDate: today 13/07/17
4/5 stars, was very good, I loved following the family through the years. The book is huge, sorry about that!
I am sick too, winter colds suck, but I managed to power through the thorn birds, now what to read next!?!
Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: Cut & Run-a suitably thrilling thriller, and how lovely to read something with a setting I'm familiar with although at times it feels..."
I also enjoyed the Auckland setting, that first chapter when she drives out through Flat Bush...how often does that happen in a book!
Book 9Broken
I think it's fair to say that Broken breaks you. It's such a heady combination of brilliant writing and touching themes. There are so many things in the book to ponder upon. Butterfly effect, mental health, misplaced or misguided love, the terrible state of government services. Each incorporated so well into the book that it breaks you, a little at a time. The last twenty or so pages is when the author puts your emotions through the wringer. The book becomes suffocating. It frustrates you and you want to tell the characters to hang on, that there has to be something better than what we think is about to happen. I had goosebumps and misty eyes when I finished. Truth be told, I did not want it to end. Broken is brilliant. It's a serious book told in an extremely engaging way with its fair share of chuckles and clever puns. 5/5
Mod
Liked is an understatement, Erica! I LOVED it. Such a good book and fact paced too. Not once does your mind wander. Thank you for throwing this into the pool.
Book Loving Kiwis
Books mentioned in this topic
Bog Bodies Uncovered: Solving Europe's Ancient Mystery (other topics)The Dress (other topics)
Broken (other topics)
Cut & Run: When the Truth is No Protection (other topics)
If I Was Your Girl (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Kim Thúy (other topics)Joanna Orwin (other topics)
Joanna Orwin (other topics)
Anne Salmond (other topics)
Alan Bennett (other topics)
More...
