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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations, reviews Part 2
Last week I finished a true crime book I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara. I thought it was excellent, 5 stars. Here’s my review
Phrynne wrote: "My review of The Last Lighthouse Keeper by Alan Titchmarsh 
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I read this just because I enjoy his gardening programs. It was very light but fun.
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan is a mystery with a catchy title, but it isn't really about books.
3.5★ Link to my review
I have finished a book by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh about rage and how to deal with it: Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames.It wasn't bad but also nothing extraordinary (at least for me), so 3*
Only Italian review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Alice wrote: "Just finished The Sunne in Splendour 
by Sharon Kay Penman. An impressive work of historical fiction about Richard III.https:..."
I have only read one of her books and it was 3 stars for me. That was Here be Dragons. Have you read that one as well, and, if so, did you like one better than the other?
Karin wrote: "Alice wrote: "Just finished The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. An impressive work of historical fiction about Richar..."Karin, I too have read the one you mention (Here be Dragons), and I didn't like it at all. You gave it three but I gave it one star! I also tried a second of hers, When Christ and His Saints Slept, and it is a bit better, but have decided nevertheless to not read her anymore....but many do like Penman!
Karin wrote: "Alice wrote: "Just finished The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. An impressive work of historical fiction about Richar..."Karin, I haven't read Here be Dragons or any other by Penman. But I have Lionheart on my to-read list.
Alice, we were writing at the same time! See the message above. I've given up on the author.
That's a shame, Chrissie. I do like how she deals with relationships and appreciate her staying close to historical facts. I liked her much better than Anya Seton.
Alice wrote: "That's a shame, Chrissie. I do like how she deals with relationships and appreciate her staying close to historical facts. I liked her much better than Anya Seton."Yep, she does not mess with the history, which is of course good.
I just read the Changeling by Arthur Lavalle. It was a suggested read on this site. I'm glad I read it because it introduced me to another style of writing and emphasized the things an author shouldn't do. The story has to many words, takes to long to get to where you need to be and then takes you on a goose-chase in the New York area, all in the name of good story telling - which it isn't - and to top it off the author engages in his own philosophical ramblings about society.
Chrissie wrote: "Karin wrote: "Alice wrote: "Just finished The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. An impressive work of historical fictio..."Yes, well, it barely got that three stars, I can tell you that! Thanks for the info, I may just go with not reading her again.
My two reviews of Where The Light Gets In by Lucy Dillonhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and
Hidden Lives by Judith Lennox
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished reading Molloy by Samuel Beckett. This is an odd story. By the end, I think I was a convert....at least enough to want to continue with the trilogy.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (I've put the storyline parts behind spoiler tags. Please don't read these if you don't want to know what I think happened in the story) … that sounds like an odd warning but this story is truly weird.
Petra wrote: "I finished reading Molloy by Samuel Beckett. This is an odd story. By the end, I think I was a convert....at least enough to want to continue with the trilogy.
My r..."
I agree that it is very weird but somehow compelling. I finally finished the trilogy this year.
Leslie wrote: "I agree that it is very weird but somehow compelling. I finally finished the trilogy this year. ..."What did you think of the rest of the trilogy? I plan on starting the next book soon.....maybe in a month or so.
I finished listening to Surprise Me today. This was the book I listened to while jogging. It's the perfect pace for this activity.To be fair, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to listen to this one but I'm glad I picked it up. It's light, warm story.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Alice wrote: "Karin wrote: "Alice wrote: "Just finished The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. An impressive work of historical fictio..."Great review Alice. I've been meaning to read The Sunne in Splendour for ages as Richard III is one of my heroes.
Read Werehunter a collection of short stories by Mercedes Lackey and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2498547334.
Petra wrote: "I finished reading Molloy by Samuel Beckett. This is an odd story. By the end, I think I was a convert....at least enough to want to continue with the trilogy.
My r..."
Given the plays of his I was involved with, I would think so. His plays were in the theatre of the absurd category.
I do recommend Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Big Little LiesRead this a while ago but finally got the review up 4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am not a gamer, but by golly I enjoyed Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I won't look up all the 80s references, but enough are familiar that I bet all the others are accurate, too.
5★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just read The Book Thief and now I am going to go and cry!https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
After months of neglect, I have finally updated my 2018 personal challenge thread so I will just mention my most recent book -- The Last Continent, the 22nd Discworld book. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for it, but this is my least favorite Discworld book so far. It wasn't bad but it just didn't really strike me as very funny either...
Finished
by Téa ObrehtWas recommended this to read before I head to the Balkans
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Colemanhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Diane S ☔ wrote: "Read Coming Home by Edith Whartonhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
That looks good. Are you too finding that you prefer her short works more than her long ones? I will se if I can find Coming Home 1916.
Think you'll like it, Chrissie. And yes, so far I am. Haven't read any of her novels for a long time, so maybe I'll try another.Finished Unhinged: An Insider's Account of the Trump White House
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Diane S ☔ wrote: "Think you'll like it, Chrissie. And yes, so far I am. Haven't read any of her novels for a long time, so maybe I'll try another.Finished [book:Unhinged: An Insider's Account of the Trump White Ho..."
I have found a free online link to it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Three days ago I started reading Fruit of the Drunken Tree. Several of us in the GR group Reading for Pleasure chose to read and discuss the book. Having read half I decided to dump it. I was not alone in doing this. The book is new and has a high rating.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Managed to read a few new releases this month, all of them pretty good!
How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future ★★★★☆ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Incendiaries ★★★☆☆ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
How to Stop Time ★★★★☆ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And I also checked a few long-standing classics off my to-read list: 
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ★★★★☆ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe ★★★★☆ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pinocchio ★★☆☆☆ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Esther wrote: " Big Little LiesRead this a while ago but finally got the review up 4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I'm glad you liked this. I was warned it probably wouldn't be my style of book but liked it a great deal.
All About Books
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