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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations, reviews Part 2
I read Phantastes by George MacDonald. It's about a young man's journey in Fairy Land. It's got goblins, trees that try to snarl you, fairies, knights, a beautiful lady frozen in marble, a magic castle, and all manner of fantastical things. There's no logic to it. You have to surrender to the experience--sort of like falling into a dream. Some of you may enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read Hero Dogs: How a Pack of Rescues, Rejects, and Strays Became America's Greatest Disaster-Search Partnershttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This morning I finished So Much to Tell You by John Marsden
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Phrynne wrote: "My review for The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith 
https://www.goodreads.com/review/sh..."
Thanks. I wasn't sure if I'd try this book or not, but your review has tipped me over into marking it "what to read." I don't like all of his books, but do enjoy some.
Hey Everyone,I just finished We Have Always Lived in the Castle
I gave it 4 Stars
Here is my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2700404469
I knew some, but not all, of the Super Scientists: 40 inspiring icons featured in this attractively designed book of historical facts for kids (and ignorant people like me).
Link to my review with illustrations
I will read anything by Helen Garner! Fiction, non-fiction, novels, stories. Honour and Other People's Children is a reissue of a pair of novellas, and true to form, I loved the first. 4.5★Not the second, sadly. 3★
Link to my review
Chrissie wrote: "I have read Mrs. Bridge. It is a modern classic, a classic I had never heard of. It is wonderful: I never thought it would be this good.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/..."
I liked that review. Put the book on my TBR list.
Wonderful, Esther. I was not expecting much form this book. Of the twenty or so I planned to read in January I put it off to the very end!I am not so sure Mr. Bridge is quite as good. I had an extremely easy time relating to her, India Bridge. Any mother who has experienced their kids flying the coop will relate, as will those who remember life back in the mid-20th century. The life style described is dated, but I enjoyed it anyhow. Each generation has a different feel that one recognizes.
Read vol 5 of Barbara Hambly's vampire series The Kindred of Darkness and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2699419110.
Here's one everyone should read: The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. It's gripping and life-affirming and quietly beautiful. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kathleen wrote: "Here's one everyone should read: The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. It's gripping and life-affirming and quietly beautiful. My review: https://www.goodread..."
Ditto. I thought that one worth five stars. Superb!
Huh... Synchronicity - my brick and mortar club is about to start The Cellist of Sarajevo. Looking forward to it.
Chrissie wrote: "Ditto. I thought that one worth five stars. Superb! "Glad you've experienced this one, Chrissie. I just happened upon it--somehow completely missed it when it first came out, but so glad I found it!
Finished reading When Breath Becomes Air by Paul KalanithiMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kathleen wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Ditto. I thought that one worth five stars. Superb! "Glad you've experienced this one, Chrissie. I just happened upon it--somehow completely missed it when it first came out, but..."
Everyone was talking about it a few years back.
Kathleen wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Ditto. I thought that one worth five stars. Superb! "Glad you've experienced this one, Chrissie. I just happened upon it--somehow completely missed it when it first came out, but..."
Everyone was talking about it a few years back.
I read a Japanese contemporary novel Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami. I think I finished it in a 24 hour period. It's short at 176 pp. I really enjoyed it but haven't written a review yet. I gave it 4.5 stars but rounded it up to 5 for the ending!
Richard W. Buro from Central Texas has just completed one science fiction work and one disturbing work about the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy in my home state of Texas.Catseye by Andre Norton is a sci-fi novel about an Earthman who discovers that he has a latent ability to be able to communicate with various species of animals from Earth by telepathy. His discovery puts all of the Terrans in fear for their lives as well as being on the run. It was a good read, very believeable in that sci-fi sort of way. My review of the book can be found here,
The review of the work by L. Fletcher Prouty entitled JFK: The CIA, Vietnam and the Plot to Assassinate John F. Kennedy is currently in work. I will add its address to this post as soon as it is finished.
Happy reading, gang. From Deep in the Heart of the Great Lone Star State, Richard W. Buro.
Another younger readers book The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje , the movie that was based in this book is one of my favourites but I have not read it yet. Now that I have read it I can say that I'm impressed.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Jess wrote: "My review of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastlehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I have this one waiting to go after I finish some others. I've heard that it's fantastic but I'm trying to keep a balanced expectation. You know how often if you get too excited about a book it turns out to be a let down. So balance is key! :-)
I just finished The Secret Adversary which was Agatha Christie's 2nd published book and the first Tommy and Tuppence mystery. What a romp! Such fun with dastardly plots and the detectives chasing the criminals here, there and everywhere! I highly recommend it!Here's my review: The Secret Adversary
I just finished Book Love by Debbie Tung. What a comforting and fun graphic book for book lovers! Hopefully, it will help me out of my reading slump.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist: A True Story of Injustice in the American South
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sotiris wrote: "The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje , the movie that was based in this book is one of my favourites but I have not read it yet. Now that I have read it I can say that..."I love that movie too, one of my favs I havent read the book yet, it is sitting on my book shelf waiting
Finished The English Patient. It read more like an epic, meandering, prolix narrative poem than a war novel. 3 stars.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished Little Fires EverywhereI gave it a 4 star rating. Enjoyable book
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Having absolutely adored Mrs. Bridge, I threw away all my plans and immediately grabbed the follow-up Mr. Bridge. You should read both and in the same order I read them.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished The Man Who Came Uptown. Fast paced but feel a little short changed. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished my first audio book The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. 5 stars. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Angela M wrote: "I finished my first audio book The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. 5 stars. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/s..."I had the narrator Edward Hermann, and I thought he gave an excellent performance. It takes awhile to get used to listening rather than reading books. I was surprised that I came to like the book as much as I did too. I am not competitive......at all!
Chrissie , I’m not either . I thought the narrator was very good as well .
Loved that book, but I did not listen to it. Congrats on a successful first audio, Angela.Finished Finding Dorothy
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Alice wrote: "Finished The English Patient. It read more like an epic, meandering, prolix narrative poem than a war novel. 3 stars.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Michael Ondaatje isn't for everybody, but some of his books I do like. I am sorry you didn't like it so much.
My review of I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Why does Australia treat refugees on Manus almost as badly as POWs were treated on WW2's infamous Burma Railway? Inexcusable!No Friend But the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison by Iranian Kurd refugee Behrouz Boochani is already winning awards.
5★ Link to my review
Read book 6 of Barbara Hambly's vampire series, Darkness on his Bones and reviewed it, explaining why I won't be bothering with any more of these - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2699418073.
All About Books
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My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...