You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Chit Chat About Books
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What Are You Reading? - 2019
Kristie wrote: "Elizabeth, my library has what they call “too hot to hold” books. They are really popular books with long waits. They take a few copies and won’t add them to the holds, so they automatically get pu..."We have this at my local library, and we call it the "lucky shelf". The books in the shelf have actually a clover stick on it. :)
Jessica wrote: "Yesterday, i started The Girl Who Played with Fire. It has been on my Tbr for years after reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so Im excited to finally be reading it."It's such a good series, isn't it? I remember reading them back to back too.
I have bailed out on Homegoing. I wasn't enjoying it at all. It was nothing like I expected and it very nearly put me into a reading slump. I'm glad it's now behind me tbh.I am working my way through The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle which is totally bizarre but in a good way. I'm really enjoying it.
Lisa wrote: "I have bailed out on Homegoing. I wasn't enjoying it at all. It was nothing like I expected and it very nearly put me into a reading slump. I'm glad it's now behind me tbh.I am wo..."
That's disappointing, Lisa, but I'm sure it's for the best that you moved on to something you're enjoying.
Ann ⛅ wrote: "Cherie wrote: "He is an amazing! I wish Simon Vance narrated more books I had an interest in reading th..."He narrated all of Naomi Novik's Temeraire series books and an Australian trilogy, The Darwin Elevator. He narrated a Sherlock Holmes book - Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson.
I just listened to Street Freaks a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was very good.
He did the fifth book in the Millennium series The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye I do not know if he did the earlier ones because I read them.
removed Owen Meany. clr
I finished The Crossing Places and as expected it was a entertaining book, and I plan to go on with the series. I will start tonight Rules a middle grade novel that is my 13 years old son's favorite. He is happy I am finally reading it.
Lisa wrote: "I have bailed out on Homegoing. I wasn't enjoying it at all. It was nothing like I expected and it very nearly put me into a reading slump. I'm glad it's now behind me tbh.I am wo..."
I thoroughly enjoyed The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle so much so I gave it to my husband who is reading it now. It's definitely a different kind of story but it all became clear in the end. Enjoy!
Travis wrote: "Audio but it's Patrick Tully not Simon Vance. I wonder if Vance is an option. These ones were in a sale..."I have heard people really like one or the other and are passionate about their choice. I admit that I have not tried to listen to Tulley.
Like all series, some stories are better than others. If I remember, I liked book three a lot. The second not so much. Some of them have been duds as far as the action goes, but what happens with the characters is really what kept me going. Reading Jack shouting "Bondon!", is not the same as hearing Jack's gravely voice bellow out the same "Bondon!". Same as hearing Vance say, in his Jack Aubrey voice "Oh, Stephen". Or hearing Vance in Stephen's voice saying "My dear, Jack".
The nautical portions of the stories are better in some of the books too. The storms and the imagery can be very good. I remember one of them when they went too far south in the Pacific and everything was feeezing. I think they were shipwrecked in that story too. In one, Jack is captured by American sailors after he is wounded and taken to the states. Jack can be quite the fool, and Stephen is definitely a damaged character, for all of his medical knowledge.
I think I have gone on enough. If they do not work out for you, Travis, it will be okay. You and I really do have different tastes for stories. I cannot begin to understand how you can listen to all of those Russian classics you have finished.
Finished The Lost Man - wow, a 5-star read, even without the benefit of the mesmerizing Australian accent :-) This is the first one I read with my eyes. I did the audio on the author's other two books. Highly recommended!
Lilisa wrote: "Finished The Lost Man - wow, a 5-star read, even without the benefit of the mesmerizing Australian accent :-) This is the first one I read with my eyes. I did the audio on the autho..."I have a hold on this one from my library, just waiting on it. They had to order extra copies as it was more popular than they expected. I'm really looking forward to this one. I thought her last two books were great.
Finished a Walter Isaacson leonardo davinci was interesting but honestly for such a unique individual seemed like it could have been better but maybe I expect too much from Isaacson at times.Now I've finally gotten around to The Rook
Marnie wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I have bailed out on Homegoing. I wasn't enjoying it at all. It was nothing like I expected and it very nearly put me into a reading slump. I'm glad it's now behind me ..."So glad Lisa is enjoying The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle too!
Kristie wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Finished The Lost Man - wow, a 5-star read, even without the benefit of the mesmerizing Australian accent :-) This is the first one I read with my eyes. I did the aud..."Oh I hope you enjoy it when you get it, Kristie. If you enjoyed The Dry and Force of Nature, I think you will like The Lost Man - fingers crossed!
Lilisa wrote: "So glad Lisa is enjoying The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle too!"I really am, Lilisa! I think it's probably the strangest and quirkiest book I have ever read but it's great fun! Plus, it brings something completely new to the table.
Travis wrote: "Now I've finally gotten around to The Rook"Really looking forward to your thoughts on that one.
The Rook is finished. I enjoyed it. Was just enough different to keep.it unpredictable. I got nervous at one point when a vampire came up and thought no please don't go down the path of the typical urbam fantasy. It didn't.
Travis wrote: "The Rook is finished. I enjoyed it. Was just enough different to keep.it unpredictable. I got nervous at one point when a vampire came up and thought no please don't go down the pat..."So very happy! I really enjoyed it, it's so very Aussie humor. And me to with the vamps, but he very much twisted it. I need to read the second one this year.
He's a Canberran, and my housemate worked with his Mum, who gave us the book. And he's friends with my bookdealer, and my friend from high school's brother. (I know I live in the capital city, but this is the reminder that we are a large country town of 500 000 ppl).
That's neat Rusalka. Small world as they say.
I finished The Obelisk Gate at midnight last night. I powered down to finish it so I didn't have to set it aside for the toppler. I'll start Menagerie on audiobook for my first toppler read. Later today, I'll start The Child Garden on Kindle, also for the toppler.
I'm about to start The Forgotten Beasts of Eld which is my first toppler read and also fits the Movie Mania yearly challenge too.
Lisa wrote: "I'm about to start The Forgotten Beasts of Eld which is my first toppler read and also fits the Movie Mania yearly challenge too."I made sure all my toppler reads will fit the Movie Mania challenge. :)
Janice wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I'm about to start The Forgotten Beasts of Eld which is my first toppler read and also fits the Movie Mania yearly challenge too."I made sure all my toppler reads wil..."
I think most of mine will fit too. Topplers are a good way of getting ahead in the yearly challenges.
It's sad to think this is needed.Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story about Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano and others is a new children's picture book to read WITH them about cops shooting blacks, slave history, and intolerance of foreigners.
My review with illustrations
I've just started Who She Is for the mm challenge and Kindred for the group read. I started them both for the toppler and had to put Becoming aside for a bit.
I finished Rules, a middle grade novel I enjoyed, but it was only 3 stars for me. I will start today Library of Souls.
Lisa wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "So glad Lisa is enjoying The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle too!"I really am, Lilisa! I think it's probably the strangest and quirkiest book I have ever read but it..."
Great Lisa! I don't know that I would have ever picked it up but I was browsing for an available audiobook to keep me company as nothing on my TBR list was available at the library and this one was. So glad I found it - it is really fun, intriguing, and different. Now I'm telling everyone it! :-)
Finished Where the Crawdads Sing and Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Listening to The Gardener of Baghdad and reading You Have Given Me a Country: A Memoir. Side note - it seems that almost every book I've read this year fits the yearlong challenge - so fun to check books off for the tasks - thanks Janice :-)
Lilisa wrote: "Finished Where the Crawdads Sing and Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Listening to The Gardener of Baghdad and reading [book:You ..."Hehehe - so far, all of the books I've read have fit have fit the challenge. Only ones I couldn't count were for the monthly challenge.
Janice wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Finished Where the Crawdads Sing and Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Listening to The Gardener of Baghdad and rea..."🤓
Janice wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Finished Where the Crawdads Sing and Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Listening to The Gardener of Baghdad and rea..."Same here!
I've now started my second toppler book (which also fits the movie challenge), The Story of Arthur Truluv
Me too! I love the early parts of the annual challenge. It is so easy to fit books to tasks. Gets harder as you go on though.
Storytelling at its best - a new favourite! Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield is mysterious and magic.
5★ Link to my review
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Storytelling at its best - a new favourite! Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield is mysterious and magic. 5★ Link to my review"I really want to read this book but am holding out for the audiobook. Margo highly recommends the audiobook.
Janice wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Storytelling at its best - a new favourite! Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield is mysterious and magic.[bookcover:Once Upon a River|3667..."
I imagine it would sound terrific with the right reader, Janice. It does read like once-upon-a-time in many places. Lovely book!
I really enjoyed both of these! This clever Czech detective has an appetite and wardrobe and disregard for protocol like Mick Herron's Jackson Lamb without the farts. Loved and understood (!) the Eastern European intrigue.Graham Brack,s first two in the series:
Lying and Dying
4.5★ My review of Lying and DyingSlaughter and Forgetting: Murder and intrigue on the streets of Prague...
4.5★ My review of Slaughter and Forgetting
Finished and enjoyedCharlotte's Web
by E.B. WhiteMy Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2720721959
Finished and enjoyedCharlotte's Web
by E.B. WhiteMy Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2720721959
I'm attempting a third toppler book, but not sure I'll finish in time. Again one that also works for the movie challenge: Cream Puff Murder
What is it about penguins that is so cute? This little Not-So-Brave Penguin surprises herself when her friend is lost. Another lovely Steve Smallman children's picture book.
4★ Link to my review with pictures
I've always enjoyed Maggie O'Farrell's mysterious stories, but I'd never read her debut After You'd Gone until now. Glad I found it! Good book and well worth a read.
4★ Link to my review
Finished Former People: The Final Days of the Russian Aristocracy
My reviewer: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2719323005
I finished Salvage the Bones for the group themed reads. I was able to count it for my leftover stew and movie mania challenges.Tomorrow, I'll start Daughter of Moloka'i for 2019 release and buddy read. Looking forward to it.
I finished Library of Souls and with it the first trilogy of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children Series. The trilogy is very YAish, but I love to spend time in Peculiardom.I will start today The Dreamers. I don't know why since her The Age of Miracles was only a 2 stars for me. I think I am just getting carried away by some GR friends' review. But that is not a bad thing, after all.
I've gotten back to Becoming for the monthly theme since the toppler ended. I don't typically love memoirs, but I'm enjoying this one. I'm hoping my copy of Daughter of Moloka'i gets to the library today, so I can start it for the buddy read tomorrow. In the meantime, if it's not in, I may get back to Sold on a Monday, which I started a while ago and put aside for other reads.
I also be starting The Girl They Left Behind since I finished my print book, My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises last night. The Girl They Left Behind is for my irl book club.
I started listening to Early Riser. Whew - it is tough to imagine what is going on. The narrator's voice is great, but with the accent and strange storyline, I am glad I also bought the ebook. I am starting The Lost Man, in ebook. Both are for my yearly challenge.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ten Thousand Doors of January (other topics)Kim (other topics)
The Game (other topics)
The Darkest Night (other topics)
The Ten Thousand Doors of January (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jeanine Cummins (other topics)Laurie R. King (other topics)
Graham Brack (other topics)
Rosario Lázaro Igoa (other topics)
Alice Hoffman (other topics)
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I really liked the intensity of The Likeness - it's quite different to In the Woods. I'm looking forward to the next one. I must get back to that series.