BOOK POOL CHALLENGE - June/July 2019

[Erica]

Always good to find the silver lining Kathleen :) will update the tally when I get home on Monday.
Hope everyone is enjoying the start of the long weekend

[Erica]

I've updated message #2 with the score so far - Kathleen off to a great start :)

[Zellian]

#3
Book - 1 Anything But Typical
Read - 04/06
Rating - 3 stars

After realizing that I went and grabbed some sort of random book instead of the Rupi Kaur book that I wanted (don't search for books half asleep at 2am) I quickly grabbed this out.
I enjoyed it but did tend to need to reread a few bits because I thought I'd missed a bit, I don't know if this was intended due to the topic or not.

I've just started If I Stay and my heart us already invested and I'm only 10% in!

[Zellian]

#3
Book - 2 If I Stay
Read - 05/06
Rating - 5 stars

Just wow, maybe if I had background knowledge I wouldn't have been as surprised by the book but I REALLY enjoy this!

[Erica]

Nice work Kathleen and Carlene.

I'm struggling to finish my last May reads!

[Sharlene]

I’m glad you enjoyed If I Stay. I absolutely LOVED that book. There is a movie adaptation made a couple years ago. It’s not as good as the book though. The ending is a tearjerker!

I don’t know what I was expecting with the sun and her flowers. I started reading it the other night. Didn’t have good dreams. It’s so depressing... not sure if I will make it to the end.

[Angie]

Started my first book for the challenge - The Heart's Invisible Furies. Struggling a bit because I'm sick but I'm hoping a relaxed weekend will give me a chance to do some reading.

[Zellian]

Sharlene wrote: "I’m glad you enjoyed If I Stay. I absolutely LOVED that book. There is a movie adaptation made a couple years ago. It’s not as good as the book though. The ending is a tearjerker!

I don’t know wha..."

I just watched the movie today, even though I saw Chloe's name on everything I didn't even take any notice of it!

#3
Book - 3 The Last Time We Spoke
Read - 08/06
Rating - 3 stars

I didn't really like this book all that much, I get it and the inclusion of Te Reo is cool but it seemed like some of the characters were a bit cliche.

[Zellian]

#3
Book - 4 My Sister Rosa
Read - 11/06
Rating - 3 Stars

This is the first sort of "thriller" kind of book I've read, I've never delved into psychological thrillers or thrillers in general before.
The book was okay, but it didn't end as I thought it was going to and that kinda sucked.

[Erica]

#1
Book #1 - The Age of Miracles
Read: 16/06
Rating: 4 stars
This book built slowly but it worked. Really interesting premise.

[Sharlene]

#1
Without Merit
Read - 14/06
Rating - 4 Stars

I’ve read most of Colleen Hoover’s books and this one didn’t pull me like the others.

[Angie]

#7

Book #1 The Heart's Invisible Furies

Read 17/06/2019
Rating: 4 stars

Really enjoyed this. By turns funny, tragic and moving.

[Kerry]

#5
Book #1: My Sister Rosa

Read: 17/6
Rating: 3 stars

Well I'm glad that's over. This YA was inspired by The Bad Seed by William March. A teen boy has a psychopathic little sister and it feels like the author throws everything she has ever learnt about the subject into the book. Entertaining in that there's that feeling of impending doom on every page.

[Erica]

Great to see lots of us getting our first book from the pool finished :) I'll update the tally later tonight

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Finally! :)

#2
Book #1 - Birdstories: A History of the Birds of New Zealand
Read: 019/06
Rating:5★ Beautiful but sad - so many extinct species. Lavishly illustrated.

[Kerry]

Kathleen wrote: " The White Earth

This is a striking book. Thanks to whoever put it into this Book Pool - I really enjoyed it. What a great way to uncover som..."

I listed it and also just started reading it.

[Erica]

Bird stories and The White Earth both sound great :)

[Lesley]

#4
Book #1 - Requiem for a Wren
Read: 6 June
Rating: 5 stars
Haven't read a Nevil Shute for ages, and not sure I'd ever read this one. It was a really good story and well written. He certainly has a writing style that captures the reader.

I forgot I'd not posted this one. I just got it finished as a swathe of library books I'd requested came available. None of which applied to this challenge sadly. But, I'll soon catch up because there's a few I've earmarked here to read.

[Zellian]

#3
Book - 5 Dear Fahrenheit 451:
Read - 24/06
Rating - 3 Stars

Interesting enough for those who are avid readers, definitely gave me a much broader and even older view of some books.

[Erica]

#1
Book #2 - The Party
Read: 30/06
Rating: 4 stars
Just what I needed this weekend, a book that would keep me turning the pages.

[Kerry]

#5
Book #2 - The Polish Detective
Read: 01/07
Rating: 3.5 stars

A solid mystery with lots to like. I also enjoyed the Polish aspect of the story and will read the next book in this series.

[Zellian]

#3
Book - 6 The Imaginary Lives Of James Poneke
Read - 02/07
Rating - 3 Stars

I don't actively go out seeking Historical Fiction as I'm not that interested in it at all, they tend be more miss then hit with me.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book however felt myself falling off near the end of it. I never actually looked it up before I started reading it so was surprised by it.

[K.M.]

#11
Book #1 The Left Hand of Darkness
Read 25 / 06

Rating 4 / 5

Man, I have been slow. I've been reading some ARCs in between as well and now I'm listening to a book outside of the challenge.

This was a pretty good read, although I wouldn't say it was one of the best books I've ever read.

[K.M.]

#11
Book #2 The Imaginary Lives of James Poneke
Read 01 / 07

Rating 4 / 5

I loved the beginning of this book, it is beautifully written. I felt myself losing interest towards the end though.

Next up, I'll be starting Tin Man:

[Erica]

I'm the same Kim, reading books for another challenge in between books from the Pool.

I'll update the tally either tonight or tomorrow :)

[Erica]

Tally updated :)

I think I'm going to read The Left Hand of Darkness next.

[Zellian]

I requested Spin but it's a bit bigger of a book than I would normally read and to be honest I don't know if I'm going to finish it before the month is over because I'd rather get some of the other books out of the way first.
But it's been so long since I've read sci-fi and a decent sci-fi book at that!

#3
Book - 7 Without Merit
Read - 05/07
Rating - 3 Stars

This is more along the lines of a book I would pick up but boy did it feel like there was a lot of stuff and juicy stuff at that going on.

[Angie]

Kathleen wrote: "#8
Book #10 - The Age of Miracles
Read: 06/07
Rating: 2 stars

I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't just read Spin. This one is a teen-read really, and super-sof..."

Kathleen I read it a couple of years ago and had similar thoughts to you. Liked the idea but there was never enough explanation for me.

[Angie]

#7

Book # 2 The Imaginary Lives Of James Poneke

Read: 10/07/2019
Rating: 4 stars

Really enjoyed this. The curiosity that drove Hemi to discover the world outside of Aotearoa and the realisation that essentially we are all the same regardless of the differences society tries to create.

[Zellian]

#3
Book - 8 Requiem for a Wren
Read - 12/07
Rating - 2 Stars

This was a struggle for me, I really liked the story of Alan trying to find his brother's girl from the war but the war jargon threw me off really bad.
There was so many military and war terms and I got to the point where words were being read but not processes at all.

[Erica]

I've put down The Left Hand of Darkness. I'm not a sci-fi or fantasy reader usually but liked the premise and wanted to give it a go. But I've only read 40 pages in a week and I'm concerned I'll end up in a reading slump if I continue to try and slog my way through. Just not my taste. Not sure what I feel like reading next.

[Zellian]

Looks like The White Earth will be my final read for the book pool unless I somehow manage to squeeze another in! :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

#2
Book #2 Requiem for a Wren
Read: 23/7
Rating:4.5★

Melinda was right about the interesting themes. I was absolutely hooked at the start, but this is the second Shute where I found the ending a bit of a let down.

[Lesley]

Whew, nearly the end of July! I have been reading, but now to catch up with posting what I've finished.

#4
Book #2 - Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks
Read: 4 July
Rating: 4 stars
Fun, entertaining and often humorous book written by a librarian in the form of letters to books she is considering for deselection, whether from her own collection, those of friends, or the library where she works. Aaah, yes, as an recently retired collections librarian the angst of removing books from circulation is well known to me. Enjoyed.


#4
Book #3 - The Alchemist
Read: 15 July
Rating: 3 stars
I've had this book on reserve for so long because the queue was very long, I didn't think I'd get it in time for the Book Pool. I know it has 'rave' reviews, but to be honest, while the writing was good, for me it was really just another parable re-hashed. It is more aimed at the YA age group, so maybe I saw it that way due to my ripening years.

[Lesley]

Kathleen wrote: "#8
Book #14 - The Heart's Invisible Furies
Read: 24/07
Rating: 4.5 stars

John Boyne is on my list of authors to keep reading, so it was great to have this in the Book Pool."

I read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas ages ago. It must have been before I joined GR as I haven't got it marked as read. It was a really well written, gripping story - 5 star read!
I've got this one on my list but there's a long line in front of me so I won't get it to read for the Pool.

[Lesley]

#4
Book #4 - Tin Man
Read: 26 July
Rating: 4 stars
Once I got used to conversation without speech marks, and drifting back and forth in time, I enjoyed the story very much. And, to have had speech marks would have been very distracting to the eye since almost the entire story was told in conversation with just a little narration.

[Lesley]

#4
Book #5 - The Age of Miracles
Read: 26 July
Rating: 3 stars (2.5 rounded up for GR)
Although well written, I was a bit disappointed in what turned out to be a coming of age/fantasy book. I thought from the blurb it would be more science fiction and not so fluffy. The concept was good, the earth slows is spinning, but there was no rhyme or reason for why as well as many other similar points that would have given more depth to the plot. The ending was a bit flat too.
I guess some of my disappointment stems from both the blurb and expectation given the good ratings the majority of readers have given it.

[Erica]

Just updated the tally - I had got so behind. Apologies!

Only a few days left of July, hope everyone is enjoying whatever they're reading :)

[Zellian]

#3
Book - 9 The Sun And Her Flowers
Read - 31/07
Rating - 3 Stars

The last book for me because I don't think I'm going to finish White Earth by this time :(
I like this book as I do like these short sort of poetry but I did get a bit sad about it with some of the topics.

[Lesley]

I think I’m done too. I’m definitely not going to get The White Earth finished, but I’m enjoying it so far. And What Alice Forgot has still got two others in front of me on the holds list.

Thanks for all the nominations. I got to read some great titles again. Thanks too to Erica for organising it all, and Sharlene for the original idea.

See you all next time.

[Angie]

#7
Book #3 The Last Time We Spoke

Read 29/07
Rating 3 stars

This had potential. I loved the use of Maori language and history but found the background of Ben, one of the main characters to be very stereotypical.

[Erica]

Apologies for not doing the final tally for the book pool until now!

My life is in a bit of flux at the mo, so I've been a bit distracted. Thanks for your patience :)

Great work to Kathleen and Carlene for plowing through so many books in the Pool! And thanks to everyone else who joined in :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Erica wrote: "Apologies for not doing the final tally for the book pool until now!

My life is in a bit of flux at the mo, so I've been a bit distracted. Thanks for your patience :)

Great work to Kathleen and C..."
Thank you for organising, Erica!

[Kerry]

Erica wrote: "Apologies for not doing the final tally for the book pool until now!

Thanks also for all the work setting this up. I only managed to read two books this time round and have since finished a third one. Still I enjoy this challenge and finding new authors to read.

[Angie]

Erica wrote: "Apologies for not doing the final tally for the book pool until now!

My life is in a bit of flux at the mo, so I've been a bit distracted. Thanks for your patience :)

Great work to Kathleen and C..."

Thanks for organising Erica. Always good to have some new suggestions.

[Zellian]

i really really really enjoy doing these every time they come along, can't wait for the next one!