The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What Are You Reading....The Third
A twisty and turny thrillerSix Minutes by Petronella McGovern
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Natalie wrote: "I just joined the group today, so I guess my first order of business is to say hello, all!! :) I am currently reading Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody. I'm only about 70 pages in, but I love it so fa..."
Hello, Natalie, and welcome. Glad you're enjoying your current book!
Die Trying by Lee Child is the second in the popular Jack Reacher series. Reacher is a larger-than-life, modern-day knight errant, trying to save us all from each other. Lots of action!
Link to my review
The Line Becomes a River – Francisco Cantú – 4****
Cantú studied international relations in college and joined the border patrol because, “I spent four years in college … learning about the border through policy and history. I want to see the realities of the border day in and day out.” In this memoir he writes with brutal honesty about what he experienced, looks at the policies and procedures, and explores the toll on humans – both migrants and native-born Americans.
LINK to my review
Don't bother with this oneGhost of Africa by Chuck Van Soye
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Eleven Minutes – Paulo Coelho – 3.5***
Well this went in a direction I wasn’t expecting. Yes, of course, Maria winds up a prostitute and not a famous movie actress, but she comes to understand much about herself and the world. She ultimately takes charge of her life. Still, there were times when I thought that Coelho really doesn’t know women at all. And still, I was captivated by Maria and her journey.
LINK to my review
Isn’t It Romantic? – Ron Hansen – 3***
The subtitle of this little novel is “An Entertainment.” And that’s exactly what it is. Natalie and Pierre, a young Parisien couple, are stranded in Seldom, Nebraska, population 395. What follows is a farcical comedy, with messages gone astray, intentions misunderstood, love declared, and more than one mishap. It’s a fun romance, if totally ridiculous. Great beach read.
LINK to my review
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Little Town On the Prairie – Laura Ingalls Wilder – 3***
Book seven in the popular classic Little House series, has Laura growing into a young lady. I love this series for the way the pioneer spirit is portrayed and the strong family relationships. THIS book, however, has a scene that is very uncomfortable for modern readers. I know this is historically accurate to the period, but I just cringed reading about it. If you are going to read it with your children, be ready for a serious conversation about what is and is not appropriate.
LINK to my review
I just read Pieces of Me by Natalie Hart, which was shortlisted for the 2018 Costa First Novel Award. "War-torn" can refer to people as well as countries. 
Link to my review
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A short review of a short Sci Fi book I read for the Guster Challenge :)Cloud Permutations by Lavie Tidhar
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Divining Women – Kaye Gibbons – 3.5***
I like the way Gibbons writes her characters. There are some very unpleasant goings on, and much of it makes me in turns uncomfortable, despairing, and angry. Set in 1918, this is at a time when women had few rights on their own, and yet Mary refused to be cowed by her uncle. And her strength empowered Maureen to fight for the freedom and respect she was due. Brava, ladies!
LINK to my review
I just enjoyed The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd about stubborn American women fighting slavery and inequality in the 1800s. The battle continues today!
4.5★ Link to my review
While reading The Invention of Wings, I was reminded of a wonderful short story about a family quilt I read last year called Everyday Use, by Alice Walker, who wrote The Color Purple. I included a link to the story (free) online.
5★ Link to my review with picture of an 1898 quilt
Bittersweet – Colleen McCullough – 3***
A mini-series soap opera of a novel, following four sisters (two sets of twins) in early 20th century Australia. McCullough does a great job of crafting this sweeping novel. I was engaged and interested in the story and in exploring life in Australia at this time frame. However, I did get frustrated by the way that Grace and Kitty behaved, and felt that a few of the many story threads were abandoned and then quickly resolved just to wrap up.
LINK to my review
I just completed Tangled Webs by Lee Bross, and I have to say I was pretty disappointed by this book. It sounded very interesting by the synopsis, but it overall just fell extremely flat for me. (Plus, I've heard of Insta-love, but, man! Two characters literally fell in love within the first 10 pages...and I didn't every know what the story was about by then.) I know how much authors work and strive to write these creations, but I sadly, didn't love this one. I just think there are so many books out there to read that it's sad to find one that doesn't really seem like it's worth the time to read it. Because of that, I do not recommend this one.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Riders Of the Purple Sage – Zane Grey – 3***
I hardly know what to write about this classic of the Western genre. It’s full of adventure, violence, strong men and women, tenderness, brutality and an abiding sense of justice. And, of course, there is the landscape, which Grey paints so vividly it is practically a character. The storyline and dialogue are a bit melodramatic. but Grey’s story still captured this reader’s imagination. I was reminded of the many western movies I watched with my Dad in the ‘50s and ‘60s. They were exciting and the good guys always won. Glad I finally read it.
LINK to my review
Honeymoon – James Patterson & Howard Roughan – 3***
Patterson and his team can sure churn out the fast-paced suspense/thrillers! The action is quick and the target ever moving. The writing may be simple, but the plot holds the reader’s attention. Good beach / vacation read.
LINK to my review
Such. A. Good. Book. I fell in love with Steadman's debut novel!
Feel free to read my full review for all my (somewhat jumbled) thoughts, but I really enjoyed this one! I quite literally picked it up because it was set in Bora Bora, and I had never read a thriller before. I finished it loving it for so many more reasons than that. Highly recommend!
My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An enjoyable re-read for meWhy Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm really enjoying Aussie author Sulari Gentill's Rowland Sinclair mystery series. Artists, weathy pastoralists, and religious nutters mix it up in A Decline in Prophets in Sydney in the 1930s. Lovely people!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Passover Murder – Lee Harris – 3***
Book number 7 in the Christine Bennett mystery series. I really like this main character. Christine is intelligent, calm, deliberate, tenacious and compassionate. She gains the trust of those she interviews and manages to ferret out information that even the police failed to uncover. I also like that the setting is in a time period before cell phones, computers and googling. The person doing the detecting has to rely on lots of tedious footwork and research, as well as keen observation and a well-hone intuition when interviewing suspects / witnesses.
LINK to my review
I've become very fond of Czech detective Josef Slonský in Graham Brack's excellent series. Funny, good plot, good characters and a new part of the world for me. Field of Death is #4. Good read!
4.5★ Link to my review
A wonderful historical novel, depicting the foundations of the Rothschild banking dynastyThe First Mrs. Rothschild: A Novel by Sara Aharoni
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just completed this book today, and I rather enjoyed it! It is somewhat predictable and definitely a YA read, but if you're looking for an interesting retelling of The Little Mermaid that is actually much more complex than it seems, I recommend this book. The author, Sarah Henning, overall did a very nice job on this one. (Plus, I think the cover is pretty!) It's what I would consider a speedy read as well, so it could be good if you're in a reading slump.
To see my four star review (and my cheesy mermaid pun because I couldn't help myself...), feel free to look at my review! :) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Turning Angel – Greg Isles – 2**
Book two in the Penn Cage series. Iles can write a compelling story with lots of suspects, many twists and turns in the plot, complicated motives and subplots, and a fast pace that keeps the reader turning pages. Penn’s background as a prosecuting attorney in Houston serves him well. Murder is always a violent crime, of course, and the sexual component herein is particularly disturbing. But I have a major problem with THIS book due to the basic underlying relationships. So the basic “thriller genre” gets 3 stars (even with the violence against women), but loses a star for the particularly distasteful – and disgraceful – underlying theme here.
LINK to my review
A ripping yarn that's quick and fun to readThe Faberge Heist by David Leadbeater
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished the heart-warming The Messenger by Markus Zusak, one of Australia's most-acclaimed authors. This is written for young people, but like all good novels for the young, it's just as enjoyable for adults. 
4.5★ Link to my review
This short short story will delight anyone who loves how books and libraries change lives! A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow is available free online and well worth it.
5★ Link to my review
I just completed Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody, and I must say that I absolutely loved it! This book was full of tremendous character development, political intrigue, fantastic relationships, and a little romance as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read that has a little bit of everything. It truly was a blast to read, and I am greatly looking forward to reading the sequel!
My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I really enjoy this English crime seriesDarkness on the Fens by Joy Ellis
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hero Of the Empire – Candice Millard – 4****
Subtitle: The Boer War, a Daring Escape and the Making of Winston Churchill. Millard writes an interesting and detailed biography of the young Winston Churchill. Serving as a war correspondent during the Boer War in South Africa, he was a young, somewhat rash man eager to make his mark in the world. It’s a fascinating story and gives a somewhat different picture of the man most of us know only from his prominence during WW2. Yet, the reader gets a sense of the man he will become.
LINK to my review
I've just finished a powerful coming of age tale set in war-torn BurundiSmall Country by Gaël Faye
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Work It, Girl: Boss the Bestseller List Like J.K. Rowling by Caroline Moss celebrates one of the world's favourite authors. This one is for kids, but adults will enjoy the inspiring story and clever paper pictures. I sure did!
5★ Link to my review
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara has added another cute book to the Little People BIG DREAMS series for even littler people. Jane Goodall. What a wonderful woman! 
4★ Link to my review
A fun, feline cozy mysteryA Whisker In The Dark by Leighann Dobbs
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just completed How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper. While I did enjoy most facets of this book, I did feel that other parts could have been done marginally better. I gave this book a 3.5 star rating overall, and for a debut novel, I thought it was a pretty good portrayal of loneliness, lost love, death, and how people change. While this wasn't the perfect book, it was still a nice read overall.
My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It was a treat to re-read One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson. I liked it even better than before. First published in 2007, it was re-released along with the rest of the Jackson Brodie series to get us warmed up for #5. 
5★ Link to my new review
An exciting thriller set on the high seasThe Scoop by Terence J. Quinn
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Great Train Robbery – Michael Crichton – 4****
What a rollicking good story! I was entertained from beginning to end. Crichton starts out with a recitation of the facts and sprinkles the text with details of Victorian life. The way he imagines the lead characters, especially Edward Pierce (the gang leader), is what really breathes life into the story. I first bought/read it in 1975; it’s one of my F2F book club selections, so I’m re-reading it for the 3rd or 4th time. And I still love it!
LINK to my review
The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway – 3***
One of Hemingway’s earliest novels, this was first published in 1926, and has never been out of print since that time. It is loosely based on the author’s own experiences with a circle of friends frequently known as “The Lost Generation.” In general, I am a fan of Hemingway, but this novel missed the mark for me. The ennui with which these people live their lives just doesn’t interest me very much.
LINK to my review
I've read so many good reviews about this book, however it was not a good fit for me.Lies Lies Lies by Adele Parks
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just enjoyed another trip to Prague in A Second Death by Graham Brack, featuring my favourite Czech detective, Josef Slonský, and his police 'family'. The crimes are nasty, but the people are great! 
4.5★ Link to my reviewStill available on NetGalley without an archive date (yet), if any of you are NetGalley reviewers.
Arthur and Sherlock – Michael Sims – 3***
This is an interesting biography / history of Conan Doyle’s life as a young man. The reader learns of the people and events that influenced and inspired him when he created his most famous character: Sherlock Holmes.
LINK to my review
I haven't posted for a couple of weeks so to bring read list up to date:Life and Other Inconveniences (ARC) by Kristan Higgins. I started out not liking the two main protagonists but that did slowly change over the read and ended with four stars. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng was my ftf bc read and I really enjoyed it. Yesterday I finished an ARC of Toil & Trouble: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs which was at moments an LOL read and other moments a bit sad but really a good book. Latest ARC I'm reading is The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox and I'm caught up in the story already and I'm only in the middle of Chapter 2.
I can't recommend this series highly enough!State of Fear by Tim Ayliffe
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rock on! Here's my review of Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The House of the Spirits – Isabel Allende – 4****
Allende covers three generations of the Trueba family in her native Chile. The novel weaves together personal and political triumphs and tragedies into an epic story of love and history. I love Allende’s luminous writing, and the way that she seamlessly introduces elements of magical realism into her stories. Her gift for vivid description had me feeling cold drafts, luxuriating in sumptuous fabrics, hearing the cacophony of a busy marketplace or a student riot, cringing at the stench of human waste in a prison cell. She makes me believe that a woman can have bright green hair, or be clairvoyant and commune with ghosts.
LINK to my review
The Next Best Book Club
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A Gentleman from Japan: An Epic Sea Voyage, an Intriguing Tale of Espionage and the Forgotten Story of the First Japanese Explorer in Tudor England (other topics)
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Anna Karenina (Modern Library Classics) 1st (first) edition (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Joy Ellis (other topics)Theresa Beachman (other topics)
Faith Martin (other topics)
Leslie Wolfe (other topics)
James Patterson (other topics)
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It's wonderful so far.