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What Are You Reading....The Third
Passing – Nelle Larsen – 4****
Larsen was part of the Harlem Renaissance and this book is a marvel of social commentary. In this slim volume Larsen explores issues of black/white identity, of the desire to get ahead and the societal obstacles to that path, of male/female relationships, and female-female rivalries. There is tension, fear, anger, joy, desire and hope. We get a wonderful glimpse of middle-class Black culture in 1920s Harlem.
My full review HERE
The Library Book – Susan Orelan – 4****
On April 29, 1986, there was a disastrous fire in the Los Angeles Public Library. The conflagration reached 2000°F and burned for more than seven hours. It was the single biggest library fire in U.S. history, consuming 400,000 books and damaging 700,000 more. This is the story of the fire, the investigation, and the building / rebuilding of the library. fire, scientists and fire marshals, and family members of the primary suspect. The result is a comprehensive story, not just of the fire, but of libraries in general, and the LAPL in particular.
My full review HERE
I just finished A New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin which wasn't bad.
My books have been intense lately and I have another one coming up so right now I'm reading a fun cozy mystery A Catered Murder
Empty Mansions – Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell Jr – 4****
Subtitle: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune. I remember the news coverage when Ms Clark was “discovered” living in a hospital room while her several mansions stood empty. I found this book completely fascinating. And yet … This story made me so very sad for this woman who, for all her wealth, lived such a lonely and limited life.
My full review HERE
This one was just too longThe Ventriloquists by E.R. Ramzipoor
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Grace Among Thieves – Julie Hyzy – 3***
Book three in the Manor House Mystery series, starring Grace Wheaton, curator and manager of the estate / museum in the North Carolina mountains. As cozy mysteries go, this is a pretty good series. I like Grace, who is generally calm in a crisis, and obviously competent at her job. She does seem to have a blind spot where romance is concerned but she helps the police find the culprit, further securing her future at Manor House.
My full review HERE
Another gritty crime thriller by Mads Peder Nordbo, Cold Fear
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I really enjoyed this psychological thrillerThe Strangers We Know by Pip Drysdale
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The third instrallment of the Jefferson Tayte Genealogical Mystery series is an intriguing mixThe Last Queen of England by Steve Robinson
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A good beach read, just watch out for sharks...The Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Summer At Little Beach Street Bakery – Jenny Colgan – 3***
Book two in the Little Beach Street Bakery series, this is an enjoyable chick-lit romance with food. There’s the usual drama one expects from new-adult relationships, life choices, career moves, etc. Wonderful cast of supporting characters. It’s a fun, fast, light read. Perfect for a vacation read, or anytime you want something entertaining.
My full review HERE
The Prisoner Of Heaven – Carlos Ruiz Zafón – 3***
Book three in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. Oh, I love Zafón’s writing! The book is very atmospheric; I can feel the chill of a wintery wind, smell the candlewax and dust, practically taste the delicacies offered at 7 Portes restaurant. There are twists and turns and changes in timeline that confuse, obfuscate, tease the reader and illuminate the plot.
My full review HERE
A worthy follow up to The DryForce of Nature by Jane Harper
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished:
The Better Liar by Tanen Jones
Debut effort that has some troubling elements. See my full review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am a history nerd. I am reading Dan Jones "The Wars of the Roses". He is so interesting and makes it come alive.
This has to be in the running for the worst book I have ever read!Hap: The Prize Winning Horse by Horace Crenshaw Jr.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished an ebook ARC of Mercy House which was a very powerful read. Switched gears with A Cowboy Like You which was also about a serious subject. Moved into fantasy with Shiver purely to escape. Now I'm reading Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I because I am a fan of Hazel Gaynor and listening to Daisy Jones & The Six.
I’d Kill For That – Gayle Lynds, et al – 1*
This is a cooperative / team effort among thirteen women mystery writers, each one writing a different chapter. I would have abandoned it but it satisfied a couple of challenges. At least it was a fast read.
My full review HERE
The Game of Silence – Louise Erdrich – 4****
Book two in the Birchbark House series which is about an Ojibwa tribe’s life on their island in Lake Superior. Omakayas is the young girl who narrates this book, which chronicles a year on the island that is today known as Madeline Island. I love how Erdrich depicts these people and their way of life. Not everything is pleasant or easy, but there is room for joy and happiness, for children to explore and learn. I will continue reading this series.
My full review HERE
Kylie wrote: "This has to be in the running for the worst book I have ever read!Hap: The Prize Winning Horse by Horace Crenshaw Jr. [bookcover:Hap: The Prize Winning Horse|489..."
Sounds like a "Black Beauty" wannabe. Strange book premise. And 70 pages?? It's too short.
Sara wrote: "Kylie wrote: "This has to be in the running for the worst book I have ever read!Hap: The Prize Winning Horse by Horace Crenshaw Jr. [bookcover:Hap: The Prize Win..."
In this case 70 pages was too long Sara :D
An ok, but forgettable war storyThe Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Perfect Ride – Gary Stevens – 2**
Gary Stevens is a Hall-of-Fame jockey and this is his autobiography. He openly and honestly relates his childhood, early training, and path to being one of the top jockeys in the world. I like horseracing and reading about the sport, but this book was frequently boring. I believe Stevens felt the thrill and excitement but he failed to convey that on the page.
My full review HERE
An enjoyable historical mystery set in AustraliaThe Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Lost MotherJust finished this book. Love Mary McGarry Morris, but hadn't read her more recent books. She has a unique style. It's the story told from the POV of a 12 y/o boy who endures many losses during the Depression. Changing from third person to first in the last chapter was powerful.
This one wasn't really my cup of teaThe Bass Rock by Evie Wyld
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I was excited to find a previously unpublished Desmond Bagley, but this one doesn't live up to his best.Domino Island
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Listened to Daisy Jones & The Six and liked it. Trying to get into the Christmas mood with Creepy Christmas which was an okay read and Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas which I enjoyed. Finally got around to listening to The Art of Racing in the Rain which was so lovely and sad. Then I listened to My Brilliant Friend which for me was an an okay read but I'm not sure I would read the other two books. I read an ARC of A Violet Fire which had a cliffhanger so maybe I will read the second book. And finally the book I finished today was the 2nd in the series The Dogs of Riga which was pure enjoyment for me. Now about to start an ARC of Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough and I'm listening to a favorite author's book, Recursion which is right up there with Dark Matter!
Realistic? No. Entertaining? Yes.Here's my review of Zoo by James Patterson
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Another intriguing historical mystery in the Jefferson Tayte series.The Lost Empress by Steve Robinson
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
One of the best kids books I've read in agesRonaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher by Maxine Sylvester
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished
Things in Jars
by Jess Kidd
Chimera of historical mystery and fantasy with a smidge of romance as well. Entertaining new detective heroine. See my full review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This one's worthy of being on anyone's To Read listCry of the Firebird by T.M. Clark
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I found this one tedious, not tension buildingTwo For Joy by Sarah A. Denzil
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Another quick and easy read in the Caribbean Murder seriesDeath by Desire by Jaden Skye
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Another quick, easy read in the Caribbean Murder seriesDeath by Jealousy by Jaden Skye
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Yes, I'm still binge reading the Caribbean Murder series, I might give it a rest for now thoughDeath by Proposal by Jaden Skye
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Heart of a Samurai – Margi Preus – 4****
This young adult novel is marvelous work of historical fiction based on a real person. Manjiro leaves his village at age 14, only to be shipwrecked on a deserted island and then rescued by an American whaling ship. I really liked this book and how Preus explores prejudice and intolerance, as well as the gifts of curiosity, eagerness to learn and being open to new experiences.
My full review HERE
Enjoyable, but not particularly realisticMy First Murder by Leena Lehtolainen
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Fact of a Body – Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich – 5*****
Wow. I was completely mesmerized by this memoir / true crime work. Marzano-Lesnevich puts me right into the narrative and I feel invested in both her story and that of convicted murderer, and pedophile, Ricky Langley.
My full review HERE
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Books mentioned in this topic
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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)
My Home Is Far Away (other topics)
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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The Orphan Collector by The Orphan Collector
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...