Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
IX. Currently Reading?
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What are you currently reading (or just finished)?
I finished The Hundred Wells of Salaga by Ayesha Harruna Attah. It is a story ablut two women coming from different backgrounds set in pre-colonial Ghana. It is enjoyable, but could be better. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just started The Wailing Wind
which is great as I love the Leaphorn & Chee novels but also sad because after I finish this one I have only one left unread.
Finished Volume One (of two Volumes) of 近代中國史綱（上）
("A Short History of Modern China"). Volume One covers the period from the 1830s to the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912, and it coincides with the period covered in Stephen R. Platt's new book Imperial Twilight: The Opium War and the End of China's Last Golden Age. It's an important and painful part of Chinese History and gives insight into why and how it has been branded onto Chinese people's consciousness as stigma.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've started Volume One (of two Volumes) of the Chinese classic
金瓶梅 (translated as "Plum Blossom in the Golden Vase" or Jin Ping Mei).
I just finished reading
Here's my review:
What a great read!
This is a well-written dystopian YA novel that draws the reader in from the first page.
It follows a young girl, Ravyn, in her quest to seek refuge from an evil man, General Wolfe, and his army of soldiers who are aimed at bringing her back to the compound she’s escaped from. There’s action from the very beginning and it spins into a heart-pounding ride as Ravyn is hunted in the Old Sequoia Valley by more than just these brain-washed barbarians. She crosses paths with a Warrior, Commander Thorne, from a tribe called Peton, and he’s quickly taken with the fascinating Ravyn- for there’s more to this girl than meets the eye. Thorne, in turn, has an interesting past of his own and the two of them soon join forces against the menacing hunters. From there, it’s a race against evil as they fight to escape the clutches of both the minions of General Wolfe AND the vicious creatures of the valley. This book had it all- intrigue, suspense, action and romance. It was captivating, exciting and had me up long past my bedtime to see what was going to happen next. I’m eager to see what happens in the next book of the series! Get yourself and a friend a copy today. C.R. Pugh doesn’t disappoint!
East of Eden by John Steinbeck.I gave it 5 stars.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Catch up on the last 2 books read:Books 1 and 2 of Jane Yolen's series - not keen on either:
Sister Light, Sister Dark - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2606476310.
White Jenna - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2617947137.
Read a historical crime novel set in the English Civil War - The Royalist by S J Deas - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2628656488.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste NgI’d highly recommend. Set in 1977 omniscient POV and first person. A family struggles with a tragedy and unravels all that’s wrong with them.
Read Clock Without Hands by Carson McCullers.Disappointing. I gave it 2 stars.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finally got to read a book I had heard so much about--Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. The subject matter was difficult, but it was really well done.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You can read more of my reviews at www.tamaraaghajaffar.com where I have posted nearly 170 book reviews.
Mark Twain's The Diary of Adam and Eve. It was ok.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just started
The Sinister Pig which is the last Tony Hillerman Chee-Leaphorn mystery. Bitter sweet to be reading it as there won't be anymore (well maybe if I decide to read the ones Anne wrote).
Read book 2 of the S J Deas Civil War series, The Protector, but didn't find it quite came up to the first - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2636045764.
Read book 1 of a series which seems to straddle fantasy and SF genres - The Boy with the Porcelain Blade by Den Patrick - review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2639478127.
Hello:I am reading "Warlight" by Michael Ondaatje which I am thoroughly enjoying. I also just began "Bittersweet" by Colleen McCullough. The first few pages draw you in.
My first book of the year. I finished Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively. The new year is off to a good start.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hello:I just completed Warlight, and the last half was not nearly as interesting as the first. It reminded me of the book Atonement.
When you run out of Tony, give Anne Hillerman a go. She writes her father's characters, but from the perspective of Bernie - I have really enjoyed them. She doesn't try to write like her father, just tells the tale in the voice of Bernadette. I think you will like them, as well. J. wrote: "Just started The Wailing Wind
which is great as I love the Leaphorn & Chee novels but also sad because after I finish this one I have only one left unr..."
I recently added this book to my TBR
I just finished ORIGIN by fellow author Dan Brown. I tried three times to read the ebook version I downloaded but find that I am old-school and just can't read ebooks. I found a hardcover copy on sale at the grocery store and once I began reading, could;t put it down. A great read on a cold winter's day in front of the fireplace.~American Author Kilburn Hall
http://danbrown.com/origin/
Kilburn wrote: "I just finished ORIGIN by fellow author Dan Brown. I tried three times to read the ebook version I downloaded but find that I am old-school and just can't read ebooks. I found a hardcover copy on s..."I finally finished "Origin" a week or so ago. Loved it!
At the moment, I'm working on Steve Alten's "Meg: Generations". I absolutely love the Meg series, and greatly enjoyed the movie as well. I got my teenage son hooked on it this summer, too.
Catch up - read Keith Badman's Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years - review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2639561849 andThe One-Armed Queen by Jane Yolen - review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2628671752.
Currently reading
Eyewitness to the Civil War
(The Complete History From Secession To Reconstruction), edited by Neil Kagan and narrative by Stephen G. Hyslop. Published by National Geographic, Washington, D.C. - July, 2006.
My review post is up on my blog, so if you want to see what I read in December 2018, you can do so by checking out my post here: http://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2019/0...Starting from next week, I'm doing my review posts weekly instead of monthly, and they'll include reviews for movies and TV shows sometimes too.
Just finished rereading John Brunner's DAW book edition of Polymath [all of $1.25]. Don't know if that really counts here. But I was surprised that his ideas on social cohesiveness and anti-totalitarianism were still so pertinent even though it published in 1974.Have'nt done a review... Don't know if such "old" books are pertinent.
M.K. wrote: "Just finished rereading John Brunner's DAW book edition of Polymath [all of $1.25]. Don't know if that really counts here. But I was surprised that his ideas on social cohesiveness and anti-totalit..."M.K.,
"Old" books are most definitely pertinent. Many of the older works of literature, both fiction and non-fiction, exhibit a writing skill-set, communication capability, and foresight from which many of today's novice writers could learn and benefit while developing and improving upon their current endeavors.
I read The Giant's House by Elizabeth McCracken. I gave it 2 stars. Disappointing.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm reading If Beale Street Could Talk; am continuing with the Chinese classic Jin Ping Mei (I'm reading the Chinese version).
Currently reading
Eyewitness to World War II
. Edited by Neil Kagan and narrated by Stephen G. Hyslop. Published by National Geographic Partners, LLC - Washington, D.C.
Just finished
- really good. Just started
I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It's got all the elements of a Gothic novel with magical realism thrown in for good measure. The ending was a tad rushed, but the novel was full of suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Setterfield writes really well and takes obvious delight in the power of words.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just Kids by Patti Smith.It revolves around her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, the photographer, who died of AIDS in 1989.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tamara wrote: "I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It's got all the elements of a Gothic novel with magical realism thrown in for good measure. The ending was a tad ..."
I love that one. It's a book I re-read sometimes.
Victoria wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It's got all the elements of a Gothic novel with magical realism thrown in for good measure. The en..."
Victoria, have you read Setterfield's Once Upon a River? If so, is it any good? I've put it on hold in the library, but there are 99 people ahead of me. So it will be a pretty long while before I get my hands on it.
Tamara wrote: "Victoria wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It's got all the elements of a Gothic novel with magical realism thrown in for goo..."
I haven't, sorry. I'd like to read more of her books, but so far 13th tale is the only one I've read.
Victoria wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Victoria wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It's got all the elements of a Gothic novel with magical realism th..."
Ok. I'll let you know if it's any good once I get to it.
Thanks.
Tamara wrote: "Victoria wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Victoria wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It's got all the elements of a Gothic novel with m..."
Great! Hope it's as good as 13th tale.
Today I am reading The Tent by Kealan Patrick Burke. Last night I finished Dead of Winter.
I’m reading all of my books that I got for Christmas
I finished Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff. Schiff's research is impressive. Sometimes it gets to be a bit overwhelming with all the names and Ptolemies who intermarry. But she pieces together a portrait of a fascinating woman.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Big catchup - have read and reviewed the following:Gone South by R A McCammon - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2653061378.
Hitler's Girls: Doves Amongst Eagles by Tim Heath - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2679671250
The Black Friar by S G Maclean - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2680546173
Mystery Walk by R A McCammon - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2653212301
plus two books by Diana Wynne Jones:
Minor Arcana - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2679685374 and
Hexwood - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2679724116"
Im currently reading Storming by K.M Weiland, and Nightflyers by George R.R Martin.
Finished If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin. A very touching read. 4.3 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goodreads Authors/Readers
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MacGregor was director of the British Museum for over a decade. He analyzes religious objects, many of which are housed in the museum, and he discusses ceremonies, rituals, sacred spaces, etc. from pre-historic times to the present with a goal of exploring how we worship.
I thought it was fascinating, primarily because he makes so many insightful connections between various seemingly disparate traditions.
The book has a ton of beautiful photographs.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...