<closed thread>What are you currently reading? Showing 5,101-5,150 of 6,642

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished "Little Big Lies" by Lianne Morarity and starting The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

[Book Concierge]

For Everything a Season – Philip Gulley – 4****
Subtitle: Simple Musings on Living Well. This is a collection of essays written by Philip Gulley, a Quaker minister. He waxes poetic on gardening, birth stories, the advantages of front porches and stone patios, and a child’s joy in exploring the woods, among other topics. There is a nostalgia to his descriptions that just brings a smile to my face (and to my heart). Gulley can get a little preachy at times, but that’s to be expected, given his ministry. There’s still plenty of room for humor. It was the perfect comfort read at this time of my life.
LINK to my review

[Joanne]

Half way through Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan’s Disaster Zone a very tough read due to all the loss, but written very well

[Book Concierge]

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules – Catherina Ingelman-Sundberg – 3***
Martha Andersson is 79 years old and lives in a retirement home whose new management is cutting corners. Martha and her friends – the League of Pensioners – aren’t going to take this lying down. These characters are a hoot! As outlandish and ridiculous as many of their schemes are, I found it great fun to watch them unfold. This is the first in a series. Wonder what the League of Pensioners will get up to next?
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished - 4*, -4*, - 4*

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*

Reading:
Becoming
The Artist
The Midnight Show Murders: A Billy Blessing Novel
The Gift of Rain

Soon to start:
The Ghost and Mrs. McClure
The Murder at the Vicarage
Patty Jane's House of Curl

[Book Concierge]

Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens – 2.5**
I wanted to like this. I found it intriguing and interesting. I loved Owens’ descriptions of the marsh and the marvels of the natural world. I was invested in Kya’s story from the beginning, and her loneliness was practically tangible. I marveled at her resilience and intelligence. However, as the novel progressed things got a little too unbelievable and soap-opera-ish for me. After all the drama of the murder and trial, the ending seeming rather anti-climactic.
LINK to my review

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished [boo]k:The Mysterious Affair at Styles by author:Agatha Christie|123715] and starting Daughter of Darkness|16343] by V.C. Andrews

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*

[Marie (UK)]

I have started War and Peace for Cat's Big Oldie task of over 750 pages (well over) and am also reading books that i know won't feature on SRC.. I have one ARC copy that is supposedly published but isn't findable on either goodreads or Amazon

[booklearner]

I am reading "The End of Law," by Therese Down.

[Bea]

Finished: - 5*, - 4*, - 4*, - 4*, - 4*

Reading:
The Artist
The Midnight Show Murders: A Billy Blessing Novel

Soon to start:
Unquestioned Loyalty: A Teal Stewart Mystery
Carrot Cake Murder
Rueful Death

[Book Concierge]

The Polar Bear Waltz – By the Editors of Outside magazine – 3***
The full title and subtitle is all the synopsis you need: The Polar Bear Waltz and Other Moments of Epic Silliness: Comic Classics from Outside Magazine's "Parting Shots." I thought this would be interesting to look at, but I found many of the shots seemed “staged” to me. Still, it’s a nice treat and a way to spend a few minutes on a snowy day indoors.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*, - 4*

Currently Reading:
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Lord Edgware Dies
The Midnight Show Murders: A Billy Blessing Novel

[Joanne]

Just started The Calligrapher's Daughter andThe Plotters

[Book Concierge]

A Breath Of Snow And Ashes – Diana Gabaldon – 3***
Book six in a time-travel series I swore I’d never read, but have become strangely addicted to. This one is heavy on the history of the years leading up to the American colonies declaring independence from Britain. I wanted more of the loving relationship between Jaime and Claire, and yet was happy to see the younger generation play a bigger role. Still, I think I’ll give the series a rest for a year or so. Don’t want to get too far ahead of the TV series.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*, - 3*, - 5*

Currently Reading:
The Midnight Show Murders: A Billy Blessing Novel
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse
A Perfect Spy
Crimson Lake

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished Daughter of Darkness and starting Witch and Wizard

[Book Concierge]

The End of the Affair – Graham Greene – 3.5***
Maurice Bendrix recalls the affair he had with the married Sarah Miles. Bendrix is a writer, and he uses his experience exploring characters’ motivations and emotions to look at the attraction, passion and ultimate love-hate relationship he had with Sarah. That push-pull of the love-hate relationship is at the center of this little novel. And this pretty much describes my relationship with this novel. On the one hand I love the way Greene writes, and the way he draws these characters. On the other hand, I really disliked all of them.
LINK to my review

[Joanne]

If you are looking for books for 10.2 and/or 15.5 I found a couple that have me staying up way too late

10.2-The Mastermind: Drugs. Empire. Murder. Betrayal.

15.5The Plotters-South Korea as the location. And now that I am looking at it, this book would also fit 10.2

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*, - 4*, Mala - 4*

Reading:
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse
A Perfect Spy
Assassin's Apprentice
Cold Ridge
The Gardener of Baghdad

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished "Witch and Wizard" by James Patterson and starting Cut to the Quick

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*, - 3*

[Book Concierge]

300 Days Of Sun – Deborah Lawrenson – 3***
Journalist Joanna Millard goes to Faro, Portugal to escape a relationship and a career that are both going nowhere, and winds up embroiled in an investigation into criminal child kidnapping that goes back to World War II. This started out slowly but picked up steam as small revelations led to bigger discoveries. Lawrenson uses a dual time line that can sometimes be jarring, as the reader is yanked from one story arc to another, but that serves to increase suspense.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*

Reading:
A Perfect Spy - struggling with this owned book
Assassin's Apprentice
Friendship Bread
Don Quixote
Sweep in Peace
A Christmas Hope
The Whale Rider
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris

The last 3 are really short and will be finished quickly.

[Book Concierge]

A Year in Provence – Peter Mayle – 4****
This is a re-read and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time I read it. What a delightful diversion! Mayle's accont of his and his wife's first year owning a house in Provence is entertaining, relaxing and inspiring - it inspires me to enjoy life - good food, good wine and the siesta.
LINK to my review

[Book Concierge]

Midnight At the Bright Ideas Bookstore – Matthew Sullivan – 4****
A puzzle, wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a mystery. Sullivan’s novel kept me guessing and off balance with some very interesting twists. It took me some time to get really caught up in the story because it was so fractured at the beginning. The multiple puzzles and flashbacks to Lydia’s youth and the horrific events surrounding “The Hammerman” had me wondering where this was going. Still, Sullivan’s inventive narrative did eventually capture my attention and kept me turning pages and staying up late to finish.
LINK to my review

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I started The Hills Have Spies by Mercedes Lackey

[Book Concierge]

I Was Anastasia – Ariel Lawhon – 3.5***
I’ve been fascinated by the possibility that Anastasia Romanov survived the slaughter of her family during the Bolshevik Revolution since I was a little girl. I am not alone. Lawhon relies on the reader’s desire to believe Anna Anderson’s claim that she was the Grand Duchess Anastasia as she crafts this work. Using dual timelines and narrators, she carefully brings the reader to the fateful events of 1918 and a completely believable conclusion.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*, - 3*, - 4*

[Book Concierge]

China Rich Girlfriend – Kevin Kwan – 2**
Book two in Kwan’s trilogy about “Crazy Rich Asians.” Just ridiculous but strangely addicting fun. Kinda like watching the worst of the reality TV shows, that I just cannot turn off. Well, it satisfies a challenge to read a book set in China.
LINK to my review

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished "The Hills Have Spies" by Mercedes Lackey and starting "Mary, Mary" by James Patterson

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*, - 4*, - 4*

Reading:
A Perfect Spy - struggling with this owned book
Don Quixote - buddy read
A Christmas Hope
The Whale Rider
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
What's a Ghoul to Do?
Where the Crawdads Sing - audiobook

[Joanne]

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President And The Johnstown Flood-both pretty interesting

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Going to continue with "Cut to the Quick" by Kate Ross

[Book Concierge]

In a Sunburned Country – Bill Bryson – 4****
Bryson turns his journalistic skills to an exploration of the only continent that is also a country, and an island. It’s a wonderful memoir / travel journal. If Australia weren’t already on my bucket list, it certainly would be now.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*, - 4*, - 4*

Reading:
A Perfect Spy - struggling with this owned book
Don Quixote - buddy read
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Where the Crawdads Sing - audiobook
Murder in Vail - Kindle

[Book Concierge]

Inside Out and Back Again – Thanhha Lai – 5*****
This middle-grade novel focusing on the immigrant experience is told entirely in verse, and I applaud Lai for how much she manages to convey in so few words. It is at once complex and straightforward, nuanced, and simple.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*

Started:
On What Grounds
As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust
Murder at Bray Manor
Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished Cut to the Quick and starting Plum Lucky

[Book Concierge]

Affairs of Steak – Julie Hyzy – 3***
Book number five in the White House Chef mystery series featuring chef Olivia (“Ollie”) Paras. I enjoy this series though some of the situations Ollie finds herself in seem rather implausible. There are plenty of suspects, some romantic/sexual tension, workplace drama, and a great cast of supporting characters.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*, - 4*

Started:
As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust
Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure
A Perfect Spy - struggling with this owned book
Don Quixote - buddy read
Where the Crawdads Sing - audiobook
Murder in Vail - Kindle

[Joanne]

The Priory of the Orange Tree-If you like Epic Fantasy this book will fit the bill-really embracing the characters and world the author had built!

[Book Concierge]

Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree – Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani – 5*****
This young-adult novel tells the story of the “stolen girls” of northern Nigeria who have been kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The author gives the reader a vivid picture of life in a small Nigerian village. The unnamed narrator is a young girl who excels at school, and dreams of new shoes, going to university, marrying a good husband. The writing is poetic and lyrical, with vivid descriptions and heart-wrenching scenarios. I will read more from this author.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 5*, - 4*

Reading:
Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure
Brown Girl Dreaming
A Perfect Spy - struggling with this owned book
Don Quixote - buddy read
Murder in Vail - Kindle

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich

[Bea]

Will complete today: - 4*, - 5*

Reading:
A Perfect Spy
Don Quixote - buddy read
Murder in Vail - Kindle
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis - Audible

[Book Concierge]

Us Against You – Fredrik Backman – 3.5***
Backman returns to Beartown to explore what happens in the aftermath of the first book’s stunning events. I love the way that Backman writes these characters. He moves back and forth between characters’ points of view as he tells the story of the town. Yet the story is always moving forward, keeping me enthralled and interested. Best enjoyed if you’ve read Beartown first.
LINK to my review

[Bea]

Finished: - 4*

Reading:
A Perfect Spy
Don Quixote - buddy read
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis - Audible
The Master and Margarita
The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons: A Bernie Rhodenbarr Mystery
The Orange Girl