The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU
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<closed thread>What are you currently reading?
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Bea
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May 19, 2014 01:49PM
Finished: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows
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State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy – 2.5**The first in the White House Chef mystery series introduces the readers to Ollie (Olivia) Parus, and the rest of the staff in the White House kitchen. I thought Ollie was annoyingly nosy, especially given her position in the White House kitchen. Hyzy includes a fair number of red herrings, but they seem mostly there to plump up a weak plot. Basically we have a reasonably interesting premise/framework for a cozy mystery series, but not the best execution. I’m not sure I’ll read another.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Connie wrote: "I just finished the heartwarming book,The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry 
."I need to try an fit that into next season =- hearing lots of good things about it
The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar – Audiobook performed by Frankie Alvarez – 4**** Tobar has written a social satire that examines the division and lack of understanding between two interdependent groups – the affluent suburbanites living in their gated communities versus the nearly invisible cadre of workers, mostly immigrants, many undocumented, who work to maintain the façade of perfection. The three main characters are all flawed, but each has his/her virtues as well. Tobar did get a bit preachy in the last third of the book, as he railed against the media, the injustices of the American legal system, and knee-jerk reactions of the politicians and populace. I liked that the story didn’t have a tidy resolution; the ending is realistic while being hopeful.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Outsiders by S E Hinton – Book on audio read by Jim Fyfe – 5*****An extraordinary coming-of-age novel first published in 1967, when it touched a nerve in a generation eager for “relevant” literature. The narrator is 14-year-old Ponyboy, a member of a gang of greasers who frequently get into fights with the Socs (society kids from affluent homes). He wants desperately to be recognized for the individual that he is, not for the label attached to him. In the end the reader sees that adults are not always the enemy, “nice boys” can be cruel and hoodlums can become heroes. The audio book was capably performed by Jim Fyfe. He really brought Ponyboy, Johnny and the rest of the gang to life for me.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished "The Ghost Bride" and starting "Flora"
Started a book and then realized it fit perfectly into Sheila's task next season - so putting aside for now...hmmm what to read!
Victoria wrote: "Bea, The Handmaid's Tale is one of my favorites! What did you think?"Victoria, I was surprised that I liked it so much. I have lately been reading a lot of dystopia type books and thought "oh, no...not another one". But the writing was fresh and well-done. I now see why this book is so frequently recommended.
Finished: Tinkers and The Importance of Being EarnestCurrently reading: Go Tell It On the Mountain
Waiting in the wings: Les Miserables (ebook)
Started: The Poor Mouth: A Bad Story about the Hard Life and The Cat and the Jack of Spades
Decided not to continue reading Music and Silence. Put it aside at this time.
I'm a book and a half away from finishing this season's challenge. I'm about 2/3 of the way through The Killing Game, with about 100 pages left to go. It's not the best book I've ever read, but its simple sentence constructions are making it fast reading, which is good enough for me at this point. Then I'll be reading London Bridges, which should be better - and then I'll be finished up for this round.
I've read a LOT of good books this past few months, so I'm really happy with how this challenge has broadened my reading list.
Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle – 2** Book two in the Coffeehouse Mystery series has Detective Quinn questioning whether the recent suicides of two Village Blend customers were actually murders. When Quinn identifies Clare’s new boyfriend as the prime suspect she has to launch her own investigation to prove his innocence. Uneven plotting and heavy-handed clues/red herrings. I doubt I’ll read another.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished: The Poor Mouth: A Bad Story about the Hard Life and The Cat and the Jack of SpadesCurrently reading: Go Tell It On the Mountain
Waiting in the wings: Les Miserables (ebook)
An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo – 5*****A frail and elderly Lizzie tells the story of her youth in Dresden Germany during World War II. What a wonderful and heart-warming story! Inspired by true events, Morpurgo has crafted a tale of courage, perseverance, and kindness in the face of horrific deprivation. The author doesn’t dwell on the horrors of war, but he doesn’t skip them either. He shows people doing what they believe is best and morally right despite difficulty. I kept wanting to read it aloud; I could easily imagine a teacher capturing the attention of a class with this story.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan – 3.5*** Sloan has written a novel that explores what it feels like to be an outsider, the struggle to overcome grief, and the true meaning of family. I grew to love 12-year-old Willow, a genius and decidedly “different” little girl. Her detached observations grew on me, and even made me laugh at times, despite the heart-wrenching circumstances. The situations described are far-fetched and even unrealistic, but the underlying truth of the story warmed my heart.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished reading "Flora"Starting "The Wall"
Finished: Go Tell It On the Mountain.Now to pick my first books for the Summer SRC to start reading.
Wonder by R J Palacio – 4**** This is a wonderful debut novel dealing with bullying and courage. Auggie is an endearing 10-year-old, who, despite his extraordinary face, is really just an ordinary kid; he likes ice cream, riding his bike, and his X-Box. The message is one that is empowering to children and adults. We should all strive to be kinder than necessary. Your worth is not dependent on how popular you are, or on who finds you attractive. Everyone in the world should have a standing ovation at least once in their lives.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kaye wrote: "Started Whistling Past the Graveyard early this AM for the SRC !"I just picked it up at the library ... but I've got another two on my agenda before I get to it.
Started Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas yesterday. I expect to finish it today.I also am starting on audio this morning - The Power of Six. It is 11 hours and due 6/14.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – 4****I re-read this in preparation for my F2F book club. What a delight! Even knowing the solution I was still engaged and enthralled. Christie was truly a master at her craft.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
listening to I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban for the 5 pointer about feminism (almost done) - an interesting listen so farSplintered - for the second book in Helen's task
Mary Poppins, She Wrote: The Life of P. L. Travers - bio for mstan's task
Chasing Perfect - first book for DLMRose' task
Cinderella's Dress - first book for Sheila/Kathy G's task...
The Ghost and the Goth - 10 point ghost task
Lucky Streak - first book for Delmy's task
haha, ok that's it
Book Concierge wrote: "Kaye wrote: "Started Whistling Past the Graveyard early this AM for the SRC !""I LOVED that one!
Dee wrote: "...The Ghost and the Goth - 10 point ghost task..."I'm reading the third book of that series for that task :)
Finished James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing and Eleanor & ParkStarting House of Many Shadows and And Then Came You: Sam's Story
Dee wrote: "listening to I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban for the 5 pointer about feminism (almost done) - an interesting listen so far..."Ha Ha! And I thought I was the only one who read multiple books!
Currently I have only three going:
The Power of Six - audiobook
Death Of A Hollow Man - paperback
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements - ebook
I finished Quantum Leap:The Wall and starting Zlata's Diary.
Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler – 4**** This is a novel of friendship, and of men growing to adulthood. Butler writes prose that is poetic and atmospheric. Each of the five main characters has a chance to narrate, so the reader gets some insight into each of their inner thoughts and feelings, and their observations on the others in the quintet. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven novels. The audio book features five performers, each voicing a different character in alternating chapters.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm trying to get through Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult. Normally I love her books, but this one is taking forever to finish. I have the house to myself tonight, so I AM going to finish it tonight.....
Anne Of Avonlea by L M Montgomery – 4****I am late to the party in regards to this series, having read Anne of Green Gables only a few years ago. But I immediately fell in love with Anne. Her enthusiasm for life and natural predilection for finding trouble continue to charm and engage readers a century later. The books are enjoyable for adults and children alike.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Different Seasons by Stephen King – 4**** This is a collection of four short stories/novellas that do not fit neatly into the horror genre. Two have been made into the successful films The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me. Even though these are not horror stories, King still delivers his trademark tight plotting, graphically vivid scenes and memorable characters. They are stories that fire a reader’s imagination. And that, in a nutshell is why I love reading fiction in general, and King in particular.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished "zlata's Diarty and going to start "The Fault in Our Stars"
Finished Death of a Hollow Man. Gave it 3*.Decided to put the audiobook (Power of Six) on hold as I won't have my computer to continue listening during the move.
So currently just reading my ebook.
Mr Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan – 5***** and a ❤Something very strange is going on at Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, and Clay Jannon (with a little help from his friends) is determined to find the secret. This is a literary adventure, a fantasy quest, a tale of friendship, a coming-of-age story and an exploration of man’s search for meaning all in one. It pays homage to Old Knowledge while celebrating New Technology, and encourages us to look to the past while envisioning the future. The characters are strange and loveable, obtuse and insightful. And the settings! I could feel the chill, smell the books, and I swear the dust made me sneeze repeatedly. Ari Fliakos does a marvelous job performing the audio version of the book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished: "The Fault In Our StarsStarting: Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl
An Unexpected Song by Iris Johansen – ZERO stars. One of the worst books ever written and a total waste of my time. Well, at least it fulfilled several challenges. Save yourselves and read something else.
This is a Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finshe today The Giver by Lois Lowry. i realy loved it, I can't to get to my hands to the second book of the series. I absolutely love the writting. It is very close to Plato's philosophy.
The Quiet Game by Greg Iles – 3*** This is a fast-paced mystery thriller with more than its share of action and violence, and a HIGH body count. Iles kept the tension high and kept me turning pages, but I felt the entire conspiracy was unnecessarily complicated. The two side stories mostly just padded the page count. I’ll give Iles credit though for writing some of the “best” smarmy, power-hungry villains to be found between book covers. I wanted to strangle them myself and almost all of them got what they deserved.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
it has been a while since i have posted and yesterday i finished reading Love Letters to the Dead and it was alright. I am now reading 
. I will probably read
,
, or
. I just haven't decided on what to read next.
Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall – 3.5 ***Set in 1963 Mississippi, this coming-of-age novel also treats some serious subjects – domestic abuse, alcohol abuse, racism, and child abuse. Nine-year-old Starla is a compelling narrator, even if her understanding of issues isn’t always complete. It was a very fast read, and I was interested from beginning to end.
This is a Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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