BOOK POOL - JUN/JUL 2020

[Erica]

I've added Darkpool's picks to the book pool. Looks like a great selection so far :)

[Erica]

Almost June and the beginning of the challenge. Still a few days for people to join up and pick their three books to add to the Pool.

[Sharlene]

I picked up Aue and Know My Name from the library this week in preparation for Queens Bday reading.

[Nat]

Can’t wait to start

[Claude's]

I've lined up my books on Libby eBook/audiobook platform. Really looking forward to getting started.

[Erica]

I've just put Know My Name on reserve at library, but first in queue so should get it soon

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm hoping I'll be ready to start on time. I am currently reading a library book I've had since the middle of March, as I doubt I'd be allowed to renew it!

My first one will be The Bluest Eye since I have wanted to read it for such a long time.

[Jen]

The Clearing J.P Pomare
Miracle Creek Angie Kim
The Dutch House Anne Patchet

[Erica]

Thanks for joining Jen! Will add those three books to the book pool.

I've already got The Dutch House on reserve at the library, so hopefully it comes in during June/July :)

[Erica]

Day 1 of the Book Pool Challenge! Happy reading everyone :)

[Zellian]

Claude's wrote: "I've lined up my books on Libby eBook/audiobook platform. Really looking forward to getting started."
I think I added myself to five books hold list and thought - I wonder if this is other members!

I managed to find "Hand Me Down" was free after going through the first five and I'm already 100 pages in.
I'll probably end up focusing on ebooks that are readily available over physical copies just for convenience sake.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Ive started Bluest Eye. Compelling so far.

[Claude's]

I'm currently listening to Know My Name. I've just come off reading the most delightful book ever and now I'm plunged into this gripping but challenging read. Talk about whiplash!

[Claude's]

Carlene I'll be focusing on digital book too!

[Claude's]

So do I write completed books here?

If so, I just finished Know My Name. Pretty powerful read. Be prepared to feel outraged. The kinds of questions women get asked in trials are so leading in terms of trying to portray them a certain way to sway the jury. Is it weird that a got a frisson of excitement that NZ got a wee mention? I suspect as soon as I return the book it will appear on one of your library cards :)
In case you're wondering I listened to it on 2x speed. It's pretty much what I'm used to because of my job. I will say, and this might be unpopular, but it could have done with a wee edit. I think it meandered in a few parts. 15 hours is a long book (in my case 7.5 hihi)

[Nat]

I have to apologise as I’ve just realised two books I’ve recommended include content relating to sexual assaults .

Have just started reading these both “Know my name” and “Bluberries” .

Just a content warning for anyone who doesn’t want to read this type of content. I know it can be quite a heavy read but very powerful . I am enjoying both so far but just wanted to point out for others.

[Erica]

Sorry I should have posted earlier. Below is the format for when you've finished your book, just so it's easy for me to tally about how many books everyone has read as we go,


**Post Format**

#6 (this is the number you are on the participant list)
Book #1 - Sister
Read: 05/01
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Then add in any comments you wish about the book :)

[Claude's]

OK thank you. I'll use that format going forward

[Kerry]

I started The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling this evening, read a huge chunk and feel like reading more.

[Claude's]

#6 Claude
Book #2: Little Secrets
Read: 03/06
Rating: 3.5 - 4 stars. Need to let the dust settle before I decide.

Good mystery. I won't say too much as there was a degree of predictability but still an enjoyable read. I quite liked Marin's pov. I will definitely be looking for more books from this author. There is some content in it that requires a warning. I will put them on as hidden spoilers on a review tomorrow.

[Kerry]

#10 Kerry
Book #1: The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
Read: 04/06
Rating: 4.5 stars

Really enjoyable YA about an Australian Chinese family and realistic issues of mental health all set around the family restaurant. Now want to read her Freedom Swimmer.

[Erica]

Ooh nice that you started off with a great book Kerry!

I've started Reading in the Dark but haven't had much chance to read it the last day or two, fingers crossed I can get through a chunk today.

[Zellian]

#8 Carlene
Book #1 - Hand Me Done by Michelle Holman
Read: 03/06
Rating: 3 Stars

An interesting read - if you're looking for NZ Books to add to your to-read for the year pick up this one next! NZ Author and NZ based.
It's a romance and does have a bit of the warm fuzzy feels but I did feel a little disconnected at parts instead of fully drawn in. Does have some serious topics in there but it isn't dealt with in a way where you feel very very very uncomfortable (Baby swapping, domestic violence and war). There is a few racier scenes but don't feel like they're as... racy as most books have before.
Was still a pretty decent read though.

My next book which I've started this morning is "The Girl Who Reads on the Metro" and I've also already been told that "Little Secrets" and "The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling" is available for me! They're all coming through at once :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

#2
Book #1 - The Bluest Eye
Read: 06/06
Rating 5 Stars

Sorry, another book that features (view spoiler)[rape (hide spoiler)] I'd recommend trying to get an edition that has the afterword that Ms Morrison wrote in 1993. Most moved I've been by a book this year. Ms Morrison is an incredible writer!

[Erica]

Nice. I've updated the tally in message 2.

[Claude's]

#6 Claude
Book #2 The surprising power 0f a good dumpling
Rating: 4 stars

Perfect reading day for Cantabrians!

I had no idea that this book would be quite an emotional journey looking at how a family learns to cope with someone having mental health issues. I particularly liked the way cultural shame and the stigma around mental health were carefully and respectfully portrayed.

There are some content warnings that I will put in my review but I'm braving the cold and heading to The Lone Star!

[Claude's]

Oops it's actually book #3

[Erica]

#1
Book #1 - Reading in the Dark
Read: 07 June
Rating: 3 Stars

The writing in this one was good but I've read several books in Northern Ireland and in this one I felt less connected to the characters in the story.

[Nat]

#3
Book #2 - Know my Name
Author - Chanel Miller
Read - 7 June 2020
Stars -5

I had to put this one down a few times as the content was quite intense , but this was a very intoxicating read.

I was thinking that I couldn’t imagine going through something like what she experienced but Miller explains that she wrote the book to make sure people understand . A victims perspective is so important to show us that our legal systems and courts are set up to protect people but often exposes them, gas lights them and makes them lose their sense of self. These stories are important for change .

[Claude's]

Nat wrote: "#3
Book #2 - Know my Name
Author - Chanel Miller
Read - 7 June 2020
Stars -5

I had to put this one down a few times as the content was quite intense , but this was a very intoxicating read.

I wa..."

I also found it quite a difficult read. The horrific act happens that then has to be relived over and over again in such an invasive and public way. I agree that this is an important book.

[Zellian]

#8 Carlene
Book #2 - The Girl Who Read On The Metro
Read: 08/06
Rating: 2 Stars

I got sucked in, the title makes it interesting (Doesn't it just call you in?) and the first chapter or so was actually attention grabbing but then I felt like everything started to fall apart.
I feel like it jumps a lot, is vague and is hard to gauge at times where and what is happening. It's a short book (Just over 200 e-pages long) and thought it might be a nice quick and easy read but got so lost that I didn't much like it in the end.

[Erica]

You guys are plowing through the books :)

I've updated the tally.

[Claude's]

#6 Claude
Book #4 The Doll Factory
Rating: 3 Stars

This book had a lot of dark and disturbing parts. If you love animals and don't want to read about cruelty towards or killing of them then you may find parts of this book quite distressing (well I did anyway). Some other parts were incredibly slow moving, so much so that I became a bit bored. Then BAM you are in the house of horrors again. All that being said, it is a good piece of gothic horror with Silas' disturbing obsession with Iris taking centre stage. I don't know if one can enjoy it but I certainly appreciated the writing and the way the tension was built up. The last 3/4 was gripping.

[Claude's]

#6 Claude
Book #5 Living Rough
Rating 2 Stars

A brief look at a teen coping with a significant change in circumstance (no spoilers) that results in him and his father being homeless. Lacks any grit or depth. Short novels can have these as Robert Swindells has shown.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Ha! I was a bit cocky - I assumed I would just be able to swan into my local & get any of the challenge titles I wanted, other than maybe the Obama book. Nope. Only one I could get was Syria's Secret Library: Reading and Redemption in a Town Under Siege

[Claude's]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Ha! I was a bit cocky - I assumed I would just be able to swan into my local & get any of the challenge titles I wanted, other than maybe the Obama book. Nope. Only one I could get was [book:Syria'..."

Hopefully it's a good one!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Thanks I do have New Orleans Mourning on my kindle but I'm saving it for my holiday.

[Zellian]

#8 Carlene
Book #3 - The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling
Read: 08/06
Rating: 5 Stars

Thank you Kerry for this suggestion, I think it will end up being my favorite book read this year.
Deals with mental health issues and how an Australian Chinese family come to terms with the usual stigma and how to deal with their mother/wives condition.

[Claude's]

Carlene wrote: "#8 Carlene
Book #3 - The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling
Read: 08/06
Rating: 5 Stars

Thank you Kerry for this suggestion, I think it will end up being my favorite book read this year.
Deals wi..."

I loved it too!

[Erica]

I'm gonna have to check out The Suprising Power of a Good Dumpling after all your rave reviews :)

I've just over half way through Camino Island by John Grisham. I'm really enjoying it, even though it's less thriller-y than his usual stuff. I'm enjoying the setting and being about books etc haha. Hope to finish this weekend. Then i've got Know My Name at the ready.

Updated message #2 with the tally.

[Claude's]

#6 Claude
Book #6 Becoming
Rating : 5 Stars

Loved this book! Such a fascinating and honest look at her life. I don't usually read bios so thank you Sharlene for putting this on the list.

[Erica]

#1
Book #2 - Camino Island
Read: 13 June
Rating: 4 Stars

I liked this book, it kept me engaged. Less 'thriller' than his earlier works.

[Nat]

#3
Book 2# Blueberries
Read: 14/06
Rating: ⭐️⭐️

I think I got sucked in by this one thinking it would be right up my alley . The reviews were good but it just wasn’t for me and the writing style didn’t resonate with me and didn’t engage me .
I struggled through this one

[Erica]

Nat wrote: "#3
Book 2# Blueberries
Read: 14/06
Rating: ⭐️⭐️

I think I got sucked in by this one thinking it would be right up my alley . The reviews were good but it just wasn’t for me and the writing style d..."

Shame that that book wasn't for you Nat. Hopefully the next one is better :)

[Zellian]

#8 Carlene
Book #4 - Living Rough
Read: 17/06
Rating: 3

A quick read, agree with most on this book where it didn't hold that much depth to it but it's a quick read for those who may be stuck on big reads or needing a quick break between.

[Erica]

#1
Book #3 - Know My Name: A Memoir
Read: 21 June
Rating: 5 Stars

Thanks to whoever picked this book. While I'd heard about the case I didn't realise she had written a book about it. So powerfully written. Not a book you'll ever forget quickly.

[Darkpool]

#12
Book #1 - Camino Island
Read: 24/6
Rating: 4 Stars
Woohoo! finally on the board!
I enjoyed most of this - listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job. However I found it difficult to take a character named "Bruce" seriously as an irresistible charmer...

[Erica]

Lots of reading been happening. I've updated the tally.

What's everyone currently reading?

I'm about 70 pages into The Dutch House and really enjoying it. But another book I'd had a reserve since the last Book Pool Challenge finally came in so I've been trying to read that before it's due back - No Friend but the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison

[Nat]

I’m reading Auē but it’s taking me aaaages to get through it. I am enjoying it but it’s just a low burn for me.

I am also about 25% of the way through Syria’s secret Library. It’s written by a journalist and definitely reads as such.

I normally read about a book a week but feeling pretty unmotivated to read in the last two weeks . We’ve had grey weather for what seems like forever in welly and I don’t know why but it doesn’t put me in a reading mood which it should .

[Claude's]

I completely understand Nat!

Erica, I have just bought a copy of Auē but haven't started yet. I have also had a new copy of A good girl's guide to murder for 2 weeks but haven't opened the cover yet. The weather is gloomy in Chch too but I have been binge watching Netflix and not reading. Hopefully I'll have a better reading week.