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General Chat > Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2015

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message 1001: by Jaime (new)

Jaime (jalyns7611) | 80 comments E. wrote: "I know. I will probably have one audiobook going while I read one on kindle. I don't really watch tv, and reading (or listening) is my escape from the drone or stress from everyday life."

I do not watch a lot of tv either although I do have my guilty pleasures every once in a while. :) Most nights I go home do my around the house work and then settle in with a glass of wine and a book.


message 1002: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan (the Soho edition) is the book I've just started. I am currently working on day four with very little sleep, so I'm getting lots of reading done. Amazing how that happens. Anyway, so far, so good.


message 1003: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Ellen wrote: "Just ordered Jonathan Kellerman's forthcoming stand alone THE MURDERER'S DAUGHTER. As a psychologist and writer I want to see how other "shrinks with ink" incorporate their training into their fic..."

Psychology -- well, it depends on how it's done. I used to read Kellerman but he got so formulaic I figured that I didn't even need to read his future novels and I could probably tell you what was going to happen. That kind of psychology I can do without. I trend more to works say, like Highsmith, with an abnormal psychology residing in an otherwise on-the-outside-seemingly normal person. That, or any kind of novel where what's in a person's mind has bearing on what they do, given a set of circumstances.


message 1004: by Ellen (new)

Ellen Kirschman I like Highsmith too, the books, not the TV series Case a Histories.


message 1005: by Richard (new)

Richard (thepen) | 15 comments Magnolias in Paradise by Leonard Seet

This is quite a tense novel, especially when I as a reader see the characters destroying themselves.


message 1006: by Barbara (new)

Barbara (cinnabarb) | 9977 comments Nancy wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just ordered Jonathan Kellerman's forthcoming stand alone THE MURDERER'S DAUGHTER. As a psychologist and writer I want to see how other "shrinks with ink" incorporate their training ..."

Nancy, I agree with you about Jonathan Kellerman. I used to enjoy his books but after awhile the plots became too predictable.


message 1007: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Barbara wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just ordered Jonathan Kellerman's forthcoming stand alone THE MURDERER'S DAUGHTER. As a psychologist and writer I want to see how other "shrinks with ink" incorporate t..."

I will say that the first few were really good, and my husband still enjoys his work. But there comes a time, as I am fond of saying, for an author to move along.


message 1008: by ❆ Crystal ❆ (new)

❆ Crystal ❆ (crystal_wright) | 310 comments I just finished Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption Picking Cotton Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino a non fiction crime story. I gave it 4 stars for the story and 4 stars for the narration.


message 1009: by Barbara (new)

Barbara (cinnabarb) | 9977 comments I finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It's the 1970s and Lydia Lee - the promishing 16-year-old daughter of a Chinese father and American mother - is found dead in a lake in Cincinatti. Lydia's family struggles to deal with what happened.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 1010: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "I just finished Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption Picking Cotton Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino a non fiction crime story. I gave ..."

Wow. I may have to check out this book.


message 1011: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Barbara wrote: "I finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It's the 1970s and Lydia Lee - the promishing 16-year-old daughter of a Chinese father and American mother - is..."

I have that book, but I haven't even opened it. A few people in my real-life book group want to read it but I'm still not sure...


message 1012: by Tom (new)

Tom Mathews | 994 comments Barbara wrote: "I finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It's the 1970s and Lydia Lee - the promishing 16-year-old daughter of a Chinese father and American mother - is..."

I loved this book. It's one of my favorite reads this year.


message 1013: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Ellen wrote: "I like Highsmith too, the books, not the TV series Case a Histories."

She's a wonderful writer if you like dark, psychological fiction.


message 1014: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Tom wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It's the 1970s and Lydia Lee - the promishing 16-year-old daughter of a Chinese father and Amer..."

I'm just so iffy about it for my group. I can hear them now: "This isn't a Nancy book," so I'm just not sure. Quite a few of them said that when we read The Rosie Project - so I'm just not sure about it.


message 1015: by Barbara (last edited Aug 04, 2015 08:26PM) (new)

Barbara (cinnabarb) | 9977 comments Nancy wrote: "Tom wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It's the 1970s and Lydia Lee - the promishing 16-year-old daughter of a Chinese fat..."

I can tell you this Nancy - the book would give your group a lot to talk about but it's certainly not a 'feel good' book. So you're wise to be cautious.


message 1016: by Tom (last edited Aug 05, 2015 06:35AM) (new)

Tom Mathews | 994 comments Nancy wrote: "Tom wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It's the 1970s and Lydia Lee - the promishing 16-year-old daughter of a Chinese fat..."

It's mostly a drama about family relationships. If I were to pick a book for you it probably wouldn't be this one but it is still a really good book.


message 1017: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Tom wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Tom wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It's the 1970s and Lydia Lee - the promishing 16-year-old daughter of..."

I'll consider adding it to this year's list -- the "give your group a lot to talk about" is a good thing." Thanks, you two.


message 1018: by Tom (new)

Tom Mathews | 994 comments Nancy wrote: "I'll consider adding it to this year's list -- the "give your group a lot to talk about" is a good thing." Thanks, you two. "

There's nothing wrong with having people think you have varied tastes.


message 1019: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (last edited Aug 05, 2015 06:52AM) (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
that is true.


message 1020: by Katherine (new)

Katherine Decker | 8 comments Currently reading and flying through The Evidence Room: A Mystery. I highly recommend it.


message 1021: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (last edited Aug 05, 2015 03:04PM) (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
I've just finished Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith. I'm wondering how far I can make it through her novels without wanting to jump off of a bridge.

Next up (in publication order): A Game for the Living.


message 1022: by ❆ Crystal ❆ (new)

❆ Crystal ❆ (crystal_wright) | 310 comments lol... deep water and jumping off a bridge


message 1023: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "lol... deep water and jumping off a bridge"

LOL! I didn't even think of that when I posted. No pun intended at all!


message 1024: by ❆ Crystal ❆ (new)

❆ Crystal ❆ (crystal_wright) | 310 comments Nancy wrote: "❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "lol... deep water and jumping off a bridge"

LOL! I didn't even think of that when I posted. No pun intended at all!"


how funny! Well... totally cute still.


message 1025: by Bill (new)

Bill Just finished The Blessing Way, the first Joe Leaphorn mystery, this morning and enjoyed very much. I liked learing a bit about the Navajo culture and the story itself; nicely woven tale and a tense mystery. Starting the first King and Maxwell mystery/ thriller next; Split Second.


message 1026: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
I've finished Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan. It's not out until the 15th of this month, but it might be one you may want to look into.


message 1027: by Donna, Co-Moderator (new)

Donna | 2178 comments Mod
Bill wrote: "Just finished The Blessing Way, the first Joe Leaphorn mystery, this morning and enjoyed very much. I liked learing a bit about the Navajo culture and the story itself; nicely woven ..."

I'm a big fan of the Joe Leaphorn series by Tony Hillerman. I think I have read every one and I am thrilled to say his daughter has picked up where he left off and is a very good writer too.


message 1028: by Donna, Co-Moderator (new)

Donna | 2178 comments Mod
Recently finished the second in a fun series I discovered. City of Beads by Tony Dunbar. Set in New Orleans with the main character of Tubby Dubonnet who is a "mostly" ethical lawyer who knows both the good and the not-so-good of New Orleans. Complex enough plots to keep you guessing, some action and a bit of grit for realism, and wonderful descriptions of the city.


message 1029: by Tom (new)

Tom Mathews | 994 comments Donna wrote: "I am thrilled to say his daughter has picked up where he left off and is a very good writer too. "

I regret to say it but his daughter is nowhere near as good a writer as her dad. Her stories focus more on interpersonal relationships (love lives) and less on the cases and tribal dynamics that made Tony's books so outstanding.


message 1030: by Ron (last edited Aug 07, 2015 03:48PM) (new)

Ron (ronb626) | 3418 comments Donna wrote: "I'm a big fan of the Joe Leaphorn series by Tony Hillerman. I think I have read every one and I am thrilled to say his daughter has picked up where he left off and is a very good writer too. "

Also a fan of Tony Hillerman and not just the Joe Leaphorn books.

Good to hear about his daughter. I've seen her books and wondered just how good she might be. With this recommendation, I believe I'll be more proactive with regards to her books. Well, to 1 of then, anyway. Then, I'll decide on more or not.

I see that someone else does not share your opinion of her books, though. Now I really have to look into 1 to make my own decision.


message 1031: by Patricia (new)

Patricia Bergman (marshop) | 92 comments I've been on the waiting list at my library for "The Girl On The Train" for several months. I finally picked it up yesterday and started reading immediately since it has to be returned in 7 days. Geez, after all of this I hope it is worth it.


message 1032: by Arlene (new)

Arlene | 165 comments Hi Patricia I enjoyed the book also just change your library settings from 7 days to I have the option of 14 or 21 days


message 1033: by Patricia (new)

Patricia Bergman (marshop) | 92 comments Arlene, I didn't set the restriction, the library does this only on popular books and DVDs. They must have 25 or 30 copies that are all reserved for the next several months. Why is this book so hot?


message 1034: by Arlene (new)

Arlene | 165 comments Well on Goodreads it has gotten very mixed reviews some love it some hate it I really enjoyed it because I like a book that is set in England by an English author I liked the mystery of it I like the way that it was formatted I enjoyed the characters and I actually did not see the ending coming but again on Goodreads many did let me know what you think


message 1035: by Zoe (new)

Zoe Radley | 558 comments I am not sure if this counts in here but it does have a criminal and mystery link. I am currently reading The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton and wow so far absolutely mesmerised and a little bit like I have been hit over the head by a heavy book lol (in a good way).


message 1036: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Zoe wrote: "I am not sure if this counts in here but it does have a criminal and mystery link. I am currently reading The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton and wow so far absolutely mesmerised and a little bit like..."

I loved that book. It definitely has a mystery component.


message 1037: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Patricia wrote: "Arlene, I didn't set the restriction, the library does this only on popular books and DVDs. They must have 25 or 30 copies that are all reserved for the next several months. Why is this book so ..."

Hype.


message 1038: by Patricia (new)

Patricia Bergman (marshop) | 92 comments Nancy, so far I agree. It seems that "Gone Girl" was promoted by the same crowd. There are so many great books out there that don't get half the attention they deserve. I guess it is up to us to promote the heck out of the good ones.


message 1039: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Patricia wrote: "Nancy, so far I agree. It seems that "Gone Girl" was promoted by the same crowd. There are so many great books out there that don't get half the attention they deserve. I guess it is up to us to..."

On the other hand, this book gets great reviews, so it's likely all about one's personal tastes. I just didn't really care for it, but I know a LOT of people who did.


message 1040: by Justin (new)

Justin (rockstarintraining) Check out my review for more, but The Girl on the Train is all hype. I think people just wanted another Gone Girl and latched onto this one. You're not missing out by not reading it.


message 1041: by Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break) (last edited Aug 08, 2015 06:05PM) (new)

Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break) (sandyj21) | 4769 comments I didn't enjoy Gone Girl at all, but really liked Girl on the Train. Don't see any similarity in them at all.

Currently reading Second Life by S.J. Watson , also centred on an addictive personality. SJ Watson has done a great job with his characterisation.

Just finished Wednesday's Child (Inspector Banks, #6) by Peter Robinson . Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 1042: by Patricia (new)

Patricia Bergman (marshop) | 92 comments Nancy, Justin and Sandy just proved your point. It appears that both books are just a matter of taste.


message 1043: by Nancy, Co-Moderator (last edited Aug 08, 2015 07:07PM) (new)

Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 10110 comments Mod
Patricia wrote: "Nancy, Justin and Sandy just proved your point. It appears that both books are just a matter of taste."

Everyone's so different, and it makes the world a great place.


message 1044: by Tom (new)

Tom Mathews | 994 comments Patricia wrote: "Nancy, Justin and Sandy just proved your point. It appears that both books are just a matter of taste."

Clearly. I enjoyed GotT although many people whose opinions I value did not. Conversely, I hated GG but lots of people thought it was very good.


Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break) (sandyj21) | 4769 comments Just finished Second Life by S.J. Watson by S.J. Watson. Couldn't put it down! Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 1046: by Brenda (new)

Brenda Justin wrote: "Check out my review for more, but The Girl on the Train is all hype. I think people just wanted another Gone Girl and latched onto this one. You're not missing out by not reading it."

Everyone's opinions are (fortunately) different Justin:)


message 1047: by Patricia (new)

Patricia Bergman (marshop) | 92 comments I am definitely going to finish The Girl On The Train so I can add my official opinion. Does anyone know what book is being touted now by the public relations people? Look at the money Fifty Shades of Grey made. I believe that book was self-published.


message 1048: by Andrew✌️ (new)

Andrew✌️ (andrew619) | 140 comments I've finished The Hunger Games and now I'm reading Live and Let Die, by Ian Fleming.


message 1049: by Barbara (new)

Barbara (cinnabarb) | 9977 comments I finished A String of Beads by Thomas Perry.

In this 8th book in the series Jane Whitefield (a Seneca Indian with prodigious skills) has to find and help her childhood friend, Jimmy Sanders. Jimmy has been unjustly accused of murder and is being pursued by both the cops and the mafia. 3 stars for me.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 1050: by Gitty (new)

Gitty Goldberg | 22 comments Hi! Still navigating good reads and I'm not sure where to post this really but,...:

I love mystery thrillers with a little of romance with a central character throughout the series with a family of lover. I just finished jd Robb's in death series and omg!!!! Seriously does a man exist like roarke? I couldn't put them down!!! I love Tess geritsen and Faye kellerman Peter decker series. I've read Harlan coben and Lisa Gardner and James pattersons Alex cross, murder club and Michael Bennett series. Any other similar series?


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