Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2015 Showing 1,151-1,200 of 1,722

[Sally]

I'm reading The Return: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery. This is book 3 in an excellent Swedish mystery series.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sally wrote: "I'm reading The Return: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery. This is book 3 in an excellent Swedish mystery series."

I LOVE Nesser's work. I have to get back to reading them here someday.

[Barbara]

I finished NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson. A vigilante serial killer is murdering people who thwarted justice and dressing the victims in Hazmat suits. When a high-profile political aide is killed, the elite NYPD RED squad is called in. 3.5 stars.

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

[Ron]

Just started Payment in Blood by Elizabeth George, an Inspector Lynley novel.

Just a couple chapters into it, but, seems a good mystery. A hotel maid in a Scottish inn finds a dead guest. Lynley and Sergeant Havers are assigned the case. Wonder of wonders, Lady Helen Clyde is also a guest at the inn. Part of the reason Lynley is assigned it because of the class of some of the guests and the Earl of Asherton could relate with them on a better basis than the average police inspector.

One point of interest to me, is that Lynley will have to work with local officers from Strathclyde, the same police station that the officers on Taggart operate out of. My wife and I have watched 3 series of Taggart and like it very much. So, personal interest got piqued a bit.

[Bill]

Janet wrote: "Sean wrote: "

As dusk approaches a small Dublin suburb in the summer of 1984, mothers begin to call their children home. But on this warm evening, three children do ..."

There were times I thought it was probably 100 pages too long, but ultimately, I enjoyed it very much and everything seemed to fit together nicely.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Interesting comment about being 100 pages too long, I seem to be reading a lot of books lately that are "about 100 pages too long". I really noticed this when I switched to reading some more of the classic golden age mysteries. Many of these come in at 300-350 pgs rather than 400-450.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

I've started the audiobook I Am Pilgrim

[Bill]

Donna wrote: "Interesting comment about being 100 pages too long, I seem to be reading a lot of books lately that are "about 100 pages too long". I really noticed this when I switched to reading some more of the..."

I think there are some writers that, as they become more successful, seem to think they are now paid by the word and their stories start getting longer and longer, when part of what made them enjoyable at first was the pacing and content of the story. Stop being so thoughtful!!! (I mean the writers, not you of course, Donna.. lol)

[Mary Beth]

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


4.5 stars Very well written and worth reading!

I just loved this book. I thought it was so different than other books. This is a thrilling YA adventure about magic and self discovery. Characters and objects come to life by leaping off the pages.

Mortimer is a book binder and has passed on his great love of books to his daughter Meggie but he has never read out loud to her. When a stranger appears at their home, Meggie's world becomes upside down. She soon learns about her mothers vanishing disappearance, and the mysterious book called Inkheart, that her father tries to hide at the book filled home of her Aunt Elinor's. She then learns why her Dad has never read aloud to her, because of his secret dangerous gift. Mo possesses a extraordinary magical power.

Suddenly the two are plunged into the kind of adventure that Meggie has encountered only in fiction books. They need to find a way to save them selves before it ruins their lives forever.

The author does a great job in the characterization of the characters. I finished this book last night and I can still visualize the characters in my head.

This book is a trilogy and I can't wait to read the second book as a buddy read with a friend.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

A Beam of Light, the latest book by Camilleri to be translated to English, came in yesterday's mail. I meant to save it for my vacation next month, but I couldn't help myself and ended up finishing it late last night.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Mary wrote: "

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4.5 stars Very well written and worth reading! I just loved this book. I thought it was so different than other books. This is a thrilling YA ..."

I remember that book very fondly. I did a major project on that book as a part of getting a K-8 reading specialist credential some years back.

[Barbara]

I listened to Inkheart with my son when he was younger (the whole trilogy actually). All the books are excellent

[Sofia]

Currently reading , just finished

[Sofia]

Aaron wrote: "Just finished Night Shift"

Just checked this out from the library - can't wait to start it!

[Tom]

I just started reading Solomon's Vineyard for the Pulp Fiction group and Ptolemy's Gate for bedtime reading with my daughter. That puts me up to five books at once! Definitely more than usual.

[Barbara]

I'm reading The Affair by Lee Child

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Back to A Brief History of Seven Killings -- I'm going to live in this book for the entire day.

[DKT]

A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom Cruise and that just changed everything.

[Tom]

Nancy wrote: "Back to A Brief History of Seven Killings -- I'm going to live in this book for the entire day."

Let us know how it is.

[Tom]

DKT wrote: "A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom Cruise and that just changed everything."

If you want to know what Jack Reacher is like, think of Tom Cruise. Then you will know what he isn't.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Back to A Brief History of Seven Killings -- I'm going to live in this book for the entire day."

Let us know how it is."

It's beyond good. And I'm not even halfway.

[Barbara]

Aaron wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm reading The Affair by Lee Child"

How are the Reacher books, Barbara? I've been meaning to read them but haven't..."

Aaron, the Reacher books are generally fast-paced and entertaining. Reacher can beat up anybody, get out of any jam, solve any mystery, get any beautiful woman...you get the idea. They're my idea of a 'male fantasy' book :)
(I don't read a lot of them but every once in a while I get one out of the library.)

[Sophie]

I've just finished NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (weird but good).

I'm now reading The Girls by Lisa Jewell :)

[The_Paperback_Peruser]

Finished Strangers on a Train(Sooooooo good!)

Currently reading To Kill a Mockingbird

[David]

Just finished a brilliant 5* read

[Rowena]

I'm deep into Kings of Delusion which is particularly timely, as it's set in NOLA during Katrina.
Have to say that the writing style is fairly... basic but the plot (a serial killer, possibly a cop, trying to take out the witnesses to his most recent crime) is gripping, especially as it's set against the total chaos of social collapse that happened during / after the hurricane.
Full review when I'm finished...

[Gary]

Bill wrote: "Donna wrote: "Interesting comment about being 100 pages too long, I seem to be reading a lot of books lately that are "about 100 pages too long". I really noticed this when I switched to reading so..."

I read that the author of the Montalbano series, Andrea Camilleri, thinks mysteries should be no longer than 300 pages. I think there is something to be said for that idea, although I have read 500 page books that were fine. I am probably more bothered by abrupt endings than by the length of the book.

[The_Paperback_Peruser]

Aaron wrote: "Pri_the_bookmoth wrote: "Finished Strangers on a Train(Sooooooo good!)

Currently reading To Kill a Mockingbird"

Two classic books that I love, too, Pri."

Can't believe this is the first time I'm reading this book! I have watched the movie like a million times. The best part is- the movie is so close to the book, including the style of narration!

[Garden]

Aaron wrote: "DKT wrote: "A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom Cruise and that just changed everything."..."

Oh, please don't let your feelings for Tom Cruise ruin the fun of the Reacher stories. They are so clever and fast paced and Reacher is always on the side of righting wrongs. Yes Reacher is NOTHING like Tom Cruise - I don't care to see the movie for that reason.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Gary wrote: "Bill wrote: "Donna wrote: "Interesting comment about being 100 pages too long, I seem to be reading a lot of books lately that are "about 100 pages too long". I really noticed this when I switched ..."

I think it was Mark Twain that said "I'm sorry for this long letter but I didn't have time to write a shorter one"(or something like this). Anyway, good editing takes time.

[Ron]

DKT wrote: "A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom Cruise and that just changed everything."

Tom Cruise totally blew the role of Jack Reacher. In the books, Reacher is 6'5. Tom Cruise needs 2 foot heels to get anywhere near that height.

Please do not overlook the Lee Child books on the strength of what Tom Cruise did to that role. If you like thrillers, I'm thinking you'd like the Reacher novels. Just have to get your head around another visual of Reacher. The Cruise version is nowhere near correct to what he is in the books.

[Ron]

Just started reading Rage Against the Dying: A Thriller by Becky Masterman, a Brigid Quinn novel. Well, it is the 1st one of a, to date, 2 book series.

Brigid Quinn is a former FBI agent enjoying a new life in Arizona with a new husband, and, pretty much a new life. But, it is interrupted when a man confesses to the worst unsolved case of her career, the murder of her young protege, Jessica . The confessor knows things that were never made public. He leads the FBI, including Quinn, to where the body is located in exchange for a plea bargain. But, the new FBI agent, Laura Coleman, thinks the confession is a fake. Is it? Or, isn't it?

Too early in the book to give out much more, but, one thing is certain. Becky Masterman can write! The writing, the pacing, are suburb. Also early for the characters, but, so far, they are believable and, for the most part, likable. Well, there are a couple not to like. The confessor, Floyd Lynch is a less than pleasant fellow and one of Quinn's former colleagues, is also not very pleasant.

Looking forward to the rest of the book, though. And, if the 1st 60 pages are any indication, I'll also be looking forward to #2 in the series, Fear the Darkness: A Thriller.

[Bill]

Ron wrote: "DKT wrote: "A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom Cruise and that just changed everything."..."

I actually didn't mind Tom Cruise as Reacher. I hesitated watching the movie but once I did, I enjoyed it very much.

[Ron]

Bill wrote: "Ron wrote: "DKT wrote: "A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom Cruise and that just changed ..."

I'm not saying it was a bad movie. Just that Tom Cruise does not fit the role of Jack Reacher. Not real sure just who would, as it should be someone more up to Reacher's physical stature.

I didn't like Michael Keaton as Batman for pretty much the same reasons. Batman is a big man. Keaton is not. However, Jack Nicholson stole that movie as the Joker.

[Barbara]

Bill wrote: "Ron wrote: "DKT wrote: "A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom Cruise and that just changed ..."

I agree with Bill.
I thought Tom Criuise was ok as Reacher even tho he's not nearly 6' 5" tall - (which is how Reacher is described). Cruise is a good actor and I guess I was able to suspend disbelief

[Barbara]

Aaron(Reblast) wrote: "I'm leaving GR due to an unbearable illness. Goodbye everyone."

Good luck. Hope u get better

[Andrew✌️]

I've finished The Well of Ascension, a wonderful story. Now I'm reading A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes. It's interesting, the concepts are explained in a simple, but clear way.

[Lisa]

I just finished Imperfect Strangers

I read this book as a BOTM group read and really enjoyed discussing this book with the author.

This was a very good book that delves into the mental health issues of the main character Keith. Overall Keith is a good guy but he has some serious demons from his mother and his upbringing. He becomes obsessed with his co worker Sally. She befriends him and the story progresses from there. It was a good story with some very strong characters.

I was afraid this would be similar to another book called You but thankfully it is not. Imperfect Strangers is much better and the characters are much more likable even though they are flawed. Where You is sleaze Imperfect Strangers is more creepy.





I am in the middle of listening to Everybody Rise. It has recently gotten some kind of rave reviews. So far I am finding the characters quite boring. It will take me awhile to listen to this as I have to listen to it in the car and I don't drive much. Aw well…it will be a very slow read in ore ways than one.


I am finishing up Ash which is OK but nothing great.

Then I am off to the library to pick up some new goodies:) today.

[Bill]

Barbara wrote: "Bill wrote: "Ron wrote: "DKT wrote: "A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom Cruise and that ..."

There were definitely actors who could have fit the bill better in terms of actual physical appearance and probably would have done just as good a job. I was just pleasantly surprised at how good a job Cruise did. That was sort of the same when Katherine Heigl played Stephanie Plum. I didn't want to watch the movie because I generally don't think she's all that good of an actress. But, once again, I was pleasantly surprised; she seemed to get the humour aspect of the role and played it nicely tongue-in-cheek.

[Barbara]

Bill wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Bill wrote: "Ron wrote: "DKT wrote: "A lady I work with her whole family, all of them hooked on Jack Reacher. I was almost ready to dive in myself then the movie came out with Tom ..."

I have a sort of opposite problem with Daniel Radcliffe. He's stuck in my mind as Harry Potter and I have a very hard time watching him in other movies. He just doesn't fit to me.

[StitchingDeb]

Lisa wrote: "I just finished Imperfect Strangers

I read this book as a BOTM group read and really enjoyed discussing this book with the author.

This was a very good book that delves into the ..."

Great update Lisa! Thank you :)

[StitchingDeb]

I'm currently reading "The Whites" by Richard Price. A little slow to begin, but now that I am past page 75 it is ramping up nicely. Character development is coming together now and the story is keeping me guessing.

[Ruth]

Recently finished reading A Monstrous Regiment of Women. Now I have a couple of historical novels (one audio, one print) to get through before I read anymore mystery / suspense.

[Lisa]

DebD wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I just finished Imperfect Strangers

I read this book as a BOTM group read and really enjoyed discussing this book with the author.

This was a very good book that del..."

You're welcome.:)

[Rachel]

I started The Enemy by Lee Child last night. Only got through the first two chapters but so far so good!

[❆ Crystal ❆]

I'll be starting The Gunslinger

[Yvonne]

The book I just finished was the spy fiction I Am Pilgrim

Overly long and filled with too many flashbacks and foreshadowing but ultimately interesting thriller. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The others are two Jo Nesbo book: The Son and the first Harry Hole book The Bat

Reviews at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)]

Just finished (great read!)here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... - an excellent short story collection.

Just started for a NetGalley review, , lent to me by a friend, and listening to

[Yvonne]

Other books I read in Aug/Sept.:

The Life We Bury --which was somewhat disappointing and an ok 2 star read.

The Nature of the Beast a 3 star Inspector Gamache mystery

The Absent One - 3.5 stars

The Missing One 3 stars family drama mystery of interest because of killer whales

The Arc of the Swallow I read this as a stand alone but there's apparently a book that came out before this one. 4 stars but this is a long book that requires patience and you have to wade through a lot of stuff to get to any kind of payoff.

[Lisa]

I read half ofThe Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy last night. It is very enjoyable. It's fun to follow and learn about the other half of Harold Fry's story, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry


I will be starting Runner later for a buddy read.