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Read, Reading Now and Reading Next (2015)
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VNerdbooks
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Mar 17, 2015 03:06PM
How is it?
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V Audio Nerd wrote: "How is it?"Well, in this case, I'd say the narration subtracts from the story.. and the story is a bit slow so far. Not painfully slow, but feels like surely something is about to happen...eventually...hopefully....
The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth by Richard Paul Evans – 3*** Evans is best known for his novels - The Christmas Box was a NY Times bestseller. In this small book he passes on advice he learned as a youth from a man at his church. The principles are not difficult to understand, and anyone can do them. But the key is deciding to adhere to this advice and not succumb to the pressures of modern day living that equate conspicuous consumption with wealth. It’s a quick read, and it fulfilled a challenge, but I didn’t learn anything new.
Ezinwanyi~the Impish Angel wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez – 4**** BC, where do you get your reading ideas? I am curious because I usually haven't heard of these books so I wonder if they are amazon best sellers or something like that. ..."
Ezi - I'm in 5 F2F book groups, and this book is our April selection. Also I am on mailing lists from Random House, Ferrar Strauss & Giroux, MacMillan, Penguin, etc and I subscribe to bookreporter.com, dearreader.com and Shelf Awareness for readers. And, my indie bookseller always tips me off on books he thinks I would enjoy.
I have a tbr excel spreadsheet (actually 3 of them) where I keep lists of books with a short blurb about subject, sorted by genre - general fiction, mystery, general nonfiction, biography.
Ezinwanyi~the Impish Angel wrote: "V Audio Nerd wrote: "wow 4.5 for E&P Ezi ?I need to reread it I think, I DNF it last year sometime as I couldn't get into it at all."
I really related to their high school experience! After ..."
Sorry Ezi GR app is not giving me notifications for some threads again grrr
I think I need to reread it again, I didn't manage to connect with the book as you did, there have been a couple that I have read that did that to me, one last year I had to turn off and delete as it brought back to many bad memories.
Wow your mom sounds like some lady, how wonderful of her to take 2 other children in, she sounds like an amazing woman :○)
Ezinwanyi~the Impish Angel wrote: "V Audio Nerd wrote: "Reading 
up next 
& 
"How is Confess?"
Confess was brilliant, expected of course from Coho, it was different to her others, but the same as well, if that makes sense?
wow BC you are waaaayy more organised than me, my choice is 1. Stalk someone's shelf 2. The cover is pretty 3. The blurb sounds good 4. more than 5 of my friends have given it high ratings 5. It fits into a challenge somewhere ..........that's it lol
Just finished up
4♥ still working on
and starting today
- I can already tell I'm gonna finish this one before Delsyn's Blues even though I started it later. I love Kresley Cole ....although really I should savor since the next IAD doesn't come out until Dec 31....wth making us wait!??!?!
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up next & "How is C..."
Confess is a rec reading for April that's why I am holding on to it.Although I have a signed paperback from teh author
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The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez – 4**** BC, where do you get you..."
what's F2F? You are so brave, I am so leery of indie authors because I find ways more coals than diamonds
Wow how did you get that?? The artwork in the book is supposed to be amazing, that's the only thing that the audio was missing.
Ezinwanyi~the Impish Angel wrote: "what's F2F? You are so brave, I am so leery of indie authors because I find ways more coals than diamonds .."Face-to-Face = F2F
Most of my reads are not indie authors .. that is they are not self-published. But maybe that's not what you mean.
I don't like reading many series - because after two or three they become formulaic to me and I get bored. But I read just about anything - literary fiction is my favorite, but a look at my shelf will show children's books, YA, dystopia, paranormal, romance, mystery, thrillers, contemporary fiction, chick lit, classics, etc. And there are some that are zero stars, and some that are 5 stars ...
V Audio Nerd wrote: "wow BC you are waaaayy more organised than me, my choice is 1. Stalk someone's shelf 2. The cover is pretty 3. The blurb sounds good 4. more than 5 of my friends have given it high ratings 5. It ..."
Your idea of stalking other readers' shelves is a good one. I've made friends on Shelfari.com and here on goodreads and I know that if certain of my friends like a book I'll probably like it too. Also, that's basically what I've come to do with the email newsletters. I know whose taste I trust to steer me to the kinds of reads I most enjoy, and I'm willing to try a debut work if it's highly recommended by a trusted source (like my indie bookseller - i.e. NOT a big chain, but a little bookstore that brings in authors and knows me ... he'll email when he gets an ARC that just "knows" I'll like it)
The 13 Clocks by James Thurber – 3*** Elements of a fairy tale: A princess trapped in a cold castle by her uncle, an evil Duke; a prince disguised as a troubadour; a mysterious / magical helper; an impossible task to complete. Thurber has crafted a magically fun story, wonderfully illustrated by Marc Simont. Children of all ages will delight in this story of Zorn from Zorna and the Princess Saralinda.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent – 4**** This novel is based on a true incident in history. In January 1830 Agnes Magnusdottir became the last person to be executed in Iceland. Kent imagines the interactions Agnes had with the farm family that housed her prior to her execution. I loved the way that these relationships slowly thawed while the landscape slowly froze, and liked the way Kent began each chapter with either some historical document of the period or a poem or excerpt from a saga. The ending, however inevitable, is written in a way that still builds suspense and left me breathless. Audio capably performed by Morven Christie.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent – 4**** This novel is based on a true incident in history. In January 1830 Agnes Magnusdottir became the last person to be executed ..."
I've seen this one a lot of GR. HAHAHA
BC, I finally see one that rings a bell.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan – 2** Two teens – both named Will Grayson – meet in an unlikely scenario. They are very different, but suddenly find their lives intertwined. I am way over the teen angst stage and this novel had way too much of that for my taste. But the ending … oh my stars! The musical that irrepressible Tiny Cooper comes up with celebrating love in all its glorious – and heart-breaking – forms was wonderful. The message of tolerance, love and acceptance is one that more of us should take to heart. Levithan’s chapters brought the rest of the rating down.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Funny Money by James Swain – 2** Tony Valentine is a retired Atlantic City cop, now living in Florida where he runs a consulting business, helping casinos ferret out cheats and grifters. This is book two in the series, though I don’t think I was missing much by having skipped book one. The book is fast paced and there are several twists in the plot, but I still spotted the bad guy by the half-way point and long before Tony.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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; Listening to
and reading
All Four Stars by Tara Dairman – 4**** What a scrumptious debut! Gladys is a bright, resourceful, tenacious girl who will not let a few setbacks (like being grounded and not having any money) thwart her plans to succeed as a restaurant critic for the New York Standard. I did think Gladys’s parents were a little over the top, and her school nemesis – Charissa – was little more than a cardboard stereotype for much of the book. But I absolutely loved Gladys, and the descriptions of the foods she ate or prepared. I gobbled this delectable treat down in less than a day, and was hungry for more.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm currently reading Secrets of a Summer Night
by Lisa Kleypas and Penmort Castle
by Kristen Ashley.
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Read/Listened to
which is not my cuppa--It had no romance!
was a boring book.
was excellent and moving. Great sequel! Currently reading
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..."Pretty Cover
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.Listening to
Next up:
My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme – 4**** A delicious memoir. I really got a sense for the determination with which Julia mastered the art of French cooking, and for the enthusiasm with which she set out to impart that love of French cooking to the rest of the world. I liked the photos that were included, but wish that more of them had actual captions. Flo Salent Greenberg does a fine job of the audio, but be sure to get the unabridged version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Behind God’s Back by Miki Knezevic – 2** There is some important history imparted in this novel that chronicles one woman’s life from shortly before WWI through the early 1990s. Physician Desa Jovanivic and lawyer Danilo Maric will be tested, both professionally and personally, but their love will endure. I am glad for the history lesson, but the writing is amateurish and the book needs editing. Some scenes lacked emotion, while others were melodramatic.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sprout by Jenifer Wayne – 4**** A delightful children’s book about one boy’s passion for elephants. Given my own obsession with pachyderms (and books), I had to buy this when I spotted it at an estate sale. I was happy with just the cover, but the text was a wonderful surprise. I loved Sprout’s sense of determination and irrepressible spirit.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni – 4**** In her debut collection of short stories, Divakaruni explores the ways in which women raised with traditional values try to balance the realities of a new existence in America. I love short stories and there are some really great ones in this collection. The women may be different form one another, and very different from me, but I was able to connect to each and every one of them. We share the struggle between living up to others’ expectations and following our own dreams.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Listening to:???
Next up:
Read:
Listened:
Reading Now:
Listening to:
Reading Next:
Listening Next:
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Listening to/Reading:
Next up:
Read
, Reading Now
and Reading Next
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The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson – 3*** I hardly know what to write. In many respects the book is as mysterious and unbelievable as the dictatorship that is North Korea. Johnson’s nonlinear timeline and use of obfuscation, lies, half-truths and prevarications keeps the reader complete off balance – obviously mimicking what the citizens of North Korea must endure. And yet … I found it compelling and fascinating. Tim Kang, Josiah D Lee and James Kyson Lee do a wonderful job narrating the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare – 3.5*** Twins separated by a shipwreck; a woman disguised as a man; a Duke who loves a Countess, who falls for the messenger (really the woman in disguise). Eventually this comedy will be sorted out and the various pairs of lovers united as they should be. Great fun to watch it being performed; reasonably entertaining as an audio book (performed by a full cast).
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Queen Sugar by Natalie Baszile – 3*** In her debut work Baszile explores one woman’s efforts to find herself by returning to her family’s roots – a sugar cane farm in southern Louisiana. It’s a good premise but an uneven effort. I liked Charley, but wanted more about her relationships. Thought her brother was an unnecessary distraction for most of the book. And the ending was a little abrupt. An okay debut.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read: Defy by Sara B. LarsonReading now: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and Ignite by Sara B. Larson
Reading next: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
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★★★★
★★★
★★ Reading:
To Read:
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – 5***** This is a modern fable; a story of faith, moral courage, destiny and friendship. Covering the period from 1953 to the late 1980s, Irving uses the narrator – Johnny Wheelwright – to comment on the politics of the day, social mores, the role of faith and religion in our communities, and the miracle of enduring friendship. I loved Owen Meany almost as much as Johnny did. He could be exasperating, but there was something so mature and wise and loving about him that simply drew me in. Joe Barrett does a fine job performing the audio version. His unique voice for Owen Meanty is very effective.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Megan wrote: "Reading now: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell "Hope you like GWTW ...
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A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – 5***** This is a modern fable; a story of faith, moral courage, destiny and friendship. Covering the period from..."
OMG, we are going to read this for our June Book club selection. I'll admit that I am unhappy because 1)it's not a "romance" and 2) it's almost 800 pages.
But I am glad it was good!
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@EZI - Where's The Law of Moses? :D
"I hadn't loaded the CD mp3 into itunes. I will do that tonight or tomorrow :D
Ezinwanyi~the Impish Angel wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " OMG, we are going to read this for our June Book club selection. I'll admit that I am unhappy because 1)it's not a "romance" and 2) it's almost 800 pages...."
EZI ... if you can do the audio, I highly recommend it. There have been complaints that the text is made more difficult because Owen's "voice" is always typed in ALL CAPS. I did actually read parts of it and I did find this annoying. But the unique voice that the reader uses on the audio completely removes the effect of all those CAPS.
By the way ... the original hardcover was 543 pages. It's just the MMP that is so long. It was 22 CDs on the audio.
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OMG, we are going to read this for our June Book club selection. I'll admit that I am unhappy b..."
i always prefer audio, so I will let you know when I do listen to this book.
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Reading/listening:
To Read:
Finished:
★★★
★★★★★Reading/listening:
Next:
Joyland by Stephen King – 3*** Say “Stephen King” and most people think horror, but this book gives a nod to the old-fashioned crime novel. It is more than just a “hard case crime” story; it is a ghost story, a coming-of-age story, a tender romance, and a serial-killer mystery all rolled into one. I thought the ending was somewhat contrived, but I sure enjoyed the ride.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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The Challenge Factory
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