Book Chat - CLOSED by original moderator discussion
What Are You Reading / Reviews
>
What Are You Reading / Reviews - Oct through Dec 2020
date
newest »
newest »
Return to Virgin River
by Robyn Carr
narrated by Thérèse Plummer
4****
Nice to catch up with Virgin River and Grace Valley characters. Not quite as much fun as I hoped for but Carr often has very serious themes. The dogs and cat were wonderful. The end was a bit scanty on detail. I think scenes with the puppies' placement would have been a great addition with the chance to see more of Virgin River and Grace Valley characters. I would have liked another chapter or two or at least a more informative epilogue.
(view spoiler)
In some ways this was what I expected in a Virgin River Christmas book with both main characters dealing with loss and the holidays, helping each other and being helped by the Virgin River family.
Parts were also similar to Carr's chick lit books with a group of strong women helping each other cope with life. A helpful man or two stand with them.
Out of the Dark
by David Weber
Charles Keating is good choice for narrator
5*****
Audio re-read of book I've read several times. Sequel is due out January 2021.
I know many, possibly most, did not like this but I love it. My eclectic reading means I'm comfortable with the various genres this blends. It's part Dean Ing techno thriller, part W.W. Johnstone post-apocalyptic adventure, along with a good dose of Fred Saberhagen. Another part of my fondness for it is probably due to my rather odd sense of humor.
Those who don't like it complain that reveal is not foreshadowed. Not true. Romania. (alien blast) "shook the Carpathian Mountains." Wallachia. Resistance leader introduces himself as Mircea Basarab and is described in detail. How many clues do you need? Admittedly if you've never read or seen movie about him you might not know but not noticing is not same as not there.
Aliens very slow to understand why the humans don't surrender. Instead of hacking into government systems to spy they would have been better off watching Die Hard and Independence Day.
Mod
Fair And Tender Ladies –Lee Smith – 5*****
Ivy Rowe tells her story from her parents’ meeting to her old age through letters she writes to her friends and family through the years. Ivy is curious and adventurous, intelligent if lacking education, forthright, determined, and self-reliant. She makes mistakes and deals with them. She observes the workings of the world as it changes around her but remains true to her tiny corner and her mountain ways. Her letters are full of every emotion of life – hope, despair, joy, sorrow and love.
My full review HERE
Mod
Espresso Shot – Cleo Coyle – 3***
Coffeehouse Mystery series book # 7 finds Clare Cosi in the uncomfortable position of catering a wedding reception for a bridezilla who seems to attract danger. I like this series. It’s populated with a nice cast of recurring characters. There are plenty of suspects and some twists and turns to keep the reader (and Clare) guessing. I find all the references to foodie culture and explorations of different cuisines, desserts and beverages (including various coffees) entertaining.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Language of Ghosts, Heather Fawcett
★ ★
The queen is dead and during the funeral dinner there is a coup....
Julian, the New King & his two sisters flee hopping aboard a boat turned island; always moving capturing other islands & now searching for the two lost languages of the Magi. There are rumored to be 9, seven of which Julian can already speak... But what of the other two? Where could they hidden and why?
Julian (deposed king & dark Mage), Noa (his sister) & Mite (the youngest sister) are doing what they can to bring Julian back to the Throne, but his magic is not always enough and so off they search for the rumored lost magical languages...
This was ok, once again I did not really care for the characters, they bored me; but I liked the plot so I finished the book. It rather reminded me of Septimius Heap
Mod
Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, Kim Michele Richardson
★ ★ ★ ★
I had a difficult time reading this book, I abhorred a good portion of the characters, reminding me so much of what is still going on in this country in the south & bible-belt... and to say the least it made me angry as hell....
So, no matter how profound, well written, or good story I disliked the book and will not read another; I did not take off stars as there was a need to show those stupid, ugly, hateful people as they were. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call for some.
The "book-woman" is Cussy Mary, who has a medical condition that makes her skin blue from lack of oxygen. She works for Roosevelt's WPA Pack-Horse Librarian program, delivering books to remote rural KY communities. Most people love her for her kindness & the fact that she bring books, education, & hope into their lives.
She suffers at the hands of a short-lived husband, her supervisor, and others but still finds love & kindness from those she helps.
Mod
The Witch's Kind, Louisa Morgan
★
I found the book boring, I didn't like the characters either, they fell flat...
Barrie Anne, was raised by her Aunt Charlotte after her parents died.... Instead of them being really close, I felt there was always a distance between them that should not have been.
Charlotte is magickal, as is Barrie Anne, but Charlotte doesn't do much to help or explain... They find a dead woman and a baby on the banks of the canal (she has gills behind her ears), they bury the woman & keep the baby.
Barrie Anne marries a navy man, who's a abuser... He goes away to war & comes back, just the same....
It took me over a month and a half and that's all I got out of the book, I didn't understand it or the ending.... I guess it was supposed to be "mystical" in some manner, but I missed all of that.
Mod
The Witch's Daughter, Paula Brackston
★ ★
With the exception of her mother and herself, all of Bess Hawksmith's die of the plague.... The other families are jealous & claim Bess's mother to be a witch for which she is hanged.
Bess reluctantly runs to Gideon for protection...
In her most current reincarnation, Bess unwillingly takes on a young woman as apprentice of sorts. Tegan seem to be a typical teenager, wanting all the power & glory but none of the work and she is distracted by a male.
Throughout the centuries Bess lives her many lives, until the time comes that she must face-off Gideon for once and for all.
The book went through so many lives & times, that I could not keep up, nor could I hold my interest... The print was small and was difficult to focus on. I was rather bored and did not particularly like the characters other than Bess & her mother....
There is a sequel, but I'll pass.
Mod
Thirteen Moons – Charles Frazier – 5*****
Frazier’s sophomore effort returns to the rural Carolina landscape, covering nearly a century from the 1820s to the very beginning of the 20th century. The tale is told by Will Cooper, who as a twelve-year-old orphan was sent into the wilderness as a “bound boy.” It’s a marvelous story, and beautifully told. Will’s life is full of adventure and opportunities, as well as peril and mistakes. Frazier puts the reader into an America that is long gone but vividly portrayed. On finishing, I find that I want to start again at the beginning, savoring every word.
My full review HERE
Mod
A Discovery Of Witches – Deborah Harkness – 4****
Book one of the All Souls Trilogy introduces the reader to Diana Bishop, descended from a long line of powerful witches, but uninterested in learning to use her magic skills, and Matthew Clairmont, who is a renowned vampire. It’s a combination of fantasy, romance, suspense, mystery, and historical fiction. I was engaged from page one and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
My full review HERE
Mod
A Bend In the Stars – Rachel Barenbaum – 3***
A debut work of historical fiction set in 1914 in Russia and featuring a brother and sister who are brilliant scientists determined to succeed and worried about escaping. I think the many subplots were a bit too ambitious. I was interested, but I was exhausted by the constant danger, and longed for peace for the characters and for me.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Nickel Boys – Colson Whitehead – 5*****
In the 1960s Jim Crow South, a young man on his way to college makes a life-changing mistake and winds up in the notoriously draconian Nickel Academy reform school. I was completely engrossed in this story. I loved how the relationships between the boys at Nickel developed, how they helped one another even when they could not understand one another. The last part of the novel moves forward in time when one of the boys has grown up and is in New York. But while he’s achieved a measure of success, he is still haunted by what happened in his youth. Whitehead’s use of this structure made the pivotal scene all the more impactful.
My full review HERE
Mod
When We Left Cuba, Chanel Cleeton
★ ★
This is Beatriz's story and her quest for revenge on Fidel Castro for murdering her twin bother Alejandro. She's in love with a Senator, who buys her a house in Palm Beach, much to the upset of society, her parents, & his fiancée. She signs on with her childhood friend & the CIA to return to Cuba and assassinate Castro.
The book kept me reading because I wanted to know what happened, how it ended; but it didn't seem as real to me.
I don't know if it was an improbable story, if I didn't warm to the characters (which I didn't), if the story felt forced.... There was no warmth, no family ties, no culture just a plot line with no redeeming happiness.
This one just didn't work for me.
Mod
Presumed Innocent – Scott Turow – 4****
This is a fast-paced story with several twists and turns and lots of political and personal intrigue to keep the reader guessing and turning pages. Turow’s tight writing gave me the sense of suspense and impending doom that I expect from a mystery/thriller like this. The final reveal is a bit of a stunner.
My full review HERE
Mod
Julie – Jean Craighead George – 3***
Book two of the Julie of the Wolves series, has our heroine returning to her father’s home and trying to reconcile the traditional Eskimo ways with the newer structure of village corporations, industry and working with the white man. The push/pull of old vs new, of childhood vs adulthood, of nature vs business form the central conflicts in the story.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Girl Who Drank the Moon – Kelly Barnhill – 4.5****
This is a delightful fantasy / fairy tale that deals with prejudice, fear, the importance of family, and the courage to do the right thing. I loved these characters (a witch, a swamp monster, a tiny dragon, and a magical child) and their “family dynamic.” While it’s aimed at the middle-school crowd, it is easily enjoyed by adults.
My full review HERE
Mod
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground – Rita Williams-Garcia – 4.5****
This was wonderful on so many levels, from the history of the blues to the serious work of grieving over the loss of a family member to the need to face our troubles and talk about problems so that we can understand and forgive one another. Appropriate for middle-school readers and adults.
My full review HERE
Archangel's Sun
by Nalini Singh
narrated by Justine Eyre
5*****
Series Story Arc
The world is recovering from the War and rebuilding has begun but there are yet more horrors left behind by the two Archangels who tried the steal the world for themselves.
Sharine
Still thought of as The Hummingbird by angelkind, Sharine is much more. While the dreamy artistic Hummingbird still lives within her, Sharine is an ancient who never succumbed to sleep, who suffered loss after loss after loss and didn't break. The Hummingbird who most thought broken is revealed as just an aspect of the Sharine in Archangel's Sun.
Titus
Despite having a renowned General for a mother, four strong successful bossy nosy older sisters, women warriors, and countless ex-lovers and want to be lovers who adore him, Titus is a bit baffled when it comes to Sharine. It's fun watching as Titus, expecting The Hummingbird artist, gets to know the strong, capable, insightful Sharine.
Stayed up late last night, finished this morning, ready to read again.
Mod
Doña Barbara – Rómulo Gallegos – 3.5***
This classic of South American literature was first published in 1929. It is an epic tale of two cousins who are fighting for control of a vast estate / ranch in Venezuela. The novel is an early example of magical realism and Gallegos weaves together adventure, fantasy, and romance, using vivid description and outlandish storytelling. The various outdoor scenes were particularly exciting – I could practically taste the grit and feel the dust in my nostrils. If there was any element that made me downgrade the rating, it was the tendency towards melodramatic soap opera.
My full review HERE
Mod
The War of the Worlds – H G Wells – 4****
Classic science-fiction horror. I knew the basic premise going in and had heard snippets of the famous radio broadcast by Orson Welles, but had never read the original. The first-person narrative lends a sense of urgency and immediacy to the narrative. The reader feels completely immersed in the story. Wells includes significant tension; while there are a few moments of respite, I found it a very anxiety-producing read.
My full review HERE
Mod
It Takes a Witch – Heather Blake – 2**
The premise of this cozy mystery is pretty lame. The murder plot (main reason to read a cozy mystery in my humble opinion) was moderately interesting. I also thought the romantic interest was handled fairly well, with a nice promise of more to come. But I’ll probably never know what happens between Darcy and Nick, because I have no plans to continue this series.
My full review HERE
Mod
Caroline: Little House Revisited – Sarah Miller – 3.5***
Readers familiar with Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, will find this very familiar. Miller chooses to retell Wilder’s stories for an adult audience, focusing on Laura’s mother, Caroline. I really enjoyed this work of historical fiction, though I cringed at the lead character’s attitudes towards the Native American population. Miller does not gloss over the very real challenges of pioneer life – the lack of supplies, or routine comforts we take for granted.
My full review HERE
Mod
Fraternity – Diane Brady – 3***
In 1968, a visionary priest recruited 20 black men to the College of the Holy Cross and changed their lives and the course of history. This was a very interesting look at how their experience influenced these young men. Brady focuses on seven of the recruits, but the person who really stands out in this tale is Rev. John Brooks, the priest who recruited the students, fought for funds, mentored them, and championed their causes.
My full review HERE
Mod
Next Year in Havana – Chanel Cleeton – 3***
Another work of historical fiction that relies on the bifurcated story line. Basically you have two romances each featuring a privileged young woman with a man who is not in her class, one in the 1950s and the other in 2017. It held my attention, and had some interesting historical elements.
My full review HERE
Mod
Christmas Cow Bells – Mollie Cox Bryan – 3***
First in a new cozy mystery series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and featuring artisanal cheese maker Brynn MacAllister. This was just delightful. I love the basic premise of a micro-dairy farmer who is trying to make her way in a new community, but facing difficulties from traditionalists who do not want any change. I’m not really an animal lover, but I did really love the animal characters: Petunia, Buttermilk, Marigold and Freckles. I look forward to reading more of this series.
My full review HERE
Mod
Secrets of the Chocolate House, Paula Brackston
★ ★ ★
England
First I had no idea what this was about, but the title intrigued me, even the cover was interesting (I like good cover art, what can I say)
So this gal in 2018 is able to time travel, and she saves lives... she purposely goes back to a time to save a man she fell in love with, via a chocolate pot (which sings to her). You know, it is like a port-key.
So she goes back & the old woman who runs the chocolate house and is able to help her is coshed in the head... she helps the old woman heal & does her best to save the guy she loves (who is engaged to another).
She meets an evil man and deals with him.....
She goes back home to 2018 to continue to help her mom run their antique shop, until the next time
Mod
Kiss Of Pride – Sandra Hill – 2.5**
Oh my stars! This is so bad it’s good. I had no idea that Vampire Viking Angels are a thing, but I think I’m glad they are. Despite the dreadfully awful writing and the ridiculous plot, this was still fun. It was a fast-paced, quick read that entertained.
My full review HERE
Mod
Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage, Kareem Abdul Jabar
★ ★ ★ ★
I was very surprised by the book, the story, the characters, and the writing. Thankfully, unlike most modern mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes, this was not dull, presumptuous, nor pretentious. It was in fact interesting, compelling, and easy to read.
While Mycroft (Sherlock's older brother) is working for the Queen (Victoria), he allows Sherlock to investigate the murder of one of the Queen's distant relatives by a serial killer whose calling card is Fire Four Eleven.
As Sherlock investigates the murders, Mycroft investigates the kidnapping of his unrequited love's fiancée, who happens to be an arms dealer.
Well written, this actually held my interest and I liked the characters.
Mod
The Boston Girl – Anita Diamant – 5*****
85-year-old Addie Baum is interviewed by her “favorite” granddaughter for a project. She focuses on her youth in the early 20th century, from age 15 to about age 30. I just loved this book. I loved Addie – feisty, intelligent, curious, determined, adventurous, compassionate. She’s a loyal friend and confidante. She’s also practical about her decisions, but still willing to take a risk. I was completely mesmerized by her storytelling.
My full review HERE
Mod
A Minute to Midnight – David Baldacci – 3***
Book 2 in the Atlee Pine mystery series has the FBI agent forced to take a “vacation” which she elects to spend back in her childhood hometown of Andersonville, Georgia. Fast-paced and with plenty of twists and action to keep the reader turning pages. It’s almost too much action, especially when Baldacci combines the cold case with a new serial killer in town.
My full review HERE
Mod
Dumplin’ – Julie Murphy – 3.5***
I grew up in Texas and am very familiar with the small-town beauty pageant hysteria. I really liked the story arc about Will’s efforts regarding the pageant and how she inspires other girls who don’t fit the standard “beauty-queen” stereotype to step up as well. I also liked how Murphy explored the mother/daughter and friend relationships. I was a somewhat unhappy with the romance aspect; I was really disappointed in how Dumplin’ managed her conflict, but then she’s a teenager.
My full review HERE
Mod
Ella Minnow Pea – Mark Dunn – 5***** and a ❤
A novel told in letters about an island nation off the coast of South Carolina where the residents pride themselves on their literacy. And then a tile falls off a monument and their exalted leaders declare that letter is no longer to be used. What’s one little letter? There are 25 others. But as more letter tiles fall, restrictions – and penalties – become more onerous. And the citizens of Nollop realize their nation is being ruined by those in charge.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Island of Sea Women – Lisa See – 4****
See’s work of historical fiction is set on the Korean island of Jeju, and follows Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls from different backgrounds who become friends. Both begin to apprentice to the women of the island in their unique all-female diving collective. I really liked this work, both for what I learned about this culture, and for the exploration of female relationships – jealousies, secrets, confidences shared, and misunderstanding that cause seemingly irreparable rifts.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Missing Corpse Jean-Luc Bannalec
★ ★ ★
Brittany
When I first began with this series, I did not like Georges Dupin at all and forced myself to finish, but the conclusion was good. Also, I usually skip a bit of the narrative, as too often I find Bannalec rather boring & long winded, especially when Dupin is alone with his thoughts.
What I did like was the description of Brittany and the information/history on the oyster culture in Europe.
Synopsis: An older woman discovers a corpse while walking her dog, when Dupin & colleagues arrive the corpse is gone! A second corpse is found by a group of tourists, thrown from atop a hiking trail.
The 2nd corpse is later identifies as a Scotsman who was last seen with a friend. Both have oysters & a Celtic cultural group in common with the oyster farmers in Belon, as well shady dealings.
There is an on-going side investigation, of two business partners, into sand theft and more criminal oyster dealings, with one of the two meeting with a near fatal accident.
This held my interest, but the book could seriously have been shorter.
Mod
The Killing Tide, Jean-Luc Bannalec
★ ★
Brittany
A woman is found dead with her throat slashed open in the bin of fish guts at the local fish auction house. She was known to have stirred up trouble with the local fishermen by demanding sustainable fishing practices.
Then a second woman is found in the graveyard of plague victims with her throat slashed in the same manner. She was also a supporter of sustainable fishing practices and a protector of dolphins.
Recently the two had been seen together out on each other's boats and had purchased new equipment for their boats. Upon investigating Dupin discovers that all of their technology is missing.
Along with this plot, enter a man with criminal practices running a huge fishing & smuggling enterprise, who ends up being the 2nd victim's father.
A 3rd corpse is found on a far-off part of the area, murdered in the same manner and with a tenuous connection to the 2 women.
Again I skipped a good portion of Dupin's ruminations, but the story had an interesting turn, in that the two women were working together searching for a treasure & any number of people were watching them closely when they went out to sea together...
Sadly we never got to know the women when they were alive.
Mod
The Only Woman In the Room – Marie Benedict – 3.5***
Hedy Lamarr was a movie star in the 1930s-50s, known for her ethereal beauty. She was also a highly intelligent, self-taught scientist and inventor. I knew some of this before reading the book, but still found it fascinating and engaging.
My full review HERE
This book, written by Barack Obama, tells his account before and during his first term as the President of the United States. A dense and long read, it descriptively talks about the most critical aspects. Specifically, Obama describes his election process before his presidency, essential laws he passed, such as the Affordable Care Act and the DREAM Act during his first term, and Bin Laden's assassination towards the end. Obama came a long way facing many obstacles, but it does not change who he is. This book was fascinating to read because you can feel like you are in the book itself. Also, since his accounts were relatively new in history, I could recall where I was whenever he mentions a date or a significant event that happened at that time. Overall, I recommend this book for everyone to read. Although it was 700 pages and highly dense, it was a good read!!
This book is about the narrative of an African American physician named Damon Tweedy. In it tells many stories regarding his accounts with several people during his medical school years and beyond. Throughout the book, he describes that these people he took care of were mostly black and had more medical problems than their white, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American counterparts. As a physician, Tweedy connected with his patients and provided the best care they can receive. However, Tweedy mentioned that he dealt with racist/discriminatory individuals ranging from patients to his urgent care physician. Fortunately, he was able to endure it and learn how to deal with it. Towards the end of the book, he summarizes all of his accounts with these people, and this experience he has gone through helped him be a culturally competent physician. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone interested in health care because it shows both the good and the bad people within this field. This book can help provide as an aid to make people more competent with all people in the health care field. Not only can this book help in the field, but it is also a great book to appreciate reading!
Mod
Song Of the Lion – Anne Hillerman – 3.5***
This is book # 21 in the Leaphorn & Chee mystery series, set on the Navajo nation in Arizona and New Mexico. A car bombing in a high school parking lot begins the action, which focuses on the mediator for a dispute over a major development at the Grand Canyon. Hillerman matches her late father’s skill at plotting and character development. I love Officer Bernadette Manuelito who is a strong female lead. I read this out of order, but didn’t feel lost; still I think it’s a series that begs to be read in order.
My full review HERE
Mod
Escape – Caroline Jessop with Laura Palmer – 3.5***
Carolyn Jessop was only eighteen when she was coerced into an arranged marriage with a high-ranking member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). Merril Jessop was thirty-two years her senior and already had three wives, but polygamy is a way of life for the FLDS. Despite her indoctrination into the belief system, she felt she simply had to escape … with all eight of her children in tow. It’s a fascinating and harrowing tale.
My full review HERE
This book is about many ways to change your mindset on school, relationships, work, and sports. The author, Carol Dweck, calls out how most of us have a "fixed mindset" when doing tasks. This mindset can ultimately set many not to perform well and do jobs adequately. Furthermore, she calls out a solution to change this problem. Dweck introduces the "growth mindset." This mindset changes the way how people think. For example, if someone fails a test, rather than calling themselves "stupid" or a "failure," they find ways on what made them failed initially. Overall, this book is a good read, and I recommend this book to anyone interested in psychology. Plus, this book can help many change their "fixed mindset" to a "growth mindset."
Mod
The Twenty-One Balloons – William Pène du Bois – 4****
This is a classic of children’s literature, for which du Bois was awarded the Newbery Medal. It’s a fantastical adventure story featuring Professor William Waterman Sherman, who leaves San Francisco on Aug 15, 1883, in a balloon, with the intention of going across the Pacific Ocean and enjoying some solitude. He wasn’t counting on Krakatoa’s explosive eruption, however… The illustrations (also by du Bois) provide a visual representation to go along with some of the detailed descriptions of the various inventions.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Growing Season – Sarah Frey – 3***
The subtitle is all the synopsis you need: How I built a New Life – and Saved an American Farm. Frey grew up on the family’s Southern Illinois farmstead, where she learned the value of hard work and determination. Wanting to leave the poverty behind, she was ready to move on, until she faced the imminent foreclosure on the family land, and decided she just couldn’t let it go. She’s a savvy businesswoman and a principled leader. Her story is interesting, but I found it somewhat repetitive.
My full review HERE
Book Chat - CLOSED by original moderator
Books mentioned in this topic
The Growing Season: How I Saved an American Farm--And Built a New Life (other topics)The Twenty-One Balloons (other topics)
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (other topics)
Escape (other topics)
Song of the Lion (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nalini Singh (other topics)Justine Eyre (other topics)
David Weber (other topics)
Charles Keating (other topics)
Robyn Carr (other topics)
More...
Read any good books lately? We want to know about them.
How about real stinkers? We want to know about those too!
Enter your reading list and/or reviews here. Did you like it? Hate it? Feel lukewarm?
Share your thoughts with us.
Happy reading!
.