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BOOK POOL - Jan/Feb 2021
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Erica
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Jan 08, 2021 02:26PM
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I just finished Tracey Alvarez’s book “In too deep” ! Loved it! I enjoyed Piper & West and all their friends & family. I think I mainly enjoyed Stewart Island as it brought back memories of when my husband & I visited it! Tracey still does a terrific job of writing!
Erica wrote: "After Jess's rave review I've put Impossible on reserve at my library - I'm 18 in the queue but hopefully it comes in before end of Feb!"I hope it speaks to you as much as it did me, Erica. :) Hopefully you don’t need to wait too long!
#8Book #1 - Loner
Read: 09/01
Rating: 3.5 stars
This YA was about uni drop out, Lona. She's trying to find her way in the world but really just prefers to hunker down and binge watch Buffy or Stranger Things. I enjoyed this, I felt the author kept the story at a realistic level, not too sensational or romantic.
#6Book #1 The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Read 10/01
Rating 4 stars
Similar to The Ten Thousand Doors of January in terms of magic being included in the story, but this time it plays a bigger part. This is sisterhood, feminism and some good old-fashioned nursery rhymes with a twist; spells hidden in plain sight to avoid the earlier persecution of 'witches' - women who wanted more from the world than indifferent husbands, sexual harassment, and crappy jobs.
I found it a bit long in places, but it also brought me to tears which I feel justifies the rating.
Mod
Book #1 The Shadow King
Read: 13/01
Rating: 3 stars
I really liked the beginning of this book and the writing was very well done I thought. However I think it's been mis-marketed. It's sold as a tale of female resistance fighters in Ethiopia battling against the Italian invaders...but apart from the beginning of the book most of the book about the war focussed on two Italian men (a Colonel and photographer). And while the writing was good I just never felt invested in any of the characters. It seems to have won lots of praise though, just didn't hit the spot for me.
#11Book #3 Piranesi
Read: 10/01
Rating: 4 stars
This was a pleasant surprise. I don’t generally read fantasy, but after reading Piranesi, I may have to give the genre more of a chance. The beginning was a bit too abstract for me, and I almost put it down. I had no idea what was going on and thought I’d missed something which was slightly frustrating. However, as I read on and got into the flow of the narrative, I found that I still had no idea what was going on, but had managed to conjecture some possibilities - I was way off, which I loved. I appreciated the unpredictability of where the first three quarters of the story was going. It probably helped that I knew little about the book itself prior to reading it. This is my kind of story, puzzling, and every bit as captivating as the labyrinth that has Piranesi entrapped.
#12Book #1 - The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Read: 18/01
Rating: 4 stars
I can't say that I enjoyed this book but it has a good story. [spoiler]It's a bit of a saga and in many places I thought things were going to escalate, and while it does get harrowing in parts, it's only near the end when "TSHTF" (the s*** hits the fan) as Ernt would say.[/spoiler]
Mariana wrote: "#12Book #1 - The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Read: 18/01
Rating: 4 stars
I can't say that I enjoyed this book but it has a good story. [spoiler]It's a bit of a saga and in many places I though..."
Hi Mariana, You need to encase your spoiler in < > rather than [ ] to hide it from public view. Then if people want to read it they can click on it and (view spoiler)
I'm waiting for The Shadow King hold to come in at the library. As well as being in the book pool, it counts as part of the Read Harder Challenge that I'm taking part in too https://bookriot.com/read-harder-2021/.
#9Book #3 - A Song for the Stars
Read: 19/01
Rating: 4 Stars
An interesting read, when I saw this was of a young Polynesian girl falling in love with her captor I will admit I was worried.
But in the end I really enjoyed this book, it took me some time as I just got so busy but I was glued to it every time I picked it back up.
This is a mixture of truth and fiction in a way.
#6Book # 2 - Rosewater
Read: 21/01/2021
Rating: 3 stars
The timeline jumped around in this, which I'm normally okay with, but in this instance I found it distracting. There was so much going on in terms of the main character's own story arc in the present, but also at varying points in his past that it was sometimes hard to keep track of.
Interesting angle from a sci-fi/fanstasy point of view but I'm not sure if it was enough to get me to complete the trilogy.
Thanks Lesley, I'll change the spoiler tags when I get to a computer. (Bane of using the phone app is not being able to apply links in posts properly. And not having the ability to edit your post as far as I'm aware.)
I finished reading Mr. Sensational by Serenity Woods. I always love her books & this one was set in Wellington, New Zealand’s Capital City. The ale character was a lawyer from Auckland & the female runs the Law office in Wellington of the same company! Felix is very slick & a very good lawyer but, he is very thoughtful & helps “Coco” fulfill her fantasies!This is fairly erotic which, isn’t how Serenity writes but, I enjoyed it! I would recommend this book for people who enjoy spicier books! It isn’t rough but, explicit!
Mod
Book #2 - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Read 05/01
Rating: 5★
Although a couple of parts dragged the pivotal parts were so amazing that I had to give 5★ Angelou's poem of the same name also dazzling.
#11 Book #4 - Kindred
Read: 17/01
Rating: 3.5
I don’t read sci-fi and I’m not a huge fan of time travel, but historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and I enjoyed the structural concept of the story. At times I found the dialogue confusing and often had to reread parts to figure out which of the characters were speaking. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect emotionally to any of the characters, which was disappointing given the subject matter. Overall, this was a compelling read juxtaposing the antebellum era with the then 70s, foregrounding societal injustices that are just as relevant today.
#6Book #3 - The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Read: 26/01/2021
Rating: 4 stars
Kentucky 1936. Smalltown bigotry, inherent racism and the lack of women's rights make for some uncomfortable reading. At the same time learning about the Pack Horse Librarians and the blue people of the area is fascinating.
#7 Book #1 A Song for the Stars
Read: 26/01
Woohoo! I got a book finished!!!
4 stars, I mostly enjoyed this even tho it is written in the present tense, which I generally don't care for.
Mod
Book #1 A Song for the Stars
Read: 26/01
Woohoo! I got a book finished!!!
4 stars, I mostly enjoyed this even tho it is written in the present tense, which I generally don't ca..."
I'm reading at the moment & that is one of the things I'm struggling with. But I'm interested in the subject matter.
Mod
Book #0 - A Song for the Stars
Read 29/01
Rating: 2★
Given up struggling & made this a DNF, I found it very wooden.
#9Book #4 - In Too Deep by Tracey Alvarez
Read: 29/01
Rating: 3 Stars
I enjoyed parts of this book, there were times where I needed to go back and reread it but a pretty decent romance.
Also, if anyone is really looking for NZ Based books, this one is if you don't mind sexual references.
#6Book #4 - The Great Alone
Read 31/01/2021
Rating: 3 stars
I'm really torn by this. It's a beautifully written book but not an easy book to read. Covering PTSD, alcoholism, domestic abuse and co-dependence to name a few, there's a whole lot going on. Almost too much, as if the author has tried to cram as much tragedy into one family as possible and some of it doesn't ring true.
Mod
Book #2 The Idea of Perfection
Read: 01/02
Rating: 4 stars
This is a slow, meandering novel. More character and setting driven, than plot. But I found it quite immersive and enjoyed the antics of the different characters.
I've got two books on reserve at the library (Stan Walker biography and The Great Alone). I'm really hoping they arrive soon so I can get to them before the end of Feb!
#9Book #5 - Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Read: 02/03
Rating: 4 Stars
This is basically up my alley, it's another decent YA that I quite enjoyed when I took the time to sit and read.
There were parts where I felt a bit squirmy - the idea of this book is that children are harvested for their organs but it's not in a gore like way - but I felt that the book over all was good.
#9Book #6 - The Special Ones
Read: 04/02
Rating: 5 Stars
Okay, I especially LOVED this!
I'm not really one for thrillers or crime based books but I have been so pleasantly surprised when I've picked one up - always through our Book Pools as well.
The beginning was super interesting to me as you get to know the characters and learn of what kind of predicament they're in.
Honestly, if there is one book I would say to grab - it would be this one!
Well I am sad to say I am doing miserably with this challenge. All my reading time is taken up at the moment preparing for booktalks for my reading engagement programme. I will be presenting to about 50 classes over the next 9 weeks and pretty much everyone will need a book. I never recommend books I haven't read myself so I am putting in some long reading hours. I am scared to do the maths for how many I will need. One of the English teachers is also doing the coolest novel study! The students read a modern YA retelling/reimagining of a classic novel and make comparisons to the original, particularly modern interpretations of iconic scenes, or a study of main characters from the classics. Amazing stuff! So I have been reading heaps of YA modern reimaginings/retellings. I am currently listening to Feral Youth which is a retelling of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, and Roman and Jewel which draws inspiration from Romeo and Juliet and the Broadway production of Hamilton. So sadly I think I have to bow out of the challenge for Jan/Feb and join in to a later one. I had already read a number of these books and am still keen to read quite a few of the others so look forward to seeing what everyone thinks of the books. Have fun and best wishes for this challenge everyone! Claude
Carlene wrote: "#9Book #6 - The Special Ones
Read: 04/02
Rating: 5 Stars
Okay, I especially LOVED this!
I'm not really one for thrillers or crime based books but I have been so pleasantly surprised when I've pic..."
I am so pleased you loved this. it has been on my bedside table for about a year which is why I put it forward for this challenge because I really really want to read it! I will definitely read this quickly because I think it will be good for Year 11 and 12's! Thank you for motivating me to get on to this one, Carlene!
Claude's wrote: "Well I am sad to say I am doing miserably with this challenge. All my reading time is taken up at the moment preparing for booktalks for my reading engagement programme. I will be presenting to abo..."You'll have to share some of the ones you find very interesting!
Mod
Book #6 - The Special Ones
Read: 04/02
Rating: 5 Stars
Okay, I especially LOVED this!
I'm not really one for thrillers or crime based books but I have been so pleasantly surpris..."
& if you do manage to read in the Challenge time frame, post here. :)
I often do quite poorly with the challenges as I read group books in other groups, but I always cut myself some slack! :D
Mod
We are in the last few weeks of this challenge. I lost myself in some books to finish off a YA spin-off series, clocked up 6 books for January and none of them
are Book Pool reads!
Gotta get my A in to gear.
May February be the Month of Goodreads!
Mod
Book #3 Potiki
Rating 4★ I don't know what it is with Grace. I can admire the craft, this particular book is very thought provoking, but it doesn't touch my heart. Finished 16/2
Mod
Book #2 - Impossible: My Story, by Stan Walker
Read: 07/01
Rating: 5 stars
This is probably one of the most powerful memoirs I’ve read. Walker speaks openly and honestly about his traumatic ..."
Wow... I wasn't really interested in reading Stan Walker's bio, but just from your review, I've added it to my TBR pile. Fingers crossed I can get it finished before March comes along.
Mod
Same although I love his voice! Unfortunately our library's copy was briefly missing & there is a waiting list, so there is no way I'll be able to get hold of it before the challenge finishes.
However My most anticipated read, The Once and Future Witches also was missing, but has turned up & I'm hoping to start today.
Mod
Book #4 Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions
Rating 4★
I hate most maths (love stats & am ok with arithmetic) but I really enjoyed this book. Silly fun! & very short if you are wanting a quickie to finish off the challenge! :) Finished 18/2
Mod
Book #5 - this is tentative, as I am going away tomorrow, but I am hoping I will finish by the end of the month.
The Once and Future Witches I'll be back on the 3rd & will let you know if I do get it finished on time.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "The Once and Future Witches."
I'm still well down the library queue for that one.
I haven't done well this time round. I'll keep note of the book pool books and hope to read a few between now and our next challenge.
I’m on my 18th book! Finished 17! Ali Parker’s “Jaded”
Mod
I got really busy with work so ended up running out of time to read lol.But hey, I read a few and it was books outside of my usual so that's really good for me!
Mod
Book #5 - this is tentative, as I am going away tomorrow, but I am hoping I will finish by the end of the month.
The Once and Future Witches I'll be back on the 3rd & will let y..."
Back home early due to the COVID outbreak in Auckland, but I haven't finished The Once and Future Witches
Heading back to work after the school holidays has drastically cut into my reading time but I got through a few on my list. There are a few more I would have liked to get to, so I'll take note and try and get to them later in the year.
#7Book #2 Kindred
Read: 20/02, been a bit slack about reporting that I finished this one
Probably the best book I'll read this year. Thank you for nominating it for the pool, Sharleen, I super enjoyed this.
Mod
Mod
Sounds like a few of you got a handful
of books read which is awesome!
Mod
I've also still got the Stan Walked biography on reserve at the library but I'm next in the queue so hope to read that very soon!
Book Loving Kiwis
Books mentioned in this topic
The Great Alone (other topics)Kindred (other topics)
The Once and Future Witches (other topics)
The Once and Future Witches (other topics)
The Once and Future Witches (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Diana Urban (other topics)Trista Mateer (other topics)
Neal Shusterman (other topics)
