What are you reading? - 2021 Showing 101-150 of 1,104

[Gavin]

I'm re-reading Insomnia by Stephen King.

[Dem]

Finished Take It Back by Kia Abdullah

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3760267465

[PattyMacDotComma]

Cherie wrote: "Patty - I looked at your 2020 Review list of books. I read four of the books on your list and they were all 5 stars for me."

Dawn wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I finally decided to 'review' my own 2020 on Goodreads by choosing the books I liked best. It's a strange assortment, but that's what makes reading fun for ..."

It was fun, Dawn, but a lot of work since I hadn't made a list, so I had to check my reviews. But it was well worth it because other people's lists showed me books I want to read.

Cherie, great minds think alike, eh? It's funny how I will agree so closely with some GR friends on several books and then be completely out of step on another. But that's what makes GR interesting, I think. :)

[PattyMacDotComma]

This is an unusual addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series for children by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara. Louise Bourgeois was a troubled, unique artist who created disturbing sculptures.
4★ Link to my Louise Bourgeois review with illustrations and a few photos of her "Maman" spiders

[PattyMacDotComma]

Amazing Things Are Happening Here is a collection of short stories by Jacob M. Appel, a doctor who has a knack for writing stories with a twist.
3★ Link to my Amazing Things review

[Margo]

I'm rereading Gone with the Wind. It's like snuggling up with an old friend every night, so comforting.

Also listening to The Lady of the Rivers. Philippa Gregory is another old and trusted friend (no, I've never actually met her but trust me, we'd be close ;-))!

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished LaRose last night for the group themed read and found a spot for it in my museum challenge. I went in expecting the brilliance that is Louise Erdrich only to be disappointed. There were parts that I enjoyed which kept my rating at 3 stars.

I will start Blackberry Winter later today. It's the oldest book on my print tbr. I'll be glad to finally cross it off my list. I don't know how many times it's been possibilities for challenges or topplers.

[Sharon]

I am on the back half of Claw which is part of the Museum challenge. It is a different read for me, but I am actually enjoying it very much. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

[Sandra, Moderator]

I finished The Glass Woman yesterday and gave it 3 stars. I don't know if I had too high expectations, but I was underwhelmed. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I read The Mercies not long ago, and the settings are very similar, they both have scary husbands, the struggles for surviving, and other things that would be spoilers. The difference is the writing in TGW was way weaker. I think the timing affected my rating.

I started A Prayer for Owen Meany. It has been in my TBR for ages. I suggested it for next month read in my book club. It seems like a great book for discussion.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "I will start Blackberry Winter later today. It's the oldest book on my print tbr. I'll be glad to finally cross it off my list. I don't know how many times it's been possibilities for challenges or topplers."

I have owned that book since 2013 and still not gotten around to reading it. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on it.

[Margo]

Sandra wrote: "I finished The Glass Woman yesterday and gave it 3 stars. I don't know if I had too high expectations, but I was underwhelmed. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I read..."

Sandra, I didn't care for TGW either but loved The Mercies.

A Prayer for Owen Meany could be on my all time favourites list, depending on the day! It was chosen by some one in my book club too, a reread for me. It prompted great discussion.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Margo, I really hope A Prayer for Owen Meany is good, because I have 6 or 7 friends reading all its 637 pages right now!

[Margo]

Sandra wrote: "Margo, I really hope A Prayer for Owen Meany is good, because I have 6 or 7 friends reading all its 637 pages right now!"

Yeah, 2 people in our group thought it was too long, the majority wished it had been longer.

[Sandra, Moderator]

That is a great recommendation indeed. Wanted the book to be longer.

[Janice, Moderator]

I loved both The Glass Woman and The Mercies. And I also loved A Prayer for Owen Meany.

[PattyMacDotComma]

I really enjoyed The Crossing, the first of Aussie author B. Michael Radburn's mystery series about a park ranger escaping his grief by taking a posting in Tasmania. It's frying pan into the fire stuff, except it's so bl**dy freezing that the fire might be welcome. Good read!
4.5★ Link to my review of The Crossing

[Katrisa]

I finished Fatal Throne

which I only chose because it fit my museum task for throne in the title and my library had it - but I enjoyed it quite a bit!

It kinda made me want to tackle Hilary Mantel's Thomas Cromwell trilogy which interested me as far as winning awards, but seemed a bit too lengthy for 16th century British historic fiction for my tastes. But Fatal throne made me think I would probably enjoy it.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished Blackberry Winter. It's a quick easy read, not literary by any means. I gave it 4 stars for the enjoyability factor. For literary quality, it's probably more a 3 star read.

I'm going to get a jump start on a buddy read and start The City of Brass tonight.

[Ayacchi]

I finished New Boy today. It's a reimagine of Shakespeare's Othello though I haven't read it yet. It should be an easy and quick read since the events happened in a single day (or half a day), but for me it was a difficult one, with it's being so intense. It gave me a chill to my bone the way Baby Teeth did to me, and I gave it 4 stars, undecided whether it's a great book or a bad one.

[Roz]

I'm reading The Full Cupboard of Life. It's the next in the series for me. I was going to use it for the Museum Challenge (Madrid, About) but the hardcopy/paperback is only 198 pages (the kindle version is 208). No matter, I have to read it anyway so I can get to the next ones that I'm using for the challenge. I'm really liking it so far. I especially like the way the MC talks about "traditionally built" women being better than "skinny" ones. I may have to move to Batswana. I'm also reading Long Man. Not too bad, but not enthused so far.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Roz, the rule for page number in the Museum Challenge is at least 175 pages, so you are fine with 198.

[Roz]

Sandra wrote: "Roz, the rule for page number in the Museum Challenge is at least 175 pages, so you are fine with 198."

That's true. Unfortunately, for Museum 23 (Madrid), Task About, I have to read a book with 200 - 299 pages and the rules for it state that if I read a kindle version (which I did) I have to use the print copy for the # of pages. I would have loved to use the book, but rules are rules. 😞

[Sandra, Moderator]

Oh you are right. I didn't think of that specific task.

[Roz]

Sandra wrote: "Oh you are right. I didn't think of that specific task."

I'd rather take your ruling, Sandra.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Roz wrote: "I'd rather take your ruling, Sandra."

Lol.

[Cherie]

I am just at 50% in An Echo in the Bone. I am seriously feeling like I know nothing about when things happened during the Revolutionary War.

I started Miss Buncle's Book for my museum challenge. The writing is good, but there really is no action, except the reactions of the characters. I think I have gotten too used to more drama and action in my reading.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I just finished If It Bleeds and I'm about to start Reliquary.

I'm also still reading The Good Sister for the monthly theme. I'm really enjoying it, so time goes quickly when I'm reading.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Sulari Gentill's exceptional Rowland Sinclair historical mystery series takes her four Australian characters to 1930's Shanghai in Shanghai Secrets. What a terrifying place it was - but a great read!

5★ Link to my Shanghai Secrets review

[PattyMacDotComma]

This is a great one for kids and music lovers. Elton John by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara is bright and interesting and real.
5★ Link to my Elton John review with several illustrations

[Cherie]

I finished An Echo in the Bone. 5*s
I cannot believe I am coming onto the last book in the series.
Lord John Gray will be next.

Miss Buncle's Book has taken a turn for the better. A little more action and very funny moments. I might add her to my series list after all.

[Dem]

Finished The Spy Who Came In from the Cold byJohn le Carré

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3755138338

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished The Good Sister. I thought it was a good read. I like Hepworth's writing style. I think it draws you in and the story feels like it goes by quickly. my review

I have started Reliquary for the buddy read and it is good so far. It took me a little bit to remember all the players from the first book.

I'm also starting A Caller's Game today for review and I'm slowing inching my way through Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning by reading a little each night at bedtime.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished The Broken Raven last night. I loved the first book in the series Shadow Skye, set in a fantasy ancient Scotland. This one was just a tad shy of that 5 star rating. Still, I love the characters.

I will start The Persimmon Tree on audiobook today. That should see me through to the end of January since it's about 27 hours long. It's a re-read for me. My irl book club is reading it. Since it was a 5 star read for me the first time around, I'm happy to read it again.

[Dem]

Finished and enjoyed Fey's War: The True Story of a Mother, her Missing Sons and the Plot to Kill Hitler byCatherine Bailey

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3771810111

[PattyMacDotComma]

How could I not love The Kalahari Typing School for Men, the 4th book in the series of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith? These are always enjoyable and a gentle reminder that life in rural Botswana is a far cry from that of most readers.
4★ Link to my Kalahari Typing School for Men review

[PattyMacDotComma]

Psychedelic dreaming for toddlers, anyone? Alice In Wonderland by words&pictures has some inventive artwork by Cynthia Alonso, including holes in the pages for peeking and for little fingers.
4.5★ Link to my Alice review with illustrations

[Roz]

Finished and did not particularly enjoy Long Man. For me it dragged and couldn't be done soon enough. I only gave it 2 1/2 stars. But it fit a challenge item and is now off my tbr.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished Prodigal Son . I thought it was an excellent addition to the series. I love how Evan is starting to grow as a person.

my Prodigal Son review

[Dem]

Finished Life Sentences by Billy O'Callaghan

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3783577537

[Katrisa]

I started Dragonflight today - I am pretty sure it was the 2020 challenge thread that made me put it on my TBR. I am enjoying it a lot!

[Cherie]

Yay, Katrisa- a new Pern fan! You will not be able to stop there. Wait until you meet Menoly and Master Robinton and so many wonderful dragons. Unlike us initial fans, you wouldn’t have to wait y-e-a-r-s between books. I hope you enjoy them all!

[Peggy]

I'm going to start Age of Death, simply because I really crave this kind of fantasy novel at the moment.

[Cherie]

I finished Perdido Street Station. I own the 623 page paperback, but I opted to listen to the audiobook, narrated by John Lee. I did not like it, nor him at first, but I got used to listening to him. It was a very strange story, with even stranger characters. I am not sure I will read the next book or not. I read it for my museum challenge for the fictional or fantasy city task. It is definitely that!!!

[Cherie]

I am currently reading A Spot of Bother and The Colors of All the Cattle - both for my museum challenge.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Shuggie Bain, the autobiographical novel by Scottish-born author Douglas Stuart, tells of a loving, queer, little boy who adores his beautiful, alcoholic mum. It is heart-breakingly wonderful! Well-deserved winner of the 2020 Booker Prize.
5★+ Link to my Shuggie Bain review

[PattyMacDotComma]

I've not read any of Jeffery Deaver's work before, so his short story Turning Point was my introduction. Loved it! Finding RDK, the Russian Doll Killer, was cleverly done.
4.5★ Link to my Turning Point review

[Katrisa]

Cherie wrote: "Yay, Katrisa- a new Pern fan! You will not be able to stop there. Wait until you meet Menoly and Master Robinton and so many wonderful dragons. Unlike us initial fans, you wouldn’t have to wait y-e..."

I am looking forward to reading more of them!!

[Katrisa]

I just got some holds from the library so I'll be listening to these coming up in the next week:
Interior Chinatown
Ready Player Two and
The Upside of Unrequited

[Margo]

I finally finished Girl, Woman, Other. I really enjoyed it, which surprised me. I got it from the library cos a friend was badgering my to read it and I was reluctant as I'm usually one for short stories but this was very different. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that all the seemingly unrelated story threads came together at the end in a very cool way.

The writing was great, a lot of it in verse which scared me a bit me as a concept but actually worked well on audio. I loved the way the writer poked fun at the "woke" generation while not insulting anyone. What didn't work so well for me was the huge number of characters. It was very off putting in the early part of the book but in the second half the connections between people become more apparent. I think I missed some of the connection due to the size of the cast.

Highly recommended read.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished The City of Brass last night. It was a complex story and a great debut effort.

Next up is One Word Kill for the group themed read.