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What did you read last month?
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What did you read in ~~ July 2021
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Finished the delightful
The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4And
A Mother's Lie by Leah Mercer https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... I didn't enjoy this as much as her previous book ⭐⭐.7
Hong Kong by Jan Morris ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Masque of Africa: Glimpses of African Belief by V.S. Naipaul ⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Wolf Children by Cay Rademacher ⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Strangler Vine by M.J. Carter ⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
What Hetty Did by J.L. Carr ⭐⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Finished the delightful The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"Sandy, i think you posted this is the wrong thread, as i just wrote a comment (& reserved one from my library) on these elsewhere.
John, thanks for sharing your reviews on this thread. The Morris book is as timely as this year's Olympics, with three different representatives from China. The questions continue. I like history, so think this would be a good way to learn about HK.Having found Rademacher's introduction to this series intriguing, i've added this one to my "Want" list. It sounds as fascinating as the first.
Finally, i really liked Carr's A Month in the Country AND i like quirky characters, so will be adding this one to my "wanna read" list, too. Thanks for adding to my TBR again, John.
madrano wrote: "John, thanks for sharing your reviews on this thread. The Morris book is as timely as this year's Olympics, with three different representatives from China. The questions continue. I like history, ..."Thanks for the feedback! If you like quirky, here's another title to consider: Miss Gomez and the Brethren by William Trevor. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nice reviews, John. I wonder if Alex Wyndham (narrator of The Strangler Vine) is the grandson (great-grandson?) of John Wyndham?
Thanks for the suggestion, John. It sounds good. Sadly, i am having difficulty finding e-editions of older books. The upside is i have a great reason to visit used book stores, which is always a joy.
Petra, The Day of the Triffids is a classic! Now you have me wondering about Alex. I googled him. If he's related to John, he's keeping it secret. I liked the idea but he shares nothing about his personal life.
LOL! I googled him, too. He's very quiet about his personal information. John Wyndham is one of my favorite authors. I like all his books, with my most favorites being The Chrysalids and Chocky.
John wrote: "Hong Kong by Jan Morris ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[book:The Masque of Africa: Glimpses of Afri..."
Great reading month, John !
Petra, i liked the movie Village of the Damned when i saw it as a kid in a theater. Years later i learned it's based on Wyndham's The Midwich Cuckoos. Good writer!
My July reads. I discussed these during the month, so I will be brief. 
The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon MeachamRate 3/5
eBook & Audio. Audio was well done by Fred Sanders
The long intro read by the author was a bit slow going. However, once the book began, I enjoyed it and learned a lot.
The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat HanhRate 3/3
eBook
Thoughtful book with tips on being how to be in present moment through meditation.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka MurataRate 3/5
I liked this book about a lady, whom I think had some mild form of autism, who worked as a clerk. The book was quite poignant and I would recommend it.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle ZaunerRate 3/5
eBook
The author is the singer and guitarist of the Indie band, Japanese Breakfast . The focus is on the authors return home to care for her ailing mother. They had a rocky relationship but she reconnects with her mother over the Korean food and dishes they prepare.
Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi KawakamiRate 3/5
eBook
An odd story of a May-December romance by an unhappy 30 something office worker and her 70 something high school teacher.
I will carry over into August --
Audio
The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun - Gretchen Rubin
eBook
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam M. Grant
Audio
This Country by Chris Matthews
I spent much of July reading mysteries by Tony Hillerman and those by writing duo Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. Each of the mysteries was written prior to the internet (1960s for the Swedish couple). In their own ways each could be considered police procedurals, although the differences are vast. Hillerman's books were about the US Four Corners areas but mostly tribal Arizona, while the others are set in Sweden with quite slow (think months) investigations. Interesting all.Maj Sjöwall, Per Wahlöö--I read the first 4 in the series of 10.( Roseanna, which i actually read last month), The Man Who Went Up in Smoke, The Man on the Balcony and The Laughing Policeman. The first was the most interesting, as it starts with an unidentifiable young woman found drown in the river. The incremental developments were fascinating to learn. I stopped at the 4th, which is supposed to be the best. I can see why it is deemed so, as the authors really pulled the team together.
However, the series was written in the '60s and i was rather surprised at the number of sexist and degrading remarks. And saddened that the crimes described are nothing new. These are well written & slow in developing, which is realistic, imo. However, i just don't think i'll read further in this series which features officer Martin Beck.
I only read two Tony Hillerman books are the first two in his Joe Leaphorn series--The Blessing Way and Dance Hall of the Dead. His description of the area is good and are the details of the way discoveries are made. I liked learning Navajo and other tribal customs and plan to read further in the series.
Another mystery i read was the first in a series from Katrine Engberg, The Tenant. A young woman is killed in an apartment building in Copenhagen owned by an old woman. It was a tad convoluted but i liked it. Whether i'd read further in the series, i do not know. I rather liked the police officers and the way they worked the case, though.
My one-woman mystery-fest was interrupted when my Aunt recommended Hernan Diaz's unusual western, In the Distance about a young Swedish man who accidentally arrives on the west US coast in the 1800s, rather than in NYC with his brother. His tale of working his way east is quite adventuresome and i liked the ride.
And through all this reading, i was working my way through another of my 2021 DL selections, George Washington's Secret Spy War: The Making of America's First Spymaster. John A. Nagy seems to have specialized in the spies of the Revolutionary War. He made a point of telling readers what was provable and what is generally guessed by historians, which i liked. Additionally, in the last half of the book, he illustrated how generals in WWII and the Gulf War used similar tactics (misleading the enemy using materials, for example) to win battles. I suspect earlier books by Nagy might be better, as the reach for historic precedence was interesting, it truly seemed to pad the book more than necessary.
Alias Reader wrote: "My July reads. I discussed these during the month, so I will be brief. [book:The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Bett..."As someone familiar with Korean cuisine, and H Mart as a store, that one might work for me. The Japanese book also seems like TBR material.
madrano wrote: "I spent much of July reading mysteries by Tony Hillerman and those by writing duo Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. Each of the mysteries was written prior to t..."I watched the first season of Beck a while ago, Swedish with English subtitles, as well as the later Kenneth Brannaugh ones. I can imagine the books would be rather slow. Some of the Chee stories were made into excellent videos for PBS.
Thanks for the tips, John. I didn't realize the Beck books were on film.
madrano wrote: "Petra, i liked the movie Village of the Damned when i saw it as a kid in a theater. Years later i learned it's based on Wyndham's The Midwich Cuckoos. Good writer!"Deb, his stories are in the realm of "comfort reads". They are interesting stories and somehow fun to revisit.
Movie versions would be fun to watch. I haven't seen a movie made from his books. Will have to check them out.
Alias, many of your books are about connection and healing. Those are wonderful topics to explore. I'm going to check out H-Mart soon. Thanks!
Deb, lots of mystery and intrigue. That makes for good reading. I've read a couple of Swedish mysteries and quite liked them. None were from the 60s. It's interesting to read books from a past era/decade/time. It can show many discriminations.
Nice reading month!
Here's what I read this month. NonFiction:
The Poison Tree: A True Story of Family Terror (2-star) - Meh. There was something missing in the telling of this story.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe: Three Words and Four Weeks that shaped a pandemic (audio; 4-star) - a look at the first 3 months of the Pandemic, through the eyes of our Health Officer, Dr. Bonny Henry, and her sister's view of how these uncertain months affected Dr. Henry. An interesting behind-the-scenes look of the Pandemic here in BC.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Graphic Novels:
Fables, Volume 1 (3-star) - this was an interesting story of several Fairy Tale characters, exiled from their Land, living in New York City disguised & living as real people. The blending of the Fairy and Real worlds was well done. The old-time, comic book style of artwork was also good.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Red Rosa: A Graphic Biography of Rosa Luxemburg (4-star) - I knew nothing about Rosa Luxemburg before reading this. I enjoyed learning about her. I can't say anything about her politics. They are hers but they are a big part of her life and they shaped her. An interesting story.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Short stories:
The Scarlet Pimpernel (5-star) - an entertaining story of an unidentified Hero. I enjoyed every page.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Bloomsbury Christening (3-star) - a fun story of a curmudgeon uncle and a christening.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
madrano wrote: "I spent much of July reading mysteries by Tony Hillerman and those by writing duo Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. Each of the mysteries was written prior to t..."Nice mysterious July for you, Deb. :)
Good job on the President challenge/DL. I need to focus again on my Presidential challenge and my 2021 Determination List. (DL)
Petra wrote: "Alias, many of your books are about connection and healing. Those are wonderful topics to explore. I'm going to check out H-Mart soon. Thanks!"If you haven't read Convenience Store Woman I would recommend that one first.
Petra wrote: Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe: Three Words and Four Weeks that shaped a pandemic (audio; 4-star) - a look at the first 3 months of the Pandemic, through the eyes of our Health Officer, Dr. Bonny Henry, and her sister's view of how these uncertain months affected Dr. Henry. An interesting behind-the-scenes look of the Pandemic here in BC.Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....."
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe.
This would make a wonderful mediation.
Alias, that was our mantra up here throughout the Pandemic. Dr. Henry started saying this right at the start and it caught on.
I am your provincial neighbour to the right (Alberta)
Finished reading
The Butterfly Garden by Sophie Anderson.An excellent debut novel. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Petra wrote: "Deb, his stories are in the realm of "comfort reads". They are interesting stories and somehow fun to revisit.Movie versions would be fun to watch. I haven't seen a movie made from his books. Will have to check them out…
The two filmed versions of his books have been from the 1960s, i think. Oldies but goodies.
Simon, i just got The Social Graces, thanks to your review of this Renee Rosen novel. Looking forward to getting to it!
Petra, it’s sad to see an author fail to make their story, which sounds like a good topic, fail to succeed. Sorry for that experience.The Henry sisters book sounds like a good one to see how the early months of COVID was for such professionals. Thanks for the title.
The graphic novels sound appealing, for different reasons. Snow White in NYC? Gotta read it!
And a Dickens short story about Bloomsbury sounds terrific. Thanks for sharing the reviews with us, Petra.
Sandy, the Anderson novels intrigues me with the Cornwall setting.
I read quite a few in July so hopefully I can pack them all in here! lol
Food: Winner, Winner, Chicken _ _ _ _ by Jeffrey Caston - 5 stars. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
They Rise by Hunter Shea - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Feeding Grounds by David Brian - 4 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Lineage by Joe Hart - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Savage Island by Brian Moreland - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sandgroper by Lee Franklin - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cryptids by David Haynes - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Flesh & Blood by Lee Franklin - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Haunted House From Hell by Mark L'estrange - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Destroy All Cryptids by David Haynes - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Beast of Sorrows by James Watts - 4 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A House in the Country by Matt Shaw - 4 stars. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dirty Martini by J.A. Konrath - 5 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Zero Day by Bobby Adair - 5 stars. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed: A Baker Johnson Tale by Terry M. West - 4 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Servant of the Red Quill: A Baker Johnson Tale by Terry M. West - 4 stars. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Stuck On You by Jasper Bark - 4 stars.My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Well that wraps up July and yeah I know - I had a few 5 star reads but a few of them were by authors I have read before so already knew their work. :)
Also I had a lot of books as I was reading more than two at a time in July. It will probably be that way for August as well as I am trying to pack in some books that I have been on my tbr for awhile. :)
Madrano, Am interested to know what you think after you finish reading ‘The Social Graces’ :)
Marie, it sounds to me as you need to keep your gore suit handy quite often. What fun to read some of the storylines—squirrels? Sharks?It’s neat that your patience with the Hart novel was so well rewarded. Knowing an author’s previous work paid off well there.
Insect stories can be so very creepy. Indeed, when I saw you reviewed Savage Island, my first thought was about bugs in the jungle, even though that wasn’t mentioned. Glad you enjoy the.
Learning about some of the series is neat for me, as i can vicariously learn about other unusual topics in spooky novels. Great reading month for you.
Simon, i stayed up late last night to finish The Social Graces, so fascinated was i with the story. I felt Renee Rosen did a splendid job of sharing her vision of the story and era. Elsewhere i mentioned i would have like photos of the women, fashion and events but that’s mostly because i would look up images of a character and follow her Internet rabbit hole for 10-20 minutes each time!With all the fine writing and presentation, i felt frustrated a time or two when a Big Event itself was barely mentioned when it arose, such as Consuela Vanderbilt’s wedding to the future Duke of Marlborough. I was sure it would have descriptions beyond compare. Instead, the next chapter alluded to the event as having happened. Darnit!
But details about other points, such as the creation of the Waldorf and Astoria hotels atoned for much! Fun book.
madrano wrote: "Marie, it sounds to me as you need to keep your gore suit handy quite often. What fun to read some of the storylines—squirrels? Sharks?It’s neat that your patience with the Hart novel was so well rewarded. Knowing an author’s previous work paid off well there.
Insect stories can be so very creepy. Indeed, when I saw you reviewed Savage Island, my first thought was about bugs in the jungle, even though that wasn’t mentioned. Glad you enjoy the.
Learning about some of the series is neat for me, as i can vicariously learn about other unusual topics in spooky novels. Great reading month for you...."
Thank you, Madrano!
Well the Savage Island book was not about bugs - it was about the jungle itself (vines and vegetation) coming to life and it wasn't happy that people had invaded its domain. :)
The series books - I like them okay but I need to learn to stick with them. (LOL) I have a bad habit of starting a series and not finishing them if they have loads of books.
The series by author Bobby Adair is around 10 or 11 books, so I am slowly working my way through them. I read the first two books back in 2016, but never continued on with the series, so I am fixing that this year (I hope - lol) to move onward. The books remind me a little bit of The Walking Dead tv series as it is about surviving in a world of zombies and finding companions along the way.
The crime book series by author, J.A. Konrath I have been staying steady on reading them. Trying to read at least one book a month maybe two depending on what I am trying to fit in this year. But I really love that series. It is about the best crime series I have read in awhile. :)
Marie wrote: "I read quite a few in July so hopefully I can pack them all in here! lolFood: Winner, Winner, Chicken _ _ _ _ by [author:..."Very impressive, Marie !
Marie, i find the survival angles of zombie books the most fascinating aspects. This is true regardless of the invading forces.I’m quite guilty of abandoning series, too. Sometimes i resume them, sometimes not.
Book Nook Cafe
Books mentioned in this topic
Winner, Winner, Chicken_ _ _ _ (other topics)The Social Graces (other topics)
They Rise (other topics)
Feeding Grounds (other topics)
Lineage (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Renée Rosen (other topics)Jeffrey Caston (other topics)
Joe Hart (other topics)
Hunter Shea (other topics)
David Brian (other topics)
More...
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