On The Same Page discussion
2022 Independent Challenges
>
***Michelle's 2022 Reading Flow Challenge
Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "#54 Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Memoirs of a Geisha The tale of a young girl sold into slavery who struggles to become a Geisha and then to live on her own terms. This was..."Same Lillie. I'm glad I finally included it on my challenge this year. It is one of those not-to-be-missed books.
So many new reads to report.#56
Book of Night Holly Black creates a world where shadows have magic and a life of their own. I enjoyed the characters and the world building in this one. It was a little gory. The storyline reminded me a lot of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown which I enjoyed. I will look for the sequel which I assume is coming. Audiobook. 3 stars. Fantasy.#57
The Homewreckers Mary Kay Andrews returns to Savannah for another of her fun southern tales. This one features the strong southern belle she writes best and includes plenty of romance, mystery, interior design, antiques, food and laughs. Loved it! ebook. 4 stars. Fiction/RomCom/Mystery.#58
The Book Woman's Daughter A sweet sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. A young woman fights against prejudice and bigotry to win her independence. I really love how Kim Michele Richardson does historical fiction. Audiobook. 4 stars. Historical Fiction.#59
Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases I have to say I did not love this one. I want to be fair though, the writer really brings home the point about the personal sacrifices our law enforcement agents make in order to see justice done. That said there was maybe a tad too much personal information here and not enough about the crimes. The science was fascinating but a little under played. I think overall balance was the issue. Audiobook. 3 stars. Nonfiction/True Crime.#60
Alexa, what is there to know about love? A perfect collection of funny, light-hearted poetry. Just what I needed. Audiobook. 4 stars. Poetry.60 books/7431 pages
Current:
Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy Paperback. I was making great progress on this one last weekend. Really I was. But then my husband and I saw that Netflix had dropped the new season of Stranger Things and suddenly my evening reading time disappeared. I will get back to it as soon as we have finished the season which won't be long I'm afraid.
The Candy House ebook. Jennifer Egan always a treat.
The Lioness Audiobook. I'm fascinated with Chris Bohjalian. Everything I read of his is good but every book is so different from the one before.
Mod
Thanks Bill. At other times in my life I have been devoted to a single genre, but I find now, that I like to visit all my former genre obsessions from time to time. It makes my list look more eclectic but it also makes it more fun.
Mod
My Heart Is a Chainsaw Loved this horror novel by Stephen Graham Jones. Horror movie c..."Luckily, I have both books!!
Glad you enjoyed Book of Night. It has been getting a lot of press and has a billboard in Times Square, which is awesome. I think there should always be a book shown on those billboards.
Yes! Definitely the kind of advertising I would like to see more of. And book trailers on TV ads. Not that I need help finding more books to read.
Mod
Exactly. I don't need help in that department, at all. LOL
Three new audiobooks down#61
The Lioness I think Chris Bohjalian is part chameleon. Every book of his I have read has been so different from any other book and is usually a different take on whatever genre he is writing. This historical fiction was the story of a group of sixties Hollywood actors on safari in Africa where things go incredibly wrong. In spite of the plot, I would say this was more character study than thriller. Still very entertaining. Maybe more effective read than listened to just because there were so many POVs. Audiobook. 3 stars. Historical Fiction.#62
The Paris Diversion This was a sequel to The Expats and it was great to revisit this bad ass spy mom main character. Audiobook. 3 stars. Thriller/Spy.#63
The Verifiers I truly enjoyed this traditional closed door mystery updated for the internet generation. The main character works for a company that verifies online matches that their clients meet through dating websites. Soon though she goes rogue and begins some investigations of her own. Audiobook. 3 stars. Mystery.63 books/7467 pages
Current (Not much change here):
Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy Paperback. Made an effort to finish this one last weekend but had to go to a family wedding so I didn't make it. So close.
The Candy House ebook. Working to finish this one before it goes back to the library. Fingers crossed.
Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir Audiobook. Frankly regretting I started this one but soldiering through. Dude!!
Wow, Michelle! Your challenge is so ambitious, and you are halfway there before the end of June. I am impressed.
Thanks Carol! It helps that reading is one way I maintain sanity.
You're doing great! I always love to read your reviews. I have not read anything by Bohjalian, but I have looked at a lot of his books and yes! I think he might be a chameleon. I cannot get a sense of what type of author he is and that might be a good thing. :-)
Lea wrote: "You're doing great! I always love to read your reviews. I have not read anything by Bohjalian, but I have looked at a lot of his books and yes! I think he might be a chameleon. I cannot get a sense..."Thanks Lea! You should give Bohjalian a try sometime. I would make a recommendation, but which book you would like best would really vary according to your reading preferences and mood. He always has a really interesting premise and he is a good writer so he usually pulls it off. The one that sticks with me most is Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands but I think that is because parts of the book read like an apocalypse novel even though there was no apocalypse.
Michelle wrote: "Thanks Lea! You should give Bohjalian a try sometime. I would make a recommendation, but which book you would like best would really vary according to your reading preferences and mood. He always has a really interesting premise and he is a good writer so he usually pulls it off. The one that sticks with me most is Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands but I think that is because parts of the book read like an apocalypse novel even though there was no apocalypse."Thanks, Michelle! I am looking forward to giving him a try sometime. I've heard good things about Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, maybe I'll pick that one up when I'm in the mood for an apocalypse novel. That's the challenge with him. I'm a mood reader and I don't know when I'll be in the mood for his books. But I definitely am on Team Variety when it comes to reading books, so it will be fun to read some different books by the same author when I get there.
I haven't been here in a long time, wow! You're doing great and reading some very good books. I'm very glad to see you enjoyed Chris Bohjalian's new book, it's on my TBR. I did not love all his books, but my favorite is (at least for now) Skeletons at the Feast
Ioana wrote: "I haven't been here in a long time, wow! You're doing great and reading some very good books. I'm very glad to see you enjoyed Chris Bohjalian's new book, it's on my TBR. I did not love all his bo..."
Ok, thanks Ioana, now that one is on my TBR! LOL. Not that it takes much to add a book to that never-ending list.
So I'm going to have to try Chris Bohjalian now. Sigh. lolThe Verifiers looks like a fun book. Adding it to my list
Lillie wrote: "So I'm going to have to try Chris Bohjalian now. Sigh. lolThe Verifiers looks like a fun book. Adding it to my list"
I enjoyed The Verifiers. It read like an updated Agatha Christie.
I've been reading and life-ing but not posting on this thread so I'm going to try to catch up.#64
The Candy House Speculative fiction, interconnected short stories. Really a good book and good writing. The overall plot that connected the stories is difficult to explain but I'm going to include a quote here that at least explains the book's title. I was curious about that so I'm assuming others are too. “Nothing is free! Only children expect otherwise even as myths and fairy tales warn us: Rumpelstiltskin, King Midas, Handsel and Gretel. Never trust a candy house! It was only a matter of time before someone made them pay for what they thought they were getting for free.” ebook. 3 stars. Speculative fiction/Short Stories.#65
Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy If you've been reading this thread you know it took me forever to finish this book, not because it was bad just the opposite. It was excellent and beautifully written. The memoir of a man who left Cuba for the U.S. when he was a child. His memories of Cuba and of the communist takeover were fascinating. Each chapter was almost like a standalone story, allowing me to read this book like a box of chocolates instead of a poptart. Paperback. 4 stars. Nonfiction/Memoir.#66
Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir Sadly, this book did not live up to expectations on really any level. I gave it 3 stars mainly to be nice because I like Wil Wheaton and his outspoken views on the Geek culture and anti bullying. I still like that about him but, sorry bro, this book did not work. Audiobook. 3 stars that probably should have been 2. Nonfiction/Memoir#67
Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood Another alleged memoir that did not work. This would have been a fascinating piece of fiction but I have to fall into the category of readers who did not buy that it was nonfiction. I don't know why it was marketed this way. I just know it didn't ring true. Audiobook. 2 stars unmitigated by politeness. Nonfiction(supposedly)/Memoir(questionable)#68
Book Lovers Now this one I loved. It was funny, sweet with witty banter and a really nice sister story on the side. Also a shout out to Emily Henry for finally having a title that really worked. They were lovers and they loved books. I can go along with that one. Audiobook. 4 stars. Romantic Comedy.#69
Delay, Don't Deny: Living an Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle Another intermittent fasting book by Gin Stephens. If you are interested in that topic her books are excellent and practical. ebook. 4 stars. Nonfiction/Health.#70
Killing Floor I watched the series, Reacher, which was based on this book on Prime. I really enjoyed the character and thought I would check out the book. I enjoyed every page even though the series was pretty true to the book. The character reminds me oddly of Murderbot. I think I've found my newest unfinished series and I must not be the only one because the wait list on Overdrive for #2 is huge. I may have to break down and buy another paperback so I can read it on vacation. Reacher is cool! Paperback. 4 stars. Mystery/Thriller.#71
North and South Finally I understand why everyone loves Elizabeth Gaskell. So glad I finally read this classic romance. Audiobook. 4 stars. Classic Fiction.#72
The Kaiju Preservation Society This was just pure fun. Think Jurassic Park meets The Big Bang Theory. ebook. 4 stars. Fantasy/Alternate Universe.72 books/8808 pages
Current:
The Atlas Six Audiobook.
The Reading List (2nd time for my RL book club) ebook.
Cloud Cuckoo Land Just dipped a toe into this one but liking it so far. Hardcover.
So pleased to hear that Emily Henry finally wrote a book with a title that works. I will have to pick that one up one of these days.
Lea wrote: "So pleased to hear that Emily Henry finally wrote a book with a title that works. I will have to pick that one up one of these days."I'm a little bummed about the title actually. I thought she was going to be the author that I always liked the story but always hated the title. If I'm honest it's the reason I read this one, to see if the title would be another one that just didn't really work. She came through this time but I will probably read her next one too just to see if she gets the title right. Most people probably don't care but I like a good title. In the same way some people read a book because of a great cover, I am likely to read one because of a great title.
My husband took me to the bookstore on our date night and I spent my birthday gift card on the next two Jack Reacher books. I'm going to try to hold them until vacation but that is three weeks away. It's going to be hard.
Michelle wrote: "I'm a little bummed about the title actually. I thought she was going to be the author that I always liked the story but always hated the title. If I'm honest it's the reason I read this one, to see if the title would be another one that just didn't really work. She came through this time but I will probably read her next one too just to see if she gets the title right. Most people probably don't care but I like a good title. In the same way some people read a book because of a great cover, I am likely to read one because of a great title."Well, at least you know what grabs your attention with regard to a book. I have no established pattern.
And I do think Emily Henry will likely continue down the path of not always selecting a proper title for her books, and this will be the exception that proves the rule. We'll see.
Mod
Really?? I guess I need to read this soon. I really like Scalzi; so maybe I will read this before RedShirts?? Mmmm
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "The Kaiju Preservation Society This was just pure fun. Think Jurassic Park meets The Big Bang Theory. ebook. 4 stars...."Really?? I guess I need to read this soon. I really like ..."
I liked it better than Redshirts but that's just me. I would go with whichever appeals to you the most. Enjoy!
#73
The Atlas Six Six magical young people mysteriously chosen by a secret society vie to earn one of five places in the society. This was a well done audio production but the story itself was something of a disappointment. Mean-spirited and written with long sections looking back at the past which became very confusing and boring. I was glad when it was over. Audiobook. 3 stars. Fantasy.#74
The People We Keep I loved the main character and really all the characters in this book. I also loved most of the story. I did not love the underage romance in the first part of the book. Frankly, it made my skin crawl. I think if the story could have started after the main character came of age, I might have enjoyed the book more. Audiobook. 3 stars. Contemporary Fiction.#75
The It Girl An Agatha Christie-like closed door mystery with a less than beloved victim. I enjoyed this one but I think Ruth Ware's formula is wearing thin for me a little bit. I did enjoy this one more than the last 2 or 3 of hers that I have read. Audiobook. 3 stars. Mystery.#76
The Reading List I re-read this after recommending it for my RL book club. I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I hope my book group does too. They can be picky but how can you miss with a book about books. ebook. 5 stars. Contemporary Lit.#77
Foe I was really looking forward to reading this book and I'm sorry to say it was a huge disappointment. Too much introspection and not enough science fiction. Too bad. Audiobook. 2 stars. SciFi/Fantasy.77 books/9026 pages
Current:
The Lifeguards Started today and loving it. Audiobook.
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age Wisdom and anecdotes. ebook.
Cloud Cuckoo Land Still not much progress. Hardback.
Michelle wrote: "Cloud Cuckoo Land Still not much progress. Hardback."I haven't read any of these, but the Cuckoo Land book is the one I can't wait to hear more about.
I'm going to have to get serious about that one Ioana.
Mod
Yikes; let me make sure it isn't on my list. LOL
edit: It is and everyone else loved it..... mmmmm. Decisions, decisions. I think I may hold off.
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "#77 Foe by Iain Reid Foe I was really looking forward to reading this book and I'm sorry to say it was a huge disappointment. Too much introspection and not enough science fiction...."Maybe it was just me Alondra. I mean it was creepy sort of but it was mostly just inside the guy's head worrying about what was going on. I thought he would eventually do something but no. It wasn't all that suspenseful either. I mean you have it all figured out in the first part of the book. I think I was expecting scifi or horror and this was actually speculative fiction which I also enjoy but not this time. Too much discourse on memories and marriage and not enough story. IMO. :)
Maybe it was just the premise I didn't buy into. I mean you are going to send my husband to space for a couple of years and you want to send me a replacement? No thanks. I mean, I love him, I will miss him, but a couple of years with no meals to cook and lots of reading time. It's not anything to go producing a clone about. Maybe we could text each other or something.
I've been on vacation and not reading much but I did manage to have lunch every day like this.https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/...
#78
The Lifeguards I loved this little mystery thriller about three moms who will go to any lengths to protect their sons. Audiobook. 3 stars. Mystery/Thriller.#79
The Dead Romantics A light romantic comedy was just what I needed and I enjoyed this one so much. A ghost writer who also sees ghosts has to help her hot new editor move on after he is hit by a car. This was funny and romantic but it was also a book about love of life which was refreshing. Audiobook. 4 stars. Romantic Comedy.#80
These Silent Woods A father and daughter hide from the past by living off the grid until civilization finds them and forces them to make tough choices. This was a little bit of a slow starter for me but the ending was excellent. Audiobook. 3 stars. Contemporary Fiction.80 books/9039 pages
Currently I have a lot of books unfinished and checked out at the library. Here are the ones I can actually call myself reading.
Cloud Cuckoo Land Hardback. I was progressing but I put this one on hold when I went on vacation. The massive number of characters required too much attention and it is a brick!
Die Trying Paperback. I've been reading this one instead and loving it. You Joe Ledger fans should check out Reacher. He's just as tough but, sadly, no zombies.
Raft of Stars Audiobook. My husband and I tried to listen to this on the road trip but didn't make much progress. I am now into it and will say it is finally getting good. Don't tell my husband I am listening to it without him.
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age ebook. Still plugging away at this one.
What a great vacation spot!The Lifeguard and The Dead Romantics look like they’d be right up my alley. Was looking for more summer books :)
I think you would enjoy both of those Lillie. The Lifeguards was fast paced suspense and despite the title The Dead Romantics was very life affirming.
Your lunch location during your vacation looks amazing and I love that you are listening to the rest of the book without hubby...I definitely do that sometimes too! I hate having partially finished books that are the fault of others. It's totally fine when I've decided to take a break on a book, but not so much when I have to wait for the others. :-) :-) :-)
Lea wrote: "Your lunch location during your vacation looks amazing and I love that you are listening to the rest of the book without hubby...I definitely do that sometimes too! I hate having partially finished..."My husband hates listening to books on road trips because he says he never gets to hear the ending. That why I'm not telling that I finished this one up before it had to go back to the library. My lunch location was amazing but one of the reasons I originally took the picture was for my flip flops. We were getting ready to go on a beach vacation and I couldn't find my flip flops. I went to our WalMart to pick up a quick pair and discovered that I was too late in the season. This was literally the last pair of flip flops that WalMart had in my size. Palm trees, flamingoes, neon pink and glitter. Not my usual style for sure but you know what when I left them at the beach access (repeatedly) no one ever mistook my flip flops for theirs. They were always waiting for me when I got back. Anyway beautiful scenery, ugly flip flops and a great book. My idea of a relaxing lunch.
Mod
This sounds a lot like a few books I've read this year, where I had my hopes up, only to be disappointed. That is how Roadside Picnic read for me. Not enough about the science and aliens, and more about the relationships between the humans and how they feel about what the aliens did. Ugh.
Michelle wrote: "My husband hates listening to books on road trips because he says he never gets to hear the ending. That why I'm not telling that I finished this one up before it had to go back to the library. My lunch location was amazing but one of the reasons I originally took the picture was for my flip flops. We were getting ready to go on a beach vacation and I couldn't find my flip flops. I went to our WalMart to pick up a quick pair and discovered that I was too late in the season. This was literally the last pair of flip flops that WalMart had in my size. Palm trees, flamingoes, neon pink and glitter. Not my usual style for sure but you know what when I left them at the beach access (repeatedly) no one ever mistook my flip flops for theirs. They were always waiting for me when I got back. Anyway beautiful scenery, ugly flip flops and a great book. My idea of a relaxing lunch."He can ask you to check it out again if he is really invested in the ending. :-) My hubby now knows what I'm up to, and will tell me if he does not want me to read ahead of him in a book. But if he says that and then does not mention the book again for like a week, it is fair game for me to read forward. I never do mind listening to books again if he gets insistent, but so far, that hasn't happened.
Hilarious story about the flip flops, that's one way to make sure no one takes yours accidentally! :-)
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "#77 Foe by Iain Reid Foe I was really looking forward to reading this book and I'm sorry to say it was a huge disappointment. Too much introspectio..."Yes! SciFi used to be for fun and escape not psycho analysis. Checking Roadside Picnic off all my lists by the way.
Lea wrote: "Michelle wrote: "My husband hates listening to books on road trips because he says he never gets to hear the ending. That why I'm not telling that I finished this one up before it had to go back to..."I have tried rechecking the book for subsequent trips but he usually claims to have forgotten everything. Then we start over and never get any further than we were. He also refuses to listen at hyperspeed so there is never any progress. This time my little grandson rode with us for a while and we listened to Harry Potter. I think my husband enjoyed that more than anything so maybe we will just always listen to Harry on rode trips.
Mod
Yikes!... Yeah; like, it is nothing like a Calibans War, (Bobiverse), Old man's war or anything; just characters trying to sell alien artifacts and dying to do it. Weird
#81
Die Trying 2nd in the Jack Reacher series. I liked it just as much as the first one maybe more. It was a perfect vacation read. Action packed, take no prisoners. I'll be back to this series. Paperback. 4 stars. Action Thriller.#82
Raft of Stars A contemporary, coming of age, adventure story. The second half of this book was definitely better than the first. It took about half the book to get all the characters and their various issues laid out but the conclusion was top notch. Audiobook. 3 stars. Contemporary Fiction.#83
Horse What a nice surprise this book was. I have read Geraldine Brooks before so I knew it would be good but this was really outstanding historical fiction. It followed the life of a famous race horse but interwove that with the story of the characters and reflections about racism in america. A really good, well written book and a great audiobook production. Audiobook. 4 stars. Historical Fiction.83 books/9606 pages
Currently reading:
Proof of Life ebook. For my RL book club. Other members are raving about it but I'm rolling my eyes.
The House of the Spirits Audiobook. Isabel Allende always a treat.
Currently neglecting:
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age ebook.
Cloud Cuckoo Land Hardback.
Some great reads & I love your flipflops! (Wouldn't be my style either!) I want to read several on your list--Horse & Lifeguards are high up there. Glad to hear you liked them.I read Cloud Cuckoo Land several months ago & now it is my book club's September read, so I've been listening to the audio as a refresher. I did get an index card & wrote down the characters and the different time periods until I got them straight in my head. I loved it, so I don't mind the reread though I wish it was in the spring instead of the fall, but the audio is good.
I think you will enjoy both Horse and The Lifeguards Patricia. Both were great books. Thanks for the encouragement on Cloud Cuckoo. I need to settle down and read it my reading life feels a little scattered right now.
I love that you have a currently neglecting section lol
Alissa wrote: "I love that you have a currently neglecting section lol"Unfortunately its only too true.
#84
Proof of Life This was for my RL book club and I am only going to admit here how much I really disliked it. I won't relate all my complaints. I'll just say it was poorly written. ebook. 2 stars. Horror?/Romance?/Paranormal?/Spiritualism.#85
The House of the Spirits A young woman relates the story of three generations of her family. Isabel Allende at her finest with magical realism, family drama and a turbulent historical setting. Beautifully written. Audiobook. 4 stars. Modern Classic/Magical Realism#86
Grave Reservations A psychic travel agent helps a police detective solve some cold cases. Light hearted and funny. Audiobook. 4 stars. Mystery86 books/9929 pages
Currently:
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age ebook.
Cloud Cuckoo Land hardback.
Bitcoin Billionaires: A True Story of Genius, Betrayal, and Redemption audiobook.
Looking at the above I realized that without any plan to do so, I have just read three books in a row that dealt with spiritualism and psychic phenomena. One I did not like, one I thought was beautiful, and one I thought was fun. For the record I'm not inclined to believe in any of that stuff. So why the different reactions. I think it was how the books were written. In one case the psychic phenomena was a plot device to further the story, in one a poetic representation of reality and in one it seemed to be a recruitment manual. I'm not sure why I'm sharing this except that this recent flow of books has had me thinking about why I read certain books and why I react to them as I do. I think the way the author handles this or any other controversial subject directly affects my reaction to the book. I like to read to learn about other points of view but clearly when it is something out of my comfort zone a heavy handed or clumsy treatment of the issue by the author serves more to close the mind than to encourage empathy. I suspect this is true no matter what the topic. Whether that is an argument to read more broadly or more carefully, I haven't decided.
Michelle wrote: "Looking at the above I realized that without any plan to do so, I have just read three books in a row that dealt with spiritualism and psychic phenomena. One I did not like, one I thought was beaut..."Michelle, that is very interesting that you ended up reading 3 different books on a subject you normally don’t like. Maybe, they were a little out of your comfort zone, but you decided each sounded worth reading because of the writing. #85 and #86 both sound like ones I’d be interested in. #86, I had not heard of, so gives me another TBR!
I do this, too but usually notice it. I’ll get into a subject and then read a bunch of books around it. Then I’ll jump into something else, or have read some dark, but great books where I learned a lot, but the subject matter was pretty intense and emotional. Then I go to lighter reads. Sometimes, latter I realize they were similar in a theme I hadn’t planned.
Michelle wrote: "Looking at the above I realized that without any plan to do so, I have just read three books in a row that dealt with spiritualism and psychic phenomena. One I did not like, one I thought was beaut..."Interesting analysis. I don't like magical realism, I just don't get it, but every now and then, there is a book with some magical realist in it that I enjoy. The House of the Spirits was one of them, and yes, the writing had a lot to do with that. Glad to see you enjoyed it too.
On The Same Page
Books mentioned in this topic
A Very Merry Bromance (other topics)To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret (other topics)
A Suitable Boy (other topics)
To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret (other topics)
We Met in December (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Anthony Doerr (other topics)Larry McMurtry (other topics)
Sarah Addison Allen (other topics)
Robert Galbraith (other topics)
Mary Oliver (other topics)
More...
This was good but I actually thought The Only Good Indians by the same author was even better. In either case he really knows how to amp up the creep factor.