What are You Reading - 2022

[Janice, Moderator]

I started two books yesterday for the Toppler - I Am the Messenger and Embers on the Wind.

[PattyMacDotComma]

This is a delightfully colourful children's book with cheeky remarks and enough real facts to pique even my interest. The World's Most Ridiculous Animals, written and illustrated by Philip Bunting, should appeal to kids and anyone reading to or with them.
5★ My review of Ridiculous Animals with some illustrations

[PattyMacDotComma]

Isaac Asimov wrote The Last Question back in 1956 when computers were the size of rooms. This is an entertaining, very short, story, and a shock to read it in a time of Siri and Google.
4★ My review of The Last Question with links to the story and an interview

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished Lavender House. I thought it was great. It blended historical fiction and mystery really well.

my Lavender House review

I am starting The Prisoner (ebook) for the toppler and The Diamond Eye (audio). I have an author event in two days, so I'm going to try to squeeze it in. If I can do it, then I'll try to add it to the toppler too.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called A Little Country Christmas by Carolyn Brown

[PattyMacDotComma]

I waited far too long to read the unforgettable A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, by Anthony Marra. Awful war, wonderful people, terrific writing.
5★ My review of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena

[PattyMacDotComma]

I love Garry Disher's rural Australia, but he doesn't pull any punches about life being less than idyllic in Day's End, #4 of his Paul Hirschhausen series. Demoted to a one-cop town, Hirsch has to deal with the same evildoers as his city counterparts - but on his own. Good solid read!
4.5★ My review of Day's End

[Christine]

[Christine]

[Sandra, Moderator]

I finished The Room in the Attic, and gave it 2.5 stars. It was disappointingly boring.

After resuming Wanderers and reading a couple of chapters I decided I do not feel like reading this chunkster that I started weeks ago and is failing at holding my attention, so I dnf it.

So I guess I will start The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman a couple of days earlier than planned.

[Lilisa]

I finished The General of Caracas. It was an enjoyable fast-paced thriller. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I’ve got four books going: Claudia Roden's Mediterranean checking out her recipes, The Violin Conspiracy - audio music/mystery, Wrong Place Wrong Time - thriller, and The Lion House: The Coming of A King - nonfiction.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Force of Nature by Suzanne Brockmann

[Shirley]

Lilisa wrote: "I finished The General of Caracas. It was an enjoyable fast-paced thriller. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I’..."

Thanks for the recommendation for The General of Caracas. I'm going to try that one out.

[Janice, Moderator]

I started reading The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride for the group themed read.

[Lilisa]

Finished Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions: A Novel in Interlocking Stories - great read of interrelated short stories. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

My ears are with The Janissary Tree and my eyes are with The Lion House: The Coming of A King. Also started The Man Who Could Move Clouds, which fits the monthly themed read and monthly challenge!

[PattyMacDotComma]

I'm a fan of Aussie author Michael Robotham and his Parkinson-bedeviled psychology professor Joseph O'Loughlin. In Shatter (book 3), Joe's work-life balance is as out of kilter as his stumbling walk.

5★ My review of Shatter

[PattyMacDotComma]

I recently read a most unusual, longish Amazon short story set in rural Germany in 1945, near the end of WW2. The Wehrwolf by Alma Katsu is as creepy as it sounds. It is a fable of sorts - what lengths would you go to in desperation? It was an appropriate read for spooky October.
4★ My review of The Wehrwolf

[Gavin]

I started The Lost Symbol

[Dem]

I finished Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry

My Review: www.Goodreads.com/review/show/5069977259

[Katrisa]

Janice wrote: "I started two books yesterday for the Toppler - I Am the Messenger and Embers on the Wind."

How was Embers on the Wind? I chose that one also on First Reads.

[Katrisa]

I am listening to The Ogress and the Orphans which is Kelly Barnhill's new book. I love her books in general, but this one is my favorite! It is Barnhill at her delightful best!

[Janice, Moderator]

Katrisa wrote: "Janice wrote: "I started two books yesterday for the Toppler - I Am the Messenger and Embers on the Wind."

How was Embers on the Wind? I chose that ..."

I chose it on first reads as well. I thought it suffered from some pretty big flaws. I understand this was the author's debut and she does have the ability to pull you into the story. Hopefully, she'll develop as she writes more. My biggest complaint was that it didn't feel cohesive. I got lost in who all the characters were and how they connected to each other. I also felt some of the storylines didn't resolve and you're left wondering. I'll be interested in how you feel about the book.

[PattyMacDotComma]

How does Ireland produce such good writers?! I have added Colm Tóibín to my growing list of Irish authors I've enjoyed. Brooklyn is a far cry from the Irish village where young Eilis grew up. Quite an eye-opener for her.
4★ My review of Brooklyn

[PattyMacDotComma]

I quite liked C.V. Chauhan's brand new Detective Inspector Rohan Sharma from the Leicestershire Police. Both Chauhan and his detective are of South Asian descent, which gives Sharma a bit of an advantage with some migrant families. The Dance of Death is the first in a new series that looks promising.
3★My review of Dance of Death

[Lilisa]

Shirley wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "I finished The General of Caracas. It was an enjoyable fast-paced thriller. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Shirley - I hope you’ll enjoy it!

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride yesterday and will start Marked. Hopefully it will be a panacea to the hard hitting Donner Party story.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I'm reading The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman for the monthly theme.

I finished The Shining yesterday, and started Animal Farm today. So far I have only listened to the introduction, but it was really good.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Sugarplum Way by Debbie Mason

[PattyMacDotComma]

I recently read Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, and I have to admit my opinions kept changing. I think I liked it. 😊
4★My review

[PattyMacDotComma]

Famous English author D.H. Lawrence, grew up in a small coal-mining town like the one in this dark short story, Odour of Chrysanthemums.
4★My review

[PattyMacDotComma]

How appropriate that this mystery has two titles: Crossing the Lines, and After She Wrote Him. Aussie author Sulari Gentill is a favourite of mine, and I loved her unique, twisty, psychological invention!
5★ My review of Crossing the Lines / After She Wrote Him

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished Marked yesterday and will start Jasper Jones either today or tomorrow.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called That Holiday Feeling by Debbie Macomber

[PattyMacDotComma]

I had no idea acclaimed English author D.H. Lawrence could write a scary story like The Rocking-Horse Winner. What a surprise!
4★ My review with a link to the story itself

[PattyMacDotComma]

Elvis Presley's unique contribution to music in the middle of the last century (yikes!) is celebrated in author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's recent addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series for kids.
4★My review of Elvis Presley

[Christine]

PattyMacDotCom how are all of your books going?

[Gavin]

Started The Forever War

[Lilisa]

I finished Lost to the World: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Five Years in Terrorist Captivity -
by Shahbaz Taseer - what an account. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Also finished Labyrinth byBurhan Sönmez set in Istanbul. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So sad to hear about today’s explosion on Istiklal Street, a bustling popular street I strolled down earlier this year.

My ears are with The Sultan's Seal and my eyes are with A Coastline Is an Immeasurable Thing: A Memoir Across Three Continents.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Lilisa wrote: "ISo sad to hear about today’s explosion on Istiklal Street, a bustling popular street I strolled down earlier this year."

Terribly sad...

[Christine]

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing

[PattyMacDotComma]

Who doesn't love finding a new favourite book - and a debut, no less. Himself by Irish author Jess Kidd is a terrific blend of warmth and superstition and murder. The lot!
5★ My review of Himself

[Jan Mc]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Who doesn't love finding a new favourite book - and a debut, no less. Himself by Irish author Jess Kidd is a terrific blend of warmth and superstition and murder. ..."

I loved this one, too! So glad you enjoyed it.

And just to prove I don't normally read mainstream books, I just looked at the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards first round, and I've read a grand total of TWO of all those books. LOL

[Peggy]

I started Carrie Soto Is Back on audio. So excited about this! I love all the other books I read by this author and I think it ties in a bit with her previous book.

Also reading Eragon on paper.

[Shirley]

Peggy wrote: "I started Carrie Soto Is Back on audio. So excited about this! I love all the other books I read by this author and I think it ties in a bit with her previous book.

Also reading [b..."

Let me know what you think when you’re finished. I’ve got it on reserve at the Library.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Hope at Christmas by Nancy Naigle

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished The Brighter the Light last night. I don't get how it got a 4.12 rating. I found it slow and uninteresting. It took me 2 weeks to read. I thought it would never end.

Tonight, I will start White Fire. It's time to get back to what Pendergast is doing.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I just finished Mad Honey and The Lindbergh Nanny. I thought Mad Honey was excellent and Lindbergh Nanny was good.

I am reading The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, which is inconsistent with some funny parts and some boring rambling parts. I am also reading The Lost Ticket, which I am really enjoying.

I am about to start Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead. I am expecting this to be a fun and humorous read. I really enjoyed the first two in the series.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished The Lindbergh Nanny . I thought it was good, but a bit slow in places. I gave the story 3.5 stars, but rounded up for the audio narration, which was very well done.

my Lindbergh Nanny review

I also finished Mad Honey . I loved this one. It was a bit long-winded at times, but overall I thought the story was great. 4.5 stars also rounded up because I didn't have a reason not to and I was just being picky. lol

my Mad Honey review

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished Jasper Jones for the road trip challenge. That leaves me 2 books to go, and I'll start The Marriage of Opposites today. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.