2022 What Are You Reading?

[Margaret]

Harold Fry was a 5 star book for me too!

[Alice]

I finished The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin. Set during WWII in Lyon, France and Portugal. The Lyon portion was like so many other books talking about the troubles of French Resistance. I found the part set in Portugal very good. Intesteing about American Librarians trying to obtain newspapers to get info about Nazis.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Margaret wrote: "Harold Fry was a 5 star book for me too!"
Now I've read the next one, Margaret.

I enjoyed Rachel Joyce's The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry a second time and wanted to know why Queenie fled from him so abruptly. The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy shows what a secret and surprising connection she had with his family.
4★ My review of . . . Queenie Hennessey

[PattyMacDotComma]

Cathal thought he was all set, but I reckon he should have known better. Irish author Claire Keegan's short story, So Late in the Day is another good one from her.
5★ My review of So Late in the Day with links to the story and to the author reading it

[Melissa]

I recently read The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights.

[Margaret]

I’ve just read The Flight by Julie Clarke. A real page turner even if it does somewhat suspend belief!

[Abigail]

Just finished Ring Shout which I guess you could call alternative history though it sucks just about every genre you can imagine into its vortex. A wild ride.

[Alice]

I finished A Memory of Violets: A Novel of London's Flower Sellers by Hazel Gayner 4 stars out of 5. Duel time book 1870 and 1912. Book discusses life of the flower girls peddling flowers on the streets of London. The awful life they lived and the compassion that was shown to the . Lots of twist and turns in the story. Well written characters. Gives you a good understanding of the times. Highly recommend

[Jules]

I finally started The Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson. I love any story that includes women who are skilled in herbal medicine and this one includes that along with a heart-wrenching story written from the perspective of the daughter of a slave and her master. She spends much of her time working in the "big house" so when her master/father's wife orders her taken to a jail for slaves to be sold, she experiences the hardships in a way that is more relatable to the modern reader.

The Yellow Wife: A Novel

[Jules]

Another I just finished reading about women and herbal medicine is The Mandrake Broom by Jess Wells. This was just re-released. I loved this book... the characters, the plot, the descriptions cleverly woven into the action. I think it is a story that deserves far more attention. It is so relevant to the stamping out of women's rights that are happening in our world today. It brings to light the 15th century history of the women at the Salerno school of medicine whose knowledge and practices were nearly destroyed by sanctimonious, evil clergy who claimed them to be witches.

[PattyMacDotComma]

I enjoyed the latest (last?) pilgrimage that Rachel Joyce's characters have made to the north of England. This time, it's the missus who looks for answers in Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North. Another good road trip.
4★ My review of Maureen Fry

[PattyMacDotComma]

I'm sure The Sisters: Short Story, from James Joyce's much studied Dubliners, would have stirred up as much controversy then as the subject does today.
3★ My review of The Sisters

[Janice]

I am rereading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

[Alice]

I am reading A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber. Book 10 of the Lady Darby series. Love this series. Kiera and Gage are great characters. I find aspects of this story a bit annoying like Kiera going into someone's house and telling them their painting fraud (I would keep my mouth shut). Lovely setting in Argyll, Scotland. Set in 1832

[Megan]

Just started Surviving Savannah. So far, it’s really good 😍🙌🏼

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished Murder at Wedgefield Manor #2 Jane Wunderly by Erica Ruth Neubauer. Entertaining, cozy historical mystery set in 1920's England. Narration by Sarah Zimmerman. Rated 3 stars.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Completed The Dust Bowl Orphans by Suzette D. Harrison a couple of days ago.

A historical fiction worth reading, though it goes a bit OTT towards the end.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Anyone up for a historical crime mystery? Try A Most Efficient Murder by Anthony Slayton.

It was a fun read. If possible, grab the audio version. The narrator is awesome!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[PattyMacDotComma]

C.S. Harris combines mystery and history better than most, and I knew I'd enjoy #5 in her Sebastian St Cyr series, What Remains of Heaven. Great series!
5★ My review ot What Remains of Heaven

[sarah reads ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

Probably very late on this but just started The Rose Code audiobook today and so far so goood

[Dem]

Finished and loves The Sweetness of Water

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/5029496690

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished Arrow's Fall and starting Dead and Gone

[Kate The Book Addict]

Just started Carrie Soto is Back Carrie Soto Is Back

[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

[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

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Have mixed feelings about The Curious Life of Elizabeth Blackwell by Pamela Holmes

A story based on the life of an admirable woman, but written quite poorly. How I wish it were written better because we should not forget about Elizabeth Blackwell's contribution to science and medicine!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Eric]

I finished The First Man in Rome . Rome in lay terms for the period 110 BC to 100 BC. Well written. Five stars.

[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

[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

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Finished From Dead to Worse and starting Second Wave: Acorna's Children

[Abigail]

Finished a 1940 sex farce, The Stone of Chastity by Margery Sharp, which was entertaining but pretty silly. I think next I’ll try another Rumer Godden, An Episode of Sparrows.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Finished Second Wave: Acorna's Children and starting Winds of Fate

[Margaret]

I’m
Reading The boy who never gave up

[Margaret]

I’m reading The boy who never gave up A refugee’s epic journey to Triumph by Emmanuel Taban

[Maybelle]

I just finished Spirited Julie Cohen's wonderful 19th century exploration of spirit mediums, ghost photography, love, loss and renewal.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Maybelle wrote: "I just finished Spirited Julie Cohen's wonderful 19th century exploration of spirit mediums, ghost photography, love, loss and renewal."

That sounds intriguing. Checking it out! :)

[Patricia]

Just finished Rules of Civility. I thought I hadn't read it before, but according to goodreads, I did; quite a few years ago. The good thing is, I believe I enjoyed it much more this time than I did then.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished To Davy Jones Below #9 Daisy Dalrymple historical mystery series set in 1920's by Carola Dunn. Delightful, cozy series narrated by Lucy Rayner. Rated 3 stars.

[Sarah-Hope]

The Sleeping Car Porter blends historical fact with a bit of (what may be) magic to explore the endlessly demanding life of a Black, gay sleeping car porter working a trans-Canada train. This book is utterly original and deeply engaging.

My ***** review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alice]

Last night I started A Peculiar Combination . Set in 1940 London. I am quite enjoying it. Our main character Electra (Ellie) is quite smart and sassy. Uncle Mick is a fun character too. I am bit tired of WWII books but do like like the ones set in London better than resistance France. Glad I have tried this series, hope to get book 2 as well.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Patricia wrote: "Just finished Rules of Civility. I thought I hadn't read it before, but according to goodreads, I did; quite a few years ago. The good thing is, I believe I enjoyed it much more thi..."

It's funny when that happens, isn't it? I write long reviews so I can remind myself what I've read and why I liked it or not. Names of books and authors easily slip my mind.

[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

[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

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Finished Winds of Fate and started Tricky Twenty-Two

[Dem]

I finished Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry

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

[Debra]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Just finished Rules of Civility. I thought I hadn't read it before, but according to goodreads, I did; quite a few years ago. The good thing is, I believe I enjoyed..."

Hey Patty, What did you like about Rules of Civility? I had a difficult time with it because I didn't care about the characters, except for the poor man who died in the war. Debra

[Jan Mc]

This week, I finished listening to the audiobook of Dreaming the Eagle by Manda Scott. The first of a four-book series about Boudica, the Celtic leader in early Britain. Interesting story and good writing.

[Eric]

Jan wrote: "This week, I finished listening to the audiobook of Dreaming the Eagle by Manda Scott. The first of a four-book series about Boudica, the Celtic leader in early Britain. Interesting ..."

I enjoyed that series. Have fun!

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

A Hit!
Signal Moon by Kate Quinn

Loved how well she tackled the historical story within just a few pages.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And a Flop!
Twins in Time by Natalie Griffin

Expected a lot more from this indie historical fiction.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished Rebel Spy by Veronica Rossi. Rated 4 stars. Dual read on library Kindle and listened on Hoopla Audio. Very much enjoyed the narration by Jennifer Jill Araya. Interesting YA fiction based on the unknown lady spy "355" during the American Revolution late 18th century.