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2023 Independent Challenges
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Pat's Independent Challenge
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8) I Was Told It Would Get Easier. A mother takes her high school daughter on an organized trip to visit different colleges. Will ..."
I remember taking my own daughter on tours of colleges. Wow, what a time!! We had a ball and ate a lot of good food!
I think she liked the touring more than the college-life.
Alondra wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I read 5 more books in February for a total of 12.8) I Was Told It Would Get Easier. A mother takes her high school daughter on an organized trip to visit differen..."
Sounds like fun! I (reluctanly) took my daughter to a few schools but considered it a waste of time. Is that really how people decide where to go to school? Since she didn't go to any of the ones we visited, I think not, but I guess it works for some.
Mid-March update:Completed 5 books.
1) Beautiful World, Where Are You This is one of those books that I enjoyed but hard to put my finger on why. The characters were not appealing and none of them made me want to root for them, though I think they would be okay with that. This is mostly about friendship as two women and two men try to find their way in the world and with each other. The two women become friends in college and later, when they are apart, they write each other soul-searching emails. I wouldn’t mind having a friend who would write such honest and open emails and letters. 4 stars
2) The It Girl This book goes back and forth between now and ten years ago when a group of students at an Oxford college become friends until one of them is found murdered. Hannah found her roommate, April, dead, and it is her testimony concerning one of the porters that has him convicted and given a life sentence. When he dies in prison, and journalists begin looking for a story, Hannah lets the doubts she has always had come to the surface. What if she was wrong and her testimony sent an innocent man to prison? Her husband, Will, wants her to forget it and let them get on with their life, but Hannah just can’t. I found the dual timeline compelling and the characters an interesting set. Hannah was a bit annoying at times, but I was never bored and found the ending satisfying. 4 stars
3) Wish You Were Here
Takes place in New York during Covid. Diana and Finn have been planning a vacation to the Galapagos, but when Covid hits, Finn as a surgical resident can’t leave, but urges Diana to go anyway. There is an odd twist to this book, which I didn't think made much sense, but I won’t say anything else. Read this for book club, and I will say this made for a very interesting discussion! 3 stars
4) By the Book A romance I listened to on audio and a take on the Beauty and the Beast. Isabelle is in publishing but feels like she’s spinning her wheels. Beau Towers is a celebrity who has signed a big contract to write a memoir but he has been ignoring Isabelle’s emails and her boss is losing her patience. So, Isabelle takes upon herself to leave a conference in LA and go to Santa Barbara to take on the beast in his lair. 4 stars
5) The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise middle grade. Coyote and her father, Rodeo, live on a bus and are on a never-ending road-trip. What are they running from or to? When Coyote gets some news from her grandmother, she is determined they return home in spite of her father’s wishes. Along the way, they pick up some interesting passengers who are also all running from something. A feel-good book about family, grief, and learning to survive. 4 stars
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You know what? I don't know. She was looking for a great Veterinary program, where she wouldn't have to change schools for post-graduate. She liked walking the campus and seeing what things looked like. It helped her with realizing that huge campuses were not really her thing, even though she went to Auburn. Auburn felt small, but was a sprawling campus. Besides, she was the first to trumble off to college from the family.
Patricia wrote: "Mid-March update:Completed 5 books.
1) Beautiful World, Where Are You This is one of those books that I enjoyed but hard to put my finger on why. The characters were not appealing ..."
I contemplated buying 'Wish you were here' when it was on offer, but the Covid element put me off. Is it worth buying if it comes on offer again?
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Mid-March update:Completed 5 books.
1) Beautiful World, Where Are You This is one of those books that I enjoyed but hard to put my finger on why. The characters we..."
If the Covid element put you off, then definitely not. Finn (the doctor) went into great detail in his emails about all he was going through in the ER (which I thought was an odd way to communicate with your girlfriend anyway; not the emails, the subject matter). Some of it just seemed like filler to me unless you're really into medical stuff. I will also say the group as a whole didn't like the book. I was kind of into it until the big twist and it just never made sense to me. I like fantasy, magical realism, etc. which is kind of what this twist was about, but it didn't seem to fit into this book. Hope this helps and if you do read it, I'll be interested to hear what you think!
Patricia wrote: "5) The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise middle grade. Coyote and her father, Rodeo, live on a bus and are on a never-ending road-trip. What are they running from or to? When Coyote gets some news from her grandmother, she is determined they return home in spite of her father’s wishes. Along the way, they pick up some interesting passengers who are also all running from something. A feel-good book about family, grief, and learning to survive. 4 stars"That was such a sweet heartwarming book
Patricia wrote: "Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Mid-March update:Completed 5 books.
1) Beautiful World, Where Are You This is one of those books that I enjoyed but hard to put my fi..."
Thank you, I think I'll still skip it, especially as I've DNF'd a couple of Jodi Picoult books recently
I read 7 more books in March bringing my total to 12 for the month.6) Otter Country: In Search of the Wild Otter . Darlington has been obsessed with otters since childhood. She spends a year traveling through Britain to discover where the otters are still living and where they may be making a comeback. A delightful view on nature and our responsibilities, even to animals we may never see. 4 stars
7) The Forgotten Kingdom (Lost Queen Trilogy #2); HF; 12 & 4 challenge.
AD 573. Languoreth has been locked away while her husband and son ride off to war against her brother, Lailoken. Languoreth’s daughter, Angharad, has been training with Lailoken to become a Wisdom Keeper. After one of the bloodiest battles of medieval Scotland scatters its survivors, Lailoken and his men remain in exile in the mountains. Nine-year old Anghard must learn to survive on her own as she guided by strangers through the land of the Picts. It took me a bit to get into this one, but I ended up enjoying it as much as the first and look forward to reading the third one when it comes out in the fall. 4 stars
8) The Pericles Commission (The Athenian Mysteries #1) After having a dead body almost fall on top of him, Nicolaos is hired by Pericles to find out who killed Ephialtes, the man who brought democracy to Athens. I enjoyed this first book in (another) series and especially appreciated reading the facts and people the author based this mystery on. Definitely want to continue the series. 4 stars
9) The Diamond Eye
Based on the true story of Mila Pavlichenko, a student planning on being a historical librarian. Her life takes a detour when Hitler and his armies invade the Soviet Union in 1937. Mila had learned to shoot and knew she had to use her skills to fight for her country. The story of how she becomes a deadly sniper, then is used by Stalin and her country to try and gain the help of the United States is the best kind of historical fiction. 4 stars
10) The Lake translated from the Japanese by Michael Emmerich. A young woman moves to Tokyo after the death of her mother to begin her career as a graphic artist. Living in another building that faces her own, is a young man who is dealing with a grief of his own. They eventually come together and though he doesn’t immediately share his past with her, she knows something traumatic must have happened to him and determines to help him through it. 4 stars
11) Seven Days in June (audio) Eva is a single mom in Brooklyn and best-selling author of vampire erotica. When Shane, an award-winning literary author, shows up at a literary event, sparks fly. What no one else knows, is that the two were high school sweethearts, but something happened that caused Shane to disappear and Eva has never forgiven him. Can he explain and should she let him? 3 stars
12) The Hidden Palace (The Golem and the Jinni #2). I posted this review in my 12 &4 challenge, but I'll repeat here. First of all, I loved, loved this book! Second of all, if you haven’t read The Golem and the Jinni, stop reading this review and go read it first. I kind of wish I had reread it before starting this second, but I anticipate a reread of both sometime in the future when I need some comfort reads. These are the type of books I think can be even better the second time around. Told through the viewpoints of several characters, this takes place in New York City in the early 20th century, just as the Great War is beginning, and continues the stories of the Golem (Chava) and the Jinni (Ahmad). Not needing sleep and never aging brings on difficulties that they both have to face and deal with it. Then there’s Anna and her son, Toby, from the previous book. Toby has a continuing nightmare and is starting to be suspicious about both his mother’s and her friend, Chava’s past. What are they not telling him? New characters include a female jenni who wants to meet the “iron-bound jinni” and will do what it takes to cross the ocean to find him; and Kreindel, the young daughter of a rabbi who wants to make a golem for her protection. All great characters and I enjoyed seeing their stories intersect. And I forgot another one--Sophia, also from the first book. 5 stars
Nice variety of genres. I loved The Golem and the Jinni and did not expect a sequel. I've tried it though, and could not get into it. After reading your review, I think I need to give it a 2nd chance and try again.Do I need to re-read #1? I think that was part of the problem, I've read it in 2014, and forgot a lot...
Ioana wrote: "Nice variety of genres. I loved The Golem and the Jinni and did not expect a sequel. I've tried it though, and could not get into it. After reading your review, I think I need to give it a 2nd chan..."It probably would be better to read the first again. I was the same at first. Couldn't quite remember what they were referring to, but I plowed through anyway &, of course, enjoyed it. I think once you get into the characters & what's going on in this story, it doesn't quite matter as much what happened in the first story. I hope you try it again either way!
Patricia wrote: "I think once you get into the characters & what's going on in this story, it doesn't quite matter as much what happened in the first story. I hope you try it again either way!"Because I loved the 1st one, I think I will. Thank you!
Patricia wrote: "I read 5 more books in February for a total of 12.8) I Was Told It Would Get Easier. A mother takes her high school daughter on an organized trip to visit different colleges. Will ..."
Agreed, the ending was so whimsical
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Glad you loved this. I really felt like the 1st book was great as a standalone, even though I hated to leave that world. I waffled a bit, but did end up adding book 2 to my TBR.
Mid-April: Six books read. Unfortunately, no real stand-outs. Hope to do better with the rest of the month.1) The People We Keep Community read for Charlotte, NC in April. Seventeen year old April, abandoned by her parents, is living alone in a broken-down motor home her dad won in a poker game. She takes her neighbor’s car to play her guitar and sing at open-mike night. Writing songs is the only thing that makes sense to her. After a fight with her father, she decides to take the neighbor’s car and set off on her own. As she travels to different towns, she meets a variety of people who teach her about love and friendship. I heard so many good things about this book, but just okay for me. 3 stars
2) The Lantern Men (Ruth Galloway #12). I enjoy this series, the mysteries as well as the complicated relationships. In this one, a man has been arrested for killing four women. Two were found buried in his girlfriend’s garden (yard to us Americans). Nelson is convinced the man (March) is guilty and evil. Meanwhile, Ruth has taken a position at Cambridge and moved in with Frank. When March agrees to tell where the other women are buried, he wants Ruth to be in charge of the excavation because she is the best. This one was just okay for me; not as good as some of the others. I think a series can go on too long (these relationships are interesting, but messy!). I’ve heard the 15th book is coming out soon and is to be the last. 3 stars
3) The Sentence Book club read; short listed for Women’s Prize for Fiction. Tookie survives several years of being in prison (mostly by reading intensely) and gets a job at a bookstore when she gets out. The store’s most annoying customer (and there’s quite a running) dies on All Souls Day in 2019 and begins to haunt the store though only Tookie is bothered. I’ve been wanting to read this, so glad when my book club chose it. My third in a row where a book didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I’m thinking I might be the problem, or maybe I just don’t know what I want to read. Anyway, I’m glad I read it. I appreciate Erdrich’s writing and her insights on the Indigenous, Native American, or Indian community (depending on who you ask). 3 stars
4) Deed of Murder(Burren Mysteries #7). Historical mystery series; this one takes place in April 1511, Ireland. Mara is the Brehon (basically a judge) and also teaches the law to young students. On a night she is celebrating the christening of her son, three of her law students disappear from the party. The next day, one of them is found dead on mountain pass where he had been carrying an important document. Why was he there and where are the other two students? I’ve enjoyed every book in this series and learned a lot about that time period in Ireland. 4 stars
5) The Vacationers A family of four, along with the son’s girlfriend, and a couple of friends, go to Spain for a vacation. Family drama, of course. I listened to this on audio and it was okay. My second book by Straub. I liked the other better, but will probably try another of her books at some point. 3 stars
6) The Blackhouse Described as a slow-burn and atmospheric. So slow, that I had a hard time staying awake and staying with it, but I kept thinking it would get better. I found the ending extremely unsatisying and just plain strange. 2 stars
Patricia wrote: "Mid-April: Six books read. Unfortunately, no real stand-outs. Hope to do better with the rest of the month. "Of the ones you've listed, Patricia, I'm probably the most interested in the Burren Mysteries series. I have a fascination with Ireland, given that my ancestry includes the Irish on both my mother and father's side of the family.
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Karol wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Mid-April: Six books read. Unfortunately, no real stand-outs. Hope to do better with the rest of the month. "Of the ones you've listed, Patricia, I'm probably the most interested..."
It's a good one, Karol. I don't think you would be disappointed!
Bill wrote: "I have to get back to the Ruth Galloway series."I'm enjoying all 3 of Griffiths' series though I've only read the first 2 in each of those.
I finished 3 more books this month. I enjoyed them all, so a better second half of the month for me.7) A Treacherous Curse (Veronica Speedwell #3). London, 1888. Veronica and her colleague, Stoker, are once again involved in a mystery. A priceless artifact has disappeared from an Egyptian dig along with a man who was once Stoker’s best friend, but now an enemy. If Stoker doesn’t want to be blamed for the man’s disappearance, he needs to find out what happened to him. A good, fun series with smart characters, interesting historical details, and great plot twists. 4 stars
8) A Flicker in the Dark When Chloe was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small town. When Chloe’s father is arrested (though no bodies are found), Chloe, her brother, and her mother are left trying to understand how this could have happened to their loving and close family.
Twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist and engaged to be married. When a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, Chloe fears a copycat is out there. Or does this have anything to do with her father? Great suspense. 4 stars
9) Where the Rhythm Takes You I picked this up because it takes place in Tobago, a place I visited once while living in Trinidad. A romance that is based on Jane Austen’s Persuasion (which, unfortunately, I haven’t read, so can’t compare), Reyna has lived her whole life (all 17 years of it) on Tobago, helping to run her family’s resort. She had a best friend, Aiden, who left with his family several years ago, breaking her heart. Now, he’s back with the music group he has become famous with and though Reyna wants to avoid him, it’s her job to make their stay perfect. Though the characters were a little young for my taste (they really seemed older than teen-agers), I did enjoy this and look forward to seeing what Dass may write next. 4 stars
May update: So far, I have completed 7 books in May.1) John: Jesus - the Word, the Messiah, the Son of God This is a Bible study guide I finished with a friend. MacArthur has a way of getting in deep without being over your head. 4 stars
2) The Secrets of Hartwood Hall Gothic mystery inspired by Jane Eyre. In 1852 England, Margaret, a recent widow takes a position as a governess. Louis is a lonely, only child living in an isolated country home. His mother is very protective and Margaret soon begins to wonder at what secrets this family has and why they keep themselves from the rest of the community. 4 stars
3) The Lincoln Highway This is one long, crazy adventure story and I loved it every bit of it. It covers ten days in June, 1954 and begins when 18 year old Emmett is driven home from a work farm where he has served time, but has been released early because of his father’s death. The bank has foreclosed on his father’s farm, so Emmett just wants to sign some papers for the bank, pick up his eight-year old brother, Billy, and head off to California to start a new life. Unfortunately, when the warden drives away, two of Emmett’s friends from the work farm appear and they have other ideas of what they all need to do to give themselves a better future. 5 stars.
4) The Night Portrait Historical fiction, dual time-line about a painting by Leonardo da Vinci and an art restorer used by the Nazis as they stole art from conquered countries. Really, there are three time lines as we also read of a young American soldier who is assigned to the Monument Men who work to locate and restore art stolen by the Nazis. 4 stars
5) The Story of a New Name (Book 2 of the Neapolitan Novels). This book follows My Brilliant Friend where we first meet Elena and Lila as children in Italy in the 1950’s. That book ended with Lila’s marriage and Elena continuing with her education. With the two of them going in such directions, can their friendship survive? Ferrante brings to life a different time and place in ways that are at times heart-wrenching with characters you can root for and also some you want to throw under a bus. 4 stars
6) Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard
Strassman discusses birds that are common to her backyard in St. Louis and to many of us around the U.S. Each chapter focuses on one bird and gives information from research done on that bird. I learned a few things and enjoyed this, though I admit to skimming over the more detailed research results. 3 stars
7) The Autumn Throne (Eleanor of Aquitaine #3); HF. One of my favorite historical fiction writers, Chadwick completes her series on Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen to Henry II. Eleanor was a remarkable woman and I appreciate how Chadwick brings her to life. 4 stars
Patricia, I loved The Lincoln Highway, just like you.After reading your descriptions, I'm interested in The Night Portrait. I loved the book and movie The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History. So I imagine this would be right up my alley.
I think I will take a close look at Slow Birding . . . and also the Eleanor of Aquitaine series.
(This is why year after year I don't seem to be able to pare down my "To Read" list by a significant number).
Hi--I've been following your challenge: very impressive and interesting.I have Lincoln Highway but haven't yet read it. Somehow the opening didn't catch me but after reading your description, I'll definitely go back to it! Thank you
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Flicker in the Dark sounds excellent. I'll get to it one day. I am just happy that reviews are consistently good for it.
My TBR grows and grows. No matter how much I read or how long my book-buying is. It looks like Mt Everest at this point. 🤦🏾
Karol wrote: "Patricia, I loved The Lincoln Highway, just like you.After reading your descriptions, I'm interested in The Night Portrait. I loved the book and movie [book:The Mo..."
Ha! Hope you get to them & enjoy them! Totally understand!
Ellie wrote: "Hi--I've been following your challenge: very impressive and interesting.I have Lincoln Highway but haven't yet read it. Somehow the opening didn't catch me but after reading your description, I'l..."
Thanks, Ellie! Hope you give Lincoln Highway another chance. One of the people in my book group also had a hard time getting into it but ended up loving it.
Alondra wrote: "Kudos on all of your progress! Flicker in the Dark sounds excellent. I'll get to it one day. I am just happy that reviews are consistently good for it.
My TBR grows and grows. No matter how muc..."
Thanks, Alondra! I think that's why we're in this group. We know there is no help for our addiction and like to read from others who suffer also. And to add their reads to our TBR. I think you would like Flicker in the Dark. As an added bonus, it's nothing like Station Eleven, etc. Ha!
Patricia wrote: "May update: So far, I have completed 7 books in May.1) John: Jesus - the Word, the Messiah, the Son of God This is a Bible study guide I finished with a friend. MacArthur has a way ..."
Some very good books, Pat. I've only read and enjoyed The Lincoln Highway , and I have a few others on my TBR. Good to read good reviews from you. Can't wait to see what you'll read next!
Ioana wrote: "Patricia wrote: "May update: So far, I have completed 7 books in May.1) John: Jesus - the Word, the Messiah, the Son of God This is a Bible study guide I finished with a friend. Mac..."
Thanks, Ioana!
7 more books in May, bringing my total to 14.8) The Ice Garden The story of a young girl, Claire, who lives in a small town in N.C. in the 60’s. When her baby sister is born, Claire is immediately smitten with the baby while her mother shows little or no interest. With the help of a housekeeper and, eventually, her aunt, Claire is soon taking on the care of her sister. Her mother becomes more paranoid and her father more clueless. 3 stars
9) The Golden Spoon This is a fun mystery especially if you’re into baking shows. Six amateur bakers are competing for the Golden Spoon at Grafton Manor, home of their host, Betsy Martin. Grafton Manor is her family home and the successful baking show has enabled to keep up the manor and its grounds. The six contestants each have their own reasons for being there and not all of them are there just to win. Then, on the first day of the competition, an act of sabotage amps up an already tense situation. 5 stars
10) Hungry Ghosts Historical fiction takes place in Trinidad in the 1940’s. A story of class, family, ambition, sorrow, violence, and poverty. Hans and his family live in the Barrack, a building housing several families. Hans and wife, Shweta, have dreams of owning their own home, so when Hans is offered a large amount of money to be a guard for the boss’s wife, how can he turn it down? But, his time away from his family begins to cost him in more ways than one. 3 stars
11) Journey Under the Midnight Sun Japanese mystery. I have read a couple of other mysteries by Higashino and enjoyed them all, but this was the longest and most complex. A man is found murdered in Osaka in 1973. Detective Sasagaki works the case, but it takes him over twenty years to put together the pieces of what really happened that day. 5 stars
12) The Bodyguard (audio) Though she may not look like one, Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent (or a bodyguard). While going through some personal trauma, her boss tells her they have been hired to protect Jack Stapleton, a movie star heart-throb. No big deal; she’s a professional and not one to go crazy over the incredibly good-looking Stapleton. So, she’s fine with the assignment until she finds out she has to pretend to be his girlfriend. To make matters worse, her ex-boyfriend agrees she could never pull off being Jack’s girlfriend. With no choice but to take on the challenge, Hannah begins her assignment and learns that even movie stars have their problems. 4 stars
13) Homegoing In the 18th century, two half sisters are born into different villages. One will marry an Englishman involved in the slave trade. The other will be captured and enslaved. Homegoing follows the different paths of these women and their descendants. Very well-written piece of historical fiction that covers everything from the Gold Coast to plantations of the U.S. South to Jazz Age Harlem. 5 stars
14) The Sentence is Death (Hawthorne & Horowitz Investigate #2). Horowitz is himself a character in this series of mysteries. In this one, Horowitz is in the middle of filming Foyle’s War when Hawthorne (ex-policeman) tells him he needs his help to find out why a high price divorce lawyer was knocked over the head with a very expensive wine bottle and killed. Not my favorite of Horowitz’s books but I found the ending very satisfying. 4 stars
That was four 5-star reads for me this month. A couple of others were probably 4.5 for me. Pretty unusual but a good month.
Patricia wrote: "That was four 5-star reads for me this month. A couple of others were probably 4.5 for me. Pretty unusual but a good month."Wow, congrats, well picked!
Let's hope for another great month in June.
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Thanks, Ioana & Bill! It was a good month.
I loved Homegoing too. I'm so glad we read it together. I just went down a rabbit hole looking at Japanese mysteries after seeing Journey Under the Midnight Sun. It's been awhile since I've read one. I hope June is also a good month for you!
Lea wrote: "I loved Homegoing too. I'm so glad we read it together. I just went down a rabbit hole looking at Japanese mysteries after seeing Journey Under the Midnight Sun. It's been awhile since I've read on..."I'll be interested to see which Japanese mysteries you come up with! (Maybe another buddy read!)
Patricia wrote: "I'll be interested to see which Japanese mysteries you come up with! (Maybe another buddy read!)"I heard that I need to read The Decagon House Murders but I am not sure I want to start another series. I'd love another buddy read, but I'm not ready to commit to another series. We need to find some standalones. :-) (although each standalone book is really "a future series" book)
Lea wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I'll be interested to see which Japanese mysteries you come up with! (Maybe another buddy read!)"I heard that I need to read The Decagon House Murders but I am no..."
I read that last year and believe you could read it as a stand-alone. I didn't realize it was the first in a series at the time.--Yes, and another problem with some of these Japanese series is not every books has been translated into English. And when they are translated, not necessarily in order written. Which gets confusing. Or more confusing.
So far in June: I've completed 8 books in June to this point.1) Marple: Twelve New Mysteries Twelve present day writers were chosen by the Christie foundation to write some new stories featuring Miss Marple. I read this for a mystery book club and as with most short story collections, enjoyed some more than others. I’m a Miss Marple fan, so I enjoyed reading something new; though I haven’t read all her stories, so I’m inspired to fill in the gaps. 4 stars
2) The Devil's Cave. (Bruno, Chief of Police #5) Fifth in a mystery series set in France. In St. Denis, spring is underway, and the village choir is preparing for their Easter concert. When an unknown woman is found floating in a boat, Bruno is called in. Who is she? Suicide or murder? And how to explain the black candles and strange markings on her? 4 stars
3) Paper NamesTold in three different viewpoints, a story of family and immigration. Tony is a Chinese engineer who left China for his family to have a better life and is now working as a doorman in Manhattan. His daughter, Tammy, is nine when the story begins and we follow her through adulthood. Then there’s Oliver a good-looking white lawyer who lives in the building where Tony works. Oliver seems to lead a charmed life, but his family has a dark secret which Oliver has to live under. 4 stars
4) Bryony and Roses A fairy tale retelling. Byrony and her sisters are doing the best they can after their father had lost his fortune, then died. While out on a trip to buy some plants, Byrony is caught in a snowstorm. She stumbles upon a house which not only keeps her warm and dry, but also magically provides food. But when a Beast appears and says she must stay with him, Byrony is trapped. Or is she? 4 stars
5) The Missing Treasures of Amy AshtonEvery now and then, I look through my Goodreads TBR and randomly pick out a book. There are, of course, plenty there that I know I want to read, but there are others that I have no idea how they got there or what they’re about. If it still seems like something I would like to read, I check the library. If the library doesn’t have it, I’ll take it off my list; or maybe I’ll just go ahead and buy it. (Okay, sometimes, I do that. My continuing contribution to the publishing world). This was a book that I don’t remember where I heard about it, but it was available on Libby, so I checked it out. A nice surprise (especially as I don’t remember why it was on my list in the first place). Some list it as “chick lit” but it has a little more depth than that. Amy once wanted to be an artist, but now, rather than making art, she collects it; everything from ashtrays to vases to cigarette lighters. Though trying to be understanding, her neighbors are becoming concerned. Yes, Amy went through a terrible loss, but shouldn’t she be over it by now? 4.5 stars
6) Stars Over Sunset Boulevard. Meissner is one of my favorite historical fiction writers, but I put off reading this book for a few years because I didn’t think I would be too interested in reading about Hollywood. However, Meissner didn’t disappoint. This story begins in 1938 where two women become unlikely roommates. They are both working as secretaries in the film industry though they have different goals. When Violet is assigned to be an assistant to a major player on the Gone with the Wind set, her Alabama roots seem far away. Though Audrey is also working as a secretary, she hasn’t lost her dream to be in film herself. As they both strive to reach their goals and dreams, their friendship is tried and tested through the years. 4 stars
7) After You'd Gone After reading several books (The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox my first), by O’Farrell, I’ve decided to try and read her whole backlist. This was her first novel published and though I did like it, Esme Lennox remains my favorite. On a whim, Alice takes a train from London to Scotland to visit her family. Her sisters meet her at the station, but when Alice abruptly decides to go back, they are surprised and concerned. What could have happened to make her want to go back as suddenly as she had come? O’Farrell (much like Kate Atkinson, another favorite writer) goes back and forth in time and uses different points of view. In her last book I read (This Must be the Place), I found this confusing at first, but I fell into this one a little easier. Family drama. 4 stars
8) Huevos verdes con jamón I needed to read a book published in the year I was born, so I picked an old favorite, Green Eggs and Ham. Probably the only book I’ve read in English, Italian, and Spanish. Sam is the annoying friend trying to get his friend to try a rare delicacy that he knows if his friend will just try it, he will love it. Anyone who has kids know how well this argument really works. 5 stars
What a great month. The only book I've read is Green Eggs and Ham, and only in English. Everything else looks really good. :-)
Great update, Patricia! I haven't read any of these, but other than the books that I **really** want to read, this is exactly my approach to reading:Patricia wrote: "I look through my Goodreads TBR and randomly pick out a book. There are, of course, plenty there that I know I want to read, but there are others that I have no idea how they got there or what they’re about. If it still seems like something I would like to read, I check the library. If the library doesn’t have it, I’ll take it off my list;"
Sometimes a dud, but wonderful surprises most of the time. Glad to hear it's working for you, too.
Lea wrote: "What a great month. The only book I've read is Green Eggs and Ham, and only in English. Everything else looks really good. :-)"Ha! Thanks, Lea! Glad you've read the classic!
Ioana wrote: "Great update, Patricia! I haven't read any of these, but other than the books that I **really** want to read, this is exactly my approach to reading:Patricia wrote: "I look through my Goodreads T..."
Thanks! Yeah, sometimes, I just have to look through of those and hope something good happens!
Mod
Hmm, the Marple book is on offer in the UK but not sure if I can bring myself to read it, although you do make it sound tempting.
Thanks, Bill!Desley, It might depend on how you feel about short stories. My mystery book club seem to have mixed feelings about the book. I think the ones that didn't care for it don't really like to read short stories.
Short stories depend on my mood - today is my last day to give it a go, think I'll skip it
End of June update: Finished 6 more books, making 14 in total. (Had to look at that a couple of times. My math skills are sad.)9) Treacherous Strand (Inishowen Mysteries #2). Benedicta ‘Ben’ O’Keefe is a lawyer in a small town in Ireland. When a woman’s body washes up on the beach and Ben learns who it is, she feels guilt because she was a client with some unfinished business. Even though the police rule it as a suicide, Ben feels otherwise and is compelled to get the bottom of what really happened. 4 stars
10) Small Admissions I read Musical Chairs by Poeppel some time ago and decided to go back and read her first book. In this one, grad student Kate is dumped by her boyfriend just when she landed in France to join him for what, she thought, would be their new life together. Her sister and friends from college are there for her, but Kate wallows for months, not even wanting to leave her couch. Thanks to her sister's help, she gets a job interview at a prestigious day school in New York. Though her interview is one for the ages (and not in a good way), she gets the job and is soon wrapped up in the world of parents and students competing wildly for a place at this middle school. Filled with outrageous characters and snarky humor, I greatly enjoyed (and even laughed out loud on occasion) this book and look forward to reading more by Poeppel. 5 stars
11) The Angel's GameThe Cemetery of Forgotten Books #2). This series (translated from the Spanish) is both historical fiction and magical realism. Though his father is violently opposed to young David Martin spending his time reading books, it is reading and eventually writing that saves David. He begins his writing career writing stories for a newspaper. Stories of the city’s underworld and less savory characters which fascinate the city and its readers. When David finally begins to make some money as a writer, he has his heart set on an abandoned mansion in Barcelona. The house has a history and soon it has David in its grip with its secrets. Meanwhile, David receives a letter from a publisher promising to make him rich as long as he writes the book he demands. The offer seems too good to be true. Has he just made a pact with the devil? Just as The Shadow of the Wind, I feel I should read this book again to fully appreciate every facet of this story. 4 stars
12) Glass Houses (Chief Inspector Gamache #13) This book goes back and forth starting in November in Three Pines when a strange person appears and stands in the middle of the village, no matter the weather, wearing a mask and without words. Then it jumps to a July day at a trial for someone accused of murder. Chief Superintendent Gamache is there to testify, but this is obviously more than a simple murder trial. I don’t mind (and, in fact, enjoy) dual timelines, but this one could have used a little more clarity. Still, I enjoyed this visit to Three Pines. 4 stars
13) Other Birds Like Allen’s other books, this one is about family, complicated relationships, and filled with magical realism. Zoey has left her family in Oklahoma to go to college in S.C. Her mother died years ago and left her an apartment on Mallow Island. The complex is called the Dellawisp after the tiny birds that live there. Because of the loss of her mother and her father and stepmother’s disinterest in her, Zoey is determined to make of family of the interesting array of characters she is now living among. Each of these—a woman on the run who does henna; a chef who grew up on the island and not in the best of circumstances; and two sisters who do not speak to each other. Not to mention the ghosts and the mysterious caretaker. 4 stars
14) Symphony of Secrets When an important piece of music (over a hundred years old) is discovered, Bern, a young music professor, is hired to arrange the music to be played. Bern was able to to go to school, thanks to a scholarship from the Delaney foundation and the composer Delany has always been his hero. Different codes and notations are a puzzle to be solved and Bern brings in his friend, Eboni, to help him uncover Delaney’s secrets. But in their investigation of the music’s beginnings, they begin to uncover secrets that the Delaneys would never want revealed. 5 stars
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I really need to read this. I loved the first book so much. It was so magical to me.
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158 copies and 13 weeks wait!!!!"
I was at least 199 in line when I put it on hold. There's 298 waiting now. I feel bad I haven't turned it in yet, but I haven't been by the library. Tomorrow! (And worth the wait!)