Your Reads - currently reading or finished (2023)

[Christine]

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Edge of Death by John Benedict

[Rachel]

The Stardust Thief is the first book in a YA fantasy trilogy by Kuwaiti author Chelsea Abdullah. Loulie al-Nazari, the Midnight Merchant is swept up in a grand adventures of Princes, Sultans, jinn and magical relicts. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ my review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Holiday Home: She thought she was alone, but he never left. by Ashley Beegan

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer

[Kirsten]

I'm currently reading Lake Country

[Kristie, Moderator]

I am reading The Wishing Game and Once Upon a Wardrobe .

[Cammy]

Finished:
The Angel of the Crows⭐️⭐️Too many stories rolled into one book made it drag on too much for me.
Carrie Soto Is Back⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The audio is exceptional and it just brings this book to life,
The Spite House⭐️⭐️Too many unanswered questions.
Daisy Darker⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The twist in this story just blew me away!
First Grave on the Right⭐️⭐️⭐️Fun distraction.
The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World⭐️Long, dry & slow. Maybe if this was written as historical fiction is could have been more engaging.
The Engineer's Wife⭐️⭐️⭐️It’s a slow paced book, but characters like PT Barnum helped to make the storyline more entertaining.
The Heron⭐️⭐️⭐️Short, predictable and entertaining.
Where the Lost Wander⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Fast paced and I couldn’t put it down.
Romantic Comedy⭐️⭐️⭐️Behind the scenes of a comedy show, very interesting.
Lone Women⭐️⭐️⭐️This book has a lot of genres in it. Still enjoyable.
The Witching Hour⭐️A waste of 50 hours of listening time. too much genealogy and over padding of the book.
The Mist⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Narrator did a wonderful job, I was instantly drawn into the story.

Currently reading:
The House Is on Fire
Gangsters vs. Nazis: How Jewish Mobsters Battled Nazis in Wartime America

[Kristie, Moderator]

Wow! Way to go, Cammie! Lots of reviews.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I read True Fiction . I thought the overall story was really good, but the writing had some issues. 3★

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Finalists by David Bell

[Bridget]

I've finished six books so far this month and have three more to go before the end of the month.

Equal Rites This was a pretty quick read. Not sure which book this is for me in the Discworld series, since I started reading them in a nonchronological order, but it's the 3rd in the series and the 1st in the Witches subseries.

The Subtle Knife Not as good as the first one, but I'm interested in what the conclusion to this series will be.

Cold People I feel like there were too many characters and backstories for too short of a book. I think it would have been better if the main conflict at the end of the book wasn't included and the book was just about how humanity survived in Antarctica after an alien invasion forced them there.

Shadow and Bone I'm so happy to finally be starting this series. This was a really good book. Can't wait to continue with the next book.

And Then There Were None I really enjoyed the plot of this and that there was a finite amount of suspects that kept dwindling. I could not figure out who the murderer was.

House of Sky and Breath While I didn't love and devour this book like I did the first in the series, I still really enjoyed it. The ending was amazing, even though it was a bit spoiled for me by Booktok. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book to come out, it's going to be amazing.

Currently reading:
The Magician King
Empire of Pain
Demon Copperhead

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

[Bridget]

Just finished my last 3 books of April for a total of 9 books this month.

Empire of Pain was really good and very informative about the opioid epidemic. It's very clear that the author has a bias against the Sackler family, but really, who wouldn't?

The Magician King is the 2nd book in the Magicians series. I've seen the TV series, so my judgement and knowledge is clouded by that, but I'm really enjoying this series. I'm looking forward to the last book.

Demon Copperhead was a tough read. Not only was it long, but the content can be hard to get through at times and the writing style took awhile to get used to. My biggest complaint about this book is that the main characters later teen years when he's (view spoiler)[ addicted to Oxy (hide spoiler)] does feel like it drags on. Also not sure how I feel about the ending, but overall a good read.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

[Rachel]

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson is a quirky fantasy based on the Princess Bride, featuring a girl who braves dragons, pirates and the deadly 12 seas to try and rescue her Prince. Here is my review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called House on Fire: A Novel by Joseph Finder

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished The Housemaid. You needed to suspend your disbelief quite a bit for a couple of things and the characters were not likable, but I found it really entertaining.

I am starting Roses Are Red later today.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Trouble with Love and Hate by Cat Schield

[Rachel]

The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is a YA dystopian sci-fi by Indigenous Australian author Ambelin Kwaymullina of the Kalyku people of the Pilbara. Ashala faces interrogation as one of the Illegals, captured for possessing special gifts. She must survive the interrogation and save her tribe. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Lost Rider by Harper Sloan

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished Roses Are Red. I thought it was ok. I haven't read the previous books in the series, so I didn't get as much out of it as other readers might. It has some really slow spots for me.

About to start Battleshipped.

[Jennifer]

I’m reading The Girls Who Went Away by Ann Fessler. Very interesting and heartbreaking read.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called My Father's Son: A Memoir by John Davis

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Pretty Little Killers: The Truth Behind the Savage Murder of Skylar Neese by Daleen Berry

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished Battleshipped . It was cute.

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

[Kristie, Moderator]

I started Cursed .

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called A Merciful Truth by Kendra Elliot

[Kristine]

I just finished , by David Poses. I hard read at times, but overall good book about Addiction.

I am currently reading , by Barbara Kingsolver. I really love the main character, Demon. This boy lives through a lot.

Also, finishing , by Lisa Harding. Another Deep and Dark Book about two Girls who get trafficked into Sex Workers. It’s an Excellent Book Though.

Last, , Sally Hepworth. So far like the atmosphere. About a couple who buys a house near a cliff overlooking the sea. I’m not sure where it is going yet, but thrilling so far.

I then need some lighter books. I am behind on my NetGalley New Releases and have several I really want to read. Hope everyone is enjoying Great Books this Month.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called A Merciful Secret by Kendra Elliot

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished Hello Stranger. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


I've started Murder on Thames.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called A Merciful Silence by Kendra Elliot

[Kristie, Moderator]

I read Murder on Thames and Mystery at the Manor today. Both were ok. They are pretty short stories, but I'm enjoying them well enough.

I am hoping to start Happy Place either tomorrow or Monday.

[Rachel]

Set in Malaysia:
The Night Tiger is an historical fiction by Chinese Malaysian author Yangsze Choo set in Malaya in the 1930s. The book incorporates elements of magical realism, mythology, mystery and romance and includes weretigers, ghosts and 1930s dancehalls. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Rachel]

Set in Ukraine.
Otherland: A Journey With My Daughter is a memoir by Maria Tumarkin who returns to her homeland Ukraine with her 12 year-old daughter after a twenty year absence and reconnects with friends, culture and the turbulent changes in post Soviet Russia and Ukraine. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Jane]

I am reading Cup of Gold by John Steinbeck

[Christine]

[QueenAmidala28]

I’m reading Haruki Murakami’s Novelist as a Vocation. It’s addicting and very calming. Just what I need after finishing teaching.

[Jane]

Just finished reading "The Cup of Gold" by John Steinbeck which was his debut novel
A fictionalised abccount of the Welsh buccaneer Henry Morgan. - a good "light" read. I have given the book 3 stars

[Bridget]

I finished seven books in May. Piranesi was pretty good. I loved how it was written. A nice, short read.

Warheart. After 11 years, I've finally finished The Sword of Truth series. The ending of the book felt a little rushed and anti-climactic, but it was nice seeing a bunch of past characters return, even if most of them were ghosts.

The Destroyer of Worlds was not for me. I enjoyed Lovecraft Country, but the sequel was not as good in my opinion. There were parts where I was very bored with what was going on, characters I couldn't reconnect to from the previous book. I will not be continuing this series if there is a third book.

Anastasia was amazing. This is a historical fantasy retelling of the lives of the Romanov's, specifically Anastasia. Most people have magic, some with stronger and better powers than others. From the moment Anastasia meets a Cossack boy named Damien who has mysterious dark powers, they are forever connected. This was a slow burn romance that spans over a decade. There is some light smut and of course Rasputin is the bad guy.

Daisy Darker was really good. It is heavily inspired and reminiscent of And Then There Were None. I could not figure out who the killer was, and the twist at the end was really well done. I didn't see it coming.

Murder Your Employer was pretty good. Lots of dark humor. This takes place in the 1950s and tells the story of three people who want to murder their employer. They attend McMasters, a school that teaches you all you need to know about successfully murdering someone and getting away with it. Very fun book, even if it is about murder.

Last but not least, Mortal Engines. I read this in about 2 days to finish it in May. While I enjoyed it, there were parts of the world building that I just couldn't rationally understand. Why on Earth would people think that cities that move and have to eat smaller towns for their resources to survive would be a good idea? Clearly it's not working, considering the traction towns are dying out and the static settlements in Asia are thriving.

Overall a good reading month.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

[Neha]

Just started The Flea Palace by Elif Shafak. I have just started this one so let’s see where the story goes but so far Elif’s work has never disappointed me.

[Rachel]

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers is a cozy utopian sci-fi; a sweet quirky little book featuring gender neutral, tea-making monk Dex and the caring philosophical robot Mosscap. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda

[Christine]

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Summer Melt: An Eternity Springs novella by Emily March

[Cammy]

Finished:
The House Is on Fire⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Such a good book that pulls you in from the beginning to the end
Gangsters vs. Nazis: How Jewish Mobsters Battled Nazis in Wartime America ⭐️ This was an audiobook and maybe it was the narrator, he sounded so robotic. There were some interesting facts, but I don’t feel that it flowed well. Many times I felt lost. The epilogue was the better part in my opinion.
Natural Beauty⭐️Not scary but mysterious. Some parts of the book I did not understand.
Beartown⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I was instantly drawn into this book, and I can’t believe how many social topics were covered in this book. And it works!
The Divorce Party⭐️⭐️It was ok. The book blurb make the book sound intriguing and I kept waiting for a big reveal. Just family drama.
Keepers of Power⭐️⭐️Too much references to measurements such as meter used to describe rooms, battleships and fight scenes. It interrupted the flow of the book.
Book Lovers⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The audio was great, Charlie’s voice came across as intense and steamy😊 I really enjoyed the chemistry for the main characters.
⭐️⭐️This is a book to just read and don’t try to understand what is happening because it make no sense.
A Man Called Ove⭐️⭐️⭐️I found Ove’s backstory especially his relationship with Sonya enjoyable and endearing.
The Catcher in the Rye⭐️A teenage boys mind that jumps all over the place. Wasn’t for me.
Tastes Like War: A Memoir⭐️⭐️⭐️I always find it interesting when someone writes about their life.
The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion⭐️⭐️⭐️A light, humorous mystery to solve Sookie’s parentage. The timeline between the past and present flowed well to tell the story.
How to Survive Your Murder⭐️⭐️Just okay.
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️So enjoyable!!The timelines of past and present spun a story about the depths of love.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The narrator did a great job. It is slow, but I did’t find it tortuous. The main characters were well like and Lupe was my favorite. A nice spin on the classic.
Us Against You⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This sequel brings you up and then tears you down. And then brings you up again.
The Last House on the Street⭐️⭐️⭐️A real slow burner. Kayla’s storyline is so slow. Ellie’s is engaging, which I enjoyed. The last 25% ties them tougher.
Our Hideous Progeny⭐️⭐️Slow retelling of events by Mary on how a murder came to be. It was just so slow slow slow and it took a while to get the story moving forward.
A Flicker in the Dark⭐️⭐️I gave it two starts for the last 25% of the book. Killing Me
The Invincible Miss Cust⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Great narrator to bring her story to life. An incredible story of never giving up on your dreams.
The Personal Librarian⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Fascinating story.
Killing Me⭐️⭐️⭐️Surprisingly fun to follow the twists in the story.
All Good People Here⭐️⭐️⭐️The story was slow to get into. 70% into the book and the storyline moves faster.

Currently reading :
When Women Were Dragons

[Kristie, Moderator]

Flop Dead Gorgeous: my Flop Dead Gorgeous review

The Girls on Chalk Hill: my Girls on Chalk Hill review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Summer Retreat by Sheila Roberts

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Deep Tide by Laura Griffin