Your Reads - currently reading or finished (2023)

[QueenAmidala28]

Currently reading several books but the library keeps getting new books in that I can't resist starting! A few include: , , , .

[Kristie, Moderator]

QueenAmidala28 wrote: "Currently reading several books but the library keeps getting new books in that I can't resist starting!..."

That's so funny. I recently went through the same thing. They got a few of the books I requested and I couldn't accept them all. I can't read that fast!! lol

[Christine]

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

[QueenAmidala28]

Just finished The Lowlands and A World of Curiosities. This was my first Louise Penny book and I understand why she's a best seller. There was history, art history, psychology, philosophy, biology throughout the entire book so even if you weren't loving the plot, you were too busy looking up details to put the book away. Lahiri is one my favorite authors, so I love anything she does.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finally finished Cursed. It was darker than I expected it to be and was pretty bleak for a while.

- my Cursed review

[Kristie, Moderator]

I am planning to finish If We're Being Honest today and have started Sold on a Monday for my face-to-face book club. I started this one once before and it was a DNF for me. I think I was expecting one story and got another. I'm hoping that I enjoy it more this time now that I know better what to expect.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan

[Rachel]

The Girl in the Painting is a dual timeline historical fiction by Indian author Renita D'Silva set in England during WWI and India in the 1920s. It has romance, mystery, betrayal and heartache. It also covers issues such as the caste system and the custom of Sate (suttee) of Indian brides being burnt on the funeral pyres with their husband. A captivating read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Vicki Willis]

Rachel wrote: "The Girl in the Painting is a dual timeline historical fiction by Indian author Renita D'Silva set in England during WW..."

I loved this book too!

[Rachel]

The Chocolate Tin by Australian author Fiona McIntosh is a historical fiction set in Yorkshire in 1910s featuring wealthy Alexandra who wishes to escape the confines of her family's expectations and find romance and a career. Here is my review

[Rachel]

These Broken Stars is an intergalactic YA dystopian sci-fi by Australian author Amie Kaufman where rich girl Lilac and gruff military hero Tarver are stranded together on a strange new planet. Here is my review

[Rachel]

I just finished Elianne is a sweeping dual timeline family drama by Australian author Judy Nunn, set in rural Queensland on the sugar plantations in the 1880s and 1960s. When Kate finds her grandmother’s diaries everything the family believes about itself is shaken up. This book takes in the Vietnam war, importation of Pacific Islanders to work the plantation, the white Australia policy and more. Here is ⭐⭐⭐⭐ my review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Texas Christmas Magic by Katherine Garbera

[Kristie, Moderator]

Forgot to update - I finished Sold on a Monday. I thought it was ok. I enjoyed the story, but I just didn't find the writing very engaging. I could have put it down at any point and forgotten about it, which is strange because the story itself was pretty good. I ended up giving it 3 stars. I may try another book by this author since I liked the story well enough. I'm hoping it was just this book, but it could be that the author's writing style doesn't mesh well with my reading preferences.

I am now reading Fairy Tale. I have always enjoyed the way Stephen King tells a story, so I'm sure I won't have that same issue with this one. I'm already over 200 pages in and I'm not bored with it at all.

[Bonnie]

Kristie wrote: "Forgot to update - I finished Sold on a Monday. I thought it was ok. I enjoyed the story, but I just didn't find the writing very engaging. I could have put it down at any point and..."

I read and really like Fairy Tale, though it seemed more YA than adult.

[Rachel]

I just read The Real Beatrix Potter by Nadia Cohen is a biography of the famous children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. It gives an insight into the repressed Victorian life the highly intelligent Beatrix led, her quest to find fulfilment and independence, and her passion to conserve the beautiful Lake District so dear to her heart. Here is my review

[Kristie, Moderator]

Bonnie wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Forgot to update - I finished Sold on a Monday. I thought it was ok. I enjoyed the story, but I just didn't find the writing very engaging. I could have put it down ..."

I can understand that, Bonnie. It is told from the perspective of a 17 year old, so it does have a younger feeling.

[Kristine]

I just finished , Lisa See and loved it. Beautiful Book and learned so much culture.

Then, , Heather Alexander. This was listed as a Children’s Book, but I loved it as an Adult. There was so much information and loved the layout. I lived in New York most of my life, so extra special. Wish the author had one for each state in the US.

Last, saw Barbara Kingsolver and her daughter Lily Kingsolver wrote a beautiful children’s book on Coyotes and being kind to the Ecosystem. Beautifully done. . I recently finished Demon Copperhead and it was a tremendous book, but had some very heavy subject matter. It was so nice to read a book like this by her. Balance is necessary and needed some upbeat books.

[Christine]

Currently reading "The Poet X" by Elizabeth Acevedo, interesting style of a story in poetry.

[Rachel]

I just read The Untold by Australian author Courtney Collins is an historical fiction that could be called an Australian Western or even Australian Noir. It is an imaginative retelling of the story of bush ranger Jessie Hickman born in 1890, who escaped to the bush after killing her husband. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Road to Christmas by Sheila Roberts

[Kirsten]

I just started reading Translation State

[Rachel]

I just read
The River's Song by Suchen Christine Lim is a beautifully written story featuring musicians Ping and Weng, that takes place along the banks of the Singapore River, particularly during the 1970s when the government evicted thousands of squatters, hawkers and boatmen to clean up the river, destroying an age-old traditional way of life. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called A Season of Angels by Debbie Macomber

[Christine]

Just read "Ashes in the Snow" by Oriana Rammuno it made me shudder. I knew Aschuwitz was horrid but this paints an even grimmer picture. I got this as an ARC so it won't be for sale until September. Read it! We all need a reminder or to know how horrid the Nazis were.

[Cammy]

Finished:
When Women Were Dragons⭐️⭐️ I expected more. And I really wanted to understand why talking about dragons was so taboo.
How High We Go in the Dark⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was more like short stories put together. I was surprised by the ending.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches⭐️⭐️⭐️Fun summer reading. Very whimsical.
The Inheritance Games⭐️⭐️ The idea of the scavenger hunt was interesting, but I couldn’t get into the story to root for any of the characters.
Cassandra in Reverse⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️So much fun going back in time with Cassandra!
Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus⭐️⭐️Found it more engaging reading the creature’s recollections.
Ready Player One⭐️⭐️Too much information explaining the computer environment, which made the book too long.
Lucky Red⭐️⭐️Western drama slow moving. I enjoyed the last 75% of the book where Bridget takes control of her life.
The House in the Cerulean Sea⭐️⭐️⭐️The children made this story fun and the witty banter between the characters.

Currently reading:
Yellowface
Part of Your World

[Christine]

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Mistletoe Cottage by Debbie Mason

[Mackenzie]

I just finished two books this week. The first one, which I read with one of my friends, being Dance of Thieves. I know a lot of people enjoyed this book, but I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters and, for a fantasy, the book was slower than I usually like. 3/5 The second book was An Enchantment of Ravens. I liked this one a lot more as it was relaxing and, if I am being honest, I didn't have expectations going into it so I think that's partially why I was pleasantly surprised. 4/5 I am just now getting out of a reading slump and am going to try rereading The Shadows Between Us and see if it will continue to motive me to read. I remember liking it so I am excited!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished Dark Corners. It was a great addition to the series. No second book slump here.

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

[Kristie, Moderator]

I also finished The Connellys of County Down. I went back and forth a bit, but ended up giving it 5 stars. I also loved We Are the Brennans by the same author.

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

[Bonnie]

Kristie wrote: "I also finished The Connellys of County Down. I went back and forth a bit, but ended up giving it 5 stars. I also loved We Are the Brennans by the same author.

[boo..."

sounds good- I put it on my tbr and entered the kindle contest

[Kristie, Moderator]

Hope you win, Bonnie!

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished The Wishing Game. I thought it was really sweet. my Wishing Game review

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished Gone Tonight, which publishes today. It was interesting and engaging. You had to suspend your disbelief at times, but I was ok with that. It was more of a mystery starting out and you are slowly given bits of the mom's history. The end is where the twists and thriller parts come in. I enjoyed the slow build more than the 'big twists', but that is just my personal preference. If half stars were allowed, I might have considered going down to 3.5 stars, but only because I'm not of fan of (view spoiler)[ the trendy ending twists that are popular right now. It's the whole Gone Girl sort of thing. (hide spoiler)]

- 4★ my Gone Tonight review

[Kristie, Moderator]

I am currently reading The Space Between and starting The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

[Rachel]

Ali and Nino by Kurban Said is a love story set mostly in Azerbaijan between Muslim Ali Khan and Georgian Christian Nino, emphasizing the differences between their cultures and heritage. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Summer That Made Us: A Novel by Robyn Carr

[Rachel]

The Library by English author Bella Osborne is a feel good story where young meets old. Struggling 16-year-old Tom Harris meets feisty septuagenarian Maggie at the library and together they take on the council who are trying to shut the library down. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Randi]

I recently finished Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros. 5 stars!! Best book I’ve read all year, maybe ever. I just loved the characters and the love stories so much. I ugly cried more than once reading it! A hands down must read!!

[Jennifer]

I’m reading the Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. Interesting so far , just wish it was a little bit shorter.

[Amanda]

I’ve been reading the complete collection of Sherlock Holmes since last year and I’m currently on The Return of Sherlock Holmes, which is the third to last book. I have loved it so far and it has been an enjoyable read. But I also can’t wait to finish it because it has taken me a long time. In between I have also read multiple books. Just yesterday I visited Barnes & Noble and read The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo in one sitting. I had to leave when I was just a few pages to the end because the store was closing but I kept reading it on my way home and once I got home as well until I finished it. It was better than I expected and I’m glad I read it. The other day I also read The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald and it left me mesmerized, it was definitely not what I was expecting but in the best possible way. I want to keep reading more books before I have to go back to school so I’ve been spending a lot of time in the library lately and I can’t think of a better summer.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished The Space Between. It didn't grab me right away and it is a bit long so I was worried that it would drag, but the I couldn't put it down the second half.

my Space Between review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm currently reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, which I'm enjoying. I'm finding it a cute read.

I also just started The Prisoner. I'm curious as to what is going on, but I haven't read enough to really have much of an opinion on it yet.

[[deleted user]]

Just finishing Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and reading Widow Basquait by Jennifer Clement

[Rachel]

Homecoming is a thriller by popular Australian author Kate Morton. It is a riveting atmospheric read, set in the Adelaide Hills in 1959, that gradually uncovers many dark and hidden secrets. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Rachel]

The Runes of Destiny by Christina Courtenay* (Sweden) 8 Aug 2023 ⭐⭐ my review

[Mari]

Currently Reading ‘My Human Pet’ by Olympia Black
Also working on the full paulo coelho collection my husband bought me beachside he knows the Alchemist is my favorite. If anyone has a recommendation on the order of reading then please let me know :)