Currently reading 2023

[sonya]

Our Missing Hearts and Desert Star

[Kirsten]

Vendela wrote: "I finished November 9 by Colleen Hoover today. Can’t really wrap my head around my thoughts about it. It wasn’t too bad and it was fast pace, but at the same time I feel like too much was going on ..."

Funny, November 9 is my favorite of her books, and I really didn't care for Verity too much. Colleen Hoover is a weird author. Her books have such a wide variety.

[Melindam]

I finished . 5 exhausting, magnificent stars - my "review"

I went on right away and I am currently reading Book 5 of the Lymond Chronicle series,

[PamG]

Here is my 4.15 rounded to 4 stars review of Her Wolf for the Holidays by Terry Spear:

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

Paranormal Romance

The characterization and world-building are well-done in this novel. It’s a light, easy read with a fast-paced romance. While there was some minor conflict, I wanted some additional intensity and suspense. Despite this, I enjoyed the book.

[Christine]

[PamG]

Here is my 4.7 rounded to 5 stars review of Payback in Death by J.D. Robb:

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

I love this series. Robb is an excellent storyteller who combines a creative plot with suspenseful scenes and some action and romance. Overall, this novel was a twisty tale with great characterization that kept me turning the pages. I loved spending time with some of my favorite characters and can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Woman Reading]

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews


Even with a re-read, this is still one of my personal favorites in the series. It's probably also the latest point in the series in which a new reader could jump into the Kate Daniels world.

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

[PattyMacDotComma]

Melindam wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Melindam wrote: "I am reading Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett, book 4 of her magnificent and..

They are, they are! 😊

The 1st book The Game of Kings was the hardest nut to crack for me, with lots of obscure Latin/French/Spanish 16th century quotations of songs and verses, but by the 2nd book I go used to it. Plus the historical background and the political and personal intrigue is just great. 😊."

I applaud your enthusiasm, Melindam!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is Aussie author Kerryn Mayne's debut novel, which shows how childhood trauma could break or make lonely primary school teacher Lenny.
My review of Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder

[Tammy]

An oldie Chase the Lightning by Madeline Baker

[Phrynne]

My review of All the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris

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

[PamG]

Here is my 2.98 rounded to 3 stars review of A Trouble of Fools by Linda Barnes:

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

Private Detective

This is an outlier review. There are many readers who loved this novel.

There’s a decent mystery in this story, but the start is slow-paced, meandering, and uneven. However, it picks up in the last third of the novel. Overall, this sets the stage for an interesting series with some eccentric characters and new investigations to pursue.

[Phrynne]

My review of The First Mrs. Rothschild by Sara Aharoni

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

[PattyMacDotComma]

Fan-bl**dy-tastic kids' book for everybody: The Book of Time by Clive Gifford. What the heck IS time anyway? Spend a little time enjoying science, history, philosophy, mythology, all about time, from cosmic to nano.

My review of The Book of Time with several illustrations

[Melindam]

Here is my review of the audiobook of by Ernle Bradford

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

[Christine]

I finished my 62nd book

[Melissa]

Think I have found another go-to romance author


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

[Casey]

Currently reading Open City by Teju Cole.

[PattyMacDotComma]

The Sebastian St. Cyr historical mystery series is a favourite. In #10, author C.S. Harris asks, Who Buries the Dead? (And who steals their heads?!) Great atmosphere, stories, and characters.

My review of Who Buries the Dead?

[PattyMacDotComma]

I've enjoyed several of Amazon's Original Stories, this one in particular. The Scenic Route is by Christina Baker Kline. A woman tells us why she took to the road in a small van, because staying put was destroying her. Good short read.
My review of The Scenic Route

If you're a NetGalley reviewer, the story will be archived on Sept 15.

[Woman Reading]

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

It was better than I had remembered.

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

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I finished two books yesterday:

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch

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

None of This Is True

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

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I am starting Black Cake and A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii.

[PamG]

Here is my 3.26 rounded to 3 stars review of Hanging by a Thread by Dorothy Howell:

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

Cozy Mystery

Overall, this novel is entertaining and was a pleasurable reading experience. It's a fun cozy featuring many unique and interesting characters. Humor is sprinkled throughout the novel. However, the start is somewhat slow and there is some repetition that was somewhat annoying.

[PamG]

Here is my 4.36 rounded to 4 stars review of The Buried by Lisa Childs:

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

Romantic Suspense

Overall, I enjoyed this novel which was suspenseful, atmospheric, full of action, and it had great characterization.

[Tammy]

From the Berkley Street series I finished book 5 Kurkow Prison and now reading book 6 Lake Nutaq by Ron Ripley

[Christine]

I finished my 63rd book

[Tammy]

Rereading a oldie The Conquest by Elizabeth Chadwick

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I started Black Cake, but decided to read The Bell in the Fog instead of A Day of Fire. I read the first 20 pages of A Day of Fire and the setting of Pompeii during the Roman Empire was just too depressing for me right now. The Bell in the Fog is a better fit.

[PamG]

Here is my 4.24 rounded to 4 stars review of The Ghost Illusion by Kat Martin:

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

Romantic Suspense + Ghosts and more

Overall, this novel was entertaining and had great characterization. The plot is multi-layered and gets increasingly dangerous as the unsettling disturbances escalate and secrets are revealed. It’s twisty, thought-provoking, and tragic, as well as full of suspenseful moments. It's also very atmospheric.

[Woman Reading]

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

One of the better installments in this fantastic series.


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

[Phrynne]

My review of The Wattle Island Book Club by Sandie Docker

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

[sonya]

half broke horses by Jeannette Walls

[Tammy]

Started reading Mystery of the Tea Cup Quilt by Jodi Allen Brice

[Rosalyn]

A villain in a lavender tutu, talking lions, and a fight to save life as we know it, oh my! This is one weird, delightfully fun book, one that revels in its absurdity and violence, while still raising thought provoking moral questions, such as when, if ever, is taking a human life / "tough love" to the point of abuse, justified?

My full 5/5 star review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

[Phrynne]

My review of The Scenic Route by Christina Baker Kline

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

[Christine]

I finished my 64th book

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I finished Black Cake. I thought it was a great debut. The characters and relationships felt very realistic to me.

I have started Paper Doll and should be done today. It is ok. So far, I don't think it's one that I'll really remember later. Once I finish, I will start The Paris Apartment for my face-to-face book club.

[PattyMacDotComma]

The Caretaker, by Aussie author Gabriel Bergmoser, is a tense thriller about a woman who is hiding out alone on a snowy mountaintop.
My review of The Caretaker

[PattyMacDotComma]

Almost everyone, whether they're aware of it or not, has heard music by Mozart. This children's introduction by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara is another in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. He was an amazing child prodigy.
My review of Mozart with several illustrations

[Woman Reading]

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews


My second favorite installment in the Kate Daniels series --

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

[PamG]

Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of Pines by Blake Crouch:

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

Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, and more

Overall, this novel was somewhat uncomfortable at times, entertaining, and imaginative.

[PamG]

Here is my 3.38 rounded to 3 stars review of A Curse of Queens by Amanda Bouchet:

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

Fantasy

Intrigue, danger, action, suspense, a quest, and a romance are mixed with Greek mythology and fantasy in the fourth book in Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles. There was always something new happening in this story that demanded my attention once the quest started. However, the first third of the book was extremely slow-paced. It also took me a while to understand this new-to-me fantasy world. I wanted a little more world-building. I believe those who have read the earlier books in the series would already have that grasp.

[PattyMacDotComma]

If you enjoy good writing, history, mystery and complex characters, join me in my love of C.S. Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr historical murder mystery series. When Falcons Fall is #11, (but do start with #1).
My review of When Falcons Fall

[Elinor]

I've just finished my re-read of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling, always such a joy (one of the few books I actually re-read)! Incidently, learned she is also Robert Galbraith - I can be so slow on the uptake. But will consider exploring his Cormoran Strikes series, they sound good.

I'm starting Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel (BOM @ NBRC for September, I'm running late!)

[K]

Hi


I've just finished Dean Koontz's new novel After Death. This novel is about a man who became 'enhanced' and gained new techno abilities during an incident in a science research facility. So often stories which feature a protagonist who becomes enhanced and gains new powers can be either very dark and heavy, or the protagonist becomes a superhero. In this novel the protagonist remains a normal guy and does not change who he is as a person. It was really refreshing.

This is one of the reasons why I love Jack Laing's The Wullie Glass Notebooks: Recruit series. In this series the protagonist remains a down-to-earth policeman even though he is taken away from earth and is recruited into the organisation that polices the universe. He's a normal guy drawn into unusual cirmcumstances, with none of the heaviness/darkness you may find in a police procedural, or the theatrical cowboy feel that you might find in a science fiction space guardian/lawman story.

I enjoy those other types of novel, but it is these types of character that can make the stories seem so real. The characters literally seem like they could be your neighbour or the person you pass in the street. Makes me wonder what magic is happening in the world around me that I just don't notice.

[K]

Elinor wrote: "I've just finished my re-read of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling, always such..."

I've only read the first in the Cormoran Strike series but really enjoyed it. Comoran is not your typical PI, and I like that he is rough around the edges. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[PamG]

Here is my 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review of The Last Guardian by Simon Gervais:

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

Political Thriller

A great start to the novel grabbed my attention. Action, suspense, intrigue, and danger keep this novel moving at fast pace. There is a strong sense of good versus evil throughout the novel. Geopolitical conflicts that help enable drug, human, and weapons trafficking are highlighted in this book.

[Woman Reading]

Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews

A "HEA" is hard to come by in post-apocalyptic Atlanta.

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

[PamG]

Here is my 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review of Her Last Words by Carolyn Arnold:

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

Police Procedural

The author brings action and intense moments to the novel, but the story built a little less suspense into the story line than usual. Despite this, the plot is intriguing, full of chasing down leads and interviewing suspects and witnesses in anticipation of identifying the killer.