The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion
ARCHIVE
>
Currently reading 2023
My review of The Desolations of Devil's Acre by Ransom Riggs
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave shows the cruel reality of life in Finland's harsh and frozen far north in the 1600s. Witch-hunting was rife. Based on true events. 
My review of The Mercies
Here is my 3.73 rounded to 4 stars review of Three-Edged Sword: A Novel
by Jeff Lindsay:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Crime Thriller
Overall, this is a fast-paced and entertaining thriller with some humor to break the suspense occasionally. If you enjoy crime thrillers with humor, a twisty plot, and a protagonist who is a thief and a master of disguise, then look no further.
Just finished THE ADVENTURES OF AMINA AL-SIRAFI…thought it dragged a bit in the middle third but the last third kept me enthralled
I've just enjoyed The Long Game, the first of Aussie author Simon Rowell's series featuring Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer. Her new service dog, Harry, is helping her get back in harness herself after a bad bout of PTSD. 
My review of The Long Game (Detective Zoe Mayer #1)
Here is my 4.38 rounded to 4 stars review of Dream Town
by Lee Goldberg:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural / Crime Thriller
Overall, this is a tense, gritty, and engaging novel with wit, suspense, action, and some great twists as well as some violence. The author’s writing style continues to hook me quickly, and the story builds momentum that leads to an action-filled conclusion.
I'm working on the Veronica Speedwell series :)
Get swept away (in the sewers)!
A fairytale for adults, the worldbuilding is unmatched.
My full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
by Neil Gaiman
I've liked all of the P.J. Tracy Monkeewrench series, but my favourite so far is #7, Cold Kill (aka The Sixth Idea. Suspenseful (plausible!) threat to today's world. Great read. 
My review of Cold Kill - The Sixth Sense
Here is my 4.1 rounded to 4 stars review of Hunt the Wolf
by Don Mann:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Military Thriller
Riveting, Dramatic, Suspenseful, and Intense
Here is my 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review of The Naturalist
by Andrew Mayne:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Murder Mystery / Crime Novel
Overall, it hooked me with the first two chapters. My biggest quibbles are that it is somewhat far-fetched at times and the ending was somewhat abrupt and didn’t provide the full closure that I wanted.
Hello! Sorry to have left this out from the Newsletter, but FYI, here is the link to the thread Currently Reading 2024. We are almost there. 😊
Also, would love to hear about your 2023 Reading Highlights if you'd care to share. 😊
You know that guy you haven't seen for a while and you ask, "Hey, Bob - what've you been up to?" and he always has a funny anecdote about his latest venture? That's Aussie writer Robert Skinner, and he's put his stories together in I'd Rather Not: Essays. Best enjoyed separately, like letters from a friend.
My review of I'd Rather Not
Boy, my enjoyment went from high to low real quick. The book switches between the wife and husband's POV, and the wife annoyed me so much. She does the thing I hate the most, weaponizing and distorting the message of feminism into "I'm a woman who wants to be independent and free, which means anything I do that's wrong or selfish is really just self expression, and it's misogynistic to blame me."The book could've delved much deeper into at what point does depicting pain in art, especially of living humans, become exploitative, but instead, her activist art is so superficial to me.
Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fans have been waiting a while to see what author Graham Brack's Captain Josef Slonský has been up to, and I was glad to seem him back in (limping) action in Prague, solving the case of The Murdered Molls. Crime and humour - great mix.
My review of The Murdered Molls
In Shades of Death: Murder at the Court of Elizabeth I, historian Angela Ranson presents Catrin, an appealing, independent young heroine whom the Queen sends to investigate death threats. Great read for historical mystery lovers.
My review of Shades of Death
I liked Wild Card, the second book in the Detective Zoe Mayer series even more than the first. Aussie author Simon Rowell gives us a good story with a cross-border investigation between Victoria and New South Wales and plenty of secret alliances. Harry is back in harness, still acting to serve and protect Zoe. Good boy!
My review of Wild Card
Here is my 4.44 rounded to 4 stars review of The Dollmaker
by Mary Burton:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural / Crime Thriller / Romantic Suspense
The author is a great storyteller with gripping scenes and a disturbing story intermixed with a couple trying to decide if they can reconcile and be happy together. The plot moves at a fast pace with twists and turns. The antagonist’s identity was a complete surprise to me.
Here is my 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review of The Black Echo
by Michael Connelly:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural / Crime Thriller
Somewhat dated, but still a page turner
Here is my 4.55 rounded to 5 stars review of Random in Death
by J.D. Robb:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Near-Future Police Procedural / Romantic Suspense
It is amazing that after fifty-eight books this author can still use prose to elicit a strong emotional response from readers. The novel has a deeply involved plot that is thought-provoking and tragic. Robb is an excellent storyteller who combines a creative plot with suspenseful scenes, lots of solid police investigation, and some action.
I read The Women
. A well written story of the military nurses in Vietnam. 4.5 stars rounded up . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.12 rounded to 3 stars review of Secretly Yours
by Tessa Bailey:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Romantic Comedy
Opposites Attract
This is a funny and light read with several steamy scenes and well-developed characters. My main quibbles are that I wanted more tension and obstacles as well as some of the actions of Tessa were improper and unprofessional. Overall, this is an entertaining and light book, but not very memorable.
I just finished Hum if you don’t know the words by Bianca Marais. Really enjoyed this one - didn’t want to put it down!
Here is my 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review of Wild Magic
by Alexandra Ivy:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
urban fantasy, paranormal mystery, paranormal romantic suspense
Overall, this novel was a fast-paced and entertaining tale with great characterization that kept me engaged throughout the story. My biggest quibble is that I wanted to know more about the Gyre. I felt the worldbuilding concerning it was insufficient.
It was fun to eavesdrop on two old gentlemen comparing ghost stories from their schooldays. A School Story by M.R. James took place in 1870 but could easily be a contemporary plot. 
My review of A School Story with a link to where it is free to read online
Baumgartner is a man widowed too young who wonders if he has a future. Acclaimed American author Paul Auster gives us Baumgartner's sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, always realistic musings. Excellent.
My review of Baumgartner
If you'd care to share your Top 5 or Top 10 Books for 2023 (at the end of the year), you are very welcome to do it under this thread: 😊https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Here is my 3.13 rounded to 3 stars review of The Store
by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Disappointing
Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of The End
by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Military Thriller Novella
Dynamic Plot
Immense amount of conflict
Emotional, enthralling, hold your breath recounts of collegiate regattas, boys toughened by hardscrabble lives in the relative wild of the Pacific Northwest, yet still optimistic and single-mindedly determined to reach somewhere within themselves, an Olympic title just a pitstop along the way to achieving the spiritual goals of fellowship, community, trusting others and challenging yourself, and feeling personally fulfilled.My full 5/5 star review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Perks Of Being A Book Addict
Books mentioned in this topic
Prophet Song (other topics)Crochet Your Own Dog: 14 Lifesize Amigurumi Pups to Make & Love! (other topics)
Day (other topics)
Hello Beautiful (other topics)
The Busy Body (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Paul Lynch (other topics)Mieko Shindo (other topics)
Kemper Donovan (other topics)
Ann Patchett (other topics)
Katherine Ryan (other topics)
More...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fiction - Family Drama, A Cold Case, and A Genetic Mystery
Overall, this story is emotional, entertaining, and thought-provoking. The author delivers a vivid story of life and drama.