Currently reading 2023

[PattyMacDotComma]

Dwayne Johnson is admired by adults and kids alike. In Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's children's biography of The Rock is a good introduction to how he came from wrestling to be the highest paid actor in the world.
5★ My review of Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock)

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I just finished these:

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

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

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Just started Make a Wish.

[Leena]

reading 3 simultaneously.
q. The Dutch House by Ann Pratchet. this one is really beautiful.
2. Scandalous Wager by Christy Carlyle. -a quick fun novella
3. Funny You Should Ask. this feels it's s going to be one g reat book.

[seemaa]

Mortal instruments series and the book thief!

[Dem]

Finished Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead byOlga Tokarczuk

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/5320389576

[PamG]

Here is my 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review of Wined and Died in New Orleans by Ellen Byron:

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

Overall, this is an engaging cozy mystery with humor, suspense, action, and a bit of romance. I am thoroughly enjoying this series featuring Ricki who has turned her avocation of collecting vintage cookbooks into a job by establishing a gift shop in the late home turned museum of Genevieve (Vee) Charbonnet. The shop sells vintage cookbooks and kitchenware, but there's always a mystery around this museum.

[Kirsten]

I just started listening to Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor this morning. What a great start!!

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I really enjoyed Strange the Dreamer, Kirsten. Not sure why I never got around to the next book in the series.

[PattyMacDotComma]

If you haven't been collecting the Buzz Books, you're missing a lot of free previews. Buzz Books 2023: Spring/Summer is the usual great selection of excerpts from upcoming books.
5★ My review of the current Buzz Books with several suggestions and a link to download for free

[PattyMacDotComma]

Born to perform, Colombian singer Shakira has belly-danced her way around the world and founded her own charity. Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara has added her to the Little People BIG DREAMS series - always good.
4★ My review of Shakira with illustrations

[PamG]

Here is my 3.09 rounded to 3 stars review of Bright and Deadly Things by Lexie Elliott:

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

Great characterization and atmosphere were the highlights for me in this mystery. However, the pacing felt somewhat uneven with some slow spots and the ending wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly. Additionally, the suspense didn't leave me with the sense of urgency that I wanted to feel.

[Tammy]

Started reading the third book of the Bought The Farm Mystery series A Streak of Bad Cluck by Ellen Riggs

[Phrynne]

My review of Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

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

[Christine]

I finished my 12th book

[Jen]

Kirsten wrote: "I've been listening to The Good House and reading The Christie Affair"

I have The Christie Affair on my pile to read....I am told it is very good.

[Eli (taylor's version)]

Right now Gods and monsters I only have 2 chapters left and then I'm going to start reading the hunger games

[Jen]

Kayt wrote: "Tammy wrote: "Currently rereading a favorite of mine The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett"

I love that book so much!"

I think I am one of the only person who was not as impressed by this book. It was so built up before I read it....it was not as good as I expected it to be. I just thought it was 'so so'. I think Edward Rutherfurd is a much better historical fiction writer.

[PamG]

Here is my 4.88 rounded to 5 stars review of Encore in Death by J.D. Robb:

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

This near-future police procedural was a twisty tale with great characterization that kept me turning the pages.

[Ruby Tuesday]

Im reading the hunger games series!

[Lizzie]

Just started Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

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

I am now reading Townshipped and Daisy Darker.

[Christine]

[sonya]

Dark Gold by Christine Feehan

[Dem]

Finished and enjoyed The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/4985349905

[Dem]

Finished and enjoyed The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/4985349905

[PamG]

I finished The Blackbriar Genesis by Simon Gervais.

My 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Simon Gervais has a way of starting his novels with a shocking and powerful opening scene. Action, suspense, treachery, and intrigue keep this novel moving at a terrific pace. It has aspects of espionage, political, and military thrillers. This series is within Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne universe.

[Tammy]

Currently reading Till the Cat Lady Sings by Ellen Riggs

[PamG]

I finished The Draka & The Giant by Liane Zane.

Here is my 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The author brings action, attraction, and suspense to a new paranormal romantic suspense urban fantasy thriller.

[Christine]

[PattyMacDotComma]

Hedy Lamarr was a true Hollywood bombshell, as this children's picture book by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara describes in an addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series. She was beautiful and technologically brilliant.
5★ My review of Hedy Lamarr with several of the lovely illustrations and a drop-dead gorgeous photo of her

[PattyMacDotComma]

The Transit of Venus by acclaimed Australian author Shirley Hazzard, is now a modern classic that was reissued in 2021, 25 years after its first publication. Aussie sisters grow up in post-WW2 England, where their beauty is admired, but their southern hemisphere origins are disparaged. GREAT READ!
5★ My review of Transit of Venus

[Christine]

I finished my 13th book

[PattyMacDotComma]

This is a terrible, but important, story from what should be America's past. Now the nightly news is almost as bad.

Ralph Ellison wrote A Party Down at the Square in his youth, but it wasn't published until decades later.

Maybe humans should slink back into the swamp. Content warning, even for the review. (no pictures!) There are many excellent reviews of it Here's mine:
5★ My review of A Party Down at the Square including a link to a PDF of the story

[Woman Reading]

Spare
by Prince Harry

In an unprecedented move by a high ranking royal, Prince Harry presents his side. This memoir will likely generate strong opinion especially if you're a reader from the UK or the Commonwealth. But I'm an American whose review is here ---

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

[PattyMacDotComma]

Aussie author Michael Robotham is a favourite of mine. Bleed for Me is the fourth in his clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin series. It could easily be read as a stand-alone because he fills in the back stories so well but manages not to spoil the earlier books if you go back and read them later (as I have done).
5★ My review of Bleed for Me

[PattyMacDotComma]

Freddie Mercury had a remarkable impact on today's music. The recent children's biography by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara gives us a bit of his life and the founding of the phenomenon that became Queen.
5★ My review of Freddie Mercury with several illustrations and links to some of the unforgettable music

[PamG]

Here is my 4.37 rounded to 4 stars review of Desperate Acts by Alexandra Ivy:

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

Alexandra Ivy deftly weaves mystery, suspense, action, and romance in the fourth book in the Pike, Wisconsin romantic suspense series. Overall, this was an intense story with likeable characters that kept me turning the pages.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I just finished Townshipped . It was really cute. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also finished Sudden Death . It was another great addition to the series. I haven't reviewed it, but honestly I don't know what to say about it that I haven't already said about other books in the series. It's fun. There are a few too many mob ties for my taste, but I love the humor in it.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Just started the The Last Orphan . It's the most recent book in the Orphan X series.

[PamG]

Here is my 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review of Getting Even by Lisa Jackson:

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

It combines two of her earlier romantic suspense novels into this newly released book. The novels have common themes of revenge, suspense, romance, and some action as well.

[Tammy]

Jen wrote: "Kayt wrote: "Tammy wrote: "Currently rereading a favorite of mine The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett"

I love that book so mu..."

I may have read this book before all the hype and series, but I also like Rutherfurd.

[Tammy]

Started reading Flip-Flops and Murder by H.Y. Hanna

[Christine]

I finished my 14th book

[Lana ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ]

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

[sara]

I finished Book Lovers and now I'm reading the unhoneymooners!

[PattyMacDotComma]

The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie is set in the aftermath of the NSW Northern Rivers floods, where the mother of a flood victim says he was murdered. Good story with a great new detective, heavily pregnant Kate Miles (as if she didn't have enough to worry about).
4★ My review of The Torrent

[PamG]

Here is my 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review of Sea Castle by Andrew Mayne:

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

The author brings action, suspense, and mystery to an intense story with complex characters.

[Dorothy]

Woman Reading wrote: " Spare
by Prince Harry

In an unprecedented move by a high ranking royal, Prince Harry presents his side. This memoir will likely generat..."

To be honest, I have no intention of reading this book. Sounds like a lot of whining from someone who has wealth and status and is still not satisfied. Sibling rivalry happens in many families but most people just get over it.

[Dorothy]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Aussie author Michael Robotham is a favourite of mine. Bleed for Me is the fourth in his clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin series. It could easily be read as a st..."

I find his books rather creepy.