Currently reading 2023

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I finished Wonderland . I thought it was really great. There were some areas where you had to suspend your disbelief, but it was twisty and I couldn't wait to finish it. my Wonderland review


Now reading The Last Orphan.

[Christine]

I finished my 25th book

[Mary]

The second bridgerton book, a court of mist and fury, and the moon and it’s star

[PamG]

Here is my 4.67 rounded to 5 stars review of The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks:

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

Overall, this exciting debut novel is a powerful page-turner with great world-building details and tension that was almost alive. It is a military action thriller with a lot of violence. Hendricks balances the shocking and upsetting aspects of the novel well against the mystery of the group he’s training and Derek’s love of his family.

[Christine]

[PamG]

Here is my 3.86 rounded to 4 stars review of A Problem Princess by Anna Harrington:

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

Anna Harrington provides readers with a regency historical fiction tale that includes romance, danger, and suspense in the sixth and final book in the Lords of the Armory series.

[PamG]

Here's my 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review for Defiant Mate by Delta James:

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

This is a paranormal romantic suspense novel set on Kodiak Island in Alaska. It was entertaining, suspenseful, and had great characters, but was a little too short.

[Rachelle Z]

I am reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It is perfection! I am having the most difficult time putting it down.

[Phrynne]

Rachelle Z wrote: "I am reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It is perfection! I am having the most difficult time putting it down."

It is perfection Rachelle. An amazing book.

[Phrynne]

My review of The Levee by William Kent Krueger

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

[PattyMacDotComma]

Rachelle Z wrote: "I am reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It is perfection! I am having the most difficult time putting it down."

I envy you your rambling through the hotel with the good Count!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Hello Beautiful is the catch-phrase of the father of four sisters in Ann Napolitano's latest novel, which covers about fifty years. Love, anger, strong differences of opinion, even death - it's all here.
3.5~3★ My review of Hello Beautiful

[PattyMacDotComma]

Revelation is a 1964 short story by Flannery O'Connor about a bigoted woman in the US South who is forced to face a rather uncomfortable truth.
3.5~4★ My review of Revelation with a link to the story itself.

[Christine]

I finished my 26th book

[Tammy]

Started reading Little Comfort by Edwin Hill so far enjoying it

[Dorothy]

Phrynne wrote: "Rachelle Z wrote: "I am reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It is perfection! I am having the most difficult time putting it down."

It is perfection Rachelle. An amazing book."

I totally agree.

[PattyMacDotComma]

The Short Story Club group is reading some classic short stories I've missed. I loved Nikolai Gogol's funny and sad The Overcoat, a famous Russian story, often claimed to be the best of its kind.
5★ My review of The Overcoat

[PattyMacDotComma]

Of course I knew of Louis Pasteur, but I had no idea he was responsible for preventing so many diseases (not to mention first figuring out what was spoiling French wines! 😊).
Another great one for the kids (and their ignorant grown-ups).
5★ My review of Louis Pasteur with several illustrations

[Christine]

I finished my 27th book

[Melynna]

where the crawdads sing, im at page 40ish and so far I like it!

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Finally got around to reviewing The Last Orphan . I really enjoy this series.

my Last Orphan review

Currently reading The Giver of Stars . I saw quite a bit of discussion when this book and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek came out. Some readers were suggesting that the books were both the same and that someone stole the story, etc. So far, I don't see that at all. I'm about a third of the way in and the stories are very different aside from the setting and subject of the Appalachian Pack Horse Librarians.

[Rachelle Z]

Currently listening to The Personal Librarian. Afterwards I am thinking of tackling a Salman Rushdie novel. Been wanting to for years! Taking recommendations for a good introductory novel by the author

[sonya]

Reading the exile by Allan Folsom. I finished wicked souls by Katie Wismer. 5*

[Tammy]

rereading before donating Branded Hearts by Shannon Drake

[Phrynne]

My review of The Last Orphan by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz

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

[Christine]

[Phrynne]

My review of Mystery at the Asylum by Helen Goltz

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

[Christine]

[Tammy]

Started reading The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey

[Christine]

I finished my 28th book

[PamG]

Here is my 3.49 rounded to 3 stars review of The Wild Girls by Phoebe Morgan:

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

This psychological thriller was atmospheric and thought-provoking. If you enjoy locked-room thrillers, then this may be one you will enjoy.

[Christine]

[PamG]

Here is my 3.66 rounded to 4 stars review of Misfit by Elle Kennedy:

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

This is a new adult novel full of angst and drama. There are plenty of secrets, unlawful activities, bullying, romance, and spicy scenes woven into the story as well as how grief affects different people.

[Christine]

I finished my 29th book

[Rachelle Z]

Currently absorbed in Persepolis. This is the year I am making an effort to tackle some on my “to read” list for years. So far, none have disappointed, including this one!

[PamG]

Here is my 4.03 rounded to 4 stars review of Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina:

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

The author has crafted a novel filled with native folklore interwoven with a coming-of-age story and a riveting and all-too-real mystery. Overall, this amazing, memorable, and emotional debut novel is a powerful and vivid page-turner with great world-building details and tension.

[PattyMacDotComma]

David Hockney by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and artist Ana Albero is surprisingly open about his sexuality in this book for small children. I'm glad today's kids may not grow up as ignorant as a lot of us probably did.
5★ My review of David Hockney with several illustrations and photos

[PattyMacDotComma]

I always enjoy C.S. Harris's Sebastian St Cyr historical mystery series. What Darkness Brings involves the theft of the French crown jewels, murder, and spies.
4.5~5★ My review of What Darkness Brings

[Eva]

i’m currently reading
Daughter of the Siren Queen and The Cruel Prince series :]

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Just started Book Lovers. I'm loving it from the start. I love books about female friendships and I wasn't expecting the wonderful relationship between the sisters. It's an added bonus for me.

[Phrynne]

I really liked this one!
My review of The Girl on the 88 Bus by Freya Sampson

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

[Tammy]

Started reading The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams book three of the series.

[PamG]

Here is my 3.16 rounded to 3 stars review of The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton:

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

India Holton blended historical fantasy, romantic comedy, and espionage. Overall, this memorable and funny novel has adventure, romance, a mystery, and plenty of excitement. My biggest quibble was that there were times when the story was more “telling” than “showing”. While the book is somewhat over the top, it also has more depth than one might expect with the level of romantic comedy involved.

[Kirsten]

Kristie wrote: "Finally got around to reviewing The Last Orphan . I really enjoy this series.

my Last Orphan review

Currently reading [book:The Giver of Stars..."

I read Troublesome Creek first. The books were both inspired by the same story, but I liked Troublesome better. However, the Jojo Moyes book was still good. The timing was pretty odd though.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Kirsten wrote: "Kristie wrote: "... Currently reading The Giver of Stars. I saw quite a bit of discussion when this book and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek came out. Some readers were suggesting that the books were both the same and that someone stole the story, etc. So far, I don't see that at all. I'm about a third of the way in and the stories are very different aside from the setting and subject of the Appalachian Pack Horse Librarians."

I read Troublesome Creek first. The books were both inspired by the same story, but I liked Troublesome better. However, the Jojo Moyes book was still good. The timing was pretty odd though."

I also read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek first and I've finished The Giver of Stars now. Aside from it being about Appalachian Pack Horse Librarians in Kentucky, I still think the stories were very different. I think people got worked up over nothing and it was just coincidental timing.

I also thought they were both very good, but preferred Troublesome Creek. I just picked up The Book Woman's Daughter.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I finished Book Lovers and thought it was excellent. Can't wait to read more of her work. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm now back to reading Birds in Flight and about to start The Wishing Game.

[sonya]

Finishing The Exile by Allan Folsom

[Dorothy]

Just started 'Old God's Time' by Sebastian Barry

[Christine]

I finished my 30th book

[PattyMacDotComma]

Kelly Link's new collection of seven stories, White Cat, Black Dog: Stories, is based on old folk and fairy tales. I can see why she's so popular. The ones I liked, I really liked. Others - not so much.
3★ My review of White Cat, Black Dog with a link to 'The New Yorker' article about both the book and its author