What books did you get from the library, bookstore, or online? ~ 2023

[Bella (Kiki)]

I now have Idaho by Emily Ruskovich on my iPad. After having just finished The Books of Jacob I'm glad this one is short!

[madrano]

~*Kim*~ wrote: "I downloaded Words On Candy Hearts to my Kindle last night with hopes that I can get into it. I haven't read anything since the first part of January and I'm really wanting to get b..."

I hope this works for you, Kim. I know it's been a struggle for you and this could be the key to a return to book pleasure.

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I now have Idaho by Emily Ruskovich on my iPad. After having just finished The Books of Jacob I'm glad this one is short!"

I hope it's a good palate cleanser, Kiki! The cover is lovely, imo.

[John]

My Kitchen Wars: A Memoir by Betty Fussell was mentioned in a book thread at another site. So, I picked up a copy ($2.99) for today's 2x Kindle Rewards promotion. I've been disappointed lately, but am optimistic about this one.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "My Kitchen Wars: A Memoir by Betty Fussell was mentioned in a book thread at another site. So, I picked up a copy ($2.99) for today's 2x Kindle Rewards promotion. I'..."

Can't beat the price and the 2 X Amazon Rewards.

[madrano]

I am not famliar with Fussell but the GR reviews make it sound like a book i would enjoy. We look forward to your comments on it, John.

[Bella (Kiki)]

I got Idaho by Emily Ruskovich. It's not at all what I thought it'd be, and so far, I'm quite disappointed in it. The writing is lovely, but lovely writing alone won't make a good book.

Edit: The cover is gorgeous.

[Lindsey]

I just picked up The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper for an online book club read. I've only read the intro so far, which was quite captivating, so we shall see!

[Alias Reader]

Lindsey wrote: "I just picked up The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper for an online book club read. I've only read the intro so far, which was quite captivating, so we ..."

I have a friend that likes to read true murder books. I told her about that book a few weeks ago. Hope it's a good one !

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I got Idaho by Emily Ruskovich. It's not at all what I thought it'd be, and so far, I'm quite disappointed in it. The writing is lovely, but lovely writing alone w..."

Sad, Kiki. Are you one to stop reading when this happens? I'm of a mixed sort but in my younger days (up to 60 or so), i stuck it out. And was seldom pleased with the results.

[madrano]

Lindsey wrote: "I just picked up The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper for an online book club read. I've only read the intro so far, which was quite captivating, so we ..."

This sounded like a good one when i first read about it. I hope it is good for you & your group reading, Lindsey.

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I got Idaho by Emily Ruskovich. It's not at all what I thought it'd be, and so far, I'm quite disappointed in it. T..."

I don't usually give up on a book unless it's really terrible. I buy all my books and I hate to abandon them. If I don't feel it's a good book, then I feel I can still learn from it, if I only learn what makes it less than stellar.

Idaho turned out not to be so bad, but it's so different I think it only appeals to a very small audience. It's polarizing. People love it or hate it.

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I don't usually give up on a book unless it's really terrible. I buy all my books and I hate to abandon them. If I don't feel it's a good book, then I feel I can still learn from it, if I only learn what makes it less than stellar.
..."

I would probably feel the same way if had purchased a book. Since the vast majority of mine are library-borrowed, i am okay with stopping. However, because you write, i can see that continuing could be beneficial to you, however you end up feeling about the book.

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I now have Idaho by Emily Ruskovich on my iPad. After having just finished The Books of Jacob I'm g..."

I love the cover of Idaho. Unfortunately, that's about all I love about the book. :-(

[madrano]

I found the cover appealing, too, Kiki. Indeed, i was thinking about using it for my #4- A book you chose simply because of its cover prompt. The one i hoped to use isn't available in my library and i'm not going to track it down because i've seen many lovely covers already this year. However, having read the GR reviews & your comments, i'm certain i can find something else with as fitting a cover.

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "I found the cover appealing, too, Kiki. Indeed, i was thinking about using it for my #4- A book you chose simply because of its cover prompt. The one i hoped to use isn't available in my library an..."

You can find my review here, Madrano https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

If you decide to skip Idaho, Madrano, The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories a collection of short stories by Susanna Clarke has a similar, and very lovely cover. Pink petunias on a gray background. I was drawn to it for the cover alone.

[Bella (Kiki)]

I got I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai and started reading it today. I immediately disliked the writing style and main character intensely, but I will read it, hoping it will get better as I go on. It is to fulfill the teacher or student prompt. The main character is a teacher.

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "You can find my review here, Madrano https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

If you decide to skip Idaho, Madrano, The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories a collection of short stories by Susanna Clarke has ..."

Informative review, Kiki. I'm not sure i would have stayed with this one. Your point about the lyrical prose is well made. A plot is needed and without one, this sort of writing becomes drudgery for me. Thanks for the review.

Funny how we agreed on Ruskovich's cover but not Clarke's. That pink doesn't call to me at all. Thanks, anyway.

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I got I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai and started reading it today. I immediately disliked the writing style and main character intensely, but I wil..."

I hope it ends up being rewarding, Kiki. You deserve a real winner!

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I got I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai and started reading it today. I immediately disliked the writi..."

Thank you, Madrano. So far, I do not like it. :-(

[madrano]

Bummer.

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Bummer."

It's getting better now, but I still don't care for the style. I'll have to see how it turns out. The style makes it a fast read unlike The Books of Jacob and I Have Some Questions for You is long enough at nearly 400 pages, I think, but far shorter than Jacob.

[madrano]

Perhaps the home stretch of the book will persuade you it was all worth it.

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Perhaps the home stretch of the book will persuade you it was all worth it."

Right now, it seems like they're heading into very predictable territory. I hope not.

[madrano]

*Hoping with you*

[Lilli Gilliam]

I went to the bookstore and got The Priory of the Orange Tree. I got it for free because I had enough points from previous purchases.
My mom's friend from work also bought me three books. A Day of Fallen Night, The Scapegracers, and The Bone Season

[madrano]

Lilli Gilliam wrote: "I went to the bookstore and got The Priory of the Orange Tree. I got it for free because I had enough points from previous purchases.
My mom's friend from work also bought me three..."

Lucky you to get free books, Lilli! Those points add up. Your mom has a generous friend, too. I'm sure she selected them with the thought they will be enjoyable for you to read. I hope this is true.

[Alias Reader]

Lilli Gilliam wrote: "I went to the bookstore and got The Priory of the Orange Tree. I got it for free because I had enough points from previous purchases.
My mom's friend from work also bought me three..."

Very nice ! It's great when people share books and also that you got one from the bookstore for free ! You can't beat that.

[madrano]

I'm almost half finished with Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime. This is the first book by Val McDermid i've read, even though her mysteries have been around for years. I suppose she came to write this book from her own years of research.

The approach is to take one facet of criminal investigation per chapter and explore its history, development and success. Curiously, for some techniques she begins by presenting the negative side. For instance, she shared where DNA failed before elaborating on how it has developed. Same with fingerprints.

Frankly, while i thought i knew much, i have come to realize that fingerprints, as an example, is not considered a science because stats prove that officials err when prints aren't in the system. They tend to see characteristics to fit a person who has been identified as the suspect. This was news to me.

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: , i have come to realize that fingerprints, as an example, is not considered a science because stats prove that officials err when prints aren't in the system. They tend to see characteristics to fit a person who has been identified as the suspect. This was news to me..."

Well, that's scary !

Thanks for the title. A friend of mine likes to read crime books, so I am going to pass the title on to her.

I'm adding it to my TBR list, too.

[madrano]

I want to share that the chapters are long, usually over 35 pages on my iPad. For some reason that has deterred me from reading and i find myself forcing myself to read, as i'm nearing the end. That's just not right.

Possibly this is because i have a couple of projects ongoing, so reading gets less attention now. I felt i needed to add this warning--it may be me!

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "I want to share that the chapters are long, usually over 35 pages on my iPad. For some reason that has deterred me from reading and i find myself forcing myself to read, as i'm nearing the end. Tha..."

Thanks for the heads-up. I do prefer shorter chapters. However, if the book isn't too long, I can deal with it. The paperback of this book Amazon lists at 320, so for me that's reasonable.

[Alias Reader]

I had a $3 Kindle credit, so I used it to purchase:
His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life-Jonathan Alter

I plan on getting the audio when I get my next free audible book.
I got 3 free credits when I signed up for Audible.

I read Alter's book on FDR and I thought it was one of the best FDR books I've read.
The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope

I was less thrilled with his President Obama book. I think the issue for me was it was too close to his presidency and I knew most of the material.
The Promise: President Obama, Year One

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I do prefer shorter chapters. However, if the book isn't too long, I can deal with it. The paperback of this book Amazon lists at 320, so for me that's reasonable...."

Yes, it is a reasonable size. As noted, i'm not sure whether it's the book or myself that is the problem. She does everything i want, giving anecdotes and facts, some history and personal bits. All of which i like and expect. Still, i am not drawn to resuming each day.

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "
I was less thrilled with his President Obama book. I think the issue for me was it was too close to his presidency and I knew most of the material...."

I have found that to be a problem, too, Alias. Even in fiction, if someone is going to share a 60s-hippie novel, i lose patience. Often it's because i know there was so much more to the era and, therefore, characters would probably respond differently, etc. It's a Deb Problem. :-)

[Bella (Kiki)]

I am now almost finished with I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. At first, I intensely disliked the writing style and found all of the characters unsympathetic. It is only now, fewer than 100 pages to the end, that I'm finding the protagonist slightly sympathetic. I still don't like the writing style. It's written as one long conversation the protagonist is having, but at first, it was confusing as to who it was with. Many of the reviews mention this confusion, so I'm not the only one. Interspersed are chapters of incidents that took place at a New England boarding school in the 90s. I find the book to be lacking in tension. It's a "Why am I reading this?" type of book, and it was one of the most anticipated books of this year. I have to ask myself, "Why? Why was it so anticipated?"

[Alias Reader]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I am now almost finished with I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. At first, I intensely disliked the writing style and found all of the characters unsy..."

Sorry the book didn't work for you. I hope you next one is a winner.

[Bella (Kiki)]

Alias Reader wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I am now almost finished with I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. At first, I intensely disliked the wr..."

Thanks, Alias.

It was pretty good by the time I reached the final 100 pages of a 438-page book. I'm not at all sorry I read it, but I do wish it could have been as good for the first 338 pages as it was for the last 100. Maybe next time.

The writing style just wasn't what I liked. I can't say there was anything wrong with it, and I certainly wouldn't deduct any stars for that. It just wasn't what I liked. Another person may love it. Just glancing through the reviews here on GR, many people did love the writing style. Others hated the ending. I loved it, in a way. It was the only ending that would have worked, I think. So, I don't have all bad feelings about it. I'm not sorry I read it. The biggest issue I have with some reviews is that they describe it as a "literary" novel. No way. It's totally mainstream and built around plot.

I can't decide what to read next. Shanghai Secrets, finally found a place I haven't visited, been to China, but not Shanghai, or Dirt because I know David Vann won't let me down.

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I am now almost finished with I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. At first, I intensely disliked the writing style and found all of the characters unsy..."

Interesting thoughts on this book, Kiki. Being rewarded by a fine ending helps alter the overall impression, i know. As i mentioned elsewhere, staying with it is the challenge for the reader but also the author. Due to her reputation with previous novels, i can see why people were eager for her latest. Had you read anything by her previously?

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I can't decide what to read next. Shanghai Secrets, finally found a place I haven't visited, been to China, but not Shanghai, or Dirt because I know David Vann won't let me down...."

Both sound good to me. Have you read any of the previous Rowland Sinclair mysteries? I'm not familiar with the author or series. I'm happy you found a place you haven't visited. That must have been quite a search!

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I can't decide what to read next. Shanghai Secrets, finally found a place I haven't visited, been to China, but not Shanghai, or Dirt because I know ..."

I hadn't read anything by this author previously, Madrano. I really didn't care much about any of the characters until I got to the final 100 pages. Then the book seemed to move into high gear. A lot of reviewers didn't like the ending. I know what they wanted, but that would have been overly optimistic and I'm glad the author didn't go there.

I haven't read any of the Rowland Sinclair mysteries. It dawned on me last night that the prompt says "a country you've never visited" and Shanghai is a city, not a country. LOL I did buy Dirt. I know Vann might shock and depress me, but he'll give me a good story. He's one of my favorites.

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "Shanghai is a city, not a country. LOL..."

I didn't think of that, either, when i read the prompt. It seems stand alone, not unlike Hong Kong.

Your comments about the ending sound similar to what i sometimes feel. Authors have so many choices and pleasing us all would be impossible. Yet, i really appreciate when they go somewhere less predictable.

[Alias Reader]

As I mentioned elsewhere, Amazon is having a promotion that if you spend $10 on a Kindle book you get 200 Points. Promotion ends March 15th.

Therefore, I decided to get the Kindle version of Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times by H.W. Brands. I own the PB but it's in storage. And since the pandemic I've found I prefer eBooks. Also this book is 600+ pages, another good reason for an eBook !

Deb, I deciding between this book and American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham. I noted in your Presidential challenge thread that it doesn't include his childhood. It seems from some reviews that Brands does, so I went with this bio for the challenge. I may also get the audio either from Audible or the library if it's available.

Thanks for the very helpful input on the Presidential Challenge. I frequently check your list when making my decisions.

For anyone else that might be interested in the U.S. Presidential challenge, please note this is a lifelong challenge. You can read the presidents in order or skip around.

[madrano]

I’m glad to have been of help, Alias. Like you, i check our Presidential lists when seeking my next President. There are good ones there, read by others who seem to have similar tastes to mine.

I hope you like the Jackson bio, Alias.

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, Deb.

[Alias Reader]

My library only had the audio of this book and Amazon had the Kindle on sale for $2, so I purchased it. I have an Amazon credit from their Kindle Points program, so I got it for free.

The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn

A New York Times Notable Book • Winner of the National Jewish Book Award • Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award • A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
---synopsis
In this rich and riveting narrative, a writer's search for the truth behind his family's tragic past in World War II becomes a remarkably original epic—part memoir, part reportage, part mystery, and part scholarly detective work—that brilliantly explores the nature of time and memory, family and history.

The Lost begins as the story of a boy who grew up in a family haunted by the disappearance of six relatives during the Holocaust—an unmentionable subject that gripped his imagination from earliest childhood. Decades later, spurred by the discovery of a cache of desperate letters written to his grandfather in 1939 and tantalized by fragmentary tales of a terrible betrayal, Daniel Mendelsohn sets out to find the remaining eyewitnesses to his relatives' fates. That quest eventually takes him to a dozen countries on four continents and forces him to confront the wrenching discrepancies between the histories we live and the stories we tell. And it leads him, finally, back to the small Ukrainian town where his family's story began, and where the solution to a decades-old mystery awaits him.

Deftly moving between past and present, interweaving a world-wandering odyssey with childhood memories of a now-lost generation of immigrant Jews and provocative ruminations on biblical texts and Jewish history, The Lost transforms the story of one family into a profound, morally searching meditation on our fragile hold on the past. Deeply personal, grippingly suspenseful, and beautifully written, this literary tour de force illuminates all that is lost, and found, in the passage of time.

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "You can find my review here, Madrano https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

If you decide to skip Idaho, Madrano, The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Ot..."

I like both covers, but I do prefer Ruskovich's cover with the yellow flowers.

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "Shanghai is a city, not a country. LOL..."

I didn't think of that, either, when i read the prompt. It seems stand alone, not unlike Hong Kong.

Your..."

Exactly what I thought, Madrono. Shanghai seems to stand alone, as you said, like Hong Kong. I will read the book anyway. I think there's a prompt for a city we'd like to visit, and I'd like to visit Shanghai. Somehow, that one slipped by me when I was traveling. LOL

[Bella (Kiki)]

Alias Reader wrote: "My library only had the audio of this book and Amazon had the Kindle on sale for $2, so I purchased it. I have an Amazon credit from their Kindle Points program, so I got it for free.

[book:The L..."

Sounds wonderful, Alias! :-)

[Bella (Kiki)]

I am now reading The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell and loving it. She is such a good writer. She's really bringing the characters, especially Lucrezia, to life.

Edit: I might be repeating myself here. If so, I apologize.