You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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What are You Reading - 2023
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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
Did you hear The Bookshelf on Radio National today, with a guest absolutely raving about this one?
I finished my audiobook, My Bonny Light Horseman: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, in Love and War. I'm going to call this series done for me. Each subsequent book is just more of the same, and it gets a little redundant. I often tire of a series before the bitter end. Katherine Kellgren really made this series. I don't think I would have even gotten to book 6 if I was reading a print or ebook edition. The only way to go is with Katherine.
Next up is Ragged Company. This one fits several boxes - challenge, group themed read, and it will be discussed in my real life book club in January.
Rusalka wrote: "Did you hear The Bookshelf on Radio National today, with a guest absolutely raving about this one?"I did, Rusalka. I heard Annabel Crabb talk about I'd Rather Not: Essays a while ago and decided to give it a try. I enjoyed it, although I'd draw the line somewhere before hilarious.
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
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I did, Rusalka. I heard Annabel Crabb talk about I'd Rather Not: Essays a while ago and decided to give it a try. I enjoyed it, although I'd draw the line somewhere before hilarious.."Oh I am really behind on Chat 10 so I haven't heard Crabb talk about this one yet. Good to know though, that it's not quite as amazing as raved about. But glad it was still a solid read for you :D
Rusalka wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I did, Rusalka. I heard Annabel Crabb talk about I'd Rather Not: Essays a while ago and decided to give it a try. I enjoyed it, although I'd draw the line somewhere before ..."I just heard someone else say they're giving it to all their friends, so don't trust me!
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
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
After DNFing 3 in a row, I finished The September House which was a very enjoyable comedy/horror. I've just started The Vanishing of Margaret Small but, unless it's outanding, I'm prepared to set it aside tomorrow night for my Jolabokaflod (thanks Rus for giving my a name for a custom I've been practicing all my life!).
I've had some Kate Quinn books on my tbr for years, and I have now finally started one! I'm reading The Alice Network (sorry, on the app, and nowadays when I go to the website on my phone and click something, it also sends me straight to the app.. sigh..).
I have a few books on the go right now. I'm trying to finish People We Meet on Vacation for the yearly challenge and I'm reading The Women for the monthly challenge. I started an advent book, 12 Days of Book-Club-Mas. You're supposed to read a short story each day starting on the 14th and ending on Christmas Day. I've gotten through 1½ of them so far. lol My daughters are coming to visit in a couple days through New Year's, so I am not likely to read much while they are here. I'll probably finish this one sometime in January.
I would also like to finish Check & Mate, which I've already started, but that will probably be put aside until January now too because I want to try to read Etched in Sand to finish my yearly challenge instead.
To make this even messier - If, against all odds, I have enough time, I plan to squeeze in The Measure for the monthly group read instead of finishing either my advent book or Check & Mate.
Peggy wrote: "I've had some Kate Quinn books on my tbr for years, and I have now finally started one! I'm reading The Alice Network (sorry, on the app, and nowadays when I go to the website on my phone and click..."I love Kate Quinn's writing. Hope you love this one!
Peggy wrote: "I've had some Kate Quinn books on my tbr for years, and I have now finally started one! I'm reading The Alice Network (sorry, on the app, and nowadays when I go to the website on my phone and click..."I liked The Alice Network, Peggy. We discussed in my book club a few years ago. I can't remember right now if I've read other books by Quinn.
I've read The Alice Network, The Rose Code, The Huntress, and Signal Moon by Kate Quinn. I own The Diamond Eye, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. It was one of the books that I was most looking forward to this year and I just couldn't fit it in. I am planning to read it in 2024 and going to try to make more time for the books I really want to read. I've made a list of the top ten books I want to read in 2024 so hopefully I will actually prioritize those this year.
She also has another book coming out next year that I'd like to read, The Phoenix Crown.
I own those first 3 you mention. I'll probably add her other full length books to my wishlist.
I was disappointed in book 2 of the Dr Evan Wilder series, Dark of Night. It was slow going. Still, the information about papyri and ancient scrolls was interesting.I will start Silent in the Grave today in preparation for book 2 in this series, which I have slated pretty early on in the 2024 challenge.
I've finally finished The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth. I took part in the last book discussion, but then stopped posting, because it was just so much more than about trees and I wanted to understand the most of it.This is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
There is no way I'll attempt these, but I hope some of you will learn to Crochet Your Own Dog: 14 Lifesize Amigurumi Pups to Make & Love! Author Mieko Shindo has wonderful photos and detailed, illustrated instructions. So cute!
5★ My review of Crochet Your Own Dog with several of her clever photos. Trust me - you will want one of these perfect pets.
The winner of this year's Booker Prize for fiction is Irish author Paul Lynch's disturbing novel, Prophet Song. He shows us what happens if we ignore the centuries of songs/warnings about tyranny and oppression. Worthy winner.
My review of Prophet Song
I finished reading The Lost Metal, the one and only fiction book of 2023. And I've started (Therapy) By (author) Sebastian Fitzek February, 2014 . I think i need some suspense to keep me reading, which fantasy doesnt tend to havr much of, hence the shift to some mystery and thrillers. Going to see hoe they fare for a while. This one is short too and i sae there is a tv series based on it now as well which I'd like to watch.
Glad you finished your book, Sarah! I hope the switch to mystery thrillers keeps you engaged.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lost Metal (other topics)Therapy (other topics)
Prophet Song (other topics)
Crochet Your Own Dog: 14 Lifesize Amigurumi Pups to Make & Love! (other topics)
The Temple of Fortuna (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Paul Lynch (other topics)Mieko Shindo (other topics)
Jane Porter (other topics)
Paul Auster (other topics)
M.R. James (other topics)
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This is my question every day!