What are You Reading - 2023

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Second Marriage by Jess Ryder

[Christine]

[Lilisa]

I finished Before the Coffee Gets Cold - I enjoyed it. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Also finished Arrested Song: the haunting story of an extraordinary woman in Greece during WW2. It was an okay read. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I’m reading George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy

[Gavin]

Currently reading 狼と香辛料 XX Spring Log III

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Lie To Her by Melinda Leigh

[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.

[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

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm on to all new books. I turfed Witches Steeped in Gold by deleting it off my iPad. I'll have to find a new monthly challenge read. I finished Loves Music, Loves to Dance last night.

New reads on the go, Birds in Flight and The Silent Patient.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished The Last Orphan (I'll post a review soon) and started The Giver of Stars.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I started Exiles yesterday.

[Tricia]

I just finished Poison for Breakfast on the recommendation of a young friend. It was very strange which, I guess, I should have expected. Still, it was interesting.

[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

[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

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called My Wife is Missing by D.J. Palmer

[Kristie, Moderator]

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

my Last Orphan review

[Christine]

[Christine]

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Adrenaline by John Benedict

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished the group themed read Birds in Flight so will start a new book tonight, The Bone Season for my crossword challenge.

[Janice, Moderator]

Change of plan. I've decided to hold off on reading The Bone Season indefinitely. I'm going to wait till Saturday and read A Litter of Bones for the toppler and my challenge read.

Instead, I will start It Ends with Us tonight which is my irl book club pick.

[Christine]

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Edge of Death by John Benedict

[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

[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

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished To the Grave on audiobook and have started Best Served Cold. I will set it aside tomorrow for the toppler and read A Litter of Bones.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm currently reading Birds in Flight for the group read.

[Gavin]

I'm reading Different Seasons

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Holiday Home: She thought she was alone, but he never left. by Ashley Beegan

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm reading Best Served Cold on audiobook and Wicked as They Come on ebook.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Still reading Birds in Flight and should finish tomorrow or the day after. I also started The Wishing Game.

[PattyMacDotComma]

I loved Max Porter's latest novel, Shy and the boy for whom it is titled. Shy retreats into music at The Last Chance School to escape his memories. It's a wonderful, short gem of a book.
5★ My review of Shy

[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

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer

[PattyMacDotComma]

Fractured Oak is an unusual and entertaining mystery with an oak tree as a key witness who can't testify. Author Dannie Boyd mixes magical realism with a good police story and it works.
3.5~4★ My review of Fractured Oak

[PattyMacDotComma]

If John Boyne had invented all of this, people might say it's too far-fetched, but, in fact, Crippen is based on a true story. A creepy 'doctor' and a curious tale.
3.5~4★ My review of Crippen

[Janice, Moderator]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "If John Boyne had invented all of this, people might say it's too far-fetched, but, in fact, Crippen is based on a true story. A creepy 'doctor' and a curious tale.
[boo..."

That sounds really interesting. I've enjoyed John Boyne's book[book:The Heart's Invisible Furies|33253215]. It sounds like a book I would enjoy as well.

[Lilisa]

I finally finished George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy by Sally Bedell Smith. It took me awhile to finish it - it’s 700+ pages. I enjoyed it. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I’m listening to A Question of Belief by Donna Leon and also started I Am My Country: And Other Stories by Kenan Orhan.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Janice wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "If John Boyne had invented all of this, people might say it's too far-fetched, but, in fact, Crippen is based on a true story. '...

That sounds really interesting. I've enjoyed John Boyne's book The Heart's Invisible Furies. It sounds like a book I would enjoy as well."

I have enjoyed all of the books that I've read of his, Janice, and I'm glad I have more to look forward to. "Furies" was a favourite!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Gabriel García Márquez's work is always unusual and intriguing. His short story, A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings is as thought-provoking as the title suggests. Worth a read. (He didn't win the Nobel Prize for nothing!)
4★ My review of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings with a link to the story online

[PattyMacDotComma]

Aussie author Garry Disher can make even a bad guy (and Wyatt IS a bad guy) a compelling protagonist. Paydirt is #2 in the series but would be a good read on its own. Clever plot and dodgy characters.
4★ My review of Paydirt

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Finalists by David Bell

[PattyMacDotComma]

Just in time for his coronation comes King Charles, the attractive new addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. I particularly liked the illustrations, many of which I've shared.
5★ My review of King Charles with illustrations

[PattyMacDotComma]

The Amazon Original Stories collection has been hit and miss for me. I was disappointed with The Days Before Us by Sejal Badani.
2.5~3★ My review of The Days Before Us

[PattyMacDotComma]

I always enjoy acclaimed Aussie author Jane Harper's books, and I was glad that Aaron Falk's last outing in Exiles was such a worthy finale. I still hope she might revisit him one day.
5★ My review of Exiles

[PattyMacDotComma]

Author Ursula K. Le Guin is well-known to Sci-Fi readers. This very very short story is a shocker! The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
4★ My review of ...Omelas with a link to the story online

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

[PattyMacDotComma]

Acclaimed Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe is well-known in African literature for his novels and stories that include traditional tales. Dead Men's Path is one such very short story and is a delight.
5★ My review of Dead Men's Path with a link to the free story online. Enjoy!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Another top Aussie author to add to my Tim Winton / Richard Flanagan shelf. I just read Limberlost by Robbie Arnott, and now I have to find Arnott's other books!
5★ My review of Limberlost

[Janice, Moderator]

I will start Shutter on audiobook. I finished Ruler of the Night yesterday. It was book 3 of Thomas De Quincey trilogy. It's the first series I've killed this year.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I just wrapped up Of Mice and Men. 😢

I'm reading The Wishing Game and will start The Housemaid tomorrow.