2023 - What Are You Reading? Showing 701-750 of 1,321

[Janice]

Mo wrote: "Janice wrote: "I really want to start reading these books because I think I would really enjoy them, and my adult sons would as well. I keep my eyes out for his books when I am at a library book sa..."

I always look for them every time I go to the thrift shops! :)

[Janice]

Barb wrote: "Anxious PeopleFredrik Backman

It's not Historical fiction, but I'm enjoying it."

I have had this book on my shelf for so long! So many books I want to read! :)

[Alice]

I just finished The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson. It was excellent very well written. Set in late 1940s/early 1950 Philly and Washington DC. Discussion of lots of issues of poverty, race discrimination and motherhood.

[Rachel]

A wrote: "New here!
I’m currently in a one-author book streaming season & just started on a third book of Edward Rutherfurd’s. They are more like tomes! And I love them. In May, I read Paris. Yesterday, I c..."

You are not fooling re one author streaming. I give you props for that. I know his books are as you aptly called them tomes.

[Rachel]

Forever Amber

I just started this because one of our GR buddies suggested it. I almost put it down because I thought it was going to be a bodice ripper but I am sticking with it and i think my initial reaction is wrong.

[PattyMacDotComma]

I loved Katherine Heiny's latest book, Games and Rituals: Stories. Unconnected stories ranging from imagining who taught Ted Bundy to drive (yikes!) to worrying if your wife's Marie Kondo decluttering is going to turf you out next. (Do you still spark joy?!) Thought-provoking as well as entertaining.
My review of Games and Rituals

[Pippa]

Reading Ian McEwan's "Lessons" but it doesn't pop up on the bookfinder tab. Strange (must be me!)

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Pippa wrote: "Reading Ian McEwan's "Lessons" but it doesn't pop up on the bookfinder tab. Strange (must be me!)"

Lessons : It's coming up when you add the author's name to the search. There are too many books with the word 'lessons' in the title. :)

[Pippa]

Rosh wrote: "Pippa wrote: "Reading Ian McEwan's "Lessons" but it doesn't pop up on the bookfinder tab. Strange (must be me!)"

Lessons : It's coming up when you add the author's name to the sear..."

Ah! Top tip - didn't realise you could add the author also. Thanks.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and starting High Five

[Rachel]

Pippa wrote: "Rosh wrote: "Pippa wrote: "Reading Ian McEwan's "Lessons" but it doesn't pop up on the bookfinder tab. Strange (must be me!)"

Lessons : It's coming up when you add the author's nam..."

Thanks for alerting me to this book. The author is one of my favorites.

[PattyMacDotComma]

As the title suggests, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is an amusing historical fiction about the daring adventures of twin aristocratic sisters who risk more than their reputations to rescue women living in desperately awful circumstances. Fun, but also dark.
My review of ...ill-mannered Ladies

[Pippa]

A review (squeaked in at 4-stars) for
and my link to the review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

For a bit of light relief, going with
Who else does that? Choose their next read based on how the previous book made them feel?
Happy reading everyone!

[Carolyn]

I really enjoyed Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See set in 15th century China, which I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to.

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

[Rachel]

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for your thoughtful review. It is on my list of books to read. I read Snow Flower a long time ago and that book also gave a very graphic description of how the feet were broken and bound. I agree, not for the faint of heart to read about. Imagine having it done to one's own feet. It makes me wonder how the future will view all the cosmetic procedures that are popular now. At least for the most part those are voluntary.

[Rachel]

Forever Amber which I started is long and so I am also reading
The Lottery and Other Stories as well as sort of a palate cleanser.
I like these short stories because they are short and dark.

In the past year or so I watchedhttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shir...
which is an interesting movie about her. I am not sure how
close the movie is to the truth but it was entertaining.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Carolyn wrote: "I really enjoyed Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See set in 15th century China, which I enjoyed a lot more than I exp..."

Rachel wrote: "Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for your thoughtful review. It is on my list of books to read. I read Snow Flower a long time ago and that book also gave a very graphic description of how the feet were broken ..."

I think it was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan that I read, too, Carolyn. I mentioned on your review that I'd read about foot-binding, and it was probably another of her books.

[PattyMacDotComma]

The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery is the most beautifully illustrated story of a small child and an enormous creature learning about life. The artwork by Richard Johnson is stunning and as moving as the story. Every child should read this one.

My review of The Thing at 52 with several of the illustrations

[Barb]

I'm now reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryRachel Joyce

[Carolyn]

Rachel wrote: "Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for your thoughtful review. It is on my list of books to read. I read Snow Flower a long time ago and that book also gave a very graphic description of how the feet were broken ..."

Thanks Rachel - I'm also pretty sure that's also where I first came across the process of foot binding and what it actually does to the feet. Although we do some pretty weird things now, it's probably still one of the more bizarre 'cosmetic' practices of any culture because of the life long pain and risk of infection and of falling.

[Maureen]

Barb wrote: "I'm now reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryRachel Joyce"

I hope you like it. I enjoyed it very much.

[Alice]

I am reading The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes. Very intesting. Set in Berlin, Paris and New York with 3 different characters. Very interesting and well written.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Finally read the unabridged version of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

Enjoyed the story almost as much as I did decades ago. Loved the free Audible version narrated by Martin Jarvis.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Ashley Marie]

I had hoped Nicholas Guy Smith would be able to hold my attention with his narration of The Remains of the Day but I'm finding this book horribly dull, just in the writing. After the disaster that was Never Let Me Go, this is my sign that Ishiguro isn't for me.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

A Boy Named Rose by Gaëlle Geniller

Adored the illustrations and liked the story in this historical graphic novel about a boy who dances in the cabaret in Paris.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished reading Penmarric by Susan Howatch. Wow! Rated 5 stars and added to my favorite shelf.
Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rachel]

Carolyn wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for your thoughtful review. It is on my list of books to read. I read Snow Flower a long time ago and that book also gave a very graphic description of how the fe..."

You are so right and if nothing else now there are anesthetics whereas there were not for foot binding. Plus, the end result were women who could not really walk. What does that say about the status of women?

[PattyMacDotComma]

Return to Valetto by Aussie author (living in US) Dominic Smith felt like someone's real story to me. Old women in an ancient Italian village conduct Google searches from their crumbling villa. War crimes are not forgotten.
My review of Return to Valetto

[Ashley Marie]

I just started Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death this morning. This is another book I've owned for yeeeeears and I'm delighted to finally be reading it :)

[Maureen]

I just finished One More Seat at the Round Table by Susan Dormady Eisenberg
I received this book as a giveaway
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Maureen wrote: "I just finished One More Seat at the Round Table by Susan Dormady Eisenberg
I received this book as a giveaway
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Lovely review, Maureen! I just googled Julie Andrews & Richard Burton in 1961 Camelot. Wonderful video on You Tube of them singing "What Do the Simple Folks Do" :)

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Finished High Five and starting Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

A good book with an average ending. The 'book about books' aspect is superb.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rose Ann]

Maureen wrote: "I just finished One More Seat at the Round Table by Susan Dormady Eisenberg
I received this book as a giveaway
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I also just finished this book. Loved the concept of the story and all the "backstage looks" at Camelot on Broadway. Just wasn't very interested in the main characters as they related their points of view. And while the sex wasn't excessive in description, it seemed like every other paragraph one of them was thinking "how soon can I get so-and-so back in bed?" But I gave the book four stars for a fun read about the musical.

[Rachel]

The Bookbinder by English Australian author Pip Williams is a historical fiction set in Oxford during WWI featuring twin sisters Peggy and Maude. Despite working with books as a bindery girl, Peggy has cherishes the seemingly impossible dream to cross the divide between “town” and “gown” and study at the University. Here is my review

[Rachel]

The Girl with the Hazel Eyes by Bajan author Callie Browning is a dual timeline historical fiction and suspense that shifts between Barbados in the 1950s and 60s, and contemporary Florida. Lia has been asked to write a biography of reclusive Bajan author Susan who mysteriously wrote one controversial book then disappeared from the public eye. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Jassmine]

Finished The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh by Molly Greeley a few days ago. I really loved it, The book focuses on laudanum addict lesbian heroine in Regency era. Knowing Pride & Prejudice isn't really necessary for the enjoyment of the book.
My review if you want more info: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Craftyhj]

Jassmine wrote: "Finished The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh by Molly Greeley a few days ago. I really loved it, The book focuses on laudanum addict lesbian heroine in ..."

I treated myself to this only today! I am looking forward to reading it.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Death, the Gardener by Daniel T. Dodaro

I can see this working way better for me had I been two decades younger. Still, a pretty good story. Not written for YAs but will surely be a bigger hit with them.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jassmine]

Craftyhj wrote: "I treated myself to this only today! I am looking forward to reading it."

Hope you'll enjoy it! 😊

[Pippa]

Just finished The Maid - review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

and moving onto Alias Grace

[Rachel]

Matrix

I started listening to this one today. So far it is great.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Pippa wrote: "Just finished The Maid - review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

and moving onto Alias Grace"

The link goes to your booklist, Pippa.

[PattyMacDotComma]

This is another good sci-fi story from Amazon's The Far Reaches collection. Falling Bodies by Rebecca Roanhorse has a more advanced "offshore detention" than what is currently used.
My review of Falling Bodies

[Gary]

The River Why by David James Duncan. A novel about a man's obsession with fishing. Not what I would normally read, but I am enjoying it.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Fotinoula and the Christmas Goblin by R.G. Fraser-Green

Loved this indie MG dark fantasy. Perfect for homes and schools.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jassmine]

Rachel wrote: "Matrix
I started listening to this one today. So far it is great."

I read this one last year. I really wanted to like it, because I love Marie de France's work (absolutely recommend by the way!). But... I ended up hating it 🙈
The narration is spectacular though, absolutely adore Adjoa Andoh! Hope you'll enjoy it more than I did! 🤞🏽

The sum up from my review why I didn't care for it: Oscillating between uncanny accuracy of mediaeval life, ultra-modern feminist ideas and mediaeval stereotypes made this a really jarring read. I also feel that when Groff chose Marie de France as a figure the whole book stands on, she at least should give more weight to the things we truly know about her - which is mostly just her writing. This is one of the books that after finishing it, I feel like I could love it if it was approached a bit differently - which makes it an unbelievable frustrating experience.
There also wasn't a consistent story really, the book is very episodic. I liked some things about it, but it only made the whole read more frustrating...
Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Also... since I already started on Marie... If you were interested in her work, I absolutely recommend Marie de France: Poetry, it's amazing edition and what's even more important, the translation is really good in my opinion.
I have a fangirling review for it, with some more information if you are interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rachel]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Pippa wrote: "Just finished The Maid - review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

and moving onto Alias Grace"

The link goes t..."


I watched the TV series Alias Grace and quite enjoyed it.

[Chris]

Last week I finished The Lake House by Kate Morton. I know many don't like it due to the author's writing style which is heavily descriptive but I really like that. Anyway, a dual timeline (1933 & 2003 )which focuses on the Edevane family and what happened to baby Theo who went missing in the summer of 1933. 2003: Sadie Sparrow a London detective is told to take some time off after a questionable action after her last case is concluded. She goes to Cornwall to stay with her Grandfather and stumbles across the 1933 cold case. She is hooked....

The ending is one that is too pat but other then that, I thoroughly enjoyed the telling.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Chris wrote: "Last week I finished The Lake House by Kate Morton. I know many don't like it due to the author's writing style which is heavily descriptive but I really like that. Anyway, a dual t..."

Chris; Agree that readers either like her writing style or don't. I love her books!