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What have you just read? Opinions, Recommendations, and Reviews, part 3
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Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)
(new)
Dec 19, 2023 10:39AM
Pearl in a Cage by Joy Dettman ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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DNF this one so no ratingThe Boardwalk Bookshop. by Susan Mallery
My thoughts here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I will be the outlier on this book and response I suspect.
Two Reacher novels in quick succession for me.
A Wanted Man My review both 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
High Heathttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Falling for a French Dream by Jennifer Bohnet
4 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
After being on hold in the library for several weeks, I finally got a copy of Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See. It is based on the life of Tan Yunxian, a female physician who lived during the Ming Dynasty and whose book on Chinese medicine has survived the centuries. Lisa See vividly captures upper class life in 15thC China. Through extensive research, she illuminates a fascinating period in China's history.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich
Loved almost everything about this Southern historical fiction.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Good Woman's Guide to Making Better Choices by Liz Foster
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of How to Accidentally Settle Down With Your High School Boyfriend by Katherine Ryan
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read the 2023 Booker Prize winner, Prophet Song by Paul Lynch.It is a powerful and harrowing description of life under a totalitarian government. The narrative is made all the more harrowing with the knowledge people in different parts of the world are currently living through the same nightmare.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
It is a powerful and harrowing description of life under a totalitarian government. The narrative i..."
This sounds very interesting Tamara. I will have to take a look at this one.
Saelia wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."Wow, for a book you didn't write. You're sure pushing it so much.
Mod
Wow, for a book you didn't write. You're sure ..."
She seems to have left.
I read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.I liked the immersion into the Akha culture of China and the strong mother/daughter bond. But I think she went a bit overboard with the description of tea--its taste, production, etc. Also the coincidences were improbable.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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
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.
My last book for the year finished Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Woodby Ali Mc Namara 
3 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My first read for 2024 is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! What a great way to start the year.
The Lawson Legacy by Janet Gover https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My first for the year was disappointingMy review of Love, Just In by Natalie Murray
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Phrynne wrote: "My first for the year was disappointingMy review of Love, Just In by Natalie Murray
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6..."
It can only improve then Phrynne.😁
The Tilt, by excellent Aussie author Chris Hammer, is the second in this rural mystery series, but it would be just as good as a standalone. Homicide detectives in small towns are up against generations of feuds and loyalties.
My review of The Tilt
Charles Dickens is known for many things, but this spooky story about a railroad worker seems different to me. The Signal-Man could easily have been a Twilight Zone episode.
My review of The Signal-Man
Happy New Year, everyone!Ended 2023 with two mixed historical fiction reads.
1. Dinner with Churchill by Robin Hawdon
A great book in the first half, but went on a downwards spiral in the second half. The postscript killed it entirely. But the Churchill-related historical research is excellent.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok
Might have worked better for me had it not been marketed as a mystery-thriller and had the plotting been tighter.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama; translated from the Japanese by Alison Watts.It's an international bestseller and a light, easy read to begin the new year.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tamara wrote: "I read What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama; translated from the Japanese by Alison Watts.It's an international bestseller and a light, ea..."
Sounds good - I'll have to add it to my TBR.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Charles Dickens is known for many things, but this spooky story about a railroad worker seems different to me. The Signal-Man could easily have been a Twilight Zone ..."Yes, that story struck me unusual for Dickens too. It would make a good Halloween read!
Rosh (is busy; will catch up soon!) wrote: "Happy New Year, everyone!Ended 2023 with two mixed historical fiction reads.
1. Dinner with Churchill by Robin Hawdon
."I also started off the New Year with historical fiction, Michael Crichton's Dragon Teeth. Quite different from his sci fi thrillers but fascinating (and still plenty of action). It's about the Bone Wars in the 1800s between 2 prominent American paleontologists.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Charles Dickens is known for many things, but this spooky story about a railroad worker seems different to me. The Signal-Man could easily have been a Twilight Zone ..."Yes love that one, very atmospheric. The BBC did an adaptation with Denholm Elliott as the signalman back in the 60s and released it years later on DVD.
Just realised I've not posted my last reviews of 2023:How Not to Write a Novel: Confessions of a Mid-List Author by David Armstrong - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Let It Bleed by Ian Rankin - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Black and Blue by Ian Rankin - reviewed -https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Eight Little Piggies: Reflections in Natural History by Stephen Jay Gould - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It Waits in the Woods by Josh Malerman - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and my last book completed in 2023 (started another but didn't finish till New Year's day)
The Pram by Joe Hill - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
... And the first from 2024!The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and
The Marriage Lie by Kimberley Bell - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Leslie wrote: "I also started off the New Year with historical fiction, Michael Crichton's Dragon Teeth. Quite different from his sci fi thrillers but fascinating (and still plenty of action). It's about the Bone Wars in the 1800s between 2 prominent American paleontologists.."That sounds interesting! Never knew Crichton wrote anything other than scifi. I'll check this out., Thanks. :)
I didn't either Rosh! I hope you enjoy it if/when you get to it.
Catching up from last year, all great!
The White Album by Joan DidionReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Clock Without Hands by Carson McCullersReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Christmas Holiday by W. Somerset MaughamReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Single Thread by Tracy ChevalierReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And the first one for 2024:
Quicksand by Nella LarsenReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Leslie wrote: "Oh, I really liked Maugham's Christmas Holiday!! Such lovely prose..."It was, wasn't it! Glad you enjoyed it too, Leslie.
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