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What have you just read? Opinions, Recommendations, and Reviews, part 3
My review up and link finally for A New Dawn Over Mulberry Lane
4 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pam wrote: "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 h..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.."
I bet that was good, too, Pam. It's a very visual story, and the BBC does drama well.
The Spy Coast, by Tess Gerritsen, is a new ensemble piece about five spies who have tried to retire quietly to a small town but discover it's not that easy. The author was inspired by real life circumstances near her, which made it even more interesting to me.
My review of The Spy Coast
Struggling young author Junie is accused of racial passing, known as Yellowface, by social media critics in R.F. Kuang's novel. Good story - glad I'm not a publisher!
My review of Yellowface
Leslie wrote: "I reread Devil in a Blue Dress in preparation for continuing with the Easy Rawlins series. Still find this first book amazing despite the fact that I am not generally a fan of the har..."I enjoy Walter Mosley and am hoping to read #2 in the Easy Rawlins series sometime soon. :-)
Kathleen wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I reread Devil in a Blue Dress in preparation for continuing with the Easy Rawlins series. Still find this first book amazing despite the fact that I am not generally a..."I have the 2nd one borrowed from the library and hope to get to it soon!
I read The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo; translated from the Korean by Chi-Young Kim. It's an international best seller and the first book to be translated into English by this award-winning South Korean author.I don't usually read crime fiction, but this was recommended by a friend on Goodreads, so I picked it up. I'm glad I did. It is about a 65-year-old female assassin who turns out to be quite an endearing character in spite of the fact she is a cold-blooded murderer.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Behind on my views as I'm on holidays. My 200th book of 2023 meant I hit my challenge!
The New Mother by Nora MurphyMy review 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Core Values: Joy by Rebekah Robinson 
4 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This DS was not for me this time around. 
Complications by Danielle SteelMy review 1★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Willow Tree Wharf by Leonie Kelsall
4 nd a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Succumbed to the hype, and found the book match up to a great extent. A fun cat-and-mouse story, though a bit slow-paced to be a true thriller.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finally read the classic The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, but unsure how I feel about Muriel Spark.Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And a great short story from an author I am sure about, W. Somerset Maugham, Lord Mountdrago.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read Scream Blue Murder by Tony J Forder - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...and
The City of Brass by S A Chakraborty - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Here my Rewiew, for who's interested https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Coming out in March for Kylie Minogue fans is another addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. The popular 'Neighbours' actress became a singing superstar with chart-topping albums five decades in a row.
My review of Kylie Minogue with several illustrations
An Enchanted Moment on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans
I read romances mainly when this author writes them. She creates settings like no one else. Found a new favourite from her works.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kathleen wrote: "Finally read the classic The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, but unsure how I feel about Muriel Spark.Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And a great ..."
I will take a look at your review in a moment but just wanted to say that I liked several of Muriel Spark's books more than this one despite the fact that it is her most famous. In particular I would recommend Loitering with Intent if you decide to try another.
A great read and I’ve written a review.
I'd heard so much about it that I finally got to read Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.The tumbling words reminded me of the poetry of Dylan Thomas and the episodic nature reminded me of the fabric and texture of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Woebegone books.
It was a joy to read.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tamara: I love your comparisons! What a great discussion question- How is Ray Bradbury like Dylan Thomas? Or Garrison Keillor? I wonder if Bradbury or Thomas would have acknowledged an influence by the other. I suspect Keillor would likely acknowledge an influence by both of them, but of course his writing is much different from either of them.
Leslie wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Finally read the classic The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, but unsure how I feel about Muriel Spark.Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
Just what I was looking for--thank you, Leslie! I'll try this one.
Steve wrote: "Tamara: I love your comparisons! What a great discussion question- How is Ray Bradbury like Dylan Thomas? Or Garrison Keillor? I wonder if Bradbury or Thomas would have acknowledged an influence by..."Steve, the way Bradbury's words tumbled into each other and the way he captured the spirit of childhood reminded me so much of the poetry of Dylan Thomas, especially Fern Hill.
https://poets.org/poem/fern-hill
Tamara: Thank you for this lovely poem. It’s been long since I’ve read it, and it is a good thing for an old man to read in winter and remember.
Steve wrote: "Tamara: Thank you for this lovely poem. It’s been long since I’ve read it, and it is a good thing for an old man to read in winter and remember."You're welcome, Steve. I'm glad you enjoy it. The poem brings a smile to my face every time I read it.
I think most readers here know what it means to fall under The Spell of a Story. Author/illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo has written a very cute book about a girl who says she hates books.
My review of The Spell of a Story with lots of illustrations
I've just finished Il terzo uomo ( The Third Man) ) by Graham Greene.Written as plot for a famous film with Orson Welles.
Before that, I read The Secret History by Donna Tartt.
I read L’Art de Lire by Émile Faguet. I loved to see how intellectuals thought of reading in the 18th century. It’s interesting to know that it’s a classic on the reading method by French people even for today.
My review of Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society
3 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Seven
by popular Aussie author Chris Hammer sees Ivan and Nell's homicide investigation uncover more deaths and disappearances in a town where wealthy landowners write their own rules. Great read and good as a standalone too.
My review of The Seven
Read The Lying Stones of Marrakech: Penultimate Reflections in Natural History by Stephen Jay Gould - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and
The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Sunflower Lane by Jill Gregory
2 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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In audiobook, I just finished Doctor Zhivago. I made a mistake in choosing audio for this Russian novel - so many characters, most of whom have several names, was confusing to me. Oh well...