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What have you just read? Opinions, Recommendations, and Reviews, part 3
My review of The Tapestry of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer
4 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
1. Stormy Normy and the Tom Quilty Gold Cup: Book Two in The Adventures of Stormy Normy by Leisa Fail
An indie Aussie novel for middle-graders about a brumby horse aiming for the Tom Quilty cup.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. Manga Classics Sherlock Holmes Vol. 1 A Study in Scarlet
Sherlock and Watson simply don't look like they are supposed to in this manga version of Sherlock's first novel. But the rest is excellent.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Art of Danish Living: How to Find Happiness In and Out of Work by Meik WikingMy review 4⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If anyone is in the mood for a fantasy/magical realism novel about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, I can recommend The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman. Grossman focuses on the lesser known knights. He delivers a fresh look at a popular myth.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
2 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read The Diamond Chariot by Boris Akunin, English translation from the Russian original https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...and The Barefoot Runners by Jane Jago
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen by Dominique Enright
Only for the biggest Austen fans who also enjoy books of quotations. I expected this book to have a more intellectual analysis of her writing.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'll talk about a book that I have read long time ago:La morte sa leggere
this is not a review, just a note, perhaps a suggestion
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power
A powerful OwnVoices historical literary fiction. A must-read.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke
This will be one of my biggest disappointments of 2025. I can't believe a historical fantasy flopped so miserably for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I really loved Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
and this is my 5 stars review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Frail Little Embers by Fija Callaghan
A short story collection with some amazing fantastical tales that seem more real than magical. Quite introspective!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett. It won't appeal to readers who like structure, plot, and chronology. It is a rambling, recursive, stream-of-consciousness, first-person narrative of a working-class woman who is an avid reader and writer. I found the character fascinating and her interiority captivating.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
An interesting historical horror, though a tad too gory. My first Grady Hendrix won't be my last!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
On Veil Creek by Gaylene Dutchyshen
An indie Canadian historical literary fiction focussing on a dysfunctional family. A great story, but somewhat dark and with many triggers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finding Joy in Oyster Bay by Susan DuncanMy review 3 stars:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor
An interesting YA fantasy with dark academia and fae elements. Great for those who enjoy this genre.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright by Brooke Harris
A beautiful contemporary drama. Don't be fooled by the cover; this is not a light read.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read The Orphanage by Serhiy Zhadan; translated from the Ukrainian by Reilly Costigan-Humes and Isaac Stackhouse Wheeler. It takes place over a period of three days during the first phase of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A man has to trek through areas captured by Russian-backed separatists to retrieve his thirteen-year-old nephew from an orphanage. It's not an easy read but an important one, especially in light of the current situation.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Catch up on reviews:Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Blackburn Station by Karen H Lucia - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Circus at Devil's Landing by Debra Castaneda - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This Fearful Thing by L M West - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pines by Blake Crouch - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cards on the Table - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of
The Secret Child by Lynne Francis3 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Many Futures of Maddy Hart by Laura Pearson
An interesting contemporary drama that could have been even better had the ending been more defined.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I loved an Italian book
Le ventisette sveglie di Atena Ferraris
and this is my 5 stars review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell WoodsMy review 4 stars:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
After the Fall by Kirsten AlexanderMy review 3.5 stars:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Le ventisette sveglie di Atena Ferraris
and this is my 5 stars review
https://www.goodreads.c..."
So high? I didn't like it so much; I'm rather a fan of Alice Basso, but this particular book I've found a bit too...constructed, if you see what I mean; Now I'll go and see what you've written!
Two graphic novels that didn't work so well for me, though they do have their plus points. Both went in unexpected directions.1. The Girl Who Flew Away by Lee Dean
A historical graphic novel about a girl who finds herself pregnant before marriage and needs to make some tough choices.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. Soma by Fernando Llor
A scifi graphic novel about an alien invasion. Didn't expect so much actual alien action on page, especially considering the cover.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers by Georgina Warren
A wonderful fairy tale collection for middle-graders, filled with positive representation of stepmothers. Much recommended!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You are Your Own Fairy Tale by Amanda Lovelace
A feminist collection of contemporary poetry with some fairy tale inspiration. Much recommended, but not to be read at a go.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read Anxious People by Fredrik Backman; translated by Neil smith. I enjoyed it but not as much as A Man Called Ove. I felt this was just a little too contrived for my taste.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry
A historical fantasy combining fae magic with dark academia. Quite interesting!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of An Affair at Stonecliffe By Candace Camp
3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
After two 1-star duds in this series, this short story somewhat redeemed my feelings.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
All About Books
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Jane Yang (other topics)
Aman J. Bedi (other topics)
Robert Thorogood (other topics)
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Finally caught up on this amazing debut novel and loved it almost entirely.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...