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What have you just read? Opinions, Recommendations, and Reviews, part 3
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.
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
Tamara wrote: "I read The Vegetarian by Han Kang, translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith, a very powerful and unusual book. It has little to do with being a vegetarian and ev..."That book has been on my radar for a while now - your comments make me put it higher on my TBR.
My reviews of The Wedding Girls by Kate Thompson
5 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and
The Rancher's Miracle Baby by April Arrington
4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read a couple of lovely middle-grade novels, both picked because of their beautiful covers. ;)1. The Nowhere Thief by Alice MacLennan Ross
An imaginative multiverse story.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. A Breath of Mischief by MarcyKate Connolly
This one will work only for the right age group. But it is a fun story nonetheless.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Crowded Grave: A Mystery of the French Countryside by Martin Walker
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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
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
A Child's Goodbye by Ali Mercer
A mixed bag for me, but might work for the right reader.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read Song of Sacrifice by Janell Rhiannon - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5395210969and
The Railway Murders by J R Ellis - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5467419602
I just finished The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. All I can say is Wow! Wish I had read this before... I am giving it 5☆
My review of The Women of the Copper Country by Maria Doria Russell
4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I want to check out all of these book !
Mod
Great Leslie! I liked it back when I read it decades ago, but I don't remember it well. Maybe I'll re-read it at some point.
Greg wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I just finished The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. All I can say is Wow! Wish I had read this before... I am giving it 5☆"Great Leslie! I liked it ..."
A sure fire classic!
Phrynne wrote: "My review of The Last Orphan by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz 
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
oooh excited to read your review :)
Mod
4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I quite liked her The Sparrow Dale!
Tumbleweed Words wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "My review of The Last Orphan by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
oooh exc..."
Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!!!
Two great novels and two interesting short stories.
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise ErdrichI absolutely loved this book. It's rich with story, magical and funny too.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred WatsonThis is an absolute delight.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Revelation by Flannery O'ConnorHer last story. Disturbing, and a head-scratcher.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel García MárquezAnother strange one, but very immaginative.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kathleen wrote: "Two great novels and two interesting short stories.The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by [author:L..."Marquez is a literary style all of his own - unique and powerful - what a writer
Tumbleweed Words wrote: "Marquez is a literary style all of his own - unique and powerful - what a writer"Absolutely. I read One Hundred Years of Solitude decades ago, and have been thinking it's time to try it again. I don't think I was ready for it back then. :-)
Mod
Absolutely. I read One Hundred Years of Solitude decades ago, and have been th..."
Maybe nominate it as a group classic read some month Kathleen. I would love to read it, and it's certainly complex and deep enough that some conversation during reading could enrich it!
Kathleen wrote: "Tumbleweed Words wrote: "Marquez is a literary style all of his own - unique and powerful - what a writer"Absolutely. I read One Hundred Years of Solitude decades ago, and have been th..."
Same in regards ti his work i was too fresh when i first found his work - meant more to me later :)
Ah, that's what I expect too, Tumbleweed. Thanks!And Greg--great idea! I'll figure out a good time to nominate it because I'm sure you're right that the conversation would be a good one.
Kathleen wrote: "Tumbleweed Words wrote: "Marquez is a literary style all of his own - unique and powerful - what a writer"Absolutely. I read One Hundred Years of Solitude decades ago, and have been th..."
I read it when it came out in English and for years avoided South American novels as a result! I would love the opportunity to read it as part of a group, hopefully some of the confusion I remember would be alleviated by discussing it with others!! Great suggestion Greg (to nominate it for group classic).
I have finished Madame Bovary (at last!). Unfortunately I didn't like it at all - 1.5☆ I am sure that Flaubert is a great writer but his style, especially in this book, was too wordy and was frankly dull. And none of the characters, with the possible exception of Leon, were sympathetic. Emma became more rather than less irritating as the book progressed... Oh well, I at least get the satisfaction of checking it off on book lists (to which I am addicted).
Mod
Oh well, at least it's over with! :D I liked it back when I read it, but I don't remember it well at all as it has been years.
Mod
Found it extremely interesting!
I read Lean Fall Stand by Jon McGregor.It begins in the Antarctic but then it takes an unexpected pivot to a character experiencing the after effects of a stroke and aphasia. Each of the three sections is compelling, especially when McGregor takes us inside the mind of a patient struggling to communicate.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is the first McGregor I've read. I've picked up his Reservoir 13 since its been on my TBR forever and I've heard great things about it.
Mod
Found it extremely interesting!"
Great Laura!
Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death by Maria Vale
Great packaging, average content.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Behind on my reviews, I need to work hard to catch up!
The Hate U Give by Angie ThomasMy review 5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Have three quite different books for you today, but all recommended!1. The Country Girl by debut author Sally Tarpey
An interesting historical fiction focussing on a young girl in 1910s England. Pretty good. Don't read the blurb as it reveals almost the entire story!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes by various authors.
A YA anthology focussing on mental health issues. Every story is by a PoC author who has been through the same issue. Loved the genuineness of the work.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3. Hole in My Heart: Love and Loss in the Fault Lines of Adoption by Lorraine Dusky
A poignant memoir by a woman who gave her newborn to be adopted in 1960s USA, and about her struggle to open sealed adoption records.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A book of essays by Wendell Berry:
What Are People For?: EssaysEven though they are a little dated (written mostly in the 80's), they are so good. Wise and practical.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg
Loved it *almost* as much as the first book in the series. Definitely worth a read for fans of historical fantasy.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
What Are People For?: EssaysEven though they are a little dated (written mostly in th..."
Looks interesting Kathleen and great review! Berry is such an interesting guy - he's completely outside of the political categories we have nowadays, in the best possible way.
Leslie wrote: "I just finished The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. All I can say is Wow! Wish I had read this before... I am giving it 5☆"I loved it, Leslie. If I hadn't found it on a challenge list, I would never have picked it, and I am SO glad I did. It was a finalist for the 1990 Pulitzer Prize - no wonder, eh?
5★ My review of The Things They Carried
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
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
All About Books
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Kerry Greenwood (other topics)Suzanne Collins (other topics)
Jane Yang (other topics)
Aman J. Bedi (other topics)
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The Haunted Train: Creepy Tales from the Railways: Gothic Ghost and Horror Stories by Rayne Hall - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5453130328
The Jaggard Case by J C Briggs - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5430799925
and
Sherlock Holmes and the Rosetta Stone Mystery by Linda Stratmann - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5460495584