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Book Chat > What have you just read? Opinions, Recommendations, and Reviews, part 3

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message 201: by Tamara (new)

Tamara Agha-Jaffar | 1426 comments I read Empty Wardrobes by Maria Judite de Carvalho; translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa.
It depicts the impact of patriarchy on three generations of women--a virgin, a mother, and a crone. I like the idea behind it, but I thought the execution was a little lackluster.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 202: by Kathleen (new)

Kathleen | 401 comments Greg wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "A book of essays by Wendell Berry:
What Are People For? Essays by Wendell BerryWhat Are People For?: Essays

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."


You're right, and I think that's something that makes him particularly compelling right now. Thanks, Greg!


message 204: by Kim (new)

Kim (kimborams) | 514 comments My review of the excellent:
The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson The Kind Worth Saving (Henry Kimball/Lily Kintner, #2) by Peter Swanson

Rated this one as 5* (10/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Rosh ~catching up slowly~ (roshreviews) | 425 comments Completed two lovely indie works from the UK:
1. Cat and The Dreamer by Annalisa Crawford
Cat and The Dreamer by Annalisa Crawford
Excellent for dark literary fiction lovers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Surviving Her by Jo Johnson
Surviving Her by Jo Johnson
A domestic suspense with many surprises along the way. The author's experience as a psychologist is put to good use here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 206: by Dale (new)

Dale Harcombe | 1963 comments My review of Fed to Red Birds by Rijn Collins
Fed to Red Birds by Rijn Collins
2 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 209: by Suz (last edited Apr 17, 2023 06:41PM) (new)


message 210: by Greg (last edited Apr 17, 2023 09:00PM) (new)

Greg | 8344 comments Mod
Just finished Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir by Akwaeke Emezi. It's gorgeously written; the perspective is truly weird, fierce and fearless . . . sometimes revelatory and other times perhaps mad, but never boring. What a strange and thought provoking, beautiful mess!


message 211: by Dale (last edited Apr 17, 2023 08:19PM) (new)


Rosh ~catching up slowly~ (roshreviews) | 425 comments Games and Rituals: Stories by Katherine Heiny
Games and Rituals Stories by Katherine Heiny
An entertaining slice-of-life anthology. Loved how realistic the emotions felt.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 214: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma Kelly Link's new collection of seven stories, White Cat, Black Dog: Stories, is based on old folk and fairy tales. I can see why she's so popular. The ones I liked, I really liked. Others - not so much.
White Cat, Black Dog Stories by Kelly Link 3★ My review of White Cat, Black Dog with a link to 'The New Yorker' article about both the book and its author


message 215: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma I loved Max Porter's latest novel, Shy and the boy for whom it is titled. Shy retreats into music at The Last Chance School to escape his memories. It's a wonderful, short gem of a book.
Shy by Max Porter 5★ My review of Shy


message 217: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma Greg wrote: "Just finished Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir by Akwaeke Emezi. It's gorgeously written; the perspective is truly weird, fierce and fearless . . . sometimes ..."

I loved her debut, Freshwater but didn't care for The Death of Vivek Oji (although many did). She is an unusual writer, for sure. Did you write a review for this one?


message 218: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma If John Boyne had invented all of this, people might say it's too far-fetched, but, in fact, Crippen is based on a true story. A creepy 'doctor' and a curious tale.
Crippen by John Boyne 3.5~4★ My review of Crippen


message 219: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma Fractured Oak is an unusual and entertaining mystery with an oak tree as a key witness who can't testify. Author Dannie Boyd mixes magical realism with a good police story and it works.
Fractured Oak by Dannie Boyd 3.5~4★ My review of Fractured Oak


message 220: by Greg (new)

Greg | 8344 comments Mod
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I loved her debut, Freshwater but didn't care for The Death of Vivek Oji (although many did). She is an unusual writer, for sure. Did you write a review for this one?."

Not yet Patty, and yes, unusual for sure!


message 221: by Suz (new)


message 222: by Dale (new)


message 223: by Tamara (last edited Apr 21, 2023 07:43AM) (new)

Tamara Agha-Jaffar | 1426 comments I've had it on my TBR forever and finally got to read Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor. It is well-deserving of the numerous awards it won. I'm in total awe of McGregor's skill as a writer.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 224: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma Tamara wrote: "I've had it on my TBR forever and finally got to read Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor. It is well-deserving of the numerous awards it won. I'm in total awe of McGregor's..."

I totally agree with everything you said. He's a favourite of mine.


message 225: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma Aussie author Garry Disher can make even a bad guy (and Wyatt IS a bad guy) a compelling protagonist. Paydirt is #2 in the series but would be a good read on its own. Clever plot and dodgy characters.
Paydirt (Wyatt, #2) by Garry Disher 4★ My review of Paydirt


message 226: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma Gabriel García Márquez's work is always unusual and intriguing. His short story, A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings is as thought-provoking as the title suggests. Worth a read. (He didn't win the Nobel Prize for nothing!)
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel García Márquez 4★ My review of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings with a link to the story online


Rosh ~catching up slowly~ (roshreviews) | 425 comments Oh, Sister by Jodie Chapman
Oh, Sister by Jodie Chapman
Will work for those who like cult fiction. The writing is a bit jumpy, but the theme makes it worth a read.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 232: by Pam (new)

Pam Baddeley | 1531 comments Read two more of the Homeric Chronicles by Janell Rhiannon - Rise of Princes - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5395211968
and
Rage of Queens - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5395209624

and
When Gods Die by CS Harris - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5325117465


Rosh ~catching up slowly~ (roshreviews) | 425 comments The Gifts: A Novel by Liz Hyder
The Gifts A Novel by Liz Hyder
An unusual historical fantasy. Won't work for everyone because of the length and the triggers, but if you are a lit fic + magical realism lover, do try this amazing book.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 234: by Pam (new)


message 235: by Suz (new)


message 236: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma The Amazon Original Stories collection has been hit and miss for me. I was disappointed with The Days Before Us by Sejal Badani.
The Days Before Us (Good Intentions collection) by Sejal Badani 2.5~3★ My review of The Days Before Us


message 237: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma Just in time for his coronation comes King Charles, the attractive new addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. I particularly liked the illustrations, many of which I've shared.
King Charles (Little People, BIG DREAMS, 97) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara 5★ My review of King Charles with illustrations


message 238: by Greg (new)

Greg | 8344 comments Mod
Quick question for mystery readers out there: I quite liked The Daughter of Time, but I've never read anything else by Tey. There's a deal on Audible right now where I can get 6 Inspector Grant novels for 1 credit. I'm tempted, but I don't know what they're like. Has anyone read them, and did you like them?


message 239: by LauraT (new)

LauraT (laurata) | 14377 comments Mod
Greg wrote: "Quick question for mystery readers out there: I quite liked The Daughter of Time, but I've never read anything else by Tey. There's a deal on Audible right now where I can get 6 Inspec..."

Don't know her! Curious though


message 241: by Phrynne (new)

Phrynne | 2484 comments Greg wrote: "Quick question for mystery readers out there: I quite liked The Daughter of Time, but I've never read anything else by Tey. There's a deal on Audible right now where I can get 6 Inspec..."

Currently reading the first in the series Greg and I am enjoying it. Inspector Grant is a very interesting MC. He reminds me of Adam Dalgleish in the series by P.D.James


message 242: by Greg (new)

Greg | 8344 comments Mod
Thanks Phrynne!


message 244: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma Author Ursula K. Le Guin is well-known to Sci-Fi readers. This very very short story is a shocker! The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin 4★ My review of ...Omelas with a link to the story online


message 245: by PattyMacDotComma (new)

PattyMacDotComma I always enjoy acclaimed Aussie author Jane Harper's books, and I was glad that Aaron Falk's last outing in Exiles was such a worthy finale. I still hope she might revisit him one day.
Exiles (Aaron Falk, #3) by Jane Harper 5★ My review of Exiles


Rosh ~catching up slowly~ (roshreviews) | 425 comments Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Worked better for me as a comic drama than as a mystery. A fun though guessable read.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 249: by Nichole (last edited Apr 29, 2023 10:16PM) (new)


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