August 2023 - Books with Secret or Secrets in the Title

[Jayme, Moderator]

You are not limited to the two chosen books. You may read any book within the theme "books with secrets or secrets in the title" if you prefer.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during August 2023.

2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read. Please elaborate on your thoughts on at least 5 of the following topics:
- Setting
- Characters
- Writing style
- Genre
- How the book made you feel
- Which parts stood out
- Did you/will you read more by the author
- Anything else related to the book you find worth mentioning

This can be done in one post after finishing the book, but preferably in a few posts while reading. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm going to try to read The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, but I am also planning to read at least one of the chosen books as well. This one will probably be later in the month.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I plan to read The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I started it a few weeks back but had to put it aside to finish a couple of chunksters.

[Jayme, Moderator]

Sandra wrote: "I plan to read The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I started it a few weeks back but had to put it aside to finish a couple of chunksters."

That books been on my TBR for forever. Can't wait to find out what you think.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Jayme wrote: "That books been on my TBR for forever. Can't wait to find out what you think."

Same here. What I´ve read so far is really good.

[Odette]

Sandra wrote: "Jayme wrote: "That books been on my TBR for forever. Can't wait to find out what you think."

Same here. What I´ve read so far is really good."

Copy of this book has been on my kindle for ages and have never got round to reading it. Will be interested in what you all think about it. Also another one I could read for the monthly challenge!

[Anna KR]

I will be reading The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden. Katie is a UK Booktuber. I have followed her channel for years and pre-ordered her book but, of course, it has sat on my shelves. Time to read it!

[Cherie]

I will be reading The Botticelli Secret and kill two birds with one stone. It is the oldest book on my TBR. I added it Sept 2011.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Odette wrote: "Copy of this book has been on my kindle for ages and have never got round to reading it. Will be interested in what you all think about it. Also another one I could read for the monthly challenge!"

I will!

[Fiona]

Sandra wrote: "I plan to read The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I started it a few weeks back but had to put it aside to finish a couple of chunksters."

I just bought this recently. Please share your thoughts on it!

[Sandra, Moderator]

Fiona wrote: "I just bought this recently. Please share your thoughts on it!"

So far, so good!

[Sandra, Moderator]

I finished chapter 4 of The Secret History, which makes around a 1/3 of the book. What I am enjoying the most is the writing, so elegant and deep. Not difficult, though. I'm also surprised at how suspenseful it is. You are told in the first paragraph of the first chapter who dies and who killed him (I think it is also in the blurb) so there is not much to figure out, but still it is incredible suspenseful. I think only a great author can accomplish something like this.

[Cherie]

I was in Powell’s Books store in Beaverton today and bought The Secret Book of Flora Lea in hardback. Spent a little more than I wanted to and also got the latest No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency book, A Song if Comfortable Chairs.

I can’t start either until I am done with the other group read book.

[Jayme, Moderator]

Cherie wrote: "I was in Powell’s Books store in Beaverton today and bought The Secret Book of Flora Lea in hardback. Spent a little more than I wanted to and also got the latest No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency boo..."

I hope you are able to get to The Secret Book of Flora Lea.

[Cherie]

Jayme wrote: "Cherie wrote: "I was in Powell’s Books store in Beaverton today and bought The Secret Book of Flora Lea in hardback. Spent a little more than I wanted to and also got the latest No. 1 Ladies’ Detec..."

I finished listening to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches today and started The Botticelli Secret. Too funny but the girl in the story is posing for a woman figure in a painting. She is called Flora. Karma??

[Jayme, Moderator]

Cherie wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Cherie wrote: "I was in Powell’s Books store in Beaverton today and bought The Secret Book of Flora Lea in hardback. Spent a little more than I wanted to and also got the latest No. 1..."

It's fate! LOL

[Janice, Moderator]

I love coincidences like that.

[Cherie]

Janice wrote: "I love coincidences like that."

I always love coincidences like this too, Janice. I am amazed at how often it happens. Usually, it is finishing one story and moving on to a new one only to find that the MC or a major supporting character has the same name, or the story is set in the same city without knowing it in advance. Since I am willing to read just about anything, I rarely read the story summary, so it is always a surprise too.

So - The Botticelli Secret is set in Italy. I did not know this. It is set in the 1400s and starts out in Florence. Botticelli is an artist - a painter. There has been a theft and two murders in the first five chapters, and I have not even read 50 pages yet. I am interested in finding out what "the secret" is. ;o)

[Jayme, Moderator]

Just started The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old. It is a cute story about a rather cranky old dude who is writing a daily diary of his year in a retirement home. There are some funny anecdotes, but I'm not sure where it's going.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I want to read that, Jayme. It sounds cute. I'll be interested to see what you think of it.

[Jayme, Moderator]

Well, I think I am going to DNF my read. There were some funny moments, but I am just not feeling it. moving on.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Good to know, Jayme. Thanks for letting us know. Sorry you didn't enjoy it more.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I finished The Secret History by Donna Tartt and gave it 4.5 stars. It is very well written. You know from the first paragraph who was murdered and why, but I still feel that if I say anything I will spoiler it. The story is about understanding what happen for the murder to occur, the complexity of human relationships, and the non existence of black and white, but only shades of gray in how we evaluate what happens in our realities.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sounds really good, Sandra. I've had that one on my TBR for a long time.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I totally recommend it, Kristie.

[Cherie]

Sandra wrote: "I finished The Secret History by Donna Tartt and gave it 4.5 stars. It is very well written. You know from the first paragraph who was murdered and why, but I still feel ..."

I have this one on my TBR too, Sandra. Someday...

[Cherie]

I am still reading The Botticelli Secret but I doubt that I will finish it this month. It is not bad, but I guess it is not all that good either. I just can't keep my attention on the story. I start reading and find an excuse to stop and look something up and never go back into the story. I may DNF it for another time.

[Shirley]

WoF Shirley

I read The Secrets of the Huon Wren



This is a historical novel. It’s the story of Evelyn Grayson, who lives in an aged- care home in Launceston Tasmania. A local journalist, Allira Ambrose is interviewing residents to write their stories, and makes a real connection with Evelyn, as she tries to uncover her story. Making it difficult is the fact that Evelyn suffers from dementia, but a different timeline woven throughout the book reveals her story to the reader.
The main themes are dementia and grief, and the author deals with them sensitively and compassionately. As the story progresses, Evelyn’s condition worsens, and I felt that my understanding of dementia and its effects had been enhanced.
Key to the narrative is a small carving of a wren made from Huon pine, a native tree in Tasmania. The carved bird links both timelines.
A number of different side stories develop throughout the book - Allira’s private grief, her ambitions, her boss’s erratic alcohol-fuelled behaviour. All the threads tie up neatly in the end, making a very satisfying conclusion to the book.
The novel is written succinctly. Nothing seems superfluous, so the reader is always engaged.
One outstanding feature of this book is its cover. Just beautiful.
I’ll be looking out for more books by this debut author.