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2024 Independent Challenge
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Pat's 2024 Independent Challenge
I finished February with 13 reads, so here are the last six.8) Norwegian Wood I’ve been meaning to read Murakami for some time & heard it is best to start with this one. Most of the book takes place in 1969 with the serious college student, Toru, struggling with growing up and relationships. He is somewhat in love with a friend from high school, Naoko, but while Toru is learning to adjust to the world, Naoko is not. As Naoko retreats from the world, Toru makes other friends though he still struggles with how to sort through his various relationships. As the title suggests, music plays an important part of Toru’s life. Apparently, this book is different than Murakami’s other books in that it is realistic. No magical realism, talking cats, little people, etc. The book was extremely popular in Japan and Murakami’s fame was launched--much to his dismay. He was so unhappy with his popularity that he and his wife moved to Europe, then to the U.S. for a number of years. I look forward to reading more of Murakami’s work. 4 stars
9) A Shadow in Moscow The story of two spies—both women—one MI6’s best Soviet spy and the other a spy for the CIA in Moscow. Ingrid lives in Vienna in 1954 when she loses both of her parents. She meets a Soviet embassy worker and agrees to marry him and follow him to Moscow. Life in the Soviet is not what she expected and she begins to suspect that her husband works for the KGB. After her daughter is born, she decides she has to do something for her daughter’s future and reaches out to the country of her mother’s birth—Britain. She begins passing on intelligence to MI6 and leading a life of lies and secrets. In Washington D.C., 1980, Anya finishes her degree at Georgetown University and prepares to head home to Moscow. She has fallen in love in the U.S. and learned to respect the people there, but believes she must return to her home and leave the young man and his ideals behind. But, it’s not long before she begins to feel the oppression of keeping secrets and not being able to speak her mind. A tragedy makes her decide to reach out to the CIA and offer to pass on Soviet military plans from where she works. Though not based specifically on any two real spies, Reay did her research and used the stories of several spies and real events to bring this story to life. A gripping and heart-breaking story of two brave women who gave their lives for freedom. 4 stars
10) A Winter in New York (audio hybrid) Iris has recently lost her mom and needs to escape a bad relationship, so she leaves England and goes to New York to start over. She knows NY was special for her mom, a place she had lived in when younger, so Iris looks for the landmarks that will remind her of her mom. She finds work in a noodle shop, which hardly test her culinary skills, but it’s a job and she makes a friend and landlord in the owner, Bobby. When Bobby takes her to a street fair in Little Italy, the door of a gelato shop catches her eye. She knows she’s seen that door in a photo of her mom’s. She returns the next day and meets Gio and learns that the shop is in trouble because his uncle, the keeper of their secret gelato recipe, is in a coma. Iris thinks she has the recipe, but how can she tell Gio that her mom had the family’s secret recipe? And why did she have it? As Iris falls in love with both Gio and his family, keeping her many secrets becomes difficult. Will making a full confession put her new relationships in jeopardy? 4 stars
11) A Dangerous Collaboration (Veronica Speedwell #4) Stoker’s brother, Tiberius bribes Veronica with the promise of an unusual butterfly if she will go with him to Lord Malcolm Romily’s house party. Though Stoker is not invited, he shows up anyway. It doesn’t take long to learn that this is not just a jolly house party. Lord Malcolm’s bride disappeared on their wedding day three years ago, and Lord Malcolm wants everyone’s help in discovering what happened to her. Did she leave on her own? Or did she meet with a fatal ‘accident’? Interesting characters (who all seem to have a motive to want Rosamund dead) and a spooky atmosphere, along with the ever heating up of Veronica and Stoker’s relationship made this a fun, entertaining read. 4 stars
12) Dark Matter Jason went to a bar to meet a friend and on his way, he is kidnapped. When he wakes up, he is in a different life. He tries to escape, but where can he go? This isn’t his Chicago and the woman he knows as his wife is living quite a different life than the one he remembers. To make matters worse, according to those who are trying to control him, this is all his doing. He is the scientist who discovered how to put yourself in different worlds. But getting back to what he remembers is all that matters. My second by Crouch. A book that makes your head spin. Good action and entertaining plot. 4 stars
13) The Twist of a Knife (Hawthorne & Horowitz #4). In this fourth installment of the series, Horowitz tells Hawthorne he is not interested in writing any more books. He has a new play about to open, and all his concentration is on that. On opening night, a well-known (though not well-loved) critic shows up at the cast party and before the night is over, writes a scathing review of the play. When she is found dead the next morning, Anthony is arrested for her murder. Who can he call on but Hawthorne? As with the other books in the series, Horowitz (via Hawthorne) leads us through a slew of suspects who all have motives, yet there are twists and surprises at the end. 5 stars
Patricia wrote: "I finished February with 13 reads, so here are the last six."Looks like you finished your February reading with a bang! 5 4-stars and a 5-star. Love it! I may have to add the 3 I haven’t read to my list (Norwegian Wood, A Shadow in Moscow and A Winter in New York). Hope March reading is as great.
Mod
8) Norwegian Wood I’ve been meaning to read Murakami for some time & heard it is best to start with this one. Most of the b..."
Dark Matter was interesting.
I loved Dark Matter too. I've always wanted to read Norwegian Woods, I think Murakami is very interesting. I'm not looking at your Hawthorne & Horowitz book except to say that I might need to start yet another series this year. Good luck and look forward to seeing what you read in March! :-)
Lillie wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I finished February with 13 reads, so here are the last six."Looks like you finished your February reading with a bang! 5 4-stars and a 5-star. Love it! I may have to add the 3 I..."
Thanks, Lillie! Hope you enjoy them!
Bill wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I finished February with 13 reads, so here are the last six.8) Norwegian Wood I’ve been meaning to read Murakami for some time & heard it is best to start with this o..."
Yes, interesting is one way to put it!
Lea wrote: "I loved Dark Matter too. I've always wanted to read Norwegian Woods, I think Murakami is very interesting. I'm not looking at your Hawthorne & Horowitz book except to say that I might need to start..."What have you read of Murakami? I'm trying to decide what to read next of his.--I love Horowitz's writing, whether his books or on the screen. And my sons loved his Alex Rider books many years ago. It's a good series to start! (As well as Magpie Murders!)
Patricia wrote: "What have you read of Murakami? I'm trying to decide what to read next of his.--I love Horowitz's writing, whether his books or on the screen. And my sons loved his Alex Rider books many years ago. It's a good series to start! (As well as Magpie Murders!)"I have read Kafka on the Shore which I liked and 1Q84 which I really loved. I have wanted to read Norwegian Wood and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle also, but haven't gotten to those yet.
I haven't read anything by Horowitz yet, I will have to remedy that. :-)
I have Kafka on the Shore on my Kindle, so definitely want to get to that one this year. I also own Killing Commendatore which I randomly picked up somewhere. Not that I'm thinking of 2025, but maybe I should make a challenge of reading some authors I've been meaning to get to; or finish their backlist; or something like that. I have those lists in my head, but that's not the safest place.
Mod
8) Norwegian Wood I’ve been meaning to read Murakami for some time & heard it is best to start with this one. Most of the b..."
Great update, Patricia. I had no idea that it is best to start with Norwegian Wood. I have IQ84... I may just see how it reads, if it feels weird, i may fall back on your suggestion.
Kudos on all of your progress!!
Alondra wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I finished February with 13 reads, so here are the last six.8) Norwegian Wood I’ve been meaning to read Murakami for some time & heard it is best to start with this o..."
Thanks, Alondra!
Mid-March: I've finished 4 books so far this month. I'm probably reading too many at a time, but can't seem to settle on just one or two. Plus, all those holds keep coming in!1) Dinosaurs Gil is trying to recover from a failed relationship and decides to start over in Arizona; by walking there from New York. He is barely settling into his new home when a new family moves into the unusual house next door. The house has a glass wall, so Gil is able to see the new family as they move in. Gil becomes friends with the family and it is becoming involved with them that he learns about living in a family and a community. 4 stars
2) A House with Good Bones
Sam has come home to NC to spend some time with her mother while her job as a archeo-entomologist is temporarily on hold. Her brother has warned her that something seems off about their mom and it isn’t long before Sam sees the evidence. Instead of her mom’s colorful rooms, she has painted the walls ecru and put up a dreadful picture that had belonged to her own mother (former owner of the house). And did I mention there is a vulture sitting on the mailbox? Sam doesn’t believe in ghosts or any other such nonsense, but something strange is definitely going on. I don’t read a lot of horror, but I have enjoyed a couple of Kingfisher’s books and besides this more of a “cozy horror”. Creepy, but not gory. 4 stars
3) The Bullet That Missed The third book of the Thursday Murder Club finds our friends (who live together in a seniors’ home) deciding to look into a decade-old cold case. A local news reporter’s car was found having gone over a cliff. Though no body was found, murder was assumed and the culprit never found. In the middle of their investigative meddling, Elizabeth and her husband are kidnapped. The man they nickname “Viking” tells Elizabeth she must murder former KGB chief, Viktor, or he will kill her friend Joyce. With audacity and cleverness, the gang goes about trying to find out what happened to the news reporter and who is the Viking? 4 stars
4) Buttermilk Graffiti: A Chef’s Journey to Discover America’s New Melting-Pot Cuisine This part travel memoir, part cookbook (well, there are recipes included if that makes it a cookbook) was the community read for Charlotte in March. So, one of my book groups (as well as several others at the library) read it for their book in March. Chef Edward Lee travels the country learning about different foods from different cultures. As a Korean immigrant, a New Yorker, and now a resident of Kentucky, Lee has his own mix of cultures in his cooking. In this book, he wants to learn how cultures both keep and change the cooking of their ancestors. He tries to talk to the cooks in the places he visits to learn their history and how they pass on what they know to the next generation. Some people aren’t very willing to talk to him, but as he spends time with them and eats (oh, how he eats!), most of them gradually open up and some even give him cooking lessons. An interesting look at the many different ways of cooking that have made their way to the U.S. 4 stars
I loved The Bullet That Missed. I'm hoping to read The Last Devil to Die soon. Such a fun series. :-) I totally understand about all the holds coming in at once.
The Last Devil to Die was even better than the first three. It made me laugh and cry. The mystery was good too :)
Adding my voice to the chorus, the Thursday Murder Club has gotten better with each success book. Have enjoyed the character developments throughout the series. Unfortunately, just read that his next book out in Sept won’t be in this series but a new series. The new book is
We Solve Murders
I've heard people say they liked #4 The Last Devil to Die much more than the third, so I wondered if I would like it (3rd) but I did. My mystery book club will be reading the 4th sometime later in the year, so looking forward to that.I did hear about that, Lillie. Can only hope that it will be another good series! He did say he's not through with the Thursday Murder Club, so we will have more to look forward to.
I read 9 more books in March, giving me a total of 13.5) Play for Me When Sophie Doyle loses her dream job as the head athletic trainer for the Boston Red Sox and is unjustly accused of hurting the team, she needs an escape. A good friend tells her about the boarding school she had attended, which needs a trainer. Taking on a bunch of high school students instead of professional athletes is a bit of a let-down, but Sophie soon learns that working with these students has its own benefits. She’s a bit surprised to find that her three roommates are all men. Two of them, however, are friendly and welcoming, but then there’s Jonas. An ill-tempered Brit who makes it clear that Sophie should stay out of his way if they’re to get along at all.
An enjoyable enemies to lovers romance. 4 stars
6) Judges: Such a Great Salvation A commentary on the book of Judges in the Bible. Excellent insights, very readable for both laymen and ministers. 5 stars
7) Project Hail Mary Ryland Grace wakes up on a space ship having no idea where he is, why he’s there, or even who he is. As his memory returns in flashes and spurts, he begins to realize that he is alone and he is responsible for saving the Earth. When he sees another ship and realizes that he is not quite alone after all, he joins with this alien creature who is also on a mission to save his own world. Though a good bit of the science was over my head, I enjoyed the banter between Grace and Rocky and the relationship they developed as they worked together to save their worlds. 4 stars
8) The Winners (Beartown #3) We return to Beartown where two years have passed since the event that shook up the town in the first book. Maya has gone away to college; Benji has been traveling around as if in a daze; Peter is working for his wife, Kira. The death of someone in the community brings the wanderers home and everyone back together; for a time. Backman has a way of bringing his characters to life so that you share their heartaches, frustrations, misunderstandings, hate, and love. At times, this one got a little long, but I certainly didn’t want to put it down. 5 stars
9) Loved and Missed A story of a mother’s love as Ruth tries to help her daughter, Eleanor, a drug addict. When Eleanor has a baby, Ruth steps in. How can she not? Beautifully written and heartbreaking. 4 stars
10) Parable of the Sower Set in the future (2024), Lauren and her family live in one of the few safe neighborhoods just outside of L.A. They live behind walls because of the dangers outside. The country has been destroyed by drugs, disease, war, and water shortages. Lauren’s father, a preacher, does what he can to keep his family safe. He teaches them how to use a gun and warns them to never go outside their walls. But, he can’t keep them safe forever and Lauren finds herself with a few others trying to find and make their own new world. 4 stars
11) The Prisoner’s Throne Though this is the second of a duology, it’s best to start with The Cruel Prince, the first of the Elfhame books. I’ve enjoyed this series, first on audio, then reading the last three in paper. This one begins where The Stolen Heir ended. Prince Oak has been imprisoned by Wren, an unlikely queen and the object of Oak’s affection. Oak knows his sister, the High Queen Jude, will do what it takes to retrieve him, but he loves Wren and wants to find a way to salvage both kingdoms. Deceit, trickery, and betrayal seem to rule everyone but love also plays a part. 5 stars
12) The Peach Seed I gave The Peach Seed 5 stars because I loved the way the author pulled so many threads together. There’s family drama, history, drug abuse, relationships, and forgiveness. Filled with colorful characters, there are three storylines. One of these goes back to a man stolen from West Africa who becomes a slave in SC and is the ancestor of the widower Fletcher Dukes. The book begins when Fletcher spies the woman he loved and lost fifty years ago at his local Piggly Wiggly. The last time Fletcher saw Altovise she had spurned his marriage proposal, then she had been locked up after the two had been involved in a protest for their rights in the 60’s. Before Altovise left, Fletcher had given her a carved peach seed monkey. Carving peach seed monkeys had been something passed down through generations though no one was usure exactly when it started. But that peach seed monkey will bring family together in ways no one could have foreseen. 5 stars
13) The Rising Tide (Vera Stanhope #10). A group of friends who met in high school have been a reunion every five years for fifty years. Even though they’ve gone their separate ways and lead very different lives, their friendships remain and they always enjoy this weekend together. However, this year, one of their group is found hanged in his room on the first morning. They’re on an island which could only be entered and exited according to the tides. Does that mean it has to be one of them? I read this with a book club and quite a few of them didn’t like it. They didn’t seem to like the character of Vera. However, I enjoyed the mystery, Vera and the way she goes about solving the murder. Even though this is the tenth in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. 4 stars
Lonesome Dove p.231
Wolf Hall p. 449
You've been reading some very good books. I've only read Project Hail Mary, The Winners and Parable of the Sower, and enjoyed all of them. But now I want to read the others on your list, too.Happy reading.
Ioana wrote: "You've been reading some very good books. I've only read Project Hail Mary, The Winners and Parable of the Sower, and enjoyed all of them. But now I want to read the others on your list, too.Happy..."
Thanks, Ioana! Hope you enjoy them as well.
Mod
Mid-April update: 7 books finished so far.1) The Premonition Nineteen-year-old Yayoi loves her parents and her brother, but she has a feeling she has forgotten something. She decides to leave home for a time and live with her aunt, Yukino. Yukino is an odd character, but she welcomes her niece and doesn’t mind spending time with her. As the days go by, Yukino begins to realize that her childhood and family are not what she had assumed them to be. First published in 1988, Premonition has just been translated into English. 3 stars
2) The Plot Jacob Bonner was fairly successful with the first book he published. The problem is in writing another. He’s now teaching at a MFA program where the students are not overly promising. If that’s not bad enough, one of them, Evan Parker, claims he doesn’t need Jake’s help because the plot of his book is amazing. Though Jake is skeptical, he is impressed when he hears more about the plot. Time goes on, and every now and then, Jake wonders what happened to Parker and his plot. When he learns Parker died some time ago, Jake can’t help but think of that unused plot. Could he make something of it? And is, or is that not, ethical? When Jake does write the book, he becomes successful beyond his wildest dreams. When he does a radio interview (which is disastrous), he falls for the radio manager. Jake’s life begins to seem perfect. But, his troubles have just begun. I read several reviews where people said they saw the ending coming. I did not! 4 stars
3) Happy Place A second chance romance. A friend group that met in college is meeting for the last time at a Maine cottage owned by the father of one of the friends. Since he is planning to sell the cottage where they have been meeting since college, they decide to have one last great time doing things they’ve done every time. The group began with three roommates: Harriet, Sabrina, and Cleo. Harriet met Wyn through these friends and eventually they became a couple. Though they got engaged, they also broke up. However, they haven’t told their friends yet and now they’re expected to act the happy couple for the week when both of them are still suffering from a broken heart. A lot of love/hate for this book, but I enjoyed it on audio. 4 stars
4) Being Elisabeth Elliot: The Authorized Biography: Elisabeth’s Later Years Though I’ve known that Elisabeth Elliot was the wife of Jim Elliot, a missionary killed in Ecuador, that’s pretty much all I knew about her. A shame since she was living and writing during my younger years. So, this book relates the second part of Elliot’s life. I did not read the first book, so that’s not necessary but I would like to go back and read it. Though Elliot went through many heartaches and faced discouragement and despair (including often not pleasing the “Christian crowd”), her faith remained strong and she constantly looked to the Lord for answers and direction. Unfortunately, she did not always make the best decisions and there was one that would cause her much grief. A good example of the impact Elisabeth had on others was given by Cornell Capa, a non-believing photographer who spent some time with Elisabeth and other “missionary widows.” In spite of his own unbelief, Cornell saw that Elisabeth’s faith was deep. “Then there’s you—and a million others—who are not satisfied with the trimmings. You are in the core. You know that He is there because you know He is there. You know that it seems God was NOT THERE when you wanted Him, yet you say you know He was there.” 5 stars
5) Lucy by the Sea (Amgash #4) The fourth book that tells us about Lucy Barton, but Strout has other characters that cross-over from her different books. This one takes place during the 2020 pandemic when Lucy’s ex-husband William insists she leave New York and stay with him in a house in Maine. He also tries to get his two daughters to flee with less success. I enjoy Strout’s writing and had no problem reading it except for two things: reading about Covid and lockdown; and the strange relationship between William and Lucy. 3 stars
6) Norwegian by Night Sheldon Horowitz has moved to Oslo (from the U.S.) to live with his granddaughter and her husband. At 82 years old, this is a big change for him, and he’s not sure it’s for the best. An ex-Marine, he was proud of his service, but when his son followed him by going into the army and eventually lost his life, Sheldon lives with that guilt. When Sheldon witnesses the murder of a woman in his apartment complex, he takes off with her traumatized six-year old son. How far can a 82 year old man who doesn’t speak the language get? Both the Norwegian police and the Balkan gang involved in the murder are determined to find them both. This was sad, brutal, and heart-breaking. 3 stars
7) The Prisoner of Heaven (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books #3) Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I have heard you don’t need to read these books in order. Well, of course, you don’t need to but you will certainly miss out on a lot of backstory. We pick up Daniel and Fermin’s story from book one Shadow in the Wind; and David Martin from book two is also featured. Fermin is about to be wed but he has a problem and when a sinister-looking stranger shows up at the Sempere bookshop looking for Fermin, Daniel wants to hear the story of Fermin’s past. It’s not a pleasant story and I found it difficult to get through some of that, but overall enjoyed hearing more of Daniel and Fermin. 4 stars
Mod
1) The Premonition Nineteen-year-old Yayoi loves her parents and her brother, but she has a feeling she has forgotten something. She deci..."
I'm not familiar with any of your selections. I do have one of Zafon's books on my shelf. I'm intimidated without even opening it up...
If you have the first book in this series: The Shadow of the Wind, you should read it! Really, I think you would enjoy it.
Bill,Another vote for The Shadow of the Wind, one of my all time favorites. I think you would like it.
Finished 7 more in April, bringing my total to 14 for the month.8) This Bird Has Flown Jane Start is a one-hit wonder. She wrote a hit song ten years ago sung by a superstar. Now she is broke and has just been through a bad break up. When her manager asks her to come to London to talk about a new opportunity, she has little choice and little hope. Meeting an attractive stranger on the plane, Tom Hardy (an Oxford professor no less), Jane begans to feel her life is looking up. But, Jane’s past as well as Tom’s conspire to cause them trouble in more ways than one. 4 stars
9) Wolf Hall (Cromwell #1). Winner of the Booker Prize in 2009 and the Walter Scott Prize in 2010 (and nominated for several others), Mantel writes of England in the 1520’s. Henry VIII desperately wants to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn; even (maybe especially) if it means taking control of the church and making himself the head of the church in England. Thomas Cromwell is willing to do whatever the king wants and has the charm, persuasion, and amorality to do it. Mantel’s writing can take some getting used to, but worth the trouble as you get into the rhythm. I read this a few years and read it again to participate in a year-long read-along with all 3 books in the Cromwell Trilogy. 4 stars
10) Gather . (YA) Ian Gray is having a tough life. His father has left and has another family in another state. His mother got hurt on her job and has become addicted to her pain meds. When Ian has to quit the basketball team and find a job, the one bright spot is when he finds a dog. He knows his mother won’t let him keep a dog, especially one as gigantic as this one. But Ian needs this dog! A book full of heartache (as any book about drug addiction would be), but also hope and what really makes a family. 4 stars
11) The Winter Sea (Scottish Series #1). Carrie McClelland writes historical fiction and during her research in Scotland, a story becomes alive to her in ways she can’t explain. Does she have ancestral memory? Is there such a thing? In the spring of 1708, Jacobites are making plans to bring James Stewart out of exile in France to reclaim his crown in Scotland. As characters come and go at Slains Castle, plots are formed, romance blooms, and betrayal is uncovered. This is another reread for me, and as the third book is a prequel of this one, I hope to get to it soon. 4 stars
12) Sovereign Sansom (Matthew Shardlake #3). The third in this historical mystery series takes place in the fall of 1541. Henry VIII has set out on a Progress to the North to force his rebellious subjects in York to submit to him, turning it into a public spectacle. Lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his assistant Jack Barak have been sent ahead as part of the legal process of submitting petitions to the king. Shardlake has also been instructed by Archbishop Cranmer to look after a prisoner—one destined for the tower. He must make sure the prisoner stays alive to face the rack. Shardlake is unhappy with this task but has little choice. Shardlake soon finds himself investigating a murder and learning more than he wants to know about a conspiracy. Will he and Jack make it home alive? This is an excellent series in terms of historical events and people, constant suspense, and engaging characters. 5 stars. (Note: Sadly, I just heard that Sansom has died. This is two days before the Shardlake series is to premiere on Disney+).
13) The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession. The strange true story of an unusual art thief. Most art thieves focus on a particular object and do it for the money. Stephane Breitwieser saw an object he wanted and generally just walked off with it. Living with his girlfriend in his mother’s attic, his room was soon filled with priceless objects from museums and cathedrals all over Europe. In just eight years, Breitwieser made off with over two hundred objects. Was he a kleptomaniac? A true art lover? Or just mad? And what about his girlfriend? Did she never feel a twinge of conscience or was it all just a game? 4 stars
14) City Under One Roof(Cara Kennedy #1). When a severed hand and foot washes up on the beach near the small town of Point Mettier, Alaska, Cara Kennedy, a detective from Anchorage, shows up to investigate, but also with her own agenda. Point Mettier is quite isolated and when a blizzard closes the tunnel that leads into the city, everyone (including Kennedy) is stuck there indefinitely. All 205 residents of the town live in the same building and it doesn’t take long for Cara to meet several of this strange and motley crew. As if that wasn’t enough, a gang from a nearby village shows up armed and ready for trouble. A great start to a new series. I look forward to reading the second which came out recently. 4 stars
I'm just beginning Bring Up the Bodies as I continue with the Cromwell trilogy read-along #wolfcrawl.
In my other read-along, I'm on p. 316 in Lonesome Dove. Enjoying both of these slow reads.
Mod
1) The Premonition Nineteen-year-old Yayoi loves her parents and her brother, but she has a feeling she has forgotten so..."
AND, another vote for Shadow of the Wind!!
Mod
Kudos on all of the great reads and progress. Woot!
Alondra wrote: "Patricia! You are a reading icon! Kudos on all of the great reads and progress. Woot!"
Ha! Thanks, Alondra!
Mod
Bill wrote: "It took me awhile to get into Wolf Hall but thought it was excellent. Now to brave #2. So sad to hear about C.J. Sansom. The Matthew Shardlake series is a favorite of mine, At least I still have tw..."Thanks, Bill. It is fun to read these with a group. And, yes, very sad about Sansom especially as the series just came out last night (on Hulu in the US).
Mod
What's the series called?
Bill wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Bill wrote: "It took me awhile to get into Wolf Hall but thought it was excellent. Now to brave #2. So sad to hear about C.J. Sansom. The Matthew Shardlake series is a favorite of ..."Bill, it's called Shardlake - and I believe here it is on Disney+.
Bill wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Bill wrote: "It took me awhile to get into Wolf Hall but thought it was excellent. Now to brave #2. So sad to hear about C.J. Sansom. The Matthew Shardlake series is a favorite of ..."Yes, Shardlake--just came out Wednesday (5/1). I thought it was going to be on Disney+ & I guess it is in the UK.
Mod
Thank you.
Six books so far in May.1) The Kingdoms of Savannah Savannah is a beautiful city to visit—full of history, good food, and atmosphere. But, for the people who live there, there is a darker part which can go unseen unless you know where to look. When a building burns down with a homeless man inside, an unsavory developer is arrested for his murder. Declaring his innocence, he seeks to hire Morgana Musgrove, a pillar of high society, to prove his innocence. Morgana, in turn, pressures her four grown children to help her. No one believes this man can possibly be innocent, but something is definitely going on amongst Savannah’s elite. I read this with a mystery book club. Most of us have visited Savannah at some time or other and are familiar with the landmarks mentioned in the book. A good mystery with some interesting history woven in. 4 stars
2) Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World I don’t know why I enjoy reading of these arctic explorations, but I have read several and find them fascinating. It’s certainly not that I have any desire to walk in the footsteps of these men or even get on a boat and follow the paths of Barents (as did the author). In spite of the failures of the voyages Barents was involved in, he is renowned for what he brought to the world of navigation. What the men survived (the ones who did) and how makes for entertaining and sometimes cringing reading. Reading of the many polar bear attacks and the effects of scurvy is not for the faint-hearted. They didn’t eat the bear because they didn’t care for the meat? And they didn’t think to use that fur for coats? Humans are strange creatures. 4 stars
3) Shark Heart: A Love Story This is different. Not sure if you would call it fantasy or magical realism, but a love story of the tragic sort. Wren and Lewis have not been married long when Lewis is diagnosed with a rare disease. His body is changing and will soon become a great white shark. How Lewis and Wren deal with this devasting news makes up the first part of the book. In the second, we learn of Wren’s childhood and what she has already gone through. 4 stars
4) The Coincidence of Coconut Cake . Romance and food—two of my favorite subjects. Lou is struggling to make her dream come true of building a successful French restaurant in Milwaukee. When a food critic visits the place on a bad day—a very bad day—Lou’s restaurant seems to be doomed. In spite of this and in spite going through a bad break-up, Lou meets a charming English man and offers to give him a tour of her city. What she doesn’t know is that this man writes as a food critic incognito. And what he doesn’t know is that Lou is the owner of the awful Luella’s he visited one time. Will the truth come out and can their love survive it? 4 stars
5) Demon Copperhead Winner of the Pulitzer and the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Kingsolver takes the well-known Dickens story of David Copperfield and places it in the mountains of southern Appalachia in the 21st century. Demon (nickname for Damon) lives with his mother in a trailer owned by the Peggotts who do what they can for Demon and his mother. After hurting her back, his mother becomes addicted to pain pills. When she marries Stoner for love and security, Demon’s life goes from bad to worse. Much worse. If you’re familiar with the story of David Copperfield, you know how some of this is going to play out, but the story is worth the ride. You will root for Demon and also want to shake him at times. 4 stars
6) Smoke and Ashes In 1921 India, Captain Sam Wyndham has come, not only to be on the police force, but try and escape his memory of the war. Fighting his addiction to opium, he is almost caught one night when the police raid an opium den. When Sam is brought to investigate a murder, he realizes the mutilated corpse is much like one he stumbled upon in the opium den. With the Prince of Wales scheduled for a visit and a group of Indians protesting the English occupation, Sam and his Sergeant, Surrender-not, have their hands full trying to solve these murders as well as keep the city at peace for the prince’s arrival. I enjoy historical mysteries that have an interesting background (usually that I’m not familiar with) as well as a cast of characters that we learn more about with each installment. 3 stars
I've only read Demon Copperhead, and I enjoyed it too. Have you read David Copperfield? I feel like I should, just to compare the two, but it's over 800 pages!!!
Yes, I've read David Copperfield & appreciated the way Kingsolver worked in the similar characters and events. However, I do believe Dickens had a better ending than Kingsolver. Maybe if you just decided to read it a few chapters a week? I'm doing that with some different reading groups. (Lonesome Dove for one). Reading a big book but only in small doses.
Finished 7 more for May for a total of 13.7) Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop (translated from Korean) This is a story of new beginnings and friendships. Yeongju leaves her career and marriage and opens a bookstore. She hires a barista who has graduated from college but has been unsuccessful at finding a job. He gets to know the woman who roasts and sells the coffee beans; another person who needs to make some changes in her life. Not a book of fast action but one to make you think and consider some of your life’s decisions. 4 stars
8) Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships . Jo Walker has a condo on the beach she inherited from her grandmother and works on a yacht for a company that caters to different groups of people during the summer. She has made a bucket list of things to accomplish before her 30th birthday, all made in fun and something she has been sharing on her blog. A family tragedy sucks the fun out, but her best friend and nieces want to help her finish anyway. When she does one of the things on the list (kiss a handsome stranger), someone new enters her life. Since they both declare they don’t date (for various reasons), they try to at least be friends. A sweet, though often sad, story of love, friendship, and family. 4 stars
9) Yours Truly . I listened to this on audio which was good but I did get a bit aggravated towards the end. Probably would have just skimmed through that if I had been reading in print. So, this is the second in a series which I didn’t realize but reading the first isn’t necessary. However, I probably will go back and read it. A romance with some familiar tropes: both boy and girl have been through tough break-ups, so have some trust issues, and let’s pretend we like each other for the sake of our families but really we’re just friends. So, even when we fall in love with each other for real, we keep that secret from each other because, you know, trust issues. 3.5 stars
10) The Housemaid I kept putting this down during the first half of the book. A little too disturbing for me. But, once I got past the halfway point, I had to know what was going on and who was really the crazy one. A woman who has recently gotten out of prison is desperate for a job, so she accepts one as a maid for a wealthy couple and their bratty child. The wife, Nina, makes things as difficult as possible for her, but how can she leave? She knows no one will want to hire an ex-con. Besides, there’s Andrew the kind and extremely handsome husband. Can he make things at least bearable? 5 stars
11) What the River Knows There’s mystery, suspense, history, and a little bit of magic in this book. Inez lives in 19th century Buenos Aires where she has almost everything she could want. What she doesn’t have is her parents who spend most of their time in Egypt exploring. Though Inez would love to join them, they have never let her come with them in their months’ long expeditions. When she receives word from her uncle that her parents have mysteriously perished, she decides to go to Egypt and stay with her uncle. But her uncle is not happy to see her and tries to send her home. Tries being the operative word. Inez is determined to find out what really happened to her parents and what her uncle is trying to hide and trying to find. This ends on a cliff-hanger, and the second one doesn’t come out until November. 4 stars
12) The Fireman's Fair Hurricane Hugo has recently come through and now Charleston lawyer and native, Rob Wyatt, begins to reassess his life as well as the property damage. He’s not the only adult in this novel trying to figure out his life and what he should do next. There’s Louise, Rob’s high school crush as well as Rob’s own parents. His mother wants to sell their home and move to a retirement village. His father is not quite so keen. Someone well said this is a coming of age story for adults. I loved the writing in this and want to read more by Humphreys. 3 stars
13) Bleeding Heart Yard (Harbinder Kaur #3). At a high school reunion (that includes two members of parliament, a rock star, a movie star, and a member of the police force), one of the politicians is found dead, supposedly of a drug overdose. D.I. Kaur has just recently joined the London Met and it seems her first case is going to be very high profile. Is it a help or a hindrance that one of her team members was part of the class reunion? I enjoyed the different points of view and the going back and forth between two timelines. Since these were high school chums and something that happened on their final day of tests is highlighted in the story, this could be considered a “dark academia” story. 4 stars
Patricia wrote: "7) Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop (translated from Korean) This is a story of new beginnings and friendships. 4 stars"This looks like the perfect summer read. Adding to my list!
Patricia wrote: "11) What the River Knows There’s mystery, suspense, history, and a little bit of magic in this book...This ends on a cliff-hanger, and the second one doesn’t come out until November. 4 stars"
Ok, so I just tried this book and put it down pretty quickly. But seeing that you've given it a 4 star, I'm going to have to try it again but closer to November. Because, what if I love it and then have to wait for the sequel, lol
Great month! Hope June's books are just as good.
Looks like another great month, Patricia. Thanks for sharing. I love to read your reviews, they always say a lot about the book.
Lillie wrote: "Patricia wrote: "7) Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop (translated from Korean) This is a story of new beginnings and friendships. 4 stars"This looks like the perfect summer read. Adding to my l..."
It may not be for you, Lillie, but I did enjoy it. I always appreciate the author's note on the history. With this having a bit of magic in it, I wondered if any of it was historically accurate, but it is. And, yes, I do advise waiting closer to November. I didn't realize it was a "first" when I started it.
Lea wrote: "Looks like another great month, Patricia. Thanks for sharing. I love to read your reviews, they always say a lot about the book."Thanks so much, Lea!
I've had a busy June, but managed to finish 9 books so far, just haven't had time to post. A couple of audio books and a couple were really short.1) Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone A mystery written in first person where the narrator finds himself amusing and his family rather deadly. I only finished this because I read it for book club and I kept thinking it would get better. It really didn’t (for me). 2 stars
2) Deacon King Kong New York in the 1960’s where two neighborhoods overlap—one black and the other of Italian descent. When a black deacon known as Sportcoat shoots a known drug dealer, everyone is shocked and also scared. Isn’t it hard enough to get along without looking for trouble? I enjoyed getting to know these characters (and they are characters in every sense of the word). Life is not easy for any of them, but somehow they live and work together; standing up for their neighbors and family even when some of them might get on their last nerve. 4 stars
3) Piglet ). I listened to this because I heard a couple of people I follow rave about the audio. It was okay, but it might have been better for me if I’d read it in print. A couple of important things I seemed to have missed in my listening. Such as: how can an adult woman continue to let people call her Piglet? How can she have any relationship with her parents at all for calling her that in the first place? But, anyway, Piglet (as she is known) is a cookbook editor and she is preparing to marry Kit. Kit’s family is a bit more upper-class than her own, so there’s those tricky waters to traverse. Then Kit drops a bomb on her just two weeks before they’re to be married. He has been unfaithful but wants her to forgive him. Can she? Can she carry on like everything is still peachy? Or will she just eat herself into oblivion? 3 stars
4) The Kamogawa Food Detectives translated from the Japanese by Jesse Kirkwood. A restaurant in Kyoto is not easy to find but if you make the effort, not only will you be served great food, but the father/daughter team also work as investigators and will find and create that special dish you remember from sometime in your past. Each chapter is about a different person who seeks out the Kamogawas to ask their help in recreating a dish that has a special meaning for them. I enjoyed reading about the different characters as well as the foods described which were mostly unfamiliar to me. 4 stars
5) Ladies' Lunch: and Other Stories Lore Segal seems to have been writing forever. She had a story in a recent New Yorker, and she is now 96 years old. These stories mostly revolve around a group of friends who have been meeting for lunch for over 40 years. They’ve been friends long enough and have lived long enough to not hold anything back on what they think or how they feel. 4 stars
6) Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay The Neapolitan Novels #3) Elena Ferrante. The third book which centers around the friendship of Elena and Lila, two young women who live in Italy. This book takes place in the 60’s and into the 70’s. As girls, Elena always looked up to Lila, but it is Elena who is able to continue her education and eventually publishes a successful novel while Lila married a boy from the neighborhood. The marriage is a disaster, and Lila’s life is going through some rough times. But, things are not always easy for Elena and somehow another boy from the neighborhood, Nino, keeps showing up in their lives. Elena is married now, but has never quite gotten over the attraction Nino has always had on her. 4 stars
7) Murder in an Irish Pub (Irish Village Mystery #4) Carlene O’Connor (audio). A poker tournament is being held in Kilbane at a local pub. People from all over Ireland are there, including the famous Eamon Foley; nicknamed the Octopus for his playing as if he had eight hands under the table. On only the second day, officer Siobhan O’Sullivan finds Eamon swinging from a rope in the pub. Detective Sargent Macdara Flannery is sure it’s suicide, but Siobhan is skeptical. Why would Eamon commit suicide now when he’s set to win a lot of money at this tournament and his wife is expecting a baby any day? But the room was locked and there was a note, so how can Siobhan carry out an investigation? 3 stars
8) Rogue Protocol (Murderbot Diaries #3) Martha Wells. This is the third in a series about an A.I. who is on the run, but somehow ends up helping people he really doesn’t care about; as he doesn’t have any reason to care for humans and their problems. 3 stars
9) On Folly Beach I’ve read a couple of books by Karen White that were just okay for me, so I was surprised at how much I liked this one. A dual time-line with one part of the story taking place in 1944 during WWII and the second in more present day (2009). Emmy Hamilton lives in Ohio and has recently lost her husband. Her mother is from Folly Beach, SC and has recently bought some books for her bookstore from a store she remembers from her childhood in Folly Beach. She encourages Emmy to buy the bookstore down there, so she can have a new start in her life. Emmy is reluctant, but after finding some love letters in the box of books, she decides to give it a try. She is soon caught up in trying to solve the mystery of the letters, though the people who were related to the writers of the letters are not quite as excited for the truths to come out. 4 stars
Great June so far.Sad and disappointed about Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, it's on my TBR, but a lot of my GR friends had similar reactions, so maybe I'll skip it.
Good to hear you enjoyed Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, I think the 4th books was even better.
Happy reading!
Ioana wrote: "Great June so far.Sad and disappointed about Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, it's on my TBR, but a lot of my GR friends had similar reactions, so maybe I'll skip it.
Good..."
Thanks! I know a lot of people liked it, but definitely no one in my book group!
Yes, I've already ordered the 4th book though I know I won't get to it right away.
I have finished four more books this month bringing my total to 13 for June.10) A Murderous Relation (Veronica Speedwell #5). During the autumn of 1888, London is facing the terror of a serial killer who will come to be known as Jack the Ripper. Veronica and Stoker have been asked to help avoid a scandal concerning Prince Albert Victor. Prince Albert has given an expensive gift to the proprietess of an exclusive private club and not a club where you go to wine and dine. When Veronica and Stoker go to retrieve the gift, they meet murder and kidnapping. A fun series as long as you don’t take it too seriously. 4 stars
11) The Break-Up Book Club Four women who are facing different types of break-ups in their relationships can make for some depressing reading, but the friendships they form (which start by meeting for a book club at a charming bookstore) keep this book from being too heavy on the heart. Jazmine is a sports agent and a single mother. Judith is an empty nester with a clueless and insensitive husband. Erin was engaged to her high school sweetheart who decided he didn’t want to get married after all. And Sara’s husband has been working out of town, leaving her saddled with his mother who knows her son could have done better. How these women work through their problems and support each other makes for heart-felt reading. 4 stars
12) The Golden Gate Homicide Detective Al Sullivan is summoned to the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, California. It’s 1944 and presidential candidate Walter Wilkinson has been killed in one of the ritzy hotel’s rooms. Wilkinson has many enemies, but some of the chief suspects are the granddaughters of the Bainbridge family, one of the wealthiest and most influential in San Francisco. What do these three young socialites have to do with a presidential candidate old enough to be their father? And what does the tragic death of their seven year old sister/cousin ten years ago have to do with the case now? Sullivan is determined to untie the threads and find the answer. 4 stars
13) Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame Jenny and her husband, Bernard, have been married for 59 years. Though she loves her husband and her life, Jenny yearns to do something more while she still can. She decides to apply to be a contestant on Britain Bakes, but doesn’t tell Bernard until she has no choice. That’s not the only secret she keeps from Bernard though the other one is 60 years old. Can she find a way to deal with her secret while competing on a national platform? Though I felt a bit uncomfortable with Jenny’s secret keeping, I love finding stories with older protagonists and that this one involves food is icing on the cake. 4 stars
Mod
Bill wrote: "You've had a great month. Good luck in July."Thanks, Bill! Same to you!
Sorry to hear Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone didn’t work for you. It’s definitely a weird book but one that made me laugh. Luckily, you were able to end the month on a higher note. Looks like I’ll be adding more books to my list. Happy July reading.l!
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Currently have an 18 week wait because only the smallest of the library systems I have an account with, has it. But it looks like I'm 9th on the list for 1 copy. So who knows, maybe the ones before me will be fast readers.