Currently Reading or Finished - 2024

[Vicki Willis]

Christine wrote: "I’m reading a book called Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks"

I loved that book when I was a teenager.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Jay's Journal by Anonymous

[Christine]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Just finished this book. Mitch Albom always make you think and in our current political mess this story is relevant.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Letting Ana Go by Anonymous

[Christine]

[Rosalyn]

Colossal effort and care was put into chronicling this colossus of American industry, an engaging and insightful read that reveals the man behind the curtain. Chernow neither villainizes nor sanitizes Rockefeller's character or ascent to supremacy in the oil business, through the author's expert guidance, we clearly see the building blocks to his success, whether it be the circumstances of his childhood that propelled him away from what he was escaping, or his natural traits and Puritan work ethic that drove him towards wanting and acquiring more and more.

my full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Lucy in the Sky by Anonymous

[Rosalyn]

Plaintive, meticulous, elegantly simple prose that belies a whirlpool of suppressed emotions swirling under the surface, a game with unspoken rules, where more is revealed through silence than words.

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kirsten]

I've been listening to The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa and I just finished reading Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished The Expectant Detectives . my review

I started Lone Wolf , the newest addition to the Orphan X series.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Calling Maggie May by Anonymous

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

[Rosalyn]

I can appreciate the amount of research the author must've done to realistically weave entomological and gardening info throughout the book, and the humorous inner dialogue of our main character made me laugh out loud at parts. However, the buildup to the horror was too slow, it was only at 50% when any progress on the plot was made, and even then, the reveal was predictable and anticlimactic.

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Pumpkin Everything by Beth Labonte

[Christine]

[Happy Reader]

Rosalyn wrote: "Plaintive, meticulous, elegantly simple prose that belies a whirlpool of suppressed emotions swirling under the surface, a game with unspoken rules, where more is revealed through silence than word..."

A book I will re-read periodically!

[Happy Reader]

Christine wrote: "I’m reading a book called Pumpkin Everything by Beth Labonte"

I thoroughly enjoyed Pumpkin Everything when I read it this past fall! Happy reading!!

[Happy Reader]

I just finished a Historical Fiction Mystery called The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhorn. It was a longer read, but the author did an excellent job with the pace of the story. An absorbing read about a midwife in the 1700's and the various women she helps and what life was like during that century for women in general. She is extremely clever when dealing with ego driven, entitled men in her town. Lots of interesting storylines throughout. Loved that her husband was her biggest supporter.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished Lone Wolf. It is the 9th book in the Orphan X series and I thought it was a great addition. Usually by this point in a series I'm feeling like it has gone on too long and I end up dropping off, but I'm still enjoying this one.

my Lone Wolf review

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Trust No One by Paul Cleave

[Rosalyn]

Before the Wright brothers flew onto the scene, the idea of men in flight had been inspiring to some and ridiculed by most, with authorities in science dismissing it as "a chimeral dream, but how many inventions have we seen realized which have been pronounced impossible".

McCullough elevates this chronology into a dynamic story, filled with colorful side characters, dramatic backdrops from the isolated sand dunes of the Outer Banks to the height of Belle Epoque Paris, and cultural and social context for how the brother’s ideas were conceived and received by the public in a time of bold and rapid industrial expansion and invention.

my full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kirsten]

I'm reading A Perfect Bride by Samantha James - historical romance

[Susan]

I have finished The Little Village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft.
The Little Village Christmas I rated it as 3 stars.
I found it a comforting read if a little slow at times. I loved the description of Barney, the owlet with an injured wing. Christmas arrived very late in the book.

My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Collective by Alison Gaylin

[Kristine]

I just finished , Apeirogon, by Colum McCann. This is about 2 fathers, one Palestinian and one Israeli who both lost a daughter to violence in Israel. The fathers form a bond and travel to speak about the horrific effect of these occurrences. It is a blend of fact and fiction. The book is written in an unusual style, broken into 1001 Passages, usually just 3 or 4 sentences. I read it slowly, as it was hard to take in the pain, yet the message of hope and peace is there. The fragments actually helped, as it broke the book into small pieces that encompass many different aspects of life.

[Christine]

[Rosalyn]

This book is expertly written and extensively researched, Millard's introduction of Arab, African, Asian and European peoples converging in East Africa, their politics, customs, and histories were all laid out satisfactorily without it being tedious, not to mention the vivid descriptions of the vast and varied land and its abundance of exotic floral and fauna. It was bolstered by firsthand accounts from Richard Burton, an ethnologist and explorer who was as equally fascinating as the cultures he studied. A dangerous and thrilling place that didn't suffer fools gladly (I'm looking at you, John Speke), and that served as a proving ground for European explorers to test their manliness and defend their easily wounded pride (see Liz Lemon eye roll below).



full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosalyn]

This was a first rate mystery thriller, at one point, listening to the audiobook - which is the best way to read this one btw, it's a full cast w/ sound effects, the whole nine yards - I caught myself thinking it was real, like I was really listening to a true crime podcast.

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Ladies' Room by Carolyn Brown

[Christine]

[Kristine]

, I have some Questions for You, Rebecca Makkai I have found this an addicting read and just kept listening since I started yesterday. I like Rebecca Makkai’s writing. This brings in many aspects of a crime, while at the same time being a mystery. I really am enjoying it.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

[Priya]

Currently reading 4 books (in order of enjoyment so far):

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
Iron Flame
Under the Whispering Door
Dune

[Rosalyn]

Tantalizing, dread inducing buildup, but a severely disappointing reveal, ending with some weird, confusing, spiritual, "it was all a dream/sharing a consciousness"-like situation, where the satisfaction of a resolution was snatched from the reader.

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosalyn]

Kristine wrote: ", I have some Questions for You, Rebecca Makkai I have found this an addicting read and just kept listening since I started yesterday. I like Rebec..."

glad ur liking it, kristine! would u consider this a literary fiction mostly, or a typical mystery thriller? this book is so highly recommended, but i'm still hesitant.

[Christine]

[Mackenzie]

Currently rereading Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. Just finished A Court of Thorns and Roses.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale

[Kirsten]

I've been reading a short story collection: October Screams: A Halloween Anthology by Kenneth W. Cain

[Kristie, Moderator]

Currently reading The Secret Book of Flora Lea and The Lost Story. I'm really enjoying both of them. My biggest problem is decided which to pick up.

[Happy Reader]

Kristie wrote: "Currently reading The Secret Book of Flora Lea and The Lost Story. I'm really enjoying both of them. My biggest problem is decided which to pick up."

That's a good problem to have, Kristie for us book lovers! :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Mary wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Currently reading The Secret Book of Flora Lea and The Lost Story. I'm really enjoying both of them. My biggest problem is decided which to pick up...."

I completely agree, Mary. I want to know what happens in both of them. The other problem I have is simply finding enough reading time. lol

[Christine]

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Not My Baby by Anya Mora

[Susan]

I'm reading a book called La Prisonnière du highlander: Une romance historique de voyage dans le temps en Écosse
It is a recommendation by a French friend. It is not my normal style of book but I am enjoying it. Amy is transported back to 1307 to the time of Robert the Bruce in Scotland by touching a magic stone. My reading progress is a little hampered by having to keep looking up French words with goggle translate!

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Catch by T.M. Logan

[Christine]

[Susan]

I am reading a book called Angels in the Snow. The book is set in the Lake District and so far is a relaxing and enjoyable read.

[Christine]