What Are You Reading - 2024

[Kristie, Moderator]

So glad to see you loved All the Ugly and Wonderful Things, Janice. I’ve had it on my TBR for a while now. I feel like I will need to be in the right mood for that one due to the subject matter.

I also need an own but likely won’t read shelf. That’s a good idea.

[Janice, Moderator]

I feel a bit apologetic because there are so many reactionary reviews. But I think there is so much grey in this relationship, especially when you compare it to Lolita. That book was a clear case of pedophilia.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I started a non-fiction yesterday, Murder by the Book: The Crime That Shocked Dickens's London. First couple of chapters were a little slow, but it is picking up.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm still reading The Secret Book of Flora Lea and The Lost Story, but I also started Darling Girls. They are all so good.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

For those of you like me who need book links with a rec like that, they are:
The Secret Book of Flora Lea
The Lost Story

[Kristie, Moderator]

Rusalka wrote: "For those of you like me who need book links with a rec like that, they are:
The Secret Book of Flora Lea
The Lost Story"

Sorry, I linked them a couple of comments earlier so didn't want to repeat. Should have just linked them so people didn't have to go look for them. (Also, didn't realize they were in comment #200, so ended up on the previous page.)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh, I'm sorry. My fault as I have not really caught up with threads over the past couple of weeks. Will try to have a backread now I think I'm back

[Christine]

[Christine]

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

[Sarah]

Christine wrote: "




[bookc..."

Are you reading all of those at the same time?

[Kristie, Moderator]

Rusalka wrote: "Oh, I'm sorry. My fault as I have not really caught up with threads over the past couple of weeks. Will try to have a backread now I think I'm back"

No worries, Rus. All good.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished reading Crimson Shore in preparation to read the next book in the series for the themed read in April. I think I'm done with the series, and I won't be reading The Obsidian Chamber. Long series tend to lose originality over time and the themes become repetitive. I was annoyed at the end of Crimson Shore to discover a cliffhanger and that it brings nothing new to the series.

I'm going to start A Grave Robbery today. It's the latest book in the Victoria Speedwell series, published March 12. Once I finish it, that series will be finished as well. Any new books coming out in the future, will be orphans.

[Sarah]

I have fallen off the reading wagon. I have not read anything of my main fiction book for ages. I need to get back on it this week, i had gotten a good momentum on reading again so it's a little frustrating.

[Christine]

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

[Kristie, Moderator]

I've been in and out of a reading slump recently too, Sarah, and understand the frustration. I hope you get your momentum back again soon.

[Christine]

[PattyMacDotComma]

I seem to be tuned into Max Porter's unusual storytelling. Grief is the Thing with Feathers could be a tear-jerker, but isn't. Crow is a raucous, wacky crow-on-the-wall (and often in-the-face) companion to Dad and the two young sons.

Outstanding.
My review of Grief is The Thing With Feathers

[Christine]

[PattyMacDotComma]

Poor old Harry Bosch. Alone again in Trunk Music, but at least Michael Connelly has given him plenty of action to keep him busy. An L.A. murder leads him to Las Vegas, and you know what that means.

My review of Trunk Music-Harry Bosch #5

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finally got a review done. I feel like I've been slacking on writing them lately. Hopefully I'll finish a couple others over the next few days.

my Lost Story review

I'm currently reading The Rescuers for a challenge prompt - a book you haven't read since you were a child. I remembered the gist of the story, but mostly because it was made into a movie that my kids watched. Of course, it's been many years since I read this, but I was surprised by some of the language and things included in the story already.

For example, there seems to be a lot of more difficult words and concepts for children. Words like exquisite, conspicuous, eloquence, rheumatic, and diplomatic immunity, among many others. Also, outdated ideas, such as it's unfair to ask a woman to be brave if she is beautiful (which is considered flattery) and "all women have certain domestic instincts." Plus, there are scenes with the men drinking beer and one whistles at the pretty lady, which was "vulgar." It's so weird to read this all decades later.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I'm still reading Murder by the Book: The Crime That Shocked Dickens's London. I really enjoyed the last chapter, with all the gossip about the writers of the time, including Dickens. :)

I'm starting (as soon as possible) Their Eyes Were Watching God for my book club, and Time of Silence for my Hispanic Literature course. Very excited about both of them.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Oh, and I also listened to The Bicentennial Man this weekend, and finally read both Maus graphic novels.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Mother's Fault by Nicole Trope

[Sarah]

I wasn't getting on with my audiobook as it was a mix of fantasy and sci-fi with unfamiliar names for characters, places and planets. I never had an issue with this before but I'm still not on top form when it comes to reading just yet. So I've put it on my 'started come back later' shelf and picked up Holly on audio instead which I'm instantly loving and paying attention to. Result! I didn't read the King short story which is supposed to proceed this book so hopefully that won't matter too much and I can go back and read that at some point (I do own it).

[Kristie, Moderator]

I don't think missing the short story will be an issue, Sarah. I hope you continue to love it. I thought it was great and creepy. I love Holly Gibney.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished Other Birds for my hike and I must be a bird of a different feather because I thought it was just okay of a read.

I will start A Girl Called Samson today.

[Sarah]

Kristie wrote: "I don't think missing the short story will be an issue, Sarah. I hope you continue to love it. I thought it was great and creepy. I love Holly Gibney."

That is good to know, thank you Kristie, I was hoping someone would jump in on this, I know lots of you have read the Holly stories. Yes I love her too, she is a great character.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

[Christine]

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

[Christine]

[PattyMacDotComma]

I haven't read all of much-loved Aussie author Garry Disher's work, but I can recommend everything I have, and his brand new Sanctuary is right up there.

Grace Latimer is a crook. Well, yes, but she has reasons - give her a break!
My review of Sanctuary

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished the latest installment of Veronica Speedwell, A Grave Robbery and it was my least favourite of the series.
.
Tomorrow, I will start The Dance Tree for the toppler, and the monthly challenge. It's downloaded and ready for tomorrow.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Everywhere You Look by Liv Constantine is the first of six Amazon Original Stories in their Never Tell collection. Secrets and lies abound. I hope I enjoy the next ones more than this.
My review of Everywhere You Look

(They're published separately, so you can take your pick.)

[Christine]

[PattyMacDotComma]

“A lot of people who aren’t Native don’t know this story,“ said Pulitzer Prize winner Tommy Orange about his second book, Wandering Stars. Now there's no excuse for not knowing about the Florida prisons and boarding schools where the Southern Cheyenne were sent.
My review of Wandering Stars

[Christine]

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

[PattyMacDotComma]

What a delightful romp Isabel Allende has written for Amazon Original Stories! Lovers at the Museum has an irritable cop, impulsive lovers, and a magical museum experience.
My review of Lovers at the Museum (with a picture of the fantastical Guggenheim Bilbao)

[Jayme, Moderator]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "What a delightful romp Isabel Allende has written for Amazon Original Stories! Lovers at the Museum has an irritable cop, impulsive lovers, and a magical museum exper..."

Patty that looks like a fun read - just added it to my TBR :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Just started Stalking Jack the Ripper for the annual challenge.

[Cherie]

Kristie wrote: "Currently reading The Secret Book of Flora Lea."

I bought The Secret Book of Flora Lea several months ago and it is sitting on my table next to my recliner, but I just have not had a chance to start it yet.

[Cherie]

I am currently reading In the Sanctuary of Outcasts for my yearly challenge. I am 100 pages in, and it has been pretty interesting so far. I really have spent more time looking things up than I have reading the book this last week.

I just finished listening to the 10th book in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series this morning. I have been enjoying the short audiobooks. I just downloaded # 11, To Be a King. I think there 5 more to finish the series, I started years ago.

I am also reading Last Dance on the Starlight Pier for the monthly challenge. Roz recommended it to me last year, and it came in handy for the word "dance" in the title. It is set on the Island of Galveston, in Texas in the 1930s. I have never read anything about Galveston Island where you are either designated BOI (born on the island) or IBC (Islander by choice).

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm still reading The Humans, besides other books, but it stays hard to focus in this one. I'm determined to finish, because I want to know how it will end for the main character.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

[Janice, Moderator]

The audiobook that I listened to my dad's and back was The Good Wife of Bath which is a retelling of one of Chaucer's The Cantebury Tales. I've been musing over it since I got home, and I think I need to bump it up to 4 stars. Funny, because if I wasn't trapped in the car and listening to the audiobook, I doubt I would have persevered with a print edition. I'm glad I did read it, because there was a lot to digest about the plight of women in the 14th century.

I will start Iron and Magic today.

While home I finished A Girl Called Samson. Amy Harmon can be a hit or miss for me, and while it wasn't a hit, it wasn't a miss either. I did enjoy the book.

I started a short story anthology, Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love, and promptly decided not to go any further than the two stories I read. I'm not sure why I keep trying with short story anthologies. I used to like the Ellergy Queen books. so maybe it's a nostalgic thing.

I was undecided about which book to read next and was leery because I didn't have my hiking plans and didn't want to inadvertently start something slated for the challenge. so checked out Amazon Prime Reading. Where the Forest Meets the Stars has been on and off my wishlist, and here it was for free so I downloaded it and dove in.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm reading The K Team for the yearly challenge.

[Sarah]

I finished Whispers Underground, it was good to get back to the series. I introduced my boyfriend to it and he just listened to the first three books back to back and now hes going to overtake me in the series. Tsk. Anyway, now on to The Power. I'm still listening to Holly, just over hwlf way now, and loving it.

[Lilisa]

I’m still reading The Devil Inside Us by Sabahattin Ali translated from Turkish. I’m not enjoying this one as much as I loved his other book Madonna in a Fur Coat, which read awhile ago.

I needed a break from TDIU so I’m hanging out with one of my favorite fictional characters Guido Brunetti - started the ARC for A Refiner’s Fire by Donna Leon - #33 in the series.

I’m also listening to a cozy mystery Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien - love the title!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Thank goodness I can count on Irish author John Boyne to write interesting, thought-provoking stories. Earth, the latest in his Elements quartet of linked novels, is up there with the best of them.
My review of Earth

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding

[PattyMacDotComma]

Pulitzer winning American author Andrew Sean Greer has written a warm, funny account of his and his mother's road trip, My Mother and Other Wild Animals. They are great friends but mismatched travel companions. It's short and enjoyable.
My review of My Mother and Other Wild Animals