What Are You Reading - 2024

[PattyMacDotComma]

I like this children's series that celebrates Big Dreamers. It shows the Little People they once were. Rafa Nadal by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara (aka Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara) is about a favourite tennis champion many of us love seeing on the courts.
My review of Rafa Nadal with several illustrations

[Sarah]

I am really pleased 5o hear that, PattyMacDotComma.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished Dissolution last night. It felt like it took forever to read it. I kept thinking that it was much like The Name of the Rose, though I don't remember anything about that book. Maybe I was connecting murder at a monastery.

ETA: I just read the book blurb for Name of the Rose, and they were investigating heresy and not murder.

I will start Tumbling tonight.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I just finished Kind Is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously. It was an okay read.

I'm not sure what I want to start. I think a short book would be better before the toppler, but I have a couple of library books out that need to go back not long after the toppler as well so maybe I'll start one of those. I'll see what I'm in the mood for tomorrow.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise today on audiobook. With only two days to go to the toppler, I think I will listen to some short stories rather than start a full novel.

[Christine]

[Sandra, Moderator]

Since I enjoyed Black Boy so much, I decided to keep going with Richard Wright and started Native Son.
I'm also listening to The Life of Frederick Douglas

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called One by One by Freida McFadden

[Christine]

[PattyMacDotComma]

Janice wrote: "I finished Dissolution last night. It felt like it took forever to read it. I kept thinking that it was much like The Name of the Rose, though I don't remember anythin..."

I love the Shardlake series, Janice. I liked how C.J. Sansom showed the difficulties of a lawyer trying to work for/with Cromwell and keep a sense of morality.

[PattyMacDotComma]

L'Air du Temps (1985) by Diane Greco Josefowicz opens with a murder and becomes a thoughtful insight into a 13-year-old who starts to question what's going on with her parents. A good read.

My review of L'Air du Temps (1985)

[PattyMacDotComma]

Buzz Books 2024: Fall/Winter is another huge collection of chapters and excerpts from upcoming books. Great resource - I selected a few that interested me.
My notes with quotes on Buzz Books 2024 Fall/Winter and a link where you can get this free

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called In a Child's Name: The Legacy of a Mother's Murder by Peter Maas

[Sarah]

I started The Midnight Library on audiobook for the toppler and I'm enjoying it so far. I also started another audio, just before the toppler - Small Talk: 10 ADHD lies and how to stop believing them. Struggling more with my actual books at the moment, I've really gotten in to audio at the moment. Maybe I won't worry about it too much and go with it for a while.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sarah, I find that some times audios are much easier for me as well. I think you need to just go with it and enjoy your reading however you enjoy it. It's a hobby, it's meant to be fun, and if audio is better for you right now, then there is nothing wrong with that shift.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I just finished Beyond That, the Sea. It was a slow moving, character driven novel. I thought it was very well written and I enjoyed it a lot. I loved that the characters had good and not so good qualities. They made mistakes and you got frustrated with them, but no one was just a cookie cutter character.

I am currently reading The Nature of Disappearing. I'm just about to finish it up and so far I thought it was really good there was a smidge of repetition of thought, which I don't tend to enjoy, but the story has gone back and forth in time adding new layers, which I thought was great. I really like the direction the story has gone so far and I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.

I am about to start The Paradise Problem. I am looking forward to the shift in genres again.

[Sarah]

Kristie wrote: "Sarah, I find that some times audios are much easier for me as well. I think you need to just go with it and enjoy your reading however you enjoy it. It's a hobby, it's meant to be fun, and if audi..."

Thanks Kristie. I think the amount of kindle books I own is what is making me give myself a hard time over it lol. But i have less interest in many of the books i have at the moment. You're right, reading is supposed to be enjoyable, so I'll stick with the audios. And maybe, if im struggling with the ebook, shelf it and try another as it might be the book and not me.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Good plan, Sarah.

I finished The Nature of Disappearing, which I thought was great and started The Paradise Problem. I'm not initially in love with The Paradise Problem. I don't particularly like either MC and can't really relate to either of them. I'm hoping they grow on me.

[PattyMacDotComma]

A Darkness More Than Night is one of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series, but you can easily enjoy it as a standalone. It's also a great series. 😊
My review of A Darkness More than Night

[Janice, Moderator]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Janice wrote: "I finished Dissolution last night. It felt like it took forever to read it. I kept thinking that it was much like The Name of the Rose, though I don't r..."

I have several books in the series, and I'm hoping they grow on me.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Guest by B.A. Paris

[Janice, Moderator]

I read 4 books for the toppler. I'm currently working on Tumbling for my hiking challenge. Tomorrow, I will start The Frozen River for the themed read.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Out on a road trip with the hubby. Listening to Dog Day Afternoon, the newest in the Andy Carpenter series. (Can’t link on the app.)

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The New Couple by Alison James

[PattyMacDotComma]

I've finally read a book by acclaimed Ojibway author Richard Wagamese. His Medicine Walk is outstanding.

My review of Medicine Walk with a few long quotations to give a sense of his writing

[Sarah]

I finished The Midnight Library last week for the toppler. I am about 65% through Small Talk: 10 ADHD lies and how to stop believing them which I'm really enjoying. I picked up Death Note: Black Edition, Vol. 1, a manga novel, as it's about all my covid brain can manage at the moment.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called White Lies by Lucy Dawson

[Kristie, Moderator]

I've just written my reviews for my toppler books and the one I read right after. I really enjoyed all of them.

- my Nature of Disappearing review
- my Dog Day Afternoon review
- my Paradise Problem review
- my Beyond That, the Sea review

I am currently reading The Frozen River for the group read and enjoying that one too. Seems like a good reading month! :)

[Janice, Moderator]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I've finally read a book by acclaimed Ojibway author Richard Wagamese. His Medicine Walk is outstanding.

My review of Medicine W..."

I really enjoy his books. Our book club has read 2 of them and both were a hit.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Janice wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I've finally read a book by acclaimed Ojibway author Richard Wagamese. His Medicine Walk is outstanding.

[bookcover:Medicine Walk|18050139..."

Always good to hear that, Janice.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Storm Child by Aussie author Michael Robotham is the latest in his always excellent Cyrus Haven series. The action is in Scotland this time. I wish this unsettling, timely story weren't so believable.
My review of Storm Child

[PattyMacDotComma]

Gotta love a feisty role model who sticks to her standards. Taylor Swift by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a well-illustrated children's bio of this popular entertainer who seems to be right up there with Elvis and the Beatles when it comes to her fans - the Swifties. Nice girl.
My review of Taylor Swift with several illustrations that do her justice

[Janice, Moderator]

I've bailed on Nefertiti. It's rather boring. Problem is, it's a hiking challenge book. But, I bought Weyward the other day, and it will fit. I started it last night and am at 10% already. It drew me in right from the start,

[Sarah]

It has a nice cover Janice!

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Don't Ever Tell by Lucy Dawson

[Janice, Moderator]

I just finished The Frozen River on audiobook. I will start Portrait in Death tomorrow.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea

[PattyMacDotComma]

TIME Magazine called a song about lynching, "Strange Fruit", the song of the 20th century. How Percival Everett managed to write a satire about such a subject, The Trees, and make it laugh-out-loud funny is beyond me.
My review of The Trees

Shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize - no wonder.

[Christine]

[PattyMacDotComma]

I thoroughly enjoyed the one-hour audio of Don Winslow's short story, Dietrich, narrated perfectly by award-winning actor Ed Harris. It's the Son of Sam summer in NYC, 1977, so it's hard to find spare cops to investigate the murder of a homeless man.
My review of Dietrich

Free for Audible subscribers.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Starry, Starry Night: Three Holiday Stories by Lurlene McDaniel

[PattyMacDotComma]

This classic short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, by Ambrose Bierce, takes place during the American Civil War and is well worth a read today.
My review of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge with a link to the story

[PattyMacDotComma]

A favourite actor, Ed Harris, is the perfect reader for Don Winslow's short story about 5 seventeen-year old boys, planning to go to Oregon to avoid the Vietnam draft.
My review of Oregon

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called The Magic Of A Family Christmas by Susan Meier

[PattyMacDotComma]

I've recently read a couple of old-fashioned, classic, spooky tales that would be perfect for a chilly night around the fire.

My brief reviews have links to where you can read them or save them for yourself.

The Bottle Imp by Robert Louis Stevenson
My review of The Bottle Imp
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs
My review of The Monkey's Paw

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished Bride for my hiking challenge. A Tale for the Time Being was a dnf for the monthly challenge.

I started The Body Counter on print last night for the hiking challenge, and will start The Neon Rain tomorrow on audio (also for the hiking challenge).

[Kristie, Moderator]

Did you end up reading something else for the monthly challenge, Janice?

I am wrapping up She's Not Sorry and planning to start a monthly challenge book, but I don't think I'll have time for any of the ones I was hoping to read, so I'm not sure what I'm going to start next.

Edit: I finished She's Not Sorry tonight and will decide what to start next in the morning.

[Christine]

I’m reading a book called Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber

[Sarah]

I've finished listening to Small Talk: 10 ADHD lies and how to stop believing them which was really good. I follow the couple on instagram and it was nice they narrated the audiobook. Some really valuable content. Now moving on to Circe which I've chosen for the July group theme. I had planned on reading another book then realised this one fit the theme so switched.