Book Loving Kiwis discussion
Reading Challenges
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BOOK POOL CHALLENGE - FEB/MARCH '24
Mod
#6Title: A Midsummer's Night Dream - William Shakespeare
Two Stars
Date Finished: 12th February
Books Read: 1
I didn't care for it but I wanted to at least try and read it.
I've started The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Physical book) and Sawkill Girls (Audiobook).
A Midsummer Night’s Dream13 Feb
3.5 ⭐️
#3
I studied A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the 5th form and haven’t read it since then. It was great to have another ‘excuse’ to read it again! I really liked the impish comedy of the play within a play. I’m more of a Sonnet reader than a play reader but really enjoyed this reading of the play. I might branch out and read another after the book challenge. Maybe Romeo & Juliet!
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler17 Feb
4 stars
#4
I wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed this book. Time travel meets historical fiction.
Book TitleBelladonna
Rating
3.5 stars
Date finished
17th Feb
# of books from pool you've read
number 3
Thoughts on the book
Very much a genre book following genre patterns for its readers.
I found MC Signa most irritating and I did wonder about the amount of erotic sexual scens in the book as it's meant to be YA.
An okay read
Book Title'The Animals in that Country'
Rating
1 stars
Date finished
17th Feb
# of books from pool you've read
number 4
Thoughts on the book
I started this bk in the p.m. and tried very hard to get into it. In the end I managed the first 40 pages, checked out the middle pages and the end and still couldn't get up the enthusiasm to read it cover to cover.
Shuggie Bain, by Douglas Stuart2 stars
Finished 16 Feb.
Book #2
490 pages of misery. I would have abandoned it at 30% in except for this challenge. I hoped for some relief, but no.
Why do prize winning books seem to be so drear, and overworded?
Mod
2 stars
Finished 16 Feb.
Book #2
490 pages of misery. I would have abandoned it at 30% in except for this challenge. I hoped for some relief, but no.
Why do prize wi..."
Yeah Douglas Stuart's books are a bit relentless like that - but I guess that's the reality of some people's lives :(
I've updated scores.
I'm almost at the end of Homecoming and have read the first third of Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency. I like dipping in and out of a non-fiction book while I'm reading long fiction.
Hope everyone's had a great weekend.
Interesting to see everyone's choices and comments. I love this challenge :)
Book #1The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean Mckay
2 stars
Finished 18.2.24
Well ... I'll start by saying I've been really looking forward to this. I love the idea - a highly contagious, flu-like illness which gives the sick the ability to communicate with animals.
But it just didn’t deliver. There is humour and loss, and it provided a different perspective around our relationship with animals which is good to reflect on, but overall not a win for me.
Mr Allbones' Ferrets, by Fiona Farrell4+ stars
Finished 19 Feb.
Book #3
Fiction based on NZ history, a very good interweaving of fact and fiction.
book number 5Throne of Glass
Rating
3.5 stars
Date finished
19th Feb
# of books from pool you've read
number 5
Thoughts on the book
Typical Fantasy Genre.
Here we go again. Young damage female with superb powers/skills/ in a bad situation. Always beautiful of course, always young men lusting after her. Exciting fantasy plot lots of battles/challenges she only just manages to win through until the biggie at the end. Part of a series so cliff hanger ending.
SIGH!!!!!
I do wonder what it does to young adults and older teens to always have these gorgeous female heroines. And I do get cross when they fight with their 'lovely long hair' flying in the breeze!! I know it's fantasy but really? Even plaited hair or a braid is not good to fight with. Too easy to catch hold of.
The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay20 Feb
3 stars
Book #5
I enjoyed this book but as one of my book group friends often says, it could have been more heavily edited. I stuck with the book because the characters were interesting, especially Sue, a dingo - and Jean, a hard-drinking wildlife park guide and grandmother.
I finished the book this morning but I'm still thinking about it which is a good sign!
Mod
3*
21 February
Book #2
Has anyone watched that Aussie TV show A Place to Call Home? Set around a grand old house in the middle of the Outback? This book felt like going inside that show and that scene. I enjoyed the reading experience but couldn't help but feel like I'd read the story before - didn't feel that original. Enjoyable nonetheless so 3*
Mod
Scores all updated.
Powerless4.5 stars
#1
I was hooked. Reminded me of the hunger games and the prison healer series. Can see why it is currently one of the top rated fantasy books and I’m now looking forward to the second book when it’s released in July. Very much YA, and I enjoyed the slow burn romance and aspects of a love triangle. No spice so definitely suited for younger readers. I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile
Finished powerless 22 FebForgot that bit
#6Title: Sawkill Girls - Clare Legrand
Two Stars
Date Finished: 22nd February
Books Read: 2
This was completely out of my usual choice, I don't know if maybe the format I choose also meant that I just never connected to it as well.
Once Upon a Broken HeartRating
4 stars
Date finished
21st Feb
# of books from pool you've read
number 6
Thoughts on the book
Now this is fantasy with a touch of originality. It needed a bit of editing to tighten up a few plot sags but it was wryly amusing and the author had some excellent plot twisty surprises. This is an author who managed the genre tropes with imagination.
I've ordered the other two books in the series to see if she can hold us to the end!
Stacey-Beth wrote: "Powerless4.5 stars
#1
I was hooked. Reminded me of the hunger games and the prison healer series. Can see why it is currently one of the top rated fantasy books and I’m now looking forward to th..."
I've just started Powerless and yes, Hunger Games it is. The author has written some strong characters though which are reader enticing.
The Girl in the Mirror, by Rose Carlyle4 stars
Finished 22 Feb
Book #4
Fiction by NZ author, though set between Australia, Thailand & Seychelles. Not as lightweight as the title suggests - it builds up to become a thriller with several twists. A sail through the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean added to its appeal to me.
'Powerless'Rating
4 stars
Date finished
24th Feb
# of books from pool you've read
number 7
Thoughts on the book
The well written and rounded characters make up a little for the lack of originality and the copied Hunger Games plot. I do worry that all the overdone sexual tension with so much 'magical thrilling touching' is going to give girls the wrong overblown ideas - yet again - about the reality of crushes and falling in love!!!
This author has studied her genre and uses the tropes well. We end on that cliff hanger and the taster pages from the next book do that too. Clever author.
Mod
4 stars
Finished 22 Feb
Book #4
Fiction by NZ author, though set between Australia, Thailand & Seychelles. Not as lightweight as the title suggests - it buil..."
I've had this on my TBR for ages - will try to get to it in March :)
Scores updated.
The Postcard by Anne Berest4 stars
24 Feb
#2
A good read and not as harrowing as some Holocaust novels as it focuses more on a family's legacy from those days and how the current generation tries to work out what happened and how from government records, old letters, notebooks, published memoirs. I believe it's partly based on the author's own family story and written as 'autofiction'.
The Winter Dress by Lauren Chater4 stars
25 Feb
Book #6
Historical fiction at its best with two strands running through the book: 17th century Holland and academic textile research in the 21st century. The characters are richly developed and the subject matter was interesting - diving, shipwrecks, textile history, art and the history of etiquette in the 17th century. It was all fascinating and I enjoyed the book immensely.
Book TitleOn Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
Rating
4 stars
Date finished
26th Feb
# of books from pool you've read
number 8
Thoughts on the book
I've been reading this book in little snatches every day since the challenge began. Oh, such a hard read. All that pain - the results of the Indo-Chinese war - particularly Vietnam. A man looking back at his life in America and trying to lay to rest the problems and pain his mother went through and gave to him. The author is a poet and he writes like on too!
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong2+ stars
Finished 26 Feb
Book #5
Some good writing here but overall it's another book I wish I hadn't read. There are some horrible scenes that I will have to work to erase from my mind.
#6Title: The Sisterhoods of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares
Three Stars
Date Finished: 27th February
Books Read: 3
Your usualy young adult/teen book, aimed at teen girls. Expect to get the usual feels in a decently light read.
Less then 300 pages.
I'm currently listening Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans, I went in blind and I'm three chapters in and am enjoying it the most out of the last three books I've read/listened to.
Mod
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
Haven't written my review yet, but I'm thinking 4.5★
Date Finished: 27th February
Books read: now 2
Like PDR this was a slow read for me & I read it while reading another book. Beautifully written but the subject matter was often so sensitive, so painful.
I'm going to have to read something light next!
Mod
Scores updated.
I'm in the middle of two books which I'm hoping to finish in the next couple of days but then I can't decide what to read next! So many options.
The Penguin New Zealand Anthology: 50 Stories for 50 Years in Aotearoa 5 stars
Finished 28 Feb
Book #6
I’ve been reading a couple of stories a day throughout the month. As you may expect with such a collection, some you rate higher than others, but all are worth reading.
The Midnight Library.3.5 +
Date finished
28th Feb
# of books from pool you've read
number 9
Thoughts on the book
Nice quick read in the large print version. I nearly gave up with all the gloom, doom and self harm stuff. The book needs a suicide warning which is why I marked it down. BUT it worked through to a strong upbeat ending.
Mod
5 stars
Finished 28 Feb
Book #6
I’ve been reading a couple of stories a day throughout the month. As you may expect with s..."
I've just put this on reserve at the library- love a short story so hoping to discover some great reads and some new authors.
The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig4 stars
Finished 29 Feb
Book #7
Just got this finished in time, and it seems a good one on which to finish the challenge. A bit preachy in parts and one has to suppress questions about the whole premise, but worth reading overall.
Mod
The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
29 Feb
Book #7
I’m not going to say much about this book because it’s a thriller and I don’t want to give the game away. But I gave it FOUR stars, which indicates I liked it a lot!
Twisty twisty plot.
Erica wrote: "The Challenge goes for 2 months, until end of March. We found in earlier years one month just wasn't long enough to get stuck in :)"Noted, thanks Erica. I stocked up on (bought) a raft of the nominated books prior to the Feb. 1 start and still have several onhand unread, so I'll continue with those. Cheers.
Book TitleFlawless My Dear
Rating
3 stars
Date finished
1st March
# of books from pool you've read
number 10
Thoughts on the book
A dip in it book for a chuckle if you're up on the Regency behaviour and habits. Needs reading in small doses over a week or so.
Book TitleVictory City
Rating
2 stars
Date finished
29th Feb
# of books from pool you've read
number 11
Thoughts on the book
I have tried so hard to read this book. I don't know if it's the puffery around Rushdie's writing and the screams of praise which lead me to expect great reading, but I found the book dull and a bit boring. I could only manage the first part, a chunk of the second, and then the last three chapters, Even trying all that I still couldn't work up enthusiasm to read the book seriously with enjoyment.
Mod
Erica wrote: "Hi P.D.R, you've got to reviews for Flawless my dear. Assume.one is for a different book?"Oops! It's my arthritic hands sliding around. I thought I'd lost my first efforts!! My hands wobble and this keyboard is too sensitive. Have to afford a new key board which doesn't have raised keys and a sensitive habit!!! Sorry Erica.
Mod
4*
1 March
Book #3
I really enjoy art in all it's different forms and find it interesting to think about the importance of art. These book was a collection of Olivia Laing's non-fiction writings about art and artists. She's a brilliant writer and I'll definitely check out more of her work. I was disappointed that the book finished on what I thought was the least interesting and most pretentious interviews but I really enjoyed everything before that :)
Mod
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
29 Feb
Book #8
I’m not going to say much about this book because it’s a thriller and I don’t want to give the game away. But I gave it FOUR stars, ..."
I've updated all the scores. Jennifer I think this was your book 7, but check for me :)
Erica wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
29 Feb
Book #8
I’m not going to say much about this book because it’s a thriller and I don’t want to give the game away. But I gav..."
Yes, it's number 7 - sorry - I wrote it on my phone which is always harder than the desktop! :)
Mod
Portrait of the Artist's Wife
4*
2 March
Book #4
I really enjoyed this story. Parts even set in Wellington :) She's got a great writing style. If you like Fiona Kidman then this will probably be up your alley.
Book Loving Kiwis
Books mentioned in this topic
The Postcard (other topics)Victory City (other topics)
Missus (other topics)
Homecoming (other topics)
The Penguin New Zealand Anthology: 50 Stories for 50 Years in Aotearoa (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Christiane Ritter (other topics)Christiane Ritter (other topics)
Bonnie Garmus (other topics)
Annabel Abbs (other topics)
Crooked Heart
4.5★
Date finished: 11th of Feb
My first book.
The title may give you the idea its a romance but it is not. It is about England in WW2 & how not every person turned magically into a hero. Think Walker from Dad's Army.