Apr 2024 Boogy Down and Done Reporting

[Janice, Moderator]

Disco is a genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the 1970s from the United States' urban nightlife scene. Its sound is typified by four-on-the-floor beats, syncopated basslines, string sections, brass and horns, electric piano, synthesizers, and electric rhythm guitars.

Let's put on our dancing shoes and dance our way through April, focusing on Disco.

Read a book that is set in the 1970's;
or has a musical instrument on the cover;
or has one of the following words in the title:
- Disco,
- Dance (Dancing, Danced, Dancer, Dances
- Nightlife

Reporting:

List your WoF name, link to the book you read and tell us which task you chose and how your selection fit the book. Also give us a small blurb of what you thought about the book.

[Marnie]

WoF Marnie

I read The Coroner's Lunch: A Dr Siri Murder Mystery by Colin Cotterill which is set in 1976 Laos.

I was charmed by the mc Dr Siri Paiboun. He is a 72 year old coroner that must get around the bureaucracy of his government and office. He has a quiet dignity about him. The side characters are good too. I gave it 4 stars and will probably keep reading this series.

[Sharon]

WoFSharonBiskit

I read Carrie by Stephen King. This is a book that is set in the 70s in Maine. It is an early, early book by King. It centers around Carrie who has telekinetic powers and who is bullied mercilessly at school as well as being verbally, emotionally and sometimes physically abused at home. Carrie has enough and loses her temper…to say the least.

I had seen the movie but never read the book. The book was really so much better. I gave it a high rating of four stars.

[Janice, Moderator]

WoF Janice

I read The Dance Tree which has the word "Dance" in the title. It took almost too long for the book to pick up it's pace and get into the flow of the story. Looking back, I can see that the author was setting the backdrop and atmosphere of the story. Definitely, the story was atmospheric. 3-1/2 stars rounded up to 4.

[Trudy]

WofF TrudyAn

I read The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave; "dance" in the title (256 pp).

The book was well written, and I enjoyed learning about Strasbourg in 1518, where a dancing plague (or mania) left many people dead. I had difficulty connecting with the characters as I found most of them were unlikeable. I would have liked to learn more of Nethe's story.

[Janice, Moderator]

I agree. We didn't get much of Nethe's story, did we? She was an interesting character.

[Silver]

WoF: Silver

I read Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell

This book was set in 1976

One interesting thing I learned from this book was that the U.K. Went through a unprecedented heatwave during this time which lead to a drought and various water restrictions because of it. Being from California there was a lot about that I could relate to.

I found the book to be quite entertaining and well written. It was a charming story of family without being too sentimental or sappy for my taste. The characters were well developed and interesting. I liked the satirical wry humor which was a nice counterbalance to some of the more dramatic aspects of the book.

[Grainne]

WoF: Grainne

I read Night Swim and it's set in the 70's.

The book name dropped a bunch of famous 70's musicians as both the main character and her brother are interested in the music scene. It delves into the relationship between the MC and her family and their nuances. It covers topics like addiction, driving under the influence, music, public perception, abortion, private life, and the gap between the two. I would read a sequel if there was one because I am curious about the MC's life after high school.

[Cherie]

WoF Cherie[

I read [book:Last Dance on the Starlight Pier|57693319].
I chose this one for the task with the word "Dance" in the title.
The word "Dance" is in the title.

It was a good story. It was well written. The story had several surprising occurrences that I did not expect and kept me coming back, but on the whole, I thought it was just a little TOO long. It felt like it dragged at the end. If you want some Great Depression scenes, some knowledge about the workings of Dance Marathons during the 1930s, and some insider knowledge of Galveston Island and the Sicilian brothers who ran it, it is your go to book. The author gave a very fulfilling inside story in her Author's Notes, and some good reading recommendations for more information. Roz recommended the book to me last year and we both gave it a solid 4 stars.

[Ammee]

WOF Ammee R.

I read Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon. I chose it for the task having Dancing in the title

I read it pretty much in one day. I grabbed it because I thought it was going to be a cute love story and i have read a lot of heavy items lately. This book broke my heart. I honestly feel like i cried the last 8 chapters. It was an amazing book and would recommend people to read it. However I would say bring tissues. I would give it 4.5-5 stars.

[Shirley]

WoF Shirley
I read Clock Dance
The task I chose was to read a book with “dance” in the title.
This book’s title includes the word “dance”.
Ann Tyler is an author whose books I always enjoy reading, and this one didn’t disappoint. She has an easy style of writing that suits the story. It’s not action-packed and there are no dramatics. - just the story of a woman in her later years who is trying to find some meaning and purpose in her life. The ending is a bit abrupt, but it’s satisfying.

[Katrisa]

WoF Katrisa

I ended up choosing The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music because my original choice ended up having a different cover so I couldn't use it.
This is the cover of the Soloist that I listened to - it has an instrument on the cover

It was a pretty good book. It was a nonfiction book about a journalist who writes a story about a man in his 50s who lives on the streets of LA who plays violin and has Schizophrenia and ends up becoming friends with him. I really sympathized with the author as he confronts different ways that our mental health care system is difficult as well as the difficulties of having a mental illness and refusing treatment as I live with my adult daughter who has some pretty severe mental health issues so all those issues are close to my heart. I know about the constant cycle of hope that your loved one will get better then to have that hope dashed and fall into despair that it will never get better only to hope again. I give the book 3.5 stars.

[Janice, Moderator]

Did the book give you any ideas on how do cope, Katrisa? My son has untreated mental health issues. He's not dealing with his grandfather's death and has isolated.

[Kristie, Moderator]

WoF: Kristie

I read Her Last First Dance. I chose it because it has "dance" in the title.

I thought the book was decent. It was sweet how everyone stepped up to take care of the baby left behind. Unfortunately, I didn't always love our two MCs. Overall, good enough quick read.

[Janice, Moderator]

You did it, Kristie. :)

[Katrisa]

Janice wrote: "Did the book give you any ideas on how do cope, Katrisa? My son has untreated mental health issues. He's not dealing with his grandfather's death and has isolated."

Unfortunately not really. Mental health care is such a tricky issue because many people refuse treatment or medication and there is little anyone can do about it. In the book it pretty much just came down to how much the street musician wanted to cooperate with the various programs.

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks Katrisa. I thought maybe the book might has some insights on how I could cope with my son's issues.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "You did it, Kristie. :)"

I ended up having less than 1/2 hour to listen to this morning so it wasn't too bad. :)

[Jenn]

WoF - Jenn

I read Dance with the Wind which has Dance in the title.

Ylena has lived her entire life outside "the City", but when she busts out and enters the city nothing is what she thought. Now she has to stay alive long enough to figure out her place in the intrigue.
Fun fantasy, good world building, bit of romance. I will look for the next in the series.

[Janice, Moderator]

Badges have been posted. Please let me know if I missed anyone.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "Badges have been posted. Please let me know if I missed anyone."

I'd like a boogie badge, please. :)

[Katrisa]

I also would like a badge please

[Janice, Moderator]

Yikes! Sorry. I always mark off that I've posted an individual's badge on my spreadsheet. And this time I didn't. Why mess with tried and true methods.

Sorry Kristie & Katrisa. Your badges are there now.

[Janice, Moderator]

Good grief. It looks like I got side tracked and didn't finish posting badges, because there were three others I missed.

[Katrisa]

thanks Janice!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks, Janice! :)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Completely missed how organised you were, Janice. Just so we know I participated (but don't need a badge - you snooze, you loose)

WoF - Rusalka
I read Nightlife
Which has the word "Nightlife" in the title ;)

I did not enjoy this book. I was hoping for another urban fantasy series to sink my teeth in to, but it will not be this one. It's the story of Cal and Niko, brothers who are constantly on the run from some supernatural baddies, one of which is Cal's dad.

I found it mean spirited with not many characters I wanted to spend time with. The writing was clunky and annoying - I have 5 brothers and I can guarantee none of us refer to each other as "little brother" and "big brother" unless taking the piss and where here it was almost constant in how they talked to each other. And about a quarter of the book is a main character's internal monologue. Don't recommend.