Retired: What are you reading? Showing 5,001-5,050 of 5,490

[Faith]

My review of My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson

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

[Faith]

My review of The Ones Who Don't Say They Love You: Stories by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

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

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

https://shows.acast.com/libromania/ep...

Podcast. Ron rash first guest.

[Book Concierge]

My Invented Country – Isabel Allende – 3.5***
In this memoir, Allende looks at her own family history as well as the history of her native country, Chile. She explores the social conventions, politics, natural terrain, geographical difficulties and advantages of this unique land. It’s a story full of mythology – from national legends, to her own family’s stories. Here are the roots of her ability to seamlessly weave elements of magical realism into her novels.
My full review HERE

[Patricia]

Just finished The Truest Pleasure. I love Morgan's writing. This one takes place in North Carolina mountains in early 1900's. Story of a marriage and living on the land.

[Vicki]

Just finished Ethan Hawke’s new novel, which I enjoyed between cringes. The man can write!

[Sara]

Patricia wrote: "Just finished The Truest Pleasure. I love Morgan's writing. This one takes place in North Carolina mountains in early 1900's. Story of a marriage and living on the land."

I read Gap Creek years ago (before GR) and remember being dissatisfied for some reason. I rated it 2-stars when I put it up here, but that was a retrospect rating. I wonder if I should give him another go, because this does sound like a book that I would find interesting. Thanks for putting him back on my radar, Patricia.

[Book Concierge]

Cutting For Stone – Abraham Verghese – 5***** and a ❤
This is an epic story of twin boys, born of an Indian nun and a British surgeon in an Ethiopian hospital, but raised by two other Indian physicians and the staff of Missing Hospital. Verghesse is a masterful storyteller, who wields his pen with surgical precision. The landscape and characters come to life on the page, letting the reader experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of Ethiopia and the hospitals both there and in New York where Marion finishes his training.
My full review HERE

[Sheila]

I'm reading Charles Frazier's Nightwoods. I'm enjoying the way he draws out the story and describes the characters by their actions. There is a sense of dry humor. Not much dialogue - more storytelling.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

That may be my favorite of his. When I met Frazier he was very proud of that writing. The old lodge (hope i remember correctly) seemed to be its own character.

[Sheila]

Yes, the environment in general. Just got to the dark pit, which I know will play a role in the story. I think it’s oil?

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I just received an email from Homer Hickam, who graciously participated in an author Q&A some years back. 21 years after Rocket Boys, he has written another memoir, Don't Blow Yourself Up: The Further True Adventures and Travails of the Rocket Boy of October Sky. Homer has this to say about it.

The memoir is doing very well. All good reviews so far. It was time to write it after 21 years post-Rocket Boys. 40 years in 400 pages. 1960-2000. After the book and movie came out, my life changed. This is about all the adventures and travails before. And this way, I have at least another memoir in me to include the dinosaur hunting, on the board of Space Camp, National Space Council, lots of travel & adventures around the world, and, who knows, maybe a flight into space? We shall see!

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Thanks Tom. I'll have to look for that. Sounds good.

[Sara]

Thank you for sharing, Tom.

[John]

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
★★

I listened to this audiobook, the initial book in a two book series, after first listening to the second. I found the second book uproariously funny and had high hopes for the first. The first had its occasional humorous moments but generally it paled in comparision. Additionally, I fouund the narrator voice for the protagonist unbelieveable. I couldn't connect with a Floridian named Yancy with a Bronx accent. It also didn't help that the narrator rarely changed his voice between male and female characters. I would recommend that the reader forego this book and go directly the second one. For my complete review, please click here.

[Cathrine ☯️]

Hannah Coulter A woman after my own heart.

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

[Faith]

My review of Freeman by Leonard Pitts Jr.

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

[Book Concierge]

Concrete Rose – Angie Thomas – 4****
In this prequel to The Hate U Give , Thomas gives us the young Maverick Carter, a 17-year-old gang member struggling to find his path to manhood. I can really see how this young man, hardly out of childhood, is being influenced – by his peers, by his parents, by other adults in his neighborhood and school, and by the expectations of society. Thomas writes about a realistic urban environment for many families, with brutal honesty and empathy. She does not shy away from the serious social issues facing these families, nor does she offer platitudes or pat answers on how to address these issues.
My full review HERE

[Sheila]

Book Concierge wrote: "

Concrete Rose
– Angie Thomas – 4****
In this prequel to
The Hate U Give
, Thomas gives us the young Maverick Carter, a 17-year-old gang member struggling ..."

I enjoyed the Hate You Give. Will have to check this one out.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I started reading:


Gone South by Robert R. McCammon

[Carol]

I highly recommend “The Life She Wished to Live” the new biography by Ann McCutchan about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings! It gives fascinating context/background to the author and the creation of wonderful books such as The Yearling and South Moon Under. It also details her relationships with other notable authors of the time such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Martha Mitchell and Zora Neale Hurston. A great read!

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I have that on my list Carol. I love Rawlings' books. Good to know you enjoyed it.

[Sara]

Thanks, Carol. I have added it to my TBR.

[Faith]

My review of The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage

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

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Highly recommend the power of the dog to anyone. Also the less you read what it’s about, The better the experience, imo. Nice review Faith. I was pleasantly surprised with movie. Make sure you read the thomas savage book, another book same title different author.

I love a good western thrown into my southern reads.

[Sara]

I have it on my TBR already, Faith. I will read your review after reading the book, but thanks to you and Laura, I will pop this up to the "short-list".

[Book Concierge]

Being Mortal – Atul Gawande – 5*****
I re-read this for my F2F book club meeting. I’m older now and the issues are more personal, rather than just familial. Wonderful discussion at book club, and continued discussions with my husband and brothers. READ IT!
My full review HERE But skip the review and just read this book!

[Cathrine ☯️]

I'm pretty sure I first added The Power of the Dog to my TBR after recommendations from SLT. I have failed to get to it and could not hold off on the Netflix film after seeing so many rave reviews. Watched it last night and will watch it again tonight.
Wow! What a story, what a film. Any of you seen it yet? Any comparisons you can share to the book? I'm discussing it in another group.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

The book is better than the film

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Cathrine, surprised how much was similar. One thing I loved from book that’s not in movie, the tumbleweed arrangement Rose arranges for the governor visit. That’s when Phil realizes there’s more depth to Rose than he first thought.

In movie less emphasis on Rose’s first husband as well as the parents of Phil/George that book allowed. But I didn’t miss that

I will say I enjoyed the movie more bc I had read book and I knew exactly what was going on.

Both book and movie are slow burns.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Agree book is better but movie is fabulous. It did the book justice, imo. My advice has been read book with no looking ahead, then watch movie and I don’t recommend the book to those who I don’t think can appreciate it. It’s on my favorite list so I’m a little protective.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Watched the movie last night. I read the book a few years ago, and that added to my knowledge of what was going on in the film. Went back this morning to reread the last chapter and was amazed that a lot of the dialog and scenes were verbatim. As Dave said, the book was better, but the books ending was shocking, the movie less so because I knew what had happened.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Cinematography was gorgeous.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I loved that Phil “knew” what the boy had done. Full circle….he had been played like he was used to doing to others.

[Cathrine ☯️]

Full circle indeed.
I was so immersed from the get go. A couple people told me they were a bit confused about what happened and with the ending. Even though I did not read the book, it was very clear to me. It was disturbing from the beginning and kept the viewer, and I assume the reader, in a constant state of apprehension and dread at what was around the corner. Just brilliant cinematography, acting, and story.
I did not fully understand the biblical reference/title and did some searching:

https://screenrant.com/power-dog-movi...

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Excellent article Cathrine, thank you. It was a dark and brooding film, not my usual choice, but I wasn't going to miss it.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

No way do I buy that Phil is the “darling”…. If I had to choose, Peter is the “darling”. Interesting article, I try not to overthink my readings, I’ll leave that to the professors.

I think this being written in 1967 is also unbelievable with all the issues being addressed, but not so openly. In book, it’s very clear Phil is an open bigot.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Question for movie watchers, did you see what Phil/Peter saw when looking out at the mountains? I did not. I saw on big screen so no pause etc.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I did not either. It was filmed in New Zealand, so impossible for film makers to find a mountain that looked like a dog. It needed to be obscure to jmpress Phil.
I thought "my darling" was the mother.

[Cathrine ☯️]

I saw it right away, but only when he was looking at it with Peter. My husband did not.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

I noticed it. It was a beautiful film in terms of cinematography

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

I think the film lacked the nuance of the book, but that's not uncommon. Benedit Cumberbatch is a fabulous actor, but as it's been pointed out, when he plays an American it looks like he's acting.

[Sue]

I just put the book on hold but there are 15 before me so I may watch the film first. If I wait, it may be gone from Netflix!

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I was fortunate that I do not think I had ever seen the actor play in anything before he played the role of Phil. I really don’t watch a ton of movies. Note: the boy is same actor who played the boy in the film The Road, based on cormac’s book. And of course, I do remember Kirsten Dunst from Interview with a Vampire, based on anne rice book.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Benecdit Cumberbatch is a huge presence on stage and screen in the UK, and is (unusually) popular and aprrciated.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

When I say fortunate, meaning I didn’t compare him to his other theatrical roles.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

*appreciated*

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

The next day after seeing the movie, I was spouting off all the little things about the cast.My husband says, “ looks like you and google are pretty tight this morning”. So true!!!

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

The casting and the acting were fantastic. Last week I watched the HBO TV serialisation of '' 'I Know This Much is True''. I've not read the book by Walley Lamb but the TV show was brilliant

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I’ve never read Wally lamb but he’s been on my lists for sometime. 2022 May be his year.