Retired: What are you reading? Showing 3,801-3,850 of 5,490

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

A hard one not to like, John. The Count was quite a man, excuse me, gentleman.

[John]

On to Sanctuary. Will be hard pressed to find a gentleman there.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Right about Sanctuary. No ladies or gentlewomen either.

[John]

you guys are so kind

[Brina]

My review of Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am attempting to only read women authors this month and hope to be back on the trail soon.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Every time I make a plan to read certain books or types of books for a time, I always seem to get derailed. I applaud you for sticking to your plan. My plan for this year is two-fold. Actually reading anything I buy instead of letting in sit in a stack or putting it in my bookcase for who knows how long; and to read more from my shelves, especially ones that have been there for years. So far, I'm doing great but it's only March.

[Brina]

My other plan is for challenges all year primarily women authors. My other is to not read books in group reads if they weren't on my tbr. So far I'm sticking to it. Also I get my books from the library so reading my personal books isn't as much of an issue. Again it's only March so we shall see. I did add All the Kings Men but because April is busy for me I'll be reading it in June.

[Brina]

@LeeAnne and others. Here is what we dressed up as for Purim: husband and 6 year old daughter-- black cats, 11 year old-- original costume, 9 1/2 year old- Tom Brady, 8 year old- Queen Esther, me-- this is my costume shirt :-)

[LA]

Yay, Brina!!! We have been out catching cabbages and green beads and onions and carrots today. Wish I could see y'all. Hope it was a Happy Purim!

[Brina]

I think I rested enough after the holiday. Giving myself a week for full recovery and then its Passover prep time. In the meantime, here is my annual reposting of American Pie: Slices of Life (and Pie) from America's Back Roads by Pascale Le Draoulec for "Pie Day.
"https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brina]

My review of Passing by Nella Larsen:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Next is a book that Diane recommended to me, The Housekeeper and the Professor :-)

[Brina]

Thank you, Diane for this one, The Housekeeper and the Professor: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Faith]

I finished Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. My review:

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

[John]

I've just begun Out of Africa . I vaguely remember the movie and hope for good stories.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

John, I can't imagine that you won't love it. The movie was lush and beautiful, but as always, the book is better.

[Kim]

I read Out of Africa in the hospital when I had my son.

[John]

What a nice association Kim. I was noticing how flowing her descriptions of the fields and plains were. The afternoon wind blowing waves through the grass.

[Faith]

I finished The Son by Philipp Meyer. My review:

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

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Faith wrote: "I finished The Son by Philipp Meyer. My review:

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

You and I are of like minds about this one. Now that I think about it, I'm not overly enthusiastic about watching the series.

[Faith]

Tom wrote: "Faith wrote: "I finished The Son by Philipp Meyer. My review:

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

You and I..."

It's probably one of those shows I will record and wind up deleting.

[Book Concierge]

Maria, Daughter of Immigrants – Maria Antonietta Berrizobal – 3.5***
I really enjoyed and was captivated by Maria’s personal journey as she outlines it in the book. But a little more than half-way through the book, it seemed to become more of a history of the politics of the city than Maria’s autobiography. I still found this interesting, because I’m from San Antonio, but I think it detracted from the central story of her own life.
LINK to my review

[Brina]

I just read The Buddha in the Attic also about the immigrant experience. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[David]

Just finished The Widow's Mite, by Ferrol Sams. It's a collection of short stories with a surprising number of settings and points of view. A great collection, IMHO.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I just finished Good Morning, Midnight. Can't say enough positive things about this one. No southern ties, just a darn good book.

[Stephen]

"La Florida", a collection of articles written about Florida's Hispanic history. Part one focuses on Spanish Florida, and part two on Florida after Cuban and Puerto Rican immigration began changing the state's demographics.

[Book Concierge]

The Bat – Jo Nesbø – 4****
Book #1 in the Inspector Harry Hole series. Nesbø writes a tight, fast-paced thriller with plenty of clues, several red herrings, a flawed but likeable lead detective, and an interesting setting. I’ll definitely read more of this series.
LINK to my review

[Brina]

Stephen that sounds like a great book to get. I am going to look for it. Thank you.

[LA]

Y'all are reading some good stuff! I started our group read for next month a bit early. Lincoln in the Bardo, and honestly, the quirky structure is not yet working for me very well. I'm only into maybe the first third, so there is still hope...so many 5 star reviews surely mean I'll like it a bit better.

Also just wrapped up the audio on The Orchardist;, another that folks awarded five stars...didn't work for me.

On a positive note, I'm about to begin Stoner which Diane B loved - and we usually have similar taste in odd duck books.

There is an old hardback called Angels that is calling me, but I've been plagued with book club required reading. Audio books from the library keep me going, but this baby is a sit down and read version - I NEVER sit down! Will get to it...looks excellent.

All for me, excepting going back over Desperation Road which is AWESOME... I'm in the mood for some Harry Crews now!

Y'all have a good week!

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Angels might fix your Harry Crews craving.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

What Laura said.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

No snakes but plenty of shady characters.

[LA]

Im already infatuated with that recommendation, but will reserve my true love to something with snakes. ;)

[Tina]

Laura wrote: "No snakes but plenty of shady characters."

Ummmm, I'd say there are some snakes in human form in Angels. LeAnne, slithery and slimy characters you may like. I hated every word.

I'm reading something much better.

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel

This was recommended by my friend Laura. She always knows what I'll enjoy. Highly recommend for lovers of WWII books.

[Tina]

Book Concierge wrote: "

The Bat
– Jo Nesbø – 4****
Book #1 in the Inspector Harry Hole series. Nesbø writes a tight, fast-paced thriller with plenty of clues, several red herrings, a flaw..."

One of my favorite authors! I've read most of Nesbo's books. The Harry Hole books just get better as you read each one.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Tina you got that right about the characters in Angels.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

What Tina said.

[LA]

Tina wrote: "Laura wrote: "No snakes but plenty of shady characters."

Ummmm, I'd say there are some snakes in human form in Angels. LeAnne, slithery and slimy characters you may like. I hated every word.

I'm ..."
You hated the?

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Tina gave it a 1 star. It never met her classic status with a 5 star.

[Book Concierge]

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry – Fredrik Backman – 4****
I was charmed by Elsa and her crazy grandmother, as well as by the cast of “not-quite-normal” characters who inhabit the apartment building Elsa calls home. There is plenty of action, some significant danger and distress, and enough humor to ease the tension. If the scenario is not believable, well who cares. I wanted a happily-ever-after ending, and for the most part that what’s I got.
LINK to my review

[Faith]

I finished The Weight of This World by David Joy. My review:

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

[Brina]

My review of Malinche by Laura Esquivel:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[LA]

Man, I'm on some sort of roll here. I've just read three books in a row that I anticipated to be wonderful - and for many readers they were - but just were not my cup of tea. At all.

Stoner, Lincoln in the Bardo, and The Orchardist frustrated the daylights out of me. I'm about to start the audio for The Dark Flood Rises and have a hard copy of Angels for bedtime reading. Crossing my fingers for an uptick! There are Trail reads I'd love to get to (especially the Larry Brown and Sanctuary), but I'm currently on a book budget. Our suburban library has diddly squat, so...you know how it goes. There are dozens of books in the house here that I've yet to get to. Trying to read what I've bought second hand over the years.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

LeAnne wrote: "Man, I'm on some sort of roll here. I've just read three books in a row that I anticipated to be wonderful - and for many readers they were - but just were not my cup of tea. At all.

Stoner, Linco..."

Stoner is on my TBR list because a lot of people absolutely raved about it but I really can't see anything in the description that is all that compelling. I'm interested to hear that somebody actually doesn't care for it.

[Faith]

LeAnne wrote: "Man, I'm on some sort of roll here. I've just read three books in a row that I anticipated to be wonderful - and for many readers they were - but just were not my cup of tea. At all.

Stoner, Linco..."

If you read ebooks or audiobooks, have you tried joining other libraries? I joined the Fairfax County library for $24 a year and they have a really good selection. There are lots of others that accept out of state members, but that was the least expensive I found.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Tom, Stoner seems to be one of those books that readers love beyond measure, or think it's boring and believe that Stoner is a total loser. I am in the first group and think it's a small masterpiece, but I know a lot of people who feel like LeAnne. Different perceptions.

[LA]

Faith wrote: "LeAnne wrote: "Man, I'm on some sort of roll here. I've just read three books in a row that I anticipated to be wonderful - and for many readers they were - but just were not my cup of tea. At all...."

I've thought about trying to get a library card in Orleans or Jefferson Parish (New Orleans proper and another suburb that is larger), but thought I'd have to show my license to get one. Did you just start googling? It's a great idea!

[LA]

Tom wrote: "LeAnne wrote: "Man, I'm on some sort of roll here. I've just read three books in a row that I anticipated to be wonderful - and for many readers they were - but just were not my cup of tea. At all...."

Tom, it looks like 83% of reviews gave it either 4 or 5 stars, so my reaction is definitely in the minority. There are other "quiet books" that I've read and enjoyed, so its not that I'm entirely shallow. This just was depressing, and I did not enjoy my hours with it. There was a bit of psychological backstory, but I saw it coming early on.

You are probably just going to have to give it a go. Statistically speaking, you ought to love it!

[Tina]

I'm finally reading Mildred Pierce.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Tina wrote: "I'm finally reading Mildred Pierce."

We read that in another group recently. It was a very stimulating conversation.

[Faith]

LeAnne wrote: "Faith wrote: "LeAnne wrote: "Man, I'm on some sort of roll here. I've just read three books in a row that I anticipated to be wonderful - and for many readers they were - but just were not my cup o..."

I'm a member of the audiobook group on GR and they have a thread on membership in other libraries. That's where I learned about Fairfax and I googled Fairfax County Library to find it. It was really easy to apply online. I had a card number within a day and could immediately start borrowing using the Overdrive app. I recall that that thread also mentioned the Houston library and the Philadelphia free library. I am also a member of the New York public library. That gets me free membership in a lot of other libraries in the state, but for some of them I have to physically show up at the library to get a card, so I haven't bothered.