Wrapped up The Berry Pickers. It was fine. I enjoyed one half of the story more than the other so that made it drag a little.
Started Tom Lake last night. I’m feeling skeptical about this one because of all the accolades, but so far it’s interesting enough. I’m just glad it’s not 700 pages like stupid Demon Copperhead.
Tom Lake was so overrated, IMO. I finished it, but didn't enjoy it.
Exactly same. So overrated and just not that great. I finished it, but it’s not one I’d recommend.
Since then I’ve finished Family Family by Laurie Frankel. I really liked the story and the take on adoption. It was an easy, feel good read.
I also finished the fourth Percy Jackson book with DS1. I think I liked this one best since the first one. The second and third ones were too formulaic with them running into and defeating monsters in every chapter.
I’m currently reading A Day in the Life if Abed Salama. It’s a little dry just because it’s told from one perspective with very little dialogue between characters, but I’m reading it because it feels like a good insight into the Nakba and Palestine. The more I read and learn about this the less likely I think it is that I will ever be convinced Israel did anything right in all of this. They’ve committed so many atrocities against Palestinians.
I have Company and How To Stay Married checked out so those are up next.
The Heaven and Earth Grocery store and Shark Heart just came up on my holds list and I delayed those, but I’m really excited for both.
Post by ellipses84 on Feb 20, 2024 18:31:27 GMT -5
I liked all my January reads. Horse was the most memorable.
This month I’ve read:
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi - Great, unique book with interesting POV. Genre is hard to describe. There’s a bit of a slow mystery and sci-fi elements, but it’s more about language and relationships, and is a fast read.
Killers of the Flower Moon - I wanted to read the book before watching the movie. It’s a fascinating true story that reads like fiction.
Erasure - Another great one I wanted read before watching the recent move adaptation, American Fiction. There are excerpts of the author main character’s books within the book that are rather lengthy so I speed read or skimmed over those.
Rules of Civility - I liked it.
The Long Game and Hang the Moon were both cheesy romance quick reads.
Poverty, By America - nonfiction CE&P Election Year reading rec from me
These are the Plunderers by Gretchen Morgenson - I’m still trying to finish it but couldn’t extend my hold so I’m waiting to get it back. Another nonfiction CE&P rec.
Currently audiobook reading Patrick Stewart’s biography, which is long but fascinating so far.
I liked all my January reads. Horse was the most memorable.
This month I’ve read:
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi - Great, unique book with interesting POV. Genre is hard to describe. There’s a bit of a slow mystery and sci-fi elements, but it’s more about language and relationships, and is a fast read.
Killers of the Flower Moon - I wanted to read the book before watching the movie. It’s a fascinating true story that reads like fiction.
Erasure - Another great one I wanted read before watching the recent move adaptation, American Fiction. There are excerpts of the author main character’s books within the book that are rather lengthy so I speed read or skimmed over those.
Rules of Civility - I liked it.
The Long Game and Hang the Moon were both cheesy romance quick reads.
Poverty, By America - nonfiction CE&P Election Year reading rec from me
These are the Plunderers by Gretchen Morgenson - I’m still trying to finish it but couldn’t extend my hold so I’m waiting to get it back. Another nonfiction CE&P rec.
Currently audiobook reading Patrick Stewart’s biography, which is long but fascinating so far.
Next up: Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?
First Lie Wins
Looking Glass Sound
Outlive - The Science of Art & Longevity
(not sure I’ll get through all these this month)
I read Horse and loved the story. I did see some problematic issues with the book and anytime I read a book by a white author with minority characters and including themes of slavery and race relations, I try to look for critiques of the book. I don’t think the author of this piece is a woman of color, but it was a good read about some of the book’s shortcomings. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/07/geraldine-brooks-horse-book-review/638449
I liked all my January reads. Horse was the most memorable.
This month I’ve read:
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi - Great, unique book with interesting POV. Genre is hard to describe. There’s a bit of a slow mystery and sci-fi elements, but it’s more about language and relationships, and is a fast read.
Killers of the Flower Moon - I wanted to read the book before watching the movie. It’s a fascinating true story that reads like fiction.
Erasure - Another great one I wanted read before watching the recent move adaptation, American Fiction. There are excerpts of the author main character’s books within the book that are rather lengthy so I speed read or skimmed over those.
Rules of Civility - I liked it.
The Long Game and Hang the Moon were both cheesy romance quick reads.
Poverty, By America - nonfiction CE&P Election Year reading rec from me
These are the Plunderers by Gretchen Morgenson - I’m still trying to finish it but couldn’t extend my hold so I’m waiting to get it back. Another nonfiction CE&P rec.
Currently audiobook reading Patrick Stewart’s biography, which is long but fascinating so far.
Next up: Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?
First Lie Wins
Looking Glass Sound
Outlive - The Science of Art & Longevity
(not sure I’ll get through all these this month)
I read Horse and loved the story. I did see some problematic issues with the book and anytime I read a book by a white author with minority characters and including themes of slavery and race relations, I try to look for critiques of the book. I don’t think the author of this piece is a woman of color, but it was a good read about some of the book’s shortcomings. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/07/geraldine-brooks-horse-book-review/638449
I agree. I didn’t know anything about the story or author ahead of time, aside from something about a horse. It was an old rec that came off a hold and by that point I’d heard some mixed reviews. I guess by memorable I mean it really made me think after I finished reading the book, a lot having to do with issues the article mentions.
I just finished the invisible hour, the new Alice Hoffman book. It was ok. I always want to read her books and then I feel like they’re mostly ok. This was the second time travel book I have read lately and they usually are not my thing so that’s probably why.
I have the Covenant of Water that I am trying to get into. It’s a huge book so it’s intimidating to pick up: I also just grabbed before we were innocent from the library hold and that will probably be a quick palate cleanser read/
A friend gave me Covenant of Water, and I told her I likely won’t read it until summer, because it’s so long. Then I picked up the Bee Sting got sucked in and couldn’t figure out why, after reading for days, I was at only 10%. It’s because it’s 600+ pages, and had I known, I would’ve waited!
Open Book--Jessica Simpson. It was left on a chair at the airport and I didn't have a book, so... It was interesting. I thought it would be more detailed than it was. JS also came across exactly as I envision her to be.
Talking to Strangers- has been on my list for awhile. It's fine. I skimmed a few parts.
You Are Here- Thich Nhat Hanh. I've been meditating more lately and enjoying Buddhist teachings.
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store--James McBrode. Easy quick read. I read it as part of a book club and enjoyed it.
Tom Lake--I'm reading this right now and about 100 pages in. Not super into it, but maybe that will change. I am usually disappointed by books that are hyped up.
I just finished the invisible hour, the new Alice Hoffman book. It was ok. I always want to read her books and then I feel like they’re mostly ok. This was the second time travel book I have read lately and they usually are not my thing so that’s probably why.
I have the Covenant of Water that I am trying to get into. It’s a huge book so it’s intimidating to pick up: I also just grabbed before we were innocent from the library hold and that will probably be a quick palate cleanser read/
A friend gave me Covenant of Water, and I told her I likely won’t read it until summer, because it’s so long. Then I picked up the Bee Sting got sucked in and couldn’t figure out why, after reading for days, I was at only 10%. It’s because it’s 600+ pages, and had I known, I would’ve waited!
I want to love it because of the Oprah factor . I’m maybe 50 pages in and it hasn’t grabbed me to keep reading just yet.
I'm listening to "Finding Dorothy," which is historical fiction, I guess? The main character is Maud Baum, the widow of Frank Baum, who wrote "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." The story bounces between her as a 70-something in 1939 on the movie set and trying to make sure they get Dorothy's character right (and looking out for Judy Garland), and the rest of her life. It's really good.
I'm reading "Hello Beautiful." I think I'm about halfway through and I like it.
I'm listening to "Finding Dorothy," which is historical fiction, I guess? The main character is Maud Baum, the widow of Frank Baum, who wrote "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." The story bounces between her as a 70-something in 1939 on the movie set and trying to make sure they get Dorothy's character right (and looking out for Judy Garland), and the rest of her life. It's really good.
I'm reading "Hello Beautiful." I think I'm about halfway through and I like it.
Oh! And, I have checked out "Dorothy Must Die" by Danielle Page to read after I'm done with "Finding Dorothy." LOL!
Going with me to the beach next week: "By the Book" by Jasmine Guillory "The Dinner List" by Rebecca Serle, who might by a new favorite author. And on audiobook, "Matrix" by Lauren Groff. I know absolutely nothing about this book or the author, but it's the March pick for a book club through the library that I have decided to join.
I thought Tom Lake was snoresville. I DNFed about 30% into listening to the audiobook. I felt the same way about Demon Copperhead.
I finished The Storied Life of AJ Fikry and absolutely loved it. Moving on to another Gabrielle Zevin book that looks good and was rec'd by isabel (I think??) on Goodreads, Young Jane Young.
Post by litskispeciality on Feb 21, 2024 12:31:53 GMT -5
I finished:
"The Woman in Me" by Brittany Spears...woof her family is horrible and how in the hell did the law/laywers/someone allow that for so long?
"Girls With Bright Futures" ...pretty good, kind of a play on rich people trying to get their kids in to the top, top colleges. Major TW (sexual assault)
I just started "None Of This Is True" by Lisa Jewell and "Killers of A Certain Age" by Deanna Raybourn, however Killers isn't really catching my attention and I may put it down. Happy to hear feedback if you've read it.
Post by rupertpenny on Feb 21, 2024 13:18:33 GMT -5
I also really liked Killers of a Certain Age!
Since I last posted, I've finished Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See, and Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott.
Small Things is a novella that is devastating in a good way. Sad, but I would definitely recommend it.
Lady Tan was fine. The subject matter was interesting (female doctors in Ming Dynasty China), but like a lot of historical fiction, telling a true(ish) story in a fictional format didn't work as well as I wanted it to.
Ex-Wife was really interesting. It was published in the 1920s, based on the author's own life, and was apparently very scandalous then. It was amazing how contemporary it felt. It's a pretty quick read.
I'm currently reading Tom Lake, and so far, I like it. I definitely noticed that people were talking about this book last year, but I didn't hear much effusive praise so I'm not coming into it with huge expectations.
rupertpenny, I loved Small Things Like These, too. If you haven't read her book Foster yet it has similarly amazing prose and is also devastating in a good way. I really need to read her other novellas, too.
Post by CrazyLucky on Feb 21, 2024 14:55:15 GMT -5
Just catching up! In January I read I am not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter - 2* The Wishing Game - 4* Another Country - DNF (And I ALWAYS finish, this is only the second DNF of 244 books I have on goodreads) Undone (Will Trent) - 4* Looking for Alaska - 3*
In February, I read Tom Lake - 3* I think you guys may have hyped that one up too much! The Wager - 3* The In-Between - 4* Currently reading You're Not From Around Here Are You? and The Berry Pickers.
Some books by Black authors I have rated 4* or higher are Black Cake, The Underground Railroad, Harlem Shuffle, The Men We Reaped, Three Girls From Bronzeville, The Hate You Give, Just Mercy (5*), Deacon King Kong, Evicted, and anything by Tayari Jones or Yaa Gyasi.
"The Woman in Me" by Brittany Spears...woof her family is horrible and how in the hell did the law/laywers/someone allow that for so long?
"Girls With Bright Futures" ...pretty good, kind of a play on rich people trying to get their kids in to the top, top colleges. Major TW (sexual assault)
I just started "None Of This Is True" by Lisa Jewell and "Killers of A Certain Age" by Deanna Raybourn, however Killers isn't really catching my attention and I may put it down. Happy to hear feedback if you've read it.
I liked Killers of a Certain Age—-super easy read.
I have to give up listening to thrillers, because I was bored with None of this is True, and maybe I would’ve liked it better if I read it. Or maybe not?
"The Woman in Me" by Brittany Spears...woof her family is horrible and how in the hell did the law/laywers/someone allow that for so long?
"Girls With Bright Futures" ...pretty good, kind of a play on rich people trying to get their kids in to the top, top colleges. Major TW (sexual assault)
I just started "None Of This Is True" by Lisa Jewell and "Killers of A Certain Age" by Deanna Raybourn, however Killers isn't really catching my attention and I may put it down. Happy to hear feedback if you've read it.
I’m like 75% through Killers of a Certain Age, and although the plot line and characters should be exciting, it’s somehow just very dull.
I keep reading it bc it’s the perfect bedtime book - enough to move my mind off matters of the day, not interesting enough to keep me up reading 😂
"The Woman in Me" by Brittany Spears...woof her family is horrible and how in the hell did the law/laywers/someone allow that for so long?
"Girls With Bright Futures" ...pretty good, kind of a play on rich people trying to get their kids in to the top, top colleges. Major TW (sexual assault)
I just started "None Of This Is True" by Lisa Jewell and "Killers of A Certain Age" by Deanna Raybourn, however Killers isn't really catching my attention and I may put it down. Happy to hear feedback if you've read it.
I liked Killers of a Certain Age—-super easy read.
I have to give up listening to thrillers, because I was bored with None of this is True, and maybe I would’ve liked it better if I read it. Or maybe not?
I strongly disliked None of This is True so maybe not.
Post by shinyhappy on Feb 21, 2024 18:28:56 GMT -5
Has anyone read Paper Palace? If so, does it pick up? I’m about 20% through it and I’m borrred. But I’ve heard good things so feel the need to push on lol
I liked Killers of a Certain Age—-super easy read.
I have to give up listening to thrillers, because I was bored with None of this is True, and maybe I would’ve liked it better if I read it. Or maybe not?
I strongly disliked None of This is True so maybe not.
Has anyone read Paper Palace? If so, does it pick up? I’m about 20% through it and I’m borrred. But I’ve heard good things so feel the need to push on lol
Has anyone read Paper Palace? If so, does it pick up? I’m about 20% through it and I’m borrred. But I’ve heard good things so feel the need to push on lol
Not really. I didn’t hate it, but it doesn’t really get exciting.
I’m currently reading Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl because my Kindle recommended it to me and I already owned it but hadn’t read it. I’m enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would because I don’t normally read a lot of memoirs, but had bought this a couple years ago because it was a “daily deal” and I really loved Gourmet magazine and Ruth Reichl.
I’m also trying to read Blackouts by Justin Torres, but started it right after finishing A Day in the Life of Abed Salaama and after a couple pages I put it down and read The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella, which was not great, but a light and easy read.
I thought Tom Lake was snoresville. I DNFed about 30% into listening to the audiobook. I felt the same way about Demon Copperhead.
I finished The Storied Life of AJ Fikry and absolutely loved it. Moving on to another Gabrielle Zevin book that looks good and was rec'd by isabel (I think??) on Goodreads, Young Jane Young.
I haven’t read Young Jane Young, but I did really enjoy AJ Fikry.
Has anyone read Paper Palace? If so, does it pick up? I’m about 20% through it and I’m borrred. But I’ve heard good things so feel the need to push on lol
Personally I absolutely hated this book.
I also hated this book. Boring but also egregious trauma porn.
I thought Tom Lake was snoresville. I DNFed about 30% into listening to the audiobook. I felt the same way about Demon Copperhead.
I finished The Storied Life of AJ Fikry and absolutely loved it. Moving on to another Gabrielle Zevin book that looks good and was rec'd by isabel (I think??) on Goodreads, Young Jane Young.
I haven’t read Young Jane Young, but I did really enjoy AJ Fikry.
Ohhh. There is person from here that I’m friends with on Goodreads and I’ve thought it was you this whole time - guess not! Shoutout to whoever Ashley is lol - you give great book reviews on GR!