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Post by auntkelly on Dec 1, 2014 5:19:09 GMT
I have one more title to read on the Goodreads "It" List. The last one for me is Sarah Water's The Paying Guests. I may pick this one up next, Or I might read something else, then finish up the year with "guests." I'll let you know how it goes next week.
I read The Paying Guests and I thought the first half of the book dragged but the second half was really good.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 9:41:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2014 7:52:26 GMT
Eleanor and Park: or any of Rainbow Rowell...listen to them. I couldn't read them, either but very good listening!
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Post by pjaye on Dec 1, 2014 10:32:32 GMT
Last week I had started The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters and I had the exact opposite reaction, I loved the first third of the book and literally laughed out loud in some places (especially after Frances had a few drinks and the description of her the next morning). But after that it got a very grim very quickly and I didn’t enjoy that part very much. I thought the last half dragged, and I kept waiting for some twist or surprise at the end, but it didn’t eventuate. I ended up giving it 3 stars.
Then I listened to a fun little Christmas story that was being promoted by the author: Back to Christmas by Dennis Canfield. The story centers around the Krumwerth family who seem to have lost the Christmas spirit and are in danger of ending up on the permanent 'naughty' list. Marmel the elf is sent to help them and along the way we meet a cast of fun little characters, including flying penguins and a reverse Santa who believes that sometimes it is better to take than to give. Underlying the story is a good reminder about families, spending time together and helping others. A good pre-Christmas read or a stocking filler. I gave this 4 stars and would be perfect for children who still believe in Santa, or those who have just stopped as well as adults who are young at heart.
Currently listening to Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce. This is set in modern day England and centers around the Martin family. Tara was 16yo and she went for a walk in the woods and vanished, presumed abducted and murdered, her then boyfriend is almost jailed for the crime. Then one day there’s a knock on the door and it’s Tara, looking exactly the same as she did 20 years ago. Everyone wants to find out what happened to her, and she tells them - she was taken by the fairies! Of course no-one believes her and the story is told from alternate points of view – Tara’s narrative tells what happened to her, her brother and boyfriend on how it affected them and her psychiatrist as he tries to unravel what really occurred. I’m about half way through and really enjoying the writing, and it’s keeping me guessing. At this point I have no idea if there are actually fairies involved or not. Can’t wait to see what the end has in store.
Then it will be back to my last 3 “it” books, probably The Invention of Wings first.
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Post by mom2luke on Dec 1, 2014 20:43:40 GMT
Just one for me this week. I read Delancey: A Man, A Woman, A Restaurant, A Marriage by Molly Wizenberg. This is the story of a couple that opens a pizzeria in Seattle. The author was the writer of the blog - "Orangette." I really enjoyed this book. Of course there were scenes that drug on too long but overall I just really enjoyed the struggles and rewards of opening a restaurant. I think if you have ever worked in a restaurant you could relate to the book. Overall, I gave it four out of five stars!
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Post by jackie on Dec 2, 2014 13:07:59 GMT
Ooh Gina, that Still Life book sounds really good. I'll have to out that on my list.
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Post by Heidi on Dec 2, 2014 13:45:24 GMT
I'm reading The Good Earth. I heard so many good things about it but I'm struggling. I've been on it for at least 2 weeks and am only 40 percent done. I recently read In the Sanctuary of Outcasts for book club, which I enjoyed. And I read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikrywhich I also liked.
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Post by kckckc on Dec 2, 2014 14:17:15 GMT
I finished The Burning Room by Michael Connelly. A very good addition to the Harry Bosch mystery series.
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Post by misadventurous on Dec 2, 2014 14:27:10 GMT
Just finished The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman. I loved, loved, loved this book! It's the final book of a trilogy and I think it was the best of the three. It's essentially a bleakly modern continuation of the Narnia stories, with young adult/adult protagonists instead of children. It's more about the characters than the magical land itself, and those characters are just wonderfully flawed.
SyFy is currently shooting a TV adaptation. I'm very excited but I hope they don't screw it up! The author said he sat in on a read-through of the pilot and he thinks it's great, which seems like a good sign.
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Post by GamGam on Dec 2, 2014 16:23:32 GMT
I'm reading The Good Earth. I heard so many good things about it but I'm struggling. I've been on it for at least 2 weeks and am only 40 percent done. I recently read In the Sanctuary of Outcasts for book club, which I enjoyed. And I read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikrywhich I also liked. In the Sanctuary of Outcasts was one of the best books I read all year.
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Post by GamGam on Dec 2, 2014 21:28:31 GMT
I was able to read two books this week: Everything I Never Told You: I just thought it was ok, not great. A 16 year old girl is found dead (not a spoiler; this happens in the first sentence of the book!) The book chronicles the impact her death has on her family. You soon discover there are many issues in the family. I just didn't find the characters that compelling. The History of the Rain: Where to begin? I LOVED this book. It is probably the best I've read this year. A 19 year old Irish girl is bed bound and is searching to understand her father (who has passed.) Throughout the book she tells the history of her family. The writing is so outstanding; it's poetic, funny, and memorable. You'll want to read entire paragraphs again, just because the writing is so beautiful. The book was long listed for the Man Booker prize this year and I think it should have won. I really can't rave enough about how wonderful it was. I just put The History of Rain on hold at the library. Thanks so much for leading me to it.
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Post by annabella on Dec 2, 2014 21:30:05 GMT
I'm reading Nicky Hilton - 365 Style and really enjoying it!
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Post by powderhorngreen on Dec 4, 2014 19:46:08 GMT
I have been traveling for most of November, but am back to this weekly posting. (Love it and missed it!) While busy, I managed to get a few good reads in.
Food by Jim Gaffigan - He is a professional comedian and I think he is very funny. This is his second book. Absolutely no heavy lifting here, but good for a few chuckles on a cross-country flight. 4 stars.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - LOVED IT!!!!! A great, quiet little story about a widow that wants to end his life, but his suicide attempts keep getting interrupted by his young, iranian neighbors. Think Major Pettigrew's Last Stand set in Sweden. It is 100% character driven and a book that hugged me and made me feel. Will be buying several copies for friends for Christmas. 5 stars
WIsh You Well by David Balducci - This is an oldie and I read it for a Facebook book club I joined recently. It was fine. It tells the story of two "orphans" that go to live in the rural blue ridge mountains. It is sweet, but predictable and a little too sugary for my taste. However, the description of the scenery and people was well done and enjoyable. 3 stars
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - A weird YA read. I don't read much YA and this one is being applauded so loudly I decided to check it out. Guess not exactly my cup of tea. 3 1/2 stars.
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