The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930 
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jun 5, 2022 16:33:27 GMT
What did you read this week? This is what I read:
🔶 Remarkably Bright Creatures ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
The best word to sum up this book is “charming.” An interweaving mystery narrative that includes a 70 year old widow, a 30 year old man child, an aging Scot and one curmudgeonly octopus named Marcellus. My favorite point of view was from Marcellus, but the entire novel made me smile many times.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,875
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jun 5, 2022 17:02:46 GMT
I got it on Audible and am starting it now! Thanks for the recommendation! :-)
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Jun 5, 2022 18:24:56 GMT
Unlikely Animals by Annie Harnett-4stars
This one came on my radar because two of my go to Bookstagramers I follow Susie from Novel Visits and Sarah’s Bookshelf both gave it 5 stars. This book is quirky with a capital Q. It is narrated by a dead person whose resides in the town cemetery. It would be very difficult to sum up this book in one sentence, but it addresses some tough topics with humor. I really loved how this book developed the characters.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jun 5, 2022 18:41:20 GMT
Last week I finished The Drowning by J.P. Smith. When I read the last page, I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room. There were so many questions left unanswered so, to me, it was a totally unsatisfying read. 2.5/5 stars Ugh.
Then I started Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. Another one I just couldn't get into so now I'm reading The Club by Ellery Lloyd. Hopefully I'll finish this one!
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Post by catmom on Jun 5, 2022 21:00:30 GMT
I haven't posted in awhile and I've been on vacation, so this is the last several books I've read. Most are of the fluffy variety, quick and entertaining reads.
In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead. Best friends in university return for their 10 year reunion and confront the murder of one of their friends in their senior year. They all have secrets. It was a really good read and some good twists. 4/5
The Seven Day Switch by Kelly Harms. I think this was an Amazon First Reads pick. Mommy wars meets Freaky Friday. It's exactly what you would expect, but I enjoyed it. 3/5.
The House By the Sea by Louise Douglas. I saw this on my kindle but have no idea how it got there lol (how you know when you buy too many books!). Personal tragedy leads a divorced couple to a home in Italy. TW re loss of child. It was pretty good but nothing special for me and several parts really stretched the bounds of credulity. 3/5.
The Candid Life of Meena Dave by Namrata Patel. This was a first reads selection and I really enjoyed it. One of those heartwarming, find your way back home, type of stories with a romance thrown in. 3.5/5.
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny. 12 in the Inspector Gamache series and one of the best. 4/5.
Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian. A sort of humorous murder mystery with someone hunting psychopaths who are part of a university study, told from the perspective of the psychopaths. Enjoyable enough, but no real tension. 3/5
I'm currently reading Silence for the Dead by Simone St. James, a really enjoyable and atmospheric gothic-style ghost story.
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Post by maryland on Jun 5, 2022 21:50:23 GMT
I am reading The Younger Wife - Hepworth and like it. Finished listening to Mother May I - Joshilyn Jackson and loved it! Also got Watch Out for Her - Samantha M. Bailey to read from the library so maybe that will be next. Listening to All The Girls are Nice Here.
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Jun 5, 2022 22:08:22 GMT
Start Without Me by Gary Janetti. This is a fun and often heartwarming collection of essays by a very funny writer. Some of you may already be familiar with him, but if not don’t hesitate to check this one out.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,133
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Post by hutchfan on Jun 5, 2022 22:48:52 GMT
I read Something Wilder by Christina Lauren.
Lily and Nicole take adventure seekers on excursions in Laramie hunting for the buried treasure of Butch Cassidy that her late father Duke believes is buried.
Lily finds Leo Grady on her next trip whom his friends had planned on their yearly guy get away who was the love of her life who left her a decade ago.
There are lots of twist and turns in this story. More adventure than romance. But I liked the story.
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Post by tommygirl on Jun 6, 2022 0:09:40 GMT
I have several recent reads:
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth- Really enjoyed!
The Girls at the Kingfishers Club by Genevieve Valentine- Another good one!
Book Lovers by Emily Henry- Fantastically well done rom-com! (I can't remember if I mentioned it on a previous thread because it was about 3 weeks ago that I read it!)
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis- Interesting historical fiction. I like most things by this author.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Jun 6, 2022 4:14:39 GMT
I listened to The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, as read by Tom Hanks. What a fantastic job he did--this audiobook has been recommended by many Peas and I finally took the time to listen this week while working on a project.
The book itself was good, a modern fairy tale of a brother and his beloved older sister who are turned away from their home and inheritance by a wicked stepmother. The book takes place between the 1950s and 1990s. But Tom Hanks's reading of it pushes the whole thing up a notch, makes the story more than I think it would have been if I'd read the book myself. So on GoodReads, I gave the book five stars: four for the book, plus one for Mr. Hanks.
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Post by fotos4u2 on Jun 6, 2022 15:57:40 GMT
As expected I didn't read much last week. I just wasn't feeling it and it didn't help that the book I was attempting to read wasn't great. Only finished one:
The Singles Table by Sara Desai. 2 stars. This was the third book in the Marriage Game series and I was shocked how bad it was because I really liked the first two. I'm thankful I'd read her other two because if I'd started with this one I would have just assumed the author wasn't very good.
Still currently reading "The Girl They Left Behind" by Roxanne Veletzos which is okay and I hope to finish today. Then I have "Only Child" and "Unsheltered" from the library and need to finish in the next week or renew.
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 6, 2022 16:00:15 GMT
Another good reading week !
THE CAGE (‘22) BY BONNIE KISTLER : 4 STARS
DESCRIPTION: Combining the propulsive narrative drive of The Firm with the psychological complexity of The Silent Patient, a gripping and original thriller about two professional women—colleagues at an international fashion conglomerate—who enter an elevator together . . . but only one is alive when they reach the ground floor.
REVIEW:
Debut book by this author for me was House on Fire (‘19 - Read ‘22) which I gave 4 stars. This current book was an ad on my Kindle and how I found this author and read her debut book, House on Fire first. She also writes as Bonnie MacDougal,
Another great read by Ms Kistler. Loved how the main character, Shay Lambert never gave up. She was one smart cookie. The unraveling of all the pieces was very interesting. Story moved quickly.
BEFORE SHE WAS FOUND BY HEATHER GUDENKAUF (‘19 - Read ‘22) : 4 STARS
DESCRIPTION: For twelve-year-old Cora Landry and her friends Violet and Jordyn, it was supposed to be an ordinary sleepover—movies and Ouija and talking about boys. But when they decide to sneak out to go to the abandoned rail yard on the outskirts of town, little do they know that their innocent games will have dangerous consequences. Later that night, Cora Landry & Violet are discovered on the tracks, Cora with horrific injuries and violet in shock, while Jordyn is nowhere to be found. Soon their small rural town is thrust into a maelstrom. Who would want to hurt a young girls. In an investigation that leaves no stone unturned, everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted.
REVIEW: First book by this author was The Overnight Guest (‘22) which I gave 5 stars. Really like this author’s writing style. I love the eeriness she works into her stories. Story jumps right in and has me guessing. The journal entries really help to tell the true story. Pranks can have many serious repercussions.
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 6, 2022 16:00:54 GMT
 HAPPY READING no matter what it is ! |
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Post by worrywart on Jun 6, 2022 18:29:09 GMT
Another good reading week ! BEFORE SHE WAS FOUND BY HEATHER GUDENKAUF (‘19 - Read ‘22) : 4 STARSDESCRIPTION: For twelve-year-old Cora Landry and her friends Violet and Jordyn, it was supposed to be an ordinary sleepover—movies and Ouija and talking about boys. But when they decide to sneak out to go to the abandoned rail yard on the outskirts of town, little do they know that their innocent games will have dangerous consequences. Later that night, Cora Landry & Violet are discovered on the tracks, Cora with horrific injuries and violet in shock, while Jordyn is nowhere to be found. Soon their small rural town is thrust into a maelstrom. Who would want to hurt a young girls. In an investigation that leaves no stone unturned, everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted. REVIEW: First book by this author was The Overnight Guest (‘22) which I gave 5 stars. Really like this author’s writing style. I love the eeriness she works into her stories. Story jumps right in and has me guessing. The journal entries really help to tell the true story. Pranks can have many serious repercussions. I loved the Overnight Guest so i just checked my library and they have this book so I put it on hold. Thanks! I'm reading the 5th in the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong. It is called Alone in the Wild. The premise of the series is interesting and different! |
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Jun 7, 2022 2:44:36 GMT
I finished two books this past week. The first book was Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn. I just finished season 2 of Bridgerton and I've never read one of the books in the series. Since Season 3 is supposed to be about Collin and Penelope, I decided to grab this one. It was ok. I felt it skipped around a little and didn't have the build up I was hoping for. Overall 3/5 stars
The second book I read was Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward. This book was being taught in a senior AP class here locally and was being challenged, so I decided to pick it up. The story is about Esch and her 3 brothers during the time of Hurricane Katrina. The story is excellent and very well written. The author uses such beautifully, descriptive language. While there is a little sexual languge and content, I cannot imagine it being too intense for a senior in high school. Definitely check the trigger warnings on this one though. 4/5 stars
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Post by guzismom on Jun 7, 2022 12:24:04 GMT
I picked up Never by Ken Follett from a 'give away library' while on vacation...oh, my! Probably the best book I've ever picked up simply because it was lying there for the taking.
I also finished The Other Woman by Sandie Jones; very enjoyable, as I didn't see a 'twist' in the storyline coming.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,875
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jun 9, 2022 14:38:31 GMT
What did you read this week? This is what I read: 🔶 Remarkably Bright Creatures ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 The best word to sum up this book is “charming.” An interweaving mystery narrative that includes a 70 year old widow, a 30 year old man child, an aging Scot and one curmudgeonly octopus named Marcellus. My favorite point of view was from Marcellus, but the entire novel made me smile many times. Just finished this one! It was lovely! Made me smile many times too. Great imagery. A smidge predictable in parts, but nice surprises is others! Thx for the recommendation! |
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Post by cannmom on Jun 9, 2022 15:10:36 GMT
I just started Daisy Jones and the Six. I’m really enjoying it so far.
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Post by quietgirl on Jun 9, 2022 16:33:47 GMT
What did you read this week? This is what I read: 🔶 Remarkably Bright Creatures ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 The best word to sum up this book is “charming.” An interweaving mystery narrative that includes a 70 year old widow, a 30 year old man child, an aging Scot and one curmudgeonly octopus named Marcellus. My favorite point of view was from Marcellus, but the entire novel made me smile many times. Thanks for the review! I'm in line for it at the library, with a ways to go yet. Definitely looking forward to this one. |
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,875
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jun 10, 2022 0:46:25 GMT
I listened to The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, as read by Tom Hanks. What a fantastic job he did--this audiobook has been recommended by many Peas and I finally took the time to listen this week while working on a project. The book itself was good, a modern fairy tale of a brother and his beloved older sister who are turned away from their home and inheritance by a wicked stepmother. The book takes place between the 1950s and 1990s. But Tom Hanks's reading of it pushes the whole thing up a notch, makes the story more than I think it would have been if I'd read the book myself. So on GoodReads, I gave the book five stars: four for the book, plus one for Mr. Hanks. Thanks for the recommendation. I downloaded it on Audible today. I'm a few hours in to it ... Tom Hanks is fantastic at narrating it. The story is very good so far! |
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,225
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Post by gina on Jun 10, 2022 4:01:51 GMT
The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery. 3 / 5 stars
"Single mom Robyn Caldwell needs a new plan for her future. She has always put her family first. Now, with her kids grown, she yearns for a change. But what can she do when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could ruin everything?
Take a vacation, of course. Press reset. When her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane to sunny California."
It took me so long to finish this book mainly because I just didn't really care what happened around the 65-70% mark. *shrug* The characters were fine. The story was fine. I am not a prude at all but I couldn't stand the use of gratuitous sex and raunchy descriptors. It was just... odd. It didn't seem to go with the overall feel of the story nor the characters and it put me off.
*
Reading The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks next.
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Post by guzismom on Jun 10, 2022 13:15:23 GMT
Thanks, ladies...I put in some requests at the library!
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,476
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Post by edie3 on Jun 10, 2022 17:27:58 GMT
I just finished The Good Son by Jacquelyn Mitchard. I was so disappointed in it. She wrote Deep End of the Ocean, which I loved. This book was wordy and just went on and on and on.
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Post by catmom on Jun 10, 2022 18:00:21 GMT
Unlikely Animals by Annie Harnett-4stars This one came on my radar because two of my go to Bookstagramers I follow Susie from Novel Visits and Sarah’s Bookshelf both gave it 5 stars. This book is quirky with a capital Q. It is narrated by a dead person whose resides in the town cemetery. It would be very difficult to sum up this book in one sentence, but it addresses some tough topics with humor. I really loved how this book developed the characters. Sounds intriguing! I've added it to my ever-growing TBR list. I follow Novel Visits but haven't heard of Sarah's Bookshelf - I'll check it out. |
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