The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930 
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jun 27, 2022 5:07:15 GMT
What did you read this week?
Here are mine:
🟢 Lessons in Chemistry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is currently a really popular book, and I totally see why. I will not be surprised if someone has bought the rights to it already. It has that type of vibe.
The protagonist is a female chemist in the 1950s and early 60s and has to deal with all the misogyny one would come to expect for a woman of the time. It is a quick and entertaining read, and it touches on all of the current issues women are still encountering today.
I think this is a book that can be enjoyed without critiquing too much, but I did have a couple complaints. My main issue is that the antagonists are SOOOOO douchey and horrible that I rolled my eyes a couple of times with the melodrama, and I also felt the narration felt a bit anachronistic. The protagonist was written for a modern white female audience, and she held “all the” modern progressive female traits of today. Of course, many feminists led the way in the 50’s and 60s, but most of them would be deemed “problematic” by today’s standards because they lived in a very different time with a different framework for seeing the world.
Hey, I agree it's a great read and recommend the book. I looked forward to each page, but another “reader” friend mentioned the tone was off, and it was a little off for me too.
🟢 Nettle and Bone ⭐⭐️⭐1/2
This is a quirky little fantasy/horror-lite novel (I didn’t think it was very scary).
Marra, the protagonist, goes on a quest with a dog made of bones, a chicken possessed by a demon, and a variety of other humans (or are they?), in order to save her sister who is married to an abusive prince.
It does a good job of world-building in such a slim novel (under 300 pages), and the quirky characters are warm and made me smile. It follows the traditional hero's journey, I think it will not be a very memorable read, but it certainly was worth reading.
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Post by lgr4 on Jun 27, 2022 9:52:41 GMT
I finished Louise Penny's 2nd book called A Fatal Grace. It's the Armand Gamache series.
I am now taking a break as I received my hold on Lonesome Dove. I've heard it's a must read, but it's a bit of a struggle right now. It's a slow start.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 27, 2022 10:27:31 GMT
Finally I'm reading again. I haven't read a book since my child passed away and I've finally got enough brain space to read.
I'm in the middle of Nobody's Normal: How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness by Roy Richard Grinker. It's fascinating. Just to give you a hint, mental illness wasn't stigmatized until the Industrial Revolution when people started to be judged for their productivity in reference to their value to society.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,732
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Post by purplebee on Jun 27, 2022 12:23:01 GMT
I read “The Latecomer” by Jean Hanff Korelitz. She is the author of “The Plot.” I enjoyed this story of triplets and their dysfunctional family. A bit slow-moving at first but it picked up.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,133
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Post by hutchfan on Jun 27, 2022 13:17:35 GMT
I read The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan
This wonderful book is set during WW2 in England.
Cressida is a fashion designer and her home and office is bombed during a blitz. She has no choice but to go live with her niece and nephew Violet and Hugh. There she meets Grace who is set to be married and the circle of friends who are mending clothes for the war. Grace finds her mother's wedding dress and they start collecting and mending wedding dresses for war brides.
This is a beautiful book about following your heart and finding true love too.
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Post by guzismom on Jun 27, 2022 14:22:44 GMT
I finished East of Eden by John Steinbeck; started on The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf.
For me, East of Eden alternated between being a slog to get through (particularly in the beginning) and a treat of beautifully detailed writing. The reviews on Goodreads are overwhelmingly 5 stars. I don't think I'd go that far.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jun 27, 2022 15:43:27 GMT
Just added my books for the week to the OP.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jun 27, 2022 15:46:17 GMT
Finally I'm reading again. I haven't read a book since my child passed away and I've finally got enough brain space to read. I'm in the middle of Nobody's Normal: How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness by Roy Richard Grinker. It's fascinating. Just to give you a hint, mental illness wasn't stigmatized until the Industrial Revolution when people started to be judged for their productivity in reference to their value to society. I am glad you are back. I know it is hard to find a way back to some sort of normal space or to find your ability to concentrate after such a loss. |
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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 27, 2022 15:55:20 GMT
I just finished one very long book this week, 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I’ve owned the book since 2012 and was always hesitant to start it because it’s so long. DH decided to read it this summer, so I decided to pick it up too. I really enjoyed the story telling and the way the story unfolded. Stephen King is definitely a master at weaving a story. We’ve also started the Hulu series. So far we are just lukewarm on that. The book gets 4/5 stars
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jun 27, 2022 15:56:43 GMT
I finished The Cage by Bonnie Kistler. This is one of those books where it’s best to go in blind without any knowledge of the story. It was totally different than what I thought it would be and I really enjoyed reading it! 4/5 stars. Recommended by mnmloveli who also gave it 4 stars. Now I’m reading The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni. Enjoying it so far. We're big Robert Dugoni fans. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Jun 27, 2022 16:00:23 GMT
Carey Ann, I have both those books on my to read list, so good to hear your reviews. I thought nettle and bone looked a bit thin to do a good storyline. Others have complained about the lack of a romantic storyline. So I will see.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,662
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Post by Rhondito on Jun 27, 2022 16:22:06 GMT
Two for me this week.
The Overnight Guest - for some reason I thought this was going to be a supernatural type novel and I kept avoiding it. After seeing so many positive reviews about it I decided to give it a chance, and I'm so glad I did. I enjoyed it so much and thought it was a great mystery. 5 stars!
The School for German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan - I loved this one too. Three young women in Germany during the beginning of WWII, and what is expected of them to be dutiful German wives. 5 stars!
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Post by trixiecat on Jun 27, 2022 16:33:13 GMT
I am reading One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle. So far I am enjoying it. It was recommended because we are thinking of doing an Italy trip next year.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,225
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Post by gina on Jun 27, 2022 16:38:49 GMT
Recently:
The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks. 3.5 / 5 stars
Eh. The lackluster, kinda boring couple is more like it. lol This book was decent. I did always look to pop it on when I had a free minute at my desk or in my car (listened to this on a road trip so I got a lot of good chunks in) so it definitely held my interest. I just felt overall it fell pretty flat and if there was supposed to be a big twist, it wasn't twisty at all. A solid read that satiated my need for a fast-paced suspense, but not an overall favorite.
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Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf. 4.5 / 5 stars
Mean Girls blended with Slenderman. 😱 A trio of 12 year old girls at a sleepover: Cora, Violet & Jordyn. A school teacher who gives them an assignment. An urban legend known as Joseph Wither. A heinous crime. Mix it all together, sprinkle in the grand finale at the very end (not giving it away).
I'm surprised this doesn't have a slightly higher overall GR review. I thought it was pretty darn excellent! Told in various formats (firsthand accounts, journal entries, forum posts & interviews), it kept me guessing right up until the very end. The only reason I am not giving it that extra half a star was because overall, the book was disturbing to me and I usually prefer not having them on my favorites shelf. That said, I am definitely looking forward to reading another book by this author.
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Currently reading: This Is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf. Really enjoying this author. So far, so good.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,225
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Post by gina on Jun 27, 2022 16:40:31 GMT
I just finished one very long book this week, 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I’ve owned the book since 2012 and was always hesitant to start it because it’s so long. DH decided to read it this summer, so I decided to pick it up too. I really enjoyed the story telling and the way the story unfolded. Stephen King is definitely a master at weaving a story. We’ve also started the Hulu series. So far we are just lukewarm on that. The book gets 4/5 starsWell, I never read the book but I LOVED this Hulu series!!! So did my husband. I watched it a few years ago and actually re-watched it last year. So good. |
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Post by fotos4u2 on Jun 27, 2022 16:54:26 GMT
Only one for me this week. Don't know what's going on, I just haven't been motivated to pick anything up.
Meet Cute by Helena Hunting. 3 stars. Kind of eh story. I'm having a hard time summarizing this without giving too much information. The idea was it was supposed to be a sweet "Meet Cute" between Kailyn a megafan of actor Daxton who she literally runs into when the two are in college. The meet cute part was more awkward than cute and the rest of the story was pretty weak.
I don't want to say what's next because the last couple weeks the books I planned to read ended up being duds that I returned to the library without finishing.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 27, 2022 16:56:03 GMT
I finished 22 Seconds by James Patterson and it was my least favorite of the Women's Murder Club series.
I'm in the middle of Us vs Them the second book in the Beartown series.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Jun 27, 2022 19:55:51 GMT
I read Look Both Ways by Linwood Barclay, a mini-thriller about automatic cars that go berserk and terrorize an island town. It was just okay. A fun premise, though. Sort of Stephen King-lite.
I'm in the middle of Death at the Chateau Tremont by M. L. Longworth. I watched this British series "Death in Provence" or maybe it was "Murder in Provence" on Britbox last week and really enjoyed it. This is the first mystery in the series on which the show is based. The show is better. 😄
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Post by pjaye on Jun 27, 2022 20:50:15 GMT
will not be surprised if someone has bought the rights to it already. I posted last week that a mini series is currently being made with (at this stage) Blake Lively Brie Larson (edited, sorry, wrong name) in the main role. The author is helping to adapt the script. |
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Post by tamiq on Jun 27, 2022 21:46:56 GMT
In the past few weeks I've read:
The Lodger
by Joanne Ryan 4 stars
Gina advertises for a lodger, she never expects her childhood best friend to turn up at her door. What could be better, she reasons, than having a lodger who she already knows instead of a total stranger.
That's when the trouble starts.
Before I Met You
by Lisa Jewell 4 stars
After her grandmother Arlette's death, Betty is finally ready to begin her life. Or so she thinks . Her will included a beneficiary unknown to Betty and her family, a woman named Clara Pickle who presumably could be found at a London address.
She's ready for whatever life has to throw her way.
The Homewreckers
Andrews, Mary Kay *
4 stars
Summer begins with Mary Kay Andrews, in this delightful summer listen about flipping houses, and finding true love.
This was a cute read for me.
Wish You Were Gone
by Kieran Scott 4 stars
A story of a family with many devastating secrets. James by all accounts is a loving husband to a beautiful family, but looks can be deceiving.
This story is told by changing the point of view between multiple characters. At first it was hard to keep up with but it drew me right in.
Fear Thy Neighbor
Michaels, Fern 3 stars
This one was heavily advertised for me on Kindle and I usually love this author. This one was just ok to me.
The Perfect Family
by Lorna Dounaeva 3 stars
Victoria has the perfect life. And she’ll do whatever it takes to keep it.
For Victoria, image is everything. And on the surface, she has it all - a big house, a successful husband and two beautiful children.
But behind the scenes, things are very different. Because Victoria and her husband have a dark secret and she lives in terror of it being discovered
Ok but not great read
The Caretaker by Emily Shiner 2 1/2 stars
If you have never read a story or watched a movie about a creepy caretaker, you might enjoy this one.
Make Me Disappear
by Jessica Payne 3 stars
This was pretty good. Make Me Disappear is a fun thriller that follows a desperate woman trying to get away from an abusive relationship. But things go unexpectedly wrong.
Shadow Falls (Detective Madison Harper, #1)
Dranfield, Wendy 4 1/2 stars and Cry for Help (Detective Madison Harper #2)
Dranfield, Wendy 4 stars
I loved this first book and the second was quite good also.
The Last House on Needless Street
by Catriona Ward 4 stars
In a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three.
A teenage girl who isn’t allowed outside, not after last time.
A man who drinks alone in front of his TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his memory.
And a house cat who loves napping and reading the Bible.
An unspeakable secret binds them together
This one definitely kept me reading
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by gottapeanow on Jun 27, 2022 21:58:10 GMT
I read “The Latecomer” by Jean Hanff Korelitz. She is the author of “The Plot.” I enjoyed this story of triplets and their dysfunctional family. A bit slow-moving at first but it picked up. I had some trouble with this for this exact reason. It's really slow in the beginning. Trying to decide if I will finish it. Lisa |
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Post by tamiq on Jun 27, 2022 22:07:14 GMT
American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee
by Karen Abbott 4 stars
This was interesting and I enjoyed it. I wish she hadn't skipped around in the storytelling
because it made it a little confusing as to what happened when. It might have just been me.
The Tenant
by Angela Lester 2 1/2 stars
It was ok but not something I'd recommend.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
by Matthew Desmond 5 stars
This book is very eye-opening. I had no idea how bad the eviction, finding a new place to live,the way landlords make some big money in rundown places.
Vacationland
by Meg Mitchell Moore 4 stars
A family saga that takes place over 3 months. This is a great beach read with some messy family drama.
The House Across the Lake
by Riley Sager 3 stars
This was just a little too woo-woo for me lol
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by gottapeanow on Jun 27, 2022 22:09:54 GMT
Now I’m reading The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni. Enjoying it so far. We're big Robert Dugoni fans. This book. I actually pre-ordered it (which I hardly ever do). My heart was in my throat. (No other spoilers.) Very, very different from Sam Hell but wow. I gave it 5/5 stars, and I think it was one of my faves last year. Lisa |
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by gottapeanow on Jun 27, 2022 22:17:59 GMT
I read two this week.
1. The Night of Many Endings. I thought the writing was a bit lackluster. But the characters were wonderful, and the plot was decent. Told from a few POVs. The theme is addiction and how a tragedy can bring folks together. 4/5 stars.
2. Small Things Like These. This is super short (I think I read it in an hour) but oh-so-good. Lots of feels. 5/5 stars.
Now reading Sparring Partners, Grisham's latest. This is actually three novellas.
Also really looking forward to the movie Where the Crawdads Sing, to be released in the US on July 13!
Lisa
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,476
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Post by edie3 on Jun 28, 2022 0:08:07 GMT
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
by Matthew Desmond 5 stars I read that a while back, and I think someone in the book says "It's very expensive to be poor". And this book sure shows that. |
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,476
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Post by edie3 on Jun 28, 2022 0:10:02 GMT
I needed something light and funny so I read Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella. It was cute and kind of light, but not one of her best.
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Post by SockMonkey on Jun 28, 2022 0:15:42 GMT
will not be surprised if someone has bought the rights to it already. I posted last week that a mini series is currently being made with (at this stage) Blake Lively in the main role. The author is helping to adapt the script. That's exciting! I loved the book, and I like Blake Lively. |
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Post by pjaye on Jun 28, 2022 0:25:53 GMT
That's exciting! I loved the book, and I like Blake Lively. OOPs, scratch that, I got my B-named actresses mixed up - it's Brie Larson not Blake Lively! Sorry. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Jun 28, 2022 0:28:01 GMT
That's exciting! I loved the book, and I like Blake Lively. OOPs, scratch that, I got my B-named actresses mixed up - it's Brie Larson not Blake Lively! Sorry. Oh! I also really like her! Still happy. LOL |
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Post by tamiq on Jun 28, 2022 0:33:22 GMT
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
by Matthew Desmond 5 stars I read that a while back, and I think someone in the book says "It's very expensive to be poor". And this book sure shows that. Yes, it sure does! |
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