The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930 
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Oct 10, 2022 2:12:17 GMT
Hello readers!
This week I read:
🟣 Part of your World ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Contemporary romance is definitely having its moment, but it’s not a genre I read much. This one’s reviews intrigued me, and I liked that the story takes place in Minnesota, and in an area I am familiar with (it seems to take place mostly in the Lansboro area)
Although it follows the Hallmark movie formula, there was a little more meat to dig into with the two characters from very different backgrounds. It was pretty “cute” and nothing too “sexy.” Probably a five stars for contemporary romance. More of a 3.5 rounded up to a four for me.
🔴 Our Missing Hearts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve enjoyed Celeste Ng’s first two books, and the storyline in the previews intrigued me. Near future dystopian parable that is uncomfortably close to our own path our country is on.
The narration starts from the perspective of a 14 year old Asian American boy living in an America that has suffered a massive “crisis” before he was born, where books are heavily censored, children are removed from their homes from parents who appear UnAmerican, and having Asian features makes him a frequent target of suspicion.
I’m rounding up to five stars. It’s a good book with a lot to think about; no major issues with the book, but I’m not sure how memorable it will be in the long run.
What did you read this week?
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Oct 10, 2022 2:20:29 GMT
I got to 26% on the audio of Our Missing Hearts and I’ve decided to abandon it😬. My problem is the narration. It’s by Lucy Lui whom I’m assuming is the actress, but I just can’t listen to another chapter by her. It’s something about the way she puts an emphasis on a word in every single sentence. I can’t tell the last time I quit a book and hearing that you gave it 5 stars makes me want to pick it up as a regular book. But I would give a warning to others to listen to the narration before you buy, it may not be a good match for you.
On the other end of the spectrum I did finish The Winners. I loved being back in this world created by Fredrik Backman. While I’ve seen many reviews that complained about the length, I didn’t have a problem with that. I liked the deep dive into this story and found the ending very satisfying. 5 stars.
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Post by pjaye on Oct 10, 2022 2:36:20 GMT
That Green Eyed Girl by Julie Owen Moylan. A dual timeline book, set in 1955 two female teachers Dovie & Gillian have to keep their relationship a secret, but another women at their school finds out and blackmails then into letting her stay with them. Then in 1975 15yo Ava lives in the same apartment when one day a parcel is delivered from Paris for Gillian and so Ava tries to find her.
I really enjoyed this, loved the writing and thought all of the characters were well developed.
4 stars
Undoctored: The Story of a Medic Who Ran Out of Patients by Adam Kay. The third book I've listened to by this author who was a doctor in the UK. He also wrote 'This Is Going To Hurt' which has been made into a TV show. In this book he talks about his life after he quits medicine to peruse a career in comedy. His books are mostly lighthearted with some occasional darker/sadder stories in-between.
He reads his own book which is usually the kiss of death for audiobooks, but not in this case, he has a great reading voice and is very easy to listen to (British accent of course)
4 stars
I'm just about to start the new Graham Norton book Forever Home.
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Post by circusjohnson on Oct 10, 2022 3:15:45 GMT
Spell for Forgetting by Adrienne Young! So good, murder mystery with romance and a hint of magic!
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Post by worrywart on Oct 10, 2022 3:20:53 GMT
I'm 64% done with Steven King Fairy Tales and I don't know if I can finish it. It is on my kindle so I may come back to it later. It started out strong but its really long.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Oct 10, 2022 4:10:27 GMT
I finished several books while on vacation.
I read Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson on the plane. This book takes place in the South (Virginia, but some of the places talked about in the book is in North Carolina) during the time people had slaves. The book follows a young female slave called Pheby Delores Brown. Although hard to read at times, it was worthwhile. 5/5 stars
The Night Swim by Megan Goldin. Tough subject matter, probably should have picked a better book for vacation. 4/5 stars
I just finished The Hike by Suzi Holiday. This was a first reads selection and, just like other ones I’ve gotten, I wonder why I picked it. I didn’t like anything about any of the characters and I felt the ending was abrupt. 2.5/5 stars
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by gottapeanow on Oct 10, 2022 5:58:27 GMT
cadoodlebug, I loved Yellow Wife although it was a hard read. I just read one this week: Little Sister by Lodge. There are serious TW and CW for child r@pe. I was underwhelmed and skimmed through the end just to get through it. There were a couple of twists that left me, well, underwhelmed. I gave it 2.4 stars. This is part of a series, but you don't really need to read the other books before you read this one. I'm now finishing We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies, which is just okay so far. Enabler alert: Target is having a BOGO at 50% off right now. I'm thinking about getting The Winners and Such a Pretty Girl, the new one by T. Greenwood. She's such a fantastic author. Lisa
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Post by jeremysgirl on Oct 10, 2022 12:54:48 GMT
I am currently listening to Strangers to Ourselves by Rachel Aviv. It is an in-depth case study of 5 people with mental illnesses that don't exactly "fit the mold" of typical mental illness diagnoses and treatments. The author makes no judgments nor draws any conclusions. Which is kind of nice as it leaves it to the readers to just formulate an opinion on their own. The case studies are interesting, though. I look forward to finishing this book.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,732
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Post by purplebee on Oct 10, 2022 13:03:33 GMT
Read two this week: “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. Recommended here, Was a bit iffy for me at first, but then really liked it.
Second was “Flying Solo” by Linda Holmes. This tale of a single woman who returns home to Maine to deal with her Great-Aunt’s estate grabbed me right away. Fluffy, but good fluff, with a bit of a mystery too. I liked everyone in this book.
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Post by guzismom on Oct 10, 2022 13:32:18 GMT
Currently reading Flesh and Blood by Patricia Cornwell. I read a lot of her stuff; this one is pretty typical and I enjoy them. Not literary genius by any stretch; but interesting stories.
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Post by SockMonkey on Oct 10, 2022 13:34:44 GMT
Last night I finished Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz, which is a Gothic mystery/romance set in 1817 Edinburgh about a wealthy young woman who wants to become a surgeon and befriends a "resurrection man" (aka body snatcher) who hooks her up with practice bodies.
Y'all, it was such a fun read (but probably not for the squeamish, as it gets into medical/anatomical details). If you like horror/horror adjecent, Frankenstein, etc., this is for you. There is another book in the duology coming out this winter.
Now I'm going to start listening to Malinda Lo's "A Scatter of Light" and just started reading Hazel Beck's "Small Town, Big Magic" which so far has Practical Magic vibes (but maybe a bit lighter) and I'm really enjoying it.
Leaning in to witchy/spooky reads lately!
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Post by monklady123 on Oct 10, 2022 14:20:44 GMT
I've read a few since I last posted, I think. lol
Lessons in Chemistry -- can't remember if I posted this one or not. But I LOVED it. So much so that I bought a copy and I don't buy books anymore. I brought it to our beach vacation so dd could read it and she finished it in an afternoon. And now my dh, who rarely reads fiction, is reading it. He alternates between laughing out loud and reading me quotes (as if I haven't actually read it, haha). But I love that he's loving it so much.
My library has a feature on their website after you've put a book on hold... there's a pop-up that says "white you wait" and suggests other books. I think maybe that's where I got these next two recommendations, because they have a similar theme to Lessons in Chemistry -- feminism, social justice, etc.
The first is When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill, who is usually a kids/middle grade author. I think this is her first adult book. It's billed as "magical realism" which I didn't think I liked (although I have heard that Harry Potter is called magical realism and I love HP...) -- but anyway, I LOVED this book. It has the same theme as Chemistry about women kept "in their place" by men, underestimated by men, etc., and then in the end rising beyond that. And in this case, literally "rising" as they turn into dragons and fly away. Five stars for sure.
The second one that I think came from the "while you wait" list is The Change by Kirsten Miller. I'm only about halfway through but so far I love it also. It's about three women who band together to use their "witch" abilities to find bodies and I hope to catch the serial killer (I haven't gotten to that part yet). Again, there's the theme of women being ignored and passed over in the workplace. One of the three formerly worked in an advertising agency where she gave good ideas to a man, since no one would take a woman's ideas seriously. Then she quit/was ousted and he came around begging her to remove what he thought was a curse on him because he was doing so poorly at work...But really it was just that he wasn't any good at his job and the only reason he'd been succeeding was because of the woman's ideas. hahaha
Also, I finished listening to the next in the Last Kids on Earth series. lol. Middle grade, about the zombie/monster apocalypse. Silly and fun and just what I need to listen to when I've driving or walking since my mind tends to wander. lol
And, I just finished Nyxia by Scott Reintgen. I borrowed it because someone in this thread mentioned it a few weeks ago...who was that? I'll go search the older threads in a minute to find out who it was. Whoever it was, I remember you said the second one wasn't as good? I just borrowed that one for my Kindle so I'll give it a try. The first one reminded me of Ender's Game, which I now might have to read again since it's been a long time. lol
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Post by mnmloveli on Oct 10, 2022 15:41:04 GMT
Two good ones !
THE WINNERS (‘22) (The Beartown Series #3) by Fredrik Backman : 4 STARS
DESCRIPTION: Two years have passed since the events that no one wants to think about. Everyone has tried to move on, but there’s something about this place that prevents it. The residents continue to grapple with life’s big questions: What is a family? What is a community? And what, if anything, are we willing to sacrifice in order to protect them? As the locals of Beartown struggle to overcome the past, great change is on the horizon. Someone is coming home after a long time away. Someone will be laid to rest. Someone will fall in love, someone will try to fix their marriage, and someone will do anything to save their children. Someone will submit to hate, someone will fight, and someone will grab a gun and walk towards the ice rink.
REVIEW: The first 2 books of this series, Beartown (‘17) & Us Against You (‘18) both received 5 stars from me. Other books by this author were all over the charts for me: Anxious People (‘20 - 3 Stars), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry (‘15 - Read ‘17 - 2 Stars) and A Man Called Ove (‘14 - Read ‘17 - 4 Stars).
Be ready to commit to this book; it’s 684 pages! As soon as I started, I remembered the great writing. It flows so smoothly. Definitely a lot to “set-up” between the old characters and new ones. I do wish it was written closer in time to the other 2 books, which were 4&5 years ago. At 75% I feel nothing has really happened. If there was any sort of plot, I didn’t get it so far. At this point the narrator starts hinting something is going to happen - well it sure took a long time. I think this book could have been cut in half. I do think we have seen the main characters mature and change for the better. The writing is definitely what kept me reading, Mr. Backman has such a way with words and feelings. His writing is definitely what got this book 4 stars, not the story itself. I was happy with the ending.
BY THE WAY, A Man Called Ove is becoming a movie on 12/14/22 with Tom Hanks called A Man Called Otto. I can’t wait !
THE HOUSEMAID (‘21 - Read ‘22) by Sarah A. Denzil : 4 STARS
DESCRIPTION: “Housemaid Wanted. Skills Required: Discretion and the willingness to go the extra mile”. It seems like the perfect job. Great wages, accommodation provided, and all located within the walls of Highwood Hall, a stunning stately home owned by the Howard Family. But I soon realise I’ve made a mistake. There’s a general atmosphere of unease at Highwood Hall, from the narrow tunnels laced throughout the sprawling house, to the abandoned north wing, rumoured to be haunted. It’s easy to imagine the secrets hidden within these walls.
REVIEW: A favorite author of mine. Previous books Little One (‘21 - 4 Stars), The Liar’s Sister (‘19 - Read ‘21 - 4 Stars); Only Daughter ('19 - 4 Stars); Silent Child ('17 - 3 Stars); and a series One for Sorrow, Two for Joy and Three for a Girl (5, 4 & 4 Stars).
Easy read with lots of creepiness right from the start. The haunting atmosphere of the mansion almost makes it a character in the story; great for Halloween time. The questions and mystery increase with every chapter. Enjoyable read.
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Post by mnmloveli on Oct 10, 2022 15:41:45 GMT
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Post by quietgirl on Oct 10, 2022 16:00:03 GMT
Last night I finished Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz, which is a Gothic mystery/romance set in 1817 Edinburgh about a wealthy young woman who wants to become a surgeon and befriends a "resurrection man" (aka body snatcher) who hooks her up with practice bodies. Y'all, it was such a fun read (but probably not for the squeamish, as it gets into medical/anatomical details). If you like horror/horror adjecent, Frankenstein, etc., this is for you. There is another book in the duology coming out this winter. Now I'm going to start listening to Malinda Lo's "A Scatter of Light" and just started reading Hazel Beck's "Small Town, Big Magic" which so far has Practical Magic vibes (but maybe a bit lighter) and I'm really enjoying it. Leaning in to witchy/spooky reads lately! Dana Schwartz has a podcast called Noble Blood (history, many time periods and countries, hones in on a particular person, couple or family mostly), so I knew about her book, and that she's having a sequel come out. Thanks for your review! |
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Post by ~summer~ on Oct 10, 2022 16:08:48 GMT
I listened to “Evvie Drake Starts Over” on my long drive and enjoyed it. I’d give it 3.5 stars. Also thought it dragged a bit in the middle.
Next up I have a few books:
A Calling For Charlie Barnes
The German Wife
Flying Solo
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Post by birukitty on Oct 10, 2022 20:09:53 GMT
he first is When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill, who is usually a kids/middle grade author. I think this is her first adult book. It's billed as "magical realism" which I didn't think I liked (although I have heard that Harry Potter is called magical realism and I love HP...) -- but anyway, I LOVED this book. It has the same theme as Chemistry about women kept "in their place" by men, underestimated by men, etc., and then in the end rising beyond that. And in this case, literally "rising" as they turn into dragons and fly away. Five stars for sure. I read this book in August and loved it too. I also gave it 5 stars. I thought it was absolutely wonderful! |
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Post by birukitty on Oct 10, 2022 20:28:33 GMT
I haven't posted for the last couple of weeks because I was rereading two books from the past. The first one I reread knowing it-I just wanted to because I'd just read the sequel and it'd been many years since I read the first one. The second one I reread without realizing I'd read it before. I got a hint a couple of times, but I just kept on reading without checking my goodreads account.
Since then I've read these two books:
The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer This takes place in two different time periods, the 1930's and the 1950's but the writer is able to seamlessly blend together not only the time periods but the lives of two different women. One is an American Lizzy who grows up during the depression and the Dust Bowl in Texas. The other is Sophie who is married to a German rocket science in WWII. I loved this book and ended up giving it 5 stars at goodreads.
The Foundling by Ann Leary This book begins in 1927 when 18 year old Mary Engle is hired to work as a secretary at a remote institution for mentally disabled women called The Nettleton State Village for Feeble Minded Women of Childbearing Age. She is in awe of her employer, a woman who is a doctor-the only woman in her class in medical school. Mary Engle grew up in an orphanage and soon after she is hired she learns that a girl from her childhood orphanage is one of the inmates. She knows this girl well and knows she isn't mentally disturbed. Is the institution holding women who are well against their will? I enjoyed this book and gave it 4 stars.
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Post by sawwhet on Oct 10, 2022 20:32:33 GMT
Still listening to The Winners. Gawd help me. 21 hours and I'm 1/2 way through. Not much has happened. I'm hoping to be done by Wednesday evening.
Up Next:
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams and
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,476
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Post by edie3 on Oct 10, 2022 21:43:17 GMT
Near future dystopian parable that is uncomfortably close to our own path our country is on That is the scariest part of this book. |
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,476
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Post by edie3 on Oct 10, 2022 21:45:41 GMT
I finished Our Missing Hearts and it is a very heavy subject matter. Well written, and the author sure has a gift with words.
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
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Post by pyccku on Oct 11, 2022 1:15:30 GMT
I just finished Go Tell the Bees that I am gone. It was a bit long - could have done with fewer subplots - but was a quick read and I enjoyed it. It's been a while since I read an Outlander book.
I read Excuse Me While I disappear by Laurie Notaro and it was great - very funny and a super fast read.
I also read Prince Lestat, it reminded me of why I quit reading the Vampire Chronicles a while back. Too much meandering and navel-gazing. I just watched the first episode of the AMC series and it wasn't bad at all.
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Oct 11, 2022 2:07:29 GMT
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Post by ~summer~ on Oct 11, 2022 2:26:38 GMT
that’s been on my list - thank you! |
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my3freaks
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,206
Location: NH girl living in Colorado
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Post by my3freaks on Oct 11, 2022 2:30:16 GMT
I read The Butcher & The Wren by Alaina Urquhart, one of the hosts of the true crime podcast Morbid. I love the podcast, and the hosts. I had preordered the book as soon as I heard it was coming out. It was a good, quick read. I enjoyed it. I also read An Evening at the Hotel: An Affair in 51 Rooms by Susan Laqueur. It was a Kindle Unlimited book, I'm very glad I didn't buy it. I didn't realize it was a short story, and the way it was written was really weird to me. Each chapter was titled as a room number, but I thought the story was taking place over one night and flip flopping between the man & woman's perspectives. I wouldn't recommend it. I'm now reading a non fiction book called Psychopath: Enter the Mind of a Psychopath by Clarence T Rivers. I obviously don't pay attention to details when I get books because I didn't realize this was short either. It's only 49 pages. I'm about 70% through it. Not great, it's repetitive and at least so far hasn't given me any information I don't already know. Last night I downloaded the new JD Robb In Death book from the library, so that's next up. |
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Oct 11, 2022 10:23:01 GMT
I read Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell. It's an examination of the types of words, phrases, and jargon that are used by cults and also by other less restrictive groups in ways that can end up being "cultish," to use the author's word. She begins by talking about a few actual cults, like the Jonestown group and Heaven's Gate, and some of the wordplay that pulls people in and keeps them bound to the group. Then she moves into more general society and talks about similar use of cultish language and techniques in multi-level marketing schemes, self-help influencers, and fitness groups, to name a few.
It's not a perfect book, but it's a quick read, written in a conversational tone, and I think it would be a good introduction for anyone who's curious about cults or manipulative language. I think it's a very pertinent topic in this era where we have so many, many grifters, charlatans and liars trying to pull us into their spheres of influence.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Oct 11, 2022 11:27:14 GMT
I read Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell. It's an examination of the types of words, phrases, and jargon that are used by cults and also by other less restrictive groups in ways that can end up being "cultish," to use the author's word. She begins by talking about a few actual cults, like the Jonestown group and Heaven's Gate, and some of the wordplay that pulls people in and keeps them bound to the group. Then she moves into more general society and talks about similar use of cultish language and techniques in multi-level marketing schemes, self-help influencers, and fitness groups, to name a few. It's not a perfect book, but it's a quick read, written in a conversational tone, and I think it would be a good introduction for anyone who's curious about cults or manipulative language. I think it's a very pertinent topic in this era where we have so many, many grifters, charlatans and liars trying to pull us into their spheres of influence. This book is on my to read list. Thanks for the recommend. |
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Oct 11, 2022 23:56:33 GMT
This book is on my to read list. Thanks for the recommend. It occurred to me that you might like it! I know you're a non-fiction reader. I usually am, too, but this year for some reason I've been reading more fiction. |
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iowahawkeye
Shy Member
Posts: 30
May 20, 2020 2:10:26 GMT
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Post by iowahawkeye on Oct 12, 2022 3:01:45 GMT
I am about halfway through The Winners by Fredrik Backman and I an enjoying the "old" characters along with some new ones. His writing style is so engaging, and keeps you guessing....but I'm really perplexed about the plot. it seems as if the first half of the book is getting us reacquainted with the characters. But what a writer! I would have to say I am liking reading the book, will finish this week so can report back next week.
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Post by katiescarlett on Oct 12, 2022 14:42:16 GMT
I am also half way through The Winners and it's just ok for me so far.
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