The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Mar 25, 2024 18:37:14 GMT
What did you read this week?
This week I read:
Bride Ali Hazelwood Romance/Fantasy/Paranormal/ spicy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
REVIEW: I needed something light and a little silly to read and saw some good reviews for this one.
Vampire/Werewolf romance, some spice but very consensual and actually pretty funny with a likable protagonist. Don’t expect anything earth-shattering but a solid paranormal romance.
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naby64
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,933
Jun 25, 2014 21:44:13 GMT
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Post by naby64 on Mar 25, 2024 19:00:45 GMT
I finished The Women by Kristen Hannah. Oh my word!! 5 out of 5 stars! My DH came out Saturday morning and wondered why I was sitting on the couch crying while I drank my coffee. I had my earbuds in and was listening to the last 45 minutes of the book.
I just got Circe by Madeline Miller this morning and will be starting that this afternoon. I am late to the game on this one. It is 4.25 stars on Goodreads. Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on Mar 25, 2024 19:40:46 GMT
I tried to read a few books this week, but ended up DNFing all but one. Halfway through another one now.
One of the books I DNF'd was Year of the Locust by Terry Hayes, author of the much-acclaimed I Am Pilgrim, which I loved. Not only is it quite the hefty tome, it apparently moves into time travel and all kinds of strange premises when the book doesn't indicate at all that it's sci-fi, from what I can tell.
The book I read was called Big Time, which is a fast-paced book about a kidnapped woman, her green-eyed captor, and a third woman who works at a boring job for the FDA and cares for her mom and child. The premise was amazing but fizzled badly at the end. 3.5/5 stars
Lisa
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Post by trixiecat on Mar 25, 2024 19:59:54 GMT
The Ascent by Adam Plantiga.
Kurt Argento, an ex-Detroit street cop who can’t let injustice go—and who has the fighting skills to back up his idealism.
If he sees a young girl being dragged into an alley, he's going to rescue her and cause some damage.
When he does just that in a small corrupt Missouri town, he’s brutally beaten and thrown into a maximum-security prison.
Julie Wakefield, a grad student who happens to be the governor's daughter, is about to take a tour of the prison. But when a malfunction in the security system releases a horde of prisoners, a fierce struggle for survival ensues.
Argento must help a small band of staff and civilians, including Julie and her two state trooper handlers, make their way from the bottom floor to the roof to safety.
All that stands in their way are six floors of the most dangerous convicts in Missouri.
This is a debut novel by the author. It was really good and fast paced. I would give it 4 stars.
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Post by mnmloveli on Mar 25, 2024 21:51:19 GMT
Slightly disappointing reading week for me. THE FROZEN RIVER (‘23 - READ ‘24 - 3 STARS) BY ARIEL LAWHONDESCRIPTION : A work of fiction inspired (not based, as the author explained in her notes) on the true life and diary of Martha Ballard, a midwife and a healer, set in Maine, 1789, with flashbacks to earlier years. When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own. Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie. REVIEW : First book by this author for me. Many 2Peas loved it ! gottapeanow favorite of 2023; mncmom Amazing 5 Stars; The Birdhouse Lady Amazing read and still thinking about it. stine gave it 4 stars. I am not a historical fiction reader but the beautiful writing connected me to the characters right away in this mystery meets history. Lots of characters to keep track of and get to know. Very descriptive rape scene at a court hearing. I did enjoy the court scenes. The examples touched on in the book about the treatment of women were shocking; times sure have changed. Slightly longer book at 420 pages. Wished it was 100 pages less. Make sure you read the “author’s extensive note” at the end of the book; the real “end” of the book. KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE (‘23 - 2 Stars) BY LUCINDA BERRYDESCRIPTION : When Kiersten McCann, president of the West Hollywood Moms’ Club, turns up dead in her own pool, it quickly becomes clear this wasn’t an accident. And the party guests—all members of the exclusive club—are now key suspects in her murder. Accusations fly, and three mothers find themselves at the center of the investigation. Whitney, Brooke, and Jade all have heavy secrets to bear…and possible motives for their friend’s murder. But as the police look closer, more secrets, betrayals, and sinister plots are revealed than the women could ever imagine. REVIEW : Previous 5/6 books by this author for me were 4 stars with only one 3 star: Off the Deep End (‘23 - 4 Stars), Saving Noah (‘17 - Read ‘23 - 4 Stars), The Secrets of Us (‘22 - 4 Stars), Under Her Care (‘22 - 3 Stars), The Best of Friends (‘20 - 4 Stars) and The Perfect Child (‘19 - 4 Stars). Always a slight twist to her plots that make them unique, but not this time. All the fingers get pointed at everyone in this tale and the last 30% all the lies are revealed. Very boring for me. Disappointed.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Mar 25, 2024 23:25:23 GMT
Slightly disappointing reading week for me. THE FROZEN RIVER (‘23 - READ ‘24 - 3 STARS) BY ARIEL LAWHONI'm surprised you gave it only 3 stars. I loved the book and think I gave it 5. Last week I finished Desperate Creed (Ryder Creed #5) by Alex Kava. Another great read 4/5 stars. Then I started After Anna by Anna Quindlen. I stopped at page 120 and DNF. I realized it was agonizingly depressing to me even though it got rave reviews on Good Reads. At my age, it is the last type of book I want to spend my time reading. Now I am reading Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney. I'm just getting to know the characters and am enjoying it so far. I have Creed book #6 on my Kindle and will read it next week at my scrapbooking retreat.
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Post by mnmloveli on Mar 25, 2024 23:33:24 GMT
Slightly disappointing reading week for me. THE FROZEN RIVER (‘23 - READ ‘24 - 3 STARS) BY ARIEL LAWHONI'm surprised you gave it only 3 stars. I loved the book and think I gave it 5. I am definitely in the minority on this book.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on Mar 26, 2024 0:25:47 GMT
I'm surprised you gave it only 3 stars. I loved the book and think I gave it 5. I am definitely in the minority on this book. We are all different. Every book is not for every person.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,135
Jul 6, 2016 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by hutchfan on Mar 26, 2024 3:05:04 GMT
I read Weyward by Emilia Hart. I am struggling with my feelings on this book, I found it creepy but riveting too, I truly hate bugs of any kind and this book is full of them but I was invested in these women. I give it 3 stars but I will remember this book. 2019:Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great- aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she soons suspects that her great-aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden over since the witch hunts of the seventeenth century.
1619:Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. When Altha was a girl, her mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence of witchcraft is laid out against Altha, she knows it will take all her powers to maintain her freedom.
1942:As World War 2 rages. Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives-and for her mother, long-deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom. Weaving together the 3 extraordinary women across five centuries. Weyward is an debut, and an enthralling novel of female resilience.
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Post by pjaye on Mar 26, 2024 3:57:09 GMT
The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaulI'm a fan of drag & Drag Race (not the car one!) so I was keen to read this. Ru tells us about his early years growing up and how he rose to fame. I was a little disappointed that he goes from a very detailed description of his early years and then skips to the end when he's already famous...Drag Race doesn't even get a mention! I feel like it needs a part 2. It was still entertaining, and he writes with a lot of insight. He narrates the audiobook too and is very easy to listen to. 4 stars, The Ascent by Adam PlantingaAlready mentioned above by trixiecat so I won't go over the summary. I did like this, but it was very graphic and violent in places and some it felt gratuitous and purely there for shock value (the canoe!)...which I could have done without. But it was fast paced and kept me engaged. My Dad would have loved this book. 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 on GR.
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,020
Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
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Post by mimima on Mar 27, 2024 15:27:51 GMT
Dh shared his Covid with me, so much of this past week was spent reading on the couch and working from home.
Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers. Re-read for an IRL Book Club (that I missed due to having Covid.) In my original review, I had mentioned that the language made me wince. When I re-read, paying attention, I realized that it is the gentle, cozy feeling that was incongruous with the f-bombs. Overall, though a four-star read.
Jane of Lantern Hill by LM Montgomery, While I am an Anne girl, this is my mom’s favorite, so it was good to re-read. Good quotes, sweet if not predictable. A good sick day read. 5/5 stars.
The Politics of Opera by Mitchell Cohen. The book that I had stashed in the little bath for a few months. I expected a bit more about well, opera, but I did find the exploration of politics, freemasonry (who knew?) and music to be interesting. 3/5 stars.
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. While I agree that the set-up defies credulity and there are definite content warnings (PM me with questions,) this book was a lovely story of family and grief. I blubbered through the end. It also gets my award for best cover of the year. 4/5 stars.
Enter the Body by Joy McCullough. Recommended by the Perks of Being a Book Lover podcast, this is a YA novel in verse about the tragic heroines of Shakespeare’s plays reclaiming and remaking their story. So very good. 5/5 stars.
DNF:
Post After Post-Mortem by ECR Lorac. Tried to read for the Close Reads Bonus podcasts, but it wasn’t keeping my interest and while the cover was pretty, it wasn’t that pretty.
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Bridget in MD
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,054
Member is Online
Jun 25, 2014 20:40:00 GMT
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Post by Bridget in MD on Mar 27, 2024 21:38:01 GMT
4 Stars for Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. Finlay is drowning in bills, childcare, and just in life... And she has GOT to write her book or give back the advance she just cannot afford to do. Meeting her editor in disguise at a Panera, Finlay is overhead by a woman and hired to do a job - and as much as she explains it was a misunderstanding, the woman will not take NO for an answer. Even worse, when Finlay manages to complete the first mission, she is recommended for another offer she can't turn down either! With the help of her nanny/sidekick Vero, I found myself rooting for Finlay in this comedy of errors. Looking forward to reading #2!
4 Stars for HOw to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by K.C. Davis. "The best way to do something is the way it gets done." This made me smile because I think about how I wash dishes. My husband says I'm wasting soap or not being effiencnt. I give zero shits bc its getting done. 😊 "When you view care tasks as moral, the motivation for completing them is often shame. When everything is in place, you don’t feel like a failure; when it’s messy or untidy, you do." and If a system never becomes easy or automatic for you, then it just means either the system isn’t the right one for you or you need more tips and tools to get the system to work. This quick read was very validating.
3 Stars for the short story Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory. This is the 4th book in the Improbable Meet-Cute series. Cute story - when an earthquake traps Daisy in her favorite bakery with the owner she thinks hates her, she finally understands all those misread cues he was giving her.
3.5 Stars for the short book With Any Luck by Ashley Poston. This is the 5th book in the Improbable Meet-Cute series. I recently read her book the 7 Year Slip, which I also enjoyed.
Audrey Love is cursed as the one BEFORE you find the one you love. When her best friend disappears hours before his Valentine’s Day wedding, Audrey fears the worst. With help from the best man (whose last name happens to be Luck! and who she can't stand), she retraces her steps to help find her friend and right any damage she may have caused.
3 Stars for the short story Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson. This is the 6th and final book in the Improbable Meet-Cute series.
When Princess Ilaria convinces her assistant to trade places with her, Ilaria plans just one blissfully ordinary short weekend in obscurity. When a handsome photographer helps her, he offers to be her guide, but he has a secret of his own...
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Post by Tearisci on Mar 28, 2024 18:22:00 GMT
I just finished The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger 5/5. This was a real page-turner! Here's a synopsis:
Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news: Chad’s late uncle has left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its prewar elegance and impeccably uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. One would almost never suspect the dark history lurking behind its perfectly maintained facade.
At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to suspect that there’s more to the Windermere than meets the eye. Why is the doorman ever-present? Why are there cameras everywhere? And why have so many gruesome crimes occurred there throughout the years? When one of the neighbors turns up dead, Rosie must get to the truth about the Windermere before she, too, falls under its dangerous spell.
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Post by sawwhet on Mar 28, 2024 22:53:59 GMT
This past week:
Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah. 3/5 Kin by Lesley Crewe 5/5 Lesley Crewes' books are so beautifully written Yellowface by RF Kuang 4/5. I really enjoyed the book but the ending was rather abrupt. The Inmate by Freida McFadden 3/5. Not her best work
Presently reading Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto
In Canada, Kobo had some pretty good ebooks deals today. I purchased 8 books for $25 and many are on my "to read" list. 👏🏻
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Post by mncmom on Mar 29, 2024 1:35:24 GMT
So I bought Barbra Streisand's autobiography. I've been a big fan of hers for many years. But dang, it's hard to read. So much detail that goes on and on. And, like all autobiographies, she's always right and pretty darn perfect. Which is why I really prefer biographies - they're much more balanced.
Has anyone else read it?
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Post by flanz on Mar 29, 2024 1:59:05 GMT
This past week: Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah. 3/5 Kin by Lesley Crewe 5/5 Lesley Crewes' books are so beautifully written Yellowface by RF Kuang 4/5. I really enjoyed the book but the ending was rather abrupt. The Inmate by Freida McFadden 3/5. Not her best work Presently reading Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto In Canada, Kobo had some pretty good ebooks deals today. I purchased 8 books for $25 and many are on my "to read" list. 👏🏻 Thank you! I just bought Kin.
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