The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930 
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Dec 7, 2015 0:58:50 GMT
Hello readers.
I read one book this week:
The Red Queen. I've had a few of my students tell me I HAD to read it. If you like YA dystopia, this one is good. It's pretty formulaic, but it's fast paced and the character are likeable imo.
What did you read this week?
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by gottapeanow on Dec 7, 2015 2:13:37 GMT
I finally finished The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. I really enjoyed this. I will pick up the Queenie sequel soon.
I love the author's imagery. Beautiful. 4/5 stars.
I have been sooo busy and exhausted at night when I fall into bed. I was reading maybe 4 pages and falling asleep. Under less hectic conditions, this would have taken me maybe three days to read instead of eight or nine.
I just picked up this: Juror Number Eleven by Terry Devane. It's okay so far.
Lisa
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Post by maryland on Dec 7, 2015 2:21:19 GMT
I finally returned A Man Called Ove because after trying it twice I couldn't get into it. But it has gotten such good reviews, I may try it again.
I am reading The Mistake I Made - Paula Daly. Really good so far!
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Post by irisheyes on Dec 7, 2015 2:26:21 GMT
I read The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas. I enjoyed it and have thought about it a lot since finishing it. I gave it 3 of 5 stars, but I tend to rate low. I also read a couple of YA books and have reviews on my blog. Building Lifelong Readers |
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Post by birukitty on Dec 7, 2015 2:35:01 GMT
I haven't been posting for a few weeks. I'm fighting a nasty sinus infection and I'm reading here and posting very little. But, since I caught this thread today I decided to post and get caught up. Starting from the last book read: "The Gilded Hour" by Sara Donati I loved this book! It takes place in 1883 in New York City and is about two cousins Anna and Sophie who are both doctors-obviously being a woman doctor was unusual in that time period. It is very well written, pulled at my heart strings at the lack of choices women had at that time. I highly recommend this book. I give it 4 stars. I didn't realize until I finished it that it is part of a series of books that starts with "Into the Wilderness" by the same author. There are six books in that series. But it really stands well on it's own. You absolutely do not have to read the six before it.
The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar-Robert Alexander I liked this book. It was a quick read although it was fiction. It's the story of a kitchen boy who was with the family of the Tsar when they were imprisoned in the last weeks before they were executed, and what might have happened to the two bodies that were missing from the grave and never discovered. I give it 3 stars.
Before that I read a book half way through (can't remember what it was) couldn't get into it and finally gave up on it.
The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak This one was only so-so. I watched an old movie (old being from the 60's) about Catherine the Great and I've been wanting to do some reading about her. I've got some non-fiction lined up in my to read stack. I kept waiting for this to focus on Catherine. Instead it was all about a servant close to the throne who is employed by the Empress Elizabeth to spy on Catherine when she first comes to court as a young girl. I kept waiting and waiting for it to focus more on Catherine, but it never did. It should have been titled "The Winter Palace": A Novel about Varvara a servant girl who is a spy who is close to Catherine the Great" but of course that wouldn't have sold. I give it 2 1/2 stars, although on goodreads it scores fairly high.
Debbie in MD.
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Post by pjaye on Dec 7, 2015 2:55:48 GMT
I finished The Anchoress by Robyn Cadwallader. Set in 1255 an 'anchoress' (means to withdraw from the world) is a woman who is voluntarily locked into a tiny room attached to the village church to live a life devoted solely to God and prayer and she also counsels other women. The door is nailed shut and she never leaves the room...it's her living coffin until she dies and then she's buried there as well. The main character Sarah becomes an anchoress at just 17 after her sister dies in childbirth.
The author has a Degree in medieval history and while I am not religious myself but I find the idea of what the main character did and what she went through fascinating. I really enjoyed this and gave it 4 stars.
Then I listened to A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan. Set in modern times, about Alice who is married with 3 kids and she has to get a new job after her husband loses his. She gets a job at "Scroll" a trendy new concept for a bookstore and at first she loves it, but then the job changes, her husband starts drinking too much and her father is dying of cancer, and their long term nanny resigns. Also it's set in bookstores, there's lots of literary references (which I loved). I suppose this comes under 'chick lit' but it isn't just a 'fluff' read. Despite not being married with kids, I could really relate to this (I think some of the descriptions of "Scroll" where based on where I work!) Another 4 stars and definitely recommended.
Just now finished listening to Wildflower by Drew Barrymore also narrated by her.
I usually don't read celebrity books, but I've always liked her and I saw it when cruising the new releases at the library so I thought I'd give it a go.
It's not a biography as such, more a random collection of anecdotes from her life. She pretty much leaves out all the hard stuff and focuses on some career and personal highlights.
Most of the time her narration was OK, but she does get a bit excited and tends to yell at times. Lots of use of the F-word, if you are bothered by that, then you won't like this.
Overall I enjoyed it and she comes across as very likable. 4 stars....just don't expect it to be a full autobiography.
Now I'm going to start A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I has great reviews but is said to be very emotionally draining. |
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Dec 7, 2015 3:55:13 GMT
[Then I listened to A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan. Set in modern times, about Alice who is married with 3 kids and she has to get a new job after her husband loses his. She gets a job at "Scroll" a trendy new concept for a bookstore and at first she loves it, but then the job changes, her husband starts drinking too much and her father is dying of cancer, and their long term nanny resigns. Also it's set in bookstores, there's lots of literary references (which I loved). I suppose this comes under 'chick lit' but it isn't just a 'fluff' read. Despite not being married with kids, I could really relate to this (I think some of the descriptions of "Scroll" where based on where I work!) [/p] Another 4 stars and definitely recommended.
.
[/quote] I liked this one as well. I have a friend with young children who is considering returning to work and recommended this her. It really felt honest in its description of trying to balance work and family. Julia Whelan also narrated Maybe In Another Life which I read last week. If recommend that book as well. Just one and oh and I kicking myself for being the last person to read it-A Thousand Splendid Suns. What a beautiful story. 5 stars for me. |
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 4:37:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2015 4:10:22 GMT
I finished James Patterson's Honeymoon earlier this week....I love his books, I know there are some people that think reading him is beneath them, but I think that attitude is just silly...he's a good story teller.
I started two later on in the week. The Cypress House by Michael Koryta and Rod Stewart's Rod; The Autobiography. This is the second book by Michael Koryta that I've read and I love his writing. If you like Stephen King or his son Joe Hill, you'll like Michael Koryta.
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Post by kellybelly77 on Dec 7, 2015 4:12:13 GMT
I finished up Clovers Child by Amanda Prowse. I really loved the first 2/3's of the book. I liked the characters, I felt for them and thought the story was well thought out and great. And then she stopped the story, ended the book and had a prologue 48 years in the future. I was like what?!?! It answered no questions. It was so weird. I felt like she had this great book and then ran out of ideas so she decided to just end the book.
The book is about 2 people who fall in love in 1960's England. One, a gal from England who is white, the other is a man from the West Indies who is black. The story talks about their love story and the problems they faced. I gave it 3 stars because I really did like the first part of the book.
I am about half through Angry Optimist and slogging my way through a book on Peter the Great.
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Post by pjaye on Dec 7, 2015 4:21:54 GMT
I didn't realize until I finished it that it is part of a series of books that starts with "Into the Wilderness" by the same author. There are six books in that series. But it really stands well on it's own. You absolutely do not have to read the six before it. Technically they are part of the same series but The Gilded Hour takes up about 70 years after the last book finished. So in the new book it's the granddaughters and great-granddaughters that continue the story. I haven't read them yet and I was also confused how they fitted together but from what I read, the time gap is big enough that it doesn't matter if you don't read the others - happy that you confirmed that! I have The Gilded Hours on my TBR but was less keen thinking I might have to listen to the other 6 first. Julia Whelan also narrated Maybe In Another Life which I read last week. If recommend that book as well. Thanks, I already added that to my TBR list after your post last week. I loved Life After Life and this sounds like something I'd enjoy as well. |
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Post by RobbyKay on Dec 7, 2015 5:32:00 GMT
Hey Readers!
First up this week was All the Things We Never Knew by Sheila Hamilton. The author is a local radio personality, and she tells the story of her first husband and the father of her daughter, who spirals downward under the weight of mental illness until he is hospitalized, medicated, then commits suicide. It was fascinating to see the side of this person who I listened to on the radio every morning on my way to work, who seemed to have an enviable life, going through this kind of hell. It's a personal story, but also includes plenty of information about mental illness, the diagnosis process, and how it affects the people around them. I couldn't put it down, and thought it was a really good read.
Next up was Lara Adrian's latest Midnight Breed title: Bound to Darkness. Back in 2009, when vampire porn was hot, the Peas introduced me to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, and I power-read through the series. Once I finished those, I sought out a read-alike series, and discovered Lara Adrian. This title is a continuation of the series, set twenty years in the future. The babies that were born during the original series are all grown up and having hot vampire sex. This one was enjoyable. The focus is less on the build-up to the consummation of the relationship by the couple, and more about the couple working through their relationship issues while they are enjoying hot vampire sex.
After that, I did a 180 and picked up Te-Nehisi Coates Between the World and Me. This title has won awards this year. It's a letter from a black man to his son, talking about growing up in Baltimore, and going to Howard University, and becoming a father and how he sees the world. It was an intense, but short, read.
Then, back to the vampire porn! J.R. Ward has built a sub-series to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The first title is Blood Kiss. I wasn't excited at first - who hasn't had their story told? But it's loaded with backstory about the Brothers that never fits into the other books. I'm about 70 pages in, and I'm really enjoying it.
Happy reading!
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,734
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Post by purplebee on Dec 7, 2015 12:19:05 GMT
Also read the Egan book, A Window Opens. I enjoyed it, would give it a 3.5. Currently about halfway through We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas. About an Irish family in Queens NY. Long and fairly engrossing family story. A bit slow in places but it is holding my attention. I think it was recommended here earlier in the year.
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Post by annabella on Dec 7, 2015 14:52:08 GMT
Just now finished listening to Wildflower by Drew Barrymore also narrated by her. I listened to that book as well and enjoyed it. I didn't know she wrote her memoir at age 14, not sure if I want to read it. I wonder if she's just really in a happy place right now and didn't want to air her dirty laundry? I got the drift from the book that she is no longer speaking to her mother but financially supports her. I just finished After You by Jojo Moyes. I loved her first book, but I think books don't need sequels. Now I'm starting Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini |
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Post by kckckc on Dec 7, 2015 16:03:38 GMT
I finished 3 books this week.
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. I didn't know there was so much I didn't know about the Wright brothers. I have been to Kitty Hawk and was familiar with their time there, but didn't really know much else about their story. Very interesting book. 4/5
The Promise by Robert Crais. I enjoy Crais' Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series. This one had those characters as well as Scott James and Maggie the police dog, from his last book. I think there were simply too many characters/points of view in this one. Pike made only a nominal appearance and I detest the chapters written from the dog's point of view. 3/5
The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman. This one is a stand alone novel by the author of the Alex Delaware series. Grace witnessed her mother kill her father and then herself, then was placed in a series of foster homes. In the last one her caregiver and one of her foster brothers died suspiciously. She is then adopted by a couple of multimillionaire professors who die in a car crash, leaving Grace as their sole heir. Oh and Grace is also a genius, and capable of beating up and killing anyone who threatens hers (and getting away without anyone finding out). This one was just totally unbelievable and Grace was an unlikable character. Although I like most of Kellerman's books, I definitely didn't like this one. 2/5
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Post by lynnek on Dec 7, 2015 16:35:51 GMT
I read Coal River by Ellen Wiseman. It is about a girl who goes to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents have dies. He uncle is a foreman in a coal mine in 1912. The girl is appalled at the working conditions especially for the breaker boys who can be as young as 7 years old. So she decided to find a way to help them. It was a fine book but not a favorite.
Then I read an ARC called Up to This Pointe by Jennifer Longo. As I was looking on NetGalley this one jumped out at me because it is about dance and my daughter is a dancer and then the author mixes in Antarctica and I figured I needed to read that book and see how it all fit. It really is a lovely coming of age story about a girl who have devoted her life to ballet and then it does not work out the way her plan was supposed to. And she is trying to figure out how to move forward. It is a bit out there with Antarctica and all but overall, I really enjoyed the book.
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Post by craftygardenmom on Dec 7, 2015 17:00:20 GMT
Now I'm going to start A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I has great reviews but is said to be very emotionally draining. It almost sucked the life out of me, but it's still one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read.  |
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 4:37:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2015 17:22:23 GMT
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Post by not2peased on Dec 7, 2015 20:13:10 GMT
I'm several years late to this party, but I read Room recently in anticipation of a movie coming at some point-loved it, as I believe everyone in the world has said as well  I am now reading The Midwives Revolt and while it's entertaining-it's not the most well written book I've read (already found a reference to the same person as having blue eyes and then green-that little nit picky detail drives me nuts in a story-I am a frustrated editor at heart) |
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Post by sugarmama on Dec 7, 2015 20:15:07 GMT
I just finished Sweetland by Michael Crummey. This was one of those books that left me unable to immediately start another. I want to recommend it, but I feel like it's the kind of book you will either love or hate, so read at your own risk. I liked it because of the main character and his eccentric family and friends. He was a tough, cranky, old, former lighthouse keeper and apparently the unofficial island caretaker. This book was heartbreaking at times and it's not a fast, chick-lit type book by any means. I plan to read this again at some point, so I guess it's to be counted among my favorite books this year. I think my next read will be a light, fluffy holiday story. |
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luckyexwife
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,067
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Post by luckyexwife on Dec 7, 2015 20:18:25 GMT
I finished Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs, the 3rd and final book in the Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children series. 4/5 for me. I loved the first book, the second was ok, and I really liked this one. A few things were wrapped up a little too neatly, but overall I liked how it all came to an end. I'm a little sad the series is done!
I just got The Luckiest Girl Alive on my Kindle, so I'll be starting that tonight.
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Post by stingfan on Dec 7, 2015 20:24:27 GMT
I read Jojo Moyes' One Plus One. I liked it. Likable characters, fun plot, nice fluff . Now I've started on Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies. Seems promising... |
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,389
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Post by peaname on Dec 7, 2015 20:50:51 GMT
I also read A Window Opens I enjoyed it.
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Post by birukitty on Dec 8, 2015 0:30:48 GMT
I didn't realize until I finished it that it is part of a series of books that starts with "Into the Wilderness" by the same author. There are six books in that series. But it really stands well on it's own. You absolutely do not have to read the six before it. Technically they are part of the same series but The Gilded Hour takes up about 70 years after the last book finished. So in the new book it's the granddaughters and great-granddaughters that continue the story. I haven't read them yet and I was also confused how they fitted together but from what I read, the time gap is big enough that it doesn't matter if you don't read the others - happy that you confirmed that! I have The Gilded Hours on my TBR but was less keen thinking I might have to listen to the other 6 first. Julia Whelan also narrated Maybe In Another Life which I read last week. If recommend that book as well. Thanks, I already added that to my TBR list after your post last week. I loved Life After Life and this sounds like something I'd enjoy as well. I haven't figured out how to quote certain parts, plus being sick I don't even feel like trying right now so I'm responding to the top 2 parts of this quote. Pjaye-thanks for clarifying it for me also. I had no idea "The Guilded Hour" takes place 70 years after the last book in the series of 6 ends. And I will confirm again that "The Guilded Hour" stands very, well on it's own. I didn't say too much about it, but it's about the two women who are doctors. One is a surgeon, and the other is a doctor who mostly sees women and children. There's a character in the novel who's hell bent on finding anyone who hands out information to women on birth control (just information-even pamphlets) so he can turn them in, so when these women doctors are asked at the bedside of their patients who've just given birth to their 7th child in 8 years what can they do, the doctors aren't allowed to advise them at all! What do they do? Follow the law or help the women? There's a sub plot that goes on in the story about 4 little children who are orphans and are separated by accident. Anyway, I found it hard to put down, and luckily it was written well, which I was very happy to see. Thanks so much for the review of "The Anchoress" by Robyn Cadwallader. I've noticed that book twice at Barnes and Noble and thought it looked promising, but it's great to have a Pea review to recommend it. I'm going to add it to my To Read list on goodreads and see if my library has it. Debbie in MD. |
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Post by Layce on Dec 8, 2015 0:38:44 GMT
Finished The Nightingale, very good historical fiction. I miss it.
Looking for something, just a good read, to follow that up with.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Dec 8, 2015 1:02:07 GMT
One of my students dressed up as Ponyboy from The Outsiders on Friday for book character day. I loved that book back when I read it in 7th grade, so I decided to reread it this weekend. It was a quick read and I enjoyed reading it again.
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Dec 8, 2015 1:05:58 GMT
I just finished Sweetland by Michael Crummey. This was one of those books that left me unable to immediately start another. I want to recommend it, but I feel like it's the kind of book you will either love or hate, so read at your own risk. I liked it because of the main character and his eccentric family and friends. He was a tough, cranky, old, former lighthouse keeper and apparently the unofficial island caretaker. This book was heartbreaking at times and it's not a fast, chick-lit type book by any means. I plan to read this again at some point, so I guess it's to be counted among my favorite books this year. I think my next read will be a light, fluffy holiday story. I read this book over the summer and I loved it! It will be in my top 5 for the year. If you ever want to try another title by this author, read Galore. It has similar characters and more magic realism. |
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Post by hollymolly on Dec 8, 2015 1:11:33 GMT
I finished Never Let Me Go, then I watched the movie. I was glad I read the book first. I really enjoyed it, but it wasn't what I thought it would be.
Next I read The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill. It's set in Ireland in the 1890's and 1960's. The 1890's part is the diary of a woman in prison for murdering her young daughter, and the 1960's part is a servant from her household making a confession of her part in the death, as well as some other things, to the daughter of the child that the first woman gave birth to while in prison. It's less convoluted than it sounds. It was based on an actual case, but only some of the details are the same. It is very much a work of fiction. I enjoyed it, even though I had a hard time feeling much for any of the characters. It was well written, though. Can't decide how many stars. Maybe 3 1/2?
ETA: Just started Joyland by Stephen King. It is definitely holding my interest. I finished the previous book on the plane this morning, but my other book (Love the One You're With) was in my checked luggage. I bought Joyland during the big Kindle sale last week, so I started reading on my phone.
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Post by sugarmama on Dec 8, 2015 2:52:00 GMT
Tuesdaysgone, I was thinking that I would like to read another book by Michael Crummey. Also, I forgot to mention the dog! Didn't you just love Smut?
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Post by Butterfly Momma on Dec 13, 2015 19:43:28 GMT
I just finished Sweetland by Michael Crummey. This was one of those books that left me unable to immediately start another. I want to recommend it, but I feel like it's the kind of book you will either love or hate, so read at your own risk. I liked it because of the main character and his eccentric family and friends. He was a tough, cranky, old, former lighthouse keeper and apparently the unofficial island caretaker. This book was heartbreaking at times and it's not a fast, chick-lit type book by any means. I plan to read this again at some point, so I guess it's to be counted among my favorite books this year. I think my next read will be a light, fluffy holiday story. I read this book for book club this fall and your review of it is perfect. I felt the same way about it. It was interesting to hear the reviews of it at book club - it was a very polarizing book. I am from Atlantic Canada, and while not a Newfoundlander, I am familiar with the resettlement process that they used and I think that that really colored my view of the book. The rest of my book club members are also Canadian, but from Central or Western Canada, and didn't feel the same personal connection to it that I did. Good book. He is my cousins favorite author and she got to meet him this summer I know today is the 13th, and so I'm late to this thread, but I am finally reading Finding Jake and I'm having a hard time putting it down. It's not a pleasant read, but a very engaging book. I have added The Anchoress to my short list. |
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Post by sugarmama on Dec 13, 2015 20:51:40 GMT
Butterfly Momma. I wish my book club had read this together. I recommended it to a few people. I would have loved to have been able to have a discussion about it. I read so many books that are good, but forgettable. Sweetland was most definitely NOT forgettable.
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