Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,300
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on May 15, 2017 16:57:01 GMT
I'll go ahead and start this week's book thread.
I read If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, by John Ortberg. I generally don't care for spiritual books with cute titles, but one of the Sunday School classes at church is reading it, and I picked up a copy while I was doing some work at church this week. It's about listening to God's call and taking the steps to carry it out. It was exactly what I needed to read at this stage of my life. And it was a funny, compassionate book with a lot of common sense stuff. I'd recommend it to any Christian reader.
I'm reading The Radium Girls by Kate Moore...this is non-fiction, about the many young women who were employed making radium watch and navigation dials in the early 20th century. They would dip their brushes in radium paint and then put them in their mouths to get a fine tip for painting the tiny numbers. Needless to say, the physical results were horrific. I'm not too far in to the book yet...it seems to be well-written, although there are a lot of people to keep track of, but it is grim reading. I'll have to update when I've finished it.
So I decided to read Burr by Gore Vidal to have something less grim to turn to. I've wanted to read this for a long time and could never find it at any of the libraries here, so I just bought a used copy from Amazon. I'm hoping it will be good, I'd love to read another side of Aaron Burr besides the "Hamilton" version.
What did you read, what are you reading?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 20, 2024 22:13:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 17:04:54 GMT
I'm reading The Stand by Stephen King. I'm not very far into and wanted to see what the fuss was about!
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Post by jassy on May 15, 2017 17:11:11 GMT
I was gifted some glorious reading time yesterday for Mother's Day - ahhhhhh!
I finished The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom . It definitely held my interest, and I was drawn into the story of Lavinia, a young Irish girl who is an indentured servant on a southern plantation, and is raised in the Kitchen House by Belle, a slave who is also the daughter of the plantation owner. Lavinia has to navigate the two worlds when she doesn't quite belong in either. I really fell in love with some of the characters, but there were MANY characters and lots of events spanning the decades of the novel so my old brain was often stopping to remember what happened to whom. I definitely recommend the book.
Just started North of Normal: A Memoir of My Wilderness Childhood, My Unusual Family, and How I Survived Both by Cea Sunrise Person
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,995
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on May 15, 2017 17:12:17 GMT
After a couple of long involved books I decided to read a light, feelgood book and The Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna van Praag fitted the bill nicely. A charming book with a fairytale quality to it.
I had previously read another book of hers The House at the End of Hope Street and had enjoyed that too. So I might have to look and see what else she has written.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,970
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on May 15, 2017 17:13:23 GMT
Thanks. I forgot until a few minutes ago...Mother's Day threw me off last night.
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Post by leannec on May 15, 2017 17:26:40 GMT
I read Into the Water by Paula Hawkins ... she is the author of "The Girl On the Train" ... This book is told from the perspective of a whole bunch of different characters ... It was trying at first but eventually was fine and I really fell into the story I liked that it wrapped up the end for the main characters ... many books do not do that I'll admit that "The Girl On the Train" was better
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,641
Jun 26, 2014 14:35:07 GMT
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Post by janeliz on May 15, 2017 17:33:25 GMT
Startup by Doree Shafrir. It was good but not great. I thought there was a missed opportunity to take the story to a deeper, more compelling place. It was all just on the surface, if that makes sense
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Post by brina on May 15, 2017 17:41:53 GMT
I decided to re-read The Handmaid's Tale prior to watching the Hulu series. I had read it back when it came out, so it had been a while.
I am now reading A Gentleman in Moscow for my bookclub.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 20, 2024 22:13:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 17:59:31 GMT
I'm reading The Radium Girls by Kate Moore...this is non-fiction, about the many young women who were employed making radium watch and navigation dials in the early 20th century. They would dip their brushes in radium paint and then put them in their mouths to get a fine tip for painting the tiny numbers. Needless to say, the physical results were horrific. I'm not too far in to the book yet...it seems to be well-written, although there are a lot of people to keep track of, but it is grim reading. I'll have to update when I've finished it. I read a novel on this subject a few years ago, the medical issues those women faced were horrendous. I gave up on Johnny Marrs autobiography. Very disappointing. I'm in a reading slump now, I have loads of books in my virtual to read pile but nothing is drawing me in.
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
Jun 26, 2014 0:30:34 GMT
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Post by finaledition on May 15, 2017 18:05:55 GMT
I listened to a short book by Jen Hatmaker For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards. I have not read anything by her before, but I have to say there was a viral blog post she wrote several years ago about what would her mom do, drink tab and lock us outside that really resonated with me. And recently I started following her on Instagram and got a kick out of her commentary about the whole 30 diet. Anyway, I was definitely attracted to this book due to her humor and her no nonsense approach to life. There was nothing earth shattering in her book, but I feel my parenting style aligns closely to hers and I really liked hearing about how she connects with people and doesn't get bogged down with being the perfect hostess. It was a fun book to listen to.
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,060
Jun 26, 2014 19:29:07 GMT
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Post by scrappyesq on May 15, 2017 18:20:35 GMT
**Sigh** I'm reading The Gunslinger by Stephen King and I'm writing from book heaven. My special order of the first two Dark Tower books arrived at my local indie on Friday.
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on May 15, 2017 18:21:05 GMT
I read:
Flight of the Silvers by Daniel Price. 5/5 stars. This was a re-read for me as I have an advanced copy of the second book waiting for me. I loved this book the first time around and just as much the second time. It's sci-fi - I thought it was original with great world building and plotting. The characters aren't always likable, but they are interesting. I can't wait to see where the story goes.
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood. 5/5 stars. This book has some difficult subject matter and provokes quite a range of emotions from readers. I ended up really liking it, even if it was hard to read at times.
The River at Night by Erica Ferencik. 3/5 stars. White water trip in Maine that goes wrong. Fine enough for a suspense read, but nothing special about it.
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Post by hollymolly on May 15, 2017 19:07:11 GMT
I read X by Sue Grafton. I finished it two nights ago and I already miss the characters. Y is for Yesterday comes out later this year. For those unfamiliar, Sue Grafton writes an alphabet mystery series (A is for Alibi, B is for Burgler, etc) starring Kinsey Millhone, Private Investigator. I've been through so much with Kinsey, I feel like she's a real life friend. I love visiting her world every couple of years.
Just started The Yard by Alex Grecian. It's set in London shortly after the end of the Jack the Ripper era. Someone is murdering Scotland Yard inspectors. I'm very very early in, so too early for an opinion yet.
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Post by kellybelly77 on May 15, 2017 19:10:15 GMT
I don't think I have posted in quite a while.
Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale. Gal is engaged, fiancé goes on a fishing trip and disappears. A psychic contacts her to tell her to dig into his disappearance because things aren't as they seem. Oooooh! It was fine, I gave it 3 stars. Pretty unbelievable.
Real Food/Fake Food: Why You Don't Know What You're Eating and What You Can Do About It by Larry Olmsted. I thought it was very interesting. How countries have different laws regarding food products and advertising. How the food market is mostly unregulated here in the US and how companies bait and switch folks all the time and don't face repercussions from it. The author focused on several different foods, like extra virgin olive oil, fish, parmesan.
Pretty Happy by Kate Hudson. Quick little read about various things you can do to love your body. She talked a lot about fitness, yoga, meditation and diet. I read it as an e-book but she talked about the actual book having recipes and a workbook with it that I didn't get access to. I enjoyed it and agreed with quite a bit of what she said.
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marianne
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys. . . My monkeys fly!
Posts: 4,176
Location: right smack dab in the middle of SC
Site Supporter
Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on May 15, 2017 19:28:38 GMT
I finished #9, Silence in Hanover Close, and have gone on to start #10, Bethlehem Road, in the Pitt series by Anne Perry. I'm also still reading The Fix by David Baldacci; I'm about 1/2 way through it. I read Into the Water by Paula Hawkins ... I was kind of iffy on this one after reading some reviews similar to yours, but I went ahead and put it on my hold list at the library; glad you think it's worth the effort.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,810
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on May 15, 2017 20:10:05 GMT
I read a first reads via Kindle. I wasn't paying attention and didn't realize it was a romance, which is not my favorite genre. The First Word by Robson. I don't even feel like summarizing the plot, but it was decent. 5/5 stars.
I also read Since We Fell, the new one by Dennis LeHane. My shortened GR review follows.
I love Dennis LeHane. As such, I had really high hopes for Since We Fell and was excited to pick it up from the library.
I loved the slow burn and the literary writing in the first half. Truly, that was LeHane at his best. The characters all came alive, and the plot, although plodding, kept me entertained. I also loved the entire organization — a key scene in the middle of the plot retold at the beginning of the story and then the entire book unfolds with the before and after said scene.
Then came the pivotal moment after the first half. The one I won’t spoil. There’s suspending belief as a reader. Then, there is pulverizing belief so that it’s barely recognizable. Finally, there’s shooting it full of holes, tying a weight on it, and throwing it into the deepest part of the sea.
The latter is what LeHane did in Since We Fell. The twists in this one were way, wayyyyyyyyyy beyond unbelievable. And not just in one area, but in several.
Even so, by that point in the book, I was hooked. Line and sinker. The book had grabbed me and reeled me in. Excuse the metaphor.
3.5 stars. Rounding it up to 4 stars, which is quite generous.
Lisa
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
Jun 26, 2014 18:26:03 GMT
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Post by tuesdaysgone on May 15, 2017 20:22:01 GMT
I'm about done with The New Republic (Shriver) about a fictional terrorist group from Portugal and a newbie journalist in pursuit of the story. The thing is...the book is funny! If you've read Shriver, you know she has a caustic wit. The book was actually written in 1998, but she choose not to publish it till 2012. She notes in the forward that after 9/11, it wasn't the right time to publish a book on this subject of terrorism "with a light touch."
I love the dysfunctional characters and humor in the book and it keeps you guessing.
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paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on May 15, 2017 20:41:50 GMT
I finished THE SECRET WIFE by Gill Paul about the royal family and a secret love affair in Russia post WWI. I enjoyed the historical content and the story line. It was easy to read and enjoyable. Now I'm reading UNSELFIE : WHY EMPATHETIC KIDS SUCCEED IN OUR ALL ABOUT ME WORLD by Michele Borba. It's kind of the inspiration for our older dd's head of school's mantra so I thought I'd give it a try and I'm really enjoying it. It gives causes and consequences of a lack of empathy in kids today. It also gives hands on ideas / activities for increasing empathy in kids, increasing their ability to tune into the feelings of others, helping them understand different perspectives, helping them keep calm in stressful situations so they can focus on the feelings of everyone involved and so on. I had an opportunity to put some advice into action last week at a dance competition when my little dd was upset with an outcome of one of her performances. I had the language to discuss her attitude with her and help her focus on others and how they felt instead of her just focusing on herself and not caring how her actions were affecting others. It worked so well that I'm sold on the book and I'm loving it .
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Post by maryland on May 15, 2017 21:54:16 GMT
I read List of Cages and it was okay. Also read End of Everything - Meg Abbott and didn't like it too much. Not a fan of her style of writing, but she is very popular. I skimmed the end, and am not really sure what happened (because I skimmed!). Has anyone read it?
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Post by RobbyKay on May 15, 2017 23:35:52 GMT
Hi Readers,
I just finished American War by Omar El Akkad. It's set fifty years in the future, and the country is in the middle of a long civil war. The dividing factor is petroleum; it's been banned by the government, some regions have chosen revolt over compliance. It follows a family that is on the front lines of the war, even though they have never really chosen a side. It was an intriguing read, well-written and thought provoking.
In honor of Mother's Day, I picked up The Mothers by Brit Bennett. I'm 25% of the way through, and I'm really enjoying it. It touches on themes of suicide, mothers and daughters, fathers and daughters, and church families.
Happy Reading!
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Post by refugeepea on May 15, 2017 23:51:19 GMT
I'm still reading The Fifties by David Halberstam. I'm in a slump and haven't been in a reading mood for quite a while. Does anyone else get intimidated by books with a lot of pages? This is over 800 and I keep thinking of all the other books that are waiting to be read. I'm such a slow reader now that I have kids.
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iheartwine
Shy Member
Posts: 43
Sept 16, 2015 20:58:59 GMT
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Post by iheartwine on May 15, 2017 23:55:14 GMT
I read My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella. It wasn't as laugh out loud funny as other books I've read of hers, but still enjoyable.
This week, my monthly visit with Kinsey Millhone in N is for Noose.
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Post by gramasue on May 16, 2017 0:30:59 GMT
I finished The One Man by Andrew Gross. I love historical fiction, and this was so interesting and suspense-filled that I really enjoyed it. Some disturbing scenes - WWII, terrible conditions and treatment of people in the war camps, but the premise of the story is about the efforts of getting one man out, who can hopefully help America win the war. Very well written, and well worth the time for sure.
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,616
Jun 26, 2014 1:03:18 GMT
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Post by edie3 on May 16, 2017 0:38:16 GMT
I just finished The Life We Bury and really enjoyed it. A good read.
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on May 16, 2017 0:38:22 GMT
Hi Readers, I just finished American War by Omar El Akkad. It's set fifty years in the future, and the country is in the middle of a long civil war. The dividing factor is petroleum; it's been banned by the government, some regions have chosen revolt over compliance. It follows a family that is on the front lines of the war, even though they have never really chosen a side. It was an intriguing read, well-written and thought provoking. In honor of Mother's Day, I picked up The Mothers by Brit Bennett. I'm 25% of the way through, and I'm really enjoying it. It touches on themes of suicide, mothers and daughters, fathers and daughters, and church families. Happy Reading! American War is awaiting me at the library - glad to hear a good review! I read The Mothers last year and enjoyed it (I was also impressed it was her first novel - look forward to more from her).
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paigepea
Drama Llama
Enter your message here...
Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on May 16, 2017 1:04:30 GMT
I finished The One Man by Andrew Gross. I love historical fiction, and this was so interesting and suspense-filled that I really enjoyed it. Some disturbing scenes - WWII, terrible conditions and treatment of people in the war camps, but the premise of the story is about the efforts of getting one man out, who can hopefully help America win the war. Very well written, and well worth the time for sure. I really enjoyed The One Man. Glad you liked it too!
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Post by leannec on May 16, 2017 2:23:22 GMT
I read My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella. It wasn't as laugh out loud funny as other books I've read of hers, but still enjoyable. This week, my monthly visit with Kinsey Millhone in N is for Noose.
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Post by tampascrapper on May 16, 2017 3:06:58 GMT
So glad to see that peas are reading my 2 favorite books of all time! The Stand and The Gunslinger! I hope you ladies enjoy them 😃
This week I read North of Normal: A Memoir of My Wilderness Childhood, My Unusual Family, and How I Survived Both by Cea Sunrise Person. I wasn't blown away but I did enjoy it. A 3/5 for me.
I'm currently reading 100 truths. I'm only about 9% in to it but I like it so far.
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Post by miominmio on May 16, 2017 12:09:09 GMT
I just bought a new book today : "the presidents. From George Washington to Barack Obama". 800 pages, so that should keep me busy for a week or two.
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Post by kckckc on May 16, 2017 12:36:46 GMT
I only finished one book this week.
Fear the Darkness by Becky Masterman. The second in the Brigid Quinn mystery series. Brigid is an older, retired FBI agent. I like the fact that this mystery series is about an older woman - that's not something I see very often. I didn't like this one as much as the first in the series, but I do plan on continuing to read them. 3.5/5
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