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Post by pjaye on Sept 8, 2014 13:53:24 GMT
it seems we don't have a reading thread yet for this week, so I thought I'd start it .
I listened to The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton.
Set in Amsterdam in the 1680s it is the story of 18yo Petronella who moves there to live with her new husband and his sister, but the marriage it not all that it should be and Nella struggles to fit in. Her husband buys her a large doll house - a duplicate of the house they live in and she commissions pieces for it from the mysterious 'miniaturist'. I loved the main story of Petronella, her husband and his sister, I also loved the historical aspects (which had me googling what a 'sugar loaf' was).
However the miniaturist part of the story felt unfinished and unresolved, so this made it a 4.5 star read instead of the perfect 5 for me.
This is a debut novel and resulted in an international bidding war by the various publishing houses. I know someone else here has read it too, but I can't remember if they liked it or not.
This reminded me a lot of Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and it's a bit of a bleak story. I'd definitely recommend it...but there is a theme of homosexuality in the book, so if you are sensitive about that topic, then this book probably won't be for you.
Currently half way through Lisette's List by Susan Vreeland set in France (Provence) in 1937 it's about Lisette who moves there with her new husband to care for his dying grandfather. The Grandfather has a collection of paintings by famous painters and he tells Lisette (who is also interested in art) their stories. Lisette's husband hides the paintings just after the war starts...and then they go missing.
I love art and historical fiction and am really liking this so far (although the war part of the story has been pretty heavy going).
I've recently bought several books which feature art/painting, therefore I'm going to make this my reading theme for September.
So what has everyone else been reading this past week?
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
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Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Sept 8, 2014 14:05:38 GMT
I read Personal: Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child . I love the Jack Reacher series in general. Good guy always wins and whatnot. I found myself skimming over long passages of description about London as the characters made their ways around the city.
I read books (Reacher included) more for the characters than for the plots. But Childs usually has good twists and surprises. And oddly enough, I usually like the fight sequences.
This book is about catching a sniper gone bad. There are almost always guns in Reacher books, but this was a little more focused on them, and shooting, than the average book.
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Post by miominmio on Sept 8, 2014 14:23:53 GMT
I read Personal: Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child . I love the Jack Reacher series in general. Good guy always wins and whatnot. I found myself skimming over long passages of description about London as the characters made their ways around the city. I read books (Reacher included) more for the characters than for the plots. But Childs usually has good twists and surprises. And oddly enough, I usually like the fight sequences. This book is about catching a sniper gone bad. There are almost always guns in Reacher books, but this was a little more focused on them, and shooting, than the average book. I love those books, too. Haven't read that one, so off to find it on Amazon. |
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Sept 8, 2014 15:54:50 GMT
I read Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. I really enjoyed it although I wish it hadn't ended as abruptly as it did. I was enjoying the characters and wanted to see what happened next but I know it has to end sometime. There's a lot of heartache for each character, which wasn't a surprise but it was a little difficult to read when it was one bad situation after the next. I think that's why I was sad to see it end - I like the happy parts of books to be longer  |
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Post by kckckc on Sept 8, 2014 16:06:12 GMT
I finished three books this week.
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke. Burke is one of my favorite authors. He really has a way of evoking a time and place. 5/5
Landline by Rainbow Rowell. A quick and easy read. I thought it was a little gimmicky, but overall I enjoyed it. 4/5
Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld. I didn't like this one at all. The characters were unlikeable and the story was all over the place. I listened to it on audio and I really disliked the narrator too. 2/5
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by Mystie on Sept 8, 2014 16:42:25 GMT
I am re-reading The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris about her experiences in a Benedictine monastery, and also The Rapture by Eva Jensen, which is a climate-apocalyptic-religious kind of thriller. So far it's quite good.
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Post by picotjo on Sept 8, 2014 16:44:36 GMT
I finished The Shell Seekers loved it! Gave it 5/5 stars. Now I am readingPerfect Stranger by Wendy Corsi Staub so far I'm liking i alot!
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Post by sillyrabbit on Sept 8, 2014 17:39:17 GMT
This week I finished Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline which I liked but like Crack-a-lackin thought ended too abruptly. I want to know more about the characters' futures. I also read One Plus One by JoJo Moyes. I really enjoyed this. Laughed out loud at times. She is quickly turning into a favorite author. This week will be devoted to Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by gottapeanow on Sept 8, 2014 17:53:25 GMT
Two for me this week.
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. Very sweet. I gave this 4/5 stars.
Next up was The Invention of Wings. My Goodreads reviews follows:
Inspiring. Heartbreaking. Full of hope. Powerful.
It took me a bit to warm up to The Invention of Wings, but it turned out to be one of the best books I've read this year. The not-quite parallel stories of the Grimske sisters and Hetty and her sister were achingly portrayed in this book based on real-life people.
The Invention of Wings caused me to take another long, hard look at what African-Americans endured to bring us where we are today. This book allowed me a small glimpse into a life I could only imagine, one I did not want to imagine. To me, this is what books are about - to transport us into another world and make us feel such a part of it that we visualize the scenery and events and characters and their thoughts as if they were are own.
Kidd has done a masterful job of accomplishing that exact task. Bravo and a standing ovation on a beautifully written work.
5/5 stars.
Lisa
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paigepea
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Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Sept 8, 2014 17:59:03 GMT
Hi. Thanks for starting the thread. I didn't get a second yesterday to post it!
I started One Plus One by Jojo Moyes but I didn't get very far. Have been super distracted lately.
Paige.
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 4:02:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2014 18:14:44 GMT
I finished Broken Homes by Ben Aaranovitch, the 4th book in the Peter Grant Rivers of London series. I loved this book. It's an urban fantasy murder mystery with a snarky protagonist. These books just get better and better. I think I read the first, Midnight Riot (Rivers of London for British readers), after getting a recommendation from the peas. I really enjoy all the Britishisms that I have to look up; these books make me smile. For long time readers, this one shows a glimpse of Nightingale's power and it's awesome (in the traditional sense of the word.)
Now I'm reading It Happens in the Dark by Carol O'Connell, the 11th book in her Kathy Mallory series. So far it's funny, scary, and very clever. Another winner of a mystery by O'Connell.
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Post by mom2luke on Sept 8, 2014 18:53:53 GMT
I am just about finished with Room by Emma Donoghue. I know I am a little late to the party on this one. I like it. I don't really love it. I wish the book alternated between the Mom and the son. The five year old narrator just gets a little old to me at times. But I would recommend it.
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Post by annabella on Sept 8, 2014 19:40:39 GMT
I am just about finished with The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice by Rebecca Musser.
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Post by RobbyKay on Sept 8, 2014 19:43:35 GMT
I read Graham Joyce'sThe Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit. It's about a young man who spends a summer at the resort where his father took his own life twenty years earlier. It was good, but not what I expected.
Now I'm reading Jojo Moyes One Plus One. It's a good one!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2014 19:59:06 GMT
I read two really disappointing books:
Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf.
Hurry Up and Wait by Isabel Ashdown.
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Post by mnmloveli on Sept 8, 2014 20:13:51 GMT
Fractured Persona by Harry Krebs. Rich awakens from a coma in full possession of his memories but not in possession of his body. A look in the mirror convinces him he's in somebody else's body. Rather than go to a psychiatric hospital, he tries to adjust to new life.
Also read Almost Perfect by Diane Daniels Manning. Bess is a 70 yr old poodle breeder who always dreamed of winning Westminster but feels she is now too old. Benny is an autistic boy who dreams of impressing his mother. Perhaps the 2togetther can fulfill their dreams.
Both books were very good and especially liked that they were free on Kindle.
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luckyexwife
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Post by luckyexwife on Sept 8, 2014 20:21:36 GMT
I read two really disappointing books: Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf. Hurry Up and Wait by Isabel Ashdown. Without spoilers, why didn't you like Little Mercies? I've liked the author's previous book, & I just got that one from the library today. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2014 20:41:07 GMT
I read two really disappointing books: Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf. Hurry Up and Wait by Isabel Ashdown. Without spoilers, why didn't you like Little Mercies? I've liked the author's previous book, & I just got that one from the library today. I loved One Breath Away and was really looking forward to Little Mercies, however, I just couldn't get in to the story. The characters didn't have anything about them that made me care what happened to them (especially the child Jenny in the sub plot, I really wanted her to just go away!!). I expected an emotional read but I just found it dull. |
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Post by lynnek on Sept 8, 2014 21:48:37 GMT
Without spoilers, why didn't you like Little Mercies? I've liked the author's previous book, & I just got that one from the library today. I loved One Breath Away and was really looking forward to Little Mercies, however, I just couldn't get in to the story. The characters didn't have anything about them that made me care what happened to them (especially the child Jenny in the sub plot, I really wanted her to just go away!!). I expected an emotional read but I just found it dull. I liked the book, but I thought the Jenny plot was weak as well and there were two huge coincidences involving her that made it tip toe toward the unbelievable. But as a whole I liked the book so I made the decision to put aside my qualms with the Jenny plot in the name of enjoying the book. But I will say I like her other books better. |
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mimima
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Post by mimima on Sept 8, 2014 22:37:35 GMT
I read The True Memoirs of Little K by Adrienne Sharp. It's very much a historical fiction, and takes a lot of liberties with history, about Mathilde Kschessinska, a dancer in late Tsarist Russia, who it is alleged had an affair with Nicholas II. It turns out that she was born exactly 100 years prior to me (to the day) so that was kind of fun. It was a good, not great, read.
I read another in a series about 20th century America that I am enjoying, The Lost Generation by Robert Vaughn. A bit salacious, but handled the history and story well. I will continue to pick up this series as they cross my path.
A dear friend loaned me A Book of Comfort by Elizabeth Goudge. It's a collection of poetry, prose, and scripture that the author collected. I read a few pages each morning, and it was a lovely collection.
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imsirius
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Call it as I see it.
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Jul 12, 2014 19:59:28 GMT
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Post by imsirius on Sept 8, 2014 23:16:44 GMT
I downloaded Bones Never Lie, Kathy Reichs' new Brennan novel. I read it in four hours. It was just as good as her previous novels. She can write a great mystery with such deep character development. I love her. Will be starting Tana French's Broken Harbour tonight. Another Crime Writer I love. |
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Post by sues on Sept 8, 2014 23:53:28 GMT
I got halfway through the new Gabaldon book- what's the name...Written in My Own Heart's Blood or something like that. I like it- but only reading before I go to sleep just wasn't enough time to get through 1104 pages. The library took it back. No renewal because there is a wait list. Looks like I'll be reading it in two parts. Luckily the list isn't long. (I know I could have kept it if I shut off the wifi- but I didn't want to do that.)
I'm reading My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster now. I have two of her books, that I got from paperbackswap, that I just want to read and get out of here. I mentioned last week or the week before about not being able to enjoy her books as much as I used to. I just don't want to waste the pbs points, so I'll read them and send them right back out. I like it. It's funny. She addresses what a nasty person she can be (including to fans) and the book is more or less the story of how she tries to change, broaden her horizons, etc. I doubt it will change my mind about her, but at least it's a decent read.
I finished a short one - a novella? I don't know. It might be shorter than that- like a teaser story to get you into a series. It was offered free so I grabbed it awhile back. It's a scrapbook mystery- Kiki Lowenstein and the... I forget the rest. It wasn't unreadable- but it wasn't good either. Apparently there are a bunch of these books- which is a little amazing to me. It served its purpose- which was 'something to read in the wee hours, when I can't sleep, don't want to get up, and there's nothing left on my iPad'. Just barely.
Waiting on Top Secret 21 by Janet Evanovich, from the library. I'm next up on the list, which should be moving fast. They're predictable and a little eye rolling these days, but I still like the characters and it will help pass the time while I wait to get the Gabaldon book back.
Pjaye- I was glad to see your review of The Miniaturist. I have that one on my list.
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
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Post by janeliz on Sept 9, 2014 0:00:56 GMT
I'm reading Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies. I'll ditto what so many other readers here have said, and say that I'm thoroughly enjoying it. There's a lot of comedy in her writing, but I think so many of her observations about parenting are just spot on. I could go to my youngest daughter's elementary school and show you a Renata, a Harper, a Madeline and a Jane.
I love this part from the book:
Mothers took their mothering so seriously now. Their frantic little faces. Their busy little bottoms strutting into the school in their tight gym gear. Ponytails swinging. Eyes fixed on the mobile phones held in the palms of their hands like compasses.
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Post by freecharlie on Sept 9, 2014 0:07:02 GMT
I get to play this week because I was sick and couldn't do anything.
I read Revealed, the 7th book in The Missing series by Margaret Peterson Haddix.
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The Great Carpezio
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Something profound goes here.
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Sept 9, 2014 0:12:13 GMT
In the last two weeks, I've read:
The Humans. This was quite enjoyable. It's the story of an alien sent to Earth to live as human. At first he finds it quite distasteful, but we start to grow on him in saw it recommended here. 4/5
City of Bones-the first in the Mortal Instruments series. Not my favorite. I'm not reading the rest, but I wanted to read it since a lot of my students read that series. 2.5/5
The Bone Clocks. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It is long and it's told from multiple perspectives and spans from 1984 England to post-apocalyptic 2040. I don't even know where to begin on this one. The characters are very real and flawed and interesting, but there is a creepy paranormal/mystical reality that interferes with their lives from time to time, and helps to propel them towards the climax. I gave this 5/5. It's one that will stick with me a while.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Sept 9, 2014 0:15:24 GMT
Waiting on Top Secret 21 by Janet Evanovich, from the library. I'm next up on the list, which should be moving fast. They're predictable and a little eye rolling these days, but I still like the characters and it will help pass the time while I wait to get the Gabaldon book back. Pjaye- I was glad to see your review of The Miniaturist. I have that one on my list. I liked Top Secret 21. Still predictable but more enjoyable than the last few. |
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Post by smokeynspike on Sept 9, 2014 0:30:19 GMT
Last night I finished I Am Number Four: The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore and I'm going to start If I Stay by Gayle Forman tonight.
Melissa
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Post by auntkelly on Sept 9, 2014 0:51:28 GMT
I'm just about finished a non fiction book entitled When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under German Occupation 1940-1944 by Ronald C. Rosbottom. I heard the author interviewed on NPR and he was so interesting I decided to read the book.
It's a really well written account of life in Paris during the occupation. I didn't realize that Hitler visited Paris only once during the occupation. He came in the wee hours of the morning when most Parisians were still asleep. He toured many of the great architectural sights and visited Napoleon's Tomb and then left.
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imsirius
Prolific Pea
Call it as I see it.
Posts: 7,661
Location: Floating in the black veil.
Jul 12, 2014 19:59:28 GMT
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Post by imsirius on Sept 9, 2014 1:44:42 GMT
I'm reading Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies. I'll ditto what so many other readers here have said, and say that I'm thoroughly enjoying it. There's a lot of comedy in her writing, but I think so many of her observations about parenting are just spot on. I could go to my youngest daughter's elementary school and show you a Renata, a Harper, a Madeline and a Jane. I love this part from the book: Mothers took their mothering so seriously now. Their frantic little faces. Their busy little bottoms strutting into the school in their tight gym gear. Ponytails swinging. Eyes fixed on the mobile phones held in the palms of their hands like compasses. I read this last week and enjoyed it. I also said to my husband that I could find each character at our school on the playground every day for morning drop off too. Scary, but true. |
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Post by Erica on Sept 9, 2014 2:53:51 GMT
SPOILERS likely:
Currently, I'm reading Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King.
Is it my imagination but is there a lot of product placement? I don't remember ever reading a book by S.K. naming off so many different products. As to my personal opinion about the book, this book really isn't a favorite and I really can't put my finger on why.
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