The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,929 
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jun 10, 2018 21:19:02 GMT
What did you read this week?
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Post by fotos4u2 on Jun 10, 2018 23:26:29 GMT
Two more books for me. I can really feel myself struggling to read lately. I've had to force myself to pick up the books.
Garden of Stones by Sophie Littlefield. Both oldest dd and I like historical fiction, but I wanted something a little different so thought this would fit the bill. it was about the Japanese internment at Manzanar. While I enjoyed the different subject matter, the book itself wasn't anything special (I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads) and the ending was a little confusing.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. I also gave this 3 stars which was surprising given how many people recommended it. My daughter read it first and she said she thought Eleanor might have been autistic, but I didn't get that.
Next up is "Where the Wind Leads" by Vinh Chung.
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Post by stingfan on Jun 10, 2018 23:34:13 GMT
I finished... Still Me by Jojo Moyes - If I were to rank the 3 Louisa Clark novels, they'd be... #1 Me Before You #2 Still Me #3 After You So I liked this one, just not as much as the original  . Every Note Played by Lisa Genova - Ever since I read Still Alice, I've been hoping for the author to write another one just as good. I've read all of her subsequent books, but it hasn't happened yet. This one was pretty dry. I never really felt connected to the characters. And I'm almost done with a memoir - Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan. |
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Jun 11, 2018 1:12:00 GMT
I read Forever is the Worst Long Time by Camille Pagan. I picked it up on sale and it was a good read. But not quite sure it was good enough to recommend if that makes sense. 😀
I’m currently reading When Life Gives You Lululemons for book club and I think it’s going to be a good read.
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Post by brina on Jun 11, 2018 1:22:28 GMT
Three this week - i was on a role:
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui - the story of an Indian widow who travels to the US to learn the fate of her son who had moved to the US and had been disowned by his father. I give it 3.5 stars. I think the writing was good but the characters I just wanted to strangle.
The Hate U Give - been recommended by many hear and I thought it was very well written.
The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson - one of her typical small southern town books.
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Jun 11, 2018 1:39:39 GMT
Go Ask Ali: Half Baked Advice by Ali Wentworth. Reading it was like hanging out with a fun friend.
The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy. Members of a mommy group deal with the aftermath of a kidnapped infant. I liked it very much. I was a little surprised that it generated enough buzz for a feature film that’s in the works, but I can see how it would be a compelling vehicle for some young, cool actresses.
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. A mother of a missing girl gets a second chance at happiness years later. She then starts to uncover the truth about her daughter’s disappearance. It was dark and heartbreaking at times, but also had some really lovely, beautiful moments.
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Post by jackietex on Jun 11, 2018 2:06:39 GMT
I listened to Big Stone Gap and now I'm listening to the next sequel. Loved it!
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
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Post by gottapeanow on Jun 11, 2018 2:13:08 GMT
Two for me this week.
1. Star of the North by D.B. John. This is three stories and alternating POVs about North Korea. A young girl is kidnapped off a beach. Her twin, Jenna, "knows" she's still alive. Jenna has a change to find her when the FBI enlists her. Cho is a government employee walking a fine line in NK. Mrs. Moon oversees a band of women trying to eek out a living. Powerful story of the triumph of the human spirit. 5/5 stars.
2. The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. This is my favorite Ruth Ware book so far. A young woman in desperate financial straits receives a notice that she is the heir to a large fortune. The only problem is that she's never heard of the supposed grandmother who included her in the will. But Harriet (Hal) does the only thing she can: sets off to try to claim the inheritance. But in doing so, she might just find much more than she's bargained for. 5/5 stars.
Lisa
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Jun 11, 2018 3:19:08 GMT
I just finished Pioneer Girl by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It is her original version of the Little House series. Heavily footnoted with tons of background info. Very interesting read, even for someone like me who knew a fair amount about her life going in. For a follow up, I am going to read the Little House series. It has been a few years since I did the whole set, although I usually read at least one of the books in the series every year.
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Post by jesq on Jun 11, 2018 3:30:46 GMT
I just finished Nora Roberts' latest, Shelter in Place. She's one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. While her formula may be a little bit predictable, her books capture me right away and keep me engrossed until the end.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jun 11, 2018 3:43:11 GMT
I'm quite late to the Liane Moriarty party, however..... I recently finished What Alice Forgot which is the first book of hers that I have read. I really loved the book, so now I'm reading Truly Madly Guilty. I'm not enjoying it as much as What Alice Forgot, but I'm getting through it. I kind of wish she would just hurry up and tell me what the hell happened at the damn BBQ!!  |
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tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,423
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Post by tanya2 on Jun 11, 2018 4:17:03 GMT
Currently working on The Marriage Lie - and having a hard time not peeking at the end to find out what happens!
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Jun 11, 2018 10:54:28 GMT
Just one for me this week.
The Year of the Runaways (Sahota) tells the story of four young people from India who immigrate, both legally and illegally, to England. Over the course of a year, their lives become intertwined as they try to survive and begin new lives while facing prejudice and struggles living in a new country. It began a bit slow and I had to Google a good bit at first to understand all the Indian terms, but once I got into the book it was one I couldn't put down. I loved the way the author slowly builds up each character's back story. Your perception of the charaters changes as you read about the circumstances that lead each of the four to leave India.
This one is going into my top 5 of the year.
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Post by tara595 on Jun 11, 2018 11:54:48 GMT
Over the weekend, I finished The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson. It was recommended on this thread. Wow! Great book and really hard to put down. 4 stars.
Last night, I started How to Walk Away which has gotten a lot of buzz lately. I'm looking forward to it.
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Jun 11, 2018 12:03:16 GMT
Late last week I finished The Killing Lessons and The Last Mrs. Parrish. I'm currently working my way through An American Marriage and then moving on to The Woman in the Window.
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Post by candygurl on Jun 11, 2018 13:24:35 GMT
Finished last night It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. It was okay. I have never read a book by her. The issues in the book were quite mature so I feel like this book would be for 17+. Domestic abuse mostly what disturbed me while reading it.
Now I need to read 2 library books by the 19th! Sunburn by Laura Lippmann and an older book called Elizabeth is Missing.
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Post by candygurl on Jun 11, 2018 13:25:08 GMT
Over the weekend, I finished The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson. It was recommended on this thread. Wow! Great book and really hard to put down. 4 stars. Last night, I started How to Walk Away which has gotten a lot of buzz lately. I'm looking forward to it. Love Peter Swanson! Read his other books too! Her Every Fear is also really good. |
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jun 11, 2018 13:25:38 GMT
I read:
Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston. 4 stars. Still processing this one. It was more of an academic essay and for pure reading enjoyment, I wouldn't rate it highly. But definitely more stars for the importance of the story, as said in a quote from the book "All these word from the seller, but not one word from the sold."
My Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll. 4 stars. I get why this is a polarizing book (the characters aren't likeable), but I did enjoy it (it's kind of like a trashy "Real Wives" show in book form).
Currently readying The Closers (Harry Bosch #11).
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jun 11, 2018 13:29:36 GMT
Just one for me this week.
The Year of the Runaways (Sahota) tells the story of four young people from India who immigrate, both legally and illegally, to England. Over the course of a year, their lives become intertwined as they try to survive and begin new lives while facing prejudice and struggles living in a new country. It began a bit slow and I had to Google a good bit at first to understand all the Indian terms, but once I got into the book it was one I couldn't put down. I loved the way the author slowly builds up each character's back story. Your perception of the charaters changes as you read about the circumstances that lead each of the four to leave India.
This one is going into my top 5 of the year.
This book was so depressing (but good). A really good look at the lives immigrants face when they leave their countries. |
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jun 11, 2018 13:32:14 GMT
Over the weekend, I finished The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson. It was recommended on this thread. Wow! Great book and really hard to put down. 4 stars. Last night, I started How to Walk Away which has gotten a lot of buzz lately. I'm looking forward to it. Love Peter Swanson! Read his other books too! Her Every Fear is also really good. Did you read his latest, All the Beautiful Lies? That book was crazytown. I did not think it was as good as the others (I think The Kind Worth Killing is the best of the three). |
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 11, 2018 13:34:42 GMT
I read Dry by Augusten Burroughs a memoir about his alcoholism, his stint as a patient at a rehab facility and his struggle to remain sober after being released from the facility. I certainly ran the gamut of emotions reading this one-it was shocking, maddening, funny and heartwarming at various points in the story.
I also finished As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner which has been reviewed several times on this thread. I agree with others who said it's hard to believe that a book centered around a family who owns a funeral home in Philadelphia during the outbreak of the Spanish Flu could be so enjoyable.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,662
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Post by Rhondito on Jun 11, 2018 15:47:09 GMT
I finished Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict and it kept me pretty drawn in. Interesting story. 3.75/5
Yesterday I started When Life Gives you Lululemons by Laura Weisberger, which is billed as "A Devil Wears Prada" novel. So far, it doesn't have any of the substance or bite of DWP. The only commonality is Emily is a character. But, I'm only about 4 chapters in...
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,435
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Jun 11, 2018 17:36:30 GMT
I started Promises to Keep by Genevieve Graham. 1755 in Nova Scotia. The Acadians are being forced to side with the British in their war against France. Amelie has befriended a British soldier who doesn't believe in what is going on because he was from Scotland and was a child when he was taken from his home and parents when the British took over Scotland. I'm quite late to the Liane Moriarty party, however..... I recently finished What Alice Forgot which is the first book of hers that I have read. I really loved the book, so now I'm reading Truly Madly Guilty. I'm not enjoying it as much as What Alice Forgot, but I'm getting through it. I kind of wish she would just hurry up and tell me what the hell happened at the damn BBQ!! Spoiler not spoiler. It takes forever for them to tell you what happens at the bbq. In my opinion when they finally did, maybe because it took so long and was built up so much and I was frustrated, I thought that's it?! What's the big deal? I mean I'm sorry it happened of course but geesh what drama. I liked What Alice Forgot and Big Little Lies. The Husband's Secret was alright, better than Truly Madly Guilty. |
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,019
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Post by mimima on Jun 11, 2018 18:25:14 GMT
I read The Wily O'Reilly by Patrick Taylor. It's a series of short stories about his main character from his Irish Doctor series (which I greatly enjoy) but these were short stories originally published in a Medical journal. I'm not a short story fan, plus it was a lot of retreading introductions due to the way that the stories were originally published. It was ok.
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Post by Really Red on Jun 11, 2018 19:50:55 GMT
I'm beside myself to find this thread. I have spent years being a single working parent and I have had time for nothing. I miss reading sometimes so much I feel like exploding. A few months ago I finally read "All the Light We Cannot See" and I sigh for how beautiful it was. I also read "Etched in Sand" by Regina Calcaterra, and it was incredible. I just want to sit in my easy chair and read and never go back to work I put 10 books on hold at the library. I am most excited to join this group! |
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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: 4,029
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Post by scrappyesq on Jun 11, 2018 20:04:24 GMT
Now that I'm taking public transportation I need to reenergize my commute reading on my ereader. So I'm reading Lonseome Dove. My hands down all time favorite book ever. I have many hard copies, and e versions on both my Nook and my Kindle. Basically I'm never without it somewhere on me in case I need some comfort reading.
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Post by kckckc on Jun 11, 2018 21:06:21 GMT
I read two books about refugees this week, one fiction and one memoir.
Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar. This one was two alternating stories. One was the story of Nour - after her father dies, her mother moves the family from New York back to Syria. Soon their home is bombed and they flee as refugees to/through several countries. The other story was a fable/mythical story set in the same areas 800 years ago - a young girl disguises herself as a boy and apprentices herself to a mapmaker. The modern story was actually okay. It has been compared to the Kite Runner and I don't think it came anywhere close to being that good. I found the fable boring and wish the author had concentrated on the modern story. 2/5
The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya. When she was only six years old, Wamariya fled her home in Rwanda with her 15 year old sister. They spent years moving from one refugee camp to another in several African countries, not knowing if the rest of their family was alive. They eventually ended up in the United States. The story alternates between her time spent on the run in Africa and her time in the U.S. I would have much preferred a straight linear story. This one did give me some insight into the refugee experience - not just the horrors while fleeing, but also the issues that a refugee might experience even after they find a safe home. 3.5/5
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Post by craftmepink on Jun 11, 2018 21:23:33 GMT
Finished A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I thought it was a nice, charming book.
Finished Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine. 2/5 stars. About a woman who finds out her husband is a serial killer (at the beginning of the book) and what happens after. I really liked the first half but the second half wasn't really good. I guessed the "bad" person from the very beginning and I'm usually bad at it. I believe this is a series but I won't be reading the second book.
Currently reading The Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel. I am really like this book so far. It's a World War II historical fiction set in France during the Nazi occupation. It's told through three perspective, an American woman, a British fighter pilot, and a young Jewish girl. This book reminds me of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, which I loved.
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 11, 2018 21:24:55 GMT
I'm beside myself to find this thread. I have spent years being a single working parent and I have had time for nothing. I miss reading sometimes so much I feel like exploding. A few months ago I finally read "All the Light We Cannot See" and I sigh for how beautiful it was. I also read "Etched in Sand" by Regina Calcaterra, and it was incredible. I just want to sit in my easy chair and read and never go back to work I put 10 books on hold at the library. I am most excited to join this group! I look forward to checking this thread everyday. Such a great variety of recommendations. I’ve read many books that I never would have picked-up without the recommendations of our fellow Peas. I sincerely appreciate all the Peas who take the time to post. Happy Reading to all ! |
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on Jun 11, 2018 22:14:11 GMT
I finished Heart of Darkness...I liked it. However, I don't think I would have understood as much if I hadn't read a history of the Belgian Congo beforehand. Anyway, it's a short classic I've always meant to read and now I have. *dusting my hands off* I decided to work on some of the books from the PBS Great American Read this summer; I had already read 38 of the 100, so finishing Heart of Darkness puts me at 39. I think I will tackle Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe next, staying in Africa. |
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