The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930 
|
Post by The Great Carpezio on Nov 12, 2018 6:14:49 GMT
Sorry this is so late. I hope it stays on the first page and/or you all see it in the morning.
Books anyone?
|
|
gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
|
Post by gottapeanow on Nov 12, 2018 6:48:08 GMT
Two for me this week as I took a quick, 2.5 day vakay. It was soooo relaxing, and I got some extra reading in.
1. Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais. Pike and Cole are at it again. True to form, the pair never disappoints. 4/5 stars.
2. The Past Is Never by Tiffany Quay Tyson. This is southern fiction, part literary, superstition, and mystery, all rolled into a tasty southern casserole. Loved the characters and the writing style. his was a stellar read. 5/5 stars.
I'm reading The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay right now and trying to get into it. It's a little slow.
Lisa
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 8:02:27 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2018 12:09:09 GMT
Kitty Zeldis
Not our Kind
Interesting 3.5
|
|
|
|
Post by craftmepink on Nov 12, 2018 12:45:17 GMT
Finished Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, 3/5 stars. The book follows actors and actresses from a theater group during a flu pandemic that wipes out most of the world's population. I knocked it one star because I didn't like the ending.
Finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy, 5/5 stars. I guess I was into reading end of the world books this week! This is about a father and son during the end of the world. They are mostly trying to survive in a burned out America. I'm not doing a good job explaining this book. But I really loved it. It's funny because I saw such a mixed review of this book, some people hated it and some people loved it. Yes, it's a depressing read but ultimately it was a touching story about the love between a father and son.
Currently reading Circe by Madeline Miller. I've been seeing so many rave reviews about this one and had to read it. I haven't read Greek mythology since I was in high school (a very long time ago). It's really interesting so far!
|
|
edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,476
|
Post by edie3 on Nov 12, 2018 13:36:23 GMT
I read 2 good books-The Sun Does Shine In 1985, Anthony Ray Hinton was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder in Alabama. Stunned, confused, and only twenty-nine years old, Hinton knew that it was a case of mistaken identity and believed that the truth would prove his innocence and ultimately set him free.
And Without MeritWithout Merit is about an “unusual” blended family. They live in an old church bought by the father out from under the former pastor of the church in a form of retribution. The father has cheated on the children’s mother with her nurse (while she was recuperating from cancer), his mistress gets pregnant, and he divorces his wife (named Victoria) to marry his mistress (also named Victoria) and moves the whole family into the former church, which becomes their home. And the former wife? Oh…she’s agoraphobic and lives in the basement. The family brings her meals to her every day…meals that the new wife prepares each night for the family.
|
|
|
|
Post by candygurl on Nov 12, 2018 13:57:36 GMT
I’m reading Jodi Picoults new book Spark of Light. Pretty good so far but one thing I’m not liking is the way it is written. It goes backwards. Starts off at 5pm and works it way back. Kind of weird but getting used to it. I like her stories and an interested to find out how it all ties up. It’s about a hostage situation in an abortion clinic in Mississippi. The negotiators daughter is in the clinic with the shooter.
|
|
Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
|
Post by Mystie on Nov 12, 2018 14:49:46 GMT
I read Transcription by Kate Atkinson. I was really not impressed. There were a few funny or droll lines, but overall it was a dull story.
And I read Sleep No More by P. D. James, a collection of six of her short stories. It was just okay, which is how I feel about every P. D. James book I've ever read. People rave about her, but I just don't see it. Anyway, I was in the mood for some British mystery stories, and it sort of fit the bill.
I am just skimming the Cole Porter bio I started last week because it's also dull. Not much reading joy this past week!
|
|
|
|
Post by jassy on Nov 12, 2018 15:09:03 GMT
Based on many comments in a book thread I saw here, I read Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. It's a western - I don't read westerns - and it's 1,000 pages long - I don't read 1,000 page books. But I am SO glad I did. It's the perfect book, and I savored every minute of it. Makes me want to change every other 5/5 rating I've given a book to 4.5/5 because this book is so special. I guess they don't give out those Pulitzer prizes for nothin'. Oh, and Augustus McCrae is one of my favorite characters of all time.
|
|
|
|
Post by katiescarlett on Nov 12, 2018 15:37:31 GMT
Based on many comments in a book thread I saw here, I read Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. It's a western - I don't read westerns - and it's 1,000 pages long - I don't read 1,000 page books. But I am SO glad I did. It's the perfect book, and I savored every minute of it. Makes me want to change every other 5/5 rating I've given a book to 4.5/5 because this book is so special. I guess they don't give out those Pulitzer prizes for nothin'. Oh, and Augustus McCrae is one of my favorite characters of all time. Now you need to watch the mini-series. It was also wonderful. Robert Duval was perfect as Gus. Recently I've read: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty - 4 stars Year One by Nora Roberts - 4 stars Commune by Joshua Gayou - 4 stars Look for Me by Lisa Gardner - 4 stars |
|
|
|
Post by jassy on Nov 12, 2018 15:45:04 GMT
Based on many comments in a book thread I saw here, I read Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. It's a western - I don't read westerns - and it's 1,000 pages long - I don't read 1,000 page books. But I am SO glad I did. It's the perfect book, and I savored every minute of it. Makes me want to change every other 5/5 rating I've given a book to 4.5/5 because this book is so special. I guess they don't give out those Pulitzer prizes for nothin'. Oh, and Augustus McCrae is one of my favorite characters of all time. Now you need to watch the mini-series. It was also wonderful. Robert Duval was perfect as Gus. YES! That's my plan. I'm so excited - I have some time off from work next week for the holiday, and it's going to be a treat to myself. I already love Robert Duval, so I can only imagine how much I'll love him as Gus! |
|
|
|
Post by vi on Nov 12, 2018 15:47:59 GMT
I read The Man She Marriedby Cathy Lamb. I loved this book. It started out with the main character having a great marriage and then one morning she finds out that her husband lied to her - his name is not his real name and he had murdered someone. That morning she is in a car accident and left in a coma. When she comes out of it she remembers her life except that last morning. I loved the author's sense of humor, her development of characters and she takes you on quite a journey. The mystery becomes secondary and I was very interested in the characters. It was a page turner for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by auntkelly on Nov 12, 2018 15:55:04 GMT
I'm reading The Count of Monte Cristo by by Alexandre Dumas. It was on the PBS Great American Read list. I had never read it, so I thought I'd give it a try.
I'm about 60% done and thoroughly enjoying it.
|
|
|
|
Post by lynnek on Nov 12, 2018 16:37:32 GMT
I finished two last week. First was The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells. I had seen it compared to Educated and also just mentioned as a favorite. So, I jumped in. It was a very interesting story of the author's childhood.
I also finished Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford for my book club. This one just didn't click for me. It was about the beginnings of the BBC and women's roles in that start. It was interesting that it was based on a true story, but I just didn't love the book.
|
|
|
|
Post by fotos4u2 on Nov 12, 2018 16:50:31 GMT
As predicted, only one book for me this week. Other People's Houses by Abbi Waxman. Gave it 3 stars on Goodreads as it was an easy read but not particularly amazing. The basic premise is a neighborhood of families and looking "behind the curtains" in their houses (or what they present to the outside world versus what's really going on). I actually felt kind of sorry for everyone in this book because it did not seem to portray one happy marriage. The closest to happy would be Iris & Sara but Iris being so terrified to tell Sara she wants another baby makes me feel like there's a lot of insecurity in their relationship.
I guess Bill & Julie had what would be considered a "happy marriage" if they were living together.
Frances' marriage seemed the worst. Her and her husband never had sex and he got mean when drunk which made it ironic that she was so high and mighty about Charlie & Anne's marriage. As a divorced person it made me a bit depressed. I guess I was hoping that other's had better relationships than my own failed one. |
|
|
|
Post by belgravia on Nov 12, 2018 16:52:38 GMT
I’m halfway through My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. To say I LIKE it or I’m ENJOYING it would be wrong, but it’s still somehow compelling.
|
|
gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
|
Post by gottapeanow on Nov 12, 2018 17:09:47 GMT
I’m halfway through My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. To say I LIKE it or I’m ENJOYING it would be wrong, but it’s still somehow compelling. This book. It's so intense, but I thought it was extremely well-written. It's my sister's favorite book of the year.  Lisa |
|
finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
|
Post by finaledition on Nov 12, 2018 23:17:06 GMT
Two for me this week. I listened to The Forgetting Time by Sharon Guskin. (Susan Bennett was one of the narrator Rhondito-she’s one of my favorites.). A single mom confronts the possibility that her troubled 4-year-old is the reincarnated spirit of a murdered child. Overall I really liked this, but thought the end got dragged out a bit. Then I read All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover. I’ve read quite a few by this author-she’s definitely a guilty favorite of mine because of the angst. This book compares a woman's relationship with her husband before and after she finds out she's infertile. I have not dealt with infertility, but found it to be a heartbreaking story of the unraveling of a good marriage. Very good. |
|
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: 4,032
|
Post by scrappyesq on Nov 13, 2018 1:17:44 GMT
I've been a thread posting slacker. Lots of cowboys, of course. One highlight: I read a debut novel, "Big Bad Cowboy" by Carly Bloom. A good friend of mine edited it. With my cowboys I have no bias. You better write a good book. And boy was it! A solid read from a first time author.
I'm not starting anything until tomorrow. I should have taken the day off to get Michelle Obama's autobiography and read all day (no judgement I've done it before on release days for certain books lol). November snuck up on me though so now I have to wait until I get home from work since I pre-ordered it. And amazon better not F my delivery up.
|
|
|
|
Post by birukitty on Nov 13, 2018 2:27:20 GMT
Two for me this week and the first one was Not Our Kind by Kitty Zeldis. This was a historical fiction book that took begins in 1947 in New York. Two women, one Jewish and one a WASP meet because of a minor traffic accident. The chance meeting seems fated. Eleanor, a recently fired teacher and a Vassar graduate needs a job. Patricia's daughter who is 13 and recovering from polio needs a tutor. Eleanor and Patricia's daughter (Margaux) form an instant bond. Shockingly and sadly Eleanor is asked to change her last name from Moskowitz to Moss in order to enter the lavish apartment building where Patricia's family resides. Antisemitism was rampant throughout this time period in this area is what I learned from this novel and something I didn't know about. I thought after what happened in WWII it would be the opposite. Judging the novel itself I thought it was a good book and I gave it 4 stars on goodreads.com
The second book I read was The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve. I didn't read this when it first came out for some reason and finally got around to reading it this week. I have followed this author's career from her first novel The Pilot's Wife on through all of her novels after that. I loved her earlier novels the best, and thought she faltered a bit with some of her later ones but that's just my opinion. I have 16 of her books on my book shelf so I do like her very much. This book is a historical fiction book that takes place in starts in 1947 in Maine. After a summer long drought fires break out all along Maine's coast from Bar Harbor to Kittery and are racing out of control. Anita Shreve based this on an actual fire. In the book the main character Grace Holland is 5 months pregnant and left alone with her two toddlers while her husband Gene joins the volunteer firefighters. Her best friend Rosie also has two young children and her husband is off fighting the fire too. It is up to the two women left behind to try to figure out how to survive with their children when the fire reaches their homes. I very much enjoyed reading this book. The writing was amazing. I could feel, smell and sense everything that was going on. This was Anita Shreve at her best. I'm so sorry we lost this amazing author this year. I gave the book 5 stars.
|
|
hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,133
|
Post by hutchfan on Nov 13, 2018 4:36:22 GMT
I read Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner. I liked the book and will definitely seek out more books by her to read.
|
|
|
|
Post by peasapie on Nov 13, 2018 6:34:37 GMT
I just downloaded Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming, on my kindle. Looking forward to reading it.
|
|
|
|
Post by lesserknownpea on Nov 13, 2018 7:04:41 GMT
Two for me this week and the first one was Not Our Kind by Kitty Zeldis. This was a historical fiction book that took begins in 1947 in New York. Two women, one Jewish and one a WASP meet because of a minor traffic accident. The chance meeting seems fated. Eleanor, a recently fired teacher and a Vassar graduate needs a job. Patricia's daughter who is 13 and recovering from polio needs a tutor. Eleanor and Patricia's daughter (Margaux) form an instant bond. Shockingly and sadly Eleanor is asked to change her last name from Moskowitz to Moss in order to enter the lavish apartment building where Patricia's family resides. Antisemitism was rampant throughout this time period in this area is what I learned from this novel and something I didn't know about. I thought after what happened in WWII it would be the opposite. Judging the novel itself I thought it was a good book and I gave it 4 stars on goodreads.com The second book I read was The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve. I didn't read this when it first came out for some reason and finally got around to reading it this week. I have followed this author's career from her first novel The Pilot's Wife on through all of her novels after that. I loved her earlier novels the best, and thought she faltered a bit with some of her later ones but that's just my opinion. I have 16 of her books on my book shelf so I do like her very much. This book is a historical fiction book that takes place in starts in 1947 in Maine. After a summer long drought fires break out all along Maine's coast from Bar Harbor to Kittery and are racing out of control. Anita Shreve based this on an actual fire. In the book the main character Grace Holland is 5 months pregnant and left alone with her two toddlers while her husband Gene joins the volunteer firefighters. Her best friend Rosie also has two young children and her husband is off fighting the fire too. It is up to the two women left behind to try to figure out how to survive with their children when the fire reaches their homes. I very much enjoyed reading this book. The writing was amazing. I could feel, smell and sense everything that was going on. This was Anita Shreve at her best. I'm so sorry we lost this amazing author this year. I gave the book 5 stars. I really loved Ms Shreve. I’ll have to get this book. Such a loss of a fabulous author. |
|
|
|
Post by leannec on Nov 13, 2018 11:13:46 GMT
I only finished one book this week and a bit: I'll Be Gone In the Dark by Michelle McNamara ... a non-fiction title about the rapist and murderer who terrorized California for years and was eventually dubbed the Golden State Killer ... the author died before she was able to finish the book so colleagues wrote parts of it ... I found it fascinating because I am into true crime but I was disappointed that a chapter wasn't included at the end about the fact that an arrest was recently made. 4/5 Now I'm reading some total chick lit fluff: The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory ... it is good but I'm so distracted by a stupid fashion game on my phone these days ... my reading time has been seriously affected  |
|
paigepea
Drama Llama
Enter your message here...
Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
|
Post by paigepea on Nov 13, 2018 11:36:58 GMT
I finished THE TRUST by RONALD BALSON. Same author as Once We Were Brothers, Saving Sophie and Karolina’s Twins - I loved all of these. This book didn’t disappoint. Great story, characters and writing. The same main characters are in all of the books but they also can stand alone. This one takes one character back to his Northern Ireland roots where he is put in charge of the trust when his beloved relative passes away. If you loved Balson’s otherbooks you’ll love this. I believe once we were brothers and saving Sophie are still my favourites. I plan to read his most current book soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by trixiecat on Nov 13, 2018 11:55:32 GMT
I am reading Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven. This is a young adult book. I am liking it, but wished it moved a little quicker. I am about half way through.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
|
|
purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,732
|
Post by purplebee on Nov 13, 2018 12:20:58 GMT
I read Stephen King's new novella,"Elevation." It was quite good, my only complaint was that it should have been a full-length book, I wanted more! 3.75/5
Also just finished "Now That You Mention It" by Kristan Higgins. A good chick-lit-y story of a Doctor who returns to her small island home in Maine to recover from an accident. Fluffy but had some substance, I enjoy her books.
3.5/5
|
|
QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
|
Post by QueenoftheSloths on Nov 13, 2018 13:08:38 GMT
I just finished Dragonfly in Amber. It was my least favorite season of Outlander, but I thought the books was a little better. Now I have started my annual holiday season read of the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. Nostalgia time!
|
|
|
|
Post by lynnek on Nov 13, 2018 15:36:24 GMT
I am reading Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven. This is a young adult book. I am liking it, but wished it moved a little quicker. I am about half way through. Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone. Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours. I liked this one! And when you get to her letter, wow! I think every person in America need to read that letter. I will be anxious to hear what you think once you are done. I don't want to say more now, but it was a good read! |
|
|
|
Post by belgravia on Nov 13, 2018 17:46:44 GMT
Has anyone read the new John Boyne book A Ladder to the Sky yet? Mine was just delivered this morning and I’m dying to start it. I love his work!
My pile of unread books is getting huge. I can’t keep up!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 8:02:28 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2018 17:51:54 GMT
I am reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and hoping it inspires me!
|
|
