The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 3,165 
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Mar 15, 2020 22:25:02 GMT
What did you read this week?
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Post by natscraps on Mar 15, 2020 22:53:54 GMT
Being a preschool teacher mom, I only have the mental capacity for reading during school breaks. Seeing as don’t have to do any remote teaching I feel quite a bit of reading coming on. I’ve been listening to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows“ on audiobook at night. I was halfway through “Boundaries” by Henry Cloud and John Townsend when Christmas break ended so I’m finishing that up. I don’t know what will be after that. I have so many books waiting on my kindle.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,912
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Post by gottapeanow on Mar 15, 2020 22:55:34 GMT
I started Commonwealth, which is good but going a bit slow for me.
Then my library books came in. I'm reading My Dark Vanessa, which has a super high rating on GR. This is told in flashbacks, past and present. A 15-yr.-old has an affair with her teacher at boarding school in 2000. In 2017, accusations are made public against him from at least five other underage victims. Vanessa is trying to process what's happened.
This. is. triggering. and a bit graphic and hard to read. But it's timely and excellent so far.
Lisa
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Mar 15, 2020 23:01:28 GMT
I finished Writers and Lovers by Lily King. This is a Jenna Bush Hager book pick and I feel that I’ve been enjoying many of her selections. I ultimately gave it 4 stars. I felt a bit out of sync at the beginning, wasn’t sure If I was missing something. I think it was just a slow start, but I did enjoy it, beautifully written and satisfying just maybe not for everyone.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Mar 15, 2020 23:24:09 GMT
I finished Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens. This is a stand-alone novel by this author who DH and I have just discovered. It is a coming-of-age story. This book gets everything right, the plot, the mystery, the character development, the quick and smooth flow of the prose, just WOW !! I felt so many emotions while reading this book. At times I laughed, cried, felt afraid, felt ashamed at how evil and prejudiced people can be. It is beautifully written and one of those books where the characters are so vivid you think they're real. 5/5 stars from both DH and me.
Now I'm reading The Passengers by John Marrs. So far it's grabbing my attention.
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Post by shelledpea on Mar 15, 2020 23:30:25 GMT
I just finished The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen. It started a bit slowly, but had interesting twists. It's part mystery, part historical fiction, part romance. I enjoyed it enough that I'm going to look for more books by the author.
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Post by maryland on Mar 15, 2020 23:37:27 GMT
We went to the library last Thurs. when I was picking up my daughter as she got back from the ACC basketball tournament. She has a wonderful library at her campus. Then we went back Friday because she had to get her things from her college apt. so another trip (so we had extra books to read). The library closed Saturday, so we were happy to have a lot of books!
Reading The Good Neighbor (not the new one but an older book) and it's okay. May read the Dark Vanessa book after this one.
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snowdie
Full Member
Posts: 190
Dec 30, 2018 4:45:59 GMT
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Post by snowdie on Mar 15, 2020 23:49:16 GMT
I am reading My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton and really enjoying it.
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Mar 15, 2020 23:59:58 GMT
When I found out Thursday evening that school would be closed for 2 weeks, I headed straight to the library to stock up. TP and canned food?! Who cares! I need a good supply of books. Yeah, I can always use my Kindle, but I prefer a real book.
The Crown (Bilyeau) is billed as historical fiction (set during Tudor times), but I feel like it was more of a mystery thriller. A young novice leaves her convent and travels to London where she is soon caught up in social and political intrigue. It was a fun escape read and moves along quickly. Not sure how historically accurate it is, but it's entertaining.
Hollow Kingdom has been talked about here before and I was glad to get my hands on it. A post-apocalyptic world is seen through the eyes of a funny, sarcastic, profane crow and his dog side kick. It's fantastic! A bit ironic that I read it this weekend. A great read and hard to put down.
I have 8 books ready to read and I should get a lot of reading done this week.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,276
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Post by hutchfan on Mar 16, 2020 0:06:51 GMT
I read The Appetites Of Girls by Pamela Moses.
This book is about 4 college suitemates Francesca, Setsu, Ruth and Opal it is mostly about their eating habits, relationships with their mothers, boyfriends and their lasting bonds together through their ups and downs.
It was an okay book for me.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,467
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Mar 16, 2020 0:12:23 GMT
I read The Murder List by Hank Phillipi Ryan. I gave it 2.5 stars. The ending was terrible. It took a total left turn at the end.
I also finished The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester. I love historical fiction, especially WWII stories, but I just through this one was ok.
Another finished book was The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald. I did enjoy this book. It had me guessing up until the end.
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Post by belgravia on Mar 16, 2020 0:17:44 GMT
I started Commonwealth, which is good but going a bit slow for me. Then my library books came in. I'm reading My Dark Vanessa, which has a super high rating on GR. This is told in flashbacks, past and present. A 15-yr.-old has an affair with her teacher at boarding school in 2000. In 2017, accusations are made public against him from at least five other underage victims. Vanessa is trying to process what's happened. This. is. triggering. and a bit graphic and hard to read. But it's timely and excellent so far. Lisa I’m very excited for My Dark Vanessa, I got it this week and it’s up next for me. |
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Post by maryland on Mar 16, 2020 0:23:54 GMT
I'm afraid to read the suggestions. There are always so many good ones, and the library is closed indefinitely, so I will have a long wait!  |
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Post by ShesaRenegade on Mar 16, 2020 0:33:33 GMT
I just finished Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner. I liked it a lot and gave it 4.5 stars.
I'm almost done with Radium Girls. There are times I winced, and I'm not a squeamish person.
My next book is A Social History of Tea: Tea's Influence on Commerce, Culture & Community. My son bought it for my birthday and I'm finally getting around to reading it.
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Post by pjaye on Mar 16, 2020 3:16:26 GMT
I started Commonwealth, which is good but going a bit slow for me. I started it and all that stuff about oranges and making drinks at the start  I dropped it pretty fast. I finished Writers and Lovers by Lily King. I'm thinking of choosing this for our next bookclub read. Do you think it's one that would generate some interesting discussions? Another finished book was The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald. I did enjoy this book. It had me guessing up until the end. I liked this one too - but I reviewed the author's latest book on last week's thread and all I can say is ...don't bother. I'm almost done with Radium Girls. There are times I winced, and I'm not a squeamish person I was sad & shocking, but very interesting. I had no idea that they used actual radium until I read this. |
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Post by pjaye on Mar 16, 2020 3:52:29 GMT
The Antidote for Everything by Kimmery Martin. About two doctors, a female urologist and her gay best friend Jonah, a family medicine specialist. The clinic they work for starts to cut costs and tells Jonah he has to stop treating some of his patients...(in the book blurb it says "transgender patients") and when he refuses the fire him. However the transgender storyline was so minor...I was a bit annoyed at the author's queer-baiting.
There was also a lot of the female doctor's love story, and some weird stuff in the middle about stolen drugs that wasn't linked to anything else.
This has lots of promise, but in the end didn't really deliver for me. I gave it 3 stars on GR, but it's really 2.5 if I could.
Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle. Another one of those "wife on the run from an abusive husband books" and I almost didn't pick this one up, but I'm so glad I did...this was really well done and kept me interested.
The books starts with the stories of two women, "Beth" is on the run and "Sabine" is missing - Jeffry Sabine's husband has just found out she was having an affair before she vanished and the police officer assigned to the cases suspects Jeffry might have killed his wife. As the story and the police seach unfolds... there are a few surprises along the way!
I'd recommend this one if you like mystery/thrillers and I gave it 4 stars.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell. The debut novel from this author.
About a 14yo girl at boarding school who has a sexual relationship with her 45yo teacher...and the aftermath of that on her life over the next 15 years. Dual timeline, the story of the evolving relationship is told from the point of view of 14yo Vanessa in, then we meet her again at age 32 when another girl brings charges of abuse against the same man and wants Vanessa to support her and tell her story.
There are some graphic & disturbing sex scenes...the actual "sex" isn't disturbing (by that I mean it's not kinky or physically harmful), it's disturbing because a 14yo girl is involved.
Well written & heartbreaking, I thought the author captured Vanessa's conflicted feeling so well and it came across as very authentic. 4 stars
I started Lala
by Jacek Dehnel last night, but my mind keeps wandering out of the story, I think I'll switch to something else and come back to this another time.
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Post by tara595 on Mar 16, 2020 14:19:07 GMT
I finished Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer. It was great. 4 stars.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,950
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Post by Rhondito on Mar 16, 2020 16:16:56 GMT
Another good one for me this week! The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding by Jennifer Robson - I really enjoyed this book and found it so interesting. 5 stars!
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Post by mnmloveli on Mar 16, 2020 16:48:24 GMT
My recent reads.......... FOLLOW ME BY KATHLEEN BARBER : 4 STARSDescription: A social media influencer who takes a new job in DC which is the same location as a follower who is obsessed with her. Review: I followed Rhondito recommendation; her favorite book of the year so far and a friend of a friend is the author. Being made into a series later this year (well, maybe next year with this Coronavirus). Her first book, Truth Be Told (name was originally Are You Sleeping) was made into an Apple+ TV series. The author's "forward" intrigued me, so I knew this book was going to be very good. A very visual book that made me feel I was right beside the main character, Audrey. Will definitely follow this author. IN AN INSTANT BY SUZANNE REDFEARN : 4 STARSDescription: Life is over in an instant for 16 year old Finn Miller when a devastating car accident tumbles her and ten others over the side of a mountain. Suspended between worlds, she watches helplessly as those she loves struggle to survive. Review: @payje gave it 5 stars even though it was depressing. First book by this author for me. Liked the author's style and flow. Before the crash, I was already interested in all the characters. Liked the "peaking-in" on the survivors lives afterwards. All the characters did not always choose the right path but I was glad the truth about Oz comes out in the end. Happy Reading and stay safe and healthy during these stressful times  |
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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: 4,069
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Post by scrappyesq on Mar 16, 2020 16:51:24 GMT
Then my library books came in. I'm reading My Dark Vanessa, which has a super high rating on GR. This is told in flashbacks, past and present. A 15-yr.-old has an affair with her teacher at boarding school in 2000. In 2017, accusations are made public against him from at least five other underage victims. Vanessa is trying to process what's happened. This. is. triggering. and a bit graphic and hard to read. But it's timely and excellent so far. Lisa I bought this on Saturday. It was supposed to be Oprah's next pick (I stan Oprah) but after her last pick was such a disaster she decided not to read it for her show. 90% of the time she picks books I end up loving, so I had no problem getting this one. |
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Post by epeanymous on Mar 16, 2020 17:11:23 GMT
I just started the new Hilary Mantel novel, The Mirror and the Light, the third in her Thomas Cromwell series. I accidentally pre-ordered two copies, so dh and I are both reading it. It’s long and dense, so I am hoping it will occupy me for a while.
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Mar 16, 2020 17:31:30 GMT
scrappyesq, just saying hello! I haven't seen you for a while on this thread.
epeanymous, I have that book on a new book hold from the library and can't wait to read it. I loved her other two books in the series. |
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psiluvu
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,217
Location: Canada's Capital
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Post by psiluvu on Mar 16, 2020 17:32:18 GMT
Some people eat comfort food when stressed I comfort read. I am re-reading "A woman of substance" by Barbara Taylor Bradford and the sequels. A trashy light but long read perfect for my current state of mind.
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Post by epeanymous on Mar 16, 2020 17:56:53 GMT
Some people eat comfort food when stressed I comfort read. I am re-reading "A woman of substance" by Barbara Taylor Bradford and the sequels. A trashy light but long read perfect for my current state of mind. I had been reading nothing but cozy mysteries for a month until today, I am telling you. |
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Post by maryland on Mar 16, 2020 19:34:52 GMT
I finished Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer. It was great. 4 stars. That looks good! Putting in on my pinterest list for when the libraries open. |
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Post by maryland on Mar 16, 2020 19:49:26 GMT
My recent reads.......... FOLLOW ME BY KATHLEEN BARBER : 4 STARSDescription: A social media influencer who takes a new job in DC which is the same location as a follower who is obsessed with her. Review: I followed Rhondito recommendation; her favorite book of the year so far and a friend of a friend is the author. Being made into a series later this year (well, maybe next year with this Coronavirus). Her first book, Truth Be Told (name was originally Are You Sleeping) was made into an Apple+ TV series. The author's "forward" intrigued me, so I knew this book was going to be very good. A very visual book that made me feel I was right beside the main character, Audrey. Will definitely follow this author. IN AN INSTANT BY SUZANNE REDFEARN : 4 STARSDescription: Life is over in an instant for 16 year old Finn Miller when a devastating car accident tumbles her and ten others over the side of a mountain. Suspended between worlds, she watches helplessly as those she loves struggle to survive. Review: @payje gave it 5 stars even though it was depressing. First book by this author for me. Liked the author's style and flow. Before the crash, I was already interested in all the characters. Liked the "peaking-in" on the survivors lives afterwards. All the characters did not always choose the right path but I was glad the truth about Oz comes out in the end. Happy Reading and stay safe and healthy during these stressful times I love your recommendations!
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 16, 2020 21:41:43 GMT
I recently discovered Colson Whitehead through his book The Nickel Boys, suggested by President Obama on one of his reading lists. I finished "The Nickel Boys", then read his The Underground Railroad. "Underground Railroad" was SO good, with a delightful twist to it. Then I discovered that Whitehead has written one about a pandemic, Zone One, so I downloaded that but haven't started it yet. And while I was there on the library website I found The Intuitionist also by him. Downloaded that also.  And I just finished three-book set of graphic novels about the life of John Lewis, written by Lewis and two others. It's called March Book One, March Book Two, and March Book Three (lol). It's done in flashbacks as Lewis is getting ready to attend the inauguration of President Obama, and the flashbacks end with the march from Selma to Montgomery. I don't really like graphic novels but I wanted to read these because dd and I went to Selma last summer, spent some time in the visitors' center/museum, then walked across the bridge. Very powerful. Now I'm reading two... The Crossing by Jason Mott, which is about a pandemic. Yeah, I'm crazy. That's in book form, so I'm also reading Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo on my Kindle. The theme is immigration. I prefer reading on my Kindle when I'm in bed because it's easier to hold, and the light is better. |
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Post by ntsf on Mar 16, 2020 22:02:41 GMT
I reread Hornblower and the Hotspur.. nothing like a navy action novel ...
CS Forester..
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Post by scrapmaven on Mar 16, 2020 23:31:03 GMT
I'm reading complete and total mush. However, I'm going to start reading material that requires a brain cell next. I missed several Alex Cross books and I think I'm going to read the ones I have missed, but first I want to read My Dark Vanessa. Thank goodness for the E-libary.
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Post by Linda on Mar 17, 2020 1:06:17 GMT
I'm still working my way through the piles of books that don't fit on my bookshelves - 31 so far this year (reading and donating).
Just finished The Founding by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles - it's the first of a series I believe set in War of the Roses era and followingseveral generations of a family. It was good - nothing super deep but decent historical fiction
Before that I read The Favored Child by Phillippa Gregory - I didn't care for this that much and I usually like her books
The Other Tudors by Philippa Jones - meh..I liked that it mentioned some of the lesser known mistresses and their children but it seemed more gossipy than historical (although I do think it was researched - just the writing style)
Dewey the Library Cat by Vicki Myron - cute fun quick read and total fluff
The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport - a bit draggy in places but a nice change of focus from the parents to the daughters.
Never Go Back by Robert Goddard - excellent murder mystery that kept me guessing until the end
Queen Victoria's Gene by D M Potts - disappointing to be honest - it was pretty disjointed
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I dropped it pretty fast.
