The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,943
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Feb 7, 2022 4:58:23 GMT
I only read one this week; what did you read?
🔵 Firebreak 🌟🌟🌟
I really wanted to love this. I loved Ready Player One, and there are parallels to that novel, but take out the 80’s nostalgia and the fun parts of the virtual world, and you get this book. I was ok with that, but I’m not a huge gamer, so my attention span waned at times during those passages.
It certainly is a commentary on where end stage capitalism may be taking us—just a complete oligarchy where you have to pay the company store $1 for an ounce of water, but if your kidneys fail, they will print you out new ones since you're the workforce and the consumer they still need
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Post by cadoodlebug on Feb 7, 2022 5:25:01 GMT
Yesterday I finished Fear No Evil, an Alex Cross mystery/thriller, by James Patterson. There were several storylines going at once but I enjoyed it all ~ short chapters, lots of suspense and an easy read. 4.5 stars
Last night I started The Sixth Wedding by Elin Hilderbrand. It is basically an update on her book 28 Summers which I loved. I didn’t realize it was so short until I was at 25% after reading for about 40 minutes! It is only available by eBook.
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
Jul 30, 2017 3:38:57 GMT
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Post by muggins on Feb 7, 2022 6:45:45 GMT
I listened to Nothing to see here by Kevin Wilson. A quirky story set in Tennessee of a woman, Lillian, who goes to work as a nanny at her friend’s mansion to look after 10 year old twins who can set themselves alight. I enjoyed it and will probably read more of his novels.
I also read These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant. A suspenseful thriller/crime drama involving a father and his 9 year old daughter set in the Appalachian Mountains. I really enjoyed this one too.
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Post by lisapea on Feb 7, 2022 10:58:44 GMT
I'm late to the party, but finally read The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. I thought it was wonderful, with a great ending.
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Post by peasapie on Feb 7, 2022 12:05:16 GMT
I read The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. This book is a reimagining of history based on the premise that Jesus had a wife and told from the feminine perspective. It took me some time to get invested in the story, but once I did I was glad I’d stayed with it — and then couldn’t put it down. I typically don’t like reimagining stories, but this one was (I feel) very well done and believable. In her notes afterward, Sue Monk Kidd says she spent a year researching and taking notes, and it shows. Her novel walked a fine line between fiction and historical accuracy that allowed me to suspend my disbelief and learn some things along the way. It’s a reimagining of history based on the premise of “what if Jesus had a wife” and told from the feminine perspective. It took me some time to get involved in the story, but once I did I was glad I’d stayed with it and then couldn’t put it down.
I typically don’t like reimagining-type stories, but this one was (I feel) very well done. In her notes afterward, she says she spent a year researching and taking notes, and I think that allowed her to spin her fictional tale with a believable tone. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Post by lgr4 on Feb 7, 2022 12:26:00 GMT
I also read These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant and loved it. 4/5
The Guest List by Lucy Foley was the 2nd book of the week. It wasn't that great. A lot of things left wondering about in the end. 2/5
Just started What You Wish For by Katherine Center. I think someone here recommended this one.
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Post by guzismom on Feb 7, 2022 12:34:29 GMT
I finished The Lincoln Highway; loved it...five stars.
I have moved on to To Paradise; all I can say about 150 pages in is 'wow'. Hanya Yanagihara is a masterful storyteller and writer.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,755
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Feb 7, 2022 12:38:29 GMT
Three this week (snow days make for lots of reading time!). “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. Enjoyed this one, I like the way she writes and will try and put into practice some of her suggestions. “The Last of The Moon Girls” by Barbara Davis. An easy read about a family of women with healing powers and how they deal with a tragedy that occurs on their property. Good! “Write My Name Across The Sky” by Barbara O’Neal. Lots of drama for a dysfunctional family, one of whom was a punk rock star/songwriter. Held my interest and I liked the characters. Fluffy but a good read.
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Post by Patter on Feb 7, 2022 13:35:28 GMT
I am a very slow reader thus I don't usually jump in this thread. But I wanted to share an amazing book I started the other day: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten BoomOh my, it brings such heartache for me especially since my hubby is half Dutch and I have heard stories from his family about this time period. And then my personal visit to Dachau. Definitely a hard read but so good.
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Post by maryland on Feb 7, 2022 14:21:01 GMT
I am reading The School for Good Mothers - Jessamine Chan and Hostage Clare Mackintosh. Both are okay so far!
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Post by pjaye on Feb 7, 2022 14:29:41 GMT
I've been waiting for this to be released and I wasn't disappointed. Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka. It's about a man who is 12 hours from his execution for murder and his story is told in flashbacks from the women in his life - his mother, the twin sister of his girlfriend, and the police officer who tracked him down. I'll copy the GR blurb because it puts it so much better than I ever could:
Really well written and very thought provoking. I gave it 5 stars.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,235
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on Feb 7, 2022 14:54:06 GMT
Last night I started The Sixth Wedding by Elin Hilderbrand. It is basically an update on her book 28 Summers which I loved. I didn’t realize it was so short until I was at 25% after reading for about 40 minutes! It is only available by eBook. Oh I loved 28 Summers! I just bookmarked The Sixth Wedding. I am not ready for it yet - have two books on deck. But I don't want to forget about it. My library has the audiobook which is how I "read". I finished The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner. 4.5 / 5 stars If you want exactness, I am hovering somewhere around 4.3 for this one... lol Yes, that specifically. It was a wonderful book! I just didn't feel like final push into 5 stars. I thought every single character was well-developed and interesting. The relationship between Elise & Mariko was special. I wish it could have continued on for longer as children. These two American-born teenagers (Elise being of German descent, Mariko being Japanese) met at an internment camp in Texas during the war before they were sent back to their families respective home countries. They made a pact to meet back up in the United States when they turned 18. This book is a great big ball of hope, determination and forgiveness. I thought the final chapters could have been a bit better. I won't say too much but I think that is where my lack of the extra full star is stemming from. Susan Meissner is a very talented author. I know I am going to enjoy anything I pick up by her! (I had already given 5 stars to Secrets of a Charmed Life, also by her). This weekend I started The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer. I am only about 15-20% in.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,235
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on Feb 7, 2022 14:56:15 GMT
I am a very slow reader thus I don't usually jump in this thread. But I wanted to share an amazing book I started the other day: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten BoomOh my, it brings such heartache for me especially since my hubby is half Dutch and I have heard stories from his family about this time period. And then my personal visit to Dachau. Definitely a hard read but so good. I read this back in 2015 and gave it 5 stars. One of my faves!
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,228
Jul 6, 2016 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by hutchfan on Feb 7, 2022 15:43:36 GMT
I read A Little Hope by Ethan Joella This book follows the lives of many residents that live in Wharton. How they cope with losses, illness, friends and family, how they are there for each other. I really enjoyed this book.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Feb 7, 2022 15:55:20 GMT
I'm late to the party, but finally read The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. I thought it was wonderful, with a great ending. I would like to read this, but apparently it starts out with a cat dying and I wanted to avoid that. I did really enjoy his How to Stop Time. I am reading A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. It's just the sort of thing I should enjoy, but I'm having trouble getting into it.
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Post by lisapea on Feb 7, 2022 16:11:30 GMT
I'm late to the party, but finally read The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. I thought it was wonderful, with a great ending. I would like to read this, but apparently it starts out with a cat dying and I wanted to avoid that. I did really enjoy his How to Stop Time. I am reading A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. It's just the sort of thing I should enjoy, but I'm having trouble getting into it. Honestly, there is no detail on the cats passing. And without giving too much away, later, there is mention of it, again, with peace and closure. I am like that, too, not liking anything to do with animals suffering, and I really think you would enjoy the book.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Feb 7, 2022 16:26:21 GMT
I would like to read this, but apparently it starts out with a cat dying and I wanted to avoid that. I did really enjoy his How to Stop Time. I am reading A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. It's just the sort of thing I should enjoy, but I'm having trouble getting into it. Honestly, there is no detail on the cats passing. And without giving too much away, later, there is mention of it, again, with peace and closure. I am like that, too, not liking anything to do with animals suffering, and I really think you would enjoy the book. Thanks for the info! I have to leave the room when the abused animal commercials come on, I am too sensitive about that sort of thing and even the James Herriot books are too much for me these days.
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Post by Patter on Feb 7, 2022 16:59:48 GMT
I am a very slow reader thus I don't usually jump in this thread. But I wanted to share an amazing book I started the other day: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten BoomOh my, it brings such heartache for me especially since my hubby is half Dutch and I have heard stories from his family about this time period. And then my personal visit to Dachau. Definitely a hard read but so good. I read this back in 2015 and gave it 5 stars. One of my faves! That is great to know. I can see I will probably give it the same but have to wait until I finish. Only 1/2 way through right now.
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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 Feb 7, 2022 17:48:58 GMT
I finished an audio book-The School for Good Mothers. It was a Read With Jenna book pick and it was very disappointing. The narration was terrible and the main character was fairly unlikable so I never felt truly vested in the story.
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Post by fotos4u2 on Feb 7, 2022 17:58:31 GMT
4 more for me.
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. 5 stars. I was actually shocked I like this one as much as I did. It's basically about two teenagers who meet when they are both considering suicide.
The Unfinished Child by Theresa Shea. 4 stars. This story was told from three perspectives and I had things I didn't like about all three of them which is why I didn't rate it higher. The basic premise is about three women. One a woman in the 1940's who has a child with down syndrome. The second two are women in the early to mid 2000s who are best friends. One just found out she is unexpectedly pregnant again at 39 and the other has struggled with infertility.
The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult. 3 stars. Someone gifted us this and I thought I remember some on here not liking it so went in not expecting to like it at all. I started out REALLY SLOW, but as it progressed I didn't mind it. Hope it's not a spoiler to say it's sort of a "Sliding Doors" type of story and I much preferred one version over the other. The basic idea is a woman is almost killed in a plane crash. In one narrative she goes home to her unhappy marriage and child and in the other she goes and tracks down her first love.
The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty. 3 stars. This book was so all over the place, especially about the beginning. Plus so much unnecessary description! I'm not even sure exactly how to describe it. I guess it's about a place called Scribbly Gum Island where there's a mystery that they've turned into a museum/side show type experience. A baby was abandoned and her parents went missing in the 1920s. It's now decades later and the baby has children, grandchildren, and even a great-grandchild of her own. The story alternates narration between the "baby" Enigma, one of her adoptive "mothers" Rose, Rose's daughter Margie, Rose's granddaughter Veronika, and oddly Rose's son Thomas' ex-girlfriend Sophie.
Next up is Three Little Truths by Eithne Shortall.
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Post by birukitty on Feb 7, 2022 18:30:26 GMT
I am a very slow reader thus I don't usually jump in this thread. But I wanted to share an amazing book I started the other day: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten BoomOh my, it brings such heartache for me especially since my hubby is half Dutch and I have heard stories from his family about this time period. And then my personal visit to Dachau. Definitely a hard read but so good. That is one of my very favorite books. I read it several years ago and one year found myself in the very same town (Haarlem in Holland) where the book takes place. We have family friends that live there and were visiting them. Anyway, there is a wonderful small museum above the jewelry shop (used to be the Ten Boom watch shop) that's been made from the family home. I've actually gone twice and was able to stand in the "Hiding Place" itself-it's part of the tour. Haarlem is only a 10-15 minute train ride from Amsterdam if anyone is interested in going to this museum. Also, there's a great movie that was made in 1975 (although it doesn't seem that old) also called "The Hiding Place".
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Post by birukitty on Feb 7, 2022 18:36:10 GMT
I'm within 50 pages or less of finishing the 8th Outlander novel called Written in my Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon. I wanted to re familiarize myself with the entire Outlander story, before I read the latest novel that was just released. To do this I looked back to see what I remembered of the story line and what I didn't. I ended up re reading books 6 and 7 in the series and then book 8. I'm glad I did. There was so much I didn't remember. I read the entire series back in 2015. I enjoyed this book as much the second time around as I did the first.
Book number 9-Go Tell The Bees I Am Gone arrives today from Amazon, but I think I'm going to take a break and read a different book first. I did that between book number 7 and 8 and it worked well. Not sure which book-I'm going to the library today.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Feb 7, 2022 18:42:15 GMT
I'm trying to veeerrry slowly read down a stack of random books that is currently teetering between my bookshelves. As I read them, I want to then put them in a bag todonaye. So I read Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn. This was a cute weird little story of Queen Elizabeth (about aged 80ish in this story) stepping off the Buckingham Palace grounds to go visit her old yacht the Britannia, and the Household staff who are scrambling to find her, keep her safe, and keep her out of the news. The story is not told in a linear fashion, which would probably frustrate a lot of readers, but I came to find it charming. I also read The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoroff. A quickie ghost story, sort of the Breakfast Club meets the Shining? Kids stuck in their old dorm over Thansgiving weekend unleash an evil presence by playing qith an old outta board. It was fairly meh. And I read Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Anne Boyd Rioux. mimima recommended this and it was totally my thing, having been a Little Woman love since age eight. The author talks about changing attitudes toward the story and characters...I enjoyed it.
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Post by epeanymous on Feb 7, 2022 18:43:28 GMT
This week, I read:
The School for Good Mothers, by Jessamine Chan. This was excellent. Premise is kind of like the title sounds -- woman makes a fairly serious parenting error, gets sent to a school to re-educate her about being a good mother. It is really beautifully written, and I found the narrator relatable and believable. As a warning, if you, like me, are in the trenches of parenting, it's emotionally a kind of rough read.
The Accomplice, by Lisa Lutz. I didn't love The Herd (her last thriller/mystery), but this got some good word of mouth, and I did enjoy it. It jumps back and forth between a college student's death in the early 2000s and a wife's death now, and follows a male/female pair of best friends, where the male half may or may not have killed both women. Genuinely kept me guessing.
The Good Daughters, by Joyce Maynard. I was in the mood for family-centered New England lit, and this fit the bill. The plot twists are relatively transparent, but touching, I thought.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, by Holly Jackson. YA mystery. Probably everyone already read this, but I hadn't, and I saw that the third and final book in the series had been published, so thought I'd start the series. This one is loosely based on the Serial podcast, and I liked it. Didn't love the end, but what else is new?
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Post by epeanymous on Feb 7, 2022 18:45:05 GMT
I've been waiting for this to be released and I wasn't disappointed. Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka. It's about a man who is 12 hours from his execution for murder and his story is told in flashbacks from the women in his life - his mother, the twin sister of his girlfriend, and the police officer who tracked him down. I'll copy the GR blurb because it puts it so much better than I ever could: Really well written and very thought provoking. I gave it 5 stars. Awesome -- I am reading it this week, and now am really looking forward to it!
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Post by epeanymous on Feb 7, 2022 18:46:12 GMT
I finished an audio book-The School for Good Mothers. It was a Read With Jenna book pick and it was very disappointing. The narration was terrible and the main character was fairly unlikable so I never felt truly vested in the story. So funny -- I did not read the reviews upthread before posting mine, but I REALLY liked this book and I related to the main character!
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Post by mnmloveli on Feb 7, 2022 18:50:50 GMT
Had a very good reading week !
THE GOOD LIE (‘21 - Read ‘22) BY A.R. TORRE : 4 STARS DESCRIPTION: Psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore is an expert on killers. She’s spent a decade treating California’s most depraved predators and unlocking their motives; predators much like the notorious Bloody Heart serial killer, whose latest teenage victim escaped and then identified local high school teacher Randall Thompson as his captor. The case against Thompson is damning and closed, as far as Gwen and the media are concerned. If not for one new development. Defense Attorney Robert Karin is a still-traumatized father whose own son fell prey to the BH Killer. Convinced of Thompson’s innocence, he steps in to represent him. Now Roberts wants Gwen to interview the accused, create a psych profile of the killer and help clear his client’s name. REVIEW: First book by this author for me. Right away I like the writing and flow. At 50% I’m worrying nothing has really happened and time is running out. Right after thinking this, the book took-off. What a tangled web the whole second half of the book was. I will definitely consider other books by this author, specifically Every Last Secret (‘20) and The Ghost Writer (‘17).
FAMILY MONEY (‘22) BY CHAD ZUNKER : 4 STARS DESCRIPTION: Alex MAHAN is married to his high school sweetheart, Taylor. They have two daughters and a beautiful home and Alex’s start-up business is about to explode thanks to massive private funding from his compassionate and supportive father-in-law, Joe. With millions more to come, all is perfect until Joe is abducted and murdered on a family trip to Mexico. Alex’s world is about to be turned upside down. He can’t bear to tell his grieving wife why. The man they’ve both idolized has been keeping secrets. REVIEW: This book was a Kindle First Read for Feb 2022. First book by this author for me. Plot jumpstarts right away with the kidnapping. I felt like I was watching a great mystery movie; it kept getting better and better and had my mind whirling with guesses. Lots of action the whole way. Definitely could be a movie since I felt the book was very visual.
Happy Reading !
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Post by mnmloveli on Feb 7, 2022 18:51:35 GMT
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,039
Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
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Post by mimima on Feb 7, 2022 18:53:42 GMT
And I read Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Anne Boyd Rioux. mimima recommended this and it was totally my thing, having been a Little Woman love since age eight. The author talks about changing attitudes toward the story and characters...I enjoyed it. I'm so glad that you enjoyed, my friend! I admit, this is not one that I will donate, though many of the ones that I have around here - including my current ready - will go out the door! This week, I read: Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult - for an IRL Book Club. I found that this was a compendium of all of the things that Picoult has researched - Egyptology, hieroglyphics, quantam physics, and death doulas. Because of this information dump, the story was far less important and not one that I particularly enjoyed. Prince Caspian by CS Lewis - Except for LWW, I only read these in adulthood. Therefore, this one is not one that I knew intimately, and I am listening to a podcast going through Narnia (For Narnia and For Aslan) which just started this one. I grabbed it to re-read so the plot would be familiar. It's a lovely one - though as a kid I always bogged in it. Glass Houses by Louise Penney - I love Three Pines and the characters who populate it. I do not like the Gamache Surete storyline. So, half was great and half was a slog. Bread and Water, Water and Oil: An Orthodox Christian Experience of God by Melitios Webber. Another toothbrush read - this one is a good theological introduction, especially on the sacraments.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Feb 7, 2022 19:35:44 GMT
And I read Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Anne Boyd Rioux. mimima recommended this and it was totally my thing, having been a Little Woman love since age eight. The author talks about changing attitudes toward the story and characters...I enjoyed it. I'm so glad that you enjoyed, my friend! I admit, this is not one that I will donate, though many of the ones that I have around here - including my current ready - will go out the door! This week, I read: Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult - for an IRL Book Club. I found that this was a compendium of all of the things that Picoult has researched - Egyptology, hieroglyphics, quantam physics, and death doulas. Because of this information dump, the story was far less important and not one that I particularly enjoyed. Prince Caspian by CS Lewis - Except for LWW, I only read these in adulthood. Therefore, this one is not one that I knew intimately, and I am listening to a podcast going through Narnia (For Narnia and For Aslan) which just started this one. I grabbed it to re-read so the plot would be familiar. It's a lovely one - though as a kid I always bogged in it. Glass Houses by Louise Penney - I love Three Pines and the characters who populate it. I do not like the Gamache Surete storyline. So, half was great and half was a slog. Bread and Water, Water and Oil: An Orthodox Christian Experience of God by Melitios Webber. Another toothbrush read - this one is a good theological introduction, especially on the sacraments. Oh, I got the Little Woman book for my Kindle, so it's sticking around! Have you read Eden's Outcasts, about LMA's relationship with her father Bronson? It's really excellent. He put his wife and daughters through a lot.
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