The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,983
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Aug 1, 2022 4:04:09 GMT
I finally finished reading my nonfiction book. It was good, but not something I couldn’t put down:
🟠 King Leopold’s Ghost ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I vaguely remembered from my college days that Conrad’s Heart of Darkness was based off from his experiences in the Congo, but I really did not know much about King Leopold, Belgium and the enslavement and genocide perpetuated on the people of the Congo (under the guise of humanitarian and anti-slavery rhetoric).
Appalling and unfortunately I’m no longer surprised by man’s inhumanity.
It’s an older book, but still very eye-opening.
What did you read this week?
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Post by donnab on Aug 1, 2022 12:26:47 GMT
I'm so proud of myself! I've read about 10 books this year so far--much more than the past few years. The last few I read:
The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore (5/5) This book was recommended here and I am so glad I picked it up. It was a free prime read. It's set back in the 1920's and talks about the leper colonies and one women's experience. It was a very good book and I couldn't put it down all weekend!
I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll (4/5) This was another free prime read. The story is about a woman who sees two young girls on a train. She overhears conversations they are having with two young men they just met. The next day she finds out one of the girls has disappeared and the two men they were talking to had just gotten out of prison. The book is ok-hard to pick up where I left off each time. But it was interesting enough that I wanted to finish it.
The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent (3/5) I really wanted to like this because I love Minka Kent. But it just wasn't keeping my interest enough. Two young girls are told to never go past the forest but when their mother doesn't return, and a strange man appears at their house, they escape past the forest and are amazed by what they find.
Don't Wake Up by Liz Lawler (3/5) This was a physical book I've had for a few years and just read it now. Each time I came back to the book I would forget what had just happened. It didn't keep my attention very well and I almost stopped reading it but felt bad-so I continued. It's about a woman who wakes up from anesthesia in a room with someone who has captured her and wants to do awful things. When she wakes up again she is in her regular life and no one believes her.
The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean (5/5) I really likes this book as well. This is about human trafficking. A woman is made to continue working in inhumane conditions until a debt is paid off. This book flowed well and kept me interested.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,790
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Aug 1, 2022 12:37:13 GMT
I read a good one this week: “Meant to Be” by Emily Giffin. Loosely based on JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bissette. Loved it!
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Post by maryland on Aug 1, 2022 12:55:05 GMT
I gave up on Remarkably Bright Creatures, I know it's popular but I just couldn't get into it. I have the audio book on hold, so I may try that. I really liked The Perfect Ruin - Shanora Williams. I listened to Every Vow You Break and enjoyed it. Reading Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance and listening to That Summer - Jennifer Weiner. I have so many library books, kindle books and am always adding to them and looking for audio books on Libby. So I never remember what I just read or the title of what I am currently reading!
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Post by fotos4u2 on Aug 1, 2022 16:04:35 GMT
Three more for me this week:
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. 3 stars. I so wanted to like this book, but it fell flat. The story is about the personal librarian to JP Morgan, a black woman who passes as white.
Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand. 4 stars. I almost gave this 5 stars but there were some parts that weren't quite there. The story of Vivi a famous author who is killed in a hit and run and then goes to heaven where she gets to watch her family for the rest of the summer and is given three "nudges" to influence their lives.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. 3 stars. I was pretty disappointed with this one given all the rave reviews I'd read. I struggled identifying with the main character and I kept yelling at everyone that therapy would seriously help some of them (it's set in "present time" so assume 2015/2016!). The story of a woman who grew up in an abusive household and then meets a man who seems to check all the boxes of "perfect" (although I saw red flags the first day she met him!).
Next up is giving a shot at "Apples Never Fall" by Liane Moriarty.
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Post by quietgirl on Aug 1, 2022 16:13:51 GMT
I read The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Miller (I think that's his last name). 5+ stars. This was my jam.
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Post by auntkelly on Aug 1, 2022 16:34:02 GMT
I read Trust by Herman Diaz which I enjoyed once I finally figured out what was going on. Basically, it's about a very successful Wall Street mogul who hires an author to write a sugar-coated biography of his life. I think maybe the point of the book is that the truth can very much be distorted, intentionally or unintentionally by those telling the story or those who control the people who tell the story.
On a much lighter note, I read The Palace Papers by Tina Brown. It covers the goings on in the House of Windsor over the last twenty years. A good portion of the book is dedicated to the feud between the William and Harry. I suspect that if you are on team Cambridge you will like it very much and if you are on team Sussex, you will hate it.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 1, 2022 16:48:38 GMT
I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and loved it. 5/5 I just finished The Spite Game by Anna Snoekstra. mnmloveli gave it 4 stars and I agree. Although I enjoyed it, I didn't particularly like the main character although I felt bad for her.
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Post by mnmloveli on Aug 1, 2022 17:14:20 GMT
THE ISLAND (‘22) BY ADRIAN MCKINTY : 4 STARSDESCRIPTION: After moving from a small country town to Seattle, Heather Baxter marries Tom, a widowed doctor with a young son and teenage daughter. A working vacation overseas seems like the perfect way to bring the new family together. When they discover remote Dutch Island, off-limits to outside visitors, the family talks their way onto the ferry, taking a chance on an adventure far from the reach of iPhones and Instagram. But as soon as they set foot on the island, which is run by a tightly knit clan of locals, everything feels wrong. Then a shocking accident propels the Baxters from an unsettling situation into an absolute nightmare. REVIEW: My first book by this author was The Chain which I gave 3 Stars. The Island is a soon-to-be SOON HULU SERIES! worrywort was also reading and said it was a page turner. Story jumps right in making the characters a little unknown to me. Let go of reality to read this thriller; that’s why I read fiction. The action starts almost immediately and doesn’t let up. For the type of book this is, I would have given 5 stars but it lost 1 star for the final plot twist between the father and son; didn’t think the book needed it. THE GIRL WHO LEFT (‘22) BY JENNY BLACKHURST : 4 STARSDESCRIPTION: When five-year-old Elsie Button was snatched from a garden in a sleepy town on the Welsh island of Anglesey, and a local man later confessed, it sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community. How could one of their own do such a thing? Especially when his own little girl was the same age – and the victim’s best friend. Kathryn and her family left under the cloak of darkness one night, unable to bear the shame, and the anger of their neighbours. She hardly remembers that time. Now, she suffers the consequences of living under an assumed name, always looking over her shoulder. Her dad has not spoken a word to her since he went to prison. She is haunted by the question: why did he kill Elsie? When another child is taken from the same garden, twenty-five years to the day of Elsie’s murder, Kathryn is determined that this time she’ll be on the right side. She’ll join the search and atone for her father’s deed, and maybe, just maybe, get the answers she wants. But she’s not prepared for the long memory of the locals, nor the risks of going back. Not everyone on the island wants the truth to come out, and they’ll go to extreme lengths to stop that from happening. REVIEW: First two books by this author were Before I Let You In (‘16 - Read 18 - 4 Stars) and How I Left You (‘14 - Read ‘18 - 5 Stars). Within the first 5% I hate the main woman cop, Maggie. She’s sleeping with someone who is married and they’re sleeping in his bed when the wife is out working. Don’t worry, I hate him just as much. Their relationship is not a big part of this book but I wouldn’t read another book with this character in it. Good solid mystery. I definitely wanted a more complete ending. I still gave a 4-star rating since I did enjoy the road to the end.
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Post by mnmloveli on Aug 1, 2022 17:14:49 GMT
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Post by gramasue on Aug 1, 2022 17:48:23 GMT
For all you Grisham fans - I am reading The Judge's List right now. It is so good! Although it can be read as a stand-alone, it is somewhat of a continuation of the story in The Whistler. The main character is Lacy Stolz, a lawyer who works for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct and in this novel, she is plunged into a harrowing situation where she is investigating a sitting judge who is suspected of several murders. Everything must be kept very hush-hush, though, as the complainant fears deadly retaliation if she is found to be the one who knows his dark secrets. She doesn't want to be next on The List!
I read The Whistler, but it was years ago. I think I may have to go back and read it again.
To quote the back cover of this book - "The Judge's List is by any measure John Grisham's most surprising, chilling novel yet.
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,073
Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
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Post by mimima on Aug 1, 2022 18:11:41 GMT
It’s been a few weeks since I posted my reads. Catching up:
Hunted by Megan Spooner. Slow start, but as it got going, I appreciated the vaguely medieval Russian setting and role flip on the traditional tale. 3/5 stars
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I was super excited when this came from the library and as I’d not finished before boarding a plane, I took it on a cross-country trip with me. Gaming knowledge is not required, as I certainly don't have it, but a very absorbing story that moved quickly. There are some scenes that I could have done without, but all in all, I really enjoyed. 4/5 stars
The Whistler by John Grisham. For my IRL Book Club, I don’t enjoy corruption, and things like burner phones, moles, hired hitmen, and all that. Blarg. Therefore, the story wasn’t captivating as it is a world that I don’t enjoy inhabiting. 2/5 stars.
The Eucharist by Fr. Alexander Schmemann. This had not been edited by the author at the time of his death, so it has the feel of not being as tightly written as some of his other theological writings, but I enjoyed the discussion of Eucharistic theology and the reasons that we should commune frequently (which has not always been the tradition in some European countries.) A book read while I brushed my teeth. 5/5 stars.
World Without End by Ken Follett. When one is on vacation, one finds themselves reaching for candy - light, fluffy candy that satisfies immediately, but not for the long term, and with a lingering bit of cloyingness and emptiness.
This book, started in anticipation of a cross-country plane ride, is just that. Haphazard on the details, florid in the writing, reliant on eye-rolling tropes, and repetitive, but an enjoyable soap-opera all the same.
On a side note: Turns out, 21st century people going through a plague behave exactly like 14th century English peasants during the time of the Black Death. 3.5/5 stars
French Braid by Anne Tyler. The aforementioned cross-country trip was to Baltimore, where I’ve never been before. Tyler is famous for setting her books in that city, so now that I’d had the experience, I appreciated the setting much more! She’s always good for braiding her family stories together – they usually aren’t action packed (as this one wasn’t) but tell a good story. 3.5/5 stars
A Long Walk with Mary by Brandi Willis Schreiber. Non-fiction, read whilst brushing my teeth. It's always difficult to rate a memoir, but I appreciated this quiet story of Brandi's search to get to know the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) better during her journey to motherhood. Having said that, and there are some very lovely meditations and quotes about the history of Mary and her life, it is also a lot of nature writing - almost reminds me of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (but much less violent.)
Sweet, heartwarming, quiet. 4/5 stars
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Post by tommygirl on Aug 1, 2022 18:22:58 GMT
I finished The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose 3.5/5 stars. I may have heard about this book from a pea on a previous reading thread.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on Aug 1, 2022 21:15:32 GMT
Two great reads for me this week:
Upgrade by Blake Crouch: In the future, people basically get a $6 Million Man upgrade that goes wrong. Not as strong as his other books but still excellent. 5/5 stars.
The 6:20 Man by Baldacci: This was solid, typical Baldacci. A former vet with 3,409 crazy skills is recruited to infiltrate a financial services company to find out how they are planning to take over the world. Said former vet saves the world with the help of a beautiful woman. Lots of misdirection. The bad guy was not who you thought. Mindless entertainment. 4/5 stars. (Now that I'm reading my own review, I probably should have rated it 3/5 stars.)
I know there's been lots of great feedback for Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. But there are too many gaming references for my taste. I put it aside and don't know if I will finish. (Other GR readers had the same complaint.) I am reading The Measure right now. So far, so good. A very interesting premise for sure.
Lisa
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on Aug 1, 2022 21:17:51 GMT
For all you Grisham fans - I am reading The Judge's List right now. It is so good! Although it can be read as a stand-alone, it is somewhat of a continuation of the story in The Whistler. The main character is Lacy Stolz, a lawyer who works for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct and in this novel, she is plunged into a harrowing situation where she is investigating a sitting judge who is suspected of several murders. Everything must be kept very hush-hush, though, as the complainant fears deadly retaliation if she is found to be the one who knows his dark secrets. She doesn't want to be next on The List! I read The Whistler, but it was years ago. I think I may have to go back and read it again. To quote the back cover of this book - "The Judge's List is by any measure John Grisham's most surprising, chilling novel yet. I completely agree. It reminded me of his first old-school books: The Client, The Firm, etc. Suspenseful with a great plot and ending. donnab, The Last Thing to Burn was my favorite read last year. Lisa
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Post by stingfan on Aug 1, 2022 21:32:54 GMT
Finished... Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin - Maybe 3.5 stars? It was good enough to keep my attention, but not great. Bird Box by Josh Malerman - 4 stars...I rolled through this audiobook quickly. It was quite engrossing. I never watched the Netflix movie. Is it super scary? The book wasn't scary imo. Just suspenseful. Started... Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus DNF... The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan - I just can't get into it. I still have it on my libby shelf, so I may try to finish it before it expires. But not if I have something better to read .
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 1, 2022 21:39:45 GMT
DNF... The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan - I just can't get into it. I still have it on my libby shelf, so I may try to finish it before it expires. But not if I have something better to read . Nah, find something better!
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,631
Jun 26, 2014 1:03:18 GMT
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Post by edie3 on Aug 1, 2022 21:43:04 GMT
I read Lowcountry Summer and it was just okay. Very long, and dragged to me.
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naby64
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,224
Jun 25, 2014 21:44:13 GMT
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Post by naby64 on Aug 1, 2022 21:50:43 GMT
I finished Remarkably Bright Creatures yesterday. I went to my mom's and listened on the trip over and back. I was laughing out loud alone in the car and boohooing. This is an excellent audio book. Not sure if I would have felt the same way reading in a physical book.
Still working through The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Being a physical book, I am only reading it at night. I am hooked on it though.
I need to skim back through what all you are reading and find one in audio book form and listen this week in the office.
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Post by tamiq on Aug 1, 2022 21:51:14 GMT
All 3 star reads for me this week:
The In-Laws by James Caine
Not Your Average Girl Ryan, Joanne
The Night Sister McMahon, Jennifer
Kismet Akhtar, Amina This was an Amazon first read.
One four star: The Patient's Secret Loreth Anne White
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Post by maryland on Aug 1, 2022 21:59:35 GMT
I finished Remarkably Bright Creatures yesterday. I went to my mom's and listened on the trip over and back. I was laughing out loud alone in the car and boohooing. This is an excellent audio book. Not sure if I would have felt the same way reading in a physical book. Still working through The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Being a physical book, I am only reading it at night. I am hooked on it though. I need to skim back through what all you are reading and find one in audio book form and listen this week in the office. I read about 80 pages of Remarkably Bright Creatures but didn't really like it. I hear the audio is good, so I am going to try that.
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Post by pjaye on Aug 2, 2022 0:24:25 GMT
I finished The House of Fortune (The Miniaturist #2) by Jessie Burton and really enjoyed it. It picks up 18 years after the birth of Thea and was a worthy sequel. 4 stars. I read a lot of new releases...I like not knowing much about a book before I start it and I only skim reviews (but I do look at the GR rating). I remembered the title of a book I was interested in and downloaded it...but I kept wondering when the murder mystery was going to kick in The book was We Do What We Do in the Dark by Michelle Hart. It was about a female collage student who gets into a relationship with an older professor (also female) There was no murder... and the book was OK, I gave it 3 stars, but couldn't really remember why I wanted to read it. Then after I finished The House of Fortune and was looking around for my next book, I realised it was Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier that I'd wanted to read! Quite a different book, and it does start with a murdered husband I've read 3 of her previous books and gave them all 4 stars. I think this could end up being my favourite of hers. I'm about 70% done and it's really good so far. And no confusing lesbians in this one.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,407
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Aug 2, 2022 1:17:35 GMT
I gave up on Remarkably Bright Creatures, I know it's popular but I just couldn't get into it. I have the audio book on hold, so I may try that. I really liked The Perfect Ruin - Shanora Williams. I listened to Every Vow You Break and enjoyed it. Reading Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance and listening to That Summer - Jennifer Weiner. I have so many library books, kindle books and am always adding to them and looking for audio books on Libby. So I never remember what I just read or the title of what I am currently reading! Give the audiobook of Remarkably Bright Creatures a try and see if it helps. The audiobook is really well done. Each narrator is a different person. The voice of Marcellus is perfect!!
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Post by worrywart on Aug 2, 2022 3:18:53 GMT
I finished The Island by Adrian Mckinty. I give it 4.5 starts rounded down to 4. This book doesn't let up - it is a little over the top but in an escapism kind of way so I bought into it. If you are ever in Australia, say no to any side trips lol. Good book.
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paigepea
Drama Llama
Enter your message here...
Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Aug 2, 2022 14:06:36 GMT
Three more for me this week: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. 3 stars. I so wanted to like this book, but it fell flat. The story is about the personal librarian to JP Morgan, a black woman who passes as white. Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand. 4 stars. I almost gave this 5 stars but there were some parts that weren't quite there. The story of Vivi a famous author who is killed in a hit and run and then goes to heaven where she gets to watch her family for the rest of the summer and is given three "nudges" to influence their lives. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. 3 stars. I was pretty disappointed with this one given all the rave reviews I'd read. I struggled identifying with the main character and I kept yelling at everyone that therapy would seriously help some of them (it's set in "present time" so assume 2015/2016!). The story of a woman who grew up in an abusive household and then meets a man who seems to check all the boxes of "perfect" (although I saw red flags the first day she met him!). Next up is giving a shot at "Apples Never Fall" by Liane Moriarty. I’ve been working on the personal librarian for a while and am trying to figure out the hype. Does anything every happen. It seems the rising action is taking a while to rise. I’m almost half way through. I felt the same regarding it ends with us.
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Post by maryland on Aug 2, 2022 18:53:30 GMT
I finished The House of Fortune (The Miniaturist #2) by Jessie Burton and really enjoyed it. It picks up 18 years after the birth of Thea and was a worthy sequel. 4 stars. I read a lot of new releases...I like not knowing much about a book before I start it and I only skim reviews (but I do look at the GR rating). I remembered the title of a book I was interested in and downloaded it...but I kept wondering when the murder mystery was going to kick in The book was We Do What We Do in the Dark by Michelle Hart. It was about a female collage student who gets into a relationship with an older professor (also female) There was no murder... and the book was OK, I gave it 3 stars, but couldn't really remember why I wanted to read it. Then after I finished The House of Fortune and was looking around for my next book, I realised it was Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier that I'd wanted to read! Quite a different book, and it does start with a murdered husband I've read 3 of her previous books and gave them all 4 stars. I think this could end up being my favourite of hers. I'm about 70% done and it's really good so far. And no confusing lesbians in this one. I have done that with books too! Or I google a book and there are others with the same title that look good.
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Post by picotjo on Aug 2, 2022 19:21:47 GMT
This week I read
The book of the unnamed midwife 4 stars
I enjoyed this book
When she fell asleep, the world was doomed. When she awoke, it was dead.
In the wake of a fever that decimated the earth’s population—killing women and children and making childbirth deadly for the mother and infant—the midwife must pick her way through the bones of the world she once knew to find her place in this dangerous new one. Gone are the pillars of civilization. All that remains is power—and the strong who possess it.
A few women like her survived, though they are scarce. Even fewer are safe from the clans of men, who, driven by fear, seek to control those remaining. To preserve her freedom, she dons men’s clothing, goes by false names, and avoids as many people as possible. But as the world continues to grapple with its terrible circumstances, she’ll discover a role greater than chasing a pale imitation of independence.
After all, if humanity is to be reborn, someone must be its guide
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver 3.5
This was a reread for me. I thought the story was good but I am not a fan of her writing style
What Happened to the Bennets 4 stars
Story about a family in witness protection program.
I enjoyed the story but found some of the things they were able to do while in the program unrealistic.
This is the first time I have posted on this thread so I may not have done this right.
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naby64
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,224
Jun 25, 2014 21:44:13 GMT
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Post by naby64 on Aug 2, 2022 19:22:07 GMT
So in skimming back through this thread, the choice was made to listen to The Last Thing to Burn. I am hoping I start to like it. As of this morning's listening, I was ready to pick up something else. But since a couple of you have read it and really recommended it, I'll stay with it.
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Post by mnmloveli on Aug 2, 2022 19:39:35 GMT
This week I read The book of the unnamed midwife 4 stars
I enjoyed this book When she fell asleep, the world was doomed. When she awoke, it was dead. In the wake of a fever that decimated the earth’s population—killing women and children and making childbirth deadly for the mother and infant—the midwife must pick her way through the bones of the world she once knew to find her place in this dangerous new one. Gone are the pillars of civilization. All that remains is power—and the strong who possess it. A few women like her survived, though they are scarce. Even fewer are safe from the clans of men, who, driven by fear, seek to control those remaining. To preserve her freedom, she dons men’s clothing, goes by false names, and avoids as many people as possible. But as the world continues to grapple with its terrible circumstances, she’ll discover a role greater than chasing a pale imitation of independence. After all, if humanity is to be reborn, someone must be its guide We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver 3.5 This was a reread for me. I thought the story was good but I am not a fan of her writing style What Happened to the Bennets 4 stars
Story about a family in witness protection program. I enjoyed the story but found some of the things they were able to do while in the program unrealistic. This is the first time I have posted on this thread so I may not have done this right. Any way you choose to post your reads is the right way ! Always looking for books I might not have found on my own. Welcome and happy reading !
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,943
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 3, 2022 21:10:15 GMT
I just finished listening to Last Summer at the Golden Hotel By: Elyssa Friedland It was a lovely book! It took me just a bit to really get into the story (but it always does! LOL). Once invested, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. In some of my more recent books, I've listened to, I've been able to predict some of the storylines and events. Not this one! LOL I really enjoyed getting to know each of the characters. Spoiler Question Did they ever reveal the votes for and against the sale of The Golden Hotel? Another thing: I was pleasantly surprised by the creation of the Golden Motel and stealing the original sign from the Golden Hotel. Per this thread, donnab, I just downloaded The Second Life of Mirielle West By: Amanda Skenandore Just about 10 minutes in, so far, it's pretty good!
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