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 Jun 26, 2023 11:39:43 GMT
You may have noticed I changed the look/content of the title. I think this is the new way I will address the thread each week. If you have any ideas or suggestions or other ideas, let me know. I am open!
This week I read:
š£ What the Wind Knows Amy Harmon Time travel/Romance/historical āļøāļøāļøāļø The protagonist grew up hearing legends and learning Gaelic from her grandfather, but he never allowed her to travel to Ireland, even though she is a world-renowned historical writer (as an adult she chose not to go). After her grandfather dies, she finally travels there on his request to spread his ashes, and she ends up in 1920ās Ireland.
I liked the quiet romance between the two characters (that seems to be her forte as I read another romance by her that had a similar quietness/gentleness). I loved the setting, and I enjoyed the slow revelation of the larger context. Although I also really liked the time period, she did get bogged down a little bit, about a ā
of the way through with the history. Still a solid 4 as I could skim that easily and not lose the plot that was overall solid.
What did you read this week?
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Post by lainey on Jun 26, 2023 12:14:52 GMT
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell 5 stars. This book is devastating. Vanessa Wye is 15 years old when she begins a relationship with her English teacher 42 year old Jacob Strane. Such is Strane's ability to seek out a vulnerable child, to gaslight and confuse her that Vanessa believes their relationship to be a great love story, one that she wants and needs and even to be one that she initiated. Even when Strane is accused of abusing other students she stands by him and forgives him because really they should be grateful for his attention and what he does to them isn't that bad. She can never accept that Strane is an abuser and she is his victim, how can you be a victim when you wanted it?
This is an extremely uncomfortable read but it's beautifully written.
The Appeal by Janice Hallett 5 stars. The Fairway Players, a local theatre group, is in the midst of rehearsals when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Hayward and his wife Helen, the playās star. Their young granddaughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and with an experimental treatment costing a tremendous sum, their castmates rally to raise the money to give her a chance at survival. Not everybody is convinced of the experimental treatmentās efficacyāor of the good intentions of those involved. As tension grows within the community, things come to a shocking head at the explosive dress rehearsal. The next day, a dead body is found, and soon, an arrest is made.
A modern-day epistolary novel told in the form of emails, whatsapp messages and letters. I enjoy this format way more than I thought I would, it's very straight to the point, which I like.
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 26, 2023 12:16:38 GMT
I read In Sickness: A Memoir by Barrett Rollins. This was a fascinating account of how the authorās wife, a world famous oncologist, dealt with her own diagnosis of breast cancer (You find out at the beginning of the story that she had kept it a secret from her husband and everyone else and self treated it for years).
The book is brutally honest not only about how the couple dealt with the wifeās illness, but also about their very complicated marriage. It is beautifully written. I canāt stop thinking about it, which is always the sign of a good book.
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 26, 2023 12:43:32 GMT
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell 5 stars. This book is devastating. Vanessa Wye is 15 years old when she begins a relationship with her English teacher 42 year old Jacob Strane. Such is Strane's ability to seek out a vulnerable child, to gaslight and confuse her that Vanessa believes their relationship to be a great love story, one that she wants and needs and even to be one that she initiated. Even when Strane is accused of abusing other students she stands by him and forgives him because really they should be grateful for his attention and what he does to them isn't that bad. She can never accept that Strane is an abuser and she is his victim, how can you be a victim when you wanted it?
This is an extremely uncomfortable read but it's beautifully written. I read My Dark Vanessa a few yearsā ago and it was very disturbing, as the author intended it to be. It made me realize that I was harboring a little bit of āblame the victimā mentality when it came to older victims of child sexual abuse. The book made me see how easy it would be to manipulate an adolescent into believing that a sexual encounter wasnāt abusive if the adolescent was sexually attracted to their abuser.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,481
Jul 6, 2016 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by hutchfan on Jun 26, 2023 14:09:32 GMT
I read Jane In Love by Rachel Givney. Bath England 1803. At 28 Jane Austen prefers walking and reading to balls, she also dreams of someday publishing her carefully crafted stories. Above all, she wants love. In grave danger of becoming a spinster, Jane goes searching for a radical solution and by accident time travels. She lands in... Bath England, present day. The film set Northanger Abbey. As Jane acquaints herself with the horseless carriages and shocking fashions of the twenty first century, she also discovers she's now a published author. A famous one. She befriends Sofia Wentworth a fading Hollywood actress starring in the new period film, who offers to help Jane return to her own time. Then Jane meets Fred, Sofia's brother, who has the audacity to be handsome, clever and kindhearted... But when Jane starts falling in love with Fred disaster strikes. All her books begin disappearing from the shelves. Jane realizes that the longer she remains in the twenty first century, the more she will erase herself from history. Jane must decide:Is a chance at love worth staying lost in time? This was quick and cute read. Some very dislikeable characters but many who I enjoyed.
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 26, 2023 14:22:31 GMT
You may have noticed I changed the look/content of the title. I think this is the new way I will address the thread each week. If you have any ideas or suggestions or other ideas, let me know. I am open! This week I read: š£ What the Wind Knows Amy Harmon Time travel/Romance/historical āļøāļøāļøāļø The protagonist grew up hearing legends and learning Gaelic from her grandfather, but he never allowed her to travel to Ireland, even though she is a world-renowned historical writer (as an adult she chose not to go). After her grandfather dies, she finally travels there on his request to spread his ashes, and she ends up in 1920ās Ireland. I liked the quiet romance between the two characters (that seems to be her forte as I read another romance by her that had a similar quietness/gentleness). I loved the setting, and I enjoyed the slow revelation of the larger context. Although I also really liked the time period, she did get bogged down a little bit, about a ā
of the way through with the history. Still a solid 4 as I could skim that easily and not lose the plot that was overall solid. What did you read this week? I like the new look for the title! My question is, how do we make the purple dot? I like it.
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Post by katiescarlett on Jun 26, 2023 14:33:52 GMT
I finished Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge that was recommended here. 4 stars. I liked it a lot but I really wanted more details at the end. And those that have read it, please answer my spoiler question! I did not get the connection with the college student at the end. Did I miss something?
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390
Aug 16, 2014 23:15:53 GMT
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Post by peaname on Jun 26, 2023 17:39:13 GMT
I read In Sickness: A Memoir by Barrett Rollins. This was a fascinating account of how the authorās wife, a world famous oncologist, dealt with her own diagnosis of breast cancer (You find out at the beginning of the story that she had kept it a secret from her husband and everyone else and self treated it for years). The book is brutally honest not only about how the couple dealt with the wifeās illness, but also about their very complicated marriage. It is beautifully written. I canāt stop thinking about it, which is always the sign of a good book. I just read a review on Goodreads and the reviewer was pissed at her spouse for telling her story when he described her as private and guarded about sharing. Do you fee this way? I refused to read Go Set a Watchman because I felt Harper Lee didnāt want it published. On the other hand heās telling his own story so I might be okay with it.
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Post by worrywart on Jun 26, 2023 18:31:58 GMT
I've read
One by One by Ruth Ware (2.5 stars) - It was okay but I ended up try to read fast to finish it.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette McClurdy (4 stars) - Author was a child star. I wasn't familiar with her but was still easily able to be drawn in to her story. Easy read. Delves into child acting/stardom and repercussions of abuse.
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Post by lainey on Jun 26, 2023 18:39:29 GMT
I also had a couple of DNFs this week
Book Lovers by Emily Henry The Silent Bride by Shalini Boland
I knew neither of them were for me after a few pages.
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Post by birukitty on Jun 26, 2023 18:50:46 GMT
I've had such fun reading lately since 3 of my favorite authors released new books within weeks of each other.
First up: The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor. I first started reading this author's books with her first book "The Girl Who Came Home" about the Titanic several years ago. Since then she's just gotten better and better in my opinion. I love her books. She writes historical fiction. This book takes place during 1940 starting in England when to escape the Blitz families were offered the chance to send their children to safety overseas to Canada, Australia and other places. The book has two main characters a widow with 2 children and a young woman who signs up as an escort for the children. I adored this book and just devoured it. It was incredible! 5 big stars!
Next was another very favorite author Lisa See's new book Lady Tan's Circle of Women. I discovered Lisa See a few years ago when I first read "The Island of Sea Women" (still my favorite) and have loved her books ever since. This newest book was no exception. It's based on the true story of a woman doctor from 15th century China. I loved this book too, although not as much as some of her others. Still it kept me very entertained and I gave it 5 stars-it really deserved it.
And lastly the amazing Martha Hall Kelly who wrote "The Lilac Girls" newest book The Golden Doves. This one-on my gosh! This one I could not put down. Literally. I stayed up one night reading from midnight until 7 am! Good thing I'm retired and can get away with that. It was a wonderful book that I really enjoyed. Takes place during WWII and afterwards. Really loved this one! 5 stars but wanted to give it more.
I also read To Die Beautiful by Buzzy Jackson. This book was about Hannie Schaft who was a resistance fighter during WWII in Holland. I'd read a non-fiction book about her a couple of years ago and this book was wonderful! I'd been waiting for it to be published and it did not disappoint. Also 5 stars.
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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 Jun 26, 2023 19:09:54 GMT
My Dark Vanessa was gripping and horrifying. It was an exceptional example of gaslighting: how the predator twisted Vanessa's words around so that she completely doubted herself and wondered if his r*pe of her was her fault. Very eye-opening indeed. Without spoiling, I thought the end was a cop out. I read this in 2020 when it came out. It will probably stick with me forever. I gave it 4/5 stars. This week, I finished This Tender Land, which was absolutely gorgeous. 5/5 stars. I was reading The Postcard, but I need to take it back to the library as other people have it on hold. It's okay, but I won't check it out again. I will finish The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard, which I started before I went on vacation. 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 Jun 26, 2023 19:11:45 GMT
You may have noticed I changed the look/content of the title. I think this is the new way I will address the thread each week. If you have any ideas or suggestions or other ideas, let me know. I am open! Love the new format! I spotted the purple dot immediately when I opened 2 peas. Thank you! Lisa
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Post by alsomsknit on Jun 26, 2023 21:18:15 GMT
Nice new look!
Was outrageously ill on Friday. All I did was read to escape. I finished reading Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman. Read The Ocean at the End of the Lane by the same author. Next up, Illogical by Emmanuel Acho. Then, I stared reading The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.
Highly recommend the Gaiman books. I was not in the head space for Achoās book, though I finished it.
Saturday, The Graveyard Book was finished. I do not remember crying over the ending the last time I read it. Was totally seeking out ācomfort.ā
Now, there are 2 in process of being read: Whistling Past the Graveyard (Kindle) by Jonathan Maberry. Short stories. I love this authorās Joe Ledger series. And, All that Remains (paperback) by Sue Black. About death from a forensic scientist.
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 26, 2023 22:21:49 GMT
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Post by roundtwo on Jun 26, 2023 23:09:00 GMT
I read I Am a Truck by Michelle Winters which is set in New Brunswick, a bilingual province in Canada. It was an odd, quirky little book and I am still not sure what it was all about.
"A tender but lively debut novel about a man, a woman, and their Chevrolet dealer. Agathe and RĆ©jean Lapointe are about to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary when RĆ©jean's beloved Chevy Silverado is found abandoned at the side of the road ā with no trace of RĆ©jean. As her hope dwindles, Agathe falls in with her spirited coworker, Debbie, who teaches Agathe about rock and roll, and with Martin Bureau, the one man who might know the truth about RĆ©jean's fate."
I also read The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, which is a children's book but still a good read.
"Ada Smith is a ten-year-old girl who has never left her apartment in London. Her physically abusive, widowed mother is too embarrassed to let her go outside because of her clubfoot, even though she claims Ada is mentally disabled instead. As a regular punishment, Ada gets put in a damp cabinet under the sink where cockroaches live. She is used as a servant, cooks and takes care of her six-year-old brother Jamie and her mother. She is also quite protective of him."
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Post by pjaye on Jun 27, 2023 3:48:17 GMT
I didn't finish anything! I think I had a book hangover (in a bad way) from that last book and I didn't even want to read anything at all. Then I started The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer, I was really excited about this but I DNF at 30%. The writing didn't grab me at all, it was that mix of odd characters saying weird things written in a juvenile voice. I felt like I was reading a children's book.
I've just started The Last to Disappear by Jo Spain which is holding my interest so far.
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 27, 2023 3:58:02 GMT
I read In Sickness: A Memoir by Barrett Rollins. This was a fascinating account of how the authorās wife, a world famous oncologist, dealt with her own diagnosis of breast cancer (You find out at the beginning of the story that she had kept it a secret from her husband and everyone else and self treated it for years). The book is brutally honest not only about how the couple dealt with the wifeās illness, but also about their very complicated marriage. It is beautifully written. I canāt stop thinking about it, which is always the sign of a good book. I just read a review on Goodreads and the reviewer was pissed at her spouse for telling her story when he described her as private and guarded about sharing. Do you fee this way? I refused to read Go Set a Watchman because I felt Harper Lee didnāt want it published. On the other hand heās telling his own story so I might be okay with it. I felt like he was telling his story, and that he had a right to do so. I felt he was very respectful and obviously loved her very much. She made a public appearance to accept an award when she was so ill she couldnāt stand on the stage and had to give her acceptance speech sitting, so at that point I think she had come to terms with her illness. She was a very complicated person. I think she was often psychologically abusive to her husband. My biggest question was why she treated him the way she did and why he stayed in the relationship. I think he wrote the book to help himself sort out his feelings.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 27, 2023 11:14:05 GMT
I read In Sickness: A Memoir by Barrett Rollins. This was a fascinating account of how the authorās wife, a world famous oncologist, dealt with her own diagnosis of breast cancer (You find out at the beginning of the story that she had kept it a secret from her husband and everyone else and self treated it for years). The book is brutally honest not only about how the couple dealt with the wifeās illness, but also about their very complicated marriage. It is beautifully written. I canāt stop thinking about it, which is always the sign of a good book. I have added this to my want to read list. Thanks for the recommend.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 27, 2023 11:40:26 GMT
I haven't check in to this thread in quite a long while and I have read quite a few books since my last check in. I am shocked right now because it is end of June and I've already read 19 books. For reference, I read 17 all year last year and I felt like that was pretty good. After losing Esther I lost interest in nearly everything for a while, but really picked up my reading in winter. I know that doesn't seem like many books for many of you, but being primarily a non-fiction reader, I read nearly every other day or so, but I feel like I need time to think about the things I'm reading so I do take pauses for that reflection.
Anyway, I've read:
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell-4 stars for me. It was a relatively easy read where she not only dives into actual cults, but also the similar language and tactics used by cultish groups like MLMs, exercise groups like CrossFit, Instagram Influencers, and then ends with the QAnon/conspiracy theory/wellness pipeline.
Unraveling: Peggy Orenstein-5 stars for me. Peggy Orenstein is normally a social science writer and her past books have been really meaty. This one is a memoir about making a sweater during Covid times all the way from learning to sheer the sheep, spinning, dyeing, and finally knitting the sweater. She weaves (pun intended) her story around this mission to create a sweater start to finish while also hitting upon social issues going on in our country at the same time. I felt it was very well written and supremely interesting (but I'm a yarn crafter too). For a memoir, it really hit all my marks. I feel like I flew through it and didn't want it to end.
Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood by Jessica Grose-4 stars. This really hit upon what it is like to be a modern, working mother. I felt it was interesting because while I could relate to some things, others are relatively newer developments that I missed totally when raising my kids. I almost feel like my children's childhoods were a time of change where things started out relatively tech-free and then the smart phone came in when they were a bit older. I also didn't have a big social media influence during my time as a parent and I can see how this plays out. She also references the podcast, Under the Influence by Jo Piazza, and I have started listening to that too. It is an interesting rabbit hole to go down but while it seemed like Grose was more of the technology being harmful to modern motherhood, Piazza takes a more nuanced look and doesn't seem to take a position on mom influencers, she just presents the good and the bad fairly neutrally.
Do You Mind If I Cancel? by Gary Janetti-3 stars. This was non-fiction's version of fluff. Each chapter read as almost a little essay (there was some cohesion throughout the book, but each chapter felt fairly distinct). Gary is a screenwriter and his book is just a quick insight into his personal life as a gay man. Quick read.
Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate-4 stars. This had to be one of the most interesting memoirs I've read. Just different. A very unorthodox therapist with a strange way of guiding patients in a group therapy dynamic. The author is still involved with her group and they've become life-long friends to her. The therapy did result in some personal development for her.
This One Wild and Precious Life by Sarah Wilson-4 stars. This book was mostly focused on climate change and our impact on the Earth, weaving in her personal choices relative to that, as well as her personal discoveries while hiking around the world. There was a bit much hiking for my liking, but I found her life compelling and refreshing. I have also been doing quite a bit of thinking lately about my footprint on the Earth so that was intriguing. And she weaved a bunch of philosophy and cultural references relative to where she was. I needed to take my time with this particular book.
Farewell My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living-3 stars. This memoir was cute. The author basically tried living off the grid for a while and this is his adventure in learning how to reduce his footprint, as well as try to purchase local and support his local economy. It was an easy read and actually quite funny. His stories about his goats were highly amusing.
Anyway, those are the books I've read over the last 2.5 months.
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 27, 2023 16:47:21 GMT
I had a great reading week ā¦ā¦ā¦.
SILENT CAME THE MONSTER : A NOVEL OF THE 1916 JERSEY SHORE SHARK ATTACKS (ā23 - 4 STARS) BY AMY HILL HEARTH DESCRIPTION : Inspired by the story of the 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks. āSharks are as timid as rabbits,ā says a superintendent of the Coast Guard, dismissing the possibility that a shark could be the culprit in an unprecedented fatal attack at the Jersey Shore. Itās July, and swimming in the sea is a popular new pastime, but people up and down the East Coast are shocked and mystified by the swimmerās death. A prominent surgeon at the shore, Dr. Edwin Halsey is the one who examines the victim, and the only one who believes the perpetrator was a sharkāand that it will strike again. With the public and the authoritiesāand even those who witnessed the attacksāso stubbornly disbelieving, Dr. Halsey finds himself fighting widespread confusion, conspiracy theories, and outright denial. Seeking the input of commercial fisherman, he soon learns they have long been concerned about a creature they call the Beast. The Lenape, one of the tribes native to the area, have their own beliefs about this creature, but can Dr. Halsey convince the rest of the world before itās too late?
REVIEW : First book by this author for me. This book caught my attention because of its ājaws-likeā theme and based on a true story. I love the writing immediately; the descriptions of the fishing vessels and beach scenes put me right there. A state struggling with unheard of multiple shark killings amid a polio epidemic & WWI. Very good read that grabbed me right at the beginning and never let go. By the end of the book I was connected to a few of the characters and was not disappointed in the ending. Great BEACH read! LOL!
THE ONLY ONE LEFT (ā23 - 5 STARS) BY RILEY SAGER DESCRIPTION : At seventeen, Lenora Hope hung her sister with a rope. Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hopeās End, the cliffside mansion where the massacre occurred. Itās now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hopeās End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offerāI want to tell you everything. āIt wasnāt me,ā Lenora said. But sheās the only one not dead
REVIEW: Prior books by Riley Sager for me were The House Across the Lake (ā22 - 5 Stars), Survive the Night (ā21 - 5 Stars), Home Before Dark ('20 - 5 Stars), Lock Every Door ('19 - 4 Stars), The Last Time I Lied ('18 - 3 Stars) and Final Girls ('17 - 4 Stars).
Great writing like always. Loved the eerie start with a sense of dread over whatās really going on in this entertaining mystery. You canāt trust anyone in this house! A great gothic thriller with lots of suspense. Twistiest book I ever read! Couldnāt stop reading; the last 30% was like a runaway freight train! BRAVO Mr. Sager!
Happy Reading to all ! Hope everyone picks a great read for the 4th of July Weekend!
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 27, 2023 16:57:45 GMT
You may have noticed I changed the look/content of the title. I think this is the new way I will address the thread each week. If you have any ideas or suggestions or other ideas, let me know. I am open! LOVE the purple dot! It drew my eye right to this thread without even knowing what the thread was about. Definitely eye-catching! PLUS itās my favorite color! GREAT idea!
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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 Jun 27, 2023 17:06:11 GMT
Search by Michelle Huneven. While my denomination does not choose their next priest via committee, this story of a UU congregationās search committee definitely hits home as someone who has been on committees with interview portions. Or, anyone who has ever served on a committee, honestly. Wincingly, painfully funny and often like some tragedy that you cannot look away from, itās sweet and sad and hopeful and complicated. 4/5 stars.
Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Lucy Maud Montgomery. When reading an earlier book, I realized that Iād read at least some of these as a kid, but this one Iāve only read once (to my memory) before and as an adult. A good bridge novel between the earlier childhood and the upcoming high school novels, this one speaks to family and to the new library. Be still my heart. 4/5 stars.
Night by Elie Wiesel. One of my kids read this for a high school class and we had a copy around. This was read while I brushed my teeth and got ready for the day. Always hard to rate a memoir, but important and tragic. As this generation passes, it causes good food for thought to be sure that the memories of the Holocaust do not fade. 5/5 stars.
Saturday Night at the Late Night Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal. I enjoy Stradalās interviews (and in fact, have seen him speak once,) but as likeable as he personally is, this book did not work for me. I was blindsided by a traumatic death and found that enough characters were unlikable that the story didnāt work. Admittedly, I am not from the midwest, so that may color my opinion. 2/5 stars.
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Post by epeanymous on Jun 27, 2023 17:48:29 GMT
Two books this week, both nonfiction:
Hooked by Sutton Foster. I think I went into this believing it would be more light-hearted than it was -- she's obviously a very bubbly performer, and I thought it would be more like "I am so energetic and here is how I use crochet to deal with my energy and nerves!" There's a little of that, and a lot for anyone who loves Broadway lore and casting stories. A lot of the book, however, is about her struggles to find happiness and acceptance after being raised in a very difficult household, with parents who disliked one another and a mother who became agoraphobic. It's written fairly basically -- almost at a YA level -- but the topics are deep; it reminded me of I'm Glad my Mom is Dead in a lot of ways. Held my interest, and a good reminder that what you see -- in people and books -- isn't what you get.
Don't Think, Dear by Alice Robb. I've had this on my list for a while and finally found a copy that wasn't on Amazon. Alice Robb attended an elite NYC ballet school that feeds into ABT, although she doesn't seem to have come particularly close to a professional dance career. The book ruminates on her own experience as a student as well as the life-long positive and negative effects of her strict training, but really focuses more on the world of ballet training and dance careers, and the incredible sadism and masochism of ballet. Not in a positive way, mostly. If you (like me) trained in ballet, you'll recognize so much of yourself in this book; if you didn't, it's still a really interesting synthesis of how ballet provides discipline and structure but often at a great cost to body image, mental health, and physical health.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 27, 2023 18:16:51 GMT
Hooked by Sutton Foster. I think I went into this believing it would be more light-hearted than it was -- she's obviously a very bubbly performer, and I thought it would be more like "I am so energetic and here is how I use crochet to deal with my energy and nerves!" There's a little of that, and a lot for anyone who loves Broadway lore and casting stories. A lot of the book, however, is about her struggles to find happiness and acceptance after being raised in a very difficult household, with parents who disliked one another and a mother who became agoraphobic. It's written fairly basically -- almost at a YA level -- but the topics are deep; it reminded me of I'm Glad my Mom is Dead in a lot of ways. Held my interest, and a good reminder that what you see -- in people and books -- isn't what you get. It's funny you say that you expected it to be more light-hearted because I walked away feeling dissatisfied with the fact that she presented all these negative experiences but didn't say a single insightful thing on how she worked any of them out. I walked away feeling like, yep, bad things happen to all people, but not all people take the time to address any of them. They just robotically walk through their lives barely stopping to pause to consider any kind of exploration of human behavior at all. I walked away feeling like she was very shallow.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Jun 27, 2023 18:28:12 GMT
I've had such fun reading lately since 3 of my favorite authors released new books within weeks of each other. Next was another very favorite author Lisa See's new book Lady Tan's Circle of Women. I discovered Lisa See a few years ago when I first read "The Island of Sea Women" (still my favorite) and have loved her books ever since. This newest book was no exception. It's based on the true story of a woman doctor from 15th century China. I loved this book too, although not as much as some of her others. Still it kept me very entertained and I gave it 5 stars-it really deserved it. I LOVE Lisa See, and I loved that Island of Sea Women!!!!!!!
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Post by epeanymous on Jun 27, 2023 20:55:50 GMT
Hooked by Sutton Foster. I think I went into this believing it would be more light-hearted than it was -- she's obviously a very bubbly performer, and I thought it would be more like "I am so energetic and here is how I use crochet to deal with my energy and nerves!" There's a little of that, and a lot for anyone who loves Broadway lore and casting stories. A lot of the book, however, is about her struggles to find happiness and acceptance after being raised in a very difficult household, with parents who disliked one another and a mother who became agoraphobic. It's written fairly basically -- almost at a YA level -- but the topics are deep; it reminded me of I'm Glad my Mom is Dead in a lot of ways. Held my interest, and a good reminder that what you see -- in people and books -- isn't what you get. It's funny you say that you expected it to be more light-hearted because I walked away feeling dissatisfied with the fact that she presented all these negative experiences but didn't say a single insightful thing on how she worked any of them out. I walked away feeling like, yep, bad things happen to all people, but not all people take the time to address any of them. They just robotically walk through their lives barely stopping to pause to consider any kind of exploration of human behavior at all. I walked away feeling like she was very shallow. I don't know. I related a lot to her description of her mother's issues because my mother has a lot of similar issues, and to some extent, I thought the point was that you can love someone and know they love you and realize that they can't be the person for you that you need. I think it's a fair point that she doesn't explain how she got through her issues, but I think that's honestly because I get the sense that she hasn't fully, and is still in the process (which I REALLY relate to).
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Post by tampascrapper on Jun 27, 2023 23:47:28 GMT
My Dark Vanessa was gripping and horrifying. It was an exceptional example of gaslighting: how the predator twisted Vanessa's words around so that she completely doubted herself and wondered if his r*pe of her was her fault. Very eye-opening indeed. Without spoiling, I thought the end was a cop out. I read this in 2020 when it came out. It will probably stick with me forever. I gave it 4/5 stars. I think this book will stick with me forever too. This week I read The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth 4.5/5 stars for me. Picture a lovely cottage on a cliff, with sloping lawns, walking paths, and beautiful flowers. Itās Gabe and Pippa Gerardās dream home in a sleepy coastal town. But their perfect house hides something sinister. The tall cliffs have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Over the past several months, Gabe comes to their rescue, literally talking them off the ledge. Until one day, he doesnāt. When Pippa discovers Gabe knew the victim, the questions spiral. . . .Did the victim jump? Was she pushed? And would Gabe, the love of Pippaās life, her soulmate . . . lie? As the perfect faƧade of their marriage begins to crack, the deepest and darkest secrets begin to unravel. Because sometimes, the most convincing lies are the ones we tell ourselves.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,303
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on Jun 28, 2023 1:47:16 GMT
3 books since my last post! Her Last Goodbye by Rick Mofina. 3 / 5Jennifer Griffin, a doting, well-liked suburban mom goes missing after her book club one night. She just doesn't make it home. Sounds intriguing and like a storyline I'd love. Her husband Greg IS BEYOND-ANNOYING. lol I listened to the audiobook of this and I couldn't stand hearing his inner monologue out loud from the very first chapter. Very cringey. It was very easy to put the angel wind chime together with the fire from her childhood. I hope that was't supposed to be an 'ah ha' moment because I saw that coming a mile away. Overall, the reveal wasn't very satisfying yet the story did keep me engaged, even if a bit drawn out and repetitive in spots. A solid 3 but I wouldn't be so fast to recommend this one to friends. - Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden. 3.3 / 5I saw another reviewer coin this "The Woman in the Window meets The Bates motel" and yes, that is certainly true. The story opens with Quinn standing over her husband's bloody body as she's getting ready to make a run for it. We know she killed him but we don't know exactly why or if/when she'll get caught... She stays in a motel along the way and gets stuck by a snowstorm. The owner of the motel, Nick, is kind, but has a disturbing backstory and his bed-ridden wife Rosalie is constantly watching the motel from her bedroom window. There's an eccentric older woman who lives there (the only other guest) and now you have the cast of characters as the cops and Quinn's family get closer to finding her... I have a love/hate relationship with this author. I obviously like her, because I've read about 5 of her books in the last few months (and am currently reading another now!) However, I have yet to give one 5 stars. They are fast-paced, twisty and fun, but there is always one too many "ah ha!" moments at the end which leaves me rolling my eyes and thinking "C'mon man... so close!" Do Not Disturb did this yet again, but I'm not giving up on this author quite yet. - The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose. 4 / 5No spoilers or recaps here: you can read the book synopsis for yourself. I just wanted to note that I am so surprised at all of the one star reviews Iām seeing! š± I actually thought this book was fast-paced, twisty, engaging and at times, funny (some people donāt care for gratuitous language but as someone who speaks colorfully in real life, grow up). I listened to the last half on a road trip and couldnāt wait to finish it in my hotel bed that night. - I started The Housemaid by Freida McFadden last night.
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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 Jun 28, 2023 2:13:21 GMT
I read The End Of Normal An explosive, heartbreaking memoir from the widow of Mark Madoff and daughter-in-law of Bernard Madoff, the first genuine inside story from a family member who has lived through- and survived-both the public crisis and her own deeply personal tragedy. When the news of Bernard Madoff 's Ponzi scheme broke, Americans were shocked and outraged, perhaps none more so than the unsuspecting members of his own family. After learning that their father's legendarily successful wealth management company was "all just one big lie," Mark and Andrew Madoff turned their father in and cut off all communication with both parents.
It was just okay.
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