The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by The Great Carpezio on May 24, 2015 14:05:37 GMT
It is dreary and raining around here; I hope you are having more enjoyable weather, but if not, I hope you get to read. In case you missed this thread last week, I am taking over the thread for Paige. ____________________ I am heading into the last week of the school year, so things are a bit busy and this week, once again, I only read one book. I read Delicious Foods by James Hannaham. I can honestly say I haven't read a book with the same story line or narrator. This book has a teenager with no hands, crack-cocaine as a narrator (at times), modern slavery, race issues, a love story and for a few pages, the town I live in (St Cloud, MN). This is a story of a mother and son. Through a series of unfortunate events, the mother becomes addicted to crack and one night while she is on the streets, she is lured into a mini-bus with assurances of a perfect job awaiting her at Delicious Foods, a place where she can do honest hard farm work, and get three star accommodations, a swimming pool and no one will judge her for her drug use and she can continue to use "Scotty" ---for a small fee. Much of the story is told from the perspective of "Scotty." It might be a bit gimmicky, but it is interesting. Overall, I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. The story is unusual and the characters are well-drawn, but I thought it was a little slow at times. In a different week, with less stress, I might not have felt that way though. Attachments:
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
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Posts: 4,408
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on May 24, 2015 15:04:25 GMT
The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah
Fiction/historical fiction
The reviews on this book have been hot and cold here. I personally loved it! The story keeps you guessing and is told by 2 sisters in France during WW2. Loved it and couldn't finish it fast enough.
Gus
Kim Holden
New Adult
This is book 2 to a book I absolutely adored called Bright Side. This book was everything I wanted the sequel to be.
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Post by pjaye on May 24, 2015 15:14:02 GMT
After my last two weeks of books I didn’t love, this last week was definitely better.
I started with Blood Moon (The Huntress/FBI Thrillers #2) by Alexandra Sokoloff. I read the first one of this series last year and really enjoyed it. It’s about a woman who is the only survivor of a serial killer who wipes out her family and after a troubled youth she becomes a sort of vigilante and hunts down and kills men who harm women and children. The first one was written from her point of view and I thought it was very well done.
This one is from the police point of view as they are trying to capture her. Still good, but not as good as the first one. 3 out of 5 stars.
Next I listened to The Other Side of Midnight by Simone St. James. Bought this on whim last month (it was a new release). First one of this author’s books I have read and I loved it.
Set in the 1920s, Ellie is a medium who helps people find lost objects. Then an old friend of hers is murdered and she leaves a message for Ellie to help find her killer. There’s a strong female main character, mediums, ghosts, a few murders and a bit of romance. Loved all of it and the narration was excellent as well, a perfect fit for this book. Totally enjoyable and I gave it 5 stars.
Then I started the Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy by Elizabeth Chadwick. The first one is The Summer Queen. I learnt no European history at school at all so I always find these books fascinating, but I don’t like it when they got too detailed about the politics of the time.
This hit just the right mark, and mainly tells the story of Eleanor who in 1137 at the age of 13 is sent off to France to marry young prince Louis of France. It’s a fascinating look at how women at the time were treated. Once I finished that I started the second one The Winter Crown straight away and am about half way through (Eleanor is now 42 and has had 10 live births and two miscarriages to three different men and has been the Queen of France and is now the Queen of England!) Enjoying the story and the narration very much. These will both be 4 out of 5 stars.
Unfortunately the third book The Autumn Throne hasn’t been published yet….probably not until next year.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on May 24, 2015 16:19:38 GMT
I'm still working my way through A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin. After 450-ish pages I know I'm on the back stretch, but I'm kind of getting bored with it. I may have to take a break.
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Post by craftsbycarolyn on May 24, 2015 17:24:40 GMT
I finished a book called Stolen by Susan Lewis...kind of a light fluffy read but pretty good.
I am reading Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill. I really am just skimming this book, not really holding my interest.
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paigepea
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Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on May 25, 2015 0:19:44 GMT
Thanks for the thread!!
The last book I read was The House Girl by Tara Conklin, which I thought was only ok.
I'm in need of a real page turner / engaging story for an airplane ride later this week. I've read The Girl On The Train, but I'd like something like that. I hate flying so I need to be already into a good book by then! Will look here for recs!!
Paige.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
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Post by gottapeanow on May 25, 2015 0:34:13 GMT
Two for me this week. I finally finished I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb. It is an older book, but I had never read it. I was so happy I stuck with it for 900 + pages. Yes, it drags in spots. But overall... oh my. I loved it! I especially loved the last 300 or so pages and had a really hard time putting it down. 5/5 stars. I did not really care for his other book that I read last year, She's Come Undone. But I will definitely keep reading his books. I also read Detour by James Siegel. He wrote Derailed, later made into a movie with Jennifer Anniston and Clive Owen. The movie is great and follows the book almost to the T. Detour is another excellent thriller about a couple who goes to Columbia to adopt a baby. They do so successfully but run into serious problems. The mom and daughter are held hostage in Columbia while dad goes back to the U.S. to try to free his family. A few twists and turns in this one. Despite the fact that it was a bit far-fetched, I still gave it 5/5 stars. I could hardly put it down. Moving this week, so I will see how much reading I accomplish.  Lisa |
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Post by GamGam on May 25, 2015 0:47:50 GMT
I read A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner, but was not captivated by this one. I usually like character driven novels as this one is, but the protagonist was just too introspective for me and the story drug along. So I skimmed a bit which I don't like to do.
I just started Take Me with You[/b by Catherine Hyde, and it looks really good.
Thanks to all of you for posting your reading each week. I really use this thread as a reference for my books to read.
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Post by gramasue on May 25, 2015 0:57:11 GMT
Two for me this week. I finally finished I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb. It is an older book, but I had never read it. I was so happy I stuck with it for 900 + pages. Yes, it drags in spots. But overall... oh my. I loved it! I especially loved the last 300 or so pages and had a really hard time putting it down. 5/5 stars. I did not really care for his other book that I read last year, She's Come Undone. But I will definitely keep reading his books. I also read Detour by James Siegel. He wrote Derailed, later made into a movie with Jennifer Anniston and Clive Owen. The movie is great and follows the book almost to the T. Detour is another excellent thriller about a couple who goes to Columbia to adopt a baby. They do so successfully but run into serious problems. The mom and daughter are held hostage in Columbia while dad goes back to the U.S. to try to free his family. A few twists and turns in this one. Despite the fact that it was a bit far-fetched, I still gave it 5/5 stars. I could hardly put it down. Moving this week, so I will see how much reading I accomplish. Lisa I just finished We are Water by Wally Lamb. Another huge book [especially in large print!] but a really intriguing story. |
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Post by littlefish on May 25, 2015 1:24:31 GMT
I finallllllllly finished View From the Summit by Sir Edmund Hillary. He really led such an interesting life. I was impressed by his humility and his work for the Himalayan Trust. It was never a boring read, just quite long.
I'm also working my way through Love Does by Bob Goff. He's an absolute trip and shares so much about God through his life experiences.
Keeping to my "clearing the bookshelf" resolution, the next book in line is Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath.
Looking forward to summer vacation so I can make it through clearing at least my first shelf.
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Post by peasapie on May 25, 2015 1:33:33 GMT
I read Girl on the Train yesterday and today based on reviews here and I liked it a lot. It held my interest and I didn't want to put it down.
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Post by KelleeM on May 25, 2015 1:45:30 GMT
I read Girl Underwater by Claire Kells today. I couldn't put it down. It's a debut novel and I really enjoyed it.
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Post by ntsf on May 25, 2015 2:28:55 GMT
I read Sweet Thunder by Ivan Doig--a sequel to Work Song. takes place in Butte in 1920's--a newspaper war between labor (miners) and the massive rich copper company. I like these characters..and this was the 3rd book about them..all was wrapped up. good read and interesting background...
now to read the Book Club book..."a super sad true love story"...picked by the book club member who died about two months ago. we will all be sad when we discuss this.
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Post by jennandthecats on May 25, 2015 3:42:30 GMT
I'm reading Landline by Rainbow Rowell. So far I really like it. It somehow manages to be sad and hilarious. It's the first book I've read by her.
I'm also reading Eve by Anna Carey. It's the first in a YA trilogy. So far, so good.
I have Girl on the Train ready to read once I'm done with Landline.
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Post by mom2luke on May 25, 2015 4:40:28 GMT
This week I read We Are Called To Rise by Laura McBride. I really enjoyed this one. I give it 4 out of five stars. While it is fiction it is based on events that happened in Las Vegas. I highly recommend.
I am dragging myself through The Fiery Cross. It is the 5th book of the Outlander series and I am really struggling with this one. I've been reading it for a few weeks.
Add me to the list of Wally Lamb fans. I just really enjoy his writing. I Know this Much is True is one of my all-time favorites.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by gottapeanow on May 25, 2015 5:50:16 GMT
mom2luke - We Are Called to Rise... swoon! I often recommend it. Lisa
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,985
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Post by The Great Carpezio on May 25, 2015 14:43:53 GMT
I keep seeing We are Called to Rise. I might have to check it out.
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on May 25, 2015 14:55:34 GMT
This week I read We Are Called To Rise by Laura McBride. I really enjoyed this one. I give it 4 out of five stars. While it is fiction it is based on events that happened in Las Vegas. I highly recommend. I am dragging myself through The Fiery Cross. It is the 5th book of the Outlander series and I am really struggling with this one. I've been reading it for a few weeks. Add me to the list of Wally Lamb fans. I just really enjoy his writing. I Know this Much is True is one of my all-time favorites. I have We Are Called To Rise on my kindle based on a rec here. Since I'm heading to Vegas, it might be perfect! Thanks for the reminder! |
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Post by ilovelucydog on May 25, 2015 15:39:06 GMT
I read LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE. Reese Witherspoon bought the movie rights to this book. It has been compared to Gone Girl and Girl On The Train. I really liked the book. I don't really understand the comparison to Gone Girl or Girl On The Train. It is not a thriller/mystery at all. In fact, it deals with some very heavy subject matter. It was not what I expected, but I'm glad that I read it.
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luckyexwife
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by luckyexwife on May 25, 2015 16:33:13 GMT
I read The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman. It was interesting, as it moved between present day and 1979/1980, and between 5 friends, and their parents. There were a lot of characters to follow. I liked the plot, but the author put in so much extra stuff, it got boring in places. I would give it 3.5/5 stars. It could easily be cut down 50 pages or so...although it was interesting to see life through the eyes of parents and kids, and to see the same events through the eyes of different kinds of parents.
Here is the synopsis : years ago, they were all the best of friends. But as time passed and circumstances changed they grew apart, became adults with families of their own, and began to forget about the past - and the terrible lie they all shared. But now Gordon, the youngest and wildest of the five, has died unexpectedly and the other four have come together for the first time in years. Suddenly each of these old friends have to wonder if the dark secret they shared for so long is the reason for their troubles today... And if someone within the circle is trying to destroy them all.
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on May 25, 2015 18:18:35 GMT
I read LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE. Reese Witherspoon bought the movie rights to this book. It has been compared to Gone Girl and Girl On The Train. I really liked the book. I don't really understand the comparison to Gone Girl or Girl On The Train. It is not a thriller/mystery at all. In fact, it deals with some very heavy subject matter. It was not what I expected, but I'm glad that I read it. This was one of my choices for my next book. Thanks for the rec! |
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by tuesdaysgone on May 25, 2015 18:24:02 GMT
I finished school on Friday so I'm looking forward to having more time to read:
I'm in the last chapters of Crow Hollow. I bought it as a Kindle Daily Deal thinking it was historical fiction. I guess it is, in the most generous meaning of the word. There are a lot of heaving bosoms and pawing at clothes in this one. The novel is set in 1600's Boston. A Puritan widow and an Englishman set off into Indian territory in search of her kidnapped daughter. The writing is just so-so and it's fairly short. Not a very deep or historically accurate read.
I just began The Magician King (Grossman) This is the second book of the series about contemporary kids with magical powers who live in an alternate reality. It's good escapist science fiction. These kids are NOT Harry and Hermione! It's a bit more edgy than Harry Potter! I enjoy this author's writing and it's a great, fun book to start off the summer.
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Post by maryland on May 25, 2015 18:44:15 GMT
I read The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman. It was interesting, as it moved between present day and 1979/1980, and between 5 friends, and their parents. There were a lot of characters to follow. I liked the plot, but the author put in so much extra stuff, it got boring in places. I would give it 3.5/5 stars. It could easily be cut down 50 pages or so...although it was interesting to see life through the eyes of parents and kids, and to see the same events through the eyes of different kinds of parents. Here is the synopsis : years ago, they were all the best of friends. But as time passed and circumstances changed they grew apart, became adults with families of their own, and began to forget about the past - and the terrible lie they all shared. But now Gordon, the youngest and wildest of the five, has died unexpectedly and the other four have come together for the first time in years. Suddenly each of these old friends have to wonder if the dark secret they shared for so long is the reason for their troubles today... And if someone within the circle is trying to destroy them all. Sounds good! I read "I'd Know You Anywhere" by Laura Lippman while at the beach last summer and really liked it. I am from Maryland, and I like that the book took place in Maryland. They may have even mentioned Ocean City, and that's where we were when I read the book. |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2015 19:08:30 GMT
I read Cop Town by Karin Slaughter this week. I really love her Grant County/Will Trent series, but this was standalone. It's the story of several women police officers in early 1970s Atlanta. I didn't feel as invested in the characters as I do with her series. The racial / gender / sexual situations are just awful -- the good-old-boy white cops in the city treated others horrifically. Not my favorite of her books. Mostly I felt sad about the whole thing.
I read Power in the Blood by Michael Lister, a mystery set in a Florida prison with an ecclesiatical sleuth named John Jordan. He's the prison chaplain, and the book is an interesting mix of theology, philosophy, and hard-boiled detective. It's pretty good, and I like his discussions about God and faith. It looks like there are more books in the series.
I just started an old Kathy Reichs book, Devil Bones, that I missed in her Temperance Brennan series. So far, so good. I love having a kindle that looks up words for me -- there's a lot of history and anthropology in her her writing.
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my3freaks
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,206
Location: NH girl living in Colorado
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Post by my3freaks on May 25, 2015 20:55:26 GMT
I finished Written in My Own Hearts Blood. I've been reading the Outlander books back to back all year, it's weird being all caught up. I hate having to wait for the next one!
I also read Top Secret 21 by Janet Evanovich and started Thankless in Death by JD Robb. Next up I think is Lover Reborn by JR Ward. I read all the Game of Thrones, and then the Outlanders, so I've gotten behind on the other series I read. They're a little quicker to catch up on though!
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Post by lynnek on May 26, 2015 1:57:56 GMT
I read a quick YA book this week - Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen. She is a very popular YA author but I had not read anything by her. By chance I got her newest book from the library the day is came out so I decided to read it. I liked it and thought she was a pretty good writer. It is the story of a girl who feels separated and alone after her brother is convicted of drunk driving. She transfers to a new school and meets a new girls do her family who immediately fold her into their family. A good quick and enjoyable read.
Now I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird because somehow I got all the way through school without reading it and I figure it is about time to read it.
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Post by annabella on May 26, 2015 1:58:41 GMT
I'm reading You can heal your life by Louise Hay Wayne Dyer was recommending it on facebook and the book is about changing your thoughts for a happier life.
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Post by candygurl on May 26, 2015 4:17:18 GMT
mom2luke - We Are Called to Rise... swoon! I often recommend it. Lisa I really enjoyed this book! Interesting and read it quickly. |
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Post by smokeynspike on May 26, 2015 4:35:24 GMT
I finished reading Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper and it was a fabulous read for a cat lover like me!
I started reading The Dairy Queen by Allison Rushby today. She is a British author.
I am really trying to read some of my older books that have been in my TBR pile for a long time. I keep adding new ones and need to free up some room on my shelves.
Melissa |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2015 5:38:20 GMT
I read Girl Underwater by Claire Kells today. I couldn't put it down. It's a debut novel and I really enjoyed it. You read it in one day? Wow! I'm almost done and it's ending the way I wanted it to. Very interesting story although I've been having plane crash dreams lately which are awful. I also finished Sisterland which I loved. Here's the Amazon synopsis: If you've raised young children, you'll find a lot to identify with. I really enjoyed the "having senses" part of it and what that would be like in day-to-day life. |
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