paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Jul 13, 2014 22:42:54 GMT
OMG. It is so abnormally hot here that I'm doing my best to sit in the shade and read all weekend.
I finished Jojo Moyes' THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LETTER. This might be one of my favourites by this author. I thought it was really, very good. I have her new book on my kindle and have heard it's her best, so we'll see.
I also read DIVERGENT, book 1 in the series by Veronica Roth. I also thought it was very well done. I teach high school English and it is a great book with a lot or rich learning opportunities, but I thought that it ended abruptly. I know there is another book, I just wish this one had a more believable and well played out ending.
I'm currently reading THE ORCHID HOUSE by Lucinda Riley. I've heard great things about it here and my mom recommended it to me, so i thought I couldn't go wrong with that choice.
I'm saving the next book in the Divergent series and Jojo Moyes new book for an upcoming lake vacation.
Why do I feel like ALL THE LIGHT WE CAN NOT SEE is not for me. I love WWII books normally, but this one sounds slow and long. Am I wrong?
What is everyone else reading. I'd love some great recommendations!
Paige
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Post by maryland on Jul 13, 2014 22:57:01 GMT
Sweet Salt Air - Barbara Delinsky
I just bought "Me Before You", "The Rosie Project" and "The Orphan Train" for our beach trip!
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,064
Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
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Post by mimima on Jul 13, 2014 23:03:56 GMT
I am working on a doorstopper ("Dance With Dragons" by George RR Martin) but I took a break yesterday to re-read one of my favorite books Cannery Row by John Steinbeck. Sigh. So perfect.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Jul 13, 2014 23:22:26 GMT
Finishing the Mortal Instruments series. Last week was City of Lost Souls, this week is City of Heavenly Fire. Really enjoying it too. I like how the characters from the authors other series, the Infernal Devices, are interconnected with these ones. I guess she is planning on 2 new trilogies that are connected with these ones as well.
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
Jun 26, 2014 0:30:34 GMT
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Post by finaledition on Jul 13, 2014 23:31:57 GMT
I started Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty last week, but haven't had a chance to finish. It's one of her older book and I didn't expect to like it as much as I am. I feel like I'd know this book was by liane Moriarty even if there was no indication of who the author was. It's just very typical of her style and I mean that in a very positive way.
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,969
Location: NW PA
Jun 25, 2014 23:50:38 GMT
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Post by Judy26 on Jul 13, 2014 23:32:25 GMT
Two for me this week. Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes was all kinds of good. It was easy reading with well developed characters and a fast moving storyline. 4/5 stars from me. The second was Mambo in Chinatown by Jean Kwok. This was a short book but vey good. It was about a Chinese American young woman who finds her place in life at a dance studio. I gave this a 4/5 also. I recommend both books.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 13, 2014 23:33:21 GMT
"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand a book I have had on my reading list for quite some time.
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Post by MommyofTriplets on Jul 13, 2014 23:41:07 GMT
I'm reading The Natural Order of Things by Kevin Keating. He grew up in my city and the book is set here. I'm enjoying the story and characters although I've cringed a few times at the things they do. I'm glad I picked this one up. I gave up on Small Plates, a series of short story mysteries. It wasn't for me. Amy
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Post by KelleeM on Jul 13, 2014 23:44:01 GMT
I'm late to the Gone Girl party. Started it at the beach yesterday and I'm halfway through it.
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linda~lou
Pearl Clutcher
Keep calm and eat crumpets
Posts: 2,744
Location: Motown but my heart is in San Francisco
Jun 25, 2014 21:57:08 GMT
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Post by linda~lou on Jul 14, 2014 0:01:33 GMT
OMG. It is so abnormally hot here that I'm doing my best to sit in the shade and read all weekend. Why do I feel like ALL THE LIGHT WE CAN NOT SEE is not for me. I love WWII books normally, but this one sounds slow and long. Am I wrong? What is everyone else reading. I'd love some great recommendations! Paige Please please don't give up. I just finished this afternoon and can honestly say, it's one of the best books I have ever read. You have to get used to the author's way of writing. He's very lyrical, does that make sense? The way he describes things is so, I don't know, poetic? The Book Thief was written like that. Plus it goes back and forth during the time period, that takes some getting used to. About halfway through, I went back and read the first few chapters and it really brought it all together. The way he describes color or how a blind person 'sees' is so thought provoking. Maybe the book isn't for everyone, I didn't want it to end. I just started Outlander. I want to read the book before I watch the series. All the Light We Cannot See will be a tough act to follow!
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
Jun 26, 2014 18:26:03 GMT
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Jul 14, 2014 0:05:12 GMT
All my titles this week were recent Kindle Daily Deal specials.
The Professor & the Madman: the tale of murder, insanity & the making of the Oxford English Dictionary (Winchester) Strange but fascinating biography of two men who created/worked on the OED. I'm a librarian and nerd, so I enjoyed it very much. An amazing true story.
Mrs. Kimble (Haigh) A beach type read. The story covers the years 1969-1999 and tells about three women left behind by the same man and the impact it had on their lives. The book is told from each woman's point of view. Not great literature but a nice read.
Hollow City (Riggs) I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first book. The pictures alone make it interesting.
Ordinary Thunderstorms (Boyd) A Hitchcock like plot set in London. In the first chapter a young man is implicated in a murder he did not commit. Instead of going to the police, he decides to stay in the city and basically live off the grid. Parts of the plot stretch credibility but it is a compelling and fast paced story.
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Post by NicL on Jul 14, 2014 0:05:16 GMT
I read Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. This has been on my list to read for a while and I'm so glad I got around to it. Great book, some of the story line was predictable, but there were many surprises. The chapters flip between modern day and the 1930's superbly in a very well crafted story. Highly recommended. I have now started We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. I am about to give up on it. The characters are spoiled rich kids who I do not like, the parents do not approve of grief or mourning and I don't care what happens any more. If you have read it, is it worth continuing? Still loving this thread. Thanks Paige for keeping it going.
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Post by StacyinUT on Jul 14, 2014 0:26:38 GMT
Just finished Silver Linings Playbook as I've had the movie on my DVR forever. I really liked the book. Now I don't know what to read next.
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Post by yodutchess on Jul 14, 2014 1:26:31 GMT
I am almost finished Angel of Brooklyn that I found on Bookbub. It splits taking place between Illinois and Coney Island prior to WWI and England in WWI. Enjoying it so far.
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imsirius
Prolific Pea
Call it as I see it.
Posts: 7,661
Location: Floating in the black veil.
Jul 12, 2014 19:59:28 GMT
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Post by imsirius on Jul 14, 2014 1:47:24 GMT
I just finished The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith. I enjoyed his (her) first book Cuckoo's Calling better, but this one was good too. I am finding her long winded though with this new "series". I do love the character of Cormoran Strike though.
I also read Orphan Train and loved it.
Finished The Goldfinch last week, it was okay but really could have been cut down in some places. Too long, too descriptive.
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Post by moosedogtoo on Jul 14, 2014 1:51:49 GMT
I just finished The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven. Loved it! It's an intertwined series of stories all centered around a beach house on the Monterey Peninsula. I liked it so much, I already bought the two sequels.
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cjp
Shy Member
Posts: 20
Jun 28, 2014 12:03:04 GMT
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Post by cjp on Jul 14, 2014 2:22:17 GMT
I read State of Wonder by Anne Patchett and loved it. It was thought provoking and well written. I was sorry it was over. Then I read the 3rd in the William Monk mystery series Defend and Betray (you can get the 1st 3 for $7.99 on Kindle). I liked it well enough, but the 2nd in the series is my favorite so far.
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*Marjorie*
Full Member
Posts: 360
Location: Hawaii
Jun 26, 2014 16:43:45 GMT
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Post by *Marjorie* on Jul 14, 2014 2:24:51 GMT
I'm currently reading two books. Wave Waveand One Plus One One Plus OneI'm liking the both of them.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,451
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jul 14, 2014 2:29:36 GMT
I just finished The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven. Loved it! It's an intertwined series of stories all centered around a beach house on the Monterey Peninsula. I liked it so much, I already bought the two sequels. Thanks, I just bought this. ^^^^^^ I'm from that area. I finished One Lavender Ribbon by Heather Burch. It was a fast, predictable love story with a few tears. It's about letters from WWII found in an old house. I would and will recommend it. On audio I "read" One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson. It's a history of the American summer of 1927. Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Al Capone, Calvin Coolidge, Jack Dempsey, Henry Ford, talking pictures, television, etc. This book did not disappoint. Like all Bill Brysons books, it was well researched. It's narrated by the author and the only issue I had was that he kept saying WaRshinton and it drove me bananas. The last time I checked there was no R in Washington! Other than that I highly recommend if you like history.
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Post by 4evercrafty on Jul 14, 2014 2:36:25 GMT
I got two books last night by Camilla Lackberg: The ice princess and The preacher, hoping the are good. And finished last week The muder book by Jonathan Kellerman, it was really good! The ice princessThe preacherThe murder book
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,813
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on Jul 14, 2014 3:17:00 GMT
I read two books this week, well, sort of three. First, From Shame to Infinite Worth, by Logan Musil. I won this ARC from Goodreads. It is a short little Christian-based book. It was quite good but a bit basic for my taste, In addition, he used a lot of examples from other books, not his own life experiences. I thought that hindered the story a bit. Still, he communicates his point fairly well. 4/5 stars. The second book was one I actually proofread for the author. It is a devotional, and I thought the author did a great job on it. Of course, I will admit to bias. For any Christians looking for a devotional, I highly recommend it. Seasons: Reflections on Changes Throughout Life by Katherine Walden. 5/5 stars. The last book was Cell 8 by Anders Roslund. He wrote another book called Three Seconds that I read as well. The main point of the book is about a man who dies from a heart attack while he is awaiting execution on death row in Ohio. Six years later, another man is arrested for assault in Norway. The two cases are intricately connected, and the whole story revolves around that connection. The book is very anti-death penalty and drives that point home very loudly. To the point of being obnoxious. However, the story line is decent, even better than decent. There is a twist at the end that I really didn't see coming. I liked this a lot but thought that Three Seconds was better. There is a third book as well, but I have heard it's quite dark, so I will probably skip it. I would rate Cell 8 4/5 stars. I am in the middle of another ARC that is very interesting with an unusual concept. I will discuss it further next week. I am going on staycation this week for just three days. Looking forward to it and hopefully will get some extra reading in! Happy to be taking a bit of a break! Lisa
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Post by betsy on Jul 14, 2014 3:38:05 GMT
I have An Abundance of Katherines on my Kindle and Written in my own heart's blood in hardcover from the library on a 14 day loan. I have 3 more days with it, and I barely made a dent in it. Sigh. I may have to break down and buy it on my Kindle.
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Post by RobbyKay on Jul 14, 2014 3:39:55 GMT
Hi P-Refugees Who Read!
This week I'm reading Lydia Netzer's newest title How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky. It's weird and strange and nerdy and I'm enjoying it. I would call it quirky midwest fiction.
Happy Reading!
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Post by sugarmama on Jul 14, 2014 3:51:27 GMT
SMayer, I just started listening to ONE SUMMER as well! I'm still on the Babe Ruth portion.
I also finished ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE and definitely would put it in the same category as THE BOOK THIEF. Most of what I have read about WWll concerns the prison camps, so this was another perspective, just as THE BOOK THIEF was.
Now to figure out what's next....
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Post by lynnek on Jul 14, 2014 4:24:32 GMT
I have now started We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. I am about to give up on it. The characters are spoiled rich kids who I do not like, the parents do not approve of grief or mourning and I don't care what happens any more. If you have read it, is it worth continuing? I read We Were Liars last week. I too was not sure I loved the spoiled rich kids and the moms/aunts annoyed me even more. However, in the end, I was glad I stuck with it for an interesting ending.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 14, 2014 5:44:27 GMT
I'm reading Mr. Mercedes by Stephan King
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Post by DinCA on Jul 14, 2014 12:41:38 GMT
I'm reading The Fault in Our Stars. I have put this one off for quite awhile now. I don't typically like YA books - even though I know the author said it wasn't meant to be classified as YA - because I have teenagers. I figure I'm living a YA novel so I don't really need to read one. But I caved and started it. So far so good. I do have a box of Kleenex close by.
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psychgirl
Shy Member
Posts: 37
Jun 26, 2014 1:27:38 GMT
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Post by psychgirl on Jul 14, 2014 13:07:03 GMT
Two for me this week. The first was The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand. Not my favorite of hers but I enjoyed it. She's a solid women's fiction writer in my view. Someone you can count on for a good story. The second was The Commitment by Dan Savage. Although I'm familiar with his work in a general way this is the first I've actually read. He's funny. This one was right up my alley as he writes about his relationship with his male partner and their adopted son. This book was all about their struggle to decide whether to marry. I found lots of common ground here (with the exception of what sounds like their stellar sex life) as they are a seemingly traditional family with young children and one parent working outside the home while one stays home with children. My wife and I are in the same boat, so his thoughts on this dynamic were interesting to me.
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Post by pjaye on Jul 14, 2014 13:18:30 GMT
One of my Goodreads groups is having a thriller/horror/mystery theme for July, which aren't genre's I tend to read much, but I've embraced it in the spirit of the challenge. Last week I had just started listening to The Vanishing by Wendy Webb. It ended up being a good old fashioned creepy ghost story with a few twists and turns and a bit of romance thrown in (not horror and no blood or gore etc.) Julia is struggling emotionally and financially after her husband cheats their friends out of all their money and then shoots himself. Then a mysterious man arrives on her doorstep and offers her a new job (and a fresh start) as a companion for his elderly mother (Amara) who is a famous horror novelist that everything thinks is dead. Of course they live in a giant Gothic mansion called Havenwood . As soon as Julia arrives she starts to hear and see strange things and Amara's tales of evil spirits and seances feed her imagination even more! It was a fun read, but if you want a nice neat ending that explains everything logically...you won't find it here. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Then I listened to The Three by Sarah Lotz. This was interesting. It's the story of 4 plane crashes that all happen on one day in 4 different countries, in three of the crashes there is only 1 survivor in each - a child (that's why they are called "The Three"). Some people start to claim that the three are signs of the Apocalypse (three of the 4 horsemen) some think they are aliens...but all of the children aren't 'normal' and when they recover they are different to how they used to be. The book is written in the form of research collected from an author who is writing a non fiction book on the three, and there are different stories told from a number of different points of view from the various people who are involved with the 3 children. It certainly held my attention and it was a well thought out and clever book. 4 out of 5 stars. Currently listening to White Heat by M.J. McGrath. Edie Kiglatuk is an Inuit living in the Canadian Arctic, she's a teacher but also works as a tour guide. On one of her tours a man is shot and killed and she teams up with the local police chief to solve the murder. Fascinating so far, lots of cultural references about the area and the Inuit people. Looking forward to seeing where this goes...and I love reading books set in different cultures, so I think it will be worth it for that alone.
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Post by mandolyn9909 on Jul 14, 2014 13:20:37 GMT
Last week I read Walking on water The fifth book in The Walk series by Richard Paul Evans. It was good. I really liked the whole series and would recommend them. I am not a religious person but didn't find them too religious which is what I was worried about when I started them. Now I am reading The orphan train , I am 50 pages in but can tell that I will love it. It is my kind of book!
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