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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
I am reading Waiting for Wednesday, the third book in Nicci French’s Frieda Klein series-a wonderful series btw!
Swing Time by English author Zadie Smith was longlisted for the 2017 Man Booker Prize.
My review of Swing TimeI actually preferred the winner that year, Lincoln in the Bardo.
(If you're interested, My review of Lincoln in the Bardo )
My 4 star review of The Cottage at Rosella Cove by Sandie Docker
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just finished Jennifer Niven's Holding Up The Universe. I can't tell you how much I loved it. I loved All The Bright Places, and wasn't sure that this book could compete, but oh was I wrong. Her writing style is sublime. It was a complete page turner. Highly recommend it.
Bond. James Bond. Need I say more? Good prequel to the famous Ian Fleming spy series. At the request of the Fleming estate, Horowitz wrote Forever and a Day to introduce us to 007 and the woman who explains why she orders martinis "shaken, not stirred."
A solid 4★. Link to my review
My 3.5 star review of The Orchardist's Daughter by Karen Viggers
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An amazing book, my 5 star review of The Beach by Alex Garland
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Other Voices, Other Rooms – Truman Capote – 3.5***
Capote’s debut novel is a semiautobiographical coming-of-age story. It’s a classic Southern Gothic novel, full of ghosts, haints, superstitions, secrets and closed off rooms. Joel is isolated not only by the remote location, but by the lack of connection with these people. He is confused and cautious, and his loneliness and despair are palpable. Capote’s writing is wonderfully atmospheric. Still, at times, much like Joel, I felt lost in unfamiliar surroundings.
LINK to my review
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Carnegie’s Maid – Marie Benedict – 3***
Irish immigrant Clara Kelly comes to America in hopes of finding employment so that she can send money home to her impoverished family. She winds up as a lady’s maid in the Carnegie family’s Pittsburgh mansion. I was intrigued by the story and quickly caught up in the tale of this intelligent, resourceful, determined and diligent young lady. I did think it was somewhat repetitious, but still enjoyed this historical fiction that takes a few facts and weaves a compelling story to help explain them.
LINK to my review
The Hamilton Affair – Elizabeth Cobbs – 4****
Cobbs is an historian, who also occasionally writes a work of historical fiction. The story unfolds in alternating perspectives: Alexander and Eliza each get a turn at relating events. In this way we get some insight into each character’s background, guiding principles, joys, sorrows and desires. While Cobbs’ sympathies were clearly with Hamilton, she did not shy away from pointing out his faults. I really appreciated how she developed Eliza’s strong character. I was interested and engaged from beginning to end.
LINK to my review
Short and sweet! Sweet price, that is. Author Gregg Hurwitz is giving readers Buy a Bullet FREE on Amazon! It's a self-contained story plus extracts from Book 1 of his popular Orphan X thriller series. 
4.5★ Link to my review
I am reading Children of Blood and Bone, Gone Girl and Hitchhikers guide to galaxy. I know people read one book at a time but I wantedto read too much too soon I guess.
So far this year, I've read Insomnia, The Cabin at the End of the World, and Fare Thee Well: The Final Chapter of the Grateful Dead's Long, Strange Trip.Now I'm reading Elevation.
I knew some, but not all, of the Super Scientists: 40 inspiring icons featured in this attractively designed book of historical facts for kids (and ignorant people like me).
Link to my review with illustrations
I will read anything by Helen Garner! Fiction, non-fiction, novels, stories. Honour and Other People's Children is a reissue of a pair of novellas, and true to form, I loved the first. 4.5★Not the second, sadly. 3★
Link to my review
My 4 star review of The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An outstanding book, here's my review of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Carrying Albert Home – Homer Hickam – 3***
Subtitle: The Somewhat True Story of a Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator. I loved listening to the stories my father, mother, aunts and uncles would tell of “the old days” and adventures they had had. So, I was predisposed to like this tale of the author’s parents and a great adventure they embarked upon without any plan other than to “carry Albert home.” I found it fun and enjoyable, but gosh, Elsie got on my nerves.
LINK to my review
Kylie wrote: "An outstanding book, here's my review of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens ..."
Just started the audio yesterday ... so I'm avoiding reviews for now. Really liking it so far.
Book Concierge wrote: "Kylie wrote: "An outstanding book, here's my review of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens ..."
Just started the au..."
Its a good one, I hope you love it too :)
Why does Australia treat refugees on Manus almost as badly as POWs were treated on WW2's infamous Burma Railway? Inexcusable!No Friend But the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison by Iranian Kurd refugee Behrouz Boochani is already winning awards.
5★ Link to my review
On a completely different note:Sir Robert Carey is as dashing and daring as ever in A Surfeit of Guns, the third in P.F. Chisholm's fun series about the English and Scots battling and thieving in the border country in Elizabethan England. Love it!
4.5★ Link to my review
Alert Alert Historical fiction fans! Read this review!Wunderland by Jennifer Cody Epstein
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This book will make you fall in love with reading all over again..
Winter Solstice – Rosamunde Pilcher – 3***
Five very different people, ranging in age from teen-aged to mid-sixties, converge on a Scottish cottage just before Christmas. The novel changes perspective with each chapter so the reader gets to know the characters slowly, learning what is important to each as they go about their lives. It’s a charmingly told story, and I grew to love these characters. It reminds me of Maeve Binchy’s books. This is the first book by Pilcher that I’ve read; it won’t be the last.
LINK to my review
Love in the Time of Cholera is my first 5 star book of the yearhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
AN intriguing mystery, my 4 star review of A Testament to Murder by Vivian Conroy
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
How the García Girls Lost Their Accents – Julia Álvarez – 4****
The García family flees the Dominican Republic for the United States amid political unrest. This is a wonderfully entertaining look at the immigrant experience and the strong family ties that see these sisters (and their parents) through a tumultuous adolescence and young adulthood. The use of multiple narrators and non-linear time line, however, made for an uneven reading experience. But I looked on it as indicative of the immigrant experience: looking back fondly on the home left behind, while facing the future bravely and with enthusiasm.
LINK to my review
The Thirteenth Tale was a 5 star read. Wonderful atmosphere. Now I'm reading a book I'm already in love with (hope I continue to feel that way). The Shape of Water
I'm reading Snap by Belinda Bauer. I've always liked her books and so far this one is up to her usual standard.
They Came to Baghdad – Agatha Christie – 4****
Recently out of a job, Victoria Jones decides to follow the young man she just met to Baghdad and new opportunities. She’s a plucky heroine, able to think quickly, adapt to new situations, and spin a believable yarn (okay, she’s a talented liar). All this serves her well when she stumbles into the middle of a major international spy ring. A fun romp of an adventure.
LINK to my review
Sydney's famous Mardi Gras begins on Valentine's Day, so I thought I'd reintroduce this wonderful memoir by Chris Edwards, a man who started life as a determinedly reluctant little girl. Balls: It Takes Some to Get Some is both fascinating and funny!
5★ Link to my review
The Shape of Water was a wonderful romantic fantasy! Love it. Now I'm reading something a bit light, French Exit.
My 3 star review of The Time is Now, Monica Sparrow by Matt Howard
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It's sad to think this is needed.Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story about Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano and others is a new children's picture book to read WITH them about cops shooting blacks, slave history, and intolerance of foreigners.
My review with illustrations
A compelling crime thriller, my 4 star review of The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For Everything a Season – Philip Gulley – 4****
Subtitle: Simple Musings on Living Well. This is a collection of essays written by Philip Gulley, a Quaker minister. He waxes poetic on gardening, birth stories, the advantages of front porches and stone patios, and a child’s joy in exploring the woods, among other topics. There is a nostalgia to his descriptions that just brings a smile to my face (and to my heart). Gulley can get a little preachy at times, but that’s to be expected, given his ministry. There’s still plenty of room for humor. It was the perfect comfort read at this time of my life.
LINK to my review
Storytelling at its best - a new favourite! Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield is mysterious and magic.
5★ Link to my review
currently reading: Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
'World War Z' by Max Brooks.Zombie novels are a dime a dozen, but I heard that this book is an important contemporary reference for the genre. Didn't expect the narrative style to be something so different from the conventional ones.
(also, if anyone wants an example of a novel revolving a 'global sh*tstorm, this is definitely one)
A black comedy of a mystery, my review of The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club by Duncan Whitehead
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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The Next Best Book Club
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