The Next Best Book Club discussion

Finished reading Let There Be Suspects by Emilie Richards – 3***
This is book two in a series featuring minister’s wife Aggie Sloan-Wilcox, who cannot help but snoop whenever she feels her family is threatened. I like Aggie and Lucy (her best friend and sleuthing sidekick). In fact I like all the recurring characters and wouldn’t mind knowing more about them. However Richards took a very long time to set up the central plot; the murder doesn’t happen until page 90. Still, it’s a fast read, with plenty of suspects and clues, including some red herrings to lead the reader astray.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm well into Prime of Life which is a very cute funny story which takes place at a retirement home.

I'm reading and loving it.

I just finished by David Baldacci and I really loved it.

Just finished the new book by Alex Pentland called Social Physics: How Good Ideas Spread— The Lessons from a New Science. Pentland addresses how digital sensors and big data are revolutionizing the social sciences. This includes Pentland's own work, which focuses on the importance of social learning, and how creativity and productivity are generated in individuals, groups and cities. It's a fascinating look at an up-and-coming science. A full executive summary of the book is available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2014/02/25...

Even her ghost stories are phenomenal

Going to start Winter in Madrid by CJ Sansom tonight.

I'm just starting

Sandra wrote: "Just finished The Thirteenth Tale that was really good. I loved it. Its a great story and the writing was absolutely enjoyable.

Now tarting [book:True History of the Kelly Gang|110090..."

I loved the Thirteen Tale! CeCe

I'm in the middle of The Death of Lucy Kyte which is a lovely mystery. I'm very hooked on this because it reminds of that wonderful period in time of authors like Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh and Josephine Tey

I have finished frostbite and now i am reading legend and shadow kiss. I have another 100 pg. to go. Love it so far

Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger – 3***
This is a fast-paced thriller with an intelligent, resourceful, courageous heroine who thinks – and acts – for herself. Yes, there is a romantic interest, but Ridley doesn’t just rely on Jake to save her. She’s strong-willed and independent, and takes matters into her own hands. Some plot points seemed to get a little overboard, but on the whole this was an entertaining read. I’d definitely read another book by Unger.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm 26% done with A Pledge of Silence by Flora Solomon. So far is being really interesting. It is a historical fiction about the American nurses serving in the Philippines during WWII.

Just finished Still Life. Currently reading Night Film. Next up How The Light Gets In.

The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fanny Flagg – 4****
What a delightful read! I just fell in love with Sookie, and enjoyed going along on her journey of self-discovery. Flagg never lets the minor characters take over the plot; rather, they add color and provide a framework for Sookie’s story. And her reactions are very real and understandable. Anyone would be thrown for a loop after receiving such a shock. What’s so fun about the book is watching her come to grips with what she has learned and growing into an even better version of the person she has always been. I also enjoyed the history on the women who flew for the Army Air Corps in WW2 with almost no recognition of their service.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane . It read like part fairy tale, part thriller and all around good. It was on many "Best of 2013" lists and it is rather short so you can beef up your 'how many book I will read' stats

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer – 1*
Book 3 in the Last Survivors series is a major disappointment. Miranda is less mature than she was at the end of book 1; Alex shows none of the leadership and resourcefulness that he displayed in book 2. Well, at least it reminds me why I generally dislike post-apocalyptic / dystopian fiction. It was a fast read, but seriously, don’t waste your time.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern

Currently reading blood promise book 4 in the VA series. It is alright so far. I hope it gets better.

Just finished A Pledge of Silence
This was a reading I enjoyed a lot. Flora J. Solomon did a great job recreating the situation in the Philippines during the war. Though I've enjoyed many historical fiction novels set during WWII I haven't really read any set outside of Europe. I wasn't familiar with the facts happened in the Pacific and I loved to know more about them.

The story follows the life of Margie Bauer, who studied to be nurse (a career she's not interested in, but her father thinks is her best option) and is assigned to serve in Sternberg Hospital in Manila. She falls in love with the safe and beautiful Pearl of Orient until face the reality of war when in December 1941 Philippines is taken by Japaneses. She serves in the fields, is captured by the enemy and interned in a war camp during 31 months. Being released does not solve her problems since coming back home is a new painful challenge.

Solomon touches in this novel topics like being a women in the middle of a war, starvation, humiliation, abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how it was handled at the time. The outcome is a great novel that was difficult to put down. I absolutely recommend the book to everyone who is interested in experience the war from the perspective of a woman serving in the fields.

Today I'll be starting The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot for my book club.

I've recently finished Something Wicked This Way Comes and Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin Uncensored.

Now I'm reading Christine.

Now reading The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (Heroes of Olympus #3).

Sandra wrote: "Just finished A Pledge of Silence
This was a reading I enjoyed a lot. Flora J. Solomon did a great job recreating the situation in the Philippines during the war. Though I've enjoye..."

Sounds like a great book! I have added it to my ever-growing TBR list. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a wonderful book as well.

I'm reading . It's been a while since I've read one of Cook's books but I do enjoy them.

I'm reading The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak. By coincidence she has just appeared on the BBC World Service book club
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/wbc

I haven't listened yet because she was talking about The Forty Rules of Love which I haven't read - but I hope to both read and listen soon.

Just finished The Clockwork Wolf, second in a steampunk mystery/adventure series and enjoyed it as much as the first.

Currently reading The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick. Just a couple of chapters in but I'm enjoying it.

The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle –Audiobook performed by Lily Rabe – 3.5***
12-year-old Alice Winston has to shoulder far too much responsibility on her family’s failing horse ranch. There were times when the writing and the storyline simply took my breath away and I was left gasping. But there were times when I was left wondering “Where is this going?” Alice is clearly intelligent, but she is an unreliable narrator given her penchant for telling lies, both small and large. Alice has perfected the art of turning people away before they can reject her; she is so good at this, that she also keeps the reader at bay. Lily Rabe does a fine job performing the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm in the middle of Ebon City: Death and the Maiden, .

Different take on a vampire story. Very good so far.

I'm just starting The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

It has been a while since i have posted and it has been a crazy week as well. I have finished Red by Alison Cherry and it was very good.i also started the darkest minds and it is alright so far. Plenty of action. Then i have a few other books that i got from the library today and i cant wait to get i to those.

I finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower which was brilliant but then I had to DNF two books.
I don't like to 'cull' books until I have read them but these two didn't justify the use of my time when I have so much good stuff lined up on my shelves. Now I am reading The Bookseller of Kabul which is good.

Those We Love Most by Lee Woodruff – 4****
This is a character-driven novel that explores how one family deals with a devastating loss and the resultant guilt they feel. A passage from the book seems to sum it up nicely: “Please kept secrets. People built walls. It didn’t mean they couldn’t and didn’t love with all their hearts. ” As they try to recover from the tragedy, they alternately turn to or reject each other in their grief and distress. The reader can only watch them stumble along, hurting one another, understanding one another, forgiving one another.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde –Audiobook performed by Elizabeth Jasicki – 3***
This was a quick, entertaining read, aimed at the YA market, but suitable for children ages 9 and up. There was at least one character that did a complete turnaround without any explanation. And I thought the ending was too fantastical. But, I liked that the heroine of this novel is a young girl who is intelligent, steadfast, caring, compassionate, strong and resourceful. I also loved the Quarkbeast, who is described as “nine-tenths velociraptor and kitchen blender and one-tenth Labrador.” For the genre and intended audience, I think it was a fine read. Elizabeth Jasicki does a fine job of performing the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished by Jennifer McMahon. Very good and very creepy. A fast read. Am now starting . I love Downtown Abbey so I am looking forward to this book

I just started reading The Sea House: A Novel which is about an old murder and selkies.

Sabriel by Garth Nix

The Word Detective by Evan Morris – 3***
This is a collection of Morris’s language columns, which have appeared in newspapers and on his Web site. It’s a handy reference tool, covering common and obscure phrases/words, beginning with amok and ending with zarf. Those of us who love language and words will find plenty to tickle our fancies (whatever THAT phrase means – it’s not covered in this volume). Still, a little goes a long way, and reading it cover to cover as I did for a challenge meant that I grew bored.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished reading the new book by Michio Kaku called The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind. Kaku explores the advances that have occurred in neuroscience since the brain-imaging revolution of the 1990s; and also details the advances that are to come (including telepathy, telekinesis, uploading and downloading memories, and AI). It's a fascinating discussion of one of the final frontiers of science. I've written an executive summary of the book available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2014/03/11...

I'm reading All the Light We Cannot See which takes place in France during WW2.

I'm reading . I like it.

She is an unbelievably talented writer

Just started A Visit from the Goon Squad and so far it's very engaging.

Room by Emma Donoghue

The Sins of the Fathers by Lawrence Block – 5*****
A young woman is murdered; her roommate is found covered in her blood nearby. He’s arrested for the murder, and commits suicide in his jail cell. Case closed. But the girl’s father wants to know more; he wants to know how she came to this end. Ex-cop and unlicensed private investigator Matthew Scudder agrees to make inquiries. Block is a master of suspense, and he writes a tight novel. There is nary a word out of place or an extraneous phrase. What I really loved about the book was Scudder himself. I’ll definitely be reading more of this series.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have finished pushing the limits and All the truth that's in me. Now i am reading perfect chemistry and spirit bound. Both are very good.n

Going to start Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke (Book on CD read by Suzanne Torren – 1*
This is book # 15 in the cozy mystery series featuring Hannah Swenson. The plot was thin and stretched credulity way too far. The side story of Norman and Doctor Bev was unbelievable and ridiculous. The dialogue is terrible. I did not like Suzanne Torren’s performance on the audio version at all. I give it 1 star for the recipes, some of which I actually would like to try.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have finally picked up The Bookseller of Kabul. Even though it is based on facts it is written like a novel and the style, if not the subject, makes for easy reading. Although the subject is not new she has captured my interest.

Jackie wrote: "Going to start Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

I really liked this one!

I'm just starting