The Next Best Book Club discussion

I finished NOS4A2. It was excellent. I think I still like Horns better.

Now I'm reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Just finished Linda Castillo's latest, Her Last Breath. I enjoyed it but I had a few problems with it. Now starting The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared.

Finished reading The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones – 4****
This is a very good book about friendship, love and cuisine. Mones deftly combines the story of widowed Maggie McElroy and rising culinary star Sam Liang. The characters are revealed as the reader sees how they each deal with various disappointments and unexpected joys. The descriptions of the menus and dishes are a sensory feast of tastes, sounds, smells, textures, and visual images. Take your time reading it – savor every page.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Gary wrote: "Gary wrote: "Just starting by jamie Freveletti, #3 in the Emma Caldridge Series. Books 1 and 2 were fantastic"

I'm about a third of the way thru now and this boo..."

Finished and it was a great book. Now starting by Jeffrey Archer. Finished it over the weekend, great read.

I finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane. I really enjoyed the story. Now I'm going to read Joyland.

I've been reading Circles of Time for a couple of days. Very good so far. The 2nd book in a trilogy that started with The Passing Bells. I did enjoy that one and this book re-introduces us to some of the characters.

Just startingThe Language of Flowers,

I'm just past the halfway mark of Escape by Barbara Delinsky. The opening really drew me in.

Finished the audio version of The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie – 3.5*** (Audio performed by Hugh Fraser.)
This is another wonderful mystery from the Queen of detective fiction – Dame Agatha Christie. Hercule Poirot is at the top of his game following the clues to identify a serial killer who is taunting him with letters. The novel is narrated by his friend and colleague Captain Hastings. Hugh Fraser does a marvelous job performing the audio book.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My wost addiction is to historical novels. I'm about halfway through The Wild Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Defiant Daughter. I'm following it up with the other "last book I bought," Minette.

Just to show how this site has morphed into book porn for me, both of these books were the first recommendations that I went straight to Amazon and bought.

Finally bought a copy of Game of Thrones to read!!

I am reading and so far like it. I finished and liked it very much.

Claire wrote: "I am reading and so far like it. I finished and liked it very much.

Glad you liked it Claire. I liked it a lot but couldn't get into "The Time Travelers Wife", I just didn't care about the characters.

Paula wrote: "Claire wrote: "I am reading and so far like it. I finished and liked it very much.

Glad you liked it Clair..."

Hey Paula, I like The Time Traveler's Wife but it did get a bit confusing at times. I think this author is such a good writer.

Reading Blue Heaven by C.J. Box.

Heather L wrote: "Reading Blue Heaven by C.J. Box."

I had a patron tell me last week that I have to read C.J. Box because the books are sooooo good. Are you enjoying this book?

I am reading an "e" copy of White Satin.

I finished Joyland last week. I thought it was excellent. Now I'm reading The King of Plagues.

I'm reading T is for Trespass, and Mrs. Tuesday's Departure, , another of my WWII books.

I finished "White Satin." I am starting the book, "Across the universe," by Revis.

I'm currently reading Little Bee and The Dog Stars. I'm enjoying both of them very much!

Just started by Mo Hayder.

Finished the audio version of The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde – 3*** (Audio performed by Elizabeth Sastre.)
This is book #3 in the Thursday Next series. I love the inventive plots in this series, the numerous literary references, and unexpected (though perfect) pairings (i.e. Miss Havisham reading Heathcliff the riot act). They are fast-paced, action-packed, intricate and highly entertaining. Elizabeth Sastre does a wonderful job of performing the audio version.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished reading Of Men and Their Mothers by Mameve Medwed – 3***
Maisie Grey is divorced and raising her teen son, Tommy, in a modest but nice apartment. Her ex-mother-in-law, Ina, however, cannot step away from criticizing, belittling and otherwise insinuating herself into Maisie's life. This is a comedy of manners with modern complications – custody battles, unfit mothers, meddlesome mothers-in-law, and the Goth craze. The characters ring true, if a bit over the top at times. It's a quick, entertaining read.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Brenda wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Reading Blue Heaven by C.J. Box."

I had a patron tell me last week that I have to read C.J. Box because the books are sooooo good. Are you enjoying this book?"

Hi Brenda! It was a good book, sort of reminded me of a modern day western, with one of the main characters being an aging and struggling rancher in Idaho. I was up until 2am finishing it. It's a stand-alone, so a good intro to this author, I think. I have another of his somewhere in Mount TBR, Open Season, which is the first in his Joe Pickett series. I hope to dig it out soon.

Now I am trying to decide between books for two different July group reads: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote for a classics group (have seen the movie many times, but have never read the book), and Arabella by Georgette Heyer for a romance group. I nominated both, so not only want to read them, but feel compelled to—I just didn't expect them to be picked for the same month, LOL.

I'm reading "Blood Red Rose" Arthur Rose. Slow going right now because I have my son, daughter in law and 8 month old grandson visiting and enjoying them very much. : )

Just about to finish Maisie Dobbs by .Jacqueline Winspear

Recommend for whom is like BBC series Call The Midwife of such

Finished reading by Kristin Harmel – 3.5***
Lacey’s father is killed in an auto accident, leaving her mother and two brothers obviously consumed by grief. And even though she’d like for things to return to “before” she recognizes that she must deal with “after.” This is a sensitively written story of one family’s journey back to “normal” after suffering a devastating loss. The characters are fully realized and the situations are believable. Definitely recommended for teen readers.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished listening to the audio of The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty – 3.5*** (Audio book recorded by the author.)
Smithson Ide (Smithy) is 43, a self-described loser working at a toy factory, a chain-smoker, a drunk and obese, when a family tragedy pushes him to DO something. Coming across his old bicycle, Smithy starts pedaling … and then keeps pedaling on a journey across America and towards a new life. He’s a complicated character and difficult to get to know, but I grew to like him. He is truly a man who has lost himself and his slow reawakening is the whole purpose of this novel.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I am starting on "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. Looking forward to it. Interested in what others say about it.

I'm reading My Dear Charlotte, , which is written in the style of Jane Austen. The author is doing a good job so far.

< I finished and liked it very much.

It was very different and very pleasant reading (Symmetry) I had a feeling I was new comer in London myself (never was there, but I'm from Chicago as twins)

Annetta wrote: "I am starting on "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. Looking forward to it. Interested in what others say about it.

I'm going to be reading this one for a f2f group read in August. I'm looking forward to it.

Yuliya wrote: "< I finished and liked it very much.

It was very different and very pleasant reading (Symmetry) I had a feeling I was new comer in London myself (never was...

I enjoyed this one a lot too.

I'm just starting Thoreau in Love, .

Just starting , a historical mystery with a touch of the supernatural. This is the first of a series so I may pick up the next.

Finished listening to the audio of The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by David Michaelis – 3*** (Audio book recorded by Simon Vance.)
Kate Summerscale recreates the events of one specific night, when a child was taken from his bed and brutally murdered. The crime gained much attention in England (and beyond). Among those who noticed were Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. In my opinion, this is good true-crime.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished the audio book of The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern – 2*** (Audio book read by Ali Coffey)
A spoiled teen’s life is changed when her father commits suicide and she and her mother go to live in a small Irish village with relatives. There she finds a magical diary that writes itself with predictions of what will happen tomorrow. Should she follow the diary or change the future? This is really a mess of subplots that doesn’t work. I give it 2 stars because there were parts of the story I found interesting and because Ali Coffey does a good job on the audio. I don’t really recommend this to anyone and I’m not interested in reading anything else by Ahern.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Just finished the The Poisonwood Bible which I liked. Now I am going back to The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, a book that I have started a few times, but never seem to finish.

Dawn wrote: "Just finished the The Poisonwood Bible which I liked. Now I am going back to The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, a book that I have started a ...

I liked "White City" Dawn and looked for books about the serial killer

Just started Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. It will have a tough job living up to Code Name Verity, but even if it is half as good, it will be a great book.

Dawn wrote: "Just finished the The Poisonwood Bible which I liked. Now I am going back to The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, a book that I have started a ...

Paula wrote: "I liked "White City" Dawn and looked for books about the serial killer

If you're interested in historical books that talk about murder, another good one is "Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris" by David King. A well-written story that not only covers the murders but explains the unusual circumstances of the time period (Paris, 1944) that could have easily seen the murderer escape justice.

Pamela wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Just finished the The Poisonwood Bible which I liked. Now I am going back to The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, a book that I hav..."

Thanks Pamela, this sounds good, I've added it to my ever growing list. : )

I also liked The Devil in White City, mostly because I grew up along the fair Midway and actually went rollerskating in White City. I also liked Larsson's second book, whose title escapes me, having to do with Berlin at the rise of Hitler. Can't say I liked The Poinsonwood Bible. I felt Kingsolver was creating strawmen to preach a point of view--which is a problem I've had with other Kingsolver books.

Dawn wrote: "Just finished the The Poisonwood Bible which I liked. Now I am going back to The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, a book that I have started a ..."

Poisonwood Bible is on my list to try and read this month. I am glad to hear you liked it.

A Test Of Wills by Charles Todd

Finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – 06July13 - 5***** and a ❤
This is my favorite book of all time. I have read it over 20 times and always find something in it I haven’t previously noticed. A classic of American literature.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan Friday night, and am now reading Breakfast at Tiffany's: A Short Novel and Three Stories by Truman Capote. Have seen the movie many times, but have never read the book.

I'm reading The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, because my (live) book club picked it. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but now I get aggravated when I have to put it down.

I'm just starting "The Book of Madness and Cures" . I won it from Goodreads but am only 10 pages in so can't say if I'm liking it or not yet.