The Next Best Book Club discussion

I am currently listening to Outlander by Diana Gabaldon on my morning and afternoon commute and am about to begin reading In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larsen. I also am reading several textbooks for an ESL class I am taking -- and just brought home a box of children's literature for my summer reading!

Letting Ana Go by Anonymous

I rally liked all of Erik Larsen's books. His Non- Fiction reads like fiction. And you get a little smarter to boot.

Joanne wrote: "I am currently listening to Outlander by Diana Gabaldon on my morning and afternoon commute and am about to begin reading [book:In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and..."

How are you liking this? I have it on my list for the summer and wonder if I should look forward to it as much as I am.

I'm reading Invisible Ellen.

Just started Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China. Already so good!

The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar – Audiobook performed by Frankie Alvarez – 4****
Tobar has written a social satire that examines the division and lack of understanding between two interdependent groups – the affluent suburbanites living in their gated communities versus the nearly invisible cadre of workers, mostly immigrants, many undocumented, who work to maintain the façade of perfection. The three main characters are all flawed, but each has his/her virtues as well. Tobar did get a bit preachy in the last third of the book, as he railed against the media, the injustices of the American legal system, and knee-jerk reactions of the politicians and populace. I liked that the story didn’t have a tidy resolution; the ending is realistic while being hopeful.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm knee-deep in From Mouse to Mermaid: The Politics of Film, Gender, and Culture, a collection of critical essays curated by Elizabeth Bell. Although it was first published back in the late 1990s, there's a wealth of fascinating information packed into this book, from the differences between fairytales and folktales to the subtle and overt racism and sexism in some of Disney and Touchstone's beloved classics. Can't wait to finish this one.

I'm reading . It's a thriller and I'm liking it so far.

The Outsiders by S E Hinton – Book on audio read by Jim Fyfe – 5*****
An extraordinary coming-of-age novel first published in 1967, when it touched a nerve in a generation eager for “relevant” literature. The narrator is 14-year-old Ponyboy, a member of a gang of greasers who frequently get into fights with the Socs (society kids from affluent homes). He wants desperately to be recognized for the individual that he is, not for the label attached to him. In the end the reader sees that adults are not always the enemy, “nice boys” can be cruel and hoodlums can become heroes. The audio book was capably performed by Jim Fyfe. He really brought Ponyboy, Johnny and the rest of the gang to life for me.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Book Concierge wrote: " The Outsiders by S E Hinton – Book on audio read by Jim Fyfe – 5*****
An extraordinary coming-of-age novel first published in 1967, when it touched a nerve in a..."

I recently picked up a copy of this to reread, but haven't got round to it yet. I remember it had a huge come-back in the 80s, when they turned it into a movie.

I'm still reading By the Pricking of My Thumbs and Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon. I'm really enjoying both.

i finished reading Ruins and i loved it. i am now reading and and am loving both. the only thing with ozzy's book is that his chapters are really long.

A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh – 2.5**
The first mystery novel by “Queen of Crime” Ngaio Marsh introduces Inspector Detective Roderick Alleyn. Guests at a house party are all set to play a game of “murder” following dinner. It’s all in fun; at least until the lights come back on to reveal an actual corpse. I found it slow-moving and unnecessarily complicated by a side plot. Glad I finally read something by her; not sure I’ll read another.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Going to start reading The Reader by Bernhard Schlink.

I'm reading Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

Jackie wrote: "Going to start reading The Reader by Bernhard Schlink.

Hope you like it Jackie, I thought it was good.

Just finished another coming of age story coupled with the mystery of a twisted family. The title is Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore and I would recommend it. It is well-written, nicely crafted, and interesting enough to hold you til the end.

Thanks Paula, I hope so too!

Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle – 2**
Book two in the Coffeehouse Mystery series has Detective Quinn questioning whether the recent suicides of two Village Blend customers were actually murders. When Quinn identifies Clare’s new boyfriend as the prime suspect she has to launch her own investigation to prove his innocence. Uneven plotting and heavy-handed clues/red herrings. I doubt I’ll read another.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Dark Places. Oh can Gillian Flynn tell a story!

City of Orphans by Avi

I just finished by Laura Lipman and just started , which I am enjoying so far.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Just starting East of Eden for a classics group read.

I finished Beatrice Munson and if you like a book that brings out the emotions in you this is a good one to read. (Yes, I mean it will make you cry.) I loved it. Now I'm starting The Color of Home: A Novel,

I just finished The Weight of Bloodby Laura McHugh. Great southern mystery, lots of atmosphere, and an awesome book.

I'm about to start reading Just What Kind of Mother Are You? by Paula Daly.

Karen M wrote: "I finished Beatrice Munson and if you like a book that brings out the emotions in you this is a good one to read. (Yes, I mean it will make you cry.) I loved it. Now I'm starting..."

I just added Beatrice Munson to my TBR list and requested it from the library - it sounds great!

I just started Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Starting, The Thirteenth Tale.

I just finished Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan. It's a stunning and frightening story of a young journalist's battle against an autoimmune disease, one that causes her to lose her memory for an entire month. Highly recommended.

Emma wrote: "Karen M wrote: "I finished Beatrice Munson and if you like a book that brings out the emotions in you this is a good one to read. (Yes, I mean it will make you cry.) I loved it. ..."

It is a great read but then any book that makes me cry is great as far as I'm concerned but it's not sad all the way through. In other words it's not a depressing book. I hope you enjoy it.

Reading Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King.

Currently reading Me Talk Pretty One Day and love it. Maybe the single funniest book I've ever read.

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan – 3.5***
Sloan has written a novel that explores what it feels like to be an outsider, the struggle to overcome grief, and the true meaning of family. I grew to love 12-year-old Willow, a genius and decidedly “different” little girl. Her detached observations grew on me, and even made me laugh at times, despite the heart-wrenching circumstances. The situations described are far-fetched and even unrealistic, but the underlying truth of the story warmed my heart.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Heather L wrote: "Just starting East of Eden for a classics group read."

Great book; hope you enjoy it.

Just started The Child Thief by Dan Smith. So far so good, anyone else read this?

Book Concierge wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Just starting East of Eden for a classics group read."

Great book; hope you enjoy it."

So far, so good. I'm finally past the mid-point. I don't know if I'll be able to finish it this weekend, but you can bet I'll try.

I've just fallen madly in love with a book called The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss!

Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

. Such a beautifully written novel

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd – 4****
Kidd has crafted an excellent work of historical fiction inspired by the true story of the Grimke sisters, Sarah and Angelina, who were famous (and infamous) abolitionists and early pioneers in seeking equal rights for women. She balances Sarah’s story by imagining the life of one of her family’s slaves – a lady’s maid and seamstress named Handful. Slavery was an ugly institution and Kidd does little to soften the view. I admired the Grimke sisters, but I loved Handful, Charlotte and Sky; they were imprisoned in body, they were not imprisoned in mind. Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye take turns performing the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm reading Witch Child by Celia Rees

I'm going to start A Possible Life by Sebastian Faulks. I've really enjoyed his other books & hope this one will be good too.

Wonder by R J Palacio – 4****
This is a wonderful debut novel dealing with bullying and courage. Auggie is an endearing 10-year-old, who, despite his extraordinary face, is really just an ordinary kid; he likes ice cream, riding his bike, and his X-Box. The message is one that is empowering to children and adults. We should all strive to be kinder than necessary. Your worth is not dependent on how popular you are, or on who finds you attractive. Everyone in the world should have a standing ovation at least once in their lives.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm currently reading Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell :) I'm only on the first few chapter, but I already think it's a good book.

i am currently reading . i will try to get to and by the end of the week. i hope to get some reading done since the only exam i have left now is physics and then i am done with high school. i think i will have more of a chance of reading at the end of the week.

Chasing Stars by Helen Douglas

Leaving the Beach: A Novel of Obsession and Music by Mary Rowen