The Next Best Book Club discussion

yesterday i finished and absolutely loved it. I am now going to work my way through since it has been on my table for about a month now. Then i will decide on what else to read since we are in for some rain all weekend.

: Amandine by Marlena deBlasi – 3***
A baby girl is conceived out of wedlock is deposited at a remote convent in the French countryside by her grandmother, a countess. Raised as an orphan, but with a young governess, Solange, devoted to her, Amandine thrives despite hardships, especially those brought on by Nazi Germany’s occupation of France in WW2. I found this novel slow to start. However, once the characters were well established and Amandine began to show her own personality as a young child I got caught up in her story. The ending is both abrupt and inconclusive. This is the author’s only novel; her other works are nonfiction. I wonder if she is working on a sequel to this book.
This is a Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am currently reading All I Know and Love by Judith Frank which partially takes place in Israel. I am also listening to Mistress by James Patterson.

I am currently reading The Sleeping Dictionary The Sleeping Dictionary

It is the kind of historical fiction I love most, realistic and highly textured, with a page-turning storyline. The protagonist loses her family to a tidal wave and we experience her journey through devastation to self-discovery through a beautifully written, first-person narrative.

Right now I am reading all of Anne Rice's vampire chorncels. Once im finished with that I want to try and stay away from series as much as I love them it just a big commitment I need a break from.

I finished All I Love and Know and was disappointed in this title set in Israel and Mass. This afternoon I began reading All the Light We Cannot See which got great reviews.

Just finished The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro. I was happily surprised by this novel. I enjoyed the journey through different places and times, but I especially loved the the journey through scents.

I'll start today The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure.

I just finished and now i am working my way through and i am deciding on whether or not i will like this book.

Hi Book Concierge! I really liked The Other Typist too. The ending was one to make you think wasn't it? I'll definitely read more of hers.

I'm now starting Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris.

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler – 4****
This is the noir classic that introduced readers to Philip Marlowe, private detective. Chandler is a master at crafting a plot that is complicated with more twists than a mountain road. The star of the novel, in my opinion, is Chandler’s way with words. His style is often imitated, but no one uses the simile and metaphor so well. It’s a fun, fast read, and I’m glad I finally read it.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm reading a cozy mystery, Gone with the Win: A Bed-and-Breakfast Mystery and a children's classic, The Enchanted Castle.

Have just added the audio of The Leftover by Tom Perotta. I have been watching this on tv sand find it OK. Wanted to read the book which I am liking very much.

A funny thing happened to me while I was reading All the Light We Cannot See. last night we went out with my neighbor and as we rode home she told me she had just read a book she loved. And when she said the above title I laughed since I had read over 100 pages in two days and wasn't enjoying this book. Now I haven't been able to sleep all night because it occurred to me that something was wrong with this book and me. I find that while some of the writing is beautiful, for the most part at this time I am not enjoying the writing style. It just seems rather terse and to some extent reminds me of Alice Hoffman's style although I love her books. So I have decided to put this book down and at another time will pick it up again. I know that so many readers have enjoyed it, it must be me. The again, it took three tries for me to finally read all of The Thorn Birds and A Woman of Substance - two books I ultimately adored in the end.

I recently finished Gossip from the Forest by Sara Maitland, a fascinating and beautiful book about the role forests have played in fairytales. It was an absolute joy to read, I highly recommend it for anyone interested in folklore and storytelling. I don't do this very often, but I'm giving this book 5★s.

Here is my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

April Fool Dead by Carolyn Hart – 1*
This is book # 13 in the Death on Demand series, featuring Annie Darling, owner of the Death on Demand mystery bookshop. The murder doesn’t happen until page 150. A side story involving Max’s mother, Laurel, is totally unnecessary. I have a feeling the author has run out of coherent ideas for this series. In a nutshell – the characters aren’t developed; the plot is disorganized; clues are nonexistent; the writing is padded with descriptions that add nothing to the story or atmosphere. Don’t waste your time.
This is a Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just about to start The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison.

I just finished reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. There really is more to this book than a lot of people might expect - 4★s.

Here is my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm reading The Miracle at Speedy Motors, I love this series.

I have finally finished the alchemyst and it was ok but I am not continuing the series. I am now reading raven flight and a few other books on my kindle fire that I got from family yesterday and I am also reading blue bloods.

Starting Company of Liars by Karen Maitland.

I'm still reading The Sea by John Banville. I like it but it gets a bit too descriptive at times

Karen M wrote: "I'm reading The Miracle at Speedy Motors, I love this series."

Ditto ... I love this series, too.

The Distance between Us by Reyna Grande – 5*****
This is a heartbreaking and heartwarming memoir of a childhood living in want, both in Mexico and in the United States. Grande writes with courage about the abject poverty of her early years, the sense of abandonment she and her siblings felt when their parents left, and how feeling abandoned affected their futures. I was appalled and distressed reading about this level of poverty. I was angry with her parents for the way they treated their children. But ultimately this is an inspiring story of courage and perseverance. I was in tears at the end of this poignant and honest memoir.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Doing my usual of reading several at the ssame time:
Rio Bravo
Joe Ledger: Special Ops
The Police

Started The Bell Jar over the weekend for another GR group's monthly read. Easy reading and good writing, but quite depressing.

I'm reading

I just finished The Way of Kings, the brilliant first book of Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive. Very highly recommended - 5★s.

Here is my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm reading "The Perfect Theory: A Century of Geniuses and the Battle over General Relativity," by Pedro Ferreira.

It's a non-technical work that has a look at how Einstein's general (not special) relativity theory was received by the scientific world of his time -- and later. In this way, it's more about the climate of the times and the egos and politics among the scientists of the day.

Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews – 2**
This is book two in the Meg Lanslow series, each of which has a title referencing birds. Meg Lanslow and boyfriend Michael arrive at Monhegan for a romantic getaway, only to find the island overrun with birders and Aunt Phoebe’s summer cottage full of family members. When a famous artist is found dead, Meg has to investigate to clear her family’s name. The characters and situations are ridiculous. I finished it only because it fulfilled a challenge. At least it’s a fast read and the basic murder investigation is mildly entertaining.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Book Concierge wrote: "Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews – 2**
This is book two in the Meg Lanslow series, each of which has a title referencing birds. Meg Lanslow and boyfri..."

I'm glad I'm not the only one who found these books mediocre at best. A lot of people in the Cozy Mysteries group rave about them, and how funny they are, but I did not think them that humorous at all. Love the titles, though! ☺

Just finished Messenger and expect to begin reading Son by Lois Lowry sometime today.

Starting The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian, a new author for me.

A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck – 5*****
Audio book performed by Ron McLarty. What a wonderful novel of a time gone by. I was laughing aloud at several of the shenanigans Grandma perpetrated. The writing is very atmospheric. I itched with the memory of chigger bites, felt the torpidity of a humid summer day, and heard the sounds of a summer night. When I finished listening, I immediately picked up the hardcover book and started reading from the beginning. This may be a children’s book, but I’ll wager that adults will appreciate it even more.
This is a Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jackie wrote: "Starting The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian, a new author for me."

I love Bohjalian's writing, and this one was quite good.

Jim the Boy by Tony Earley – 5*****
Earley’s debut novel is quiet, peaceful and yet powerful. The story may focus on one boy, his family and friends but the lessons conveyed are universal. Jim is a wonderful character. He starts the novel feeling so BIG now that he writes his age in double digits “just like the uncles.” Slowly he becomes aware that instead of being big, he is really rather small, “I’m just a boy.” Earley’s writing is luminous and evocative. This short gem of a novel should be read by more people. It is simply marvelous.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Book Concierge wrote: " Jim the Boy by Tony Earley – 5*****
Earley’s debut novel is quiet, peaceful and yet powerful. The story may focus on one boy, his family and friends but the less..."

I also really loved Jim the Boy. I thought it was a pleasant and nice book. I loved the relationship between Jim and his uncles.

I am currently listening to Son by Lois Lowry, the last book in this series which began with The Giver. I am really enjoying this book.

I am also desperately trying to finish The Devil's Punchbowl. I have 277 pages left and might be able to do this over the weekend if my husband didn't suggest seeing a movie today and dinner out. But I can't ignore a trip to the cinema and good food.

Any Outlander fans on this thread? I know this may not be the right place to post this but wanted to remind all that Outlander fans which is based on Diana Gabaldon's first book in this series will be on cable tv tonight at 9:00 (EST) and the STARZ channel.

Just finished The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure. It was an interesting story in a good picture of Paris under Nazi occupation.

Now starting The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian. I read Midwives by this same author a couple of years ago for my book club and liked it a lot.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – 4****
Audio book performed by Davinia Porter. What a rollicking good story! I had avoided it because of the time travel aspect, but I found it very entertaining. I do have several issues with the book. There are parts that are a tad too “bodice-ripper” for my taste. I also wasn’t too keen on the whole “I’ll beat you to punish you and then we’ll make mad passionate love” scenario. And I was irritated with Claire’s continued insistence on going off by herself only to have to be rescued by Jamie (or another strong man). Still, it held my interest and Davinia Porter’s performance on the audio is worth a star all by itself.
This is a Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nancy from NJ wrote: "Any Outlander fans on this thread? I know this may not be the right place to post this but wanted to remind all that Outlander fans which is based on Diana Gabaldon's first book in this series will be on cable tv tonight at 9:00 (EST) and the STARZ channel. ..."

I just checked the listings for STARZ for tonight ... Outlander is NOT on the lineup. I thought I saw that it starts on August 9 ...

I just checked the listings for STARZ for tonight ... Outlander is NOT on the lineup. I thought I saw that it starts on August 9 ...

Tonight is only August 3rd. I'm afraid you're one week ahead.

I just finished The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles. I didn't care for this as much as the other two books I read by him.

I just began May the Road Rise Up to Meet You which was suggested by a GR friend.

Still reading Alexander McCall Smith, The Double Comfort Safari Club.

Started The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins over the weekend for a classic group's August read.

I know I'm a little late in the game, but I am just starting the Harry Potter series!!! LOL!!! Maybe a few years too late! But I'll always heard they are great books to read and even better than the movies!

Wendy wrote: "I know I'm a little late in the game, but I am just starting the Harry Potter series!!! LOL!!! Maybe a few years too late! But I'll always heard they are great books to read and even better than..."

It's never too late to read Harry Potter -- enjoy! ☺

Nancy from NJ wrote: "I just checked the listings for STARZ for tonight ... Outlander is NOT on the lineup. I thought I saw that it starts on August 9 ...

Tonight is only August 3rd. I'm afraid you're one week ahead."

Nancy ... you're original post said it was starting "tonight" ... which is why I went to check the listings. I had always thought it wasn't beginning until Aug 9.

Sorry for the error - I think I meant to say that it could be downloaded yesterday.

I just finished Only the Animals by Ceridwen Dovey, the first collection of short stories I have ever LOVED! Highly recommended - 5★s.

Here is my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...