Oprah's Book Club (Official) discussion

Monalee wrote: "I just finished Big Little Lies."

Loved that story!

Just finishedThe Bluest Eye. I have always found Toni Morrison's writing riveting in its creative format and also its deep and disturbing content as well. This was no exception and I found the Afterword interesting, as she ponders on whether she achieved what she set out to do or not. I feel that this book is important, just like the marigolds that didn't sprout that summer, in its implications of consequent responsibility for everyone regarding social and cultural injustice, especially, but not limited to, when perpetrated on children. Toni Morrison provides a unique and literarily brilliant and very powerful way of highlighting it with the book, contrary to her own criticism. Couldn't put it down and can't stop thinking about it!

I encourage you to read "Flowers For Algernon." I guarantee you, you'll make some kind of a connection to your own timeline of events in life and possibly come away with a strong vibe to reach out and give back~

I just finished Cardigan Bay. Loved it 4 stars . My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Started Traveling Sprinkler

Just starting STOLEN by Sheila Dalton. Preface has me entranced already!!!

The Forester

LORD OF THE RINGS I have seen all of the movies & have even played the Lego Game, so it was about time that I read the book.

Just finished Traveling Sprinkler . 4 stars . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Starting Astonish Me today .

Finished by Menna van Praag-- 3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars!!

Really enjoyed this little book. Lighthearted with serious undertones, friendly ghosts, and a magical house make this one fun to curl up with!

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

Finished James Church's book, "A Corpse in the Koryo" for a group read. A 4 star book for me. Unusual setting (North Korea) and unusual rhythms due to such a difference in culture and political events and world views. It's first in a series and I'm sure I will read them all!

Started "Ruby" last night. Fell right into it. I grew up in East Texas from Texarkana to Nacodoches for college to Houston for medical tech internship! The landscape & the characters are so familiar. This should be good!

I just finished Astonish Me. Liked it but didn't love it . My brief review :https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Will be starting Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule.

I just finished Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel and loved it. One of the best books I've read in quite some time. Just started The Damned by Andrew Pyper. Good so far.....

by Rainbow Rowell

Jeanine, glad you loved Station Eleven . I did too.

Finished . Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule
My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Started The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

( I am going to get to Ruby soon )

I am reading We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves & listening to Sweetness in the Belly, enjoying both!

Last night I finished The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy. If you loved Harold Fry you will love this one too . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Today I'm starting A Spool of Blue Thread

Pimp, by Iceberg Slim.

Angela, my sis-in-law loved Spool & heard Anne Tyler on NPR recommend books by Mary Lawson. I'm putting them on my TBR list. Thought you might want to add a few more onto yours, too! :)

Lela , thanks . I have read Mary Lawson's books and love her writing . I think you would too .

Finished reading A Spool of Blue Thread. Classic Anne Tyler -4 stars . My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Starting today A Touch of Stardust

Finished by Toni Morrison-- 3 Stars!!

Equal parts interesting and dense. Hard to pick back up and felt a little too lengthy in parts...

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

Finished The Plum Tree. 4 stars . My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Just started Saltwater Cowboys

I just finished Schroder and started A House in the Sky today, and as I was reading first few chapters, I kept thinking this book would make a great Oprah Book Club selection!

Almost finished with Lost Girls

Finished Saltwater Cowboys 4 stars (3.5 if I could ) My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Started Shame and the Captives

Had another surgery on Wed so reading has been sporadic at best. Am reading about Archie meeting Nero Wolfe. Simply written & easy to pick up - and put down. Unlike "Ruby" which I couldn't put down!

Hope you are feeling better soon , Lela .

Lela, hope all is well and every day is better!!

I'm currently reading "Eyrie" by fellow Aussie, Tim Winton. It's the first of Tim's books I've read and I'm enjoying it. All the best, Lela!

Lainie ,
I've read several of Winton's books but haven't read Eyrie yet. I'll be interested in what you think .

Angela M wrote: "Lainie ,
I've read several of Winton's books but haven't read Eyrie yet. I'll be interested in what you think ."

Angela, I've just finished it. It took a while to get into it until I got used to Winton's style and the storyline but I didn't like the ending at all; too rushed for my liking.

Which of his books was your favourite? I've read the reviews at the back of Eyrie and don't know which to pick up next, Cloudstreet or The Riders...

May & Angela, thank you. At the moment it's slow going but I'm sure things will perk up soon!

I'm starting The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell tonight...

Lainie ,
I liked Cloudstreet the best .

Finished by Jenny Lawson-- 4 Stars!!

This might just be my favorite audio book I've ever listened to! The author reads the book and she is HILARIOUS!!! Not for those that do not like cursing and female genitalia mentions throughout ;)

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

A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons

Finished Shame and the Captives. 3 stars . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Starting today Some Luck.

Finished by Christina Baker Kline-- 3 Stars!!

Orphans left in the streets of New York City are rounded up and shipped via train out to the Midwest into the arms of the weary farmers looking for hard labor, or additional helping hands. Great book-- just wanted more emotional depth!

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

I'm part of the Nerdist book club, so I'm reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Unfortunately, it's a Gary Stu and except for a chapter and a half, the book really isn't good. Besides that, I'm reading Black Like Me, The Billionaire's Vinegar and The Black Dahlia.

Just pick up A Man Called Ove from the library will start it tomorrow!

I am reading "Under The Wide & Starry Sky

Just finished "Etta and Otto and Russel and James." I know the premise is implausible but in a magical realism story, that's not a bad thing! I loved it - found it fresh and unique with some amazing use of language. Now, I've started "Close to Home." Billed as a different kind of Southern novel. We'll see.

Gail wrote: "Adalis wrote: "I'm part of the Nerdist book club, so I'm reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Unfortunately, it's a Gary Stu and except for a chapter and a half, the book really isn't good. Be..."

I've heard Black Like Me is really good and a true eye-opener. And I haven't read Animal Farm since high school. Really good stuff!

Just finished Some Luck . 4 stars . My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....


Starting today Aquarium

Adalis wrote: "I'm part of the Nerdist book club, so I'm reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Unfortunately, it's a Gary Stu and except for a chapter and a half, the book really isn't good. Besides that, I'm..."

I loved RPO! Oh well....

Just finished Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter 4.5 stars if I could. Really enjoyed the story and all the nuances to it. Also finished I Shall Be Near to You, which is a great love story set during the Civil War.

Now on to Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time.

Finished by Paula Hawkins -- 4 Stars!!

Great, quick read!! Psychological thriller, and had to keep reading to find out how it was going to end! Would recommend!

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

Reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Finished My Brilliant Friend. 4 stars . My review :https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Started A Little Life

I am reading The Little Stranger