All About Books discussion

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
Paula recommended it to me.

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?
Yes, it was on my tbr shelf, however, I've got about 300books on my tbr shelf and had completely forgotten about this one so could've been years before I go to it.

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?
Nope, this was the first one. Although I see his earlier novel The Gift of Rain was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2007 so might have to check that one out too.

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?
I really enjoyed it. It was incredibly well-written and about a topic and time period that I knew absolutely nothing about. I think it was also the first book I've read set in Malaya. So I found it really interesting.

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?
For sure.

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?
Of course. This is my second time doing a recommendation swap and the second great book I've read as a result of it. I'll definitely be back for more!
p.s. Thanks Paula for the great recommendation :)

Erica wrote: "1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
Paula recommended it to me.

2. Would you have read t..."

I'm so glad you liked it! The Gift of Rain is very special as well; I may even like it a little more. They are both very fine works.

I've now picked up A Fine Balance from the library. Didn't realise it was such a big book! I will make a start soon, looking forward to it.

Shirley wrote: "I've now picked up A Fine Balance from the library. Didn't realise it was such a big book! I will make a start soon, looking forward to it."

I loved it! Though it is long, the story is so engrossing that you will read it easily.

Shirley, I put off reading A Fine Balance b/c I was told that it was very depressing. I did not find it depressing, even if the events are extremely difficult. There is humor interspersed throughout - sweet humor, LOL humor and satirical humor. I should have read it a lot sooner had I known how much I would enjoy it. It is REALLY a very good book. Enjoy.

Chrissie wrote: "Shirley, I put off reading A Fine Balance b/c I was told that it was very depressing. I did not find it depressing, even if the events are extremely difficult. There is humor interspers..."

Thanks Chrissie and dely, I am sure I will like it, although I have only read about 20 pages I can already tell!

Shirley, I am excited for you.

So many of you are done with your recommendations! I just got my book too. Will be starting tonight.

I'm still waiting for my book via inter-library loan. Is the 'time for reading allocated' till end of August or end of September?

Bette BookAddict wrote: "I'm still waiting for my book via inter-library loan. Is the 'time for reading allocated' till end of August or end of September?"

It's "officially" end of September, Bette, but don't worry too much, so long as you read it!

Thanks, Shirley, hopefully I will have it well before the end of September.

Shirley wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "I'm still waiting for my book via inter-library loan. Is the 'time for reading allocated' till end of August or end of September?"

It's "officially" end of September, Bet..."

That's good, I have only just gotten around to downloading the book I was recommended.

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett by the lovely Angela

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?
I had heard the book recommended but it was on my to read list. I don't know I would have picked it up just reading the back.

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?
No, I haven't

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?
I enjoyed it and gave it 4*. I did find myself getting a bit distracted during the middle and at times I was a bit underwhelmed. Overall, I thought the book moved well and was a very interesting idea. The beginning and ending were brilliant, perfectly written.

My spoiler-heavy review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?

I would

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?

Yes please, I love it!

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

I was recommended Room by Emma Donoghue, by Erica

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?

Probably not, never heard of the author but if someone in the group was reading it as well, I might have bought it myself because the blurb looked really interesting.

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?

No.

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?

My review - An interesting book, I really liked how it was told through the eyes of the five year old. The author did a good job in really making the language authentic for the characters, however I did not think it was wholly consistent. I don't think I have read anything like this, the story was really disturbing and I feel really weird for liking it. A great book overall and well written.

I gave it four stars.

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?

Yes, I would.

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?

Yes, I really like them. I try to take part in them all.

@Heather ,
I'm so glad that you loved Bel Canto . I read it over ten years ago and I still think about it . After reading your review , I'm convinced I have to reread it .

@ Alannah & Heather - I loved Bel Canto & Room. Two of my favourites.

Thanks for your suggestion, Angela. Definitely worth a read for me

Gemma- clearly you're aren't claustrophobic then!!

@Alannah, I loved your assessment of Room. It does seem to be the general consensus to 'feel weird for liking it'.

Bette BookAddict wrote: "@Alannah, I loved your assessment of Room. It does seem to be the general consensus to 'feel weird for liking it'."

I don't know why but I love all those disturbing novels because they leave me thinking about them long after I have finished them.

Glad you enjoyed it Alannah. I found the story intriguing as there were so many aspects of child development etc that interested me and things you'd miss if you lived like that that I had never thought of.

Actually, Heather I am extremely claustrophobic lol. Hmm, I think I like books that have a bit of a 'shock' factor if that's the right way to describe them. As Alannah said, books that leave you thinking about them long afterwards.

I found Gone Girl quite disturbing; especially the end. i sat for ages afterwards thinking "what a sick couple (as in bad sick) and what a warped relationship, it made me really uncomfortable.

I saw the trailer for Gone Girl at the cinema, you've just reminded me that I wanted to read it first. May read that next.

I want to read it as well and gave it on my kindle. Will try get to it in September

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. Ann recommended it to me.

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?

Eventually, it was on my wishlist as I had heard good things about it.

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?

No, I haven't read anything by this author before.

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?

I thought it was an excellent story, very well told. I gave it 5 stars!

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?

Yes - it's a long book but very readable and an absorbing story.

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?

Definitely!

Sounds good Shirley. I think I will add it to my tbr

Finally got A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith from the library. Rec'd by Anastasia. Not sure what I expected from the story but it wasn't what the book is about. I'm happy to say that at pg 191, I'm totally engrossed and love it:)

Shirley wrote: "1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. Ann recommended it to me.
"

It is really a wonderful book, I gave it 5 stars too!

dely wrote: "Shirley wrote: "1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. Ann recommended it to me.
"

It is really a wonderf..."

Yes, I'm trying to work out why I liked it so much, as it's quite sad in parts, although there is humour too. It took me a while to read as I haven't had much time, but the story was good enough that when I picked it up, I quickly became immersed in the story once again, so I didn't have to spend time re-reading the last couple of pages as you sometimes have to do with some stories. I think I enjoyed being transported to another world, another culture, and not all books do this so well.

Shirley wrote: "Yes, I'm trying to work out why I liked it so much, as it's quite sad in parts, although there is humour too. It took me a while to read as I haven't had much time, but the story was good enough that when I picked it up, I quickly became immersed in the story once again, so I didn't have to spend time re-reading the last couple of pages as you sometimes have to do with some stories. I think I enjoyed being transported to another world, another culture, and not all books do this so well.
"

This is true. I was engrossed by the story and the lives that intersect and Mistry has been really able to catch the reader's attention. I liked it also because of the historical background and the book covers a lot of important moments in Indian history: from the problems after Indipendence to the turmoils because of Indira Gandhi's Emergency.

dely wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Yes, I'm trying to work out why I liked it so much, as it's quite sad in parts, although there is humour too. It took me a while to read as I haven't had much time, but the story wa..."

Yes, that's true, I learned a lot about Indian history from this book. Very interesting, and I'm so glad I've read it.

Bette BookAddict wrote: "Finally got A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith from the library. Rec'd by Anastasia. Not sure what I expected from the story but it wasn't what the book is abo..."

I'm very happy that you are liking it :-D

Rather than print each question, I have just supplied my answers, in the same order of the questions.

For my Recommendation Swap, my partner was Anastasia; she picked A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith for me. This book was not on my To Be Read shelf prior to the Swap. I’ve been aware of this book probably since I was a teenager but the reading of it has always eluded me; whether by design or accident, I am not sure. Betty Smith is a completely new author to me so her manner of writing, the cadence of the main character and the storyline was totally unexpected.

I have written a full review (see below) but in short: I was captivated by the story. While obviously, I have never been in the slums of Brooklyn in 1910s, I had a moving picture in my mind as I read Francie’s story. I felt the bitter winter when her family couldn’t supply heat, hungry when there was no food. I was lonely alongside Francie and often sad. But all the while, I felt this child’s gritty determination to do better, to achieve what she wanted. I very rarely cry when reading a novel but found myself in tears twice and had to pause my reading. I loved this book and am so pleased it was selected for me.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a novel I would most definitely to other members of AAB, no matter what your age is, or even in fact your gender. It will always remain one of my treasured novels. I was surprised that Anastasia (who I do not know) could recommend such a perfect book for me so yes, I’m inspired by that and would definitely take part in another Swap in the future.

Please read my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Bette BookAddict wrote: "Rather than print each question, I have just supplied my answers, in the same order of the questions.

For my Recommendation Swap, my partner was Anastasia; she picked A Tree Grows in Brookly..."

I'm so happy for you, Bette! And I didn't expect such a high appreciation for the book! Your high rating to To Kill a Mockingbird and a sort of sixth sense spoke to me. I agree with you: it's so unbelievably engrossing and it gives to the reader many vivid emotions to remember.

One of my favourite book as well. And I also link it to To Kill a Mockingbird

Bette BookAddict wrote: "Rather than print each question, I have just supplied my answers, in the same order of the questions.

For my Recommendation Swap, my partner was Anastasia; she picked [book:A Tree Grows in Brookly..."

That's gone straight on my tbr shelf :)

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

I was recommended The Casual Vacancy. Alannah recommended it to me.

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?

Yes it was on my TBR for ages but I never got around to reading it because of all the bad reviews people had given me.

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?

I have read the Harry Potter series by Rowling.

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?

I loved it! I'm so thankful to Alannah for recommending it cause I know I never would have gotten around to reading it. I never thought that a book about unhappy people could be so interesting. From the first page I was hooked to this book. I gave it 4.5 stars.

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?

Definitely! I have already recommended it to a number of people!

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?

Yes, for sure. Up till now I have taken part in all of them and I have enjoyed reading all the books that have been recommended to me.

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

Lee recommended to me The Aviator's Wife, which was in his wishlist.

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?

Yes, it was already in my wishlist! Even if I couldn't know when I would have read it.

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?

No, the author is new to me.

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?

I liked it! I liked how it was so "anti-romantic". Here in Italy Charles Lindbergh is pretty much absent in the "standard" culture, so, to be honest, I didn't know anything about him and surely I didn't know how it was his marriage with Anne. I was expecting a more typical historical romance, but Charles' character clearly couldn't give to the reader such a passionate and sympathetic relationship, which on the contrary the standard hero of a romance could offer. I liked the evolution of Anne's character and above all her more mature vision of Charles as a person, not the hero. The first and third part of the story were more interesting that the second, maybe because Anne's compliant nature was very slow in opening his eyes and becoming indipendent.

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?

Yes!

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?

Always. :-D

Rahat wrote: "1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

I was recommended The Casual Vacancy. Alannah recommended it to me.

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?
..."

So glad you enjoyed it.

1. I read Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks, which was recommended to me by Laurel. It was one of several from she recommended from her "Bird Challenge."

2. I would have read this on my own since it was already on my to read list and several Goodreads friends had rated it highly.

3. This is the first book I have read by Faulks and I am interested in looking at his other books.

4. The book was a 4 star read for me. I loved it and it would have been 5 stars but for one reservation I had about connecting the past and present stories. Here is my brief review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

5. I would certainly recommend this book. It is so powerful but it has very graphic descriptions of the war and may not be for everyone in that respect, but the story is amazing.

6. I enjoy paricipatting in the swap and will definitely do it again.

Thanks, Laurel!

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

Angela recommended A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?

Yes, it was on my to-read list.

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?

Yes, I have read The Kite Runner

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?

I thought it was amazing, Khaled Hosseini can really paint a picture of a foreign land and make you feel like you are there. I can't decide if my favourite character was Mariam or Lalila as I loved them both.

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?

Yes.

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?

Yes!

Among the two characters, Mariam was my favourite.

Hopefully going to start mu book tonight.

Alannah wrote: "Hopefully going to start mu book tonight."

Hope you like it as much as I did, Alannah, and have one on ebook or a print copy with larger print than mine did:P

Bette BookAddict wrote: "Alannah wrote: "Hopefully going to start mu book tonight."

Hope you like it as much as I did, Alannah, and have one on ebook or print copy with larger print than mine did:P"

Small font, hard to explain but the book isn't stiff and it stays opens, makes it easier for me to read.

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?

I had read several good reviews and saw it was pretty popular so it was on my tbr shelf. However, it may have taken me months or years before I'd gotten around to it!

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?

Nope this was the first book by this author. I'll definitely be checking out more. I'm only just discovering YA fiction and so far the books I've read have been great stories. This one was no exception.

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?

Loved it! I think it's a great story for teenagers (and adults too), it shows them how someone in a relationship should be treated and what you should not accept. Think this is a really important message for kids these days. The author really knows how to evoke emotions from her reader too. Simple but powerful writing I thought.

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?

Definitely.

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?

I've had a 100% success rate so far with these swaps...I've been lucky to have been recommended 3 great reads so far so will definitely be doing the next one :)

Thanks to Rahat for the great recommendation :)

Interesting book!

Im glad you enjoyed it Erica :) can't wait to start on the book I was recommended.

1. Which book were you recommended and who recommended it to you?

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared. Recommended by the lovely Tracey

2. Would you have read the book ordinarily?

It was on my kindle so I probably would have at some point but this gave me the push to pick it up

3. Have you read anything by the same author before – if so what have you read?

No this was the first book by this author.

4. What did you think of the book you were recommended?

I liked it, 4*s. At times it felt a bit farcical and all the coincidences were just too much but I think it is deliberately written that way and you have to just go with it. I loved the characters- Allan was brilliant and if I have a sense of adventure like him at half his age I will be happy

5. Would you recommend this book to someone else?

Yes, I would

6. Would you take part in another recommendation swap in the future?

Yes, probably although I do need to get my reading pile under control

It has been on my TBR list for ages!