Coffee & Books discussion
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What are you reading?
Love Potion Number 10 – Betsy Woodman – 3***
Book two in the Jana Bibi Adventures series. Jana and Mr Ganguly’s fame grows, making him the target of a bird-napping plot. Woodman populates the fictional hill town with an array of colorful characters, and really gives one a flavor of the 1960s culture of India. Just charming.
LINK to my review
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Eats, Shoots & Leaves – Lynne Truss – 4****
Well this was the perfect work for me to satisfy a challenge to read a “geek-reed” book. There were more than a few moments when I felt Truss was channeling the good Sisters at Ursuline Academy who first tried to drum those rules into my head. Truss writes with a delightfully irreverent style, and yet still conveys the seriousness of her purpose. It was a fast, enjoyable read, and I think I learned (or re-learned) a few things.
LINK to my review
My review for: The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib
5★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Still trading Pillsrs of the Rarth by Ken Follett.
The Dog Who Knew Too Much – Spencer Quinn – 3.5***
Book four in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. I find looking at the mystery and the events that unfold through Chet’s eyes simply delightful and fun. Quinn has managed to give him a personality that befits a dog. He’s easily distracted by food or squirrels, given to taking things too literally (still looking for that wild goose they’re supposed to be chasing), loyal to a fault, and courageous.
LINK to my review
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Christmas At Little Beach Street Bakery – Jenny Cogan – 3***
This is a fun chick-lit romance with some over-the-top coincidences and new-adult drama. Not much of a spoiler to say that it all works out with a fairytale HEA ending. I didn’t realize it was a series when I picked it up, and I don’t really feel that I was missing all that much for not having begun with book one. Have to say I really appreciated the recipes at the end – especially the hot chocolate!
LINK to my review
Other Voices, Other Rooms – Truman Capote – 3.5***
Capote’s debut novel is a semiautobiographical coming-of-age story. It’s a classic Southern Gothic novel, full of ghosts, haints, superstitions, secrets and closed off rooms. Joel is isolated not only by the remote location, but by the lack of connection with these people. He is confused and cautious, and his loneliness and despair are palpable. Capote’s writing is wonderfully atmospheric. Still, at times, much like Joel, I felt lost in unfamiliar surroundings.
LINK to my review
Carnegie’s Maid – Marie Benedict – 3***
Irish immigrant Clara Kelly comes to America in hopes of finding employment so that she can send money home to her impoverished family. She winds up as a lady’s maid in the Carnegie family’s Pittsburgh mansion. I was intrigued by the story and quickly caught up in the tale of this intelligent, resourceful, determined and diligent young lady. I did think it was somewhat repetitious, but still enjoyed this historical fiction that takes a few facts and weaves a compelling story to help explain them.
LINK to my review
The Hamilton Affair – Elizabeth Cobbs – 4****
Cobbs is an historian, who also occasionally writes a work of historical fiction. The story unfolds in alternating perspectives: Alexander and Eliza each get a turn at relating events. In this way we get some insight into each character’s background, guiding principles, joys, sorrows and desires. While Cobbs’ sympathies were clearly with Hamilton, she did not shy away from pointing out his faults. I really appreciated how she developed Eliza’s strong character. I was interested and engaged from beginning to end.
LINK to my review
Carrying Albert Home – Homer Hickam – 3***
Subtitle: The Somewhat True Story of a Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator. I loved listening to the stories my father, mother, aunts and uncles would tell of “the old days” and adventures they had had. So, I was predisposed to like this tale of the author’s parents and a great adventure they embarked upon without any plan other than to “carry Albert home.” I found it fun and enjoyable, but gosh, Elsie got on my nerves.
LINK to my review
I just completed book 2 of the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey
Starting a book by one of my favorite authors, A Lee Martinez
Winter Solstice – Rosamunde Pilcher – 3***
Five very different people, ranging in age from teen-aged to mid-sixties, converge on a Scottish cottage just before Christmas. The novel changes perspective with each chapter so the reader gets to know the characters slowly, learning what is important to each as they go about their lives. It’s a charmingly told story, and I grew to love these characters. It reminds me of Maeve Binchy’s books. This is the first book by Pilcher that I’ve read; it won’t be the last.
LINK to my review
My review for: The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton by Anstey Harris
4★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
How the García Girls Lost Their Accents – Julia Álvarez – 4****
The García family flees the Dominican Republic for the United States amid political unrest. This is a wonderfully entertaining look at the immigrant experience and the strong family ties that see these sisters (and their parents) through a tumultuous adolescence and young adulthood. The use of multiple narrators and non-linear time line, however, made for an uneven reading experience. But I looked on it as indicative of the immigrant experience: looking back fondly on the home left behind, while facing the future bravely and with enthusiasm.
LINK to my review
They Came to Baghdad – Agatha Christie – 4****
Recently out of a job, Victoria Jones decides to follow the young man she just met to Baghdad and new opportunities. She’s a plucky heroine, able to think quickly, adapt to new situations, and spin a believable yarn (okay, she’s a talented liar). All this serves her well when she stumbles into the middle of a major international spy ring. A fun romp of an adventure.
LINK to my review
Mod
And I’m currently reading Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - and WOWZAAAA
I’m currently reading Lord of the Flies on my kindle and a physical copy of Up from Slavery.
For Everything a Season – Philip Gulley – 4****
Subtitle: Simple Musings on Living Well. This is a collection of essays written by Philip Gulley, a Quaker minister. He waxes poetic on gardening, birth stories, the advantages of front porches and stone patios, and a child’s joy in exploring the woods, among other topics. There is a nostalgia to his descriptions that just brings a smile to my face (and to my heart). Gulley can get a little preachy at times, but that’s to be expected, given his ministry. There’s still plenty of room for humor. It was the perfect comfort read at this time of my life.
LINK to my review
Just finished Verity. My what a page turner. I was scared reading this book. Not my usual fare.
My review for: The Cottage at Rosella Cove by Sandie Docker
5★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for: The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper
5★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules – Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg – 3***
Martha Andersson is 79 years old and lives in a retirement home whose new management is cutting corners. Martha and her friends – the League of Pensioners – aren’t going to take this lying down. These characters are a hoot! As outlandish and ridiculous as many of their schemes are, I found it great fun to watch them unfold. This is the first in a series. Wonder what the League of Pensioners will get up to next?
LINK to my review
Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens – 2.5**
I wanted to like this. I found it intriguing and interesting. I loved Owens’ descriptions of the marsh and the marvels of the natural world. I was invested in Kya’s story from the beginning, and her loneliness was practically tangible. I marveled at her resilience and intelligence. However, as the novel progressed things got a little too unbelievable and soap-opera-ish for me. After all the drama of the murder and trial, the ending seeming rather anti-climactic.
LINK to my review
My review for: Listening to the Animals: Becoming The Supervet by Noel Fitzpatrick
5★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Breath Of Snow And Ashes – Diana Gabaldon – 3***
Book six in a time-travel series I swore I’d never read, but have become strangely addicted to. This one is heavy on the history of the years leading up to the American colonies declaring independence from Britain. I wanted more of the loving relationship between Jaime and Claire, and yet was happy to see the younger generation play a bigger role. Still, I think I’ll give the series a rest for a year or so. Don’t want to get too far ahead of the TV series.
LINK to my review
My review for: Scandal Comes to the Bingleysby Margaret Lynette Sharp
3.5★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The End of the Affair – Graham Greene – 3.5***
Maurice Bendrix recalls the affair he had with the married Sarah Miles. Bendrix is a writer, and he uses his experience exploring characters’ motivations and emotions to look at the attraction, passion and ultimate love-hate relationship he had with Sarah. That push-pull of the love-hate relationship is at the center of this little novel. And this pretty much describes my relationship with this novel. On the one hand I love the way Greene writes, and the way he draws these characters. On the other hand, I really disliked all of them.
LINK to my review
300 Days Of Sun – Deborah Lawrenson – 3***
Journalist Joanna Millard goes to Faro, Portugal to escape a relationship and a career that are both going nowhere, and winds up embroiled in an investigation into criminal child kidnapping that goes back to World War II. This started out slowly but picked up steam as small revelations led to bigger discoveries. Lawrenson uses a dual time line that can sometimes be jarring, as the reader is yanked from one story arc to another, but that serves to increase suspense.
LINK to my review
QUICKSAND - Malin Persson GiolitoAbout an 18-year on trial for killing her boyfriend, her best friend and maybe others. Leading her to a court trial. I wanted to read it before it comes out on Netflix April 5th. Just started,, it's 500+ pages, so if anyone knows about it before I tackle it, I would appreciate it.
A Year in Provence – Peter Mayle – 4****
This is a re-read and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time I read it. What a delightful diversion! Mayle's accont of his and his wife's first year owning a house in Provence is entertaining, relaxing and inspiring - it inspires me to enjoy life - good food, good wine and the siesta.
LINK to my review
Midnight At the Bright Ideas Bookstore – Matthew Sullivan – 4****
A puzzle, wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a mystery. Sullivan’s novel kept me guessing and off balance with some very interesting twists. It took me some time to get really caught up in the story because it was so fractured at the beginning. The multiple puzzles and flashbacks to Lydia’s youth and the horrific events surrounding “The Hammerman” had me wondering where this was going. Still, Sullivan’s inventive narrative did eventually capture my attention and kept me turning pages and staying up late to finish.
LINK to my review
My review for: The House Across the Street by Lesley Pearse
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Was Anastasia – Ariel Lawhon – 3.5***
I’ve been fascinated by the possibility that Anastasia Romanov survived the slaughter of her family during the Bolshevik Revolution since I was a little girl. I am not alone. Lawhon relies on the reader’s desire to believe Anna Anderson’s claim that she was the Grand Duchess Anastasia as she crafts this work. Using dual timelines and narrators, she carefully brings the reader to the fateful events of 1918 and a completely believable conclusion.
LINK to my review
China Rich Girlfriend – Kevin Kwan – 2**
Book two in Kwan’s trilogy about “Crazy Rich Asians.” Just ridiculous but strangely addicting fun. Kinda like watching the worst of the reality TV shows, that I just cannot turn off. Well, it satisfies a challenge to read a book set in China.
LINK to my review
In a Sunburned Country – Bill Bryson – 4****
Bryson turns his journalistic skills to an exploration of the only continent that is also a country, and an island. It’s a wonderful memoir / travel journal. If Australia weren’t already on my bucket list, it certainly would be now.
LINK to my review
The Black. Klansman by Ron Stallworth.
Another Harry Potter! I cannot stop! I had never read the series before this year. I have NO idea why I waited so long! It's AMAZING!! <3 Have any of you read it? What did you think? WOW it is so different from the movies!! I have watched them a million times!!Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
My review for: The House of Second Chances by Esther Campion
5★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Coffee & Books
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