Coffee & Books discussion
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What are you reading?
message 1451:
by
Christine
(new)
Sep 16, 2020 08:40AM
I finished my book called The Whisper Man by Alex North
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Whoa, it's been a long time since I've checked in on this board. Hello! I hope you're all doing well. Now that I have an almost 4 month old baby I'm not reading as much as I'd like. However, I am actively reading Winter Tide and I love it. I'm taking my time with it which I think makes it even better because it's very atmospheric. I'd recommend it for anyone that's into Lovecraftian stories.
My review for Good Dog: Celebrating Dogs Who Change, and Sometimes Even Save, Our Lives by Kate Leaver
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished :
by : Robert Merle 5*****
This is a series of historical fiction about the History of France in the 1500s. There are 13 titles in this series with one main character telling the story (and the history) as he saw it.
The edition I own (and love) contains 2 titles in one book, which makes for a 1250 pages book. But I love the fact that when I open it the book stays open at the right page and does not break.
When I started with book 1 King Charles IX (9) was the ruler of France, but his mother, Queen mother Catherine of Medicis influenced him a lot (and in a bad way). When he died, his brother became King Henri III (3). He was not a very good king. His mother tried to take power through him, but also over him by having the Duc de Guise a very rich noble man plot with the King of Spain to bring the inquisition in France to get rid once and for all of the Protestants and also the plan was Spain would use its invicible Armada to conquer England. This is a period of plots and treachery, hypocrisy and murders.
At the end of book 4, King Henri III who has tried by all means possible to not fight the Duc de Guise openly for it would inevitably lead to a war with Spain, doesn't succeed and de Guise is more powerful than ever, openly planning to send the king in a coventry and rule France himself. With the so-called invicible Armada partly sunk, Henri III finds hope, but decides the only way for him to rule his country is to get rid of de Guise. The last pages of the book recount in details the plot and the assassination of the Duc de Guise by the King's order.
I guess book 5 will start with the assassination of Henri III and the new King Henri IV (4) should be a lot of fun.
This is an excellent series, even though there are some pages which feel long when there is not much action.
I think it is translated in English, but from a few reviews I read, it seems to be not so good. You also have to love history to read this. I love it!
My review in French is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Carlos Acosta at the Royal Ballet 5*****This was a wonderful book to look at and to read.
I highly recommend it.
My full review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Olive Again – Elizabeth Strout – 4****
The book is character-driven and Strout excels at revealing these characters by their actions and conversations with one another. I just love Olive, even if I don’t much “like” her. I can’t really say she’s mellowed much as she ages, but there is something so real, so vulnerable, so recognizable in her. I think there’s definitely some of me in her (or some of Olive in me).
My full review HERE
Go See the Principal – Gerry Brooks – 2.5**
Gerry Brooks is an elementary school principal in Lexington, Kentucky. Apparently, he’s also a YouTube celebrity of sorts. I don’t have any children. I’m not a teacher. It’s been a long time since I’ve personally been in school of any kind, let alone elementary school. I would probably have found this funnier if it was closer to home and I could relate. As it was, I thought it was more “instructional” than entertaining.
My full review HERE
I just finished The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead. It definitely lives up to all the hype and deserves the Pulitzer it won this year. Incredibly moving and twists your soul. Have to absorb this wonderful, flawlessly written book.
Kristine wrote: "I just finished The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead. It definitely lives up to all the hype and deserves the Pulitzer it won this year. Incredibly moving and twists your soul. Have to absorb this ..."I am looking forward to read this book. It's on my list. Just have to get down to it...
My review for Mr Broadwood Meets the Bennets: A 'Pride and Prejudice' Variation Vignette by Margaret Lynette Sharp
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Long Road To Mercy – David Baldacci – 4****
This is a fast-paced mystery / suspense / thriller with a kick-a** female heroine – or two. I really liked FBI agent Atlee Pine, who is physically and mentally strong, intelligent, determined and well able to take care of herself, and others. But I loved her assistant, Carol, who rises to the occasion and shows that she’s more than up to the task of besting the bad guys. This is a team to watch!
My full review HERE
A Short History Of Nearly Everything – Bill Bryson – 3.5***
Well, the title pretty much gives you a synopsis of what this nonfiction work is all about – “nearly” everything. Bryson allowed his curiosity about scientific discoveries to lead wherever it might take him, and he organized his findings in a somewhat chronological order (hence the “history”). It is information, if dry, at times. It’s also entertaining, even funny, in places.
My full review HERE
I finished my books called Don't Tell A Soul by D.K. Hood and Truth or Die by Katerina Diamond and Teardrop Lane by Emily March and Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay and Playing To Win by Stacey Lynn
I just started The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell. It seems like it may be interesting. I have never read this author before and have been meaning to.
Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn & George Vecsey – 3.5***
This autobiography takes the reader from Loretta’s birth to stardom. Originally published in 1976, the 30th-anniversary edition includes a forward with some additional information. I found this very interesting. She tells her story in a forthright and honest manner, relating both the good and the bad.
My full review HERE
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards – Lilian Jackson Braun – 3***
Book # 1 in a cozy mystery series featuring James Qwilleran, a newspaper reporter in an unnamed Midwestern city, and an extraordinary Siamese cat, Koko. I love cozy mysteries, and this is a great series. Qwilleran is a good amateur detective. As a reporter he is appropriately curious and has a great excuse for gathering information. No talking cats, here, still I like the way that Braun uses Koko to help Qwilleran. A totally satisfying cozy mystery read.
My full review HERE
4 ****A Geisha for the American Consul]
This was a short story (I read it on my Kindle but other editions show it is 56 pages) but it was a nice one to read, and makes me want to read other books from this author.
I finished my book called An Unforgettable Christmas: A heartwarming Christmas romance from Hallmark Publishing by Ginny Baird
My review for A Ball at Longbourn: A 'Pride and Prejudice' Variation Vignette by Margaret Lynette Sharp
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hoping to finish the glass rainbow today
My review for The Cinema at Starlight Creek by Alli Sinclair
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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