Coffee & Books discussion
Bookish!
>
What are you reading?
message 1501:
by
Christine
(new)
Oct 22, 2020 04:33PM
I finished my book called Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
reply
|
flag
I just finished a very unusual book. 
Charlotte by David FoenkinosThis is a biographical novel about a young woman painter who really lived during the Second World War. Being German but Jewish was not an option. She was sent to the South of France to be with her grand-parents, but History caught up with her in 1943. She died cremated in a camp at 26 years old and 5 months pregnant.
As if this was not disturbing enough, it seems like most of her family even before the war and a few generations back, commited suicide...
This book, althoug beautifully written should not be read by someone who feels emotionaly strained at the moment with COVID-19 and the social isolation.
Un beau livre, mais à ne pas mettre entre toutes les mains en cette période où nombreux(ses) sont ceux(celles) qui se sentent vulnérables émotivement avec le confinement et l'isolement social requis pour protéger les autres (et soi-même) de la COVID-19. Ma critique est ici:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fair And Tender Ladies –Lee Smith – 5*****
Ivy Rowe tells her story from her parents’ meeting to her old age through letters she writes to her friends and family through the years. Ivy is curious and adventurous, intelligent if lacking education, forthright, determined, and self-reliant. She makes mistakes and deals with them. She observes the workings of the world as it changes around her but remains true to her tiny corner and her mountain ways. Her letters are full of every emotion of life – hope, despair, joy, sorrow and love.
My full review HERE
My review for Mr Bennet's Surprise: A 'Pride and Prejudice' Variation Vignette by Margaret Lynette Sharp
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and Never Ask Me by Jeff Abbott.
Espresso Shot – Cleo Coyle – 3***
Coffeehouse Mystery series book # 7 finds Clare Cosi in the uncomfortable position of catering a wedding reception for a bridezilla who seems to attract danger. I like this series. It’s populated with a nice cast of recurring characters. There are plenty of suspects and some twists and turns to keep the reader (and Clare) guessing. I find all the references to foodie culture and explorations of different cuisines, desserts and beverages (including various coffees) entertaining.
My full review HERE
Thirteen Moons – Charles Frazier – 5*****
Frazier’s sophomore effort returns to the rural Carolina landscape, covering nearly a century from the 1820s to the very beginning of the 20th century. The tale is told by Will Cooper, who as a twelve-year-old orphan was sent into the wilderness as a “bound boy.” It’s a marvelous story, and beautifully told. Will’s life is full of adventure and opportunities, as well as peril and mistakes. Frazier puts the reader into an America that is long gone but vividly portrayed. On finishing, I find that I want to start again at the beginning, savoring every word.
My full review HERE
I just finished The Only Plane in the Sky. Very good book, about such a hard time.
I just finished reading
Blue PearlIt was a short book and it was ok.
A short review in French here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for The Ugly Man (Novella) : A Dani Lancing Story by P.D. Viner
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Snowblind by Ragnar JónassonUnfortunately, I wasn't a fan
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue and also The Good Sister, which I put on hold for now because The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue is from the library so I had to put The Good Sister down temporarily since I own it!
A Discovery Of Witches – Deborah Harkness – 4****
Book one of the All Souls Trilogy introduces the reader to Diana Bishop, descended from a long line of powerful witches, but uninterested in learning to use her magic skills, and Matthew Clairmont, who is a renowned vampire. It’s a combination of fantasy, romance, suspense, mystery, and historical fiction. I was engaged from page one and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
My full review HERE
A Bend In the Stars – Rachel Barenbaum – 3***
A debut work of historical fiction set in 1914 in Russia and featuring a brother and sister who are brilliant scientists determined to succeed and worried about escaping. I think the many subplots were a bit too ambitious. I was interested, but I was exhausted by the constant danger, and longed for peace for the characters and for me.
My full review HERE
The Nickel Boys – Colson Whitehead – 5*****
In the 1960s Jim Crow South, a young man on his way to college makes a life-changing mistake and winds up in the notoriously draconian Nickel Academy reform school. I was completely engrossed in this story. I loved how the relationships between the boys at Nickel developed, how they helped one another even when they could not understand one another. The last part of the novel moves forward in time when one of the boys has grown up and is in New York. But while he’s achieved a measure of success, he is still haunted by what happened in his youth. Whitehead’s use of this structure made the pivotal scene all the more impactful.
My full review HERE
Am reading the intriguing #5 of Outlander- The Fiery Cross and would like to have a buddy reader please
Presumed Innocent – Scott Turow – 4****
This is a fast-paced story with several twists and turns and lots of political and personal intrigue to keep the reader guessing and turning pages. Turow’s tight writing gave me the sense of suspense and impending doom that I expect from a mystery/thriller like this. The final reveal is a bit of a stunner.
My full review HERE
Julie – Jean Craighead George – 3***
Book two of the Julie of the Wolves series, has our heroine returning to her father’s home and trying to reconcile the traditional Eskimo ways with the newer structure of village corporations, industry and working with the white man. The push/pull of old vs new, of childhood vs adulthood, of nature vs business form the central conflicts in the story.
My full review HERE
Coffee & Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Day I Died (other topics)Summit Lake (other topics)
Under an Alaskan Sky (other topics)
Oxygen (other topics)
The House in the Pines (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lori Rader-Day (other topics)Charlie Donlea (other topics)
Jennifer Snow (other topics)
Carol Cassella (other topics)
Ana Reyes (other topics)
More...
