Coffee & Books discussion

I have way too many books on the go. the ones that are currently getting the most attention are.
1. You Are The Placebo by Dr. Joe Dispenza
2. Promised Land by Barack Obama
3. Why Smart People Hurt by Eric Maisel
4. The Mastery of Self by Miguel Ruiz Jr.
5. Limitless by Jim Kwik

The Twenty-One Balloons – William Pène du Bois – 4****
This is a classic of children’s literature, for which du Bois was awarded the Newbery Medal. It’s a fantastical adventure story featuring Professor William Waterman Sherman, who leaves San Francisco on Aug 15, 1883, in a balloon, with the intention of going across the Pacific Ocean and enjoying some solitude. He wasn’t counting on Krakatoa’s explosive eruption, however… The illustrations (also by du Bois) provide a visual representation to go along with some of the detailed descriptions of the various inventions.
My full review HERE

Hill Women Hill Women: Finding Family and a Way Forward in the Appalachian Mountains

The Growing Season – Sarah Frey – 3***
The subtitle is all the synopsis you need: How I built a New Life – and Saved an American Farm. Frey grew up on the family’s Southern Illinois farmstead, where she learned the value of hard work and determination. Wanting to leave the poverty behind, she was ready to move on, until she faced the imminent foreclosure on the family land, and decided she just couldn’t let it go. She’s a savvy businesswoman and a principled leader. Her story is interesting, but I found it somewhat repetitive.
My full review HERE

I finished my book called Into the Dark by Karen Rose

I ‘m reading Mexican Gothic. Just finished The Seven Husband Of Evelyn Hugo which I thought was really interesting.

I finished my book called A Stardance Summer by Emily March

Simon the Fiddler – Paulette Jiles – 4****
Set in Texas at the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the reconstruction period, Jiles follows Simon Boudlin and his band of iterant musicians as they try to stay alive and out of trouble, and as Simon tries to win the heart of Doris, an indentured immigrant Irish lass. Simon is a marvelous character: intelligent, quick witted, resourceful, and determined. I love the way Jiles crafts her novels. While the plot focuses on the characters and their reactions to events happening around them, the atmosphere is enhanced by her descriptions of the landscape, the food, and culture of the times.
My full review HERE

Ashfall – Mike Millens – 3.5***
As post-apocalyptic novels go, I found this one is pretty interesting, engaging and compelling. I was quickly drawn in by Alex and his situation. But the book really came alive when he meets up with Darla. I want to read more about HER!
My full review HERE

I finished my book called Remember Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury

The Death of Vivek Oji, by Akwaeke Emezi. I just started it, but so far it seems like it is going to be really interesting.

I started off the year with two great reads,

Oathbringer - my review

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - my review

I finished my book called The Healer by Dee Henderson

My review for Just After Midnight by Catherine Ryan Hyde

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

My review for Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden

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

Good evening!

After reading Travels on a Greyhound Bus by Beckie Henderson from January 1-3, 2021, I am now reading my first Jane Austen (1775-1817), Emma for a buddy read in another group. It's a good book but a bit of a slog, because there's lots of dialogue but little action. The electronic version I'm reading is the second of 50 full-length classic novels in 50 Masterpieces you have to read before you die Vol: 1.

Just started Maurice and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, both of which sound promising, but I'm most excited to continue reading Guys and Dolls and The Song of Achilles after a bit of a break. No deadlines for any of these, though it'd be nice to finish a book by February.

Just finished Nineteen Minutes (5 stars).

Now onto Gorillas in the Mist

Daisy Jones And the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid – 3***
A book within a book, that purportedly tells the story of a famous rock band of the 1970s, told as an “oral history.” It’s a love story, a history of the 1970s rock scene, a coming of age story, and a story of how addiction steals the best parts of our lives. I didn’t like the main characters. And as for plot – it just didn’t seem to be going anywhere, or at least not anywhere I wanted to go. And then I got to the ending and my breath was taken away. Those last twenty pages made me bump the rating up from 2 to 3 stars.
My full review HERE

I just finished The Lions of Fifth Avenue, by Fiona Davis. Now trying to decide between Want, Luster, or The Henna Artist.

My review for Back on Track: How one man and his dogs are changing the lives of rural kids by Bernie Shakeshaft

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

My review for Impossible: My Story by Stan Walker

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

I finished my book called Undetected by Dee Henderson

I just started The Long Walk by Stephen King and I'm about half way through We are Not Free by Traci Chee.

My review for One Last Child by Anni Taylor

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

I finished my book called Gone in Seconds by Ed James

Flash And Bones – Kathy Reichs – 3***
Book # 14 in the very popular Temperance Brennan mystery series, featuring the forensic anthropologist who splits her time between Quebec and North Carolina. Reichs is great at plotting intricate mysteries and this is no exception. There are plenty of twists and turns, old and new murders to consider, red herrings and suspects galore. My main problem with the series is that Tempe manages to get herself into serious trouble, but is always rescued by a conveniently handy big, strong man.
My full review HERE

My review for The Other Passenger by Louise Candlish

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

I finished my book called All This Time by Mikki Daughtry

Under the Mercy Trees – Heather Newton – 3.5***
Oh, what a tangled web we weave… There are so many things going on, so many secrets, so many betrayals. We have people consumed by alcohol (and/or drugs), mean-spirited control freaks, unfaithful spouses, guilty consciences, mental (and physical) illness and abject loneliness that comes with keeping all that bottled up. I’m exhausted by the effort required by these characters to hide so much and still co-exist in such tight quarters. This is Newton’s only novel; I wish there were more for me to read.
My full review HERE

Elevation – Stephen King – 4****
This was a delightful novella with an unusual plot device, but that focuses on human kindness and respect. King gives us a lesson on what it means to be a good neighbor, and how to support one another despite our differences. I like the way that they slowly come to know one another and resolve their conflicts. My edition also included a bonus short story, ”Laurie,” about a widower and his new puppy, which was a nice break from King’s well-known horror genre.
My full review HERE

I finished my book called Kill for Me by Karen Rose

Gorillas in the Mist earned 4 points.

Also finished Florence & Giles which was relly disappointing and only got 1 star.

Next on: Driving with Dead People

I finished my book called The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March

Dance Hall Of the Dead – Tony Hillerman – 3***
Book two in Hillerman’s Joe Leaphorn series, set on the Navajo nation of southwest United States. I love Joe Leaphorn as a character, and the way he deliberates before taking action. I also appreciate learning a bit of Native-American culture with each mystery. Definitely a series I’ll continue reading.
My full review HERE

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland -and- Through the Looking Glass – Lewis Carroll – 3***
Believe or not, I had never read this classic of children’s literature before. Oh, I knew the basics of the story. I certainly understand why this story is so beloved by so many legions of children. There is absurdity, fun word play, unusual situations, talking animals, and a slew of outlandish characters. Still, I think I just may be too old to really appreciate it. I just couldn’t let my imagination run wild and enjoy it
My full review HERE

I finished my book called You Belong to Me by Karen Rose

The Odds – Stewart O’Nan – 4****
Subtitle: A Love Story Art and Marian Fowler travel to Niagara Falls for a sort of second honeymoon. Their thirty-year marriage is in shambles, and they’re facing financial ruin, so, of course, they cash in their life’s savings and decide to bet it all at roulette. Oh, I love O’Nan’s writing! He gives two wonderful characters, warts and all. At the end I’m betting on THEM.
My full review HERE

I finished my book called A Mother’s Secret by Tess Stimson

My review for Outback Sisters by Rachael Johns

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

Stories I Only Tell My Friends – Rob Lowe – 3.5***
In general, I’m not a great fan of celebrity memoirs, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. From summer stock as a teen in Dayton, Ohio, to starring roles in the Brat-Pack films of the ‘80s, and on to The West Wing, I found his story engaging and interesting.
My full review HERE

Finished Driving with Dead People (4 stars) and An Irish Country Doctor (5 stars).
Nearly finished with Thirteen Moons.

I finished my book called After I'm Gone by Laura Lippman