Book Nook Cafe discussion

Edible Stories
Mark Kurlansky
4/5 stars
This is quite an interesting book. Kurlansky has written 16 tales (short stories) and each one highlights a different food. The stories are quite odd but it kept my attention to see how they end and I loved that all the characters were quite different with their own personalities and quirks! I have read several of Kurlansky's non-fiction books and loved them but I never knew he wrote fiction too. E

My library is heavy on science, religion, languages and math but not so much on history, so the British Empire isn't there. Oddly, though, South America has two entries.

Ready for a Brand New Beat: How Dancing in the Street Became the Anthem for a Changing America
Mark Kurlansky
4/5 stars
In this book, Kurlansky explores the phenomenon of how Motown and the song “Dancing in the Street” changed music in a turbulent time in the US in the 1960’s. Kurlansky also explores the events of the time period including the rise of the Beatles, Vietnam, the Civil Rights Act and changes in politics. Kurlansky is never boring to me and I enjoy his unusual book topics! R

Thanks, Julie. This book sounds like a stroll down Memory Lane that i could relish. I hope i can find it in my library for my "book featuring Music" selection on my DL.

Hardcore Twenty-Four
Janet Evanovich
3.5/5 stars
Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter is on the case when bodies show up without any heads. Diesel, a former associate shows up to help in the case to track down the killer. There is never a dull moment in Plum’s life.
I have been a big fan of this series but it has been awhile since I have read the next volume in the series.

This is not in my challenge but I found that I was getting behind on the series and since it is just a fast read, I grabbed a copy and read it.

Julie wrote: "
[book:Ready for a Brand New Beat: How Dancing in the Street Became the Anthem for..."

Thanks - my library has the ebook!

John wrote: "Julie wrote: "
[book:Ready for a Brand New Beat: How Dancing in the Street Became ..."

Great!

Julie, i've been using my between book time to catch up on cozy mystery series, too. They are fast and a good palate cleanser. Hmm. Should there be a new phrase for that--lens cleanser, maybe?

Alas, my library doesn't have Brand New Beat. *sigh*

madrano wrote: "Alas, my library doesn't have Brand New Beat. *sigh*"

Is there a Suggest Purchase option at their website?

No, there isn't, which is disappointing. I'm going in tomorrow, so i'll ask. They are still iffy about interlibrary loans, too. Some they send out & others they don't. They seem vague about the reasoning.

madrano wrote: "No, there isn't, which is disappointing. I'm going in tomorrow, so i'll ask. They are still iffy about interlibrary loans, too. Some they send out & others they don't. They seem vague about the rea..."

The book came out this year so maybe they will get it. Do they interlibrary loan?

They take requests now for interlibrary loans but many are refused, due to Covid. I find that interesting but perhaps it's about personnel.

Back around the time of the 2008 economic crash our library instituted a $5 "copayment" toward the cost of each inter-library loan.

John, we lived in a small Texas town at the time and they, too, charged a payment, $3, i believe. I haven't heard anything about that in some time, although my present library has a disclaimer in the Interlibrary Loan section of their website, which states they have the right to do so.

madrano wrote: "John, we lived in a small Texas town at the time and they, too, charged a payment, $3, i believe. I haven't heard anything about that in some time, although my present library has a disclaimer in t..."

We don't charge for interlibrary loan in our library system. We have a large library system and if we can't find it in our system, we can go out of the system.

Julie, i have been part of two county library systems and i find them wonderfully equipped. Over the space of a combined 18 years i only used interlibrary loan twice. Miss that!

The Underground Railroad
Colson Whitehead
4/5 stars
This is the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Colson Whitehead about the life of Cora, a slave on a planation in Georgia. Cora is able to escape her planation with a fellow slave, Caesar who has knowledge of the Underground Railroad and the book follows her life in those turbulent times. Wonderfully written, it pulls you in the minute you start reading! A book that was nominated for one of the 10 Most Coveted Literary Prizes in the World

I have yet to read this one, Julie. I've heard raves about it, as well as his The Nickel Boys. However, i read his earlier books (The Intuitionist and Zone One, both of which i liked very much.

I again this week was reminded that he is one of only four novelists to win the Pulitzer for Literature twice. Pretty good company--William Faulkner, Booth Tarkington and John Updike. Well done.

madrano wrote: "I have yet to read this one, Julie. I've heard raves about it, as well as his The Nickel Boys. However, i read his earlier books (The Intuitionist and [book:Zone One|10..."

I did not know he wrote The Nickel Boys. I will have to add that to my reading list!

Glad to add to your list, Julie. Is there an Evil Smile emoji?

madrano wrote: "Glad to add to your list, Julie. Is there an Evil Smile emoji?"

Probably!

Vanish
Tess Gerritsen
4/5 stars
Jane Rizzoli is a homicide detective and is on the verge of having her first child at the hospital when she is entrapped into a hostage situation with a woman who was brought into the hospital in a body bag but still alive. Gerritsen weaves a tale of desperation that keeps you reading on to find out what is going on! V

This sounds like an exciting book, Julie. Had you read any others in the series? All i know about it is the tv program, which i didn't watch.

madrano wrote: "This sounds like an exciting book, Julie. Had you read any others in the series? All i know about it is the tv program, which i didn't watch."

I picked it because I needed a title that started with V. I never realized it was associated with the TV series till started reading it. I may have seen a couple of episodes but when it aired I was working evening shifts. I would read more of the books-this one really pulled you in right away!

Neat, Julie. I think this is one of the fun aspects of such reading lists.

Every Secret Thing
Laura Lippman
4/5 stars
Alice Manning and Ronnie Fuller were childhood “friends”. After being kicked out of a birthday party they ended up walking home. On the way they find a young baby on a street porch alone. Thinking it was abandoned they took the child and hid her and the baby ends up dead. The two girls are convicted and the story picks up from their release from juvenile detention. Now another child has disappeared and the girls are suspected in the case. Compelling story! E

I am done with my challenge and am on to my every growing reading list!

Way to go, Julie! I'm impressed how you tackled such a big list before the end of the year!

Lippman writes these stories well. One feels caught up in the characters and injustices faced. My daughter is a big fan of LL's.

Julie wrote: "I am done with my challenge and am on to my every growing reading list!.."

Congrats, Julie!

Thanks everyone!

In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox
Carol Burnett
3.5/5 stars
Carol Burnett talks about her show The Carol Burnett Show, highlights some of the famous guests who appeared on it, her fabulous cast and some of her favorite episodes during the eleven years of the show’s run. Definitely for fans of her show! I enjoyed it. From My Unending Reading List

Julie wrote: "
In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox
[a..."

That Gone with the Wind skit was a classic

Carol Burnett Reflects on 'Went With the Wind'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFZav...

That has to have been the best skit ever! It sounds like fun reading, Julie.

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
[book:In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbo..."

Thanks for posting that video-I haven't seen it in years!

Compulsion
Jonathan Kellerman
3/5 stars
Alex Delaware, psychologist, hooks up with his old colleague Detective Milo Sturgis to search for a missing young woman, tries to solve the cases of an ex-school teacher who was killed in her driveway and solve the cases of two dead women found in a beauty shop. Are the cases linked and who did it? Full of details, you will be guessing to the very end. Not my favorite book of the series but never boring! From My Never Ending Reading List

For some reason reading such stories, where one is uncertain if cases are from the same killer or not, appeal to me very much. I suppose it's the old conspiracy theorist in me, eh?

Julie wrote: "
Compulsion
Jonathan Kellerman
3/5 stars
Alex Delaware, psychologist, hooks up with his old colleague Detective Milo Sturgis to search fo..."

I used to purchase and read the Alex Delaware books in hardcover as soon as they came out. I did enjoy them but after awhile they were too similar. I have that issue with all series. It's been years since I read one. I need to remember to read one when I need a change from my usual reads.

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
Compulsion
Jonathan Kellerman
3/5 stars
Alex Delaware, psychologist, hooks up with his old colleague Detective Milo Sturgi..."

I have been trying to catch up with some of the series books I read.

When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People
Jeannie Gaffigan
4/5 stars
In 2017 Jeannie Gaffigan loses the hearing in her one ear. Putting it off because of just being too busy, she finally goes to the doctor and finds out that she has a brain tumor and must undergo brain surgery. Her husband Jim cancels all his concerts, takes over the household and gathers up all her family and friends to help out. Very heartwarming and at times very funny!

Alias, i know what you mean about similarities. I used to just skim past those parts but then i asked myself why i was bothering. Why not just read something else. Duh.

Then, when (if) i return to them, i can see if i was just "in a mood" or if the writer just couldn't reach further.

What a story, Julie. I'm sure there is plenty of humor, as that asset helps us through so much.

Julie wrote: "
When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People
..."

Her Husband is funny. Thanks for bringing the book to my attention.

Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White
Tim Reid
4/5 stars
Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen talk about their lives as stand up comics and as the first comedy duo who were interracial. This was a fascinating look at their lives growing up, how they met and started to perform together, how audiences responded to them and how they ended up eventually parting ways. Tom remained a comedian and was the opener to Frank Sinatra concerts while Tim moved on to TV in WKRP in Cincinnati and Frank's Place. This book is still relevant today.

Julie wrote: "
Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White
Tim Reid
4/5 stars
Tim Reid and Tom Dreese..."
Forgot to add that it was written in 2008.

I only know Reid from WKRP. I'm glad he wrote about this.

Barely a Lady
Eileen Dreyer
3.5/5 stars
During the War of 1815 in Europe, Olivia Grace who is divorced from her husband finds him unconscious on a battlefield in the enemy's uniform. Despite her misgivings, she rescues and brings him to the place where she is staying with friends and relatives. When he wakes up he does not remember their divorce and tries to resume their relationship but he is still in danger and they cannot reveal his condition or where he is at to others. Romance fans will probably enjoy this!

When Breath Becomes Air
Paul Kalanithi
5/5 stars
This is the wonderfully written autobiographical book by and about Paul Kalanithi’s life and his struggle with cancer which ends his life at the age of 36. The epilogue written by his wife lets the readers know what occurred at the end of his life. I am probably one of the last to have read this book but it was so inspirational and thought provoking that I had to praise this to all of you have not read it.

I remember reading about Kalanithi's book just after cancer struck our own family, so we all seemed to ignore the book. I'm glad you wrote about your impression of it, Julie, as a reminder it is available to us.

Blindman's Bluff
Faye Kellerman
4/5 stars
A gruesome killing of a billionaire sends LAPD Peter Decker and his crew investigating the family and the people he surrounded around himself. It has been awhile since I read the an installment of the Decker and Lazarus series and I really enjoyed it!