Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Guidelines for posting in this thread

We like to see a bit of discussion about the books we are reading, rather than just posting the book link (and the occasional link to a review). The comments should include:

- Books you just started or are currently reading. You might want to add a few words about the book to let other members know whether you like it or not so far.
- Books you just finished, Please include your rating (1-5 stars) and a few words about the book (even if it's something as short as "I loved it / hated it.") If you wrote a full review, you can share the link to it but please include a short summary of your thoughts alongside it.

I'm currently about half way through Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout. It's a follow up to Olive Kitteredge, a favorite of mine from a few years ago. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. She's the same crusty old bird she was in the first book. It's good that some things stay the same! But the story has moved on with the years and you'll enjoy catching up with Olive and her life. Great author!

Just started Red, White & Royal Blue so not far in, but so far I'm enjoying it.

I'm currently reading The Silent Patient. It's about a woman who killed her husband. So far so good.

Just finished Tunnel of Bones. I hadn’t read anything by Victoria Schwab before this book & I’m glad I gave it a chance. It was definitely a great read!

I’ve just started reading Normal People by Sally Rooney ..mmm

Reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf and wondering why I am. Ick...caustic.

I just learned how to use OverDrive from the library to check out audible books. (I love audible, but I have only purchased them from audible.com).
I checked out American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century, which is a nominee this year.
It is the true crime about a serial killer who lived in Alaska. So scary and heinous. This one is graphic.
The narrator is the worst narrator I have ever heard. I can not believe she is even a narrator, she is so bad. Robotic, monotone and tries to do a "man voice".
The book is excellent, but I wouldn't recommend the audible version.

Oh, thanks for that, Vicki! I was considering the audio of that one. It sounds so interesting, but definitely one I'd listen to. I'll have to reconsider my options. Glad you figured out how to use your library's overdrive! That has saved me purchasing quite a few audiobooks.

I have just finished Orphan X and Dread Nation. I have the newest book of Orphan X to review, so I'm working my way through the series. Fortunately, I thought this one was really good. It's a bit graphic, so if that's not you're thing I'd stay away.

Dread Nation is a YA Civil War alternate history zombie story. It sounds over the top, but it was good. The alternate history took center stage and the zombies were pretty much a side story to the race relations, etc. The next book in the series comes out in February and I'm planning to read it, probably in March.

I'm currently reading a few different books. I am reading The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, Big Lies in a Small Town, and Everything is Figureoutable: How One Simple Belief Can Help Us Overcome Any Obstacle and Create Unstoppable Success.

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is for my real life bookclub. I just started it, but it grabbed my attention right away. It is set in Burma during two different timelines.

Big Lies in a Small Town is also two different timelines. One is 2018 with a girl that is trying to restore an old mural. The other is 1939-1940 when the original artist was painting the mural. I'm curious to see what happened to the artist and why the mural was never hung.

The third book, Everything is Figureoutable, is good so far too. It reminds me of something my father used to say, "If you can take it apart, you can put it back together." The author takes this type of advice and applies it to every aspect of her life.

I've only just started all three books that I'm reading, but I'm liking the writing in all of them. Hopefully, it keeps up. So far, this seems to be a good start to the year.

I just finished I loved the book. It was a five star for me. I am actually physically reading The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo . I like it so far. It is interesting. I also am physically reading the book Red White and Royal Blue. Plus in between listening to my audio books. I have hoopla and RBG digital from my library and they both have audio books for me to check out. We also have access to Overdrive but for ebooks only no audio.

I am currently reading one day in december by josie silver.
It's a very cozy winter read and by far I am really enjoying it.

I am currently reading Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain who I first began reading in 1992. This book is about two women who are separated by many years but the older woman has an effect on the younger woman. This genre is called time slip or in some cases a flashback.

I am reading the rhythm section. I saw its being turned into a movie, an action/spy kind. I wanna try to imagine things before I see the actual movie.

Currently reading Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. I saw some hype about it and then the library was shoving it in my face so I figured I'd give it a read. I'm struggling. I'm about 50% through it and it's def coming off as more of a YA romance, not what I was expecting and not particularly engaging. Unless you're a major fan of Mafi and read everything she writes, I'd give this one a pass.

On the flip side, I just finished Killer Cuts by Elaine Viets. Totally recommend her for cozy mystery lovers! And I just saw she has a new series out so I'm looking forward to reading those!

I finished The Other People and wow! What a great book. I thought it was the best C.J. Tudor book yet.
So tense... The idea of driving home and seeing your child in the back of a stranger's car is so horrifying.

my review

Vicki Willis wrote: "I finished The Other People and wow! What a great book. I thought it was the best C.J. Tudor book yet.
So tense... The idea ..."

I may add this one to my TBR. The only book I read by C.J. Tudor was The Chalk Man and I was underwhelmed. I haven't picked up any of her books since. I just see her name and think meh, but maybe I should give her another try.

about the Kentucky travelling library women. Really enjoying it and nearly done. Historical but also some romance and family relationship drama and women's issues.

I just finished The Chain on audible and I really liked it!
The chain letter thing was so popular when I was a child, the twist on that was just terrifying!
One woman's daughter was kidnapped and in order to get her back she had to kidnap someone else's child! So crazy!
I listened on audible and the narrator was excellent. I would recommend this one.

my review

Vicki Willis wrote: "I just finished The Chain on audible and I really liked it!
The chain letter thing was so popular when I was a child, the twist on that was just terr..."

I'm just waiting for the audible to come in from the library, glad to hear it's good.

Just finished and found it not so good. It further illustrates the cultural differences between the upper class and the lower classes of the Hindu society. Thought I’d try a different genre and was sadly disappointed 😔

I am currently reading The Turn of the Key. It grabbed my attention immediately with the MC's letter to another person regarding her case. I'm halfway through it after only reading for about 2 days off and on!

Cori wrote: "I am currently reading The Turn of the Key. It grabbed my attention immediately with the MC's letter to another person regarding her case. I'm halfway through it after only reading ..."

I really enjoyed that one. I have most of her books.

I’m currently reading If You Tell by Gregg Olsen. It’s a true story about how 3 sisters lived to tell about horrific childhoods at the hands of their mother. It’s very matter of fact. There’s not much character development. It feels like I’m watching a documentary in my mind as I read. It’s definitely not typical of what I normally read, but I want to see how Niki, Sami, and Tori make it to adulthood with such a terrible person for a mom.

I've just finished Jake Wolfe Series Bundle Box Set and am starting Scoring Chance : A Mile High Miners Novella today for my ebooks. For my physical books today I am also going to start The Last Wish

Just finished The Heap . I thought it dragged on too much. It felt like the author was making up the story as he went along, unsure of what twist and turn to add, but settling on something more confusing each time. Now I remember why I don’t read sci-fi.

Diane wrote: "I'm currently about half way through Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout. It's a follow up to Olive Kitteredge, a favorite of mine from a few years ago. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. Sh..."

It's on my to read list

Mervat wrote: "I'm currently reading The Silent Patient. It's about a woman who killed her husband. So far so good."

It's on my to read list too

Bonnie wrote: " about the Kentucky travelling library women. Really enjoying it and nearly done. Historical but also some romance and family relationship drama and women's i..."

I read it last month and loved it. Will put it on my list for my book discussion group to read next year.

Just finished "American Dirt" well written, great story of the immigrant journey. In spite of the controversy which I blame on the publisher

Just finished The Gate Keeper . Very well written even though I had to listen to the audio version. Highly recommend if you enjoy good mysteries. Good story line without all the graphic details that you might in more popular titles.

I am currently reading Nevermoor: The Trials Of Morrigan Crow.
I have been meaning to read this since last year finally picked it up and it's so amazing.

I'm reading Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters

I just started a river if Royal blood and i am 4chapter in.
Liking the book to my surprise as I was very skeptical before reading it because of mix reviews.

I’m currently reading Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky. I’m not liking it at all. Got about 200 more pages and it’s dragging right along. Ready to start a new book now. Lol

Caroline wrote: "I’m currently reading Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky. I’m not liking it at all. Got about 200 more pages and it’s dragging right along. Ready to start a new book now. Lol"

I've been terrible about that lately. I probably would start something new, then the slow book would sit there just waiting to be finished forever. I hope it doesn't take you too long to get through.

I just finished:
Life Will Be the Death of Me: . . . and You Too!. It was ok. I felt like there were good parts and not so good parts. The book was pretty disjointed with really sad bits mixed in with funny bits. Plus, there were bits that were supposed to be funny, but were trying too hard and missed the mark. Mostly, it felt like sitting in therapy with her. I'm not sure she knew where she was going with this book and it ended up being part memoir and part humor which never really meshed.

Red at the Bone - I thought this was just ok. Not much happened and I'm pretty sure I'll completely forget the story quickly.

Orphan X series - I binge read these. They are awesome, though they can be graphic at times. I love the story line, the MCs, and the bits of humor in the stories. I'm not sure I love where the twist at the end of the newest book is going to take us, but I'll certainly be reading the next installment.


I'm currently reading:
Big Lies in a Small Town - This is interesting so far. It's a dual time line and we're starting to see additional links between the two. I'm about halfway through and waiting to see where it goes now.

Darling Rose Gold - Also interesting so far. This takes the story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and gives it a twist. I'm really curious to see how this one turns out.

Sparrow - I've just started this and don't have much of a feel for it yet, but I'm nervous for our MC. I think she's going to make some bad decisions.

The Institute - Just started this as well, so I don't really have an opinion on it yet. I've been wanting to read this one since I first heard about it and can't wait to get into it.

I'm working on The Diviners by Libba Bray and Odd Thomas by Dean Knootz.

Michelle wrote: "I'm working on The Diviners by Libba Bray and Odd Thomas by Dean Knootz."

I really enjoyed the Odd Thomas series. He was a fun character to spend time with.

I just finished Dear Wife on audible. It was a great thriller. It had multiple POVs that intersected at some point. I gave it 4 stars.
Just don't choose audible for this. The narrator was awful.
my review

I also finished Dead to Her which is an author I really like. It was juicy and fun, but the ending was too convoluted, so I had to take off a star. I gave it 4.
my review

What did you think of it, Vicki?

Kristie wrote: "What did you think of it, Vicki?"

What did I think of what? the books?
I thought they were both good. I gave them both 4 stars. They were both worth the read for anyone who like thrillers.
(Is that what you were asking?)

Books I read this week:

Dark and Deepest Red. This was a good story. Nothing to write home about. 3 stars
Blood Bound: I almost didn't continue with the Mercy Thompson series because I thought the first book was ok. But this second book was really good - nonstop action. So, I will continue with the series. 4 stars
The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street: Read it because it was the latest book in the series. Will not continue with the series. The book was horrible. There wasn't any character development and several mysteries from a couple of books back have yet to be solved. 2 stars
My Cousin Rachel. I love Daphne du Maurier so you can't go wrong with her books. 4 stars This one though wasn't my favorite. My favorite by her is Frenchman's Creek.
Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me Unbelievable memoir. 4 stars
Things You Save in a Fire Cute contemporary romance with a little lesson thrown in. 4 stars

Currently reading Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead. It is by a Polish author and was actually written in 2009, but was just translated to English in 2018. It is really good. The writing is amazing and it's a translation!

Vicki Willis wrote: "Kristie wrote: "What did you think of it, Vicki?"

What did I think of what? the books?"

Sorry about that.
I was checking in on the app and it only showed me, "I just finished ," so I was curious what you thought of the book. Now that I'm online I can see there was a lot more to your post. I can see why my question confused you. lol

Reading books by Octavia Butler. Made it through 3 Series (Patternmaster Series, Earthseed Series, Xenogenesis Series). So interesting, unlike anything I've read before. Reading 2 more (Bloodchild and Other Stories and

I just finished
- The Handmaid's Tale which was a required reading for a RL bookclub. I couldn't get into the writing style. It's one of those books where I find the TV show way way better!!
- Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong - and What You Really Need to Know - GREAT book about what they tell you to do and not to do while being pregnant and what's the science behind it.
- Finishing up Beartown it took a while to get into it but now it's great!

Kristie wrote: "Vicki Willis wrote: "Kristie wrote: "What did you think of it, Vicki?"

What did I think of what? the books?"

Sorry about that.
I was checking in on the app and it only showed me, "I just finishe..."
Orphan X seems great. I'll try to read them soon