Pick-a-Shelf discussion

How was your visit to Greece?

I read Poems and Fragments by Sappho. 5 stars: absolutely beautiful, a true shame we don't have more. My favorite: "For the Graces prefer those who are wearing flowers, And turn away from those who go uncrowned."

I nominate dark academia.

I read Awakened which is book #8 in the Eternal Guardians series by Elisabeth Naughton.
4 Stars
I really enjoy the original way that she has included Greek Mythology into this series and some of the lesser known tales and characters such as the horai, and Atalanta and the Argonauts.

This specific book continues an ongoing story arc and I am hoping the next book will be published soon so that I can see how things work out.

Shelf nomination - historical mystery

I read Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore
4 stars
Review: This is a bit of a take off on Midsummer's Night Dream on crack. Pocket and his group have washed up on Greece's shore and is soon going to perform at the Duke's minister's daughter Hermia and Lysander. But she doesn't want to marry him. The Duke decrees that she will be executed. Unfortunately Pocket declares the Duke's decree is stupid and causes them to escape with their lives and goes into the fairy realm by accident where even more craziness happens. It was a fun read. But if you dislike cursing you will not like this as the work f..k is used many, many times. But I was fine with it.

Used in: Seriously Serial 2021
I nominate: Music

The Spice Box Letters by Eve Makis

I have to give this 3-1/2 stars, but I'll up it to 4 for Goodreads as this is such an important topic.

I really enjoyed it, but I think it jumped around too much with each chapter. The story itself was so very heartbreaking, but I had to think at the start of each chapter who was talking, what year it was, and where the story was taking place (the majority on Cyprus). Having read Chris Bojalian’s “The Sandcastle Girls” and another book or two, I was already aware of the atrocities committed against Armenians. This is definitely a good read for those wanting to know more about the attempted genocide of these people.

Shelf nomination: I'll second Historical Mystery.

I read Murder in Mykonos for a quick Greek mystery. I liked it ok. The mystery was good, and I enjoyed getting to know the protagonist. But there was a bit too much grisly detail about what the perp did to their victims. I could've done without that, and probably won't continue with the series if it looks like it will be part of the pattern for them.

I still hope to read at least one of my non-fiction books about refugees in Greece, but those will be slower going.

I read The Song of Achilles and unlike most readers I didn't care much for this retelling. I guess I don't like passive characters and worse if their relationship resolves solely around the more dominant person. Sad and disappointed in this one. Hoping reading the original will be a better experience.

I read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - book 1 in the Percy Jackson series.

3.5*

A tweenage boy discovers that he is the son of a Greek God. This book is obviously very popular and well known, and it's been on my tbr forever. It was pretty simplistic, but i guess that's to be expected when you read a kids book! Still entertaining and well enough written.

Used for seriously serial, let's book it, and trim that tbr
I nominate books-about-books

I read Circe [20-feb-2021] ★★★★

I've always enjoyed Greek Mythology, and this one was told in a beautiful way. It's an interesting story about Circe, who is a lesser nymph. Some parts of the book I liked less, yet I was curious about what would happen next and wanted to keep reading.

Used for:
Let's book it - february

I'd like to nominate: steampunk

Lusie wrote: "I read Circe [20-feb-2021] ★★★★

I've always enjoyed Greek Mythology, and this one was told in a beautiful way. It's an interesting story about Circe, who is a lesser nymph. Some pa..."

It was a favorite of mine too.

Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare ★★★½

Timon of Athens is a rich man who likes to give away money, jewels, and lots of other expensive things to his "friends". Only, he doesn't understand his funds are not unlimited, so he ends up in debt, but suddenly his "friends" are not friends anymore and refuse to help him. He subsequently goes to live in a cave and starts hating all men. I didn't know this play, but I have an ebook with all Shakespeare's works and there it was. I really liked it, although of course it's nowhere near as good as his most famous plays. Still, I would recommend it to those who love Shakespeare.

*

Used for Trim That TBR.

I nominate food.

I read The Island by Victoria Hislop
3 stars



There is a nice little blurb with the book :)

If you have never read a novel that has to do with leper colonies, this is a good one. It's historical fiction, primarily set from the 1930s to the late 1960s, and much of it is set on the island of Spinalonga, although it's now called Kalydon. However, it's not just the story of people sent there, it is a family drama/saga story and much of it is set in what must be a fictional town of Plaka, because I can't find a Plaka in the right area of Crete to fit with the story (or else the town's name has changed).

The book starts off in the early 21st century when Alexis, half Greek and half British, goes to her mother's home town and looks up her best friend to find out her mother's story (it's all been secretive) and start learning about her great grandmother, Eleni, her great grandfather, et al from her grandmother's best friend who knows it all.

I nominate feel good

I read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. It was ok. Just ok. For whatever reason I really couldn't get into it. Maybe I just wasn't feeling this type of book at the time. I think I liked the movie a bit better which is a rarity. I give 3 stars for my middle of the road feelings.

I nominate Fae.

I read A Thousand Ships. I loved it. I think it's my favorite Trojan War retelling of all the ones written in the last few years.

Book: Secret Seduction - 02.13 ★★★
# Tags: 1



Review: This was really just blah for me even though it was one of my favorite genres. The seduction wasn't so secret and the suspense part of the story wasn't all that suspenseful. There is a slight twist at the end that peaked my interest enough to read on to the next book. We'll see if things pick up in the next one
Challenges: n/a
Nomination: romantic suspense

Christina wrote: "I read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. It was ok. Just ok. For whatever reason I really couldn't get into it. Maybe I just wasn't feeling t..."

It's probably because you saw the movie first, although it could be the latter. I enjoyed these when I read them, but my daughters (or one of them if not both) were/was also reading them I think. I don't think they are something I would enjoy reading twice, though, and I am not sure if I'll ever watch the move or not.

I read The Two Faces of January by Patricia Highsmith. I gave it 3*.

I enjoyed the story but I didn't care much for any of the characters. Chester was a crooked con man who murdered. Colette was shallow and never fully formed as a person. And, Rydal...well, I never really figured him out.

For most of the book, the setting was Greece and Crete, however it ended in France. I wish it had been more about the people or countries than about the poor behavior of Americans in those places.

Nomination: female authors

I also read Circe by Madeline Miller. ★★★★


I really enjoyed the book and have added The Song of Achilles to my TBR! I was worried I might get lost in the characters, but found it enjoyable and couldn't wait to turn the next page.

Nomination: biography

I finished The Pericles Commission (The Athenian Mysteries #1) last night

★★★
I do like the setting in ancient Athens and all the cultural/political within context. I did struggle with the names at times. A number of times I had to stop and think who that person was etc. The mystery was quite interesting especially the opening scene. I am interested to follow Nicolaus' progress with his chosen career path.