You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Currently reading Vortex

ReadingThe Huntress

Renee wrote: "ReadingThe Huntress"

I thought this one was excellent. I really love Kate Quinn's writing.

I'm listening to The Illustrated Man

John Boyne finally wrote an adult sequel to his much-loved The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and it is terrific! All the Broken Places is older sister Gretel's 'autobiography' from when she was the 12-year-old daughter of a Nazi officer, then passing as French in Australia, and finally to the age of 92 in London. What a story!
5★ My review of All the Broken Places

Patty, your link isn't working.

That book sounds so interesting to me, but I didn't care for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I can't decide if I want to give it a try or not.

I’m reading a book called Stolen Justice by Robin James

I started listening to Hyde. I am really impressed with the narrator, James Cosmo. I have not listened to enough to really tell what is going on, but I like the MC. It feels like I should have saved it for next month, but it was in my wish list and available from my library.

Kristie wrote: "Patty, your link isn't working.

That book sounds so interesting to me, but I didn't care for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I can't decide if I want to give it a try or not."

I fixed the link, thanks, Kristie. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was written for kids and took place in Poland. This is a very different, adult story. I had no idea he was planning to follow up the first one.

I’m reading a book called Midnight Betrayal by Melinda Leigh

I just finished Lessons in Chemistry which is a book I never wouldn't have picked up on my own, but someone on my June Toppler team (I don't remember who) left a really great review when they read it and so I put it on my TBR and I just LOVED it! Thanks again YLTO for adding to my wonderful book list!

My library is having a virtual author talk with the author of Lessons in Chemistry next month. I’m going to try to get to it before that. I’ve heard good things about it and the discussion will probably be interesting.

Kristie wrote: "My library is having a virtual author talk with the author of Lessons in Chemistry next month. I’m going to try to get to it before that. I’ve heard good things about it and the discussion will pro..."

I enjoy the discussions with authors, and I agree I like to read the book first, if possible,

Elizabeth Strout's Lucy Barton returns in her new book, Lucy by the Sea, where ex-husband William takes her to Maine to escape the pandemic which has brought New York City to its knees. It's American, real and current, but the relationship strengths and strains go beyond geographical boundaries and times. Families are families. Neighbours are neighbours.
5★ My review of Lucy by the Sea

Hands is a moving short story from Sherwood Anderson's highly regarded collection, Winesburg, Ohio (1919). Wing Biddlebaum doesn't understand what is wrong with his hands, but it's obvious to the rest of us.
4★ My review of Hands with a link to where you can download the story

Katrisa wrote: "I just finished Lessons in Chemistry which is a book I never wouldn't have picked up on my own, but someone on my June Toppler team (I don't remember who) left a really great review..."


This is so good to read. I just got this book from the library. I picked it up and put it down. I finally selected it. Sounds like i made a good choice

I am readingThe Keeper of Lost Things It is okay. I like the story but it it is not what I am in the mood for. It is for r a book group. Most times I would be loving the book. But right now if one of the chars says lovely cup of tea again I am going to spit

I decided to give up on A Plague of Giants. I had no clue what character was speaking, and what was going on. It was co-narrated by Luke Daniels and Xe Sands. I guess it would have helped to look at the accompanying pdf. when I did, I didn't find it all that helpful - the number of characters with strange spellings just did my head in. Maybe I'll try it again someday.

Instead, I will start Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race tomorrow when we start the Banned Books week.

Janice wrote: "I decided to give up on A Plague of Giants. I had no clue what character was speaking, and what was going on. It was co-narrated by Luke Daniels and Xe Sands. I guess it would have ..."

I gave up on this one too. I'm not a huge fantasy reader, so I thought maybe it was just me. If I recall, I just couldn't get into it. My review says it's one I planned to try again, but I never did. It's still on my 'maybe read' shelf.

My grandson was disappointed that I gave up on it because he loves the series. Thing is, I'm struggling these days. I know understand what it means to have brain fog. This last week has been tough. It's a little hard to concentrate on a complicated book. Ty thought the audiobook didn't help because again - many characters with ridiculous names. He says the first book sets up the world and the history.

I finished a book. At last! Finished River Marked and immediately started and fijished The Rosie Project. Woohoo. I thinkni need some light hearted comedy type books with a bit of feel good perhaps. Any recs, would be much appreciated. Thinkni might attempt The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo as loads of you have rated it highly and Ienjoyed the previous book by the author.

I’m reading a book called What She Doesn't See by Debra Webb

I'll be starting a new slate of books. I finished Blackbird Fly on Kindle and Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race on audiobook.

I will start Highland Conquest on Kindle. It will replace A Plague of Giants which I abandoned. It's for my road trip so had to get a replacement.

I till start A Dress of Violet Taffeta on audiobook tomorrow. It's a 2022 release.

One should always pay attention to what the animals are doing. Jack London is well-known for his tales of the frozen north, and his short story, To Build a Fire, is colder and more desperate than most.
4★ My review of To Build a Fire

Pre-teen (ALMOST 13!) Ricky Bird is struggling with parents' split, sick little brother, and moving to a different estate in another part of London. Aussie author Diane Connell's The Improbable Life of Ricky Bird deals with many difficult subjects. I think it would be a good YA read.
3★ My review

How I could have missed C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in my childhood is beyond me. Surely someone should have directed me to it! It's still fun, of course. Better late, etc. 😊
5★ My review

On a completely different note, No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy is only for seasoned readers. Simple, direct, and violent, but thought-provokingly tender in places. Phenomenal writer.
5★ My review

From the Earth to the Moon and 'Round the Moon

I’m reading a book called A Cowboy for Keeps by Laura Drake

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "On a completely different note, No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy is only for seasoned readers. Simple, direct, and violent, but thought-provokingly tender in pla..."

I agree - what a phenomenal writer. I just finished Cities of the Plain and have read a few of his other books. I intend reading the new ones The Passenger and Stella Maris

Just finished reading Point of Impact - by Stephen Hunter. I had watched the movie adaptation starring Mark Wahlberg earlier, and loved the movie. The book is even more awesome!! Looking forward to reading the second book in the series now. Also reading Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep...but thats on my work laptop as an ebook...during breaks at work!

I'm starting two new books today, Murder at Half Moon Gate on audiobook, and Written in Red on kindle.

I started Educated for my real life book club. The meeting was yesterday actually, but I still plan to finish the book.

Finished reading "Black Light" - the second book in the Bob Lee Swagger thriller series. Starting on the third book- "Time To Hunt"!! Hope it is as exciting as the first two books in the series!!

I am reading The Lincoln Highway for my book club that meets in two days. So far, it's really good.

Our real life book club has Love is a Wild Assault for the next choice. I haven't started it yet and it's a long one.

I had never even heard of that one, Roz. I hope you love it and it goes quickly for you. The Lincoln Highway is pretty chunky too at 576 pages.

I just jointed the group so I had no input into suggesting books at this point. The September book was The Four Winds and since I had already read it, I could participate with some intelligence. I've never heard of this one either. Hope it's good.

Roz wrote: "Our real life book club has Love is a Wild Assault for the next choice. I haven't started it yet and it's a long one."
That looks like it might fit the task in the Annual Challenge for a book set in Texas with a horse in the story. From the blurb I can’t really tell how much is set in Texas, or if there’s a horse the story. When you read it, would you mind letting me know please?

Sure, Shirley. I'll let you know what I think of it and if it'll fit the Challenge.

Roz wrote: "Sure, Shirley. I'll let you know what I think of it and if it'll fit the Challenge."
Thanks Roz.

Our next book for our bookclub is The Pallbearers Club. It's got a low rating, but then it's a new release. I like Paul Tremblay, so I hope it's good. I'll read it next month.

The group I'm in has books planned until the end of the year (don't remember what they are) and at our next meeting we're supposed to bring in 2 suggestions for next year. I'm thinking Take My Hand and Project Hail Mary, but I don't know how the group feels about science fiction.

I have The Lincoln Highway in one and Lost Roses in my other. I know next month is Hamnet in one, but I don't know the other. I already read Hamnet for my other book club and really enjoyed it. We should be having some good discussions.

Roz wrote: "The group I'm in has books planned until the end of the year (don't remember what they are) and at our next meeting we're supposed to bring in 2 suggestions for next year. I'm thinking Take M..."</i>I have [book:Take My Hand for my Book Club in October.

Janice wrote: "Our next book for our bookclub is The Pallbearers Club. It's got a low rating, but then it's a new release. I like Paul Tremblay, so I hope it's good. I'll read it next month."
I like the sound of that one, so I put it on my TBR. I've read The Cabin at the End of the World but I gave it 3 stars. I can't remember why.

I've been reading some James Joyce stories and finding them easy to read, entertaining and thought-provoking. You don't need to be some kind of literary critic to enjoy them, although goodness knows they have been extensively studied (not by me 😊).

Araby is about a tongue-tied young boy's crush on his friend's sister. Delightful and bittersweet.
5★ My review of Araby

Another, longer James Joyce story is The Dead which takes place during Christmas/New Year's festivities in the early 1900s. Thought-provoking ending.
5★ My review of The Dead