On The Same Page discussion

Lillie wrote: "Book #23 We Ride Upon Sticks 3.5 stars
Another Michelle recommendation and another fun one. Thanks :)
A girls hs hockey team that embraces w..."

I also need to try JD Robb. I have one or two of the Death books.

Michelle wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it Lillie. I was concerned about it at times but I felt like the ending pulled it all together. And I loved the 80's stuff. A fun one for sure, like totally! "

Love a fun 80s revisit, which this was :)

Bill wrote: "I also need to try JD Robb. I have one or two of the Death books."

Yes :) I’d love to know what you think of it. Naked in Death is the first one. I’d recommend reading this series in order, at least the first several as it builds on each previous book.

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "I also need to try JD Robb. I have one or two of the Death books."

Yes :) I’d love to know what you think of it. Naked in Death is the first one. I’d recommend reading t..."

Will do. :0)

#26 The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu 2 stars

Rats! Another book I was looking forward to and another 2 star read. Such an interesting premise, a Chinese man in the Old West set on vengeance. I'm not a reader of Westerns but I read and loved The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt. I thought this looked like the perfect book to dip my toes in that genre again. Ultimately, I felt too detached from the main character and wasn't invested in his journey. It's been nominated for several awards, so I know that others have connected with the story. Unfortunately, it was one of those books where I'm left wondering what I missed.

#27 A Marvellous Light 4 stars

Ok! And we're back :) This is a super cute romance set in a magical England in which only some of the populous knows and practices magic. I liked both Robin and Edwin and am excited cause there's going to be a book 2 and I'll get to spend so more time with them. Picked this up on whim when I saw it on the "new books" shelves at the library. Definitely brightened up my day.

Lillie wrote: "#27 A Marvellous Light 4 stars

Ok! And we're back :) This is a super cute romance set in a magical England in which only some of the populou..."

Glad you're back to 4 star reads. May a 5 star be in your immediate future.

Michelle wrote: "Glad you're back to 4 star reads. May a 5 star be in your immediate future."

Thanks :) could you hear my sigh of relief, lol

Lillie wrote: "Michelle, Lea and Alondra please let me know which of the mini series you’re going to read and what you think of them. I’d love to be able to talk about them as we’re all thinking of trying them out."

For Discworld?? I definitely will. I think I am doing the Rincewind line before doing the witches. So; The Light Fantastic is my next book.

Alondra wrote: "For Discworld?? I definitely will. I think I am doing the Rincewind line before doing the witches. So; The Light Fantastic is my next book."

Thanks for the feedback! I’m going to wait and see what you think of it. I’ve been in mystery mood lately so have been delving into that genre this week.

#28 (Jenny Cooper #1) The Coroner 3 stars

A good start to the series with lots of room to grow, it has a lot more courtroom drama than I like but that’s to be expected since one of the places a coroner works is from inside the courtroom. Jenny is a flawed woman trying to navigate her life and her new job in a fairly hostile environment. Already have the second on hold. (Found this one thanks to Bill 🙂)

#29 Everything Is Lies 3.5 stars

A daughter is confronted by the attempted murder/suicide of her parents or was it? Don’t want to give anything except to say that I really enjoyed it. Went in unexpected direction and I was happy to be on that ride.

Lillie wrote: "#28 (Jenny Cooper #1) The Coroner 3 stars

A good start to the series with lots of room to grow, it has a lot more courtroom drama than I like but tha..."

Hall does tend to throw the kitchen sink at the wall with the Cooper series, but it's still entertaining

#30 The Personal Librarian 3.5 stars

Really good historical novel about Bella da Costa Greene, JP Morgan’s librarian. We follow her through her young adult life to decades of working for JP Morgan and then after his death, for his son. Thought that Marie Bennett and Victoria Christopher Murray did a great job bringing her life and her choices, her struggles and her triumphs alive.

#31 Rhode Island Red 4 stars

I’m so happy that I bought this at the airport, something I usually don’t do. A mystery set in NYC about a street musician who finds the musician she had just spent the night with, murdered on her kitchen floor. Why hadn’t she heard it, why was he murdered, why had he hidden money in her apartment? Fast and enjoyable read.

Currently listening to L.A. Weather and The Breaker

Lillie wrote: "#31 Rhode Island Red 4 stars

I’m so happy that I bought this at the airport, something I usually don’t do. A mystery set in NYC about a street..."

I'm just getting into it. Most enjoyable so far.

Lillie wrote: "Thanks for the feedback! I’m going to wait and see what you think of it. I’ve been in mystery mood lately so have been delving into that genre this week...."

No problem. It was a little weird jumping into that world, but hopefully that won't be the case with this next book.

I’ve been listening to audiobooks non-stop for the past several days as I was doing chores/spring cleaning/etc.

#32 The Breaker 3.5 stars
My first Minette Walters but not my last one. Really liked the twists and turns this mystery offered. A woman is found dead on a beach naked while her toddler is found wandering alone on a road miles away. Who are they? How did they get separated?

#33 L.A. Weather 3.5 stars
A family drama that starts with an almost drowning and it just gets going from there. Enjoyed the interaction between the sisters and between the parents. There was something that had me rolling my eyes but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment too much.

#34 Victim 2117 4 stars

We got Assad’s backstory! And boy what a punch.

Lillie wrote: "#34 Victim 2117 (Department Q, #8) by Jussi Adler-Olsen Victim 2117 4 stars

We got Assad’s backstory! And boy what a punch...."

WHAT!!!??? I need to read this asap then!

I need to get in some spring cleaning too, bonus if I listen to some good books while I'm doing it! :-)

Lillie wrote: "I’ve been listening to audiobooks non-stop for the past several days as I was doing chores/spring cleaning/etc.

#32 The Breaker 3.5 stars
My first Minet..."

Minette Walters is one of my favorite authors of standalone mysteries. She presents such complex, fascinating stories and great characters. Glad you enjoyed The Breaker.

Lea wrote: "I need to get in some spring cleaning too, bonus if I listen to some good books while I'm doing it! :-)"

Do it! It’s the only way my spring cleaning gets done 😂

Alondra wrote: "WHAT!!!??? I need to read this asap then!"

It was so good. I know you have quite a list of books you’re reading in April but maybe in May?

Bill wrote: “ Minette Walters is one of my favorite authors of standalone mysteries. She presents such complex, fascinating stories and great characters. Glad you enjoyed The Breaker.”

Is there one you’d recommend over another?

I've read nine, including The Breaker. which I gave 5 stars to. The other one that I rated 5-stars was Disordered Minds. I gave The Echo 4.5 stars. You might like either one.

Glad you liked Minette Walters, I need to read one of hers this year

Bill wrote: "I've read nine, including The Breaker. which I gave 5 stars to. The other one that I rated 5-stars was Disordered Minds. I gave The Echo 4.5 stars. You might like either..."

Thanks! Off to go look them up

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Glad you liked Minette Walters, I need to read one of hers this year"

I'm excited to have a good new-to-me author with a nice backlist to delve into :)

#35. The Garden of Small Beginnings 3.5 stars

A novel about grief but several years after the tragedy has occurred. The grief of losing her husband is still very present for Lilian but she's slowly walking out of her fog and back to living a full life with her children again and the possibility of love. Abbi Waxman has written a very sweet book of family and love.

#36. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency 4.5 stars

Rereading this in audiobook formant was a fantastic experience. Very enjoyable. Just love how Precious Ramotswe navigates life and detecting. I'm excited to revisit this series. I just wish the tv series had lasted past the first season.

Lillie wrote: "Alondra wrote: "WHAT!!!??? I need to read this asap then!"

It was so good. I know you have quite a list of books you’re reading in April but maybe in May?"

Sounds good to me!

End of March update: 21 books consumed this month, a nice change from February. The end of the month has had me going from one audiobook to another and it's been great. Read a lot of great books this month and only 2 eh books.

Read 12 books off of my challenge lists:
Wolf Hall 4 stars (Reading Group Challenge)
Mom & Me & Mom 4.5 stars (+4 Reading Group Challenge)
Abandoned in Death 4 stars (New Releases 2022)
Light Years From Home 2 stars (New Releases 2022)
I Am Not Sidney Poitier 3.5 stars (Contemporary)
L.A. Weather 3.5 stars (Contemporary)
Enter the Aardvark 4 stars (Contemporary)
The Personal Librarian 3.5 stars (Historical)
The Color of Air 4 stars (Historical)
Everything Is Lies 3.5 stars (Mystery/Thriller)
The Breaker 3.5 stars (Mystery/Thriller)
The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu 2 stars (Fantasy)

My Free Reads were:
The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (Dirk Gently #2) 3 stars
The Last Chance Library 3.5 stars
We Ride Upon Sticks 3.5 stars
A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding #1) 4 stars
The Coroner (Jenny Cooper #1) 3 stars
Rhode Island Red (Nanette Hayes #1) 4 stars
Victim 2117 (Department Q #8) 4 stars
The Garden of Small Beginnings 3.5 stars
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (#1) 4.5 stars

Mini-review of the 2 books I finished today:
Book #37 Enter the Aardvark 4 stars
Absurd, laugh out loud, political, unrequited love and otherwise. Alternate chapters tell us stories that are only connected through a stuffed aardvark. The one in the present is about a Republican congressman who has an aardvark delivered one evening after a night with his male lover. The other is the story of the Victorian (England) taxidermist that stuffs (not sure of the exact word) the aardvark. He's sent the aardvark from South Africa from his male lover, a naturalist. Fun, quirky book.

Book #38 The Color of Air 4 stars
Heartwarming story set in Hilo, Hawaii in the early 20th Century, between WWI and WWII. Daniel grew up in Hilo but left to become a doctor in Chicago. Something happened there to bring him home again. And as he gets home Mauna Loa erupts. Alternate chapters tells us about Daniel both in the present and his family's history in the past. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Sweet, sad and lovely.

Now that looks like a good year's worth of reading, and you read it in one month, Lillie. And only two books that I've read, so here I go, rearranging the TBR...

Wow, 21 in a month!! I haven't read that many this year!!

Lillie wrote: "End of March update: 21 books consumed this month, a nice change from February. The end of the month has had me going from one audiobook to another and it's been great. Read a lot of great books th..."

Woot-Woot!! You had such a great month and not that many "meh" books. I definitely added a book or two. Kudos on all of your progress.

I can't wait to get back to Dept. Q.

Department Q has been on my list for a while. Looking at your review and the other comments, I need to put it to the top of the pile when I unpack my books in a few months' time.

You had an excellent reading month!

21 books! what a great month you had!

Lea wrote: "Now that looks like a good year's worth of reading, and you read it in one month, Lillie. And only two books that I've read, so here I go, rearranging the TBR..."

Thanks! That's why I hesitate in checking other people's status, lol. I'm always adding new books into the mix :)

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Wow, 21 in a month!! I haven't read that many this year!!"

I've been on an audiobook binge lately. I almost feel like I'm in the olden days and listening to stories on the radio :)

Alondra wrote: "Lillie wrote: "End of March update: 21 books consumed this month, a nice change from February. The end of the month has had me going from one audiobook to another and it's been great. Read a lot of..."

Thanks Alondra :)

Carolien wrote: "Department Q has been on my list for a while. Looking at your review and the other comments, I need to put it to the top of the pile when I unpack my books in a few months' time.

You had an excellent reading month!."

Yes, I hope you do get a chance to read the series. It's a good one. Good luck on your move!

Michelle wrote: "21 books! what a great month you had!"

After February, I wasn't sure how March was going to go. The books that I got from your thread are what helped with the mini slump I was in. So thank you for pointing me the right direction :)

#39 The Sun Down Motel 4.5 stars

Murder mystery, missing person, ghosts, this book had it all. My second Simone St. James but not my last. Literally gasped at one revelation, held my breath at another. Carly Kirk has come to Fell, NY to find out what happened to her aunt that worked at the Sun Down Motel, where Carly also gets a job. And then the fun begins. Thought the author wove a great story that kept me glued until the last page.

#40 The Survivors 4.5 stars

Another enjoyable mystery by Jane Harper. Though not tied into her previous series, this standalone is terrific. Kieran has come home with his wife to help his mother pack up their house. But not everyone is happy to see Kieran, including his mother. There's a murder mystery set in the present, a possible murder in the past, a missing person and 2 accidental drownings. Untangling it all is what Kieran is determined to do even if some would rather he'd let it go.

#41 Watcher in the Woods 4 stars
#42 Alone in the Wild 4 stars

The next 2 in Kelley Armstrong's Rockton series (#4 & #5). This is a fun and wild ride. Could you poke holes in this series, absolutely. Do I care, not at all. I'm having such a good time reading these and wish there were more than 7 books in the series. Listened to these on audiobook format and the narrator, Thérèse Plummer, continues to do a fantastic job.

#43 Remarkable Creatures 3.5 stars

Went into this hesitantly because I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it all. The first few chapters didn't help in that regard, very slow going. But once more time was spent on developing both Elizabeth Philpot and Mary Anning, it moved quite quickly. Elizabeth and Mary are from different worlds but come together as fossil hunters where they (Mary) find dinosaur bones. Set in the 1800s, their work was undervalued as they faced both misogyny and classism. This is their fight for recognition.

#44 The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History 3.5 stars

I'm not sure I'm going to retain all the information in this non-fiction but all the facts were truly fascinating. The author described the previous 5 extinctions and predicts that the sixth has already started in her opinion. I thought we were going to get a lot of information regarding climate change but though she considers that one factor, she was focused more on the current wave of animal and tree extinctions. Love that she included photos/drawings in the book.

#45 Arsenic and Adobo 3.5 stars

First book in Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery cozy series. Lila Macapagal, the protagonist, moves back home to help her aunt and grandma run their restaurant after having been cheated on by her boyfriend. A customer dies while eating in the restaurant and Lila is suspect #1 because said customer was an ex. I had a couple of quibbles (namely the incredibly annoying police detective, who thankfully does not become a love interest) but overall found it to be a fun and quick read. Looks like there are 2 more in the series that I'll need to put on hold.

#46 Death by Dumpling 4 stars

I enjoyed this cozy a bit more than the one above. It pulled together better for me. I liked the characters and their relationships. Again this cozy is the first in the series (Noodle Shop Mystery) and it's also set in a restaurant setting. The owner of the plaza dies after Lana Lee delivers dumplings to him from their Chinese restaurant. She's under suspicion as is the chef and she sets off trying to solve the murder. I'll be looking for the second book soon.

Currently reading & listening to:
The Red Palace
The Bromance Book Club
Fan Fiction
Taste: My Life through Food

Lillie wrote: "#43 Remarkable Creatures 3.5 stars

Went into this hesitantly because I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it all. The first few chapters didn'..."

Glad to see you liked both of these books. I read remarkable creatures some years back when my son was really into dinosaurs and we were reading a lot about the male dino discoverers. As you say parts of it were slow but at the same time parts of it have stuck with me ever since. I would say that is the mark of a good book.

I also read The Sixth Extinction a while back. Like you I didn't retain all the details but my family still laughs about how upset I was to learn that the frogs were becoming extinct and I had not heard about it. Apparently my husband and sons were all aware of the frogs plight. Why didn't I see that on the news? It was upsetting. If you are up for more, I recommend her new book Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future. You won't retain everything in that one either but it is fascinating.

Yes! The frogs! How did your family know about them? 😅

I’ll definitely check out Kolbert’s new book. Looks very interesting, thanks

Lillie wrote: "#39 The Sun Down Motel 4.5 stars

Murder mystery, missing person, ghosts, this book had it all. My second Simone St. James but not my last. L..."

I really need to read this asap. I think I am now officially the last person to do so. 🤦‍♀️

Lillie wrote: "Yes! The frogs! How did your family know about them? 😅

I’ll definitely check out Kolbert’s new book. Looks very interesting, thanks"

I would have chalked it up to messing with Mom except one of my sons was very well informed. He has been interested in animals and the environment since he was small. Still, I don't know how I missed it. I kept asking other people and they were like yes I did know that.

I did it! Read (audiobooks) the Bromance Book Club. I admit that I was so reluctant to read them but I’m glad I did. A little bit spicy, definitely some laughs and a lot of fun. Can’t wait for the next one. I did prefer Braden and Vlad’s books but still really liked Gavin and Noah’s stories.

Book #47 The Bromance Book Club 3.5 stars

Book #48 Undercover Bromance 4 stars

Book #49 Crazy Stupid Bromance 3.5 stars

Book #50 Isn't It Bromantic? 4 stars

Congrats, Lillie!! 🤗🤗🙌

Alondra wrote: "Congrats, Lillie!! 🤗🤗🙌"

Thanks Alondra :) I’m really loving audiobooks, especially when it comes to series. It really satisfies my obsessive binge watching/listening urge 😬🤣

Lillie wrote: "I did it! Read (audiobooks) the Bromance Book Club. I admit that I was so reluctant to read them but I’m glad I did. A little bit spicy, definitely some laughs and a lot of fun. Can’t wait for the ..."

Ditto on the Bromance Book Club! I'm glad you liked them. I think they are a lot of fun. Vlad is hands down my favorite character so I really liked his book. I listen to them on audio too. I was hesitant years ago when I first started listening to audiobooks but now they have become as much a part of life as reading if not more so. I don't think I have gone more than 48 hours without a book to read since I learned to read. Now audiobooks are the same. I always have one on the go.