On The Same Page discussion

Michelle wrote: "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."

Same on the audiobooks and now I'm listening to them at 2x or a little bit faster speed. Started listening to audiobooks beginning in March of 2020 when we were quarantined/shelter in place because the physical books were out of reach. And now I alternate between physical books, audiobooks and binge watching series :)

Speaking of audiobooks, 5/6 recently read were audiobooks

#51 Fan Fiction 3.5 stars
Brent Spiner is a funny man with an out there sense of humor. This seems to be a tongue in cheek "memoir" of him dealing with an obsessed fan of his character Data. It seems as though it's a compilation of several fan characters merged into one and zaniness ensues. His personality shines through in this audiobook and it doesn't hurt that several of his cast mates voice themselves.

#52 The Girls on the Shore 2 stars
Disappointing short story in the, fairly new, Two Rivers series by Ann Cleeves. Essentially Matthew Venn finds 2 abandoned girls on the beach outside of his house. How they came to be there and why is the mystery. Since it's a short story, it felt incomplete. Yes, we do get the answers but it's not satisfying. Also, don't think this should count as a book but that's goodreads for you.

#53 Like a Sister 4 stars/physical book
Good mystery about a reality/influencer who gets killed. Desiree Pierce seemly dies of suicide but her half-sister, Lena Scott doesn't believe it. Though they were estranged at the time of Desiree's death, Lena does her utmost to find her sister's killer. Along the way, we explore Lena's familial relationships, in particular with her dad. Looking forward to Kellye Garrett's future books.

#54 Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder 3 stars
Started and abandoned this last year but for some reason it felt like the right time to read this. Mystery and fantasy mix in this detective series. Marion Lane is recruited to work in a detective agency that is housed in the underground tunnels in London in the 1950s. Liked it enough to read the second book.

#55 Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose 3.5 stars
Now that we're more familiar with Marion Lane and her friends and colleagues, this one flowed much better. I'm still trying to wrap my head around some of the fantastical elements but in the end I decided that I do like the series and am looking forward to the next release.

#56 Grave Reservations 2.5 stars
Ok book, about a psychic travel agent who helps a police detective solve a murder after she changes his plane ticket because she has a premonition about the first plane crashing. Felt his taking her along on suspect interviews unrealistic. No idea if I'll continue with the series.

Last 2 books read were difficult reads but definitely worth the emotional investment, both being, at the core, about grief.

Book #58 The Swimmers 4 stars
A fictional account of a mother/daughter relationship seen from both perspectives with the first part about the swim pool club that the mother belongs to. The first section is told in second person (we) while the remains 2 sections are in third person. A very short book/audiobook that packs a punch about dementia and its impact on individuals. For a bit I really thought I was listening to someone's memoir, it felt so real. It also made me want to hug both my mom and daughter at the same time.

#59 Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 4 stars
Oh boy. I was misty eyed the entire time I was reading this. Had a lump in my throat as well as being so angry at the police's non action in these missing women's cases. This was about the now dubbed Highway of Tears in Canada where too many Indigenous women have gone missing or murdered. The same attitude is, unfortunately, on this side of the border. I'm going to be doing some research today to see where things stand in 2022, to see if there has been any kind of change since 2019 when this book was published. I have a feeling book club will be a heavy one tonight. The author has done a great job conveying the grief the families continue to be in decades after their loved one went missing.

Forgot to include

Book #57 The Red Palace 4 stars

YA mystery set in Korea. This is the second book I’ve read by the author. Both standalones were set in historical Korea and neither were disappointments. A nurse in the Royal compound comes across a murder scene and her mentor has been accused of the crime. Interesting reading about the complexities of the situation, who she is, how she ended up there, who the investigator is and who the perpetrator is. Looking forward to the author’s next book.

You're having a great year, Lillie.

Bill wrote: "You're having a great year, Lillie."

Thanks! I think it helps that I stop reading any book that I’m not enjoying so it ends up skewing my ratings higher 😂

Books #60, 61 and 62 were written by Callie Hutton, her series is called A Victorian Book Club Mystery. Fun little cozies set at the end of the 19th century England. 3 stars


Book #63 4 stars
Sixth in the continuing series about Rockton, a secret town in the Yukon that's set up to hide people from danger for a price. This time the mystery involves a dead stranger found near the town who seems to have known about its top secret location. How did she get there and why.

Book #64 4 stars
The description of the book reads, "Sixth Sense meets Stranger Things" and I like that but I would add "set in a dystopian Scotland". There are ghosts and magic and a hidden library in a dystopian world. Ropa, the protagonist, is a teen who's had to drop out of high school to help her family. She talks to ghosts who want her to bring messages to their families. Her discovery of the hidden library changes her world. Looks like this is the first in this fantasy series.

Book #65 4.5 stars
Again, I like the description of the book, " a fantasy about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with". It's that and so much more, it's about loss, change, family, and grief. What surprised me the most was that it made me both laugh and cry. I've never read this author before but I'd love to read more of their work.

Book #66 3 stars
Second book in the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series. I like this cozy series. And I, especially, like that the author includes recipes at the end :)

Book #67 and #68 the last two books of the Millennium series that started with . The last 3 books were written by a different author as the original author passed away. Though I absolutely loved the first 3 (written by Steig Larrson), I think that David Lagercrantz has done a decent job.
3.5 stars for both

Book #69 3.5 stars
Second book in A Noodle Shop Mystery series. I'm concurrently reading 2 cozy mystery series whose backdrop is a restaurant and I'm constantly hungry!! I've been trying to figure out why I like this series slightly more and I think it might be because of the relationship aspects. This one is a bit more focused on the mystery.

Happy May Day! Wrap up for April, it's been a pretty good reading month but that's mainly due to audiobooks.

Total read: 31, 24 audiobooks, 6 physical, 1 ebook
Challenge lists: 8 books read
Best Book of the month: The Sun Down Motel
Worst Book: Grave Reservations
Series read (started/continued/finished): 10

Series :
Watcher in the Woods (Rockton #4) 4 stars
Alone in the Wild (Rockton #5) 4 stars
A Stranger in Town (Rockton #6) 4 stars

Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #1) 3.5 stars
Homicide and Halo-Halo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #2) 3 stars

Death by Dumpling (A Noodle Shop Mystery #1) 4 stars
Dim Sum of All Fears (A Noodle Shop Mystery #2) 3.5 stars

The Bromance Book Club (Bromance Book Club #1) 3.5 stars
Undercover Bromance (Bromance Book Club #2) 3.5 stars
Crazy Stupid Bromance (Bromance Book Club #3) 3.5 stars
Isn't It Bromantic? (Bromance Book Club #4) 4 stars

The Girls on the Shore (Two Rivers #2.5)

Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder (Marion Lane #1) 3 stars
Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose (Marion Lane #2) 3 stars

Grave Reservations (The Book Agents #1) 2 stars (unless someone says that book 2 and beyond are better, I'm one and done)

A Study in Murder (A Victorian Book Club Mystery #1) 3 stars
The Sign of Death (A Victorian Book Club Mystery #2) 3 stars
The Mystery of Albert E. Finch (A Victorian Book Club Mystery #3) 3 stars

The Library of the Dead (Edinburgh Nights #1) 4 stars (looking forward to #2)

The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye (Millennium #5) 3.5 stars
The Girl Who Lived Twice (Millennium #6) 3.5 stars

Currently Reading:
Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan
Nemesis Games (The Expanse #5)
The Good Turn (Cormac Reilly #3)
The Deepest of Secrets (Rockton #7)

We'll see what May brings, my mom's visiting and my daughter's flying home from her study abroad. I'm envisioning more family time/less reading time?

Wow, that's more than my yearly total! Enjoy May, I think after the last couple of years, more family time than reading time may be quite a good thing

Amazing month Lillie. Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan sounds interesting.

Happy May!

Good grief! 31 books; audio or no; that is a lot! Kudos!

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Wow, that's more than my yearly total! Enjoy May, I think after the last couple of years, more family time than reading time may be quite a good thing"

Looking forward to the visits. Lots of gossiping that needs to get done. Books can wait till they leave :)

〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "Amazing month Lillie. Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan sounds interesting.

Happy May!"

Thanks! Happy May to you :)

It's a really fascinating book. I'm taking my time reading it because I end up reading about a country and then I have to google it.

Alondra wrote: "Good grief! 31 books; audio or no; that is a lot! Kudos!"

Thanks Alondra :) It was a good month and probably will end up being my highest reading month. Taking advantage of the quiet before summer

Book #70 The Good Turn

Third book in the Cormac Reilly series set in Ireland. In this one we follow two mysteries, one of which I liked more than the other one. The first mystery had to do with older people dying in possibly mysterious circumstances. The how and why was the traditional murder mystery which I preferred. The second had to do with police corruption that has been in the background for the previous two novels. I’m glad that it’s been resolved. Having said that, I do recommend this series. Have enjoyed the author’s writing and have already put the fourth on hold.

Lillie wrote: "Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Wow, that's more than my yearly total! Enjoy May, I think after the last couple of years, more family time than reading time may be quite a good thing"

Looking forwar..."

Definitely, books will always be there, family time has been a rarity in recent times.

Lillie wrote: "Book #70 The Good Turn

Third book in the Cormac Reilly series set in Ireland. In this one we follow two mysteries, one of which I liked more than..."

Good grief, the first book is already on my tbr. I swear I don't remember adding it. 😩🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤣

Alondra wrote: "Good grief, the first book is already on my tbr. I swear I don't remember adding it. 😩🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤣"

Love it! 😂

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Definitely, books will always be there, family time has been a rarity in recent times. "

It’s been a really nice visit. Have managed to read bits of different books but nothing completed yet.

Book #71 The Candid Life of Meena Dave 3.5 stars

Really enjoyed this while I was reading it but I did completely forget I read it until I was reviewing my read lists. Gave it a 4 initially but I'm taking 1/2 star for forgetting. Anyway, this is definitely candy with enough serious to touch your heart. Meena is a young, orphaned adoptee whose adoptive parents died when she was 16. To further complicate matters, she's a POC woman adopted by white parents who didn't give her any cultural information. She inherits an apartment in an apartment complex (house divided into 4 apartments) with Gujarati neighbors. Who are they to her? Why did she get left the apartment? It's sweet and a little sad at the same time. Perfect summer reading.

Book #72 Nemesis Games 4.5 stars

Another fantastic book in a great science fiction series! This series just keeps getting better and better. Although it took me several weeks to get through the first 100 pages (that was on me, not the book or the writing, I knew I would have to dedicate time to fall into the world again), I sat down last evening intending to read for a couple of hours but I became completely absorbed in the lives of Holden, Naomi, Alex and Amos (alternating chapters between them) as they went on shore leave. Finished it last night and realized it was 2 am. Haven't done that in a long time! And it shows, I'm exhausted today, lol
*posted same mini review in the Tomes section

What an amazing month, Lillie! If you like Tita Rosie's recipes, you may want to try Tannie Maria, the closest thing to a cozy mystery series in South Africa. The first in the series is Recipes for Love and Murder. The chocolate cake recipe has become my default one. Tita even translates to Tannie in Afrikaans.

Carolien wrote: "What an amazing month, Lillie! If you like Tita Rosie's recipes, you may want to try Tannie Maria, the closest thing to a cozy mystery series in South Africa. The first in the series is Recipes for Love and Murder. The chocolate cake recipe has become my default one. Tita even translates to Tannie in Afrikaans."

Thanks Carolien! Based on your recommendation, I've gone and borrowed the audiobook from my library :)

Book #73 Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments (Edinburgh Nights #2) 3.5 stars audiobook

Second book in the YA fantasy/mystery series set in Edinburgh in the dystopian future in a world of magic. Ropa is once again called upon to figure out what's happening, this time with a mysterious "ailment". Was it brought it on by magic? By ghosts? As a ghost talker and a magician's apprentice, she sets out to find out. Almost Scooby Do like with her sidekicks (friends and fox). Fun.

Book #74 The Polish Detective (Dania Goska #1) 3.5 stars ebook

A DI, who transferred up to Dundee from the Met expecting a slower pace, has a murder case where the victim is displayed as a scarecrow. Who is she? Was it because she was a Druid that she was murdered? Was it ritualistic or something else? As the investigation progresses, Dania runs into road blocks from her own police department, her investigative journalist brother, a laird as well as fighting the growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the months before the Brexit vote. Solid mystery (view spoiler)[with a twist I was not anticipating, right at the end (hide spoiler)]

Book #75 Recipes for Love and Murder 3.5 stars audiobook

Thank you Carolien for recommending this series. Was able to get the audiobook in no time and started listening right away. At the beginning I thought I was in for a nice cozy but before we got in too far it started delving into more serious matters (view spoiler)[domestic violence, grief (hide spoiler)]. It seamlessly incorporated the funny, the serious and everything in between. Will definitely be looking for the second in the series but will be looking for the physical or ebook because of all the recipes included at the end.

Book #76 The Kind Worth Killing 3.5 stars physical book

Not a genre I read a lot of, suspense/thriller, but it was a book club choice. Was worried that I wouldn’t like it at all but it was actually kind of fun with the multiple unreliable narrators. It was twisty and turvy enough to keep my attention. This was definitely a better book by this author than the last one I read (Eight Perfect Murders) which I had had high expectations for.

Lillie wrote: "Book #75 Recipes for Love and Murder 3.5 stars audiobook

Thank you Carolien for recommending this series. Was able to get the audi..."

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, you need to have the books to make the recipes!

Book #77 Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations 4.5 stars audiobook

This spoke to me in a way other non-fiction books haven't this year. Hit close to home. As a 1.5 gen immigrant (immigrated as a minor child), I felt what the author wrote about - the 2000 elections, the 2016 elections, her in-laws blatant blindness of how it would all affect her and her children. She, as well as so many others, have been like Cassandra, of Greek mythology, screaming into the void. I'll leave it here and just say if you'd like to read something that speaks of the POC immigrant experience here in the US, I recommend this very short but powerful book.

Book #78 The Vital Abyss 3 stars ebook

Interesting short story about the “mad” scientists who started everything by messing around with alien technology. They’ve been imprisoned but one of them is needed to explain how they went about their experiments. As always, do short stories really count as a book?

Book #79 Girl with a Pearl Earring 4 stars audiobook reread

Loved rereading this imagined story of how Vermeer came to paint his famous painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring. Chevalier really knows how to weave a tale and transport the reader to The Netherlands in the 1600.

Book #80 The Paradox Hotel 4.5 stars audiobook

Fun time travel novel with a hotel detective, time slips, a hidden room and a dead body nobody else sees. Don’t really want to say more in case I spoil anything but if you’re looking for a sci-fi to read, I’d say give it a try.

Currently Reading:
so far a fun summer read
still reading this. I’m always slower with non-fiction cause I need to have time to process it all
this one’s taking me a long time. Not liking it but it’s on my challenge list so…
listening to the audiobook. Took me a bit to get into it but yup, I remember the magic

In the Queue:
(audiobooks)

I really enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea and Possession is on my TBR. And my TBR just increased by 5 books so I can not wait for your reviews, lol. You my friend are a literary enabler and I thank you for that! 💖📚💖

Lillie wrote: "Book #72 Nemesis Games (The Expanse, #5) by James S.A. Corey Nemesis Games 4.5 stars

Another fantastic book in a great science fiction series! This series just keeps getting better and better..."

I need to hit book 2 soon. I love that everyone is continuing to enjoy the series.

I added the Polish Detective, amongst others.... *cough*

〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "I really enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea and Possession is on my TBR. And my TBR just increased by 5 books so I can not wait for your reviews, lol. You my friend are a literary enabler and I thank you for that! 💖📚💖"

I think we're all as "bad" as each other, lol. I know that every time I look at someone's update, my list gets longer

Hope you enjoy the books you've added 🤞🏼

Alondra wrote: "I added the Polish Detective, amongst others.... *cough*"

I have no idea what you're talking about...hehe

Book #81 Book Lovers 3.5 stars physical book

Cute summery romance. Definitely wished I was at the beach reading this. Perfect for when you need a lighter book. Made me smile.

Book #82 The No-Show 3 stars physical book

Liked it, didn't love it but it was easy to read. Con - hard to follow the timeline/story. Pros - I did like the characters overall and once I figured out what was going on, liked the story. I think some of my negative feelings stem from thinking this was going to be a light summer romp and it wasn't.

Stop it. my TBR list is going to explode!

Alissa wrote: "Stop it. my TBR list is going to explode!"

I know what you mean! I’ve read at least 20 books not on my challenge list cause I keep looking at what you all have read. I have the “ooooh look shiny books” syndrome.

Book #83 A Darker Shade of Magic 4 stars audiobook reread

I completely blame Bill for this reread ;) Had read it back in 2016 and I did not get the hype. Or maybe because it was hyped that I didn’t give it a chance. Saw that it was available at the library so I got it without expectations. Yeah, it was fun and I’m on the waitlist for book 2. Thanks Bill :)

Lillie wrote: "Book #83 A Darker Shade of Magic 4 stars audiobook reread

I completely blame Bill for this reread ;) Had read it back in 2016 and I did..."

Glad to help. I've got #2 on my bookshelf now.

Lillie wrote: "I have the “ooooh look shiny books” syndrome.

saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame!

Lea wrote: "I was super grumpy when I read Possession last time. Somebody told me the book was made for me, I had sky high expectations. I do want to read it again, with a more reasonable set of expectations and see if I still think it is 3 stars. I suspect I would like it better if I re-read it today."

Lea, just saw this post again from the beginning of the year and I’m going agree, it is not what I remembered it to be. For a short time it was and then I came across a trope I absolutely hate (view spoiler)[adultry - did not remember this (hide spoiler)] and now I’m at 60% of the way through and wondering how I’m going to make it to the end. I’m a little bit sad.

Book #84 Inheritance: A Visual Poem 5 stars print book

I’m convinced that Acevedo can’t write a bad book. So far I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her. This is a poem directed to children and beautifully done. Loved the poem and the illustrations. Read it several times since it’s so short.

Lillie wrote: "Lea, just saw this post again from the beginning of the year and I’m going agree, it is not what I remembered it to be. For a short time it was and then I came across a trope I absolutely hate (view spoiler) and now I’m at 60% of the way through and wondering how I’m going to make it to the end. I’m a little bit sad."

Oh, no. I forgot that same bit, but I bet that is what bugged me about the book in the first place. Have you read anything else by the author? I haven't. It's such a commitment to read such long books - I have to be sure that I'm going to love them.

Lea wrote: "Oh, no. I forgot that same bit, but I bet that is what bugged me about the book in the first place. Have you read anything else by the author? I haven't. It's such a commitment to read such long books - I have to be sure that I'm going to love them."

I have read several back when I loved Possession. I’d have to reread them in order to recommend them. I know there was one that dealt with *trigger warning* (view spoiler)[incest (hide spoiler)] But can’t remember which one. I’d skip her unless someone else is passionate about the author.

Lillie wrote: "I have read several back when I loved Possession. I’d have to reread them in order to recommend them. I know there was one that dealt with *trigger warning* (view spoiler) But can’t remember which one. I’d skip her unless someone else is passionate about the author."

Thank you, that helps me decide just to pass reading more at this time. There are none I'm dying to read...

I have The Poet X on my shelf. I'm looking forward to trying it, especially now.

Bill wrote: "I have The Poet X on my shelf. I'm looking forward to trying it, especially now."

It's a fantastic book! Hope you enjoy it

#85 Possession 3.5 stars 5/26/22

This was a reread for me and I didn't love it as I had the first time. It's still beautifully written but the story just didn't pull me in the same way as it had the first time I read it. I'll admit that (view spoiler)[adultery (hide spoiler)] plots really bothered me and, unfortunately, that overshadowed everything. I was really struggling about it for a good portion of the book. It's just not romantic to me, at all. Do I regret rereading something that I had sworn I absolutely loved? No, I'm always interested to see if a book holds up over time. Recent rereads that have held up:

Book #86 Mudbound 2 stars

This book took way too long to read as I kept putting it down and never wanting to pick it up again. The friend who gave it to me, had said that I would love it, I didn't. Again, my expectations vs what I experienced tripped me up. In the end, the writing didn't pull me in. It was ok.

It might feel like it is just you, but don't be fooled. If I was to make a shelf of books that I thought I'd like a lot better than I actually did, both Possession and Mudbound would be on it. Hope your next book is a surprise in the other direction. :-)

Lea wrote: "It might feel like it is just you, but don't be fooled. If I was to make a shelf of books that I thought I'd like a lot better than I actually did, both Possession and Mudbound would be on it. Hope your next book is a surprise in the other direction. :-)"

Thank goodness I'm not alone in how I feel! Sometimes I end up feeling that I've read a completely different book than others. But this group has really made me realize that we all perceive things based on our own histories/experiences. I mean I knew that but everyone here has brought that home in a kind way.