Book Nook Cafe discussion

Isn't that the way, Michele? My first few years with this group my To Be Read list grew by over 150 books! I slowed down after that and a currently trying to weed it. Waaay too many for my remaining years.

We used to call that condition STABLE. stash accumulation beyond life expectancy

Michele wrote: "We used to call that condition STABLE. stash accumulation beyond life expectancy"

:)

LOL, Michele! True.

The Bitterroots
C.J. Box
4/5 stars
Cassie Dewell, who is now living and working in Montana as a private investigator in her own practice. Asked to investigate a rape, she now has to come up against the Kleinsassers’ family dynasty and Blake Kleinsasser, the one who is accused of raping his niece. Hard to put down! Cassie Dewell Series

This sounds like a good series, Julie. I like reading your reviews of them. Thanks for sharing.

Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire's Wife, and the Murder of the Century
Roseanne Montillo
4/5 stars
This was the fascinating, true story about the death of a millionaire's wife, Ann Woodward in the 50's and the role Truman Capote figured into her death. Books Off of My Never-Ending Reading List

Julie, you find the most interesting books. This sounds like a good one. Thank you. Love the category, btw. Clever.

Julie wrote: "
[book:Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire's Wife, and the Murder of the ..."

I know one of my friends would love this. Thanks for the title, Julie.

Laughing Matters
Larry Gelbart
3/5 stars
Larry Gelbart, who brought the series M*A*S*H to television, relates his career in show business, the movies and TV Series he was involved in and the people he worked with. I liked it but parts of it dragged on. Books About Film/Television

Isn't it unfortunate that a comedy writer's book would drag? One would think that one thing he'd learned in his work was to avoid drag.

Regardless, his television work will stand on its own for years. Thanks for the comments, Julie.

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
[book:Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire's Wife, and the ..."

I remember reading about the Woodward murder years and years ago. I should look it up and see if it is the same book. I know it's the same crime!
Michele

Michele wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
[book:Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Million..."

This was published in November of 2022.

Thanks! This one might be worth reading. I can't find what I thought was a book on Google, so I must have read a long magazine feature or something, but I remember it vividly. Thanks for the memory.

Last Chain On Billie: How One Extraordinary Elephant Escaped the Big Top
Carol Bradley
4/5 stars
Bradley relates the tale of the elephant Billie who was captured in Asia and taken to the states to perform in circuses in the most horrible of conditions and who eventually with a lot of help is released into an animal sanctuary. The author also details the cause of animal rights, those who helped and those who tried to rig the system in their favor. Animals

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir
Paul Newman
4/5 stars
Wonderful autobiography written by Newman about his life but in between his chapters, his family and friends also contributed their thoughts. They then were compiled by Stewart Stern. I liked the way they set this up and enjoyed reading about him.

I would like to read this one day. He was a favorite of mine, and I liked the idea of including the impressions of family and friends. Thanks for sharing.

Julie wrote: "
Last Chain On Billie: How One Extraordinary Elephant Escaped the Big Top
[author:Carol ..."

I'm so happy the Ringling Brothers Circus phased out the use of elephants in 2016.

Julie wrote: "
The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir
Paul Newman
4/5 stars
Wonderful autobi..."

I'm glad to see this new is book good.

My favorite movie with him is, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He was so handsome.

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir
Paul Newman
4/5 stars
Wo..."

I don't really have a favorite Paul Newman movie, but I did love CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.

Battleship: A Daring Heiress, a Teenage Jockey, and America's Horse
Dorothy Ours
4/5 stars
This is a fascinating true story, mainly set in the 30's and 40's, that features Marion duPont, a wealthy woman who lived for her horses and the racing industry; Bruce Hobbs, a 17-year-old jockey who was raised by his father who was also a jockey and a horse named Battleship who becomes the unlikely hero of this book. Very interesting! Extraordinary Women

Julie wrote: "
Battleship: A Daring Heiress, a Teenage Jockey, and America's Horse
[author:Dorothy Ours|523..."


I really enjoy seeing how you fill your prompts. I didn't know about this bit of history.

Julie wrote: "
The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir Paul Newman
4/5 stars"

The story of how the book came to be is really interesting, as well https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/16/bo....

Thanks for the article, James !

Julie, thanks for sharing about the books you've read toward completing your challenge. Elephants, Horses and Newman--three adorable critters!

Neat article, James. It seems a wonderful way to celebrate his life, as well as including his own thoughts.

Julie wrote: "
Battleship: A Daring Heiress, a Teenage Jockey, and America's Horse
[author:Dorothy Ours|523..."

That sounds interesting, Julie, and I love horses but don't like horse racing! So, good job in interesting even me. :-)

Finding Me
Viola Davis
4/5 stars
Davis, who is an actress, relates her life of poverty as a child and how she got out of it and became an award winning actress who won awards in all the major entertainment categories. This was a fascinating read! I could have put this in my films category but this seemed to be needed to be put in the Extraordinary Women Category.
Extraordinary Women

Neat category move, Julie. I've wondered about her book. The cover is striking and reminds me of how little i know beyond her acting. Thanks for sharing about it.

Julie wrote: "
Finding Me
Viola Davis
4/5 stars
Davis, who is an actress, relates her life of poverty as a child and how she got out of it and beca..."

I saw her on The View when the book came out. She was so interesting. I put it on my TBR list but haven't gotten around to it. I'll have to move it up the list. Thanks for the reminder.

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
Finding Me
Viola Davis
4/5 stars
Davis, who is an actress, relates her life of poverty as a child and how she got out ..."
I read this in a few days cause I couldn't put it down!

Julie wrote: "I read this in a few days cause I couldn't put it down!..."



That says Much, Julie!

Julie wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
Finding Me
Viola Davis
4/5 stars
Davis, who is an actress, relates her life of poverty as a child..."

Glad you liked it, Julie. I will read it when I have time.

The True Tails of Baker and Taylor: The Library Cats Who Left Their Pawprints on a Small Town . . . and the World
Jan Louch
5/5 stars
What a wonderful story about a library who took in two Scottish Fold cats, Baker and Taylor. The library and the patrons embraced them and let them live in their library. After the cats were photographed for a poster they became minor celebrities and their fans traveled to the library to see them or write letters to them. Animals

Julie wrote: "
[book:The True Tails of Baker and Taylor: The Library Cats Who..."

I've never heard of a Scottish Fold cat. I had to look them up. They come in various colors. Here is a grey one. So cute !


Here is the Wiki on them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottis...

Precious. The book sounds neat, too.

Lighthouse Island
Paulette Jiles
3/5 stars
This story revolves around Nadia, who was left by her mother and father and ended up living in an orphanage. But now she is grown up and on her own. She believes that her family is now on Lighthouse Island. She meets up with James Orotov who makes maps. They decide to try and find Lighthouse Island while evading arrest. Will the island be refuge they think it will be? Interesting concept but not my favorite book of hers. Paulette Jiles Book

I have also found that some of her books appeal to me more than others. I think that's why I so seldom read every book by even a favorite author.
Michele

Ditto, Michele. I have Jiles’s The Color of Lightning on my prompt list this year. Hope it’s a winner.

Thanks for the comments about Lighthouse, Julie.

madrano wrote: "Ditto, Michele. I have Jiles’s The Color of Lightning on my prompt list this year. Hope it’s a winner.

Thanks for the comments about Lighthouse, Julie."

News of the World and Simon the Fiddler were very good!

Loved News— my sole Jiles, thus far.

Becoming
Michelle Obama
5/5 stars
This is a fascinating look at Michelle Obama’s life from her childhood growing up in Chicago, meeting Barack and through her role as First Lady of the White House. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it will definitely be on top of my favorites list. Extraordinary Women

Julie wrote: "
Becoming
Michelle Obama
5/5 stars
This is a fascinating look at Michelle Obama’s life from her childhood growing up in Chicago, meetin..."

I totally agree. It was a wonderful memoir. She seems so down to earth. I also gave it 5/5 stars.

It was an engaging book.

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
[book:The True Tails of Baker and Taylor: The Li..."

Darling kitten, Alias. I hadn't heard of the breed, either. I have a huge Maine Coon cat myself.

I’m allergic to cats. One of many later-in-life allergies, sad to report. Still, they are cute to admire.

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote I hadn't heard of the breed, either. I have a huge Maine Coon cat myself."


My niece has a cat that is part Norwegian Forrest and part Maine Coon. It's huge !

I had to look up the Norwegian Forest. While i didn’t know the name, a friend of ours had one. What a large cat.

Killing Mr. Griffin
Lois Duncan
4/5 stars
A group of students in Mr. Griffin's class are tired of his berating them. So, a few of them decide to prank him and they tie him up and kidnap him. Unfortunately, things go horribly wrong and now they have to cover up their tracks. Very well written and a fast read! Banned Book

Julie wrote: "
Killing Mr. Griffin
Lois Duncan
4/5 stars
A group of students in Mr. Griffin's class are tired of his berating them. So, a few of..."

Sounds like a good one Julie. You description reminded me of the movie 9 to 5 where they kidnap the boss.

I just checked and my library only has the audio. Do you think this would be an easy book to follow on audio? (for me that is not a lot of characters and linear plot). Thanks !

I see Audible also has it free with my membership. :)