Book Nook Cafe discussion

Lindsey wrote:
Crying in H Mart - 5 stars
This fits prompt #56 ..."

Nice job filling another prompt, Lindsey. I'm glad you enjoyed the book. For some reason I didn't connect with the author. However, I'm in the minority.

Lindsey wrote: "I've been super busy and not keeping up with my list & the group much this month. I did finally finish my second book of the month:

Crying in H Mart - 5 stars
This fits prompt #56 ..."

Thank you, Lindsey.

Alias- was surprised actually, Perhaps I liked it more since my expectations were low going in.
I also listened to the audio and enjoyed her reading. I’m not sure if I would have been as engaged otherwise. Hard to say!

Lindsey wrote: "Alias- was surprised actually, Perhaps I liked it more since my expectations were low going in.
I also listened to the audio and enjoyed her reading. I’m not sure if I would have been as engaged ot..."

Listening to the audio can make a big difference. I've listened to many books where the audio made all the difference.
The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden was one such book. The narrator was terrific. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much as I did if I was just reading it.

I'm enjoying another audio book right now. Beginner's Mind by Yo-Yo Ma. It's a memoir and interspersed is Ma playing the cello. Love it !

Alias Reader wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Alias- was surprised actually, Perhaps I liked it more since my expectations were low going in.
I also listened to the audio and enjoyed her reading. I’m not sure if I would have be..."

Generally, I don't like audio books, but listening to Yo-Yo Ma playing the cello would be terrific! What a wonderful idea!

Oh wow, that's awesome. And so true! You've made me think of Alicia Keys' memoir where she sings periodically and (as an Alicia Keys fan) totally made the book.

Kiki - I avoided audio books for so many years. Just started maybe 1.5/2 years ago. The key for me is a decent narrator. I've returned so many audiobooks after 3 minutes due to the narrator alone.

Lindsey wrote: "Oh wow, that's awesome. And so true! You've made me think of Alicia Keys' memoir where she sings periodically and (as an Alicia Keys fan) totally made the book. "

I can see how that would add another positive dimension to her memoir.

They say at some point there will be hyper links in eBook that will, for example, let you hear or see something about what you just read.

I love that on my Kindle Fire, as I am reading, I can hop over to YouTube to see a video or Google something to get more info on something I just read in the book.

Lindsey wrote: "Oh wow, that's awesome. And so true! You've made me think of Alicia Keys' memoir where she sings periodically and (as an Alicia Keys fan) totally made the book.

Kiki - I avoided audio books for s..."

I avoid them because I am not an auditory learner at all, so I'm afraid I wouldn't get as much out of them. The Yo-Yo Ma audio book sounds good, so I might try it. I'm glad you like them, Lindsey. I can see where an excellent narrator would make all the difference.

Lindsey wrote: "I've been super busy and not keeping up with my list & the group much this month. I did finally finish my second book of the month:

Crying in H Mart - 5 stars
This fits prompt #56 ..."

Like you, Lindsey, i read the book without knowing who Zauner was. Instead i read it because the one time i was in H Mart, i was fascinated. :-)

It was good and i found the story informative, peopled with folks who seemed genuine. I'm tickled to see someone else here who liked the book. Thanks for the review.

Wow, Alias & Lindsey, thanks for sharing about the writer including her music at various points. What a splendid idea. Sometimes an author mentions a piece of music and i would appreciate a snippet, to give me a taste of it. Someday, i'm certain.

Prompt #31: Book written this year, 2023.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.

This memoir was so good. Lamya tells her story beautifully, weaving in stories from the Quran and relating them to her life, and more specifically to her identity as a queer Muslim living in the US. I found her story both moving and eye-opening. While I'd like to think I'm fully accepting of others and non-judgmental of those with Muslim, Queer or both identities, this book has definitely made me self-reflect. Lamya eloquently describes the intricacies with which she's had to navigate her life, whether in her home country, the country she grew up in, or in the US (she keeps the names of these countries hidden, but I suspect she's from Pakistan and grew up in Egypt?)

Long story short - this book was incredible. 5 stars, and I hope it keeps its momentum. Everyone would benefit from Lamya's story.

Lindsey wrote: "Prompt #31: Book written this year, 2023.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.

This memoir was so good. Lamya tells her story beautifully, weaving in stories from the Quran and ..."

Thank you for introducing me to this book, Lindsey. I'm not familiar with it but what you shared makes it sound thoughtful yet also relevant to the author's life.

Lindsey wrote: "Prompt #31: Book written this year, 2023.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.

This memoir was so good. Lamya tells her story beautifully, weaving in stories from the Quran and ..."

Nice job on the 2023 prompt. So far I haven't come across a 2023 book yet that calls to me. It's still early in the year.

Lindsey wrote: "Prompt #31: Book written this year, 2023.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.
..."

Congratulations on that prompt, Lindsey, and thank you for sharing the title and your enthusiasm with it!

Lindsey wrote: "Prompt #31: Book written this year, 2023.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.

This memoir was so good. Lamya tells her story beautifully, weaving in stories from the Quran and ..."

Thank you for sharing with us, Lindsey. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.

Alias Reader wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Prompt #31: Book written this year, 2023.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.

This memoir was so good. Lamya tells her story beautifully, weaving in stories fro..."

Alias - I had actually been waiting on The Perfumist of Paris to publish later this month, but the other one sort of fell into my lap :)

James wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Prompt #31: Book written this year, 2023.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.
..."

Congratulations on that prompt, Lindsey, and thank you for sharing the title..."

Thanks James! I love being surprised by a book (or rather, how much I end up liking a book - I hadn't known anything about this one before picking it up)

madrano wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Prompt #31: Book written this year, 2023.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H.

This memoir was so good. Lamya tells her story beautifully, weaving in stories fro..."

Yes, I agree, it felt quite thoughtfully written. I read some of the reviews after finishing the book and wasn't surprised to see the only 1-star reviews calling out (livid with) Lamya's interpretations of the Quran. I see why she writes under a pen name and protects certain pieces of information about her life/family in the book.

Lindsey wrote: "wasn't surprised to see the only 1-star reviews calling out (livid with) Lamya's interpretations of the Quran..."

I noted those, as well, Lindsey. It's a shame people cannot read the prose without hurling bad thoughts. Just disagree with the book, for pity's sake. But to write such mean reviews is shameful.

As you note, these reviews illustrate to us how wise she is to use a pen name.

Completed prompts #64 & #90 (Book outside of my comfort zone and Thriller/mystery novel) with All the Dangerous Things

I had a hard time rating this one.... I landed on 3.5, but rounded down to 3 for GR purposes. The story had all the things a good mystery should have (I suppose? I don't read much mystery).
But I guessed one of the major "twists" early on and the writing just felt a bit disjointed. I didn't really feel any emotional pull towards any of the characters and there were odd, lengthy descriptions of random things that I found a bit distracting from the story.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but probably wouldn't read this author again. Although many seemed to love it - so if you enjoy mystery, it might be great!

Lindsey wrote: "Completed prompts #64 & #90 (Book outside of my comfort zone and Thriller/mystery novel) with All the Dangerous Things

I had a hard time rating this one.... I landed on 3.5, but ro..."

Nice job on 2 more prompts !

Lindsey wrote: "Completed prompts #64 & #90 (Book outside of my comfort zone and Thriller/mystery novel) with All the Dangerous Things..."

For my money, when i figure out a rather large component of a mystery/thriller in the first chapter or two, the rest of the book leaves me cold. It sounds as though this may have happened to you, too, Lindsey. I'm not familiar with Stacy Willingham or her works. It's a shame when we go out of our way to read something different from our usual, only to be disappointed. But you tried! And eliminated two more prompts! Hurrah!

Life has been busy lately and my reading is suffering!! I'm in the middle of several books because I can't seem to get into any of them (perhaps because I can't quite devote the time to them...)

But I did just finish The Perfumist of Paris which fulfills prompt #12 "Part of a Trilogy."
I thoroughly enjoyed books 1 & 2, but this one wasn't my favorite. It was interesting getting to know Radha - who was more of a secondary character in the other books - and I simultaneously loved and was annoyed by her character.
The book didn't read quite like Joshi's first two and Radha was a bit whiney - the majority of the book was in her head/thoughts. I appreciate what Alka Joshi was going for though.
I also really loved learning about all of the different scents and parts of the perfume industry that I'd never even considered.

Forgot to mention - I gave this one 4 stars, 3.5 rounded up. Joshi's first two were 4-5 stars for me.

Lindsey wrote: "Forgot to mention - I gave this one 4 stars, 3.5 rounded up. Joshi's first two were 4-5 stars for me."

Well done on the trilogy prompt, Lindsey !

Lindsey wrote: "Forgot to mention - I gave this one 4 stars, 3.5 rounded up. Joshi's first two were 4-5 stars for me." Congratulations on ticking off another, Lindsey!

Excellent that you are doing so well with this challenge!

Lindsey wrote: "Life has been busy lately and my reading is suffering!! I'm in the middle of several books because I can't seem to get into any of them (perhaps because I can't quite devote the time to them...)

B..."

Great going, Lindsey!

Lindsey, good job on the prompt. It seems the last of the trilogy was the weakest. Pity, as it seems it should be the other way around.

#36: About Animals, F/NF:
Remarkably Bright Creatures

I gave this one 4 stars (3.5 rounded up). I enjoyed the overall story and multiple narrators-approach, but it didn't quite live up to the hype. I found each narrator endearing in their own way but didn't feel connected to any of them. Cameron's narration was whiny and quite annoying and I almost quit reading during a few of his chapters (*although I understand why the author chose this - it fit his mother/father-less past and was probably an accurate representation of a smart yet direction-less young adult).

Overall - glad I finished it. Cute story, probably more of a "beach read" than I'd intended, but nice wrapped-up happy ending.

Lindsey wrote: "#36: About Animals, F/NF:
Remarkably Bright Creatures

I gave this one 4 stars (3.5 rounded up). I enjoyed the overall story and multiple narrators-approach, but it didn't quite li..."

Sorry to hear this one wasn't a winner. I was thinking about reading it as it was a Read With Jenna selection.

Thanks, Lindsey, and congratulations on the prompt.

Alias, a friend just finished it as well and absolutely loved it. So I could be an outlier here!
To be fair, I tend to prefer non-fiction or historical fiction, so I knew going in that it wasn’t quite my genre.

Thanks James!

Lindsey wrote: "#36: About Animals, F/NF:
Remarkably Bright Creatures

I gave this one 4 stars (3.5 rounded up). I enjoyed the overall story and multiple narrators-approach, but it didn't quite li..."

Well done, Lindsey. I know you struggled with it. As you note, for some readers it was outstanding. I’m not drawn to it, so will probably never know.

RE: Remarkably Bright Creatures

Lindsey wrote: "Alias, a friend just finished it as well and absolutely loved it. So I could be an outlier here!
To be fair, I tend to prefer non-fiction or historical fiction, so I knew going in that it wasn’t q..."

I'm losing my mind. I was confusing Remarkable Bright Creatures with another book. I did read it back in 2022. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

That said, I also prefer non fiction. I've had this one on my TBR list since I read Remarkable Bright Creatures. I wanted to read a NF book on them. It may interest you.
The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery

#83) Book by a Famous Author I've never read -
Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King & Richard Chizmar

I think this also fits the prompt for Novella? It was a quick read - exactly what I've been needing as I slog through a few others!

James wrote a fantastic synopsis of this trilogy, so please check out his book list! His review convinced me to attempt my first Stephen King book & I was not disappointed.

Thanks for sharing about this, Lindsey. And we’ll done with this prompt!

I am glad you enjoyed that one, Lindsey! I wanted to mention that if horror and the supernatural are not necessarily something that folks gravitate towards, King's 1982 collection of four previously unpublished novellas, Different Seasons, contains some great stories that are not horror-centric. You might recognize some that were made into feature films: "The Body" (Stand By Me); "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" (The Shawshank Redemption); and "Apt Pupil" (Apt Pupil).

Lindsey wrote: "#83) Book by a Famous Author I've never read -
Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King & Richard Chizmar

I think this also fits the prompt for Novella?..."

I've not read this King novella. Thanks for the title. I've put it in my TBR notebook.

James wrote: Different Seasons, contains some great stories that are not horror-centric. You might recognize some that were made into feature films: "The Body" (Stand By Me); "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" (The Shawshank Redemption); and "Apt Pupil" (Apt Pupil).
.."

I'm not familiar with Apt Pupil. I'll note it in my TBR book. Thanks, James !

I’ve read two of those novellas but particularly remember The Body, which was well written. It reminded me of my own youth, friends and adventures.

James wrote: "I am glad you enjoyed that one, Lindsey! I wanted to mention that if horror and the supernatural are not necessarily something that folks gravitate towards, King's 1982 collection of four previousl..."

Thanks for sharing James! I've steered clear of King's books since I watched IT (as a 7yo - not a great decision), but I'd love to read some of his less-horror-centric work (which is apparently quite a bit more than I realized).

Thank you!

Thank you, James.

Updating my list with two recent reads:

1) The Covenant of Water - 5 stars
I love Verghese's story-telling and writing style. This is a long book ping-ponging between various characters and time, but it's so well done and a beautifully told story. This might be a winner for any Ken Follett fans (similar in that both authors write very long stories with well-developed characters, but different in that Abraham Verghese 's novels take place in India)

This one fits prompt #18: A city I'd love to visit (Kerala / Malabar Coast of S India)


2) Let Me Hear a Rhyme - 5 stars
I love everything written by Tiffany D. Jackson. Her work is technically "young adult" but suitable for any audience really. This specific novel follows 3 teens in Brooklyn following the murder of their friend/brother. They attempt to get a record deal for their beloved friend while keeping his death a secret (& attempting to uncover what really happened). Each chapter is told from one of the 3 friends' perspectives which made the story even more intriguing.

There's also some fun nostalgia/pop culture built in for any fellow 80s babies/90s kids who grew up in a city/urban setting like me.

Let Me Hear a Rhyme fits prompt #30 for Music theme and #40 for YA

One more for prompt #65: Containing recipes/cooking related

The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen - 5 stars

This is technically a cookbook, but it also serves as a sort of memoir for the author Joanne Lee Molinaro.

She starts out with an introduction to her life, her family and the influence food and family has had on her. There are stories and tidbits/notes throughout the book, hidden between recipes like little gems to discover. She includes family photos and the sources of her inspiration for many of the recipes as well.
The cover and food photography is also stunning.

Lindsey wrote: "One more for prompt #65: Containing recipes/cooking related..."

Congratulations on the latest four prompts, Lindsey, and thanks for your comments. Your praise for The Covenant of Water has been echoed by others whom I have heard from about the book, and it is going on my want-to-read list.

Lindsey wrote: "One more for prompt #65: Containing recipes/cooking related

The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen - 5 stars

This is technically a cookbook, but it..."

Well done, Lindsey. A prompt and I hope some good recipes for you to try.

Lindsey, congratulations on the successful prompts. The Jackson novel sounds good to me and i’m adding it to my TBR.

Reading cookbooks with autobiographical background is a pleasure, imo. When photos are included—all thumbs up!

Thanks for sharing about these selections.

Completed prompt #4: Book chosen simply for its cover
Before the Coffee Gets Cold

Someone in this group mentioned this book, but I can't remember who. The cover & title were so charming, I added it to my TBR without even reading the description. I'm so glad I did - I'm already onto the second book in the series and loving these sweet stories.