Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

I’m reading a book called Fatality by Caroline B. Cooney

I’m reading a book called Missing Since Monday by Ann M. Martin

I’m reading a book called Garden of Angels by Lurlene McDaniel

Whimsical and lively while not losing any of the heart that grounds this novel, which celebrates the outsiders, the eccentrics that make up the fringes of society. As usual, Harris's skillfulness in describing food in the most decadent, exquisite, borderline sinful way, is out in full force, and lends itself to a central theme of the book, which is temperance vs. temptation.

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





I can't believe I considered this book boring in high school. Reading it as an adult is a whole different experience. I relate so much to Jane, as a single, introverted reader myself, who finds solace and strength in solitude, but can also be too proud and scared to seek the help or companionship that is offered.

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





Updating my review after having watched season 3 of the Netflix show. There are certain plots and character traits from both the book and the show that I liked more than the other, but ultimately, it's hard to compare the two to determine a victor because so much was changed between the source and the screen adaptation. I will say the fallout between Polin b/c of Whistledown's reveal was done better in the book, because...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have finished reading The Secret Life of Bees. I really enjoyed this book.

I’m reading a book called Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber

I’m reading a book called Home Sweet Christmas by Susan Mallery

I'm reading A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan but I'm debating switching into a reread of The Stranger by Albert Camus

I finished The Word is Murder and started Strange Sally Diamond

I have finished reading The Confession by Jessie Burton. I found it a hard book to review. I was drawn in by it and the mystery of Rose's mother who seemed to just disappear when she was a young child. I thought the two time lines of 1980-83 and 2017-18 worked well and I enjoyed the writing style. Ultimately,though I realised that I didn't really like the three main female characters and was disappointed in the ending.

I’m reading a book called Save Me by Sharon Sala

I have finished reading Lucky in Love. I found it to be a fun, Y.A. contemporary read. Maddie wins the lottery and struggles with how her life changes after this. I enjoyed the zoo setting and the developing relationship between Maddie and Seth, her co-worker at the zoo. I have been trying to learn French and I appreciated this book because it helped me learn many contemporary French words and phrases.

I’m reading a book called Heart to Heart by Lurlene McDaniel

I'm reading Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

I liked this book a lot more than Sager's previous release, The Only One Left. It's tonally completely different, more of a slow burn mystery than a Gothic dramatic thriller. It's also more realistic in it's ending/reveal. There were about 3 twists or surprise reveals that were satisfying although I did have a hunch about one of them from the very beginning.

full review:





Objectively, this book is extremely well written, the way Hardy describes the beauty, spiritual healing capabilities and ruthlessness of the pastoral/nature is one of a kind. Also impressive is his ability to so exactly convey the various hues of an emotion, and conflicting ones within the same person. That alone deserves a star. However, the characterization of the lone female protagonist, of which the men and plot revolve around, leaves much to be desired.

full review:

I’m reading a book called Prey by Lurlene McDaniel

I'm still reading and enjoying Strange Sally Diamond it wasn't what I was expecting at all but I'm intrigued where it is going.

I also started Case Histories which has grabbed me from the start

I’m reading a book called The Walk by Richard Paul Evans

I’m reading a book called The Bitter Truth by Shanora Williams

I have finished reading Country Overall, I thought it was an OK read. The writing style was a bit laboured and repetitive but I found that the story held my interest. Stephanie struggles to find herself after her adulterous husband dies and she falls in love with a country and western star.

I’m reading a book called Not My Mother by Miranda Smith

I have finished reading The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester. I loved it-my first 5 star rating on Goodreads.
This is my review

I am starting , , and

I’m reading a book called The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden

I’m reading a book called The Arrangement by Kiersten Modglin

I am reading , The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. I also have the Audio, love to have both, always hogging all the books and Audios. I am 60% done and finding the story compelling. Want to know what is happening.

I’m reading a book called Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

I've finished Strange Sally Diamond which I loved and Case Histories which didn't work in the end.

Now started Patchwork

I have finished reading Paris for One and Other Stories.I found it to be a good, light read.
This is my review.

I’m reading a book called Unstable by Alexandra Ivy

Kristine wrote: "I am reading , The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. I also have the Audio, love to have both, always hogging all the ..."

The TV show is quite a faithful adaptation.

I just finished The More the Terrier. It was another fun addition to the Andy Carpenter series with another adorable cover. I'm not sure how Rosenfelt keeps this series from getting stale, since a lot of the humor, banter, etc is repeated, but he manages it somehow.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Currently reading Here One Moment and Improbably Yours.

Jess wrote: "I've finished Strange Sally Diamond which I loved and Case Histories which didn't work in the end.

Now started Patchwork"

Glad to hear that Strange Sally Diamond was a good one! I'm on the wait list for this one :)

I’m reading a book called The Child In My House by Lucy Lawrie

I've been struggling with a reading slump so I started a bunch of books but haven't finished any of them in over a month :(.

Soldier Sailor I got 38% through this one and it's really good. It's about the difficulties of early motherhood with an non-supportive spouse. I was gripped right away but struggled to keep picking it back up. Even though I had a supportive spouse I found myself relating a lot to the main characters struggles. I don't think i've had enough time since early motherhood to get through this book so I think I'll put it aside and try it again in a few years.

I'm halfway through Natural Beauty and a little disappointed by it. The beginning started really strong, I was very invested in the main character but the middle has lost me a bit. I was hoping for a thought provoking book about consumerism and unrealistic beauty standards but currently I'm just confused as to where this book is going.

Mickey7 I started this one because it's a bookclub pick for another book group and it's mostly just been okay, I might DNF it.

In Memoriam I started this one a few days ago and its been hard to put down, it's so good! It's set during WW1 and follows two UK boarding school boys that are in love with each other but can't admit it. It is definitely one of the best books i've read in a while and I think what finally gets me out of my reading slump!

I have finished reading The Housemaid and The Midnight Library.
I found the Housemaid to be a real page turner and a challenging read. It helped to explain the second Housemaid book which I had read first.
I loved the Midnight Library with its chances to live numerous different lives.
I have started reading Weyward which I am loving so far.

Reminiscent of Mona Awad, minus the surrealist horror. Mysterious, moody, sapphic, emphasis on female frenemy-ship. The first 70% is all Gothic, literary, making love to demons in your dreams vibes, and I loved it. Then...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





The opening of the book presents some interesting viewpoints on the privatization of information and research, although naive and oversimplified (and possibly downright untrue or outdated). Facts are objective, but acquiring the resources to best study or experiment...you're always working towards the information being used or useful in some way, which makes it commodification inevitable. Unsure if...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





Eerie, hauntingly beautiful prose, just like the 1st in series, but this time around, barely-there plot. You're reading this purely for "the vibez" and the humor, because...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



No romanticization to be found here, the pastoral and "simple country living" is a harsh, dog eat dog world, where even a murder can be considered an act of mercy. Themes of...

full review here:

Kirsten wrote: "Kristine wrote: "I am reading , The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. I also have the Audio, love to have both, always..."
Kirsten~Thanks for letting me know. I finished the book and liked it. I am going to watch the AppleTV Show for sure.

I’m reading a book called Dare Me by Megan Abbott

I just started reading The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley. I’m only 40 pages in, but so far it’s been fantastic!

Just finished . Love the different style Lockwood uses. It's emotional and leaves you thinking long after you've finished.

I just started reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir last night. Really good so far!

Some other favorite reads this year have been:

A Fatal Inheritance: How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery by Lawrence Ingrassia

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Look Closer by David Ellis

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

For Blood and Money: Billionaires, Biotech, and the Quest for a Blockbuster Drug by Nathan Vardi

I've just reread The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Haven't read it since I was a child and it's still just as magical!