Book Nook Cafe discussion

Well done on another prompt, Julie.

Sounds good. Well done, Julie.

Gun Games
Faye Kellerman
4/5 stars
Peter and Rina get involved in a death, revolving around a young man Gregory Hesse. His mother Wendy does not believe that he killed himself and feels some else killed him. Mystery

Sounds good. Well accomplished, Julie.

Well done on the prompt, Julie.

How Did I Get Here?: A Memoir by
Bruce McCall
3/5 stars
This is the interesting memoir of Bruce McCall who became a writer/artist. He wrote for National Lampoon and also for Saturday Night Live. Memoir/Biography

Julie wrote: "
How Did I Get Here?: A Memoir by
Bruce McCall
3/5 stars
This is the interesting memoir of Bruce McCall who became..."

Well done on another prompt, Julie.

Good title for a memoir. Congratulations on your continuing progress, Julie.

The Patron Saint of Liars
Ann Patchett
4/5 stars
In Kentucky, there was St. Elizabeth, a nun's home for unwed mothers. A young woman, Rose became pregnant, and she came to stay there while she gave birth to her child, Cecilia though she was wed. She wanted to give up her child. However, she stayed there and made a place for herself but Rose's past eventually comes to her new home. 1992

Well done on another prompt, Julie. This sounds like a good read.

Good book, Julie.

That was my first Patchett. I liked it quite a bit but have really liked the subsequent books, so no longer try.

Continued success with your Challenge.

Water Moon
Samantha Sotto Yambao
3.5/5 stars
Charming book! "On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones—those who are lost—will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets." Synopsis from Amazon Science Fiction

Julie wrote: "
Water Moon
Samantha Sotto Yambao
3.5/5 stars
Charming book! "On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find i..."

Sounds like an excellent book for the prompt.

Intriguing synopsis. Clearly, you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing about it here.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Chris Crutcher
3/5 stars
Sara and Eric have been friends for years. Unfortunately, Sarah is now in the hospital. Eric is determined to find out what is wrong and what her secret is. Well-written. 1993

Interesting synopsis on Goodreads, just tempting enough. Thank you for sharing about it, Julie.

Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
Deborah Heiligman
4/5 stars
This is the true story of Charles and Emma Darwin. Darwin, who believed in evolution, which was a very big controversial issue in 1859. This is a young adult novel but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Biography

I love YA books for non fiction and bios. After I read them, then I can decide if I want more info and read more.

Thanks for this title.

Neat, Julie. Thanks for sharing the title.

And Congratulations on your Continued Progress on the Challenge.

Every Day Is a Gift: A Memoir
by Tammy Duckworth
5/5 stars
Great autobiography of Tammy Duckworth in which she includes her family life, her life in the military, her role in government and her devastating loss of her legs. Biography

I didn't realize she'd written a book. I look forward to reading it. Thank you, Julie.

And "well done".

Julie wrote: "
Every Day Is a Gift: A Memoir
by Tammy Duckworth
5/5 stars
Great autobiography of Tammy Duckworth in which she i..."

I do enjoy memoirs. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I do admire her attitude. That positive outlook is similar to the memoir Lucky Man Michael J. Fox I'm adding the Duckworth book to my TBR notebook.

Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches
Tim Matheson
4/5 stars
I have always admired Tim Matheson and have enjoyed his work in the movie industry. In this book he talks about his life as an actor, director and his family! Biographies and Memoirs

Julie wrote: "
Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches
[author:Tim Matheson|10444..."

Good job on the memoir prompt.

I have to say, I've no idea who Tim Matheson is. 🤪 I had to google him.

Julie wrote: "
Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches
[author:Tim Matheson|10444..."

I wish more actors whose names are not well known would write their memoirs. Thanks to Animal House, Matheson is a face i recognize but his career has been more steady than outstanding. We've seen him in a number of programs & think he does a good job.

ANYway, thanks for noting this title for us, Julie.

Bridie and Finn
Harry Cauley
3/5 stars
This is a lovely story about Bridie and Finn set in New Jersey in the 1940's during war time. However, Bridie reveals a truth that will change their lives. 1994

Very nice selection for the 1994 prompt !

Well accomplished, Julie. I've not heard of the book or the author but i am curious. Thanks for sharing.

Strange Bedpersons
Jennifer Crusie
3/5 stars
Tess Newhart is attractive to two men but each has their own personalities. Who will she choose! Fiction

Well done on another prompt, Julie !

Thanks for sharing, Julie. Congrats on your continued progress with your Challenge.

The Unworthy
Agustina Bazterrica
3/5 stars
This was an unusual science fiction story set in a catastrophic world in a convent. As a nun delves into her past she must try to find her past history and how she got into the Sacred Sisterhood. Not my favorite book but interesting. Science Fiction

It certainly sounds like a different plot, Julie. Sorry it didn't meet expectations. Good job on the prompt !

This sounds like a different approach to Sci-fi. Adding it to my TBR.

When the Moon Hits Your Eye
John Scalzi
3/5 stars
A science fiction tale about the moon which has turned into cheese! The citizens of Earth view it many different ways, from profiting from it, to spiritual redemption. Interesting! Books Off My Reading List

I am having a difficult time picking books this year and the ones I want are not available when I want to read them!

Julie wrote: "
When the Moon Hits Your Eye
John Scalzi
3/5 stars
A science fiction tale about the moon which has turned into cheese..."

The song came immediately to my mind. :)

Dean Martin - That's Amore (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUz1p...

Cute premise, Julie. Thanks for the title.

Julie wrote: "I am having a difficult time picking books this year and the ones I want are not available when I want to read them!"

Getting books i want for our Challenge has been an issue for me, too, Julie. Granted, my 1950s bestseller list adds to the problem but i wait months for some, if it’s even available, that is.

However, even more recently published books are scarce. Possibly libraries are feeling skittish in renting books, given funding issues? I don’t know but i miss the ease.

Where the Heart Is
Billie Letts
4/5 stars
This book revolves around Novalee, a seventeen-year-old who was about to leave her family to be with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he dumps her in Oklahoma, and she ends up living in a Wal-Mart. Luckily, she meets someone who can her out. I enjoyed this book! 1995

Where the Heart Is
Billie Letts
4/5 stars
This book revolves around Novalee, a seventeen-year-old who was about to leave her family to be with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he dumps her in Oklahoma, and she ends up living in a Wal-Mart. Luckily, she meets someone who can her out. I enjoyed this book! 1995

Julie wrote: "
Where the Heart Is
Billie Letts
4/5 stars
This book revolves around Novalee, a seventeen-year-old who was about to leave her family to ..."

I read that one when it was an Oprah book club selection. I recall enjoying it.

Good choice from that decade, Julie. It was only around that time that Walmart arrived in the Portland, Oregon, area, where we lived at the time. It’s the reason i recall the title.

Julie wrote: "
Where the Heart Is
Billie Letts
4/5 stars
This book revolves around Novalee, a seventeen-year-old who was about to leave her family to ..."

I liked this book too. I thought the movie was ok too but it wasn't highly rated. Natalie Portman was Novalee

Twist: A Novel
Colum McCann
3/5 stars
The book surrounds Anthony Fennell who is a journalist about to cover the underwater cables off the coast of Africa which may break. Interesting book but hard to describe! Fiction

Julie wrote: "
Twist: A Novel
Colum McCann
3/5 stars
The book surrounds Anthony Fennell who is a journalist about to cover the underwater cable..."

This sounds like a unique and interesting story.

I enjoy reading about underwater tech, so have added this to my TBR. Thanks for the title, Julie.

Evening Class
Maeve Binchy
This story revolves around Aidan Dunne, a Latin teacher and Nora Donoghue from Dublin and their relationship.
1996

Another prompt checked off ! Well done.

Gosh, I haven't read a Binchy novel in decades. That brings back memories.

Queen of All Mayhem: The Blood-Soaked Life and Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West
Dane Huckelbridge
4/5 stars
Wonderful non-fiction/biography about Myra Maybelle Shirley better known as Belle Starr, the most dangerous female in the West. I really enjoyed it. Biography