THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

I'm reading book two of the 'Tube Rider' trilogy at the moment. I like sci-fi (write it, too) but I only discovered The Tube Riders by chance when reading Amanda Fullwood's blog in which she recommended them. I'm very glad I did - they are real page-turners, and the premise and characters are very good indeed. Recommended!

I'm reading "Harvest Home" by Thomas Tryon. I read it a long time ago and decided to read it again. I finished reading "The Winter People" by Jennifer McMahon, it was creepy and a fun read.

I have started Revolution for Dummies: Laughing through the Arab Spring.

I'm now reading "The Flying Circus" by Susan Crandall.



It's a compelling, slow burner of a novel set in the Midwest U.S. during the barnstorming era in aviation (early 1920s). I'm so enjoying the experience.

I finished Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2 by Jack Thorne (from a story idea by J.K. Rowling)

This 8th book in the series is a play that takes place 19 years after the last book. Harry and Ginny's son 'Albus' buddies up with Draco's son 'Scorpius' to go back in time and try to save Cedric Diggory's life. Of course, diddling with the past has unforeseen consequences. Pretty good play but it lacks Rowling's touch. 3.5 stars

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

Just got done reading these

by Sara Flannery Murphy Another book was very weird. I do have to say i pick it up just for the cover photo but I do have to say I dont think i wouldnt read anything else from this person. Her writing is not good IMO!

by Jennifer McMahon I really loved this one I read it one day very good book! I will be buying more from her. My Aunt bought this one for me though. Wish my library have her books but they don't :(

by Alice Hoffman I really Liked this one to from Alice Hoffman. It was Very good and I was hook from the start to the finish.

by Emma Donoghue I really loved this one too. It was a very good book and also very sad too. Hope my library have more from her.

by Neil Gaiman First book i ever read from Neil Gaiman and It made me hook! Very good! I will be reading more from him!

I finished Straight Expectations: The Story of a Family in Transition by Peggy Cryden, LMFT.

In this non-fiction memoir the author tells her story of raising a transgender son and a gay son. Peggy shows enormous strength and understanding in the face of family turmoil. Interesting memoir. 3 stars.

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

I just finished reading Revolution for Dummies: Laughing through the Arab Spring. It is a wonderful satire not just about events in Egypt but in all those Middle-Eastern and African countries who experience an uprising and end up with a dictatorship far stronger than the one they wanted to overthrow. It resonates in many ways to Iran as well.

I highly recommend it to my friends and would like to take part in any discussion about the book.

I finished A Separation by Katie Kitamura.

An unnamed narrator is separated from her husband but his parents don't know. Thus, when hubby goes 'missing' during a trip to Greece, his mom insists the narrator go look for him....and she goes. This is a literary novel, not a thriller (just so you know). Pretty good book. 3 stars.

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

Ruby wrote: "I just finished reading Revolution for Dummies: Laughing through the Arab Spring. It is a wonderful satire not just about events in Egypt but in all those Middle-Eastern and African..."

Putting it on my TBR list....but it's a little ways down the queue. I look forward to reading it; seems hilarious (about a serious subject).

I'm now reading "One Trip Too Many - A Pilot's Memoirs of 38 Months in Combat Over Laos and Vietnam" by Wayne A. Warner.



It is a remarkable story. The author - who grew up in the U.S. Midwest during the 1940s and 1950s - shares with the reader his determination to become a pilot, which leads to him winning a competitive appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1959. He graduated from the Academy in June 1963 as a freshly minted Second Lieutenant, having earned his degree and a handshake from President Kennedy himself.

Later, following advanced flight training, Warner is sent to Vietnam, where he experiences combat from the earliest days of the American involvement in 1965. There is much more to this story, including the tragedy that almost ended Warner's life and the transformation he went on to make.

I finished Last Breath by Robert Bryndza.

In this 4th book in the series, DCI Erika Foster in on the trail of a serial killer who targets pretty brunettes. Story alternates between the investigation and the perp's dastardly deeds. Good thriller. 3 stars.

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

Intrigued by A Rising Man by Abir Mukerjee, a mystery set in 1919 Calcutta.

I finished Clawback by J.A. Jance

In this addition to the Ali Reynolds series, Ali's parents lose all their retirement money when Ocotillo Fund Management goes belly up. On top of that, Ali's father is arrested for a double homicide. Ali and her cohorts step in to try and make things right. Fast-paced, entertaining story. 3 stars.

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

Just finished "Imagine Me Gone" by Adam Haslett, which I loved, and have started on Anthony Marra's "A Constellation of Vital Phenomena."

I'm reading about ten different books right now, some fiction, some for school, and some nonfiction. Some of the fiction I started reading is rather unexciting, so I am taking my time with those picks.

Parable of the Sower. I love reading Octavia Butler's work.

I finished The Secrets of My Life by Caitlyn Jenner.

In this memoir Caitlyn talks about being a transgender woman, and includes Jenner's memories from childhood on. It's clear that Jenner's gender dysphoria had a profound effect on her entire life. Recommended if the subject interests you. 3 stars.

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

I finished The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg

This is the story of a Missouri farming town - and it's many and varied residents - from 1889 until 2021. The anecdotes are fun and engaging, but there are a LOT of characters to remember. Just okay for me. 3 stars.

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

I just got done reading these
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Candy for Christmas by Joanne Fluke Both of these are first book i ever read from her and I loved them I will have to read the whole series


The Cat Who Saw Red by Lilian Jackson Braun I really loving this series I just love thoes cats

The Ex by Alafair Burke IMO this is was one of her best book she ever writen. Very good


Now I am gonna be reading these

by Ruth Ware I won this off a giveaway on goodreads I hope its a good book and that i can get it read by this weekend

by Cleo Coyle

by Lilian Jackson Braun

Shannon, I like 'The Cat Who' books also. :)

I finished Faithful by Alice Hoffman.

A high school senior named Shelby has a car accident that leaves her best friend in an irreversible coma. Shelby almost can't go on, and isolates herself....but eventually takes tiny steps toward recovery. Good book about healing after tragedy. 3.5 stars.

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

I saw a blurb about this in BookPage and thought it sounded interesting. So far I'm not disappointed I only have about 60 pages left to finish it.

I finished House of the Rising Sun by James Lee Burke

Former Texas Ranger 'Hackberry Holland' is trying to re-unite with his estranged son in 1916 when he comes into possession of a valuable chalice. But an evil arms dealer named Beckman thinks the chalice is the Holy Grail, and means to get it. A compelling struggle between 'good' and 'evil' ensues. Another fine book from James Lee Burke. 4 stars.

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

As today (May 29th, 2017) marks the 100th birthday of President John F. Kennedy, I began reading a few days ago, the new book " The Road to Camelot: Inside JFK’s Five-Year Campaign" by Tom Oliphant and Curtis Wilkie.

Thus far, it is shaping up to be one of the BEST books of its kind that I've ever read.

I finished Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night by Jason Zinoman.

Zinoman covers Letterman's entire career, starting when he was a DJ on a college radio station, through his morning TV show, to his late night shows.

Letterman was apparently always plagued with insecurities, which were instrumental in shaping his comedy and career.

Zinoman talks about all the people (writers, producers, cameramen, etc.) who worked behind the scenes on Letterman's shows, and emphasizes the huge impact Letterman's one-time girlfriend, Merrill Markoe, had on his comedy.

There's a little bit about Letterman's personal life, including the attempted blackmail that induced him to confess to cheating on his wife 'on-air'.....and how this affected him.

Tons of coverage of Letterman's comedy and how it evolved over the years. The author watched a few thousand shows and interviews lots of people.....and it's clear he's extremely knowledgable about Letterman's career.

If you're a Letterman fan, you'd love this book.

(I didn't write a comprehensive review of the book as there are plenty of great ones available.)

I finished A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd
(actually the writing team Caroline and Charles Todd).

This 17th book in the series is a prequel that goes back to the eve of WWI. Rutledge is a newly-engaged man.....and a rising detective at Scotland Yard. He investigates a series of murders across England while wrangling with his difficult boss, Superintendent Bowles, and worrying about the oncoming war.

Good, non-traditional cozy. 3 stars.

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

I'm finishing The Leavers by Lisa Ko.

I finished Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds.

In this sci-fi novel an archaeologist named Dan Sylveste is studying an extinct race of alien beings called the Amarantin, who mysteriously disappeared 900,000 years ago. Meanwhile, a spaceship crew and an assassin are searching for Dan, each with their own agenda. Imaginative, well-written novel....though a bit overwritten in places. 4 stars.

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

I finished Brilliance by Marcus Sakey

The U.S. government wants to control a new group of humans, called brilliants, who are exceptionally gifted. This leads to a terrorist backlash. A government agent, who's a brilliant himself, sets out to hunt down the # 1 extremist. Good story. 3 stars.

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

I finished The Dry by Jane Harper.

A small town in Australia is having a drought and a farmer kills his family and himself. Or does he? The man's childhood friend, a Federal agent who was driven out of town under a cloud, comes back and investigates. Good book. 3.5 stars.

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

I finished I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart,

In this inspirational and entertaining memoir Kevin Hart talks about his life, family, and friends and details the step-by-step hard work that led to his current success. Good book. Well-written and humorous. 4 stars

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

I've been in a Halloween frame of mind, so I'm reading Black Cats & Evil Eyes by Chloe Rhodes. It's a book about superstitions and their origins.

Dawn wrote: "I've been in a Halloween frame of mind, so I'm reading Black Cats & Evil Eyes by Chloe Rhodes. It's a book about superstitions and their origins."

Sounds interesting Dawn :)

A few days ago, I began reading "There Your Heart Lies" by Mary Gordon. It is a generational novel centered around a woman (Marian) from a rich, Irish-American Catholic family who marries a doctor her family doesn't approve of - and sails with him to Spain to offer their help to the Republican government during the civil war there. Years later, Marian is in her 90s and living with her granddaughter in Rhode Island. Her past is largely unknown to her granddaughter. But that will soon change, with major implications for Marian's family.

I finished Bone Box by Faye Kellerman

Detective Peter Decker - with the help of his partner and wife - investigates when buried bodies are discovered near a hiking trail. Good story with nice personal touches but the ending.....not so great. 3 stars.

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

I need your help! Please #Nominate Unknown Presence on #Kindlescout! If selected you receive a FREE eCopy!
https://goo.gl/gdC4IK

Alicia wrote: "I need your help! Please #Nominate Unknown Presence on #Kindlescout! If selected you receive a FREE eCopy!
https://goo.gl/gdC4IK"

okay :)

I finished A Place of Execution by Val McDermid

A teenage girl vanishes from a rural hamlet and DI Bennett makes it his mission to resolve the case.... which leads to an arrest and trial. Three decades later a journalist writes a book about the incident, which leads to a twisty climax. Good book. 3.5 stars

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

Okay here is what I just got done with
The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth A New author for me and this book was very good but so sad too. Will be reading more from her

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny trying to get this whole series read. I liked this one alot better then the first one in the series

Falling Darkness by Karen Harper A Very boring book and probley one of Karen Harper worst book ever read. i dont k now if i finsh this series or not

The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian Another new author for me and I liked it alot. It was alot better then i though it was.

Right now I am rereding Insomnia by Stephen King But i am also going to the library later today to see what they have

I finished Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett.

In this cozy mystery, former actress Dayna Anderson - wanting to stop the foreclosure on her parents' house - becomes an amateur sleuth to snag a $15,000 reward for info on a hit-and-run murder. Very funny book. 4 stars

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

I finished Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan is a comic and actor. In this book he riffs on being the parent of 5 young children (with his wife Jeannie)....and raising them in a 2-bedroom apartment in New York City. Funny book. 3.5 stars

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

Got done reading these

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Very good book I wanna see the movie now.

Insomnia by Stephen King It a reread and still one my favs from him

The Ice Beneath Her by Camilla Grebe I didnt like it as much I though i would. It wasn't bad but it wasn't the best i ever read either

Ominous by Lisa Jackson Nancy Bush & Rosalind Noonan Very good book IMO it was better then the first book of the series!

Reading "Isadora" by Amerlia Gray. Have always been interested in the dancer because she was such a rebel.

I finished The Marsh King's Daughter by Karen Dionne

This book is very popular right now and lots of readers love it.

It's about Helena - a girl who was born to a kidnap victim 'imprisoned' in the marshes of upper Michigan for well over a decade. After Helena is grown, her dad escapes from prison and she feels compelled to track him down. For me, the book is just okay. 3 stars

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

Just finished I Am Missing by Tim Weaver and currently reading Zero Day by David Baldacci and House of Spies by Daniel Silva. Not read a Daniel Silva book since The Rembrandt Affair which I loved!

Miles wrote: "Just finished I Am Missing by Tim Weaver and currently reading Zero Day by David Baldacci and House of Spies by Daniel Silva. Not read a Daniel Silva book since The Rembrandt Affair which I loved!"

Can't go wrong with Silva :)

I'm now reading the new novel "Red Year" by Jan Shapin, which is set in Revolutionary China during the 1920s. It's centered upon an American woman, Rayna Prohme, with leftist sentiments, who had arrived in China with her journalist husband and becomes committed to the freedom struggle there.

I'm reading several books right now: The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson, a Pulitzer winner. I meant to read it years ago, so got my book club to choose it so I wouldn't have an excuse to put it off any longer. Also reading Say Nothing by Brad Parks, mostly for structure of a compelling mystery novel. And Ghengis Khan by Jack Weatherford is my non-fiction book of the moment--another one that's been on my shelf for a long time. In the car I'm listening to Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian. And a poetry book is how I usually start the day--right now it's Radioland by Lesley Wheeler.

I finished Stop the Presses! by Robert Goldsborough

This book is part of the extension of Rex Stout's "Nero Wolfe" series by a new author. In the story, a newspaper columnist dies, supposedly by suicide. But Wolfe is hired to find the 'real killer.' Not a great story but it's fun to visit with favorite characters. 3 stars.

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