Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

just finished City of Girls by Elisabeth Gilbert. it's not my usual thing and was a little disappointed. Gave it a 3.

It appears to be a 'marmite' book with equal good and bad reviews. i leaned towards the latter.
I feel she could have done more with the NY setup she created and, other than the main narrator, most characters were under-used.

S

I enjoyed Code Name Madeleine: A Sufi Spy in Nazi-Occupied Paris
My review, 3.5 stars rounded up /review/show...

mockingjay

Reading now: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? Very, very enlightening.

My 3.5 star review(rounded down) of Heroes and Villains of the British Empire: Their Lives and Legends
/review/show...

Another enjoyable legal mystery in the Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez series. Perfect Alibi
My 4 star review /review/show...

Not a thriller, but if you are a fan of iconic Steve McQueen films, including Bullitt, here is a fun read 1001 Steve McQueen Facts: The Rides, Roles and Realities of the King of Cool
My review, 3.5 stars rounded down /review/show...

I just finished Felony Murder Rule by Sheldon Siegel
If you like like legal mysteries, try this series. My 4 star review.
/review/show...

Am reading The Cow Book by John Connell, very down to earth and graphic, shows the reality of farming life in Ireland, not for the fainthearted though. Suspect that it wouldn't be for everyone.

A U.K. police procedural. The Darkest Evening
I enjoyed it, 3.5 stars rounded up. My review. /review/show...

My review of First trial
/review/show...
It is a free story if you follow the author, through his website.

I am about halfway through one of my new favorite novels, History of the Rain, by Niall Williams. His writing is so beautiful, with some humor, and draws you into another place and time. Listening to it on audio. The female narrator should get an award for this read.

Finished book 9 in Mike Daley/ Rosie Fernandez legal series, Serve and Protect
My 4 star review.
/review/show...

Historical fiction about witch trials in England, 1645-48
The Witchfinder's Sister
It is depressing, but realistic and informative. My 4 star review
/review/show...

I finished Hot Shot
I enjoyed it. This is book 10 in the series and I have enjoyed all of the prevoius books.
My 4 star review. /review/show...

I read an excellent book, Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
I rated 4.5 stars rounded up. My review /review/show...

Thomas wrote: "I read an excellent book, Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
I rated 4.5 stars rounded up. My review /review/show......"

Thomas, I just finished this book in past month and....I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I am just finishing Wine Girl by Victoria James. Good memoir on audio especially because the author is reading it. 'Wine Girl' was what misogynistic men referred to Victoria James, the world's youngest sommelier at age 21. It took James about 5 years to write this memoir about her family life, her restaurant life, and her passion and learning about wine.

I'm midway through The Wimbledon Poisoner by Nigel Williams and enjoying it immensely, very funny and well-written.
The Wimbledon Poisoner

Finished. Thirty-Three Teeth
My 4 star review. /review/show...

I've just finished The Wimbledon Poisoner and loved every minute, really enjoyable and laugh out loud funny, and it kept me guessing throughout. I reviewed it here /review/show...

We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates - so well written, historical, and so enlightening, in a way that doesn't necessarily make you cringe (although we should) with our white privilege.

just finished 'In a field of Blue' by Gemma Liviero. Sadly I could only give it a single star.
There is a good story hidden in here but the style of narration and multiple changes of pov kept me at a distance as a reader.
There was some strange words used that should have been caught in any edit. Just untidy in parts.

Colleen Chi-Girl wrote: "We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates - so well written, historical, and so enlightening, in a way that doesn't necessarily make you cringe (although we should) with our white privilege."

There no such thing as "white privilege."

Thomas wrote: "My review of an entertaining legal mystery with a touch of humor.
The Confession
/review/show..."

Thomas, it sounds really interesting. Just added it to my list. Thank you.

Colleen

Interesting comment, Alicia. I think if your people were Black, you would feel differently. I won't give you a history lesson, but in the USA, it has always been the case since slavery. It doesn't mean the Irish and Italians and other immigrants, didn't also suffer from poverty and horrific conditions. The difference is that White people could blend in with other White people and eventually "blended in".

Certainly, can't say that or claim that if you were Black or any person of color. These people of color have always been "less than", treated as "less than" along with women, less educated/poor/impoverished people. But if I'm missing something, please educate me.

CE

Alicia wrote: "Colleen Chi-Girl wrote: "We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates - so well written, historical, and so enlightening, in a way that doesn't necessarily make you cringe (although we should) ..."

There no such thing as "white privilege."

My 5 star review of Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine, and the Remarkable Story of America's First Humanitarian Mission
/review/show...
I strongly recommend this book.

I read 21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders by Rozlan Mohd Noor
I rated it 3.5 stars rounded down. It is a police procedural set in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
My review /review/show...

A mystery/thriller, set in Shetland, Scotland. I enjoyed it. My 4 star review.
/review/show...

Historical fiction at its best. Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Cornwell
My 4 star review.
/review/show...

My review of an entertaining mystery set in the hip hop/rap music world, The Darkest Hearts
/review/show...

i have just finished The Stolen Village by Des Ekin.
it purports to tell the story of the 1631 attack by Barbary pirates on the town of Baltimore in West Cork and the aftermath of slavery.

unfortunately as there is no direct records of what happened to the 107 people taken the author relies on contemporary accounts by others taken by pirates.
this is interesting in itself abd he does provide a flavour of the times.

My interest in the topic sprang from a family connection to Sherkin Island, opposite Baltimore. My fathers people still live there.

overall it is an interesting read. a bit muddled at times but well researched.
He does tend to a touch of sensationalism at times with 'celebrity' name dropping and there are some very stretched links in thw summations.

but it was enjoyable

S

Stephen wrote: "i have just finished The Stolen Village by Des Ekin.
it purports to tell the story of the 1631 attack by Barbary pirates on the town of Baltimore in West Cork and the aftermath of slavery.

unfortu..."

I read this book about 12 years ago. Growing up in West Cork, we heard about "The Sack of Baltimore". This book filled a large gap in my knowledge of the period. I recall it was an interesting read, especially the part where he tries to explain what happened to the people.

Patrick wrote: "Stephen wrote: "i have just finished The Stolen Village by Des Ekin.
it purports to tell the story of the 1631 attack by Barbary pirates on the town of Baltimore in West Cork and the aftermath of s..."

We used to go fishing in the Eastern Hole, where the pirates moored. Even in the late 70's the locals used to say it was an unlucky place. Caught a few mackerel, though.
My father's family comes from Sherkin and we have O'Driscoll cousins. I did appreciate the author's final comments about the latest invasion of Baltimore being tourists and holiday home owners. After all the strife it was lost anyway to 'blow-ins" lol.

S

I read this a few years back and found it an illuminating account. Isn't it amazing that these pirates ranged so far and wide? There are some fascinating connections created between places as far flung as Iceland and Africa, and, of course, Baltimore.

Finished The Dreamer
It is book 11 in the legal mystery series and I recommend the series.
My review /review/show...

Historical fiction about China's disastrous "Great Leap Forward." Dreams of Joy
I enjoyed it. My review /review/show...

Book 10 in the Saxon Stories The Flame Bearer
Historical fiction in 10th century England. My review /review/show...

My 4 star review of a short story in the Kate Burkholder series, In Plain Sight
/review/show...

I just finished The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves. It is a five star read for me.

The Awkward Black ManMy review, 3.5 stars rounded down. /review/show...

I have just finished Try Not To Breathe by Holly Seddon. I gave it 3 stars, it was ok but could have been better. Disappointing ending.

i perhaps need to reconsider my book choices and avoid suspenseful thrillers recommended by Kindle every month.

Is there a way to not get alerts on this thread? I'm getting alerts from folk I'm not following, and am trying to cut down on this sort of thing.

Sisters of War by Lana Kortchik
I enjoyed it and recommend it to fans of Kristen Hannah
My review /review/show...

My 4 star review of The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
/review/show...

A mystery set in 1950s Ireland. Snow
My 4 star review /review/show...

My review of Trail of the Chupacabra: An Avery Bartholomew Pendleton Misadventure
Three stars for a mildly humorous story.
/review/show...

IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION: Mael wrote: "Is there a way to not get alerts on this thread? I'm getting alerts from folk I'm not following, and am trying to cut down on this sort of thing."

At the bottom of the "comment" box, you can uncheck the boxes that say either "add to my update feed" and "notify me when people comment in this group", by clicking on the blue 'edit' word.

Fiction set in Nigeria about the death of a young man. The Death of Vivek Oji
My review /review/show...

I am working my way through the Charles Todd series of detective Ian Rutledge.