Coffee & Books discussion
Bookish!
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What are you reading?
Sycamore Row � John Grisham � 3***
A wealthy man commits suicide and leaves the majority of his estate to his black housekeeper. Why would he do such a thing? John Grisham can certainly write a thriller, and his courtroom scenes are entertaining, suspenseful and informative. I liked the various characters, or more accurately, I like the way Grisham writes these characters, even the smarmy attorneys hired by Seth’s children and Lettie’s n’er-do-well husband and distant relatives.
LINK to my review
Bliss � Kathryn Littlewood � 2**
The Bliss family’s special Cookery Booke is full of ancient recipes for treats such as Cookies of Truth and Singing Gingersnaps. I think some middle-grade readers will be entertained and enjoy this, but I found it really awful. A few entertaining scenes and recognition that I am NOT the intended audience cause me to give it 2 stars.
LINK to my review
For some reason, it's taking me a bit longer than usual to power through these books. I've been reading H.P. Lovecraft's stories for over a month. I keep going into my library and finding something else I want to start. That seems to be a recurring issue for me.
Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener � M.C. Beaton � 3***
This series is growing on me, as I get to know Agatha better. She’s a smart woman in business (apparently), but she is woefully bad at relationships. It takes a long time to get to the murder with all the relationship drama, but once Agatha discovers the body, her curiosity keeps her nosing about. All in all a satisfying cozy mystery.
LINK to my review
When Breath Becomes Air � Paul Kalanithi � 4****
This memoir was written when Paul Kalanithi was in his mid-thirties, about to finish his training as a neurosurgeon, and had been diagnosed with an aggressive lung cancer. I was interested and moved by his story.
LINK to my review
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When Breath Becomes Air
� Paul Kalanithi � 4****
This memoir was written when Paul Kalanithi was in his mid-thirties, about to finish his training a..."
Loved this book ❤️
Book Concierge wrote: "
Elephant Company
� Vicki Constantine Croke � 3.5***
Subtitle: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World Wa..."
Aww...I'm sorry. I loved that one but more because I love elephants:)
I finished And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and loved this little book:/review/show...
Now I am reading Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI and it is very good so far. I never knew about this tribe of Indians sitting on land with so much oil. Probably the only Indians that didn't get completely screwed by the white man.
Sworn to Silence � Linda Castillo � 4****
First in a series. This is a tight, fast-paced thriller. I really like Kate; she’s intelligent, resourceful, fiercely protective, determined and a strong leader. Readers looking for a “cozy� Amish book should look elsewhere. There is a violent sexual predator on the loose and the victims endure torture and physical violence. I will keep reading this series.
LINK to my review
My Mrs Brown � William Norwich � 4****
This is a lovely, charming story of one woman’s quest, at once modest and outlandish: to own an Oscar de la Renta sheath dress with jacket. Mrs Brown’s genuine goodness and politeness serve her well. Despite being the target of mean-girl behavior at work, and some serious setbacks, she perseveres quietly and consistently. It’s a wonderful fable, and I just love Mrs Brown.
LINK to my review
The Guests on South Battery by Karen White.
Kitchens of the Great Midwest � J Ryan Stradal � 3.5***
A debut novel that shows the writer’s promise. The story is told in roughly chronological order, but each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character. Through them the reader gets to know Eva, “the mysterious chef behind the most sought-after dinner reservation in the country.�
LINK to my review
Half Broke Horses � Jeannette Walls � 4****
In what she calls a “true life novel,� Walls turns her attention to her maternal grandmother: Lily Casey Smith. Walls is a wonderful storyteller; she really brings Lily and all the other characters to life. And what a life! The author also does a fine job of putting the reader into this time and place. I could practically smell the horses, and feel the dust on my skin.
LINK to my review
Mrs. Sherlock Holmes by Brad Ricca and Out by Susan Buffum.
Groot � Jeff Loveness (illustrated by Brian Kesinger) � 2**
Hmmm. Really don’t know what to say about this graphic novel / comics collection starring a talking tree with limited vocabulary, and a perpetually irritated Rocket Raccoon. Clearly I’m not the target audience, but I think I see the appeal. It satisfied a challenge and took my mind off my troubles for an hour.
LINK to my review
Lucky Man � Michael J Fox � 4****
Michael J Fox was barely thirty years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This is his memoir in which he explains how and why “I consider myself a lucky man.� He is honest and forthright in describing his childhood, early career, missteps, alcohol abuse, successes, and failures. I was interested and engaged in his story. Not your typical celebrity memoir.
LINK to my review
Don’t You Cry � Mary Kubica � 2.5**
Quinn is a bad roommate, but when Esther goes missing, she’s concerned and determined to find the truth. Meanwhile, Alex is besotted with the strange woman, Pearl, who frequents the diner where he works. The plot is convoluted and complicated, yet somehow lacks suspense. I was not impressed.
LINK to my review
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The Dud Avocado � Elaine Dundy � 2**
The book jacket promises “the romantic and comedic adventures of a young American who heads overseas to conquer Paris in the late 1950s. Charming, sexy, and hilarious…� That’ll teach me to believe a book jacket blurb. There are some scenes where Dundy really captures my attention � the way she describes a perfect cocktail, or the guests at a dinner party, for example � but I was bored with most of it. Sally has no real purpose and I just didn’t care what happened to her or her “friends.�
LINK to my review
The Handmaiden's Tale by Margaret Atwood.
Under This Unbroken Sky � Shandi Mitchell � 5
This debut work just about broke my heart. Mitchell’s writing is luminous and poetic in places, making the landscape and weather central characters in the drama that unfolds in the late 1930s on the plains of Northern Canada. The novel touches on the immigrant experience, the harsh realities of prairie life, domestic abuse, faith, friendship, charity, pride, survival and forgiveness. This is a book, and an author, that deserves a wider audience.
LINK to my review
Just finished reading Yes Please by Amy Poehler which I loved! I am now re-watching Parks & Rec and all her SNL clips! Not too sure what to read next...
I just finished these two:
(it's ironic that I just finished the Harry Potter series, but my husband now wants to do a Harry Potter read-along, so I'm reading it yet again. No complaints though!)
Here's my ambitious plan for the remainder of the month:
Reading Now:
BOTMs:
Read-A-Long With Husband:
Other Reads:
The Shining is my all time favorite SaiKing read!
The Member of the Wedding � Carson McCullers � 4****
Twelve-year-old Frankie Adams is bored with life and longing for adventure, for a sense of belonging to something “bigger.� Carson McCullers has a way of writing her characters that draws the reader into their very souls. Frankie’s journey through this phase of adolescence is at once painfully distressing, funny and charming. I was, in turns, afraid for Frankie and amused by her.
LINK to my review
Well ... they can't all be winners ....
Death in Yellowstone - Lee H Whittlesey - 1*
If you’re looking for a dry recitation of facts this is the book for you. If you are looking for a compelling, adventure / thriller try Night of the Grizzlies instead.
LINK to my review
joyce g wrote: The Shining is my all time favorite SaiKing read! I can't call myself a Stephen King fan, but I definitely enjoyed The Shining! And now that I finished one read, I can get started on re-reading it!
Here's the book I finished:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two
★★� 1/2, rounding up to ★★★★
Here's the link to my review
I've still got plenty of books to read, so off I go!
Currently Reading:
Read-A-Long With Hubby:
Unless - Carol Shields � 4****
When Reta Williams, a successful author and translator, discovers that her 19-year-old daughter has left college to panhandle on a Toronto street corner, she struggles to understand how and why Norah could have come to this. Sheilds� novel explores what it means to be a woman, a mother, a writer, a feminist.
LINK to my review
Don't Breathe AWord by Jennifer McMahon.
Binti - Nnedi Okorafor � 4****
This is a coming-of-age story, an adventure, a buddy road-trip, and a space opera all in one small package. I loved Binti. She’s resourceful, mentally and physically strong, a loyal friend, a compassionate person, and a canny negotiator. Science fiction is not my favorite genre (understatement), but I might read more of this series.
LINK to my review
Coffee & Books
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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A girl with the pearl earring
Prince lestat by Anne rice. Audiobook