Michelle’s Comments (group member since Dec 08, 2021)

Michelle’s comments from the On The Same Page group.

This challenge is DONE! And I have to say overall it was a hit. Out of 16 books I judged 13 to be hits and only 3 to be a miss. The three misses were all actually good books. I just felt after reading them that somehow, they did not live up to the level of hype that surrounded them. I would not hesitate to recommend any of the books on this list whether hit or miss. They were all good in their own way. I gave four of them a 5-star rating, 6 a 4-star rating, and 6 of them a 3-star rating (3 star is still a good rating in my books).

So, I guess I'm going to have to reluctantly admit that when "everyone" tells me I "have" to read a book, I probably should just go ahead and read it. Chances are I'm going to like it. Maybe I'll wait until the hype dies down though.

Finishing out the list. Water for Elephants hits the spot. One final Hit!

During the depression a veterinarian with nowhere else to turn joins a traveling circus. As he learns more about the circus life he begins to care for the animals in his charge and for some of the people he has met. Unfortunately, both he and everyone he cares about suffer under the tyrannical rule of the circus owner and his second in command. The choices he makes will set him on the path he will follow for the rest of his life.

This book was a pleasant surprise. I was convinced I would not enjoy it. I will say it took a minute but when the story finally got to the circus, I was hooked. It was cleverly written from the POV of an elderly man in a nursing home looking back on his life with just enough foreshadowing to keep you reading. I don't know if this one deserved the hype around it when it was first published but it was well written with a decent storyline. It had a better ending than I anticipated and for that I'm going to give it an extra star.

4 Coming of age with hard times and forbidden love stars.

“You do right by me, I'll show you a life most suckers can't even dream of.”
― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants

“Age is terrible thief. Just when you're getting the hang of life, it knocks your legs out from under you and stoops your back”
― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants

“When two people are meant to be together, they will be together. It's fate.”
― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants

“Life is the greatest show on earth!”
― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants

Glad you enjoyed Nettle and Bone. I loved that chicken.

The one about Martin Luther was also interesting but I enjoyed AMAZING GRACE about William Willberforce the most.

No I'm holding off until I finish the book but as soon as I'm done that will be our next binge watch.

Different is the right word Bill. The parts about the circus are unusual and compelling.

“My mind involuntarily keeps repeating the John Updike quote “Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face.”
― Sarah Wynn-Williams, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism

126 books
11167 pages

100 audiobooks
26 print

#123 Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism An expose about Facebook from a former employee. I would like to use the word shocking to describe this book but in truth it wasn't shocking. Sadly, it was pretty much what you expect. I guess the better word is disappointing. 4 greed, excess, and flagrant moral disregard stars. Nonfiction-Memoir

#124 Silver Elite A new romantasy series starts with a bang. A young woman hides her telepathic talents as she attempts to infiltrate an elite squadron of soldiers in hopes of avenging the death of her uncle. 4 hot and heavy Romantasy stars. Fantasy.

#125 The Breakaway I'm a fan of Jennifer Weiner. Like many of her books what should be a light little romance is chock full of storylines and issues. A fun read with a lot going on. 3 biking through the countryside not the idyllic trip you were expecting. Romance.

#126 Shunning Sarah A TV news reporter investigates the case of a murdered Amish girl. This one has been on my TBR forever and I'm not sure why. My fascination with Amish murder mysteries I guess. Anyway this was just OK. Ok story. Ok writing. Ok mystery. 3 mediocre stars. Mystery.

Currently:
Moon Tiger Slogging along with this one at the moment.
The Marlow Murder Club This one has potential.
Water for Elephants I should have read this one sooner.

“Silicon Valley is awash in wooden Montessori toys and shrouded in total screen bans. Parents at work talk about how they don't allow their teens to have mobile phones, which only underscores how well these executives understand the real damage their product inflicts on young minds.”
― Sarah Wynn-Williams, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism

Ioana wrote: "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Bonhoeffer was definitely a very interesting person. This book ends with one (of 15) attempt to kill Hitler, which failed and meant Bonhoeff..."

Bonhoeffer was a tough read but a good one. Glad you found it interesting. I have enjoyed other books by this author as well.

I'm currently listening to Water for Elephants. I left this book for last and I have to admit that I was not looking forward to it. After the prologue and the first chapter though I have to admit that I am getting more and more interested in this story. It's still early but I'm thinking this may be another hit.

Linette wrote: "I finished my challenge! And read a lot of good books - only 1 DNF from the list.
My two highest rated were The Frozen River , which was excellent - and Magyk - I'm ..."

Congratulations Linette! Looks like you read some great books.

Glad you liked Crooked Letter. That's a great book.

Congrats on reading over 100 books!!

Glad you enjoyed The Spellshop. I thought that one was such a great cozy read.

Alissa wrote: "Started and I love it already!! Very Sleepless in Seattle "

I loved that one! Hope you enjoy.

Yes. I think this is one of those slow series reads that you come back to when you need something dependably good.

“One doesn’t need magic if one knows enough stories.”
― Heather Fawcett, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

122 books
10629 pages

97 audiobooks
25 print

#120 Flowers in the Attic I'm glad I finally read what has become a modern classic but I'll admit I found it a little sickening. I did admire how the author delicately handled descriptions of child abuse and incest. That took some writing skills. 3 well written but not the story for me stars. Fiction.

#121 Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries I was on hold for this book for a very long time, so I'm glad I finally got the chance to read it. It was amusing and I liked the main character's humor and independence. 3 I guess I'm up for the series stars. Fantasy.

#122 What If I Never Get Over You A satisfying romance in the spirit of "An Affair To Remember". 4 vacation lovers and missed meetings stars. Romance.

Currently:
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism So much toxic stuff going on here.
Silver Elite Romantasy with no excuses.

“There is no hate such as that born out of love betrayed- and my brain screamed out for revenge.”
― V.C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic

“I knew you wouldn’t believe it. Just because you have a heart filled with the dust of a thousand library stacks does not mean everybody does.”
― Heather Fawcett, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Wow! You are doing great Lillie. So close!

Bill wrote: "I agree with everything that's been said. Some of our Conservative (and I use that word loosely) provinces are now starting to ban books. I think it's disgusting. They don't want kids to be educate..."

You are right Bill. It is so sad that in a world where we can post absolutely anything on social media, we can't just let a book sit on a library shelf in case someone is interested in reading it.

Thanks Lillie and Vikki!!

Vikki, I agree with you. We are making our world and our children's world so much smaller by banning books.

Thanks Alondra!!

Thanks for joining the conversation