EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

We all read books outside of the group - what did you read last? Did you love it? Like it? Burn it in a fiery pit of hate? Would love to hear what everyone else is reading!

I've read Fields of Fire. A vietnam war novel mostly about the american marines in the war. Gave it 3 out of 5 stars. You can find my review here on goodreads. (I don't think I should add it here)

I read tons of kids' books; friend me if you're interested in my reviews of them! :)

The last adult book I read was Six-Gun Snow White. Very intense. Not for kids! Short. Odd. Click through to my 3* review if you want.

The last book I read was The Legend of Sigurd & Gudrún ostensibly by J.R.R. Tolkien, although really it feels like it's written by his son (credited as "Editor"). I wish it had been edited by a 3rd party, had consisted of 2/3 material that was actually J.R.R. Tolkien, and had provided 1/3 commentary by his son (preferably as an appendix). But it wasn't. So I gave 3 stars.

I am reading The Butterfly Garden now.

The last book I finished outside of this groups selections was The Shack. As someone who is not religious I did not think I would enjoy it at all, but it was a good story and I was able to get into it. Even if the attempts to explain age old questions through fictional characters made me cringe at times. It did not sway me, that's for sure, but there were good moral lessons and new ways to look at the world, bad situations, and how we handle intense feelings. The descriptive language and creative settings made for some really awesome mental images, it definitely gets the imagination working. I gave it 3/5 stars.

Ooh fun!
The last book I read outside of the group was 'Cold Kill' by P J Tracy, though it was released in America as 'The Sixth Idea' I believe. It is the latest in a murder series that started off brilliantly. Much like the James Patterson murder club books I enjoyed the quality of story and believability of the characters has declined to the point that I've lost interest in them and so think that was the last I will read of the series.

The last book I finished was The Emerald Tablet, which was, amusingly related to my post on another thread, a Giveaway book. It was an adventurous middle schooler book. I enjoyed it.

Right now I'm working on Armada.

I was in a need of a good Audiobook, so I started My Husband's Wife. seemed like a good crime/thriller for the road, but IT WASN'T.
I finished it last night, I couldn't get attached to any of the characters, nor was intrigued by the thriller itself. I guess I am in a search for another good audiobook again.

The last book that I finished was The Iron King.
Even a week later I still don't know how I feel about this book...
First I hated it. The beginning is kind of boring, but towards the end it got better. Maybe I will give the second book a chance.

I struggled with The Iron King too I just didn't believe the love story and the characters never felt real or grabbed me. If you read the second book let me know maybe I'll try it with yoj

The last book I read was Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley. I've gotten into graphic novels recently and this was a fun memoir to read. I read it with 11 year old son which made it more special. The novel had recipes in between chapters and now we want to try some of those out.

Recently read Born A Crime by Trevor Noah. Actually I read and listened to it. Really liked it and strongly recommend. Audio was read by author and was outstanding!

My sister just let me borrow Born a Crime, she loved it as well! It's on my summer reading list.

@Meera

That book looks really interesting. Does it include recipes? How fast of a read was it for you?

Christine wrote: "@Meera

That book looks really interesting. Does it include recipes? How fast of a read was it for you?"

It took us about 2 hours. Probably less if I had read it by myself. Each chapter either had a recipe or more info about certain kind of food like cheese. Don't read it while you are hungry!

Right now I am finishing up The Tale of the Body Thief by Anne Rice right now which I am loving, but the last one I actually finished was Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters. It is a book of poetry that's very unique and a good read. My students in my student teaching class were reading it so I wanted to read along, and I enjoyed it much for than they did.

Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance.

I really liked it, but I dig a good memoir. He has an interesting story without being self-pitying. I learned something too. That's always a plus.

Pawana, by French author Jean-Marie G. Le Clézio, winner of 2008 Nobel Prize for Literature.
Very good. It's a short story about whale hunting in the Pacific.

Kyra, Spoon River Anthology is on my list. I started the audiobook, which was good, but I think I'd like it better in paper.

i just read the circle by dave eggers

"Finding Audrey" and it's so funnyyyyyy lmao. Had to shut myself up though, it was midnight and I'm supposed to be sleeping.

Yesterday I read The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch and Kindred Spirits. I got them at an independent book store event yesterday.

I have just read The Vegetarian on my other challenge group. Difficult but quick read about mental health (but also an allegory about South Korea apparently ) I wouldn't use the word 'enjoy' but for many reasons I won't go into here I found it very thought provoking and ultimately sad.
I've just started reading The Historian which I didn't realise was about Dracula - scariest book I every read! Will try to be brave...

Carolyn, I just bought that book on my Nook a couple of weeks ago for $1.99. As an on again off again vegan/vegetarian, it sparked my curiosity.

The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes

Sarah wrote: "Carolyn, I just bought that book on my Nook a couple of weeks ago for $1.99. As an on again off again vegan/vegetarian, it sparked my curiosity."

That's partly why I was interested in it too -I've been vegetarian since 1992. I won't spoil it for you but I certainly wouldn't like to be a vegetarian in South Korea!

I'm about halfway through When She Woke and really can't decide if it's blatant copying of The Scarlet Letter or a terrific homage. Every time I think the story is finding it's own legs, BAM! another ridiculous parallel to Hawthorne's.

The last book I read was I Am Legend and Other Stories by Richard Matheson. I really enjoyed the book! It is VERY different from the movie, in a good way (although, I absolutely love the movie too!).

Sierra wrote: "The last book I read was I Am Legend and Other Stories by Richard Matheson. I really enjoyed the book! It is VERY different from the movie, in a good way (although, I ab..."

Have you read others by him? I love him and the movie adaptations of his work always seem to be really good even when they veer from the book.

Sarah wrote: "The last book I finished outside of this groups selections was The Shack.

It was neat to see your review of this book. I personally am a Christian, but I was curious about what non-Christians would think about it...especially since there has been many differences of opinion about it within the Christian community. I was a difficult book for me, as I had a stillborn son 12 years ago and so many of the struggles and questions were familiar. Overall I think it answered most of those questions in a way that I would answer as well...although some were too vague. Anyway, as I said, glad to see a different perspective on the book!

Jenny, I'm sorry for your loss. :( And I love when people of different beliefs can enjoy the perspectives of others and get along. Thanks for the add! :)

The Girl on the Train was the last book I finished.
I didn't think it was as great as everyone has made it out to be. I'd say like 3.5 stars honestly. It gets good at the end but the middle is pretty bland for something classified as a "thriller".

The last book I read was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to reading the fifth book.

I agree, Kaetlyn! I think I gave it 3 stars.

Kaetlyn wrote: "The Girl on the Train was the last book I finished.
I didn't think it was as great as everyone has made it out to be. I'd say like 3.5 stars honestly. It gets good at the end but the middle is pre..."

I liked it until the end. The last 40 or so pages was awful compared to the rest. Very lazy in my opinion.

I just finished reading Sleeping Giants in another Goodreads group. It wasn't tremendously deep, and most of the characters weren't that engaging. But it was an easy, entertaining story, which is just the kind I like :)

I took vacation this week while my son is in school and my husband is at work. Just a little mental break, almost specifically to catch up on reading. Since Sunday I have finished Armada, The Sun Also Rises, Life of Pi and Fall of the Western Kings.

Today I'm starting The Graveyard Book.

Alas, this is almost the end of my vacation and I'll go back to being lucky if I finish a book a week.

I just finished reading Amy Tan's 'The Joy Luck Club' and although I thought parts of it were beautifully written and the stories thought-provoking and well interwoven, I didn't LOVE it. I guess I'm a fan of following a few key characters rather than 8! #waitwho'ssheagain?

Kristin and Amy - so many group reads in there!
Amy - we read The Joy Luck Club last summer, discussion is here!!
Kristin - looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this month's books!

I just finished Alphabetical: How Every Letter Tells a Story. Only gave it 2 stars, my personal opinion. I wrtoe a long review that explains why.

I do recommend you consider the book if you're doing a non-fiction challenge and you want something different and light.

I'm on the 2nd book of The Lunar Chonicles. I read Heartless last month and loved it so I figured I'd check out another Marissa Meyer book. I didn't think The Lunar Chronicles would be for me but so far I'm really enjoying it.

Wow Kristin, your read speed and attention span are impressive! I loved The Graveyard Book! Weird little tale, unique and very enjoyable. It's on my "keeper" shelf.

Sarah wrote: "Wow Kristin, your read speed and attention span are impressive! I loved The Graveyard Book! Weird little tale, unique and very enjoyable. It's on my "keeper" shelf."

It's only impressive when I am home alone and don't have to work. : )

I enjoyed my "Reading Vacation" though. I may take one every year.

Recently finished Thirteen Reasons Why and I really enjoyed it. Unique format, new idea, and something parents should read (or watch) with their middle/high school age kids to direct their attention to the important message this book/series has within it. I saw a lot of reviews where people were saying the book was awful and glorifies suicide. Those people clearly have no first hand experience inside schools since their own experience as children. Kids can be cruel when they are trying to find their niche in world, enjoying bouts of popularity or attention, trying not to do anything or associate with anyone who might not be "cool" in order to avoid their own hardships, trying to be funny or just be a part of something when rumors and jokes arise, and becoming comfortable with/exploring the effects of going through puberty. With so much to figure out about themselves, especially if they don't have good role models at home, the last thing on their minds is what others are going through or how tiny actions and words may add to a mountain of troubles for someone else. There's a good lesson here that should be addressed instead of overlooked. It puts what really matters into perspective and can plant a seed in young adult minds that makes them reevaluate their priorities, become conscious of how their actions affect others, and remind them to focus on the good in other people instead of using their time to tear people down which can be much more damaging than they realize.

We've had no student suicides at my school, but we did have a staff suicide. So while we may not understand taking that route, it is a reality for some people and awareness can only help. In my opinion this book glorified nothing, it just addressed an unpleasant topic that people would rather avoid.

5 stars! And yes, I cried at least twice!

i read the circle
amazing book
it is so different and unique

Sarah wrote: "Recently finished Thirteen Reasons Why and I really enjoyed it. Unique format, new idea, and something parents should read (or watch) with their middle/high school age kids to direct their attentio..."

Thank you for posting this review. Mental health issues are still not discussed openly enough, and when they are they are not always taken seriously enough, especially in teenagers.
I've also had this book on my to read list for a while, but haven't been brave enough to read it. I have read quite a few discussions of the book in other places. I have an 18 year old daughter and the subject matter is very close to home.Whilst I agree that this should be read by parents, I have been told it's potentially very 'triggering' so I'd be very careful of recommending it to any vulnerable person to read alone.

Melissa wrote: "I'm on the 2nd book of The Lunar Chonicles. I read Heartless last month and loved it so I figured I'd check out another Marissa Meyer book. I didn't think The Lunar Chronicles would be for me but s..."

I'm about to bring Cinder on to my 3-week trip to the US. I hope it's going to be a good read during my flights!

Read Cinder ... and eventually the whole series =) Was definitely a fan. YA books with strong heroines are my guilty pleasure.

Also read Thirteen Reasons Why. Thought the message was a good one, the "you don't really know how your actions affect other people" message, so you should respect others.
I will say after watching some of the Netflix show (only watched about 5 episodes and stopped), I get the critics who say that it "glorifies" suicide. The show really focuses on the people who receive the tapes and how their lives are falling apart because of guilt and the tapes and all this drama post Hannah's death... I can see how someone who has battled with depression and thoughts of suicide can be insulted by this, as if the desire for revenge motivates suicide. The show barely gives any airtime to the mental illness piece... well, at least in the episodes I watched. Friend of mine sent me this VERY short article that summarized her feelings well.
Regardless, I think the book is an important and effective conversation starter.

Kaseadillla wrote: "Also read Thirteen Reasons Why. Thought the message was a good one, the "you don't really know how your actions affect other people" message, so you should strive to respect others...."

Thanks for posting that link, thats a good article that I hadn't seen.