Book Chat - CLOSED by original moderator discussion

.

Read any good books lately? We want to know about them.
How about real stinkers? We want to know about those too!

Enter your reading list and/or reviews here. Did you like it? Hate it? Feel lukewarm?

Share your thoughts with us.

Happy reading!


.

Lost Children Archive – Valeria Luiselli – 5*****
A cross-country journey from New York to Arizona gives one family – mother, father, 10-year-old boy, five-year-old girl – an opportunity to explore the history of this nation’s native peoples, and to learn about the current fabric of America and the people so desperate to come here. I loved the way this unfolded. Luiselli changes narrators throughout the book, sometimes giving us the mother’s perspective, or the son’s. Both parents work to document things, and this forces the reader to think about how we remember things. I am so looking forward to my F2F book club discussion of this book!
My full review HERE

Practical Magic – Alice Hoffman – 3***
The Owens women have always been known for their beauty and have always had magical powers. Sally and Gillian, however, want nothing to do with magical powers and definitely do not want magic to dictate their love lives. I had seen the movie years ago and thought little of it, so was hesitant to read this. But it satisfied a challenge and I’m glad I read it. Hoffman is a great storyteller, and like all fairy tales, this one has some important lessons to impart.
My full review HERE

Rainbow Valley – L M Montgomery – 3***
Book seven in the classic series about Anne Shirley and her family. Anne’s six children have discovered their own “magical” place where they can play and indulge their imaginations. When a new family moves into an old mansion nearby, they welcome the Meredith kids into their hideaway. These books are just delightful reads. A nice gentle escape from today’s harsher realities. Like the other books in the series, this one is full of charming characters, believably innocent fun, and a few humorous miscalculations.
My full review HERE

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian – Sherman Alexie – 5*****
This young adult novel tells the story of Junior Spirit, a Spokane Indian living on the reservation with his parents and older sister. I loved this book. I could not help but think of all the kids out there like Junior – kids with limited abilities in one aspect, but extraordinary abilities in other aspects. Kids who just need someone to believe in them, and for an adult to step in to stop the bullying and give them a chance to grow and excel.
My full review HERE

America For Beginners – Leah Franqui – 4****
Pival Sengupta, a recently widowed Kolcatta native, books a trip to America for her first solo venture outside her home city. This went in directions I wasn’t expecting. I had read little about the book in advance, and thought it would a lighthearted, somewhat humorous look at America through the eyes of a total newcomer. But there were many deeper issues here. Characters have to deal with grief, life choices, and relationships; they must deal with their pasts, and move forward with courage. There WERE some humorous scenes, but also tender scenes that brought me to tears. This is Franqui’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
My full review HERE

The Brutal Telling – Louise Penny – 3.5***
Book # 5 in Louise Penny’s popular mystery detective series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache begins when a stranger is found murdered in the village bistro and antiques store. I love this series. I like the way Gamache ferrets out clues and pieces together the puzzle. I love the various inhabitants of the fictitious Three Pines, including Ruth and her duck. I particularly enjoyed the references to literature and art in this episode, especially the paintings of Emily Carr.
My full review HERE

A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea and Tomorrow – Laura Taylor Namey – 3***
Okay, I totally picked this up because I needed a pink cover for a challenge. I noticed, too, that this was a pick for “Reese’s YA Book Club” and thought it might have some meat on the bones. Some of this stretch credulity a bit far for me, but on the whole I enjoyed it. I liked that things were not all wrapped up nice and tidy in a pretty bow, albeit there is still a happy (or at least hopeful) ending. A pretty good example of the YA romance genre.
My full review HERE

Pride – Ibi Zoboi – 4****
This YA romance is set in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, and features a Dominican/Haitian family. The Benitez sisters are F I N E and everyone in the neighborhood knows it. Then the wealthy Darcy family moves into the hood, and sparks fly between the handsome brothers and the two oldest Benitez girls. All told, a totally satisfying retelling of the beloved Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice.
My full review HERE

Out Of Africa – Isak Dinesen / Karen Blixen – 5*****
What glorious writing. I first read this in 1998, and re-read it for my book club in 2013. I revisited it again in 2017 and now, here I am again. If you're expecting the movie you'll be greatly disappointed - Denys Finch-Hatton is barely mentioned. No, the great love of her life was Africa itself. While I still love Dineson’s writing, and love the way she puts me right into early 20th century Africa, I am more attuned to social justice these days, and have to cringe a bit at some of the references to the indigenous tribes. The colonialists had such a superior attitude. But this a product of the era and of the social status of the writer, and we must give her her due.
My full review HERE

The Body At the Tower – Y S Lee – 3***
Book Two in the YA historical mystery series about “The Agency” – an organization of female detectives in Victorian London – and featuring orphan and former thief, Mary Quinn. I enjoyed this quite a bit. It was somewhat repetitious in places, but Mary is a wonderful heroine – bright, resourceful, compassionate, observant and mentally strong. I like that Lee has made Mary half-Chinese, and that her ethnicity poses additional problems (and opportunities) for her in mid-19th-century England.
My full review HERE

My Invented Country – Isabel Allende – 3.5***
In this memoir, Allende looks at her own family history as well as the history of her native country, Chile. She explores the social conventions, politics, natural terrain, geographical difficulties and advantages of this unique land. It’s a story full of mythology – from national legends, to her own family’s stories. Here are the roots of her ability to seamlessly weave elements of magical realism into her novels.
My full review HERE

The Best Of Adam Sharp – Graeme Simsion – 1*
If this is Adam’s best, well…. It’s definitely NOT Simsion’s best. I really enjoyed Simsion’s The Rosie Project, but this did absolutely nothing for me. Neither Adam nor Angelina seemed at all mature enough for a real love relationship. I did enjoy all the music references, though I still wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
My full review HERE

Say You’re One of Them – Uwem Akpan – 4****
This is a collection of short stories, dealing with various social issues facing African people throughout numerous countries on the continent. All are beautifully written even when heart-wrenchingly difficult to read. Uwem focuses an unblinking eye on serious issues and while the reader is fortunate to not have to face such dilemmas, the reactions of the characters are totally understandable and relatable. The local English dialect used in some of the stories was sometimes difficult to get used to, but really gave a sense of place to the narrative.
My full review HERE

Holmes On the Range – Steve Hockensmith – 3.5***
Well, this was a hoot and a half! I loved the brothers Big Red (Otto) and Old Red (Gustav) and how they worked together. Big Red narrates, as he is the more educated of the two, being able to read and write. But Old Red is the real fan of Holmes and his methods of observation and deduction, and it is he who finally solves the murder.
My full review HERE

At Bertram’s Hotel – Agatha Christie – 3***
Christie excels at creating complicated plots with many suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. She has plenty of surprises in store with this one as well. I had, unfortunately for me, seen the PBS Masterpiece mystery series episode, so knew where it was heading, but I still found it fascinating to watch how Christie wove the elements together.
My full review HERE

Babylon’s Ark – Lawrence Anthony – 4****
Subtitle: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo
Lawrence Anthony was a well-known conservationist and advocate for animals, running a game reserve in South Africa when images on CNN of the war in Baghdad caught his attention. Horrified at the potential loss of wildlife at that war-ravaged city’s zoo, he had to somehow go help. And so, against all odds, he did. This is the story of his work there. It’s informative and exciting. It’s quite the adventure!
My full review HERE

Miss Benson’s Beetle – Rachel Joyce – 4****
Two women no one would ever consider as compatible form an unlikely team as they travel to the other side of the world in search of an elusive beetle. What they find is a strong vocation, and an ever-lasting bond of friendship and love. I absolutely loved these characters! There were times when I had to laugh at their foibles. There were times when I feared for their safety. And quite a few tears were shed as well. Ultimately, they teach us a lesson about courage and perseverance, about not being afraid to fail … or to succeed.
My full review HERE

The Cobra Event – Richard Preston – 4****
A deranged, disgraced biotechnician is intent on releasing the deadly Cobra virus in New York, to kill as many “useless humans” as possible. This is a great thriller, that kept me enthralled and turning pages as quickly as I could. I’d read Preston’s nonfiction bestsellers, so I knew he had the research background to make this a very plausible scenario. I loved the details on how the teams of scientists, public health officials and FBI agents worked to decipher the clues. If you’re at all squeamish you might want to skip some of the autopsy scenes.
My full review HERE

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox – Maggie O’Farrell – 3***
There’s so much going on here I hardly know where to start. There’s the mystery of Esme’s commitment to the mental, Iris’s mess of a love life, and the intrigue of Iris’s “brother, who is really no blood relation” Alex. I thought it was rather melodramatic as well as being disjointed, but that ending – that wonderfully ambiguous and ethereal ending! Well, she got an extra half-star for that final scene.
My full review HERE

The Whole Cat and Caboodle – Sofie Ryan – 3***
Book # 1 in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series, featuring Sarah Grayson, proprietor of Second Chance, a consignment shop in North Harbor, Maine, and her rescue cat, Elvis. This is a cute cozy mystery with a decent premise and a wonderful cast of colorful supporting characters. I love that the crew of senior sleuths is christened “Charlie’s Angels” … with a nod to the movie, NOT the original TV series! I’ll keep reading this series.
My full review HERE

Listening For Lions – Gloria Whelan – 4****
This is a lovely YA / middle-school-grade novel with some important lessons about doing what is right, and honoring your parents and elders. Rachel is a worthy heroine; she’s intelligent, principled, compassionate and a hard worker. I love the way that she interacts with others and considers the possible effects of her words and actions before moving forward.
My full review HERE

Cutting For Stone – Abraham Verghese – 5***** and a ❤
This is an epic story of twin boys, born of an Indian nun and a British surgeon in an Ethiopian hospital, but raised by two other Indian physicians and the staff of Missing Hospital. Verghesse is a masterful storyteller, who wields his pen with surgical precision. The landscape and characters come to life on the page, letting the reader experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of Ethiopia and the hospitals both there and in New York where Marion finishes his training.
My full review HERE

Devil’s Food Cake Murder – Joanne Fluke – 2.5**
Book # 14 in the Hannah Swenson cozy mystery series and she STILL hasn’t made up her mind on which suitor – dentist Norman or lawman Mike – to accept. Looks like the boys may be making the decision for her. Yes, there’s a murder, and yes, Hannah MUST investigate. But she also bakes a lot of goodies. The recipes are probably what I like best about the series.
My full review HERE

The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna – Juliet Grames – 3.5***
In her debut novel, Grames explores the lives of two sisters and the rift between them. Spanning a century we follow Stella Fortuna from her birth in a small Italian village at the beginning of the 20th century, through her family’s immigration to America, to the birth of successive generations, until she is an old woman mostly confined to bed and still “at war” with her younger sister, Tina, who lives just across the street. I love family sagas and this one is epic. I really enjoyed this book but hated the title and device of “seven or eight deaths” – it just seems so contrived.
My full review HERE

Concrete Rose – Angie Thomas – 4****
In this prequel to The Hate U Give , Thomas gives us the young Maverick Carter, a 17-year-old gang member struggling to find his path to manhood. I can really see how this young man, hardly out of childhood, is being influenced – by his peers, by his parents, by other adults in his neighborhood and school, and by the expectations of society. Thomas writes about a realistic urban environment for many families, with brutal honesty and empathy. She does not shy away from the serious social issues facing these families, nor does she offer platitudes or pat answers on how to address these issues.
My full review HERE

The Weight of Heaven – Thirty Umrigar – 5*****
Reeling from the loss of their son, Frank and Ellie Benton accept an opportunity to relocate to India to run a factory. But they cannot escape their grief, and Frank’s obsession with the son of a local couple drives a wedge between both couples. This is the third book by Umrigar that I have read, and the third time I’ve rated her work 5-stars. It is an intense and heartbreakingly real story. The tragedy of this couple’s story is inevitable though none the less shocking.
My full review HERE

City of Secrets – Stewart O’Nan – 3***
Set in 1945 Jerusalem, the novel follows Brand, a survivor of the Holocaust, as he tries to make a new life working with the resistance. I love O’Nan’s ability to put you into the mind of his characters – to understand their hopes, ambitions, and fears. But this was perhaps too intense for me at this time. I appreciated it more than I enjoyed it.
My full review HERE

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Tales of Terror – Robert Louis Stevenson – 3***
Classic horror from a master of Victorian gothic fiction. I appreciate the atmospheric nature of Stevenson’s writing, and his use of psychological / moral themes. But the language seems over the top as compared to more modern writers.
My full review HERE

Shuggie Bain – Douglas Stuart – 5*****
Stuart’s debut work explores the impoverished working-class families of 1980s Glasgow. Hugh “Shuggie” Bain is the youngest child of Agnes, and much of the story focuses on his efforts to understand and deal with his mother’s alcoholism and depression. Shuggie is tender, kind, and lonely, but he is also resilient and brave. Stuart makes the reader privy to the most intimate details of their lives, This makes their descent all the more painful to watch. There is no neat happy ending here, but there is some hope for Shuggie.
My full review HERE

Being Mortal – Atul Gawande – 5*****
I re-read this for my F2F book club meeting. I’m older now and the issues are more personal, rather than just familial. Wonderful discussion at book club, and continued discussions with my husband and brothers. READ IT!
My full review HERE But skip the review and just read this book!

The Midnight Library – Matt Haig – 2.5**
I was intrigued at the beginning, especially by the basic premise of getting to experience a different life, even if just for a few moments. I was also interested in the concept of parallel universes and found myself thinking about how my life might be different if I had made other choices. However, the novel just didn’t work for me. I grew tired of the one-sentence “Hallmark card” philosophy spouted by the librarian (or sometimes by Nora). And I could see the ending coming a mile off. The extra half-star is for the excellent audio performance by Carey Mulligan.
My full review HERE

Even In Paradise – Elizabeth Nunez – 4****
This is a retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear set in the Caribbean. What a wonderful character study! Nunez had me on the edge of my seat a few times, even though I knew the basic story line already. I liked how she wove in current issues of race and class and the history of colonialism (and slavery) in the Caribbean.
My full review HERE

Eva Luna – Isabel Allende – 4****
I’m already a huge fan of Allende’s magical realism, and this book did not disappoint. I loved the many characters – from the Lebanese merchant to the petty criminal/guerrilla leader to the transsexual entertainer. As Eva tells the story of her life, she tells the story of this South American nation – of corruption, class struggle, feast and famine. The story comes alive with saints and ghosts, servants and political leaders equally profiled, skewered and cherished.
My full review HERE

Love Over Scotland – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
Book # 3 in the 44 Scotland Street series which follows a group of residents (current or former) of a particular apartment building in Edinburgh. There’s not much plot to these books, but just as in everyday life, things DO happen. There are moments of joy, or heartache, of success, or failure. People form attachments, or break off relationships, start new careers or find new enthusiasm for established routines. It’s a gentle read and a wonderful way to spend a few hours with old friends.
My full review HERE

Book Concierge wrote: "

Eva Luna
– Isabel Allende – 4****
I’m already a huge fan of Allende’s magical realism, and this book did not disappoint. I loved the many characters – from the Leba..."

I read this when it first came out & then continued to "The Stories of Eva Luna"

Even thought I ♥ Allende's writing, I haven't read all of her books, due to much of the heartbreak she portrays.

Jamaica Inn – Daphne du Maurier – 4****
What a wonderfully atmospheric, dark, sinister tale! I shivered with the damp, cold fog, strained to see by faint candle or lamp light, listened to the alternating whispers and shouts of a rabble of men up to no good. Mary Yellan is a marvelous heroine. Young and somewhat naïve, she is still a strong woman, resolute and determined to make the best of her situation. Du Maurier’s plot is intricate and complex and had several twists & turns in it. I wish there were a sequel so I could find out what Mary Yellen is like as an older woman!
My full review HERE

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


The Art Forger – Barbara A. Shapiro – 3.5***
Claire Roth is an aspiring artist who is making a living (just) by painting reproductions of old masters. And then she’s approached with an opportunity she cannot resist. Set against the backdrop of the infamous art theft at the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum in Boston – still the largest unsolved art heist in history – this is a marvelously intricate story. My feelings about Claire kept changing as I learned more of her backstory. Still, I was engaged from beginning to end and Shapiro kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.
My full review HERE

City of Secrets: Victoria Thompson
🥰👌
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Definitely a good one: again it held my interest until I finished. I like the characters in this series much better than the Gaslight Series as they are more fun & humorous. Also reading about the cons & grifts is really enlightening.

From Amazon: "Elizabeth Miles knows that honesty is not always the best policy when it comes to finding justice.

Elizabeth has discovered that navigating the rules of high society is the biggest con of all. She knows she can play the game, but so far, her only success is Priscilla Knight, a dedicated young suffragist recently widowed for the second time. Her beloved first husband died in a tragic accident and left her with two young daughters—and a sizable fortune. While she was lost in grief, Priscilla’s pastor convinced her she needed a man to look after her and engineered a whirlwind courtship and hasty marriage to fellow parishioner Endicott Knight. Now, about nine months later, Endicott is dead in what appears to be another terrible accident.

Everyone is whispering, but that is the least of Priscilla’s troubles. She had believed Endicott was wealthy, too, but her banker tells her she has no money left and her house has been mortgaged. He also hints at a terrible scandal and refuses to help.

Priscilla stands to lose everything, and Elizabeth is determined not to let that happen. But, as always, Elizabeth walks a fine line between using her unusual talents and revealing her own scandalous past. Elizabeth soon discovers that Endicott’s death was anything but accidental, and revealing the truth could threaten much more than Priscilla’s finances. To save her new friend’s future—and possibly her own—Elizabeth, along with her honest-to-a-fault beau, Gideon, delve into the sinister secrets someone would kill to keep."