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2vancouverdeb
Currently reading Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo. Really a wonderful read so far. It's on the Bailey's 2017 Short list.
3LibraryCin
The Mystery of Grace / Charles de Lint
4 stars
Grace is of Mexican descent, is a mechanic, and is covered with tattoos. John is a really nice guy, an artist. When John and Grace spend a night together, they seem to be super-connected. Imagine John’s surprise when Grace literally disappears from his bathroom the next morning! I’d like to say more about the book (much more is revealed in the second chapter), but the big reveal is not mentioned in the blurb about the book, so I will keep it to myself (but you can see it based on tags if you look; don’t look if you don’t want to see!).
The chapters were told from alternating points of view. I really liked this. Really good urban fantasy (which de Lint is so good at!). I liked both main characters and I liked Grace’s world and the friendship she made with Conchita. The mythology/superstition was interesting, as well.
4 stars
Grace is of Mexican descent, is a mechanic, and is covered with tattoos. John is a really nice guy, an artist. When John and Grace spend a night together, they seem to be super-connected. Imagine John’s surprise when Grace literally disappears from his bathroom the next morning! I’d like to say more about the book (much more is revealed in the second chapter), but the big reveal is not mentioned in the blurb about the book, so I will keep it to myself (but you can see it based on tags if you look; don’t look if you don’t want to see!).
The chapters were told from alternating points of view. I really liked this. Really good urban fantasy (which de Lint is so good at!). I liked both main characters and I liked Grace’s world and the friendship she made with Conchita. The mythology/superstition was interesting, as well.
4ted74ca
I can't believe I'd never read Joanne Harris before last year. Just finished Lollipop Shoes and loved it.
5rabbitprincess
I have had a pretty lousy week in terms of reading -- not getting enough reading time. The one thing I am managing to read (in 20-minute spurts on the bus) is The Black Moon, by Winston Graham.
6Nickelini
I've started and abandoned a string of novels -- currently giving The Behavior of Moths (aka The Sister) by Poppy Adams a try. In non-fiction, I'm reading The Chicago Guide to Fact-Checking. University of Chicago Press are the guru-guides to all things editing and this is written for journalists, editors and non-fiction writers, although I think this has a wider appeal. Their stuff is top drawer and often not just very readable but also entertaining.
7rabbitprincess
>6 Nickelini: I will take a book bullet for the Chicago Guide!
8ted74ca
Was partly way through this book and realized I'd probably read it before, but continued on, all 608 pages of it (Elizabeth George really could use a good editor!). Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George.
9ted74ca
Very impressed by my latest read: The Lighthouse by Alison Moore
10vancouverdeb
>9 ted74ca: Oh I loved The Lighthouse by Alison Moore. I've also read He Wants by the same author. Not quite as brilliant, but still very good!
Just finished Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal. A light historical mystery / espionage.
Just finished Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal. A light historical mystery / espionage.
11ted74ca
>10 vancouverdeb:. Yes, Deb. I requested The Lighthouse from the library after you had commented on it after I'd listed He Wants as one of my recent books. I thought it was great too.
12ted74ca
The book I just finished is a bit of a departure from my usual fare-it's a combination of historical fiction (very detailed!), Gothic thriller/horror, and mysticicism. The Terror by Dan Simmons. I really liked it.
13Cecrow
>12 ted74ca:, it's an interesting and timely read now that they've just recently found the actual locations of the two sunken ships from the expedition. You've described the mix of genre pretty well.
14mdoris
Started Angel Catbird a graphic novel by Margaret Atwood with environmental suggestions. Interesting!
15LynnB
So far in May, I've read:
When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro
Berlin Rules: Europe and the German Way by Paul Lever
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
Virgin: The Untouched History by Hanne Blank
The Landing by John Ibbitson
In the City of Falling Stars by Chris Tusa
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Reading Allowed: True Stories and Curious Incidents from a Provincial Library by Chris Paling
A Whole Life by Robert Seethaler
Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous and
Heroes of the Frontier by Dave Eggers
I'm now about to re-read Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire.
When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro
Berlin Rules: Europe and the German Way by Paul Lever
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
Virgin: The Untouched History by Hanne Blank
The Landing by John Ibbitson
In the City of Falling Stars by Chris Tusa
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Reading Allowed: True Stories and Curious Incidents from a Provincial Library by Chris Paling
A Whole Life by Robert Seethaler
Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous and
Heroes of the Frontier by Dave Eggers
I'm now about to re-read Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire.
16ted74ca
I think my latest book is my favourite read of the year so far. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence
17mdoris
>15 LynnB: Holy smokes, that's a LOT of books read!
18Catherine_GV
Hello! As for me, I'm multi-reading: -Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza
-Strawberry Summer by Melissa Brayden
-Breakwater by Catherine Jones Payne
-Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles by J.M. Sullivan
-The Carver by Jacob Devlin
-The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan
along with other books here and there. ;)
-Strawberry Summer by Melissa Brayden
-Breakwater by Catherine Jones Payne
-Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles by J.M. Sullivan
-The Carver by Jacob Devlin
-The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan
along with other books here and there. ;)
19LynnB
mdoris: yep, I've been reading a lot. Travelling, so lots of time in airports/airplanes and two "at sea" days on board a cruise ship. Don't be too impressed -- many of those books were under 200 pages.
20mdoris
>19 LynnB: Still impressed!
21LibraryCin
>19 LynnB: Ooooh, I'd like to hear about your cruise... where did you go? Ports? What cruise line/ship? Etc... :-)
22LibraryCin
Lives of Girls and Women / Alice Munro
3 stars
Del is a young girl growing up in small town Ontario. This follows her from a girl through high school. It’s set around WWII and a bit after.
There really wasn’t much to this book. I’ve been wanting to try Alice Munro for a while, but am not a fan of short stories, so that pretty much left me with this book. It was ok, but really nothing happened, so for anyone looking for some kind of plot, this won’t provide it.
3 stars
Del is a young girl growing up in small town Ontario. This follows her from a girl through high school. It’s set around WWII and a bit after.
There really wasn’t much to this book. I’ve been wanting to try Alice Munro for a while, but am not a fan of short stories, so that pretty much left me with this book. It was ok, but really nothing happened, so for anyone looking for some kind of plot, this won’t provide it.
24LibraryCin
Tsunami: The Newfoundland Tidal Wave Disaster / Maura Hanrahan
4 stars
In 1929, Newfoundland was still its own country; it wouldn’t join Canada for another 20 years. In November of that year, under the ocean closeby, there was an earthquake, followed shortly after by a tsunami that hit the small island nation – three successive waves that hit the shores of the Burin Peninsula the worst. Many small fishing communities in that area lost food and fuel that was meant to get them through the upcoming winter, they lost homes, livelihoods, and 27 people’s lives, many women and children. The following day, as communication lines were still down, a blizzard hit the area.
The author describes people and families as they feel the tremor, wonder what’s happened, then relax when it ends... then, as the waves first arrive. Later, she follows one nurse, Nurse Dorothy Cherry, as she travels (with two local men to accompany her) through the blizzard between the small communities to offer help. Later, the word finally gets out to a wider world, and more help arrives in the form of clothes, building supplies, food, coal.
This is a disaster I hadn’t known about. This book is mostly facts, but the author does add in dialogue and even invents some background for some key people when she couldn’t find out enough. There is a note at the end of the book to explain this. Very interesting and heartbreaking, in some cases.
4 stars
In 1929, Newfoundland was still its own country; it wouldn’t join Canada for another 20 years. In November of that year, under the ocean closeby, there was an earthquake, followed shortly after by a tsunami that hit the small island nation – three successive waves that hit the shores of the Burin Peninsula the worst. Many small fishing communities in that area lost food and fuel that was meant to get them through the upcoming winter, they lost homes, livelihoods, and 27 people’s lives, many women and children. The following day, as communication lines were still down, a blizzard hit the area.
The author describes people and families as they feel the tremor, wonder what’s happened, then relax when it ends... then, as the waves first arrive. Later, she follows one nurse, Nurse Dorothy Cherry, as she travels (with two local men to accompany her) through the blizzard between the small communities to offer help. Later, the word finally gets out to a wider world, and more help arrives in the form of clothes, building supplies, food, coal.
This is a disaster I hadn’t known about. This book is mostly facts, but the author does add in dialogue and even invents some background for some key people when she couldn’t find out enough. There is a note at the end of the book to explain this. Very interesting and heartbreaking, in some cases.
25rabbitprincess
>24 LibraryCin: Sounds interesting! I've requested it from my library.
26LibraryCin
>25 rabbitprincess: Hope you like it!
27Cecrow
>24 LibraryCin:, huh, I knew nothing about that bit of Canadiana (hanging head in shame), I'm smarter now.
Grand Banks Earthquake on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929_Grand_Banks_earthquake
Grand Banks Earthquake on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929_Grand_Banks_earthquake
29LynnB
I'm reading Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa. I bought it because my book club was going to read it; they changed their minds and it's been on the TBR shelves for a very long time.
30ted74ca
A rather lacklustre crime novel is my only read of the last week-too busy gardening! The Reckoning by Jane Casey
32LynnB
I found an old Joyce Carol Oates novel in a second-hand shop: Do With Me What You Will.
33LibraryCin
I'll Be Watching You / Charles de Lint (as Samuel Key)
4.5 stars
Rachel has just gotten out of an abusive relationship, but her husband doesn’t want to let go. She has a job and only a couple of good friends to help her out. Little does she know, she also has an “admirer” (a peeping tom, really) who will come to her “rescue” when she needs it. But, from his perspective, the perfectly beautiful Rachel will need to be “tested” herself.
Ok, I tried to keep that somewhat vague, as the blurb on the book doesn’t say a whole lot, so I didn’t want to give anything away. This is one of the books de Lint wrote as Samuel Key, a pseudonym he took to distinguish his darker works from his fantasy. It was told in the third person, but the reader got to know more about what was going on, as we did follow a few different characters, than the characters knew, themselves. Certainly by the end of the book, it was a page-turner, keeping me on the edge of my seat, wanting to keep reading to know what would happen! I really really liked this one!
4.5 stars
Rachel has just gotten out of an abusive relationship, but her husband doesn’t want to let go. She has a job and only a couple of good friends to help her out. Little does she know, she also has an “admirer” (a peeping tom, really) who will come to her “rescue” when she needs it. But, from his perspective, the perfectly beautiful Rachel will need to be “tested” herself.
Ok, I tried to keep that somewhat vague, as the blurb on the book doesn’t say a whole lot, so I didn’t want to give anything away. This is one of the books de Lint wrote as Samuel Key, a pseudonym he took to distinguish his darker works from his fantasy. It was told in the third person, but the reader got to know more about what was going on, as we did follow a few different characters, than the characters knew, themselves. Certainly by the end of the book, it was a page-turner, keeping me on the edge of my seat, wanting to keep reading to know what would happen! I really really liked this one!
34ted74ca
I finally finished The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It took me an incredibly long time to finish this book, just kept putting it aside for some reason, though I definitely really liked it.
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