| Book | Author | How I heard about Book | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Cuckoo Land | Anthony Doerr | College Book Club choice | 1 |
| The Man Who Died Twice | Richard Osman | Read author before | 2 |
| Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand | Helen Simonson | building book club choice, Re read | 3 |
| Ghosts | Dolly Alderton | EW, Good Housekeeping | 4 |
| Just Haven’t Met You Yet | Sophie Cousens | BN Recommendation | 5 |
| Rock Paper Scissors | Alice Feeney | Goodreads List | 6 |
| The Paper Palace | Miranda Cowley Heller | BN Book club,Goodreads List, Real Simple, Reese’s Book Club | 7 |
- The good news: I loved this book. The bad news: It took be about 150 pages to get into the story and understand what was going on. Good for book clubs as there are many layers to this novel. Very different than other popular book by Doerr, but expertly written. A writers writer.
- Cozy mystery done really well. Fun and light, if that’s your thing. And refreshing to see characters of a certain age be full of life and wisdom and taking an active part in life. Clever and understated, but I wouldn’t read it for book club. It’s just an enjoyable read.
- Second time I read this book. Loved it this time as much as I did when I first read it. And who doesn’t love a second chance at love just when everyone said you were too old. Can be compared to Pride and Prejudice for a variety of reasons, so if you’re a fan of that, give this a go. Good for book clubs.
- The word feminism is used ten times throughout this book. I wish the author had included a definition, because the book “says” one thing but “does” another. Author tries to explain away the obvious problem with a throwaway paragraph. Author needs to get reality check. Or accept that they want to write a love story. Enough with the woe is me I’m 30 and dating is so hard because men want a younger woman. Get over yourself. But, book was well written and different so kudos there. And seriously- look up the definition of baby boomer while you’re at it.
- Perfectly fine, light rom com. It is exactly what you expect when you want something of this genre. Good for beach or plane/train ride, but not for much else.
- Psychological Drama- including all the twists and turns you can imagine- Yet somehow, I’m not sure if there wasn’t just one too many twists and turns. How do we know the difference between just right and overkill. If these type books are your thing, it’s worth a read. If you’re a casual reader of the genre you can probably pass.
- This book is trying so hard to say how lousy men are, while simultaneously making men the hero time after time. Figure out what you’re trying to say and then write the book. Not a bad read if you like melodramatic sagas. I don’t like melodramatic sagas. I’m guessing if you like Colleen Hoover you will like this one. If someone tells you it’s good for book club, they’re wrong. It’s one, log flat note.
Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50 
The first one has been on the 7 day shelf at the library the past few times I’ve gone in. Not sure a book that takes that long to get into is the book for me right now, though
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That’s why I needed to say that…the onset is very confusing and you have no idea where it’s headed…but once you pick up the threads it’s quite good. But really highlights what a good writer he is. But yeah…7 days might be too short
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150 pages to get to the story, you are a trooper. Thanks for giving your thoughts on these reads. I’m kind of done with women proclaiming men are losers to win feminisim appeal. Feminisim is about choice and equality between sexes right? Then turn around and make men the hero. Men can’t be lumped all together and summerized with disgust. Just like women there are good women and there are women that need a sharp slap upside the head. It just rubs me the wrong way. But that’s just me.
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Totally agree and I’m tired of this trend in literature. Write a book about the internal angst we all face. You can mention the external factors but really, I want to see how people overcome, not who they blame
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Our book club enjoyed Doerr’s first book. Maybe I’ll suggest this as an option for our next meeting.
Tony Doerr anecdote: My friend was a creative writing major at Bowling Green when Doerr was a graduate assistant. He was teaching one of her classes and was trying to get the students to discuss the use of taboo in writing and the line “like French kissing your sister” became a running theme in the class.
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Excellent discussion book! Love anecdote!!!
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I started a book mentioned by Celi at Thekitchensgarden called A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and cannot put it down. Celi said she had read it three times and I can understand why. It is gripping. Would be interested in what you think. Chris
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Omg that’s one of my favorite books of past few years. I buy it for people as a gift!!
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Does Alderton confuse a boomer with a Gen Xer?
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Worse…a millennial. The character is supposed to be early 30s present day. She talks about how pet sounds was her fave album when young, same as guy she likes. She then says she shouldn’t be surprised because all boomers like pet sounds. Except she isn’t a boomer…😖
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Whoa yeah that sounds awful, the only way pet sounds would be their favorite album would be as if both of their parents were serious Beach Boys fans.
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Right? Unless she stated it was a retro thing. It was convoluted
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Perhaps the author is but forgot who she was writing as…that sounds like a sloppy writer.
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I wondered that too…but the rest of the book was so me too, feminism, online dating that it could only take place in the late teens early twenties
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Thank you for your recommendations and information. I actually took out Rock Paper Scissors from the library and returned it as I just never got around to reading it. I have been reading some Ashley Weaver books and got two from interlibrary loans and thought I better concentrate on those. I think I will pass on RPS now I have your valuable input. One minor typo in your list – #7 fyi. – Happy (American) Thanksgiving ♥
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💗
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I’ve been curious about Cloud Cuckoo Land, but I haven’t heard much about it. Your review is the first I’ve really seen.
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I think it’s because it is hard to get into. And it is so unlike All the Light, that people are thrown off. It’s intricately written, which I think is off putting. But I found it tied up itself rather nicely
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Hm. I’ll definitely have to check it out one of these days, then. I do like intricate writing.
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I think it’s worth it for you to check out…I think you’ll like the way things are presented
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My library bookclub did Paper Palace, but I didn’t read it as the librarian said I probably wouldn’t like it – she knows my taste well. I had four other books out so I passed on it. They are still only meeting virtually, so I’ll see what people say about it.
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Yes…interested in what people say/think!
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Enjoyed reading this. 🙂
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💗💗
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I’ll try #3 when I can. Right now I’m watching The Blacklist. End of second season. Have you seen it?
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Pettigrews is wonderful!!! I watched the first few seasons and loved it. Then I got tired of it. Love spader though
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