topic Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020 in Book Club

WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

sunala — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 04:00:45 GMT

Happy AUGUST 2020 to all our readers. Because of the coronavirus, if you are socially distancing and staying home, you've got plenty of time to read and explore new books you've been meaning to read. I'm trying although I sometimes can't get into any books at all.

Please share what you're currently reading, what you liked and what you didn't, and share them with us so we can enjoy them too.

Sending prayers to everyone here for good health. Take good care of yourselves and read a lot of wonderful books.

Happy Reading and a happy and HEALTHY month to all.

Hugs, Sunny

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

smoochy — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 04:22:44 GMT

A Land Remembered. Historical novel about generations of a family that settled in Florida, beginning with the Civil War era.. A friend recommended it since I've lived in Florida two years. She thought I'd now be able to appreciate more of the story. It's quite interesting.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

Catty2 — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 08:20:40 GMT

I finished reading Little Fire Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Even though I knew very little about this book I've wanted to read it because it's been so popular. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

cbrite — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 08:29:02 GMT

I'm not but one incredible book that changed my life is

"Playing Ball On Running Water"

STAY SAFE LIVE LONG

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

SWEET — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 12:52:59 GMT

Well, my August is starting off wrong. I just abandoned my 2nd book in 3 days.

I wanted to like Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken but it was weird and mish-mosh. A woman is found in a cemetery in the 1800s and married the dr. who saved her and decides to open and start a bowling alley for women. After she dies, it gets all strange and mish mosh with the characters.

Going to read Melissa Storm's The Sunday Potluck Club which I've been waiting for 4 and 1/2 months from Kensington. They were closed for COVID and wasn't sure when I was going to get it. It looks like a light read and not like the above book.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

dawg lover — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 14:18:04 GMT

@smoky22 - Great news for you and other Alexander McCall Smith fans! Apparently, he has been very busy writing during this time of Covid-19. In addition to the new Precious book "HOW TO RAISE AN ELEPHANT" coming out in October, there will be a new Bertie book coming out in November in the UK! Who knows when it will come out in the US, but you can read all about it on the Book Depository website. It's called "A PROMISE OF ANKLES," referring to Angus' dog's longing for ankles to bite, I assume. And in February, he finally has a new German professor book coming out as well, called "YOUR INNER HEDGEHOG." I think these books are hilarious. I am so excited to read all of them. I agree with you about the Varg books; they're just okay, a little disappointing. Glad you are enjoying the Viveca Sten Swedish mysteries. I recently found out that they have made the books into a tv series, which you can stream on a station called MHZ. I am going to look into buying a month's subscription to watch it. I believe it's in Swedish with English subtitles.

@Judaline - Thanks for your recommendation of "CONVERSATIONS WITH ST. BERNARD." I reserved another dog book that looks interesting, but I haven't read it yet: "THE FINDERS" by Jeffrey Burton. Check it out and see if it is something that appeals to you.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

tobe — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 15:02:32 GMT

HELL IN THE HEARTLAND: Murder, Meth, and the Case of Two Missing Girls by Jax Miller

A true story Murder Mystery.

A true story of a cold case which happened in rural Oklahoma in 1999, in the town of Welch. The author does an excellent job in her investigation, which took her to northeast Oklahoma and the surrounding area. She interviewed many people. Meth was ranpant, and the area was known as Outlaw Land. She describes in detail the small towns, some of which are now ghost towns, and the good and the bad people who still live there. One town, which has made headlines is Picher, OK, known as the most toxic town in the nation! I am about 2/3 into reading this book and it has "knocked my socks off", so to speak! I am not into mysteries, etc., but this book has me stunned, rattled and amazed. The sheriff's department and the OSBI, according to the author and townspeople, bungled up this case from the beginning. Maybe I have just lead a sheltered life, but this book is such an eye opener! Plus, I cannot lay this book down, as I read and read. Over the last 20 years this case has made the news, off and on, here in Oklahoma, but now I know the story behind the story, the police cover up and the tragedy of what happened. WARNING: A few places in the book are explicit.

THE HEARTH AND EAGLE: A NOVEL by Anya Seton

Historical Fiction

This has become one of my most favorite books. It is a story of an early settlement long ago in New England, and the family who lived there. It centers around a woman who grew up there, Hesper Honeywood and her life of triumph and tragedy. Very well written. This book is a classic. This book will stay with you as it is not easily forgotten!

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

shy bobcat — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 15:27:47 GMT

Finished, TOO MUCH AND NEVER ENOUGH by Mary T.

It was an interesting read ...

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

KathyM23 — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 18:55:43 GMT

I just fnished The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine. Many twists to this thriler. Ending was a surprise and the very last page left me wondering.

Also just finished A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones. New Mexico sheriff named Sunshine. Mystery mixed with humor.

Am now reading Near Dark by Brad Thor. His books are always excellent thrillers.

Also just read The Dilema by B A Paris and The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda.

On my to read pile: Shakedown by Newt Gingrich, All we Buried by Elena Taylor (this will be a new author for me) and The End of Her by Shari Lapena.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

tansy — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 20:20:48 GMT

THE DEVIL'S BED by William Kent Krueger. I've enjoyed other books by this author, especially ORDINARY GRACE.

This is a summary from his website:

A haunting and atmospheric stand-alone conspiracy thriller.

When President Clay Dixon’s father-in-law—a former vice president—is injured in a farming accident, First Lady Kate Dixon returns to Minnesota to be at his side. Assigned to protect her, Secret Service agent Bo Thorsen soon falls under Kate’s spell. He also suspects the accident is part of a trap set for Kate by David Moses, an escaped mental patient who once loved her. What Bo and Moses don’t realize is that they’re caught in a web of deadly intrigue spun by a seemingly insignificant bureaucratic department within the federal government. Racing to find answers before an assassin’s bullet can kill Kate, Bo soon learns that when you lie down with the devil, there’s hell to pay.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

kaydee50 — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 20:20:17 GMT

I'm just finishing Albert Camus The Plague, written more than 70 years ago and eerily like what we are going through right now.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

Epicurean — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 20:28:55 GMT

sunala,I have never watched the movie East of Eden. When I love a book I like to think of the characters as I see them in my head,if that makes any sense. I usually enjoy a book more than the movie,for most anyway,

Ha!

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

Epicurean — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 20:56:05 GMT

I have always been interested in native America history,for no particular reason. I read about a book THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN. Written by a Native American. A horror story. Well, a horror it was.i just could not get into this book. Put it down and tried again later to read it, I had no idea what was going on.thought it was terribly boring. So,it's one of the rare times I didn't finish a book. Hate to pay for it and not read it.at least it was a kindle,a little cheaper

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

JerseyGirlNJ — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 22:40:51 GMT

@Catty2 wrote:
I finished reading Little Fire Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Even though I knew very little about this book I've wanted to read it because it's been so popular. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

One of the best books I have ever read!

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

maximillian — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 01:24:47 GMT

My latest read is Carousel Court by Joe McGinness Jr. It is set in Southern California in the last round of bank foreclosures on expensive homes. The book is ..umm..quite "edgey." There is a dramatic storyline, but honestly, I did not think any of the main characters had any redeeming qualities. I kept reading though! Here is a warning: there is profanity and some sex scenes are rather explicit. If you don't like that in a book, skip it.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

Alter Ego — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 01:39:43 GMT

I finished listening to Pretty Things by Janelle Brown. Although lightweight and somewhat predictable, I liked it for what it was. One very annoying thing about it - it's told via two viewpoints. The author repeats some of the same action, but from the other side. Because I knew before I read it that Nicole Kidman bought the rights and will produce and star in it for Amazon, I couldn't help but read it from that perspective. I assume Nicole will play Nina's mother - age fits and is a good role, which could be expanded a little because it will be a limited series (and did the narrator even sound like her?). I think some of the action veered towards Lifetime movie, but I actually have faith that Nicole will do a good job with it and will be sure to watch it when completed.

I saw that Ruth Ware released a short story and will listen to that next.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

MoJoV — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 15:20:37 GMT

I'm reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.. I'm really enjoying it. It's about melding scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants. Wisdom and legend of Potawatomi nation. The author is a botanist. She makes it very interesting ..

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

Twins Mom — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 18:33:15 GMT

Just completed 28 Summers. I was engrossed and compelled to complete. That being said, I did not enjoy as much as previous books. I guess I missed detail in emotions.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

SWEET — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 18:54:09 GMT

@Twins Mom wrote:
Just completed 28 Summers. I was engrossed and compelled to complete. That being said, I did not enjoy as much as previous books. I guess I missed detail in emotions.

@Twins Mom

I totally agree. I liked Summer of 69 better but not by much.

Re: WHAT ARE YOU READING? AUGUST 2020

FindingMyJoy — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 19:30:11 GMT

In 2020, I finally realized it's ok if I don't like a book that everyone else just loves! It's ok if I try the book, after a few chapters, if I'm not enjoying it, I can quit and move on to something else! Previously, I've always felt the need to keep plodding thru a book in hopes it gets better or I see why everyone else gave it glowing reviews. Over the past couple months, I've decided it's just not worth it. There are too many other books out there to enjoy!

So over the past week, I tried 2 books that had rave reviews...both of them I just wasn't enjoying and just didn't care what happened to the main characters, so I gave up! I returned the ebooks to the library and moved on.

I returned to a cozy mystery series I found earlier this year by Lucy Burdette. I read book 9 in her Key West Food Critic series. This book is called A Deadly Feast. My local library didn't have book 8 available so I'll jump back in the series when I get it. This series is set in Key West Florida. Each book feels like a mini-vacation to the Keys! Maybe it's because I really miss traveling and great vacation food, but I've really enjoyed this season. This book is set around Thanksgiving and gave great food recipes for the season. There is a variety of characters in the book that give it an overall feel-good story line even if there is a murder LOL. I have enjoyed the later books in the series vs the beginning books which is odd because usually I feel that the early books in a series are better? Overall an enjoyable very fast read and I look forward to reading the next book and dream about traveling to the Keys again