Reply
Valued Contributor
Posts: 619
Registered: ‎02-24-2018

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

Happy February Fellow Readers!

 

Finished Cliff Diver (Emilia Cruz Mysteries #1) by Carmen Amato yesterday on audiobook. Genres: Fiction, Crime, Mystery.

 

The setting is Acapulco, Mexico for this crime mystery involving the police department's first and only female detective, Emilia Cruz. The storyline involves gambling, prostitution, corruption, gender harassment and family drama.

 

Rated a 3 on Goodreads where the average rating is 4.17. 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,531
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?


@FranandZoe wrote:

Last week of January I read Blind Faith by Joe McGinniss.  Alway loved the mini series and loved the book.  

 

After reading @shoekitty's review of Cher's autobio I'm going to read it.  It's amazing what Cher put up with from Sonny - so sad.  I always loved Cher - thanks shoekitty.

 

@FranandZoe   I think you will love it. It is not an ordinary autobiography. This book starts out with her mothers family, the struggles her moms ill chosen relationships, the poverty is deep.  A child like Cher in most families like this woukd never have achieved what she did. It was Sonny, as she says, who pushed her.  She was far too shy, unsure, undereducated in books, but she did. Wont spoil it anymore, but please come back and let me know how you enjoyed it, or not, lol!  One thing for sure, she could have been a comedian if all else failed. I highly recommend the audio book if you can. 


 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,970
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

[ Edited ]

@shoekitty wrote:

@FranandZoe wrote:

Last week of January I read Blind Faith by Joe McGinniss.  Alway loved the mini series and loved the book.  

 

After reading @shoekitty's review of Cher's autobio I'm going to read it.  It's amazing what Cher put up with from Sonny - so sad.  I always loved Cher - thanks shoekitty.

 

@FranandZoe   I think you will love it. It is not an ordinary autobiography. This book starts out with her mothers family, the struggles her moms ill chosen relationships, the poverty is deep.  A child like Cher in most families like this woukd never have achieved what she did. It was Sonny, as she says, who pushed her.  She was far too shy, unsure, undereducated in books, but she did. Wont spoil it anymore, but please come back and let me know how you enjoyed it, or not, lol!  One thing for sure, she could have been a comedian if all else failed. I highly recommend the audio book if you can. 

 

@shoekitty Thanks again - I will let you know.  Do you plan to read her Book 2?


 


 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,531
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?


@FranandZoe wrote:

@shoekitty wrote:

@FranandZoe wrote:

Last week of January I read Blind Faith by Joe McGinniss.  Alway loved the mini series and loved the book.  

 

After reading @shoekitty's review of Cher's autobio I'm going to read it.  It's amazing what Cher put up with from Sonny - so sad.  I always loved Cher - thanks shoekitty.

 

@FranandZoe   I think you will love it. It is not an ordinary autobiography. This book starts out with her mothers family, the struggles her moms ill chosen relationships, the poverty is deep.  A child like Cher in most families like this woukd never have achieved what she did. It was Sonny, as she says, who pushed her.  She was far too shy, unsure, undereducated in books, but she did. Wont spoil it anymore, but please come back and let me know how you enjoyed it, or not, lol!  One thing for sure, she could have been a comedian if all else failed. I highly recommend the audio book if you can. 

 

@shoekitty Thanks again - I will let you know.  Do you plan to read her Book 2?


@FranandZoe   Yes, I do!   Whenever it comes out.  The part 1 leaves you not to long after she left Sonny Lots more to cover!!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,056
Registered: ‎05-30-2010

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

I read Small Things Like These, set in Ireland in 1985. In fewer than 120 pages, Claire Keegan has crafted a touching, memorable story about a working class father with 5 young daughters who reflects on the choice between doing what's right and doing what's easy.  This is a powerful, thought provoking book that packs a great deal into such a short work. It sheds a light on the infamous Magdalen laundries (also know as institutions) run by the Roman Catholic Church, that operated from 1922 until 1996.  I highly recommend it.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,486
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

I finished listening to THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis.  Had so many things that I love - Egyptian queens, ancient curses, the Met Gala.  Heck, it even had a very teeny smidge of Devil Wears Prada! Halfway through, I wondered if it could be an early favorite of the year.  But, realistically, it probably had a little too much going on.  I still really enjoyed it, but that had more to do with my own personal likes.

 

I also listened to a short story: VERONICA RUIZ BREAKS THE BANK by Elle Cosimano. This goes along with her Finley Donavan series, which is getting more ridiculous with each book.  I actually was trying to do some work while listening and admit that I have very little takeway from the book.  

 

Currently listening to Ina Garten's biography for book club.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 619
Registered: ‎02-24-2018

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

Finished yesterday Finding Freedom: A Cook's Story Remaking a Life from Scratch by Erin French. Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction. 

 

Erin French is the owner and chef of The Lost Kitchen, an acclaimed small restaurant in Freedom, Maine where the only way to get a seat is mail a postcard for a reservation lottery. A conversation with friends peaked my interest to read the book narrated by the the author.

 

The book navigates French's early life growing up in a very small town in Maine through various toxic relationships, family drama, and personal struggles. Her journey culminates with her now very successful restaurant surrounded by healthier relationships.

 

Overall, the book was a mixed bag read for me as far as my rating. Goodreads average rating is 4.25.

 

Cheers All and Happy Reading!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,373
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?


@nwbabs wrote:

Finished yesterday Finding Freedom: A Cook's Story Remaking a Life from Scratch by Erin French. Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction. 

 

Erin French is the owner and chef of The Lost Kitchen, an acclaimed small restaurant in Freedom, Maine where the only way to get a seat is mail a postcard for a reservation lottery. A conversation with friends peaked my interest to read the book narrated by the the author.

 

The book navigates French's early life growing up in a very small town in Maine through various toxic relationships, family drama, and personal struggles. Her journey culminates with her now very successful restaurant surrounded by healthier relationships.

 

Overall, the book was a mixed bag read for me as far as my rating. Goodreads average rating is 4.25.

 

Cheers All and Happy Reading!


@nwbabs 

 

Loved this book.  Need to read the sequel.

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,548
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

[ Edited ]

I finished The Wedding People by Alison Esbach, and The Borrowed Life of Frederick Flife by Anna Johnston. I enjoyed both.📚

 

I'm currently reading Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez.😊

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,996
Registered: ‎11-20-2010

Re: FEBRUARY 2025 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

I just finished reading The JFK Conspiracy, the secret plot to kill Kennedy and why it failed  The author is Brad Meltzer (one of my favorites).  It is about a plot to kill President Elect Kennedy before he actually took office.  Interesting, informative and well written.

 

Also just read Cross my Heart by Megan Collins ( a first time author for me).

I enjoyed it and it is full of surprises.  A woman received a heart transplant from a famous author's wife who was killed in an at home accident.  She started an internet relationship with him and he was later killed and she was a prime suspect.

 

Just started reading Head Cases by John McMahon.  I'm going to give up on it.  It is too gruesome for me and not my writing style either.

 

I am going to start reading today The Crash by Freida McFadden.  It's funny as much as I read, I had never read or heard of this author until someone on this board mentioned one of her books.  I am a real fan now.  Went back and read her previous books that I had missed.  Just picked this new one up today at the library.