SEPTEMBER READS

[rapa]

September days are here! What's on your plate?

I just finished BIG LITTLE LIES. Definitely chick lit! Am eagerly waiting for my reserve of Louise Penny's new book. Have any of you read it yet???

BTW, "RABBIT RABBIT RABBIT"

[Carci]

I'm back from a couple of weeks up north with sketchy wi-fi connections.  I read A Long Way Home by Louise Penney and did not care for it... the first time that has happened with one of her books.  I was slow and meandering and I skimmed much of it and didn't care how it ended. Hope she hasn't burned out like so many series do...

Then I read Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn and loved it as usual... how can you not love Chet and his doggy ways.

I'm now reading Missing Persons by Stephen White...  It's better than the last one I read by him (Blinded) so I'm sticking with it.

DH got his hands on Windingo Island when I picked it up form the library yesterday.  I actually played the loving wife and put it in his hands...  lol.  Hopefully he'll finish it quickly since it's a 7 day book, or I'll be paying a small overdue fee to the library which I never mind doing...  money well spent.  Have I mentioned before that William Kent Krueger is my favorite author and his Cork O'Conner series it the best one I've come across. Outdoor adventure, Indian mysticism, mystery and a whole lot of good ole fashioned morality thrown in... which is unusual in this day and age.  If you haven't read the series be sure to start at the beginning as his family changes and a background story continues from book to book.

[Eaglewoman]

Stephen whites book is  better if you read the 20 in order, they make more sense.

[Glenda Scheideler]

Agreed -- Once I discovered his books, I started with the first one and went all the way through.  However, he did leave me wondering at the very end.

[Beezerette]

I am trying to read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, but I am getting confused by all the switching of dates and lives, so I left it and am reading some Anne Perry books I bought at our library's used book sale. Not quite "cozies" but easy reads.

[Mandy Muffin]

"Life after Life" was very hard to follow for me also.  I think the story has to read straight through and then all the pieces tend to fit together.  I had to go back and reread some of the early chapters. 

[Carolyn Tewell]

Greetings Funseekers!

I haven't posted here since Dec. 2013. As I have mentioned before as a Moderator on Sparkpeople Jan 1st rock and rolls with members highly motivated to get back to weight management, health and fitness. Add the care and custody of my 93 year old Mother-in-law, add a move from biggie 3 story home to a ranch for her ease and safety, add still running the calculator even tho' I "retired" in 2008...my time and energy has been limited.

So, I'll be a "thread hog" as I attempt a "catch up."

Glenda, RAPA, Slopok, Sue, Gloria, Mandy, Eagle, Flower, Carci, plus anyone I miss but will do a "look-back" on previous threads to remind me of active posters. Loruach, I am so sorry for the loss of your wife and was moved by your compelling post on that event.

Yes, I stop in to lurk usually on Sunday nights along with Goodreads for some ideas on new books to investigate.

Just a few comments before I step away to handle dinner.

Slopok, as soon as I read your "Gone But Not Forgotten" had to order from Library as well as Rapa's Windigo Island!

Flower...Adrian McKinty ...OMG!!! I love this Author!!! Read/listen to all his work!

Carci..."Cold Case" by Stephen White ...just finished it last night. Probably his best effort in my opinion!

For the record. I have attempted 2 of Louise Penny's books. And I really, really wanted to like them because of her sense of humor...identifying with the whole "Mature audience" should be right up my standard! Sadly, I just could not connect with the mysteries presented.

Lee Child...dang it...my DH, Dan'l (we aren't lost just exploring) Boone has that book somewhere in his office...I gotta do some "Re-Con" to capture!

Edge of Eternity is on my hold list. PANT, PANT...can't wait!

What have I been reading? THE GOLDFINCH... Now this book, I thought would be "above my pay grade" since it does feature Fine Art. But I did work for an Art and Antique Gallery back in the 90's so figured I would give it a shot. This book is for "open minded" people. Actually, I'm curious who and how did this book become so popular? It is impossible to explain or digest ...at least by me!

To be continued....Carolyn aka Mellowgal

[Carolyn Tewell]

Reflecting on past threads:

Guess I Missed a few months in the Spring...house hunting got in the way of downtime!

Several of you read "The Goldfinch" and were just as engrossed as I was with this book. Yes, it did drag from time to time...especially the "drugged out" dialog by main characters...but at the same time I realize that is life in the big city for many young folks and tho' not part of my world certainly is a reality. Tana French's writing was stellar to me....now, saying that, I tried to get into another book of hers and bombed it out after 1 audio disc. (Actually, I do that a lot!!!)

URSULA!!! So glad to see you...had a brief conversation with RAPA the other day and first thing I ask was if you were still around!

RAPA...Shots Fired. Some of those short stories had me pondering them days later. Glad I chose it.

LIP SERVICE...I see you took charge of the Group while RAPA was involved with her DH's health issues. Thunderous Applause!

Many of you have reported attending "Book Discussions" and our Library holds them every month. I would place on Calendar IF AND ONLY IF a book was chosen that I liked. Well, attended my first Book Group gathering....the selection was "WILD." By Cheryl Strahan (sp?). I reported here in 2013 ongoing. Just loved the writing! Can't say the rest of the group was embracing her revelations but I enjoyed our time together face to face.

So far in 2014...I've kissed a lot of toads. Book after book went down after the first 50 pages or if on Audio then 1 disc ...as I'm not going to give up 8 to 10 hours of my life that I can't get back. Another raved about book was "California". At page 150 where the heroine started talking about cutting up veggies for next 15 pages...I lost it! This book was supposed to be about "life after the Armageddon"...like how a young couple survives with minimal supplies. Danl and I read all sorts of "Survivalist" type books...some fiction, some from experts who know their...um, er, uh...stuff! California was a disappointment. So at page 170 I went over to Barnes and Noble on line (which I should have done to begin with) and the commentary was "Can't believe I bothered!" So this book was highlighted in our Cleveland Plain Dealer book review...guess I won't be so trusting of that feature from now on!!!

I'm sure I will think of more "hits and misses" soonly.~ct/mlo

[rapa]

Soooo good hearing from you MLO!!!! You surely have your hands full. Good to know that someone else is not thrilled with last few Penny books. I need to at least care about some of the characters!
Took DH to Dallas neurologist today and he had an extensive consultation. Has been started on Aricept for impaired memory. As always, we take one day at a time. He still has knee contractures from the long hospitalizations and continues with home health PT and ST. One day at a time works.

Today picked up Sandra Brown's MEAN STREAK. Currently reading THE HEADMASTER's WIFE. Am hoping to have a peaceful week end to read as football will entertain the hubby.

[Glenda Scheideler]

I laughed just reading your writing.  Goldfinch was one of those books I could not put down, but then I wondered why I read it.  It was very dark.  I recommended it to my book club and then took it off. Have discovered Jojo Moyes and ME BEFORE YOU.  Loved it.  Could not decide if it was Chick Lit or not.

[Slopok]

Read "Breakthrough" by Michael Grumley. It's a Dirk Pitt type novel,the hero and side kick save the world, while communicating, through a computer, with dolphins. It's Mr. Grumley's debut novel, I think. It's ok, I gave it 3.5 stars. I'm reading the sequel now,"Leaps", dolphin communication plus apes. Once had a co-worker who was hard to communicate with, could have used a translator program.

[Flowergram]

Just started Greg Hurwitz's - "Kill Clause" - author was recommended here, reading it on the computer.  I am hooked -now will have to get more of his books.  Hard to stop reading but life calls.  LOL  Keep listing and I will keep on reading. Yea.

[Carci]

Picked up Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde at the library yesterday and started it right away because I was in need of a good book...  and I found one!  She has a way of touching your heart like no other author I know.  She wrote Pay It Forward which was made into an outstanding movie starring Kevin Spacey & Haley Joel Osment.  That phrase has become a slogan for 'good deeds done anonymously' and started with that book.

I only started it yesterday but will probably finish it tonight...  everything I've read by her is THAT good!  And several of them were free on my Kindle!