January Book Log - open to all

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like just for this forum, we should voluntarily register with nicknames, so that we could follow those whose book choices we trust.

That's a really good suggestion. Maybe we could do that at the start of the February book log?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like just for this forum, we should voluntarily register with nicknames, so that we could follow those whose book choices we trust.

That's a really good suggestion. Maybe we could do that at the start of the February book log?

And/Or tack on updates to your previous reading list — so people will eventually be able to see multiple months for each person who adds to their list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just finished the latest Louise Penny, A World of Curiosities. I'd give it a 6/10.

Main issues:
- the set up that draws Gamache into an investigation is ludicrous
- There's very little of the Three Pines vibe / characters that I usually enjoy
- The crimes mentioned throughout are very dark. Not a deal-breaker, but here it made the book all that much harder to enjoy.

Thanks for your post! I’ve been on the fence about this one. I really liked the earlier books in this series. The later ones seemed less complex, with less character development, a few stereotypes that irritate me, and, as you’ve said: less of the “Three Pines vibe” . I think I’ll wait on this one, and maybe get it from the library.

[Anonymous]

Working my way through Mick Herron's Slow Horses series.

For January, I read the novella "The List," and I'm about halfway through Real Tigers.

I like the series overall but can't say I recommend "The List." It's not bad...it just felt like something cut from another book, or partially developed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like just for this forum, we should voluntarily register with nicknames, so that we could follow those whose book choices we trust.

That's a really good suggestion. Maybe we could do that at the start of the February book log?

And/Or tack on updates to your previous reading list — so people will eventually be able to see multiple months for each person who adds to their list.

I like this idea. Just finished the book I really disliked despite being kind of a book I should have liked. So here’s my rating

Fresh Water for Flowers Book by Valérie Perrin 3/10

[Anonymous]

Lessons in Chemistry, 4/5

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like just for this forum, we should voluntarily register with nicknames, so that we could follow those whose book choices we trust.

That's a really good suggestion. Maybe we could do that at the start of the February book log?

And/Or tack on updates to your previous reading list — so people will eventually be able to see multiple months for each person who adds to their list.

I like this idea. Just finished the book I really disliked despite being kind of a book I should have liked. So here’s my rating

Fresh Water for Flowers Book by Valérie Perrin 3/10

Interesting b/c someone on page 1 really loved this book. I admire your ability to stick with it even if you weren't enjoying it. I used to do that, but now that I'm older and have less time to read, I don't feel obligated to stick with a book I'm not enjoying.

[Anonymous]

I just finished A Fine Balance, which most people probably read a long time ago. I would give it an 8/10.

The ending has really stuck with me and I am having trouble wanting to pick up another book right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just finished A Fine Balance, which most people probably read a long time ago. I would give it an 8/10.

The ending has really stuck with me and I am having trouble wanting to pick up another book right now.

That's been on my shelf for a very long time. Glad to hear you loved it - I'm always scared to try it because I know it will be depressing.

[Anonymous]

Just started “Demon Copperhead”—really good so far (a modern twist in Dickens

[Anonymous]

Tabacco Wives 7/10
Lessons in Chemistry 10/10
Carrie Soto 7/10
Second Life of Muriel West 9/10
Alice I Have Benn 10/10 Melanie Benjamin Author
Any thing by Liv Constantine psychological thrillers 10/10

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like just for this forum, we should voluntarily register with nicknames, so that we could follow those whose book choices we trust.

That's a really good suggestion. Maybe we could do that at the start of the February book log?

NP, would be happy to do that for Feb.

[Anonymous]

I just finished The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling). I don’t know why I kept up with the series since the last one was way too long and repetitive. This was even longer (ridiculously long) but was better about moving the story forward. I enjoyed it. There was a lot to piece together. 3.5 out of 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just started “Demon Copperhead”—really good so far (a modern twist in Dickens

Is this super sad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz -- I'll give it 7/10. It's a devastatingly acute novel of manners with enough cliffhanger chapter endings to keep you reading. OTOH, it's a kitchen sink with a few too many story arcs that weren't sufficiently developed. Even worse, the foundational story has some pretty big holes in it. If you're familiar with the NY/NJ area, especially Brooklyn, and you have a long plane flight coming up, it's perfect.

I just finished this. I really enjoyed it, liked the writing but agree some character arcs needed more exploration. Some were tied up too neatly. I would give it an 8/10.