borrowdontbuy

The Mayor of Maxwell Street | Avery Cunningham

so-so

Themes: Wealthy Black Debutantes, 1920‘s Chicago (mobsters, prohibition, class warfare), Undercover investigative journalism, “Chunkster” reads (this is 508 pages)

I initially really liked this read, but I found myself skimming and losing interest with 100 pages still left 🫠 I‘d put it between a “Pick” and “So-So”. It‘s not one I would need to re-read again, and would suggest as a #BorrowDontBuy

36 likes

SistaPip

The Last Russian Doll | Kristen Loesch

so-so

I read this pretty much in one sitting — very readable and interesting — ties together 2 different storylines, one present and one past, until the stories connect. I like stories like that. In the end, I wanted more historical details (love learning history with my fiction 😉) and it left a huge unanswered question. I assume the point is that it‘s not possible to really know *everything* that happened, but personally I felt a bit dissatisfied.

Aims42 Good to know! I was waiting to see more reviews on this before getting it from BOTM 👍 Sounds like a better library book #borrowdontbuy 13mo

5 likes1 comment

Aims42

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre | Natasha Lester

pick

This was an astonishing read! I loved how Lester weaved in fashion and the beginning of Christian Dior into this historical WWII fiction book. It‘s amazing how you forgot the “fiction” aspect of this story until you read the Author Note and get to peek behind the curtain to find out what was real and what was altered or made up. I don‘t think it‘s one I would re-read, so maybe a #borrowdontbuy - but worth reading 👍

37 likes4 stack adds

Aims42

On the Rooftop | Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

so-so

This was a #GoodNotGreat and a #BorrowDontBuy read for me. I feel like there was so much happening that the author couldn‘t really give any one storyline the attention needed to make this a great read. I just kept thinking, “And then what happened? No, don‘t jump to her, go back to the other plot and dig deep!!” A strong “meh” 3 star, so-so read.

EvieBee I returned the audio to the library and chocked it up to a reading slump but now thinking it just didn‘t grab me. 2y

Aims42 @EvieBee Yep, definitely didn‘t grab me either. I think this was the slowest I‘ve ever read a 290 page book because I just couldn‘t muster the energy to want to continue 😒 2y

27 likes2 comments

BarbaraBB

He Started It | Samantha Downing

pick

This book pulled me right in. I loved My Lovely Wife and had high expectations. Three siblings go on a road trip through the US to bury their grandfather‘s ashes by which they will earn their inheritance. I soon discovered they are all unreliability and have their secrets. The tension builds up fine but in the end I felt let down. Between a pick and a so-so.

TrishB Great pic ♥️ 2y

BarbaraBB @TrishB Cheesy Amsterdam in Winter 😀 2y

TrishB Wonderful Amsterdam! 2y

See All 11 Comments

Megabooks Sounds interesting. I‘ll see if I can borrow it. 👍🏻 2y

Libby1 Maggere brug? (I hope I remembered the correct spelling!) 2y

BarbaraBB @Megabooks it‘s definitely a #borrowdontbuy. Audio is good too (I partly listened to it). 2y

BarbaraBB @Libby1 it‘s a replica of the Magere Brug (correct!) over a skating rink across from the Rijksmuseum! 2y

Cathythoughts Sounds good ! Borrowdontbuy sounds like good advice … I‘ll get the kindle version 👍🏻 2y

Cinfhen Love the photo!! I‘ve seen lots of mixed reviews for this one. Disappointing because I really loved

My Lovely Wife

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Me too but this one is not as goof unfortunately although it is enjoyable. 2y

Cinfhen I‘ll look to #BorrowNotBuy 😍 2y

78 likes2 stack adds11 comments

Soubhiville

Guide to Troubled Birds | Mockingbird The Mincing

so-so

I‘m calling this a so-so only because I liked the illustrations. I didn‘t find the blurbs that accompanied each painting funny, for the most part. I do like that the book was made to look like an old retired library book though. Overall I‘d say this is one to skip, or maybe #borrowdontbuy

52 likes

Cinfhen

Wolf Hall | Hilary Mantel

#SoaringScores #EntryIntoTheGreatHall #BookishConfession I‘ve never read Hilary Mantel🙈where should I start?!!! Are they all #chunksters ?!?! #PageCountPhobia

CrowCAH

SamAnne I‘m wondering too! Recently picked up a couple of her books used. I‘m thinking of starting with Wolf Hall. Other suggestions? (edited) 4y

merelybookish I've only read Wolf Hall. I liked it. It's historical fiction with a slant 4y

BarbaraBB I liked Wolf Hall too. Aftereards I started its sequel, Bring up the Bodies, but I couldn‘t get into that one. I‘ll try again, one day.... 😉 4y

See All 23 Comments

Kalalalatja I have read Wolf Hall, and I wasn‘t impressed 😅 and it is a bit chunky 4y

CarolynM I loved Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. I'm not looking forward to the last one in the trilogy though. That's the problem with fictionalised history - you know where it's going. 4y

Centique I loved them too but then I love this period of history and I‘m hungry to get a good feel for that world. It will be either love or hate for you I think. So #borrowdontbuy 4y

Cinfhen Thanks for all the feedback @merelybookish @BarbaraBB @Kalalalatja @Centique I think the #BorrowNotBuy is a good idea 💡 and I hear ya @CarolynM although I‘m fuzzy with all my world history 🤪 4y

Cinfhen @SamAnne seems like Wolf Hall is a good place to start!!! 4y

Hooked_on_books I like audio for chunksters, so maybe that‘s a way to go. 4y

Cinfhen I‘ll look into that option @Hooked_on_books Good suggestion 😌 4y

jillrhudy The third book in the trilogy is coming out March 3 with a 300,000 first printing from Henry Holt & Co. 4y

RealBooks4ever Loved Wolf Hall. It's not a tough read, never mind the page count. 💜 4y

CrowCAH I enjoyed the PBS miniseries based on this book! 4y

TrishB Love these ❤️ I can‘t wait for the 3rd! 4y

vivastory I LOVED the following (& it's not a chunkster)

Beyond Black: A Novel

Reviewsbylola You shouldn‘t start. 😆 4y

Reviewsbylola Granted, I‘ve only read the first 150 pages of WH but never again!! 4y

Reviewsbylola I do think Mantel is very talented, but I don‘t have the energy or headspace that her books require. (edited) 4y