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CarolynM

CarolynM

Joined May 2016

review
CarolynM
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Mehso-so

The story of a love affair between a 20something looking for direction in life & an older married man. The writing is sharp, & kind of funny (although not always my sense of humour) & if I‘d read it as a teenager or even in my twenties I think it might have broken my heart. At my advanced age, though, I found the narrator a bit too self sabotaging, the man in question unattractive in every way & the love impossible to believe in. #ozfiction

MrsMalaprop Almost bought this one the other day. I‘m trying to choose our next book club read. 2d
CarolynM @MrsMalaprop It‘s my book group‘s current read. I‘ll be interested to hear what everyone else thinks about it, but I doubt it will be a very long discussion. 2d
squirrelbrain Great review - I‘m glad now that I didn‘t power through the annoyingly formatted ARC….sounds like the book was annoying enough in itself! 🙄 2d
CarolynM @squirrelbrain It wasn‘t annoying, the writing is good, but I‘m too old to get invested in that sort of story. 2d
Cathythoughts Great review! I have this sample on my kindle. It‘s good to hear your review, I‘ll be giving it a miss. 👍🏻♥️ 2d
70 likes5 comments
review
CarolynM
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Pickpick

#ReadYourKindle

Freddy Pilkington-Soames gets more than a story for his newspaper when a famous actress is murdered during a film industry party. Although these stories are modern, they do a surprisingly good job of capturing that Golden Age feel. A fun read.

batsy You've reminded me that I enjoyed the first one! I should add this to the pile 🙂 4d
CBee Awesome 😊 4d
CarolynM @batsy I downloaded no.3 as soon as I finished this one😆 4d
58 likes3 comments
review
CarolynM
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Pickpick

Book 4 in the Hockey Ever after series delivers a lovely romance and lots hockey & hockey adjacent activity. I particularly enjoyed Dante‘s new position as the elder statesman of the team.

LeahBergen I was just at a hockey game tonight… and we won! 👍 4d
CarolynM @LeahBergen 👏 Good for you. I am on my way to a rugby game. It is highly unlikely that we will win☹️ 4d
Reggie That‘s okay if your rugby team lost because with those thighs and meaty backsides, it is you who won CarolynM!!! Lolol 3d
CarolynM @LeahBergen Well, I was right. Got thrashed … again …ho hum☹️ @Reggie I don‘t find them as attractive as I did back in the 90‘s🤷🏻‍♀️🤣 3d
53 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
CarolynM
Anna and Her Daughters | D.E. Stevenson
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Pickpick

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

I‘m going to retitle this one Jane and Her Family, since Jane is the narrator & the star of the show. I admired her ability to toss off a first novel and makes revisions in the space of a few days (with apparently no further revisions required by her publisher) & also the way she found daily life at home in Scotland more worthy of detailed report than a year long trip around the world. The romances were… interesting? ⬇️

CarolynM ⬆️ I had to laugh about Andrew‘s enormous feet & Sir Edward‘s silly little feet. I wonder how Ronnie‘s feet measured up. 1w
Ruthiella Your title is superior! 👍 I liked the first plot twist with Ronnie and his flirtation with all three girls, but the end was a bit icky, IMO. 1w
CarolynM @Ruthiella Yes, I sort of hoped the “some day” would be far away, but soon would be nice for Val. 1w
See All 10 Comments
LeahBergen I think that‘s a much better title, too. 😆 And this really did have some “interesting” romances (that depart from her usual ones, anyway). 1w
LeahBergen And we have the same edition! 👯‍♀️ 1w
batsy Lovely photo! (will come back to all the reviews when I'm done :) 1w
Cathythoughts That is a gorgeous photo 🥰 I‘d love to be sitting on that bench x 1w
quietjenn Ah, you've phrased things very nicely. And your photo is ideal. 🙂 1w
jlhammar So lovely. I‘d love to read away the afternoon in that spot. And yes to your title! 1w
batsy Having just finished I totally agree with your title 😆 And yes my favourite bits were about Jane and her work. I would have liked more of Mrs Millard as mentor/prickly elder! 2d
73 likes10 comments
blurb
CarolynM
Anna and Her Daughters | D.E. Stevenson
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#WondrousWednesday

I‘m reading Anna and Her Daughters for #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub. The story began in London but quickly moved to an imaginary town in Scotland named Ryddelton, not far from Edinburgh.

I‘ve been to a lot of settings for books I‘ve read. My favourite example is the park bench by the roundabout in the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen which plays a part in The Copenhagen Connection by Elizabeth Peters.

Thanks for the tag @Andrew65

Eggs Oh love your descriptions especially Copenhagen 👌🏼❤️👏🏻 2w
Bookwomble Gosh, Mrs. B and I might have sat on that same bench in the Tivoli Gardens! 😄 1w
46 likes2 comments
blurb
CarolynM
Untitled | Untitled
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I don‘t think I‘ll read them all, but they all look interesting.

LeeRHarry I still need to read Edenglassie 🫣 maybe this will be the push I need to get to it. 🤞 2w
CarolynM @LeeRHarry I started it when I was still having trouble concentrating so I didn‘t get very far. I will try again soon. 2w
66 likes2 comments
blurb
CarolynM
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#ReadYourKindle

I might get through all 4 this month 🤞

CBee 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 2w
Reggie #6 ❤️❤️❤️ Hope you like it. 2w
53 likes2 comments
blurb
CarolynM
Untitled | Untitled
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#ReadYourKindle list. Thanks Cydney.

CBee Looks great! 😊 2w
52 likes1 comment
blurb
CarolynM
Still Missing | Beth Richardson Gutcheon
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#BookReport for February

All good reads, Still Missing was the standout.

Cathythoughts Yes, Still Missing is a stand out for me too ❤️👍🏻 2w
54 likes1 comment
review
CarolynM
Time to Shine | Rachel Reid
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Pickpick

I finished this a couple of weeks ago, almost forgot to post a review. Rachel Reid is the queen of the m/m hockey romance world. This one is very enjoyable, but not in the same league as her Game Changers series.

lauraisntwilder The last time we were at Barnes & Noble, my son (who plays hockey) saw a m/f hockey/figure skating romance on display and was so confused why the two leads weren't both male. He said, "I mean...it's a full contact sport." ? I'll have to tell him about this one! 2w
CarolynM @lauraisntwilder 😂I like his thinking. You can reassure him there are a LOT of m/m hockey romances out there. 2w
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
CarolynM
The Illuminations | Andrew O'Hagan
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Pickpick

This has been my handbag book for the past few weeks. Elderly Anne is succumbing to dementia (in a gentle way, so not too confronting) & the truth of her life is on the way to being lost with her memories. Meanwhile her beloved grandson, Luke, is fighting in Afghanistan and losing the last of his illusions about honour & loyalty. The military scenes are far from heroic, but all the more effective for it. Very moving.

BarbaraBB A touching subject 💔 3w
Cathythoughts Lovely review, stacked. ♥️ 2w
62 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
CarolynM
The Driver's Seat | Muriel Spark
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Pickpick

What a weird and wonderful little book! My rational mind thinks I should be disturbed by it, but Spark‘s black humour somehow made the story palatable. I picked it up today meaning just to have a look at it, but I read the first page and didn‘t put it down until I finished. Only 100 pages, but still…

BarbaraBB Yes, that black humor! Loved it! 3w
vivastory That has been the case with me & most of the Sparks novellas I've read. Once I start I'm immediately hooked. 3w
Cathythoughts Sounds great. Stacked. I love this cover❤️ 3w
See All 8 Comments
Ruthiella I thought this book was so weird! 🤯 3w
LeahBergen Oh, good! I have this waiting on my shelves. 👍 (edited) 3w
quietjenn Oo, sounds promising! 3w
Aimeesue Great review! Spark is one of my faves - so dark and odd 🖤 3w
Rissreads I just got this in the mail, I‘m looking forward to it! 1w
67 likes3 stack adds8 comments
review
CarolynM
Untitled | Untitled
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Pickpick

#ReadYourKindle

This one surprised me. It‘s much grittier than your average cozy mystery and not really a mystery because you pretty much know what has happened all along. The writing is good and I enjoyed the characters. I can see myself downloading more in the series.

CBee A “not so cozy” cozy mystery 😂 3w
55 likes1 comment
review
CarolynM
Day's End | Garry Disher
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Pickpick

The latest instalment in the Hirsch series, set in the borderland where rural becomes outback, involves a missing backpacker, a body in a suitcase, a family of petty crooks & the online world of bullying, scamming & racist, ableist propaganda. It takes place during the Covid-19 pandemic & I really liked the way that fact of life is used. This is such a good series. TW in spoiler comment. #ozfiction

CarolynM Death of a child, death of a dog. 3w
54 likes1 comment
blurb
CarolynM
The Driver's Seat | Muriel Spark
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Gifts from my husband ❤️

Freespirit Lovely man😊 3w
squirrelbrain He‘s a keeper! Happy Birthday! 🥳 3w
LeahBergen Nice haul! 🥰 3w
See All 22 Comments
LeeRHarry Very nice! Happy birthday! 🎉x 3w
batsy How lovely ❤️ Happy birthday? 😘🧁🎈 3w
kspenmoll Wonderful! Happy Birthday!!🎈🎉 3w
MrsMalaprop What a lovely stack 📚. Am guessing it‘s your birthday. Hope it‘s been lovely 🥳 3w
Lindy Happy birthday! I spy The Driver‘s Seat — that one is unforgettable. 3w
Tamra Happy Birthday and Bookday! 🥳 3w
youneverarrived Happy Birthday 🩷 3w
BarbaraBB Echoing @Lindy re the Muriel Spark. Happy birthday dear Carolyn! 🌸💖 3w
Reggie What a nice guy! 3w
Ruthiella Happy Birthday! 🥳🥳🥳 3w
quietjenn Awesome! Happy birthday! 🎉 3w
Jeg Happy birthday. Georgia Blain , lovely. Hope you had a great day. 🎂🎂🎂 3w
CarolynM @Freespirit @squirrelbrain He is, both those things, for so many reasons🥰 3w
CarolynM @LeeRHarry @batsy @kspenmoll @MrsMalaprop @Tamra @youneverarrived @Ruthiella @quietjenn Thank you all for the birthday wishes 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘 3w
CarolynM @Lindy @BarbaraBB Thank you both😘😘 I want to read all the Muriel Sparks. This one sounds particularly good. (edited) 3w
CarolynM @Jeg Thank you, Joy😘 I‘m very pleased with all of them, but maybe that one especially. 3w
Centique A belated Happy Birthday! What a beautiful pile of books - he has done a wonderful job 🙌 I will send you an email soon! 3w
CarolynM @Centique Thank you, Paula😘 3w
Rissreads Oooooo, I have this book on its way in the mail 3w
69 likes22 comments
blurb
CarolynM
Masqueraders | Georgette Heyer
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Thank you so much, Leah 😘 I definitely need more Georgette Heyer in my life right now. And I love the card and bookmarks, especially the Frank Lloyd Wright ones. Thanks for being such a thoughtful friend🙏💕

PS I don‘t mind the cover at all. I have a 1960s edition of False Colours that has a truly horrific cover. I will have to post a picture of it sometime😆

Rissreads Awwwwww 💛 3w
LeahBergen You‘re so welcome! 😘 And you KNOW I‘m going to have to see that other cover now. 😆😆 3w
squirrelbrain Lovely! That card is fab! 3w
See All 6 Comments
batsy 😍 3w
MrsMalaprop There‘s that Georgette Heyer popping up again. It‘s clearly the universe speaking to me… 3w
erzascarletbookgasm Lovely 😻 3w
61 likes6 comments
review
CarolynM
The Mother's Recompense | Edith Wharton
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Pickpick

#WhartonBuddyRead

Edith Wharton revels in the tension between the mores of Old New York‘s high society and the emotional lives of the people within it. In many ways this novel is a series of moral dilemmas for its main character, testing the limits of her love for her child and her ability to maintain her own self respect. Looking forward to hearing how the other buddy readers saw it.

batsy Nice review, Carolyn! Agree with your point about Kate being morally tested. 3w
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
CarolynM
Still Missing | Beth Gutcheon
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Pickpick

#PersephoneClub

I read this with the sick feeling in my stomach that I have had on the (thankfully few) occasions when my kids were out significantly later than I expected. How much worse it would be to have a child actually go missing is beyond my imagination. I can‘t say I enjoyed this read, but I thought the exploration of the impact on the family, friends and neighbours, and also on the police, was masterful. More in spoiler comment below.

CarolynM I really liked that it looked at the situation where the police get it wrong & the impact that has. I also liked that Susan‘s refusal to accept that solution was seen by everyone as irrational, even though she had good reasons, as well as blind hope. While I was emotionally glad for the ending, I feel it was an unlikely one. And also that it left a whole other story to be told. 4w
CarolynM Off to look at all the other reviews now🙂 4w
BarbaraBB Great review. The feeling the book left me with comes back to me now. 4w
See All 11 Comments
Cathythoughts Great review. I agree it was a difficult read , but so well written. And yes the ending did leave a whole other story to be told. Susan‘s thoughts / words at the end have stayed with me .. that this should be the ‘simplest moment of my life ‘ … when she sees him and their dog runs to him… I don‘t like to think about what her son must have gone through. I‘m glad we all read it together. It‘s good to be able to share the intensity of this one. (edited) 4w
LeahBergen @CarolynM Yes! This is the sort of book that I REALLY avoid. I find that I can read all sorts of horrible, “out there” books but the reality of child abduction is just too visceral. I, too, was happy about the ending (for myself and my reading experience 😆) but it did seem implausible in the real world. (edited) 4w
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts That‘s quite perfect way of putting it, Cathy. I‘m so glad we read it together and got to rehash the intensity of the book together! 4w
willaful @CarolynM Yes, exactly this. There was so much devastation. What happens *now*?! 4w
daena Great review, and indeed an ending that left an open story. 4w
Tamra @CarolynM agreed, I felt there could be more to the story. I wanted to know how each of the characters moved on or didn‘t. (edited) 4w
GlassAsDiamonds Oohh… Persephone edition… the glory! 4w
jlhammar It really is beyond imagination. I was also grateful for the ending even though it left a lot unsaid/unexplored and we know their path forward will be difficult. Great review. 4w
83 likes1 stack add11 comments
blurb
CarolynM
Untitled | Untitled
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Well, Leah, I‘m intrigued, but I‘m not going to open it until the day😀 Thank you for thinking of me💕

LeahBergen 😆 I‘m glad it actually arrived in time! 1mo
53 likes1 comment
review
CarolynM
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Pickpick

I don‘t know why this book was lurking on my kindle for years, but I‘m glad that #ReadYourKindle got me to read it. Fiona tells the story of her life, from a middle class English postwar childhood, through modeling & acting in swinging London of the 60s & 70s followed by 20 years in LA as a writer & wife to a movie producer, interspersed with the story of her battles with contractors while renovating a dilapidated chateau in the south of France.

Karisa That title! 😂 Love it! 1mo
Crazeedi Sounds interesting! 1mo
CBee Sounds super interesting 😊 1mo
CarolynM @Karisa I think that maybe why I downloaded it in first place😆 1mo
CarolynM @Crazeedi @CBee It was interesting, but not quite in the way I expected. I was fascinated, and also kind of appalled, by her more than by the events or the people she wrote about. 1mo
73 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
CarolynM
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Pickpick

There was less about Aix-en-Provence in this instalment than is usual for this series, but I enjoyed it anyway. An interesting mystery and some developments in the lives of the characters.

Crazeedi Is the series good? I have read Martin Walkers series set in France, it's good 1mo
Crazeedi And I see it's on britbox! 1mo
CarolynM @Crazeedi I like the series a lot, mainly because the way they go about their business feels very French (although I know it‘s written by an American who lives there) & it has some great tidbits about Aix which I always enjoy. I can‘t quite bring myself to watch the TV version - I want the characters to be French not English! Also why I can‘t bring myself to watch the Three Pines adaptation. I‘ve read one of the Walkers, will read more one day… 1mo
Crazeedi @CarolynM very true about the shows , I'll definitely check out this series 1mo
65 likes4 comments
blurb
CarolynM
Case Histories | Kate Atkinson
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I can‘t let these detectives go unmentioned

Jackson Brodie
Inspector Montalbano
Dalziel and Pascoe

#tlt #ThreeListThursday

LeahBergen I must read the last Jackson Brodie that came out! (edited) 1mo
Ruthiella Nice call with Jackson Brodie! 👍 1mo
TrishB @LeahBergen there‘s another coming in August! 1mo
See All 8 Comments
cariashley Jackson Brodie!! 🙌 1mo
LeahBergen @TrishB Oh, good to hear! 👍 1mo
dabbe All 3 are new to me and now on the TBR. Thanks for playing! ❤️💜🩷 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm I‘ve not heard of Dalziel and Pascoe, will look them up. 1mo
CarolynM @erzascarletbookgasm They‘re in a series of books by Reginald Hill. He also wrote a short series about another detective and some standalone which are pretty good too. The first D & P is 1mo
46 likes8 comments
blurb
CarolynM
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Here are my #readyourkindle February 4. I‘ve already stated on the tagged book. Thanks @CBee

CBee Looks great and you‘re welcome ♥️ 1mo
56 likes1 comment
quote
CarolynM
The Illuminations | Andrew O'Hagan
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Too true, I fear ☹️

julesG Guess so. Definitely one of the reasons my son signed up. 1mo
Reggie The guy who does the Talking Scared posits that during the early 2000s every zombie you had to shoot dead in a video game was always a person of color for a reason. 1mo
CarolynM @Reggie I‘m sure he‘s right. It‘s deeply disturbing. 1mo
48 likes3 comments
blurb
CarolynM
The Colophon | Elmer Adler, John T. Winterich
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Just look at this pretty! Paula! Thank you! You are too thoughtful and too, too generous. I am in love with this book - I especially want to read the piece about proof reading in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (seriously). I am truly blessed to have you as a friend💕💕

julesG 😍😍 Have to check whether the uni-library has this on microfiche 1mo
Centique Oh goody! Im so glad you like it. I was scouring their online catalogue for authors you might like - and then this just popped out at me! They have other editions but this was the oldest i think. 💕🎈🎂 Im early this year 😂 1mo
LeahBergen Oh, this is GORGEOUS! 😍😍 1mo
57 likes3 comments
blurb
CarolynM
Girl in a Pink Dress | Kylie Needham
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#BookReport for January. Girl in a Pink Dress and The Photograph were my favourites for the month.

Suet624 Someday I‘ll read a Lively! 😎 1mo
52 likes1 comment
blurb
CarolynM
Backlog Studies | Charles Dudley Warner
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I made a collage of covers for my #readyourkindle list. Looking forward to getting some of these read. Thanks Cydney

CBee Love the collage! And you‘re welcome 😊 1mo
julesG 😍😍 1mo
LeahBergen I have a Wentworth on my shelves to read, too (my first). Have you read her before? 1mo
CarolynM @LeahBergen No, I haven‘t. I‘ve got a few Paperback DSP golden age crime novels by authors I‘ve not read and then this one on Kindle. I thought this might help me get to them🙂 1mo
LeahBergen I have a couple of the DSP golden age mysteries to get to myself! 1mo
61 likes5 comments
blurb
CarolynM
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I‘m all set for #PersephoneClub 2024

Ruthiella Beautiful! 😍 2mo
Cathythoughts Lovely 🩵🩵🩵 2mo
LeahBergen Yes, you are! Just look at those beauties. 😍 2mo
See All 7 Comments
batsy 😍 2mo
Tamra Yay!! 😍 1mo
Centique WOW! 1mo
jlhammar Beautiful. I think we‘ve got some great reading ahead of us! 1mo
60 likes7 comments
review
CarolynM
Love and Other Scores | Abra Pressler
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Mehso-so

Romance blooms at the Australian Open between a French tennis star & a local bartender. I usually have no trouble suspending disbelief in reading romance & I was fine with believing in the romance here, but a lot of the Melbourne setting was a bit off. Apparently the author lived here for a bit a few years ago - I think she relied on memory rather than doing research.👇

CarolynM 👆Also, a star athlete wants to treat his boyfriend to a romantic tropical getaway so he chooses Daydream Island? I don‘t think so. (edited) 2mo
LeeRHarry That‘s a shame that some of the Melbourne details were off …and yes Daydream Island? 2mo
Reggie I love the reality check here. Lol. Some horror novel I read last year didn‘t mention setting at all and then 2 pages from the end he said and the police of New Mexico …… and I was like what the eff ever. 2mo
53 likes3 comments
review
CarolynM
Home Grown Talent | Sally Malcolm, Joanna Chambers
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Pickpick

Enjoyable m/m romance between a gardener and a model/influencer set against a background of morning television shenanigans. I don‘t know if the writers of this series have any actual experience in TV production, but they certainly have a jaundiced view of many of the people involved in it.

49 likes1 stack add
blurb
CarolynM
Black Butterflies | Priscilla Morris
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Look what I found in my post box this morning! Thank you so much Barbara for these lovely books and you kind wishes. I am very much looking forward to another year of book chat with you - hopefully there will be more for me to chat about this year! Since you haven‘t read these yet, I think there might be a buddy read or two in our future😀

LeeRHarry Ooh loved Black Butterflies - enjoy! 😊 2mo
LeahBergen How nice! 2mo
BarbaraBB So glad they arrived and pretty soon too! Here‘s to chats and buddyreads ❤️ 2mo
Tamra I gulped this one down! 2mo
59 likes4 comments
review
CarolynM
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Bailedbailed

I‘m all for recognising the contributions made by people (usually women) around “geniuses” & I‘m happy to acknowledge that many “geniuses” are flawed human beings, but I can‘t get on with this book. I‘m irritated by the author stating her interpretations as fact, by her acceptance of some sources at face value while criticising other biographers for it & also by the way she imposes herself into the narrative. I‘m just irritated by it generally.

Jeg Sorry you didn‘t enjoy this book. It was my best read for last year. Goes to show we are all very different . What a wonderful world. Hope all is well in your world. ❤️. 2mo
Ruthiella I‘ve heard that criticism from others as well. 2mo
LeeRHarry That‘s disappointing - hopefully the next book you pick up is a better fit. 😊 2mo
Freespirit Funny how something so popular can irritate you. I had the same problem with Tom Lake by Anne Patchett which is incredibly popular…I found it so slow and boring! 1mo
67 likes4 comments
blurb
CarolynM
The Vintner's Luck | Elizabeth Knox
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#WomensDozen Again, embarrassed by how few I‘ve read. There are only 10 that I really loved.
The Vintner‘s Luck Elizabeth Knox
Bel Canto Ann Patchett
Gilgamesh Joan London
Small Island Andrea Levy
Disobedience Naomi Alderman
Digging to America Anne Tyler
A God in Ruins Kate Atkinson
Actress Anne Enright
Detransition, Baby Torrey Peters
The Vanishing Half Britt Brooke
Thanks for the idea @TheKidUpstairs

TheKidUpstairs Bel Canto was on my list, too 😊 I really do have to read A God in Ruins, I loved Life After Life! 2mo
Ruthiella I only looked at the shortlist and winners to narrow it down for my brain, but definitely Detransition Baby would have been there if I‘d included longlisters! I‘ve not heard of Gilgamesh, so definitely adding it to the TBR now! 2mo
Centique Ohhhh The Vintners Luck - its been such a long time since I read and loved that. Small Island is a fave too. (edited) 2mo
62 likes3 comments
blurb
CarolynM
The Black Prince | Iris Murdoch
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Here‘s my #BookerDozen.
The Black Prince Iris Murdoch
Small World David Lodge
What‘s Bred in the Bone Robertson Davies
Moon Tiger Penelope Lively
The Van Roddy Doyle
Dirt Music Tim Winton
The Line of Beauty Alan Hollinghurst
Wolf Hall Hilary Mantell
The Sense of an Ending Julian Barnes
Hot Milk Deborah Levy
Autumn Ali Smith
Milkman Anna Burns
I was a bit embarrassed by how few I‘ve read when I went through the lists ☹️ Thanks for the idea Scott

BarbaraBB Well you did read some good ones! I LOVED The Black Prince and Moon Tiger! 2mo
BarbaraBB … and Milkman, Line of Beauty and Dirt Music! (edited) 2mo
Graywacke Moon Tiger! 🖤 2mo
See All 6 Comments
Ruthiella Great list! Iris Murdoch is such an interesting writer. I definitely have The Black Price on my TBR. 2mo
Centique Theres so many here i need to get to! This is a great reminder of great books ive missed 🙌 2mo
Reggie I loved Milkman so much. 2mo
59 likes6 comments
blurb
CarolynM
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The Birthday Fairies are looking forward to celebrating the birthdays of all these lovely Littens in February!

If you would like to be added to the list to receive some #birthdaylove on your special day email your Litsy handle and the date of your birthday to LitsyBirthdays@gmail.com and the Birthday Fairies will do the rest! Remember, you can only add your own birthday to the list.

squirrelbrain 🎉❤️🎉❤️ 2mo
dabbe HB! 💜🩶💜 2mo
robinb 🎈 💛 💙 💘 💜 🎶 Celebrations Coming!! 2mo
38 likes3 comments
review
CarolynM
The Snow Ball | Brigid Brophy
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Pickpick

A sumptuous New Year's Eve party in the mid 20th century is seen through the eyes of a mature cynical woman and a young girl at her first ball. It took me a bit to get into the style of this one, but once I did I loved its wit and bite. Thanks Leah😘

batsy Happy to hear that you liked it too 💜 2mo
The_Penniless_Author The podcast Backlisted did an episode on this book, if you're interested: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pLtuEAsDMYwa4Uu53KZ5g?si=JwidsZ9_Skeq2dh9iCmnM... 2mo
CarolynM @The_Penniless_Author Thanks. I‘ll look it up😀 2mo
See All 6 Comments
CarolynM @batsy I think I stacked it based on your review, so thank you too😘 2mo
LeahBergen I‘m so glad you liked it! 😘😘 2mo
LeahBergen And maybe I‘ll get to my copy for next New Year. 😂 2mo
72 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
CarolynM
Total Creative Control | Sally Malcolm, Joanna Chambers
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Pickpick

Loved this m/m #romantsy about the showrunner/writer of a popular TV show and his assistant who writes fanfic about the show on the sly. Much more convincing and better written than most.

63 likes1 stack add
review
CarolynM
The Photograph | Penelope Lively
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Pickpick

An old secret comes to light with the discovery of a long hidden photograph. Kath, the subject of the photograph, though long dead, is a haunting presence throughout the story and felt more real to me than the living characters as they grapple with their memories of her and with the new fact the photograph reveals. Plenty to think about.

Ruthiella Sounds great. I‘ve only read two from her so far and want to read more. 2mo
CarolynM @Ruthiella I think she‘s really good. I‘ve read 4 or 5 and I have a few more I‘ve found in second hand shops🙂 2mo
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CarolynM
Girl in a Pink Dress | Kylie Needham
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Pickpick

I think this is the best novel about painters and their practice that I have ever read. I‘ve been struggling with concentrating on anything half way challenging over the last few months, but this one drew me in immediately and I read it in one sitting (it‘s quite short, only 187 pages, but still…) Thank you again, Sharni, for sending me this. I loved it. #ozfiction

LeeRHarry I really enjoyed this one - thanks to Sharni‘s rec - glad you did too 😊. 2mo
thegirlwiththelibrarybag I‘m so glad you enjoyed it 🎨 2mo
77 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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CarolynM
Murder While You Work | Susan Scarlett
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Pickpick

Very enjoyable. Hits all of Susan Scarlett‘s usual romance beats while telling the story of a serial killer. It shouldn‘t work but somehow it does🤷🏻‍♀️ Maybe it‘s just because I‘ve been spending a lot of time with vulnerable old people recently, but I found it quite sad too. #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

erzascarletbookgasm It‘s great many are enjoying this! I‘m looking forward to read this 😘 2mo
Cathythoughts Nice review ♥️ 2mo
julieclair Great review. 2mo
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Tamra You hit the nail on the head! It really was a bit sad & melancholy with the disturbing bits included. 2mo
jlhammar I read the first third or so last night. Really enjoying it so far! 2mo
batsy Lovely review! I've just started and am liking it. 2mo
elkeOriginal It shouldn‘t work, but it does! 2mo
elkeOriginal I think preying on vulnerable old people not only adds sadness but heightened my anxiety for them to hurry and catch the killer. Drew me in even more. 2mo
Ruthiella OMG this made me super anxious. I haven‘t found a FMB group read this tense since 2mo
quietjenn I completely agree on all points. 2mo
LeahBergen Yes! I was anxious about the older characters, too. 😬 2mo
Jess_Read_This Eek! I‘m diving in this weekend and seeing your review/comments is preparing me well for what to expect! 2mo
75 likes12 comments
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CarolynM
Monogamy | Sue Miller
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Thank you, Nerissa💕 I decided to keep this one to open on Christmas Day, then forgot to post it🫢🙄 I am very grateful though. Hope you had a good day😘

BarbaraBB Merry Christmas Carolyn! I really liked that book! ❤️ 3mo
Rissreads I hope it brought you some joy ♥️ 3mo
52 likes2 comments
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CarolynM
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What a lot of lovely goodies! Thank you so much Serena! I love it all, but I‘m particularly excited by the Patrick Gale novel since I just discovered him this year. Merry Christmas, my friend😘💕

And thank you Sharni for organising once again😘💕

#AussieSecretSanta

thegirlwiththelibrarybag 🥳🥳🥳 looks amazing! 3mo
TrishB Looks fab! I haven‘t read that Gale! 3mo
batsy Lovely! I have Burnt Sugar waiting for me on my shelves, as well 😁 3mo
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MrsMalaprop Yay! You‘re very welcome. I‘m a big Gale fan. Enjoy 📖❤️ 3mo
erzascarletbookgasm Merry Christmas to you and your family, Carolyn ❤️🎄 3mo
Teresereading I'm a Gale fan too, but haven't read Pork! 3mo
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CarolynM
The New Life | Tom Crewe
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Thank you so much Lee! I‘ve resisted the temptation to buy this book several times in the last year. I‘m very pleased to have a copy now. And the chocolate looks very yum! Merry Christmas to you my friend💕😘

#Jolabokaflodswap

LeeRHarry You‘re very welcome - Merry Christmas to you too Carolyn 😊🎄x (edited) 3mo
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CarolynM
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Thank you Liz! I‘m a fan of Anne Enright, this one sounds good! And I know that chocolate is delicious! Merry Christmas dear friend😘💕

Thanks for organising once again, Chelle😘

#Jolabokaflodswap

LeahBergen That‘s a great cover! 3mo
Lizpixie You‘re welcome gorgeous! Let me know what you got from Booktopia! Merry Xmas😘♥️💚♥️💚 3mo
47 likes2 comments
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CarolynM
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I‘ve not read enough this year to do a #best23of23, but here‘s a #best10of23. I didn‘t read many new releases and favourites were older books, Girls of Slender Means, Notes From an Exhibition and Daddy‘s Gone A-Hunting my top 3. Thanks for starting this off @BarbaraBB It‘s always interesting to see what everyone chooses. And, as always, thinking of you with love @Cinfhen

Deblovestoread Nice to see this one on a list 3mo
Deblovestoread And makes me think I should give this one another chance 3mo
CarolynM @Deblovestoread I know a lot of people didn‘t like it, but I thought it was really good. 3mo
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CarolynM @Deblovestoread See previous comment😆 3mo
Cuilin Oh I want to read Notes From An exhibition. 3mo
LeahBergen Great list! I‘m reminding myself right now to read more Spark next year. 3mo
jlhammar The Barry and the Mortimer will be in my top reads of the year as well! 3mo
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CarolynM
The Snow Ball | Brigid Brophy
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Thank you so much Leah. Such a beautiful looking book and I think it might be the kind of thing I‘m wanting to read at the moment. I‘m afraid I couldn‘t find the energy to send out Christmas cards this year, but I am wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas 🎅🤶🎄💕

batsy Wonderful! I loved this book. 3mo
CarolynM @batsy It was your review that made me stack it🙂 3mo
IndoorDame This is one of my all time favorite New Year‘s books! 3mo
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squirrelbrain So pretty! 🥰 3mo
LeahBergen Ah, it arrived before Christmas! 👏👏 You‘re so welcome and Merry Christmas to you and your family, too. And I didn‘t send out any Christmas cards this year, either. I‘m feeling like this is a year for me to do the bare minimum! 😆 3mo
LeahBergen @batsy Yes, your review is what made me buy a copy for myself, too! 😘 3mo
61 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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CarolynM
Sole Survivor | Zachary Ashford
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Of course I knew it was you, Reggie 🤣 🤣 🤣 This is just the escapism I need. And Blanket Dance sounds really good too.

Thank you so much for thinking of me. I‘m afraid the idea of organising Christmas cards was too much for me this year, but I‘m wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas 🎅 🤶 🎄💕

Reggie lol, Im so glad they made it there. I hope the dropbears lift your spirit this coming year. Happy Holidays to you and yours as well! ❤️💚❤️ 3mo
LeeRHarry I thought Calling for a blanket dance was a good read - hope you think so too. 😊 (edited) 3mo
BarbaraBB I‘d have guessed @Reggie too 😂 (edited) 3mo
thegirlwiththelibrarybag The cover on Sole Survivor made me giggle 🤭 3mo
Tamra Echoing @LeeRHarry 3mo
52 likes5 comments
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CarolynM
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Pickpick

There‘s nothing much new in this story about the perils of social media stalking, but it‘s well written and very readable. #ozfiction

LeahBergen What a lovely photo! 3mo
Tamra Ahhhhhh, blooms. 💛💚 How much I already miss them. 3mo
batsy Gorgeous flowers! 3mo
Jeg Such beautiful flowers. 3mo
Centique I love the flowers too! 3mo
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CarolynM
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Melbourne‘s changeable weather often attracts comment, usually fairly cliched. I enjoyed this original (and pretty accurate in my experience) take on it.

LeahBergen It sounds like the weather in my part of Canada. 😆 3mo
TrishB And here! 3mo
LeeRHarry Perfect description! Case in point comparing yesterday and today. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3mo
Freespirit It‘s just hot and humid here at the moment🫠 3mo
Centique Thats so accurate! It can be so extreme in Melbourne 😂 3mo
51 likes5 comments
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CarolynM
Untitled | Untitled
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#AussieSecretSanta parcel received today too 😁 Thank you Sarina 😘

Thanks Sharni for organising this fun swap for another year😘

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Love the baubles 🤩 3mo
MrsMalaprop Yay! Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 📚 3mo
36 likes2 comments