THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/pierce-brosnan-helen-mirren-thursday-murder-cl...
THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/pierce-brosnan-helen-mirren-thursday-murder-cl...
Installment #5 in the Horowitz & Hawthorne series is another fun one! I listen to these because I adore narrator Rory Kinnear‘s performance. This one had a bit of a send up to some classic murder novels, which was fun. At the end, the author read the acknowledgments and said he had SEVEN MORE BOOKS planned for this series! Hopefully Mr Kinnear will be able to continue performing the audiobooks, too.
Finished this up during lunch on this wonderful spring day. This was a read some/listen some because I just had to hear them tell some of these stories! If you like the comedy antics of these guys , you‘ll probably get a kick out of this book. I snort laughed aloud plenty!
The Litsy reviews for this book have been brutal but I really enjoyed it. I was entertained! Considering he‘s been working with Harlan Coben so much in the last several years, it felt as I expected it to: fast paced page turner requiring some suspension of disbelief, but hey, it‘s brain candy! I‘d certainly give another if his books a go.
Holy $h!t this was good! And anxiety inducing. And infuriating. This felt almost more horror than thriller to me. I couldn‘t put it down / turn it off. It was a read some, listen some for me because I couldn‘t just read all weekend. So glad a friend on IG posted about it since I‘d never heard of it before.
There‘s not much one can say about this book without divulging spoilers. I enjoyed it. It‘s a classic “unreliable narrator” story, which is obvious early on, so I don‘t think saying so gives anything away. If you like this author‘s other books, you‘ll probably like this one as well.
Very informative read! I knew so little about Harper Lee that I found the section on her biography really interesting. The sections on the subjects of the ‘true crime‘ book she was attempting to write were fairly engaging as well. I had no idea about her friendship with Truman Capote, so it‘s timely to run into that nugget while Feud: Capote vs the Swans is currently running on FX. If you ❤️Harper Lee and historical books, maybe give it a go
Wow! Just WOW! I searched for “thrillers by authors of color” for our library‘s winter reading challenge category “author of a different race/religion from you.” This book came up. If you like southern noir crime fiction, definitely give this a go! It‘s disturbing but if you like authors like Greg Iles who are honest about social issues in their crime writing, SA Cosby is another voice in that vein. I sure hope we see more of Titus Crown! 5⭐️s
This was my first James McBride but it certainly won‘t be my last. I am so glad our FOTL group had this selection for our January read. This was a great snapshot into a different place, time, and culture from my own with just a wee touch of magical realism. Fantastic book!
This is wonderful! Definitely audiobook it if you are a fan - both her performance and storytelling are sublime! If you are uncomfortable with frank language and casual sex talk, perhaps skip this one. If you get a kick out of her bawdy, naughty turns on Graham Norton you will probably enjoy this.
I listened to this today while de-Christmasing the house. I liked it, but I think there were parts that would have bored me trying to read it because of all the necessary moving parts to tell the story. Like some Grisham stories, it left me feeling torn at the end. Definitely worth the time if you liked Mitch and Abby McDeere in The Firm and would like to root for them again!
This was December‘s FOTL book club read. Entertaining and touching book. Polly is real character! A widow who found out she was pregnant at 58 after the death of her husband, Polly is brought to vivid life through the account of her youngest daughter, Willow, who tells the story. This gave me strong Fannie Flagg vibes, which isn‘t always my jam but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Kicking off the my first time participating in a local library challenge with the tagged audiobook. I adore Miriam Margoyles!
Binging the Netflix adaptation of the tagged book while thinking about this year‘s reading goal. 2023 was not my best year by far, and consequently my TBR stack is way out of control. 😆
Final book of the year. . . Oooof. . . . This one was a doozy. But it was SO good. So many feelings and so much thought on this one. It left me with a helluva book hangover. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next.
This may be my favorite Alix Harrow yet. I really loved this mix of realism and fantasy Harrow painted into the story. This author is so good at that. There‘s really not much that I can say that wouldn‘t be spoilery. If you like modern magical fantasy set in our world and time, maybe give this a go!
I am super behind on posting my reviews! I just read this little ditty yesterday. It‘s a stand alone novella featuring FBI agent Kimberly Reynolds, and set in Wisconsin, with a very brief appearance of our regular Rivers of London hero Peter Grant and his spunky cousin Abigail. I enjoyed this, but I really love Aaronovitch‘s Rivers of London world.
Thank you, thank you @alexus_sb !!! I am so excited to start this book - Ann Patchett is one of my favorites! And I‘m also loving the local to you chocolate you sent. I absolutely love it when they have a cause ? Happy Jólabókaflóð !
#jolabokaflodswap
I finished listening to this soapy little gem of brain candy whilst doing cooking chores today. It kept me company and my brain busy through many boring and time consuming tasks so PICK!
Also, Merry Jólabókaflóð , ya nerdy animals!
@RosePressedPages your Jólabókaflóð gift is on the way! When it gets there, you can open the box - I wrapped the gift inside so it will be pretty for you while you wait. ?
#jolabokaflodswap
This was my driving and chores listen this week. Fun little murder mystery romp! I read somewhere it felt like a combination of Knives Out and the Thursday Murder Club series, which I think is a fair aesthetic description. It was a pick for me as an amusing bit of brain candy to keep me company as got things accomplished.
This book is set 950-ish CE in what is now Norway and thereabouts. I‘d call this more “historical fantasy” than “historical fiction.” There are some characters that are modeled after historical figures and others that are completely fictional. The author‘s note at the end gets into that and points to additional reading on her website. I found this thoroughly engaging and had a hard time putting it down.
I finished this book today at lunch and wound up crying like a goofy goober in one of my fave restaurants. I really loved this book with its wonderfully flawed characters and nostalgic bent. It kinda had me with the title before I ever read it because it references one of my favorite Shakespearean passages, and I wasn‘t disappointed. The author once again knocked the wind out of me emotionally- not much else can be said sans spoilers.
I am serving the fifth year of a life sentence for murdering my own child.
#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl @RamsFan1963
Wow! This book is wonderful and heartbreaking and strangely appropriate given the shenanigans going on in the current political climate. This has been in my TBR list for ages but the new Showtime production with Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey bumped it up the list. I can already tell the show is taking liberties to expand the story beyond the book, but I think each are worthwhile in their own right. Excellent portrait of DC during McCarthyism.
It‘s been a fair piece since I burned through a book in two days. This was a real page turner for me. Short chapters that clipped along made it harder to put down. This is a gothic mystery set in a dilapidated mansion inhabited by folks dripping in secrets, so absolutely give this a go if that‘s your thing. It was perfect for a Halloween finish. ⚠️ Trigger warning for domestic abuse, both physical and mental/emotional.
I absolutely love Dr. Mukherjee‘s books. In addition to being so gifted at explaining complex cellular biology concepts, he is extraordinarily well read and often adds incite using literature and poetry. He gets into the weeds of the science but is remarkably candid about his own experiences - even including accounts of his own mental health struggles. I recommend if you have a genuine interest in cell bio and aren‘t intimidated by science.
I listened to this one on my Libby app for an autumn buddy read. Fun little brain candy book. Great cozy witch story but far more . . . ahem, shall we say ‘shagadelic‘ than the cover art would suggest? Super fun book just beware if graphic sex is problematic for you - may not be suitable for everyone.
What a fun little page turner! Total ‘cozy murder‘ brain candy. The British Bake Off meets Clue comparison is pretty accurate only with less zaniness than Clue. I had to keep reminding myself this is set in the US because it felt so British. There‘s not much else I can tell you that wouldn‘t be considered at least a minor spoiler. I recommend it if you are needing something quick and entertaining.
I really liked this one! While it spends a lot of time flashing to Sister Holiday‘s back story, I felt the character development was necessary and helped make sense of a character who may otherwise seem unbelievable. I liked the secondary characters as well. This is bleak in places and not something to pick up if you are looking for a Sister Boniface type mystery. “Cozy murder” this ain‘t.
Ooooffff. I spent an awful lot of time feeling angry at JimBob and Michelle Duggar while listening to this, though it is obvious that is not the author‘s intention. So much of her upbringing - even the happy bits - bears the hallmarks of emotional abuse and coercion. JimBob uses all the classic techniques to maintain complete control. I‘m not surprised the author has been trashed by RW bloggers like The Transformed Wife. Glad she‘s escaped!
So, the first of this series was our FOTL read this month. I absolutely loved it and plowed through the next books - including the fourth that just came out on Tuesday! These are so fun! I read the first then listened to the others. Leslie Manville brilliantly narrates the first two and the ridiculously talented Fiona Shaw takes on the last two. The audiobooks also have interviews with the author after that are super fun! Happy I found these!
So, apparently the My Pillow guy ‘wrote‘ a book. Several copies were gifted to my 93 yr old buddy from the FOTL club, who gave one to me. As he said, “to be fair, we can read it and then debate the wisdom of that choice later.” The pictured quote is 6 pages in. I‘m 25 pages in currently and this thing is already awash in tall tales of his many feats of daring-do and super cool party guy stunts. The guy is certainly a legend in his own mind.
Scott Ellsworth, a Tulsa native, first became interested in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre as a young history student in college in the 70s. He has written two books on the subject. This book tells the story of his decades long journey to unearth the truth long hidden as well as the stories of survivors, activists, and others he met along the way. Very respectful and informative, this is a good jumping off point if you are new to the topic topic.
This is my most recent stop on my quest read a biography of every President. My thought that President Ford, our only unelected President, was amongst our most decent and ethical was bolstered by this book. Very interesting read if this sort if history is your thing.
"Well of course," she said, "there's bodies buried here."
I couldn't believe my ears. "How do you know?"
"Because," she said, "I hear their voices at night."
#TulsaRaceMasacre #1921
This was a surprisingly fun little book! I listened to it for this month‘s FOTL meeting. The book covered the second half of the 20th century through the Obama administration, with the most detail given by staff who served the Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton families. Very interesting story of LBJ‘s shower obsession, which I‘ve now run into in 3 different books! Unique perspective on the Kennedy assassination and 9/11 from the ⬇️
As a exvangelical, I was really curious to hear what the author had to say about escaping IBLP. She has not left Christianity but is trying to figure out what she believes while dealing with what sounds like an at times almost crippling anxiety. This is not a tell all and she goes out of her way to praise her parents. This really is just about her faith journey and seems very sincere. I‘d like to see where she is in 10 years. ⬇️
This was a soft pick for me. Complicated story of family secrets set in multiple timelines. Complicated sibling relationships. Complicated parent/child relationships. Complicated spousal relationships. The most interesting bit for me surrounded one of the sisters working for the Betty Crocker brand in the 30‘s. I will definitely be looking more into that history.
I couldn‘t decide between pick and so-so until I realized my dilemma stemmed from how much time I spent reading this book whilst being infuriated by it. At times I‘d set it down and feel almost incandescent with rage. The depiction of how women were treated and given no option for control over their own lives will make your blood boil. It‘s a very well written and worthwhile read, but I can‘t really say I enjoyed it.
I read this when it originally came out 20-ish years ago, but I wanted to revisit it with the Christopher Nolan film coming out next month. It‘s a really good biography of Oppenheimer. It‘s also a good accounting of both the Manhattan Project and his troubles when McCarthyism gripped our country. It will really interesting to see how the film goes.
This one wasn‘t as good as I‘d hoped it would be. The premise sounded fascinating but it just bumbled along for me. I wound up checking out the audiobook on Libby to get through the last half while harvesting and cleaning onions and garlic so I could get on to something else in a hurry.
I read this with a book club. It was really good but very different from the movie, which disappointed my fellow book club members. I actually loved the story more with Sally‘s girls growing into their teen years and the family‘s time in NYC - seeing them build a life there. Good book! Just don‘t expect the movie followed it faithfully if you‘ve not read it but loved the film. This is one that I feel like you can love them both Independently!
“In the first decade of the 20th century, science initiated a second American revolution.”
#FirstLineFridays. @ShyBookOwl
As an Exvangelical/recovering Southern Baptist who spent her adolescence terrified because Evangelicals spent most of the 80s obsessed with the end times and Satan (when they weren‘t worried about everyone else‘s purity), I was curious to see what Dr Ehrman had to say on the subject of modern “prophecy”. It is a really interesting book with notes in the back giving additional resources. I recommend if you are interested in a scholastic view.
Set in the days leading up to and through the Tulsa Massacre, this book is beautiful and heartbreaking and infuriating. It tells the story of Isaiah Wilson and Angel Hill - he a WEB du Bois devotee, she an admirer of Booker T Washington - as they develop a friendship that turns into young love in the midst of the agonizing turmoil around them. Absolutely recommend!
I‘ve been in an awful reading slump lately, so I thought I‘d continue on my quest to read all of Ann Patchett‘s work. I really liked this one, which seems to have been inspired by the hostage situation at the Peruvian embassy in the late 90‘s. She does such an extraordinary job of writing the emotion of extremely complicated relationships.