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Smarkies

Smarkies

Joined May 2016

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

This was recommended to me by an independent bookseller. It was crazy twisty. And I was generally hooked.
Not your regular mystery thriller.

Avanders Oh loooooved this 1d
22 likes1 comment
review
Smarkies
Seeing a Large Cat | Elizabeth Peters
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Pickpick

The plot was a bit convoluted and took a bit to "dig in" but honestly, by now, I am in just for Amelia Peabody, Emerson, Nefret, Ramses, David, Abdul and the rest.
The audiobooks are totally fun.

Ruthiella They are so fun for the personality and growth of the characters. For me, the actual mystery plots are secondary. Or maybe even tertiary, since I also like the historical settings usually as well. (edited) 1w
CarolynM What @Ruthiella said. I love this one for the first look at grown up Ramses. 1w
Smarkies @Ruthiella @CarolynM totally agree. And grown up Ramses is great. 1w
22 likes3 comments
review
Smarkies
Lonesome Dove: A Novel | Larry McMurtry
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Pickpick

Didn't expect to enjoy a western so much. At the end of it, I was so invested in the characters that my heart was in my mouth at some points during the book.

Ruthiella Such a great novel. When I finished it, I thought it definitely deserved the Pulitzer. 2mo
AmyG One of my favorite books. 2mo
31 likes2 comments
review
Smarkies
Reaper Man | Terry Pratchett
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Pickpick

Glad to be getting back to reading some Pratchett. In this book Death is fired and all havoc ensues.
#roll100

TheSpineView Another Pratchett lover! ❤️📖📚 @julesG 3mo
julesG In case you're interested, we are doing a monthly Pratchett (re-)read. Follow the #OokBOokClub tag and have a look. 😁 3mo
Smarkies @julesG oooh! Will try and join when able! 2mo
26 likes3 comments
review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

I don't usually pick up celebrity memoirs but this one crept in cos it is also about the farm.
Overall a heartfelt memoir about love, life and loss. They come across as genuine people. Also, they own the local sweet shop with their friends!

review
Smarkies
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Mehso-so

A retelling of the snow queen. A bit too long (action only happened at about 75%) and a bit flat.

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

An enjoyable graphic novel about the joys and tribulations of organising one's own wedding.

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Smarkies
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Mehso-so

Interesting premise but a bit pointless. Interested in seeing how they are going to make this into a movie....
#roll100

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Smarkies
Word After Word After Word | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

Bought at a second hand shop on a whim. Did not expect to find it so poignant and charming.
Yes - the children were a little precocious for their age... but this book captured the innocence of youth.

review
Smarkies
Wolf Hall | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

Though it took a while to acclimatise to Mantel's style, once I got into it, I liked the careful plotting and the interweaving of themes throughout the book.
#chunkstermini
#chunksterchallenge
#chunksterchallenge2024

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

I can't even remember why I purchased this - probably on a whim... but it turned out to be a riveting read. Did not expect to be so drawn into this crime story.
#roll100

33 likes1 stack add
review
Smarkies
French Milk | Lucy Knisley
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Mehso-so

A 20-something year's old memoir of her 6 week trip to Paris. Her thoughts and impressions as well as her travelogue of Paris.

review
Smarkies
The Poisoned Chocolates Case | Anthony Berkeley
Pickpick

Agatha Christie-esque. Liked the idea of a detective club and liked seeing how the detective club explored the mystery in different forms.

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Smarkies
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Pickpick

A generally enjoyable romp with a strong sense of place.

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Smarkies
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Pickpick

Always a joy to read. Love this world that the author has built.

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Smarkies
Hamnet | Maggie O'Farrell
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Pickpick

A little slow for the first third. Read if you like lushly written prose.

31 likes1 stack add
review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

Lighthearted adorable book

34 likes1 stack add
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Smarkies
Inkheart | Cornelia Funke
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Pickpick

A soft pick as I found the some of the actions a bit too simplistic. But I wonder how I would have felt about this book if I had read it when I was younger.
#roll100
#24in2024

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

This is a soft pick. It was a touching story about friendship and love. However, I found the characters a bit flat especially halfway through the book and did not feel much affinity for them. There were some parts that I loved...but overall, I think the book felt a little too overhyped for me.
#roll100 #24in2024

review
Smarkies
Murder in Canton | Robert Hans van van Gulik
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Pickpick

Usually I start with the first book of a series. Somehow, when I found this in a second hand bookshop it is the last chronologically in the series. There was a sadness in it as the author was probably trying to tie up ends.
The mystery itself was a bit convoluted but the time and place of the book is interesting.
A soft pick for this and will probably pick up the earlier books.

review
Smarkies
A Study In Scarlet Women | Sherry Thomas
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Pickpick

Generally enjoyed this for its historical setting and its take on the classic sherlock Holmes mystery.
However, it was a little bit convoluted at bits but hopefully this is just the first book ironing out it's kinks.

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

A continuation of Ruth Reichl's first memoir Tender at the Bone. Takes you through her life as she establishes herself as a food critic, her first divorce, her second husband and her want to become a mother.
Decent read.

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

A very soft pick for its cozy vibes. However, at places it was a little bland for me.

review
Smarkies
The House Without Windows | Barbara Newhall Follett
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Mehso-so

Beautiful descriptions of nature but the plot was a little flat for me. Amazing that it was written by a 12 year old though...
The illustrations by Jackie Morris are lovely.

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Smarkies
A Late Phoenix | Catherine Aird
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Mehso-so

A quiet mystery which perhaps was not the most riveting. The interaction between Sloan and Crosby does lend to the witty exchanges in the book.

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

Really liked "seeing into" the life of a neurosurgeon. Henry Marsh is aware of disasters and the triumphs in a neurosurgeons life and he reflects on how he has changed through his time in the profession.
Loved the wry humour in the essays.
#roll100
#24in2024

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

I generally enjoyed this - parts 1 and 2 more than part 3 as I enjoyed the more historical aspects. Part 3 was more in terms of what we can do to help us get out of the mess we are in. Generally enlightening.
Read this as part of #naturalitsy
@AllDebooks

review
Smarkies
Address Unknown | Kathrine Kressmann Taylor
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Pickpick

A short novella in epistolary form. It's crazy that this was written in the 1930s without hindsight of what actually did transpire. Within this short book, it encapsulates the mood of the time.
#1938

Cathythoughts This sounds interesting. Stacked 9mo
Smarkies @Cathythoughts it's super short so a really quick read. 9mo
34 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

A short essay about how a good teacher /coach can help shape a kid's life and a look at how nowadays parents are reluctant to push their kids into the uncomfortable.

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

Reportage from around the 1960s. Gives a view of Poland post Stalin. There is a general sense of decay in all the pieces and each piece has hidden depths.
A book to be dipped into and read when the mood fits.
#1962

32 likes2 stack adds
review
Smarkies
Listen, Slowly | Thanhha Lai
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Mehso-so

Between a pick and a so-so. What I liked was the strong sense of place which really was described well. What I didn't was the narrator, Mai, who was a bit too whiny and self-absorbed for me. I nearly bailed a couple of times but hung on to hear the conclusion.
#Vietnam
#roll100

review
Smarkies
Me Talk Pretty One Day | David Sedaris
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Pickpick

My first David Sedaris read. Decently quirky and entertaining. I probably enjoyed 70% of the stories - especially those about his encounters with the French language.

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

Starting this series again as I stopped 2 books in the last time. Enjoyed this as much as I did the last time.

CrowCAH Temeraire is such a fun dragon 🐉!!! 10mo
Readergrrl You are reminding me about this series!! I read the first and always intended to continue. Maybe this is a sign? 10mo
Smarkies @Readergrrl I remembered it being fun and I am hoping to make it through the full series this time around. 😁 10mo
Smarkies @CrowCAH he is! The most lovable character! 10mo
28 likes4 comments
review
Smarkies
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Bailedbailed

This started out clever but am about a third into the book, and the characters are beginning to grate on me. So I am going to put this aside.
I'll just watch the movie for the summary. 😅

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

This seems to be the last in this series that I have really enjoyed. This mystery centered on a snoring husband, money laundering (during India's 2016 demonetization exercise), and a disappearance during the 1984 anti-sikh riots.
The topics tackled may be serious, but Vish Puri and his mother really do know how to enliven the situation.
The audiobook is a good way to enjoy this series.

batsy Sounds great! Must check out this series. 10mo
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

The story of the cancer cells which became one of the most important tools in medicine. It deals with both the historical aspects as well as the fallout on her descendants. Also tackles the legalities of human tissue samples.
#roll100
#52bookclub24
#toldinnonchronologicalorder

review
Smarkies
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Bailedbailed

Was struggling to decide whether to DNF this or not. 1/3 through the book and it has no "spark" for me. I am interested in finding out about the tribes in India but this book does not seem to delve too deeply into it so will need to hunt for one that does.
##roll100

LeeRHarry What a lovely cover! Shame inside wasn‘t as good. 10mo
Smarkies @LeeRHarry probably more of a fit issue for me 😅 10mo
26 likes2 comments
review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

Phryne sets out to solve a disappearance and a murder and in the process takes her plane out to the mountains in Australia (near Talbotville). I enjoy the series mainly because of the historical setting e.g. the Green Mill was an actual dance hall in Melbourne.
#52bookclub24
#setinacitystartingwiththeletterm

IuliaC Lovely cover! 10mo
erzascarletbookgasm This series covers are gorgeous! 10mo
33 likes2 comments
blurb
Smarkies
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1. Hercule Poirot - Agatha is the reason I love this genre 😃
2. Lord Peter Wimsey
3. Amelia Peabody

@dabbe
#TLT
#Threelistthursday

dabbe #1: 🤩 #2: I read one book of his; I need to read more! #3: on the TBR! Thanks for playing! ❤️💜🩷 10mo
27 likes1 comment
review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

A soft pick as the ending seemed predictable. However, the general setting and the nyonya food was accurately described. Listened to this on audio and realised that Singaporeans pronounce "syiok" different from Malaysians. ?

review
Smarkies
Where the Wild Things Are | Maurice Sendak
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Pickpick

Never read this before. Delightful! And I love the illustrations!

Smrloomis Such a great children‘s classic 😍 10mo
Soubhiville My favorite! My first tattoo came from these pages. 🥰 10mo
Tamra 😊 10mo
Smarkies @Soubhiville love this! 10mo
35 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Smarkies
Death Comes to the Rectory | Catherine Lloyd
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Pickpick

The last book of the series. A soft pick as the mystery did have a few twists. But I didn't like the distance between Lucy and Robert in this one. They didn't work together as a team as in previous books and there was a bit of sniping between them. 😔
All in all I found the first 2 /3 books of the series better than the later ones. But glad I have finished the series. 🥳

review
Smarkies
Margaret the First: A Novel | Danielle Dutton
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Mehso-so

It was an interesting premise based on Margaret Cavendish (who I didn't know before this), but this book, written in vignettes, did not manage to hold my attention throughout.
#52bookclub24 #aboutfindingidentity
#24in2024

IuliaC The cover is beautiful though 10mo
Smarkies @IuliaC this is why I bought the book! And the blurb! 😂😂😂 10mo
IuliaC I did this many times too 😂😂 10mo
Tamra I want whatever is your bowl! 10mo
31 likes4 comments
review
Smarkies
The Honest Truth | Dan Gemeinhart
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Pickpick

A sweet heartbreaking book about a boy who confronts living with / dying of cancer. I teared up in places. Did not expect to like it so much so this was a pleasant surprise.
#roll100
#52bookclub24 #agrievingcharacter

review
Smarkies
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Pickpick

It was a little long and reiterated points multiple times. However, this book made me more aware of how much UPFs have invaded the food system. If nothing else, it will make me read food labels a whole lot more and reduce my intake of fizzy drinks. The audiobook did have chatty /interview sections between the author and his brother, which helped ground the book a little. #naturalitsy

Smarkies Thanks to @AllDebooks for organising this buddy read 10mo
AllDebooks @Smarkies 😊 glad to have you join us x 10mo
32 likes3 comments
review
Smarkies
The Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan
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Pickpick

According to my tracking, I read this about 10-ish years ago. Picked it up on audiobook again as Disney has a new TV series out. I would say that it still holds up and it is just as enjoyable.

batsy I'm keen to check out the TV series but waiting until I read at least the first book! 🙂 10mo
Smarkies @batsy The TV series has also proved to be fairly enjoyable. 😁 10mo
28 likes2 comments
review
Smarkies
What Katy Did Next | Susan Coolidge
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Pickpick

A sweet book about a young American girl's trip to Europe in the 1800s. I read the first 2 books years ago and have decided to continue with this series.

TheAromaofBooks I really enjoyed this series so much!! Although Coolidge isn't the best at writing romance 😂 11mo
Smarkies @TheAromaofBooks no she isn't! 😂😂😂 11mo
TheAromaofBooks Like there's G-rated and there is just nonexistent haha 11mo
31 likes3 comments
review
Smarkies
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Mehso-so

Weaves the stories of a quilting circle together. I thought it started off with promise but started flagging at the halfway mark.
I think I prefer the movie.
#24in2024
#roll100
#atleastfourdifferentpov
#52bookclub24

review
Smarkies
Death Comes to the Nursery | Catherine Lloyd
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Pickpick

A murder occurs to a new staff member of the family and Lucy and Robert need to investigate and guard their family.
The audiobook was pleasant so this was a soft pick.... the next book will be the last in this series.

review
Smarkies
Strong Poison | Dorothy L. Sayers
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Pickpick

The mystery was a little weak but I love Lord Peter Wimsey and the cast of characters... so it's still a Pick!
#roll100 #1930 #192025