Big Books Finished/Reviewed > Likes and Comments

Tell us about the Big Book you finished! If you'd like, include a short review or a link to your Goodreads review, blog post, video, or YouTube review. No spoilers!

I know this starts Monday, but I just finished a far-flung life, and while it was good, it was not my favorite. It is by ML Stedman, who wrote the light between oceans, and it focuses on a family that lost their children in a car accident.

Allen wrote: "I know this starts Monday, but I just finished a far-flung life, and while it was good, it was not my favorite. It is by ML Stedman, who wrote the light between oceans, and it focuses on a family t..."

It started yesterday, Friday, Allen. Thanks for the mini review! I really enjoyed The Light Between the Oceans.

Finished my first book…Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. I’ve read it before, and chose it first this summer to join in the Book Cougars conversations about book to screen adaptations.

Kim wrote: "Finished my first book…Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. I’ve read it before, and chose it first this summer to join in the Book Cougars conversations about book to scr..."

That's my next big book on audio, Kim, for the same reason! I read the print books years ago (and still have it), but I'm looking forward to enjoying it on audio.

I just finished The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, and ... WOW! It was absolutely incredible. It's the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale (in response to readers asking Atwood for 30+ years "what happened next?") and focuses on some secondary characters from the first book, so you get a deep dive into their lives and their histories. You also get an inside view into the workings of the Aunts and how daughters of high-level Gilead parents are brought up and educated. It is a compelling and propulsive narrative, as 3 different character's stories gradually come together, and it kept me up much too late every night! Outstanding. I can't wait to watch the TV adaptation, since The Handmaid's Tale is one of the best TV series my husband and I have ever seen. I talk more about the book in my May Reading Wrap-Up on my YouTube channel (scheduled to post on Tuesday). What a great start to Big Book Summer!

Finished Dissection of a Murder 403 pages so just squeaked in as a big book. Really a great courtroom dark psychological drama. Its hard to say much without revealing spoilers.

Finished Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community for a political book discussion this afternoon. Academic-like (not light). I gave it 4-stars.

Sounds like a good one, Janet!

Finished We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America. 5 big stars. The book starts with women who assisted the founding of the U.S. and proceeds chronologically. This meant I didn't recognize many names at the beginning, but was acquainted to most at the end.

I finished my first big book for the summer:

Big Book #1: South Riding by Winifred Holtby (1936); 515 pages. It's a look at a small community in Yorkshire in 1933-34 when most people were struggling financially and social structures were rapidly changing. There's a large cast of characters, but does focus on 3 very different people (2 women & 1 man). I really enjoyed this book, but I know that I need to read it again to get so much more out of it.

Linda wrote: "Finished We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America. 5 big stars. The book starts with women who as..."

That sounds fascinating, Linda! You always find such interesting books!

Just finished The Book of Doors. I was pleasantly surprised. I gave it 5 stars.

Linda, Bowling Alone looks fascinating as does We the Women.

I just finished “Dungeon Crawler Carl” by Matt Dinniman. 450 pages, 4 stars.

This book was a real romp. I loved the wit, warmth and the themes of corporate greed vs humanity and of found family. I’m also intrigued with the light mysteries scattered throughout this world.

The boss scenes got a bit repetitive but I get the hype. I didn’t finish this feeling like I need to binge read the rest of the series but I really enjoyed it. These will be my go-to anytime I need something lighter than my typical fare.

Big Book #2: I finished a re-read (on audio) of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813). My little Collector's Library edition has 482 pages. It's one of my all-time comfort reads.

Finished my first book on audio, The Gales of November the Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John Bacon. This was a 4.5 star read for me. While I have read, and watched many documentaries on this disaster, this book was quite well written and covered the disaster with compassion for the families of the crew members.

I finished 2 big books this week
John of John by Douglas Stuart and Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
My next big read will be Land by Maggie O’Farrell.

Finished “A Founding Mother” by Stephanie Dray (historical fiction about Abigail Adams, 464 pages). A good book to celebrate the US’s 250 years.

First book finished for the Challange, Death at the Museum by Janice Hallett 471 pages, 5⭐️, Its the second book in her middlegrade series. It was very well done, fun illustrations and very enjoyable. Great for adults and children.

Finished The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois. It took me several days to write the review because I wanted it to really reflect the power of this book

Finished my first big book of summer, They Were Sisters by Dorothy Whipple. She was a great writer and I enjoyed this book from the 1930’s. There were definitely characters that I didn’t like, one in particular, but the story really drew me in. It became a real page turner as I had to know what was going to happen to these characters. It dealt with some darker issues especially for the time it was written.

Suzan wrote: "Kim wrote: "Finished my first book…Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. I’ve read it before, and chose it first this summer to join in the Book Cougars conversations about..."

What did you think of the audio version? I love this story so much I would definitely consider visiting Whistle Stop again via a third format.

Susi wrote: "Finished my first book on audio, The Gales of November the Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John Bacon. This was a 4.5 star read for me. While I have read, and watched many documentaries on..."

I have this in the middle of my possible reads pile…I think I’ll move it up a couple slots now:-)

I finished Lonesome Dove, and liked it a lot more than I expected to. I struggled a bit at first, but after less than 150 pages, I didn't want to put it down. It was much more violent than I had expected, so I didn't love all of it, but I'm very glad I read it. Probably four and a half stars.

My finished books so far:

- Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (already noted, but I forgot to include the page count - 416)
- The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez (squeaking in at 401)
- The Good, the Bad, and the History by Jodi Taylor (512)
- The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal by Jodi Taylor (468)
- Doing Time by Jodi Taylor (480)

Finishing
A Brush with Shadows
Anna Lee Huber 431 pgs

Finished:

Moonlight Over Paris
Jennifer Robson. 448 pgs



Under the Tulip Tree
Michelle Shocklee 400 pgs

Kim wrote: "Susi wrote: "Finished my first book on audio, The Gales of November the Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John Bacon. This was a 4.5 star read for me. While I have read, and watched many doc..."

Kim I hope you find time for, and enjoy this book, as well

Finished my first audio book - This Tender Land. Amazing!

Helen wrote: "Finished my first audio book - This Tender Land. Amazing!"

I listened to this one last year and really enjoyed it.

Finished so far:

A Founding Mother, Stephanie Dray (historical fiction, 464)

A Pair of Aces, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (historical fiction, 400)

Paladin’s Strength by T. Kingfisher was my first Big Book for Summer 2026. It was the second in the series but the last of the series I read.

writer... wrote: "Finished:

Moonlight Over Paris
Jennifer Robson. 448 pgs



[book:Under the Tuli..."

This sounds so good!

I just finished The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Total pages 549. This was a good book.

I finished This Book Made Me Think of You, which just slid in at 407 pages. It’s a book about books, but also about recovering from grief and finding new adventures in life. Simply delightful!

I finished reading Firekeeper’s Daughter (488 pages). It’s marketed as YA but has a real depth to it. A modern story following a young woman from the Ojibwe reservation. Many social issues addressed. Recommend.

Just finished the audio of Cher A Memoir Part 1.
4.5 stars and 413 pages
While I don’t read a lot of celebrity memoirs, this was a fun summer read for me as a child of 70s who remembers the Sonny and Cher show.

Big Book #3: I finished The American Senator by Anthony Trollope (1877); 557 pages. Will not be one of my favorite Trollopes but it did have a few good moments with characters Mary & Reginald. Otherwise too much fox-hunting for my taste and a scheming "anti-heroine", Arabella.

My second book, Variations, by Rebecca Yarros, was over 400 pages. It tells the story of a ballerina, and her romance with Hudson. If you love soaps, you will LOVE THIS! If you look past the spice, it is very good.

On to my next 2 books, Comfirm by Ariel Sullivan, and Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune!

I finished This Tender Land!

I loved the characters in this book! Odie and the vagabonds will live in my heart. This historical fiction takes place in the 1930's at the Lincoln School for Indian children. The Native American children were separated from their families and told to shed their language and culture. We also meet an array of characters including sister Eve with her healing services, one-eyed Jack, Gertie, and Aunt Julia.

There is a theme of generosity throughout and how much good can come from it. The river is a motif for God.

I'm glad there was a happy ending. I don't think I could handle a sad ending in this story.

Helen wrote: "Finished my first audio book - This Tender Land. Amazing!"

Me too! I read the physical book and listened to the audio back and forth. I preferred the audio. Such a good audio book!

Jessica wrote: "I just finished “Dungeon Crawler Carl” by Matt Dinniman. 450 pages, 4 stars.

This book was a real romp. I loved the wit, warmth and the themes of corporate greed vs humanity and of found family. I..."

I appreciate the review, Jessica. A friend of mine just started Dungeon Crawler Carl (which I've heard great things about), but she put it down because she said she doesn't play or understand video games. So, I'm interested to hear your perspective: how much do video games play into the novel and do you have to understand them to enjoy the book? Thanks!

Susi wrote: "Finished my first book on audio, The Gales of November the Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John Bacon. This was a 4.5 star read for me. While I have read, and watched many documentaries on..."

Glad you enjoyed it, Susi. I gave that book to my mother's husband for Christmas - he grew up on Lake Erie (south of Buffalo) and is a diver and fascinated by wrecks, so I knew he'd love it.

Helen wrote: "Finished my first audio book - This Tender Land. Amazing!"

Right?? This Tender Land was incredible! One of my favorites. Was that your first William Kent Krueger novel? Ordinary Grace is also excellent. I bet they're great on audio!

Gabi wrote: "Finished so far:

A Founding Mother, Stephanie Dray (historical fiction, 464)

A Pair of Aces, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (historical fiction, 400)"

Those are some of my favorite author pairs of historical fiction, Gabi!

Tashinka wrote: "I just finished The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Total pages 549. This was a good book."

I enjoyed that one, too, Tashinka, and so did my book group.

Abby wrote: "I finished reading Firekeeper’s Daughter (488 pages). It’s marketed as YA but has a real depth to it. A modern story following a young woman from the Ojibwe reservation. Many social issues addresse..."

I loved it, too, Abby! I read it for BBS a few years ago - and I still need to get to the next novel she wrote!

Susi wrote: "Just finished the audio of Cher A Memoir Part 1.
4.5 stars and 413 pages
While I don’t read a lot of celebrity memoirs, this was a fun summer read for me as a child of 70s who remembers the Sonny ..."

I am the same, Susi - child of the 70's who loved Sonny and Cher and rarely read celebrity memoirs but have been considering this one. I would definitely listen on audio - does she read it herself?

Heidi'sbooks wrote: "I finished This Tender Land!

I loved the characters in this book! Odie and the vagabonds will live in my heart. This historical fiction takes place in the 1930's at the Lincoln School for Indian ..."

So glad you loved it, Heidi! One of my favorites! Historical fiction, suspense, gorgeous nature writing, humor, warmth - it has everything!