Book Loving Kiwis discussion

Use this thread to discuss the books you have just finished reading. It's always great to hear about the books that others are reading. A sure way to increase that endless TBR list!

I finished The Paris Wife by Paula McLain this morning. I gave it three stars. It was a pleasant piece of historical fiction based on the life of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley. I found their life in 1920's Paris somewhat fascinating, yet appalling.

I've just finished Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. The blurb on the book describes it as a romance, but I really wouldn't class it as that myself.. It is very much a story of love though. It should carry a warning that a large box of tissues is a requirement. Hard to believe this was a work of fiction. 4 stars from me.

The writing class by Stephanie Johnson. It's set in Auckland, and is enjoyable. Not overtaxing, so very suitable for this time of year.

I finished The Mermaid Chair last night. No way near as good as The Secret Life of Bees, but it had its merit all the same. This book has had some really rough reviews, but I think that it would resonate with many women who have reached their 40's and feel like they have lost themselves somewhat. A bit tacky in places, but a pleasant enough read. Three stars from me.

I've just finished reading Post Office by Charles Bukowski. Not a lot of "action" but was very well written so I found it absorbing.

I read a book a day - have to review most of 'em, but for pure pleasure I received Terry Prattchet 'Raising Steam' at Christmas and have read and reread it for the pure delight of a clever piece of satire. He's really using the Disc World to make us think about our world.

Bigots beware, Terry P's got you sussed!

I just finished Iron Council

I have a huge man crush on China Mieville, and although Iron Council fell a little flat for me - too many ideas, not enough character development, I think some of his other books are just unbelievably good and I highly recommend them. My favourites are Perdido Street Station which I would say is a cross between fantasy, science fiction, a bit of body horror thrown in, generally just very weird and utterly fascinating to read. Another is The Scar which is set in the same universe but instead of being set in a city built in the bones of some massive long dead creature, The Scar is set on a ancient floating city of thousands of ships tied together. Also fascinating, the author has an amazing way with language. Lastly and probably my favourite would be The City and the City which is a detective story set somewhere in eastern Europe in a place where two cities occupy the same physical space but the residents of each city are required to 'un-see' the other city on pain of death which makes a murder investigation that crosses both rather tricky. Again, fascinating setting and language.

Oh, thank you Chris! I have been wondering where to start with China Mieville, and I think you have supplied the answer.

I have a paperback copy of Perdido St Station I would be happy to lend you

I have just finished a fantastic book by one of our NZ authors Touching Shadows by Gracie O'Neil. I would class it as a suspense/mystery with some paranormal and a little romance.

Paranormal/romance isn't one of my favoured genres, but I do like mysteries. I have to say I absolutely relished this book and gave it 5 stars.

It is only available as an ebook at the moment, but it's well worth getting yourself a copy. Highly recommended.

Ella's Gran wrote: "I have just finished a fantastic book by one of our NZ authors Touching Shadows by Gracie O'Neil. I would class it as a suspense/mystery with some paranormal and a..."

At 69% and loving it also!

I just had to stay up until I finished last night ☺ As a result the energy levels are a bit low this morning! I'll watch for you finishing.
Lesley

Ella's Gran wrote: "I just had to stay up until I finished last night ☺ As a result the energy levels are a bit low this morning! I'll watch for you finishing.
Lesley"

Hubby got up for work at 6 am, so I read for an hour or so snuggled up in bed this morning. Will get off this computer now, so I can get my jobs done and then settle down guilt-free to read the rest.

Ella's Gran wrote: "I have just finished a fantastic book by one of our NZ authors Touching Shadows by Gracie O'Neil. I would class it as a suspense/mystery with some paranormal and a..."

I'm rapt that you thought TOUCHING SHADOWS was fantastic and I apologise for making you lose sleep. :-) Thanks so much for reading it and for the five star recommendation. I really appreciate it. Can't wait to hear your questions!!! LOL

Angie wrote: "Ella's Gran wrote: "I just had to stay up until I finished last night ☺ As a result the energy levels are a bit low this morning! I'll watch for you finishing.
Lesley"

Hubby got up for work at 6 a..."

Guilt-free reading. It's the best way to spend a day. :-)

Gracie wrote: "Angie wrote: "Ella's Gran wrote: "I just had to stay up until I finished last night ☺ As a result the energy levels are a bit low this morning! I'll watch for you finishing.
Lesley"

Hubby got up f..."

It sure is! And... done! Loved, loved, loved :)

I just finished Jasper Jones by Australian author Craig Silvey. Really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend.

I stayed up to finish Life After Life last night. I gave it 4 stars. It was certainly very clever, but I did find myself drifting at times. Mostly I thought was brilliant, but some parts were a bit confusing and slower going.

I've just finished Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra. This book has been on my TBR list since I joined GR back in ~ June 2011? I'm not sure why I put off reading it for so long, as it is by one of my favourite authors. It was ironic that on the day I began reading this, I noticed Alexandra has a new book about to come out.
Silver Wattle was initially set in Czechoslovakia after WW1 and for the most part Australia in the 20's. The plot centred around the Australian film industry and was hugely fascinating. I loved that some of it was also set in the Blue Mountains - one of my favourite places in Australia. Alexandra's books are easy reads, so I recommend this book if you are after a page-turner.

I've just finished the Alexander Mcall Smith Isabelle Dalhousie series.
A lovely intelligent and gentle read with lots to think about.

Well worth it, Kathleen. A really satisfying read for me after the books I've had to review recently.

And Alexander McCall Smith is coming to Dunedin on May 9th - I think. For the first Dunedin Writers Week.

Trying to but it's expensive and I'm jobless and the stock have to be fed three times a day and penned at nigth!

Am still debating reviews for Goodreads. I read a book a day just about and it's a shame not to support the author with a review but I don't want to be part of this nasty star system and the bitchy stuff which comes from here.

What about reveiws without stars?

Any thoughts?

I still want a 2 tier system!

I prefer the stars as I don't generally have the patience to write a review unless I feel strongly about the book (like our dislike).

I only rate books I think are worth at least three stars, the exception being if something has been really hyped but it turns out to be obviously bad, in which case I feel I have an obligation to warn people not to waste their cash! I've only done that for best-sellers though, as I think a bad star rating in those cases won't hurt the author's feelings too much. But I mean bad bad, not just 'not my cup of tea'. I write a review either when a book is written by someone I know (but I still need to think it's good) or when it is so good it blows my socks off.

I try to star and review everything I read. How is giving my honest opinion using the system provided "nasty and bitchy"?? I do this for myself. Its MY record of what Ive read and what I thought of books at the time.

Like Erica, I prefer the star system of rating the book, as much for my own information as anyone else. I tend to write a review only when I feel strongly about the book - good or bad. If a book is 'not my cup of tea' I tend to make that note without a star rating. As Sweetp said it's for my record.

Given the amount of whining from authors I read here on GR about how star rating effect their sales, I would have thought the star system would have some importance, and therefore would be preferable to nothing. This is why I leave off a star rating when a book does not suit my personal preference.

So p.d.r., do I take your view that the star system on GR is nasty, and reviews bitchy, that you would prefer we not rate and review your books?

Just finished Whistling Past the Graveyard a book with a new twist on telling a civil rights story that causes you to see the issues from a different angle.

Susan Crandall had a story, so used Starla, a feisty red-headed 9 year old who stood up for justice for all, and Eula, who taught Starla to use that sense of justice wisely, to tell this captivating story.

There is so much of this book to really like. The story and the issues it explored; using Starla's voice to tell it; the sadness along with the humor; the outcome.

No, of course not. There are some good reviews and sensible reviewing on Goodreads.

What is confusing about what is happening on this site though is the hows and whys.

If the reviews are purely personal, written about one's own personal preferences, for one's own list and memory jogging and enjoyment and on one's own bookshelf which can be shared with selected friends and reading groups that is good.

But these personal reviews are attached to the book where the book is listed on Goodreads. They are not listed as Here is what readers thinks about the book. They are called reviews.

A review carries some weight. It is supposedly written by someone with a knowledge of the thing reviewed. We all read reviews of new cars by the expert rally driver in the motor section or reviews of a concert by a musician. We accept that reviews are important.

So surely a review of a book should be by someone who not only reads and loves books but also knows about plot and structure and the skills of writing.

Goodread 'reviews' are by readers for readers. So surely they are personal opinions and need a new name rather than review?

Just finished 'The Cuckoo's Calling'.

I am always ashamed of being a writer when I think about J.K Rowling. The envy, jealousy and spite aimed at her by other writers has been shocking. I coud understand why she went 'plain clothes' with this novel.

I was hopping mad on her behalf when her idiot legal people let slip who the book was by. I hope she fired them!

Anyway this meaty great book was a good read and JK's ability to hold a complex plot and write great characters shines through as ever.

P.d.r. wrote: "No, of course not. There are some good reviews and sensible reviewing on Goodreads.

What is confusing about what is happening on this site though is the hows and whys.

If the reviews are purely p..." "I don't call those one star rants reviews."

I read one of those one star rants today. It was quite amusing in a perverse kind of way. The reviewer began with "I severally disliked this book. It was so boaring and it went on an on about fighting and battles. 5 days of fighting and battles..." She went on in this manner for almost a page in which the spelling, grammar and language reached bottom levels (and I mean bottom as in what you sit on and related functions).

If I tell you the book was a novel based on fact and set during WWII in Poland you will see the funny side of her opening comment - just past the "severally disliked" - no that's not my typo!

You have to wonder, if she thought the book was so bad, *why did she read right to the end
*why bother to write any kind of review
*whether she realises how poorly she writes herself

But, as you say p.d.r., to the unthinking who rely solely on the star rating, and who do not read the reviews in conjunction with that rating, it certainly has the potential to drive down sales.

Besides all that, to get the average reader to write a formal book review is expecting a bit much in my opinion. Many may not even know how a formal review is structured, or just wouldn't have the time to create that type of review. It doesn't come easily to many.

I do think that there are too many 'reviews' along the lines of "OMG I really loved this book." "This was the best book ever." Along with other vacuous comments. It's the same with book discussion threads that consist of I love it comments - very deep.

Off soap-box now :) ♥♥

I use the star rating, but I think it's deeply personal. I'm intrigued when I see someone give a book five stars when I struggle to award one and vice versa, but it doesn't affect my view, particularly as I don't know these people at all. Even within my book group, there are people who have different views to mine, so I might ignore their recommendations or off putting comments.

P.d.r. wrote: "Just finished 'The Cuckoo's Calling'.

I am always ashamed of being a writer when I think about J.K Rowling. The envy, jealousy and spite aimed at her by other writers has been shocking. I coud un..."

I think J.K. Rowling is a superb writer. You can picture the setting and characters down to minute details. Her characters are so original too. They all have their faults, which make them even more human. Can't wait to meet Cormoran again in The Silkworm. I took quite a fancy to him...

OOoo! The new JK book out already. Great! I shall read it with pleasure. Rowling is a good writer and I am stunned by how she can juggle all those complex plot threads and not slip up. Even Dickens used to leave loose ends!!!

No, I don't want to bore readers with the type of literary academic review I enjoy 'cos I'm an English prof.

I'd just like to see reviews here called readers' opinions.
As you show us, Ella's Gran, with that 'wonderful' snippet from a review, often those rants are more revealing of the writer than the book.

Hugs to those people who thought I was being rude about their carefully composed reviews. My apologies.

Hugs back to anyone who thought I was being rude about their hard worked, carefully written reviews.

It's fine, as a reader's opinion, to say the book is bad because the author was rude about vegetarians. (People do this about one of Kerry Greenwood's books!) That is an opinion and most revealing of the writer not the book.

It's not fine to call that opinion a review which other readers should take seriously as a serious comment about the book!

The Forgotten Garden is on my list at the library. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did, Deidre.

I've recently read a book that's been around for a long time but I'd never read it. I really regret that as I haven't read such a well written book depicting a child's life in the early 1900s. It was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and I really recommend it. Here is where you will find my thoughts at the time I finished
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Yes, I first read it as a teenager. It was an eye opener and I re-read it with my daughter. I like the tree image.

You wrote a good helpful review, E's gran.

Kathleen wrote: "I just finished The Handmaid's Tale. I remember around 10 years ago people said to me, "Haven't you read it?" Actually, there was a chunk of my life (early years of motherhood) where I ..."

Glad you enjoyed it Kathleen. I read this when I was about 15/16 after an English teacher of mine recommended it. Was the first "odd" book I'd read. Found it fascinating but probably need to re-read it as an adult. I really liked her book Alias Grace too!

I've just finished reading The Goldfinch. Really enjoyed it. Gave it 4* Love Donna Tartt's style of writing. She writes in a way that gives you such a clear view of what's going on, the emotions of the character, and to build suspense or tension where needed. But doesn't load on a lot of waffly metaphors that can be overdone sometimes I think.

Just finished 'Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field'. Nice intelligent and fun read. Witty dialogue and a clever plot.

I don't usually read chick lit but my pal insisted that this was like Jojo Moyes' 'Me before You' - a book with depth, as well being humorous.

I don't like fan fiction, or copies or follow ons of well-known books. A writer ought to be able create their own characters and plots not steal. This is not that though. In fact it's a book within a book. I think it would make you laugh, Kathleen and Lesley, and anyone needing a cheer up should laugh their way through this novel.

Just finished 'Dead Cold' by Louise Penny. Terribly impressed and depressed.

Impressed with her writing ability and the layers to the characters and stories. Impressed by her ability to bring in good and evil without pontificating about God.

Depressed 'cos I want to write like that!

Love the Canadian setting and do wonder how she will carry this series on. Can't always be in the same village surely?
Wish I could go and buy all the e-books in the series and find out.

And being in my usual desperate rush I posted this in the reading thread not the finished thread. Sigh! So now I'm reposting and messing up your board, ladies!

Just finished 'Donor' and 'Murder in Mind'.

Donor's a very man book. Simple tale, mostly told not shown and few emotions or mushy bits and no subplot.

Murder in Mind is a racing mystery. This one is better than most but Dick Francis still tops the list for me.

Just finished & totally blown away by this book!

So many books to read. Thank you for your comments everyone.

I've just finished 'The Silkworm' by Robert Galbraith/Rowling and am gobsmacked at how good it is. Rowling is brilliant at complex but likeable characters though her baddies are very real too. I had real problems with the murder as I was reading about it over breakfast! Not a good idea.

WOW!
In one gulp I've read 'Murder and Mendelssohn' the new Phryne Fisher from Kerry Greenwood. Our female James Bond at her spying best this time. Not for the sexually squeamish or those still uncomfortable with MM sex.

I just finished Phenomena: The Lost and Forgotten Children by New Zealand author Susan Tarr.

Read my review here:https://antonymillen.wordpress.com/20...

Just finished Aphrodite's Hat. Collection of short stories. Just a pleasant read, nothing really new or earth shatteringly original just a pleasant collection of stories.

I seem to remember vaguely a Mrs Golightly title. Not sure I think her writing is worth seeking 'em out. I need something that will blast my brain right now!