Three Rivers Regional Library System discussion

Hi, everyone!

I hope you are all doing well. I am restarting our online book club with a different approach, and I would love for you to join in.

I know that times are stressful right now, but if you're like me, books can be a great distraction and help provide some escapism.

That is why instead of our club members reading the same book each month, I invite you to share your thoughts on any book that you are currently reading or have currently finished. You can share what you liked or didn't like about your book, if you would recommend it, or anything else you would like to share.

This will be a great way for our club to learn about different genres, authors that they may have never heard of before, or to get recommendations. Feel free to post whenever during the month of February. I'll be posting my own soon!

Happy Reading,
Jessica

I know it's not quite February...but, I just got done with the "Southern Beach mysteries" series by kay dew shostak. good for those who like cozy mysteries. it also gives off summer vibes because it takes place on "Sophia island" which is inspired by the real life Amelia Island.
I'm currently reading The Current by Tim Johnston. I've been on a mystery/thriller trend lately.

Brittani wrote: "I know it's not quite February...but, I just got done with the "Southern Beach mysteries" series by kay dew shostak. good for those who like cozy mysteries. it also gives off summer vibes because i..."

Hi, Brittani! Right off the bat, I love the artwork for the "Southern Beach Mysteries" series! Definitely summer vibes. I also like that it takes place on the coast, and is based on an actual place. I read the synopsis, and it sounds like a lighthearted series that grabs you and reels you in! I like, too, that it has relatable female characters and friendships. Thank you for sharing, I am interested in reading this series.

Let us know how you are liking The Current. There is another book by Tim Johnston on our cloudLibrary app if you haven't read it yet, called Descent: https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/li...

I'm reading When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. It was recommended to me by fellow librarian Ceil Smith, and I was intrigued by cover description promising mystery and suspense with a hint of something supernaturally sinister? Alyssa Cole captures all of the characters so well, hinting at their motivations and secrets without obviously putting it all out there, and I feel like I could see Sydney's neighborhood. The suspense is a really slow burn but that makes the growing sense of dread even more, well, dreadful! Now that I'm about 2/3 of the way through, I'd also recommend this for someone who wants to do some reading on issues like white privilege, historic racism (redlining, for example), gentrification, etc. and likes to absorb knowledge through fiction. It's also a book to make you ponder the theme of home, homelessness, rootedness, and a sense of place.

Jenny wrote: "I'm reading When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. It was recommended to me by fellow librarian Ceil Smith, and I was intrigued by cover description promising mystery and suspense with a hint of s..."

Hi, Jenny! I like your point about the book allowing the reader to "absorb knowledge through fiction." Sometimes, non-fiction books can be dry and matter-of-fact, and the reader can't get into it. For that type of reader, a book like this seems to be the way to go. I also like that you mentioned the book offers the reader some hints about the characters, without just giving it all away, or spoon-feeding it to the reader. With suspense books, I think it's important to let the reader figure our major motivations or secrets organically, because that makes it a more fun and interesting read. Bonus points that the book can help the reader contemplate racial issues and societal issues, like homelessness. Thank you for sharing, Jenny! I can't wait to see what you read next!

For anyone interested in this book, we have it as an audiobook on cloudLibnrary: https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/li...

Hi Everyone! I just finished reading or listening to rather The Guest List by Lucy Foley. I am usually good at seeing the twists before they come. This book was full of them though. I am headed in to a lighter read with PostScript by Cecilia Ahern, the sequel to PS I Love You. Of course I am reading our Big Read book, Circe by Madeline Miller, as well.

Hi I'm reading the wrong family by tarryn fisher. Almost finished and going to start Ugly love by Colleen Hoover

Tiffany wrote: "Hi Everyone! I just finished reading or listening to rather The Guest List by Lucy Foley. I am usually good at seeing the twists before they come. This book was full of them though. I am headed in ..."

Hi Tiffany! I just read about the Guest List, and it sounds so good! It is described as a "modern take on Agatha Christie." You know it is a murder mystery done well when you have no idea who did what until the very end. Let us know how you like PostScript and Circe! Speaking of the Big Read, and Circe, if anyone here would like to join in on the Big Read, we do have Circe available as an audiobook on cloudLibrary: https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/li...

Thanks, Tiffany, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on your upcoming reads!

Chelley wrote: "Hi I'm reading the wrong family by tarryn fisher. Almost finished and going to start Ugly love by Colleen Hoover"

Hi Chelley! How did you like the Wrong Family? Would you recommend it? I just read about it, and it sounds like a compelling thriller and a mystery revolving around a family and secrets. If you like Tarryn Fisher, we also have The Wives on cloudLibrary: https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/li...

Let us know how you like Ugly Love!

Hi Everyone!

I have been reading the Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...


So far, I am loving it. The book starts out with a young Nora Seed talking to the librarian at her school, Mrs. Elm, who encourages her to reach her potential, telling her she can be anything she wants to be. We learn that Nora's father passes away, and the librarian is there to comfort her. Then we meet Nora in her mid-30s who has lost everything - her job, parents, relationship with her brother, and it is revealed she called off her wedding two days before the wedding date. Depressed and seeing herself as a failure, Nora decides to end her life... but she doesn't die. Instead, she ends up at a library (with Mrs. Elm there to greet her!) located between life and death, that has shelves and shelves full of books of the lives Nora could have lived, had she made different choices. Nora will get to experience these different lives.

I can't wait to see what happens, and I also love the writing style of the book.

Hi Jessica yes I would definitely recommend it . I do have the wives book but I haven't read it yet. I hear mixed reviews but I still want to read it :)

Chelley wrote: "Hi Jessica yes I would definitely recommend it . I do have the wives book but I haven't read it yet. I hear mixed reviews but I still want to read it :)"

Awesome!! Let us know how you like it, if you do!

Hello, Everyone!

What are you all reading this weekend?

I started the kingdom by jo nesbo... like it so far:)

I finished These Violent Delights yesterday. I enjoyed it, I went in to it thinking it would follow more of the Romeo and Juliet storyline, since its supposed to be a retelling, but it didn't. There are little easter eggs of the Shakespeare, but its definitely its own original story. Definitely a good read for fantasy readers, has historical aspects (set in 1920s Shanghai), and just a little romance.

Chelley wrote: "I started the kingdom by jo nesbo... like it so far:)"
Hi, Chelley! I am really intrigued by this book. I read that it is a "slow-burn crime novel" with lot's of layers. I also read that it is as dark as a Stephen King novel, and that the author plays up dark themes well! Whenever someone compares a novel to something written by Stephen King, I automatically think of horror. But this sounds more like a dark mystery. What do you think?

Brittani wrote: "I finished These Violent Delights yesterday. I enjoyed it, I went in to it thinking it would follow more of the Romeo and Juliet storyline, since its supposed to be a retelling, but it didn't. Ther..."

Hi, Brittani! Wow, I just read the synopsis for this book. "Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s gangster-run Shanghai about star-crossed exes putting aside the blood feud between them to prevent a monster from terrorizing their city." I can see why you chose to read this. I enjoy it when authors put their own twist on something that is so well-known, or historical. The fact that this takes place in 1920's Shanghai, and there is a monster involved, shows how the author put their own personal flair into the story of Romeo and Juliet. Very cool, thanks for sharing. Can you recommend some other historical, fantasy novels that might interest some of our members, if you have read some others like this one?

I have started reading Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Edward Adler and his family board a plane in Newark, headed to Los Angeles. It was a regular, normal, boring day. That changes when the plane crashes, and Edward is the only survivor, out of 187 passengers. The book is about how he copes with the accident, being the only survivor, and how he makes an unexpected discovery that will help him answer the big questions he has been asking about himself, his life, and being a survivor. I am excited to start this book and see what discovery he makes, and how it helps him cope with this tragedy.

Yes Jessica it's more of a mystery.. in my opinion he writes completely different than Stephen king. I'm a big fan of King & I've read around 90%of his books. King is weird lol

Chelley wrote: "Yes Jessica it's more of a mystery.. in my opinion he writes completely different than Stephen king. I'm a big fan of King & I've read around 90%of his books. King is weird lol"

Haha, King is weird! I am amazed at how many books he has written, and how many ideas he has come up with.