NetGalley Buddy Readers discussion

What review book have you recently read? What did you think of it? Link your Goodreads review here.

I read and reviewed Beasts of a Little Land last week. It’s historical fiction set in North/South Korea. Link to my review here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak and overall really enjoyed it. I loved the Fig Tree as narrator as I learned so much about nature! I think this narrator gave us such great science lessons cloaked in a story. lol. I never really connected with the characters though but still found the story interesting and will definitely read more from this author. This was my first.

I read another book earlier this year set nearby in Smyrna and because of that read, The Silence of Scheherazade, I had an understanding of what went on in those areas that was not really covered by this story.

I especially loved the ending (view spoiler)[ I loved that the mom was in the tree and could still be connected to her family. I didn't see this coming and loved it for that as well. (hide spoiler)]

Glad you enjoyed it, Tasha! I really thing the fig tree as a narrator is so creative and interesting.

It was, I loved it. :)

I have The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World on my tbr and after reading The Island of Missing Trees, I'm definitely going to read it in 2022. It's peaked my interest even more.

I found it on audio, available, so maybe I'll read it sooner than 2022. While my motivation is still pretty high, lol.

Yes, probably a good idea to start soon. lol I'd be interested to see what you think of that one. I wonder how they can determine what a tree feels?

Tasha wrote: "I have The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World on my tbr and after reading The Island of Missing Trees, I'm definitely going..."

I have heard wonderful things about The Hidden Life of Trees! My GR friends have rated it 4 or 5 stars.

Kristie wrote: "Yes, probably a good idea to start soon. lol I'd be interested to see what you think of that one. I wonder how they can determine what a tree feels?"

I wonder too!

Elyse, good to hear. I hope I love it too. :)

Tasha wrote: "I finished The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak and overall really enjoyed it. I loved the Fig Tree as narrator as I learned so much about nature! I think thi..."

Glad you enjoyed it, Tasha! Agree, I learned so much about nature too - ants, bees, birds, flowers, trees, etc. — it was fascinating and so well done.

Elyse wrote: "Tasha wrote: "I have The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World on my tbr and after reading The Island of Missing Trees, I'm de..."

Oh, I will have to check it out - sounds interesting and good to know it’s highly rated too.

I have it downloaded and ready to go as my next audio. I'll let you all know what I think once I finish.

Just an update on my attempt at The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World following my love for The Fig Tree in The Island of Missing Trees. Started on audio and either it's the wrong time/mood or it's just not for me. Abandoned the book but I did learn a little before doing so.

Also, reading book #2, Shadow Sands, in the Kate Marshall thriller as I make my way towards Darkness Falls.

Tasha wrote: "Just an update on my attempt at The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World following my love for The Fig Tree in [book:The Isla..."

Oh that's too bad! Maybe wrong time for you.

I think it's a book to pick and put down, read over time more slowly, so it wasn't working as my sole audio book. I'll keep it on my radar but will think about reading it differently next time, if I do read it again. I think the whole idea is fascinating, so much more going on that we humans realize! lol

I just picked up from my library on Overdrive so looking forward to reading that after hearing so much about it on here

Kevin wrote: "I just picked up from my library on Overdrive so looking forward to reading that after hearing so much about it on here"

So far, six of my Goodreads friends have read that one and they all gave it 4 or 5 stars - 4.67 average rating.

Thanks for the update, Tasha. Too bad it didn't work for you.

Kristie wrote: "Kevin wrote: "I just picked up from my library on Overdrive so looking forward to reading that after hearing so much about it on here"

So far, six ..."

Yeah I am really looking forward to it. I really enjoyed so I am hoping for a similar result here

Kevin wrote: "I just picked up from my library on Overdrive so looking forward to reading that after hearing so much about it on here"

I had never heard of Elif Shafak before this group! I guess I'll have to check her out!

Her name sounded familiar to me before I read The Island of Missing Trees but that was about it.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Kevin.

I just finished Wish You Were Here . It was really good, but took a turn that I wasn't expecting and I still don't know exactly how I feel about it. 3.5★ rounded up.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Kristie wrote: "I just finished Wish You Were Here . It was really good, but took a turn that I wasn't expecting and I still don't know exactly how I feel abo..."

Oooh interesting. My copy just came today.

Hope you love it, Elyse. I was surprised by it. Let us know what you think.

Tasha wrote: "Just an update on my attempt at The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World following my love for The Fig Tree in [book:The Isla..."

That’s a bummer, Tasha. Oh well, there are tons of lots other great books out there calling your name. 😊

My Heart Went Walking by Sally Hanan and my review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished The Maid. It was an interesting story about a maid who struggles with social cues and gets caught up in a murder at the hotel she works at. It was another 3.5★ read for me rounded up.

The Maid review

I finished A Flicker in the Dark . I thought it was a great debut and look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next. 4 stars

my A Flicker in the Dark review

I just finished The Last House on the Street . It was not a thriller as I originally expected, but it was very good. Definitely falls into the historical fiction genre with a bit of a mystery in the more current timeline.

my Last House on the Street review

Interesting, I may keep it on my radar then. I know other people reading it now as well and I think they are enjoying it too.

Tasha, I think if people go into it expecting a mystery/thriller they will be disappointed. I'm not sure why they marketed it that way. It's mostly historical fiction that is tied into a current day mystery. The mystery really isn't a major theme in the story.

Her writing can be a bit of a slow build at times, but she does write well. There was one part that I knew was coming and I still found myself with my hand over my mouth hoping it wouldn't happen.

I just finished a the Next Thing You Know as I’m the only one that didn’t love it. My three star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Liz wrote: "I just finished a the Next Thing You Know as I’m the only one that didn’t love it. My three star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Oh no! I'm excited to read this one. I like the points you made though.

Nice review, Liz.

Kristie wrote: "Tasha, I think if people go into it expecting a mystery/thriller they will be disappointed. I'm not sure why they marketed it that way. It's mostly historical fiction that is tied into a current da..."

Thanks, Kristie. :)

I finished the audio of The Christie Affair while driving home yesterday. I was really torn between 3 and 4 stars on this one. I may still change my mind. I listened to the audio with my husband and he is giving it 5 stars though, so I don't know... maybe it's just me. I'll think on it and see how I feel in a couple of days.

my Christie Affair review

Your review makes me want to give this one a try, Kristie. I'm adding it to my tbr. I haven't read anything about this topic yet so starting it from the mistress's perspective sounds intriguing.

Nice review on The Christie Affair, Kristie! And lol, I’m glad I passed on this one based on Kristie’s review and Tasha wants to read it based on Kristie’s 🤣! I love that we have different perspectives.

I love that too! I always esp love when there are drastically different feelings about a book. :)

Tasha wrote: "I love that too! I always esp love when there are drastically different feelings about a book. :)"

😊!

I just finished The Younger Wife

A great, believable psychological thriller. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Oh, that's too funny! It really was a good book. I'd say give it a try! :)

I'm currently trying to figure out how to rate & review Josh and Gemma Make a Baby. I have to mull it over a bit.

Finished Josh and Gemma Make a Baby. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My 5-star review for Ophelia After All

Elyse wrote: "My 5-star review for Ophelia After All"

Great review, Elyse. So glad you loved it.

Yes, a great review. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Kristie wrote: "Finished Josh and Gemma Make a Baby. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Enjoyed reading your review as well. :)

Liz wrote: "I just finished The Younger Wife

A great, believable psychological thriller. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I'm intrigued! I added to my tbr.