Book Snails Book Group discussion

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  2 0 2 3   BOOK REVIEWS
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A discussion thread for you Book Snails who like to share your good, bad, and ugly book reviews with us!

Please share reviews of books you finish reading in 2023 here, or feel free to review one you haven't shared with the group before.

You can type a short review right here, and/or provide a link to a review you already posted on Goodreads, your blog, etc.

Happy New Year!

Finished The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges. This was charming and delightful -- a great way to start off the new year! I rated it 4 stars. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I had mixed feelings about Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb. I appreciated this one as a worthwhile and necessary read. Rated it 4 stars. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Writing Life by Annie Dillard. This was okay — got some good insights from it, but much of the book was too metaphorical for me. I ended up rating it 3 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Backman is one of my favorite authors. His 4 previous books that I had read were all 5 star reads. This one was no exception of course — 5 stars! Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li. This has been on my TBR since it came out last year and I’m glad I finally got the chance to read it because I really really enjoyed it! Rated it 4.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

That’s great, StarMan. Spot on. Thanks for sharing his review!

Finished The Piano Tuner by Chiang-sheng Kuo. Overall, this one had potential, but turned out to be a bit underwhelming. Rated it 3 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang. Well-written historical fiction about an obscure piece of WWI history. Loved this one! I rated it 4.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Becoming Duchess Goldblatt: A Memoir by Anonymous. This was interesting read and a unique experience. Rated it 3.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀. This was a beautifully written, thought-provoking read. I rated it 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. This homage to Little Women was very well done. I rated it 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Community Board by Tara Conklin. This was okay, but I definitely enjoyed her previous novel The Last Romantics more. Rated this one 3.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett. This was unique, quirky, and fun — definitely enjoyed it! Rated it 4.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Paper Names by Susie Luo. I’m glad I got the chance to read this contemplative and poignant immigrant story. Highly recommended! I rated it 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Soulmate, the newest novel by Sally Hepworth. I did not like this one much and ended up rating it 2.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog. Amazing book and very highly recommended. Here is my review. Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Text:
"The men who had brought us whiskey and the smallpox had come with the cross in one hand and the gun in the other."

This book is amazing. Mary Crow Dog/Brave Bird does not hold back in her account that is deeply personal as well as incredibly informative. The history of the American-Indian Movement (AIM) of the 1960s and 70s is under-taught and too little known. Events such as the occupations of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in DC in 1972, the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973, and others are covered in great detail, from an internal perspective.

"...laws are framed by those by those who happen to be in power and for the purpose of keeping them in power. This goes for the U.S.A... or any other country in the world."

Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right against unwarranted search and seizure, to a fair trial, none of these rights applied to Native Americans, who, from the perspective of those in power, needed to be "civilized." This book is chock full of these rights and more being abused, especially by the FBI but also by police and judges, to keep the AIM movement, and American Indians in general, under control.

Perhaps most importantly, is despite the forced relocations, massacres, forced Christaining and re-eduction, infiltration of alcohol and other substances, outlawing of Native rituals and traditions, broken treaties, police abuse, turning of tribes against one another, instigation, and more... despite these abuses, countless Native traditions, ceremonies and religious practices such as the Sun Dance, sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies, peyote ceremonies, and others have survived to the modern day. Mary Crow Dog demonstrates, through the triumph of her own life, that the spirit Sioux and other Native peoples lives on.

Bkwmlee wrote: "Finished A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Backman is one of my favorite authors. His 4 previous books that I had read were all 5 star reads. This one was no exc..."

I am partway through this book now. I was very entertained in the beginning but some of the characters I am having trouble finding believable. Do you think I should persist?

Finished The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton. After a disappointing read last week, it was great getting to read a new book from an author whose works I can trust will be good. Enjoyed this one quite bit. Rated it 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Matt wrote: "Bkwmlee wrote: "Finished A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Backman is one of my favorite authors. His 4 previous books that I had read were all 5 star reads. Thi..."

Hi Matt - sorry for the late reply. Sorry to hear that this one isn’t working for you. I can see where that assessment of the characters might be valid in this instance. Are you very far along? The good thing is that this is one of Backman’s shorter books, also with shorter chapters so if you do decide to continue, it hopefully won’t get too tedious.

If you would like to try Backman’s other books, maybe try Beartown? The Beartown trilogy is actually a departure from Backman’s other works (more serious and less humor) — plus the characters are well-drawn and relatable.

Finished The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly. Not sure what’s going on, but this is the second time this month that I’ve picked up a book by a popular author whose works I enjoyed in the past, but ended up hating their newest release. Hope this doesn’t continue to be a trend.😒. I rated this one 2.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Honor Thy Father by Jason Holland

2 similar crimes a generation apart, some danger, and courtroom drama.

VERDICT: 3.55, rounded up to 4 for the genre (legal/crime thriller).
Similar to offerings from John Grisham. Fairly predictable, but there's a twist or two. Protagonist lawyer makes a (view spoiler)[huge, bone-headed professional decision (hide spoiler)] -- but it did make things a bit more tense/interesting.

Finished Fault Lines by Emily Itami. Beautiful written, nuanced story with an absolutely gorgeous cover. Loved this debut and rated it 4.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. This is an indispensable, inspiring, and fun read for all writers. Rated it 5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. This was an interesting albeit unpleasant read for me due to the various triggers in it. Regardless, there’s definitely literary merit to this book and I don’t doubt that it will be one of those popular and much talked about reads this year. I rated this one 3.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. This was an interesting read with a unique format (novel in stories). Rated it 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Sorrows of Others by Ada Zhang. I enjoyed this overall, but short story format doesn’t always work for me. Rated it 3.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. This is a love letter to books and reading as well as a tribute to childhood favorite Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was very well done and I loved it! Rated it 4.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle. This was an instance where I liked the premise of the story, but didn’t like the execution. I rated this one 2.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Banyan Moon by Thao Thai. This new release absolutely blew me away…loved it!!! Rated it 5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul. This was a fascinating read, but one that you need to go into not knowing too much. I rated this 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Watch Us Shine by Marisa de los Santos. I loved this one, but wish I had read the previous books in the series first, as I’m sure the emotional impact would’ve been greater. Still, I ended up rating this one 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm adding All the Light We Cannot See to my list of all-time favourite books, an act that is a rarity these days. Here's why: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished A Quitter's Paradise by Elysha Chang. I enjoyed this debut overall and rated 3.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. This was entertaining overall, but not really my jam. I rated it 3 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See. As a huge fan of Lisa See’s works, I of course dropped everything I was doing to read this one and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Rated it 5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Talking at Night by Claire Daverley. This is an emotional story that I ended up really enjoying. Rated it 4.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry. This one was charming and beautifully written…loved it! Rated it 4.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Brightest Star by Gail Tsukiyama. I was looking forward to this newest book from an author whose works I’ve enjoyed in the past, but unfortunately this one turned out to be a disappointment for me. I rated it 2.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Good Fortune by C.K. Chau. I absolutely loved this Chinese American retelling of Pride and Prejudice! Rated it 4.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Postcard by Anne Berest. This is a compelling novel, uniquely written, with historical / biographical / contemporary / mystery elements to it that, for me, made it stand out from other works I’ve read about WWII and the Holocaust. Definitely recommended! I rated it 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Postcard by Anne Berest. This is a compelling novel, uniquely written, with historical / biographical / contemporary / mystery elements to it that, for me, made it stand out from other works I’ve read about WWII and the Holocaust. Definitely recommended! I rated it 4 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa. This was a translated work that fell a tad bit short for me. I rated it 3 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Emma by Jane Austen. A classic from one of my favorite authors! Of course I rated it 5 stars! Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo. This is Acevedo’s first foray into adult fiction. It was okay, but I definitely prefer her YA novels more. I rated this one 3 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. A new novel from one of my favorite authors? I’m definitely here for it! Loved this one and rated it 5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Persuasion by Jane Austen. This was a re-read of one of my favorite Austen novels. Still fabulous of course! Definitely 5 stars! Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished the short story collection Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang. Interesting collection of stories, with some in a format I’ve never seen before. Rated it 3.5 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Happiness Falls by Angie Kim. I liked the story overall, but did not like the narrative voice. Rated this one 3 stars. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...