Book Nook Cafe discussion

This the thread for general book discussions for June 2023

Tell us what you just read, are currently reading or plan to read. Tell us about your favorite author. Have you read some book news? Share it with the group. Anything related to books and reading, we want to hear all about it !
:)

What are you going to start the month of June reading?

I may try The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change your Life and Achieve Real Happiness by Ichiro Kishimi
I'll give it a short leash of maybe 10 pages and see if it's for me.

and I also downloaded

Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime by Val McDermid
This one was recommended by deb.

Alias, i hope you find McDermid’s book as informative as i did.

I am continuing to read My Brilliant Career—Miles Franklin. Sybylla Is an opinionated teenaged woman in the late 1890s, who declares her intention to never marry. Quite a challenge for those who love her.

I am reading Five Biblical Portraits by Elie Wiesel published by the University of Notre Dame Press. These are essays about Biblical figures. I'm still reading the introduction which is by another author. It's giving me information about Elie Wiesel which I hadn't known, so I consider it valuable.

The Cat Who Came to Breakfast by Lilian Jackson Braun

Journalist and amateur sleuth Jim Qwilleran - with the help of his Siamese cats - investigates 'accidents' on Breakfast Island.

Enjoyable cozy mystery. 3 stars

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

Alias Reader wrote: "What are you going to start the month of June reading?

I may try The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change your Life and Achieve Real Happiness by [author:Ichiro Kis..."

The forensics book is very good. 🙂

Shomeret wrote: "I am reading Five Biblical Portraits by Elie Wiesel published by the University of Notre Dame Press. These are essays about Biblical figures. I'm still reading the introduction which ..."

That sounds very interesting. I see it's a sequel to Messengers of God: Biblical Portraits and Legends. Do you think one should read that book first ?

Alias Reader wrote: "Shomeret wrote: "I am reading Five Biblical Portraits by Elie Wiesel published by the University of Notre Dame Press. These are essays about Biblical figures. I'm still reading the in..."

I didn't read Messengers of God: Biblical Portraits and Legends. I don't think books of essays need to be read in chronological order, Alias.

I've started the month with Time After Time as I liked the author's Good Behaviour. This one's a bit darker perhaps, but holding my interest well.

Shomeret wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Shomeret wrote: "I am reading Five Biblical Portraits by Elie Wiesel published by the University of Notre Dame Press. These are essays about Biblical figures. I'm..."

Thanks !

John wrote: "I've started the month with Time After Time as I liked the author's Good Behaviour. This one's a bit darker perhaps, but holding my interest well."



Love the cover !

Shomeret wrote: "I am reading Five Biblical Portraits by Elie Wiesel published by the University of Notre Dame Press. These are essays about Biblical figures. I'm still reading the introduction which ..."

Good idea to humanize these Biblical characters. Wiesel would be a good one to do so. Thanks for drawing my attention to these two books, Shomeret.

Barbara wrote: "The Cat Who Came to Breakfast by Lilian Jackson Braun

Journalist and amateur sleuth Jim Qwilleran - with the help of h..."

This series sound fun and a different. Thanks for the updates, Barbara.

John, I’m not familiar with Molly Keane but synopses of her novels tickle my fancy. Thanks for telling us about them. Like Alias, i find the covers are neat, too.

I can't pass up a good sampler, and the latest Buzz Books 2023: Fall/Winter is full of tempting excerpts. I've picked some I like the look of and included many short quotes to tempt you too. These are always available for free online from Publishers Lunch as well. Check the GR blurb for more info.
5★ My review of Buzz Books Fall/Winter 2023

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I can't pass up a good sampler, and the latest Buzz Books 2023: Fall/Winter is full of tempting excerpts. I've picked some I like the look of and included many short quotes to temp..."

What a great idea to give samples. Many you noted sound really good.

Thanks for sharing this with us,Patty. We all get a taste!

Central Park West by James Comey

In former FBI Director James Comey's first novel, U.S Attorney Nora Carleton prosecutes a Mafioso and searches for a politician's killer.

Good legal thriller with colorful characters. 4 stars

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

Barbara wrote: "Central Park West by James Comey

In former FBI Director James Comey's first novel, U.S Attorney Nora Carleton prosecutes a ..."

Sounds like a good one, Barbara. I didn't know he wrote a novel. I think writers who are also lawyers write well and I usually enjoy their legal thrillers. Thanks for the title.

How nice he’s begun a new career! Thanks for the info, Barbara. I was surprised to hear about this.

I love Aussie author Robbie Arnott's writing, and I'm sure I would have enjoyed The Rain Heron more if I'd read it instead of listened. It is original, poetic, and magical, but it is also brutal, which is a (little) less confronting on the page than when going straight to the brain.
3.5~4★ My review of The Rain Heron

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I love Aussie author Robbie Arnott's writing, and I'm sure I would have enjoyed The Rain Heron more if I'd read it instead of listened. It is original, poetic, and ..."

Thank you for the review, Patty. I appreciate when people say if they would recommend the audio or not. I find that very helpful.

One Small Sacrifice.
4/5 stars

This was a really good book that has a few different things taking place. They fit together and really make the book interesting. Emily, Alex's fiancee, goes missing and Alex is the main suspect because of a past incident. The detectives are trying to find Emily, and Alex is also trying to figure out what happened and remember the past. What happened to Emily and who could be behind the disappearance? The book was well-written and really kept me reading to find out what happened. I recommend reading this book.

The Lincoln Highway.
4/5 stars

This was a very good book, but it could have been a little shorter. The book takes place over a short period of time, but follows many people through this period. Emmett arrives home from a work farm when his plans are derailed by two friends. He follows his friends to New York and this is the story of this period of time from many points of view. The book was good and well-written, but it definitely could be shorter. Some of the points of view during the journey could have been cut out or combined to make it a little less repetitive. The characters were likeable, for the most part. I recommend reading this book if you like an adventure story with multiple points of view.

Ashley wrote: "One Small Sacrifice.
4/5 stars

This was a really good book that has a few different things taking place. They fit together and really make the book interesting. Emily, Alex's fianc..."

I see this is part of the Shadows of New York #1.
I always enjoy books set in my home town.

Ashley wrote: "The Lincoln Highway.
4/5 stars

This was a very good book, but it could have been a little shorter. The book takes place over a short period of time, but follows many people through..."

I loved this book. For me it was a 5/5.

Thank you, guys! Not exactly my thing, but mother would probably love it.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I love Aussie author Robbie Arnott's writing, and I'm sure I would have enjoyed The Rain Heron more if I'd read it instead of listened. It is original, poetic, and ..."

Patty, thanks for the review. As one who likes dystopian novels, this one tickles my fancy. The cover you shared in your post is lovely but the one in the review does nothing for me. Publishers!

Ashley, two good books for you, thank you for filling us in on your opinions about each. Sacrifice sounds very good.

I weakened and started a new (to me) series. (What was I thinking?!) Of course, I enjoyed Martin Walker's French village, so I expect to be squeezing in another visit to Bruno, Chief of Police again before too long.
4.5★ My review of Bruno, Chief of Police

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I weakened and started a new (to me) series. (What was I thinking?!) Of course, I enjoyed Martin Walker's French village, so I expect to be squeezing in another visit to [book:Bruno,..."

I'm glad you found a new series to enjoy, Patty.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I weakened and started a new (to me) series. (What was I thinking?!) Of course, I enjoyed Martin Walker's French village, so I expect to be squeezing in another visit to [book:Bruno,..."

For years i heard readers sing the praises of this Bruno series, Patty. When i read it, the author’s presentation of the Chief won me over. Still, i have yet to read another in the series. Thanks for the prompt and lovely recap.

The Woman Inside by M.T. Edvardsson

The story, set in Sweden, revolves around the death of a wealthy couple in their luxurious house. Various people in the couple's orbit come to the attention of the police.

Good suspense story. 3.5 stars

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

The comment in your review of the audio book about correct pronunciation of names/places is a good point. One reason i don’t remember names in many books is because i don’t know how to pronounce them, so end up kinda skipping them. Hearing would make a big difference!

Nice review of the story, Barbara.

Thank you madrano. I really appreciate audiobooks for pronunciation of foreign names I'm not familiar with.

Independence Square by Martin Cruz Smith

In this book in the 'Arkady Renko' series, set in the summer of 2021, the Russian police detective searches for the missing daughter of a gangster.

Timely story, set when Russia is about to invade Ukraine. 3.5 stars

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

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I love Aussie author Robbie Arnott's writing, and I'm sure I would have enjoyed The Rain Heron more if I'd read it instead of listened. It is original, poetic, and ..."

I agree, Patty. Reading is so much easier than listening to difficult material.

Barbara wrote: "Independence Square by Martin Cruz Smith

In this book in the 'Arkady Renko' series, set in the summer of 2021, the Russian po..."

I’ve heard of this series for years but haven’t tried. What would draw me to it most is info on customs and life there now.

Thanks for the review, Barbara.

A heavenly happy birthday to, Maurice Sendak.


Maurice Bernard Sendak was an American author and illustrator of children's books. He became most widely known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, first published in 1963. Born to Polish-Jewish parents, his childhood was affected by the death of many of his family members during the Holocaust.
Born: June 10, 1928, Brooklyn, New York, NY
Died: May 8, 2012, Danbury Hospital, part of Nuvance Health, Danbury, CT

Wiki Bio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice...

Where the Wild Things Are -- Maurice Sendak

A favorite for our son!

Hi Honey, I’m Homo! by Matt Baume

In this book, Baume traces the increasing presence of LGBTQ+ characters in American sitcoms, and writes about the evolving politics and social culture of the times.

Interesting and entertaining. 4 stars

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

Happy Birthday Maurice Sendak. 🎈🍬🎈🍬🎈🍬

Barbara wrote: "Hi Honey, I’m Homo! by Matt Baume

In this book, Baume traces the increasing presence of LGBTQ+ characters in American si..."

A really terrific review, Barbara !

Relevant book for our relevant times. Thanks, Barbara, for this review.

Thank you Alias and madrano. It's a good book for pride month.

I was watching a YouTube video and this book was mentioned. I thought some here who love to travel and love books might want to check it out. I see it's only $3 on Kindle.
Book Towns: Forty-Five Paradises of the Printed Word by Alex Johnson

Here is the link to the YouTube video.
I went to a book festival!
Ruby Granger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nC0f...

What Lies in the Woods
4/5 stars

This was a very good book. There were a few typing mistakes, but they didn't take away from the book. Naomi returned home and begins to questions what happened when she was attached as a kid. One of her friends wants to come clean and she turns up dead. What really happened that day and what is going on now? As Naomi tries to figure out what happened, who can she trust? This was a really good mystery/thriller. The story was great and the writing really pulled me into the book and kept me reading. I recommend reading this book.

The Only Survivors
5/5 stars

This was a fantastic book. This keeps you reading from the beginning to the end and was an amazing thriller/mystery. In high school, nine students survive an accident on a trip. After one survivor kills herself on the anniversary of the accident, the other make a pact and sped the anniversary together. Cassidy is drawn back to the other survivors and they are at their meeting place, but something is off. What is going on this year and is someone behind what is happening? Is this tied to what happened the night of the accident, and what really happened on that trip? This is a dual timeline, telling what is happening now, along with the day of the accident. The book is very well-written and just keeps you reading. I recommend reading this book.

Alias Reader wrote: "I was watching a YouTube video and this book was mentioned. I thought some here who love to travel and love books might want to check it out. I see it's only $3 on Kindle.
[bookcover:Book Towns: Fo..."

Thanks for the link and title, Alias. What a neat idea for a book.

Not long after arriving in the Internet i heard about Hay-On-Wye, a small town in Great Britain. I finally visited there in 2017–happy! Happy! joy! Joy! Or was it? Having a choice of which book shop to visit is pure heaven. And to repeat the experience is a wonder.

The agony comes in limits, of course. As a traveler, the suitcase is as much an issue as the prices. For a woman, such as myself. Who dislikes making decisions, it was agony. Ultimately, i opted for older books of which i knew nothing, figuring i might never run across them again.

One further thought. It is even more frustrating to visit bookshops in countries where you do not know the language. From Madrid, I ended up with a children’s books, figuring i could at least make out many words. While some have a few books in English, they are often classics you’ve read or books you never wanted to read, i.e., recent romance or Hemingway.

deborah, yet again ducking thrown rotten fruit

Ashley wrote: "The Only Survivors
5/5 stars

This was a fantastic book. This keeps you reading from the beginning to the end and was an amazing thriller/mystery. In high school, nine students surv..."

Both books you reviewed sound good to me—tense and rewarding. For the second i saw “slow burn” mentioned but as in “too much” of one. It’s always hard to tell another person’s limit, though. Anyway, i was unfamiliar with both authors, so am grateful for the introduction, Ashley.