First, a Shout-out to a local Austin writer–yay! This novel combines a few of my favorite things: spies, intrigue, and literature, oh my! I am sure other reviewers have pointed this out, but I would also like to make sure everyone notes the irony of the author’s first name being the name of the mainContinue reading “The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott”
Tag Archives: Book Review/Discussion
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Once again I will be out of sync with the consensus. I really hated this book, in fact, I was angry when I finished it because I felt like I had wasted my time. I read it because my book group was reading it and because several people had told me it was wonderful–it alsoContinue reading “Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens”
Book Discussion: Golden Hill by Frances Spufford
Golden HIll is an interesting niche novel, for those who enjoy older forms of writing, including a self-conscious, slightly intrusive narrator. While I enjoyed the writing immensely, I will have to confess that I found the plot a little lacking. The book is set in 1746 New York. Richard Smith arrives from London mysteriously bearingContinue reading “Book Discussion: Golden Hill by Frances Spufford”
Book Discussion: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Full disclosure. I am a HUGE fan of Atwood in general and The Handmaid’s Tale specifically, so keep in mind that my comments regarding this work are not unbiased. First, I love the format. The alternating viewpoints give a full picture of what is happening in Gilead and outside of it, but interestingly, the firstContinue reading “Book Discussion: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood”
Book Discussion: The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess
I got this book as an e-galley and I was really looking forward to it. It had rave reviews and the pre-pub buzz was great. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. I should have known better, when I saw the protagonist referred to as a female Philip Roth. Full disclosure–though I have triedContinue reading “Book Discussion: The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess”
Book Discussion: The French Lesson by Hallie Rubenhold
This novel popped up when I was doing an Amazon search for Hallie Rubenhold, because I thoroughly enjoyed her historical account of the Scandalous Lady W. (See my earlier post on that book here.) If you are looking for a fun summer read to keep you company in your beach chair or on your couch,Continue reading “Book Discussion: The French Lesson by Hallie Rubenhold”
Book Discussion: Circe by Madeline Miller
This one has been on my list for a while, so I am happy to be able to say I have finally read it. All those awards lists and reviewers were right, it is a great book. It is not a quick easy read, but it is worth savoring, because the writing is lyrical andContinue reading “Book Discussion: Circe by Madeline Miller”
Guilty Pleasure: Mine: a Novel of Obsession by J. L. Butler
I received an ARC of this last year at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference. Full disclosure–this is definitely a fun beach/vacation read, not serious literature. Having said that, though, there is a lot to recommend it if you are in the right mood. Francine Day is a divorce attorney in London and herContinue reading “Guilty Pleasure: Mine: a Novel of Obsession by J. L. Butler”
Book Discussion: Dracula, My Love by Syrie James
As fan fiction goes, Syrie James’s is some of the best. I first read her Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen a few years back, and she also wrote The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen. I lost track of her after that, so I was delighted to find a paperback copy of Dracula, My Love atContinue reading “Book Discussion: Dracula, My Love by Syrie James”
Book Discussion: Educated: a memoir by Tara Westover
My book club met this week and we had read Educated. Although I found the book interesting and Westover an engaging writer, certain aspects of the book were disappointing. First, it bears more than a passing resemblance to The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. This is not a reason not to read it, of course,Continue reading “Book Discussion: Educated: a memoir by Tara Westover”
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