October 2021 book of the month club - 2 year anniversary celebration

Lola3791

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
2,870
Purraise
2,591
Location
Maine, USA
I finally picked a book! It's Greenwood by Michael Christie. I'm around 50ish pages into it and, unfortunately, I'm not enjoying it that much. I think I'm going to read until about page 100 and if I'm still not liking it, I'll move on to something else.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #62

rubysmama

Forum Helper
Thread starter
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Nov 25, 2013
Messages
25,278
Purraise
62,756
Location
Canada
I finally picked a book! It's Greenwood by Michael Christie. I'm around 50ish pages into it and, unfortunately, I'm not enjoying it that much. I think I'm going to read until about page 100 and if I'm still not liking it, I'll move on to something else.
Yay, for finally picking a book.
Nay, for not enjoying it yet.
Maybe it will improve as you get further into it. :crossfingers:

I'm steadily progressing with the reading of The Paris Dressmaker. Not a page turner, nor the best book I've ever read, but it's keeping my interest, so that's all good.

How's everyone else doing with their books?
 

Lari

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 18, 2017
Messages
10,993
Purraise
45,419
I think I'm at page 55 of 180? There's like 4 chapters and I finished the first. We're driving up to the in-laws' this weekend, so I'll have time to read more in the car.

I'm enjoying my book so far! I don't think it's as funny as like Douglas Adams's works, but from what I've heard, since this is the first book, Pratchett is still figuring out his writing style. I'll probably read at least a few more in the series.
 

Boris Diamond

Cat Valet
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
27,151
Purraise
15,940
I'm remembering why most people in my class who read Winesburg, Ohio did not like it. I believe the descriptions of this book I remember hearing were "boring" and "depressing." What was new and creative then is somewhat repetitive and boring now. I'll finish it. There are some great ideas, writing, and concepts. But I'm not enjoying it as much as I did many years ago.
 

Mamanyt1953

Rules my home with an iron paw
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
31,173
Purraise
67,765
Location
North Carolina
LOL, I've read both "Moonheart" and "Spirit Walk"...AND "Greenmantle" and "Yarrow," the other two Ottawa and the Valley books. And I've moved on to the Key books. Mr. de Lint wrote three very dark books under the pen name of Samuel Key. Not hiding his identity at all, but to separate them from the more gentle urban faerie tales that are his usual fair.
 

Lari

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 18, 2017
Messages
10,993
Purraise
45,419
I finished chapter 2 last night and am about halfway done with my book. Hoping baby sleeps some in the car tomorrow so I can get more read! I really enjoyed the action in the second chapter! I'm definitely getting more into the story.
 

Mamanyt1953

Rules my home with an iron paw
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
31,173
Purraise
67,765
Location
North Carolina
You know, a propos nothing whatsoever, I may have to re-read my Maeve Benchy books again soon. Something about her prose, and her wonderful way of telling simple stories of everyday life, make me sink into relaxation.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #69

rubysmama

Forum Helper
Thread starter
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Nov 25, 2013
Messages
25,278
Purraise
62,756
Location
Canada
You know, a propos nothing whatsoever, I may have to re-read my Maeve Benchy books again soon. Something about her prose, and her wonderful way of telling simple stories of everyday life, make me sink into relaxation.
I think I've read something from her before, and pretty sure I enjoyed it. So I bet one of her books would be a good one for a future book club month. :headscratch: Will have to discuss it with my cohorts. :)
 

pearl99

Pearl, my labrador who loved cats. RIP.
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
3,089
Purraise
11,396
Location
Colorado, USA
I have finished the first, "Housebroken." Easy read, and kind of funny.
I'm almost done with a second, "Endurance" about Ernest Shackleton and his trip to Anarctica that had him and his crew stranded for a couple of years back in about 1914-15, with no one knowing where they were and no one to come find them. Amazing story- no one died.
 

Lari

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 18, 2017
Messages
10,993
Purraise
45,419
I think I read Endurance long ago. In college for class, maybe? I definitely read some non fiction book on Shackleton though.

Made headway on my book, and am in the last chapter. Will hopefully finish tomorrow.
 

noani

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Oct 3, 2021
Messages
455
Purraise
483
You know, a propos nothing whatsoever, I may have to re-read my Maeve Benchy books again soon. Something about her prose, and her wonderful way of telling simple stories of everyday life, make me sink into relaxation.
I can totally relate. I've read all of hers 😃 and reread many of them. There are some other authors that give me the same feeling, like Jane Green, Liane Moriarty and some Sophie Kinsella. Sarah Addison Allen too, but her books have an added element of slightly "magical" things (I can't find the right words to explain it right now). It's not outright magic, maybe similar to some of Alice Hofmann's books but a bit more cutesy?

People get all judgemental about chick lit and easy books sometimes, but honestly life is hard enough sometimes, and easy, almost mundane reading is all I want sometimes. When it's well written (Binchy, Moriarty) or funny (Jane Green/Sophie Kinsella), that's all I want lol.
Jane Green is my absolute go to when I'm going through a rough patch. I'll re read all of her books one after another :flail:not joking, it's part of what got me through the strict lockdown in Italy at the start of the pandemic.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #74

rubysmama

Forum Helper
Thread starter
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Nov 25, 2013
Messages
25,278
Purraise
62,756
Location
Canada
I've finished the story part of "The Paris Dressmaker". Just have the author's note to read now. So will be all set for the "discussion" in a couple of days.

We're working on the questions to help with the discussion, and will post them either later today or tomorrow. Looking forward to reading all about the books everyone read.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #75

rubysmama

Forum Helper
Thread starter
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Nov 25, 2013
Messages
25,278
Purraise
62,756
Location
Canada
Since we're all reading a different book this month, the discussion will also be different. So here are some questions, to help us think of something to post about the book we read. Don't feel pressure to answer every question. However, do be sure to tell us the title and author. ;)

Normally the discussion doesn't start until the 22nd, so that everyone has time to finish reading before possible spoilers get talked about. But since this month is different, if anyone is wants to post something earlier, go for it.

Back to spoilers, since everyone has read a book someone else might decide to read, try to avoid major spoilers, or spoiler-tag them, if you need to mention something major, like a character's death.


What book did you read?
Title / Author / Standalone or Part of a Series / Brief Synopsis

Why did you choose it?
Favourite author / A book you'd been wanting to read /
A book you wanted to re-read / A book recommended by another reader

Were you pleased with your choice?

Was it as good as you expected or a disappointment?
Was it a fast read or a challenge to get to the end?
Would you recommend it to other readers?
If part of a series, do you plan to read the next one?
If standalone, would you read another book by the author?

What was the format of the book?
Hardcover / Paperback / E-book / Audio Book

How did you acquire the book?
Already owned it / Bought new / Bought used / Borrowed from library

What did you think of choosing your own book to read this month?
Would you like to do this again, on occasion?
Or do you prefer to have the choice announced, and everyone read the same book?

Write a review of the book you read
If it hasn't already been covered by answering the above questions, feel free to write a more comprehensive review of the book you read.
 

verna davies

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
23,619
Purraise
17,456
Location
Wales uk
I didn't know whether to choose a completely different type of book from my usual for this month, a safe choice, recommendation or stick a pin in a list but in the end the choice was made for me. The staff in my local library ordered this book and kept it for me thinking I might enjoy it. It came in paperback form.

The book is titled Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica. It's a psychological thriller/mystery and luckily my favourite genre.
I have read all her previous books, all stand alone and IMO her best yet. I loved it, a real page turner for me and I couldn't wait to sit down and get stuck in.

It's about a woman disappearing, then another from near by and throw in a kidnapping. It's full of false trails and red herrings. I am usually quite good at guessing the baddy but I didn't see this one coming.

It's told from 3 different perspectives, during the kidnapping, after and from the detectives point.

I found it well written, suspenseful and engrossing. I want to write more but don't want to spoil it for anyone who wants to read it.

I would highly recommend it for those who like psychological thrillers and it gets 4.5 stars from me.

I like the idea of readers choosing different books and would like to see this done occasionally.


Local Woman Missing
 
Last edited:

strider rose

cat toy lady and cat mom to 3
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2020
Messages
10,105
Purraise
17,896
Location
Marshall Michigan
What book did you read?
Title / Author / Standalone or Part of a Series / Brief Synopsis
harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban , series ,
Why did you choose it?
Favourite author / A book you'd been wanting to read /
A book you wanted to re-read / A book recommended by another reader
it was a re-read . j.k. rowling books

Were you pleased with your choice? yes

Was it as good as you expected or a disappointment?its a great book
Was it a fast read or a challenge to get to the end?im taking my time with it
Would you recommend it to other readers?yes i would
If part of a series, do you plan to read the next one?its a series and yes i will pick up the next book in order
If standalone, would you read another book by the author?

What was the format of the book?
Hardcover / Paperback / E-book / Audio Book- paper back

How did you acquire the book?
Already owned it / Bought new / Bought used / Borrowed from library- cousin mailed me the series for christmas

What did you think of choosing your own book to read this month?
Would you like to do this again, on occasion? yes i would ! it was quite fun
Or do you prefer to have the choice announced, and everyone read the same book?

Write a review of the book you read
If it hasn't already been covered by answering the above questions, feel free to write a more comprehensive review of the book you read.
its a great book for young adults and adults alike . very creative and a fun read
 

pearl99

Pearl, my labrador who loved cats. RIP.
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
3,089
Purraise
11,396
Location
Colorado, USA
People get all judgemental about chick lit and easy books sometimes, but honestly life is hard enough sometimes, and easy, almost mundane reading is all I want sometimes. When it's well written (Binchy, Moriarty) or funny (Jane Green/Sophie Kinsella), that's all I want lol.
I totally agree!!
 

pearl99

Pearl, my labrador who loved cats. RIP.
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
3,089
Purraise
11,396
Location
Colorado, USA
What book did you read?
Title / Author / Standalone or Part of a Series / Brief Synopsis
Housebroken: Admissions of an Untidy Life by Laurie Notaro.
It is standalone, the author writes humorous books and this is one of them.
It's about her life and how she messes things up, has a disaster of a house, borderling hoarding, and funny mis-steps in life that we all can relate to. At least those of us who aren't Perfect!


Why did you choose it?
A book recommended by another reader.
I wanted something lighthearted and silly in these not so fun times.

Were you pleased with your choice?
Was it as good as you expected or a disappointment?
Was it a fast read or a challenge to get to the end?
Would you recommend it to other readers?
If part of a series, do you plan to read the next one?
If standalone, would you read another book by the author?
It wasn't as laugh-out-loud as some reviews said, I chuckled a few times and smiled more.
Fast read, easy.
Yes recommend.
I would read another book by Laurie Notaro.


What was the format of the book?
Hardcover

How did you acquire the book?
Borrowed from library

What did you think of choosing your own book to read this month?
Would you like to do this again, on occasion?

I would like to do this again on occasion!

Write a review of the book you read
Fast, easy read. It's in chapters about different aspects of her life- her husband, her family, her foibles, her mess-ups in public, her past, her views, her jobs, etc.
One of my favorites was a chapter about "The Tidy Lady," Marie Kondo and her thoughts about that. Notaro is a border-line hoarder as she says. My favorite part was about Kondo saying "you should have no more than 30 books in your home" , holding things and seeing if they "bring you joy and you love them," and more.
I'd say 3.5-4 stars.


The other book I read was non-fiction, "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" by Alfred Lansing, about Ernest Shackleton and his journey with 27 other men to Antarctica in 1914 to attempt to cross Antarctica on foot from west to east. Truly harrowing tale of their experience, being stranded for over maybe 18 months and no one knowing where they were. Written from their journals, interviews, etc. Published in 1959.
If you like this type of book it's incredible, well written- their determination and creativity just to survive is mind boggling.
 
Top