April 2025

[Sílvia]

I finished a Brazilian romance. Good, but a bit too character-driven for my taste. It took me forever to finish. No translation.

I also finished People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Ugh. 2 stars. Interesting premise, bad execution. The time jumps from 1996 to 1940, 1894, 1609, 1492, 1480, and you almost never learn what happened to the characters in each time period. Very frustrating. There was even a guy who was being tortured by the Inquisition and you don't know if he dies or not! (probably, but I'm not 100% sure.)

Yesterday I started another Tatiana de Rosnay. The House I Loved or something like that? It's ok so far, not terribly exciting, but it's very short. Only 220 pages with short chapters, so many pages are only half written.

[Spudd]

I finished All the Broken Places by John Boyne. So good.

I really liked that one too. Kind of haunting.

[Rowan]

As mentioned in the main board, I am on a streak of meh books. The last 5 books I've read at 3 star. I might have to go for backlist because I believe these have been all new releases. I mean 3 stars is fine but I want to be wow'd. Oh, I lied Our Last Resort by Clemence Michallon was 4 stars.

Last 5:
The Let Them Theory - Mel Robbins
The Love Hater - Katherine Center
Our Last Resort - Clemence Michallon
All the Other Mothers Hate Me - Sarah Harman
Retreat - Krysten Ritter

[Spudd]

Just finished Frozen River and I really enjoyed it. Thumbs up!

[Spudd]

I read all of "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells on the plane. It's just a novella so it was a quick read. Very entertaining if you like science fiction.

Now I'm reading "The Great Believers" by Rebecca Makkai. So far it's really good plot-wise. I felt like the editing needed a little work, though.

[Sílvia]

I ended up really liking the Tatiana de Rosnay. Then I read Golden Boy, about this intersex kid, by Abigail Tarttelin (?) I also really liked it. Rowan, look at me, I've enjoyed (gasp!) TWO in a row!

Then I started A Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks and am enjoying it so far, but I feel that everyone's gonna die because it's about the black plague.

[Rowan]

Rowan, look at me, I've enjoyed (gasp!) TWO in a row!

[Rowan]

I finished Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix in less than 24 hours. I really enjoyed it -- 4.5 stars. There was some pretty graphic descriptions of childbirth and I had a csection so I was like --- THAT'S what happens? LOL

Not sure what's next...have to go to my library pile.

[Sílvia]

I finished and really enjoyed A Year of Wonders. The ending was a bit unbelievable and convoluted, but I still gave it 4 stars.

Now I'm reading The Autumn of Ruth Winters. I like it so far.

[Rowan]

The last 3 books for me have been 4 stars:

Tilt - Emma Pattee
I Have Some Questions for You - Rebecca Makkai
We Begin at the End - Chris Whitaker

I'm currently reading the latest Emily Henry - Great Big Beautiful Life which I'm really enjoying!!