pickThis novel begins when Maisie is 13. Maisie begins working as a servant in a grand manor with a huge library. Maisie has a love of reading and is drawn to deep issues of the mind and learning. The story progresses through WWI and its aftermath. The scarring of bodies and minds. Maisie Dobbs, Psychologist and Investigator. I enjoyed this novel and will continue reading the series. 4/5⭐️
New read. I‘m not finding it quite as compelling as Lilac Girls - so far. But it‘s early days! Hope it lives up.
pickA sweet war time will they or won't they romance. Told entirely through letters written during World War 1 we have two people who obviously love each other but both are afraid to say it. Through the letters we get a look at the horrors of war, and this book does not shy away from showing us the awfulness. The book runs from 1914 to 1918. After reading this, I realize I am not a big fan of epistolary novels. 3.5 stars
panLoved the idea, but not the execution. Barely any of the book club, barely any actual love for books. The love triangle didn‘t work for me, and the story never lived up to the potential of its premise. Wish I‘d DNF‘d. ⭐️
so-soI loved the first third of this NBA longlister for Fiction in Translation.
Then it got VERY repetitive and long-winded.
The final third was more interesting but I‘d already guessed what was going to happen, although not the ultimate ending, so that lessened the impact a bit. That, and the fact that i5 was all rather depressing, kept this as a so-so..
pickApril 2025 Book #4
I enjoyed this book inspired my true events. I was absorbed in the book but also I was searching for some historical events. I like the author‘s writing style. Love the cover. After I finished the book, I bought three more books by this author. Couldn‘t finish them this month but looking forward to read them later. 3.8/4⭐️
I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it.
#ABookADay2025
pickThis is an odd but funny novel; a dark, farcical satire. Some of the language is very 'of its time' - the casual antisemitism in particular made me wince - but its depiction of the military leaders and bureaucracy as incompetent, arrogant, petty, and often drunk is very witty, and the bleak humour skewers the absurdity of the war. Is Schweik 'feeble minded', or is he a subversive genius?
pick98/100 This took me longer to finish than the average audiobook, not because its not well written, it's just that the book recounts an ugly, brutal part of American history. I've always had a low opinion of Woodrow Wilson, and nothing here changed that. Wilson was a bigot and a hypocrite, who betrayed his so-called progressive idea. While preaching liberty, freedom and Democracy for the rest of the world, his administration was jailing ⬇️
