Excellent translation! Very readable and poetic. Still not the “funnest” read in the world, but a great story made accessible by Emily Wilson‘s translation (first woman translator of the epic).

Doctor says I have to stay still and keep my foot up. Well darn...whatever shall I do with my time? 🤔 (Pic doesn‘t show cup of coffee or snuggly pup. 😊)

Bradbury on writing and being a writer. I wish it wasn't so darn late. He's made me feel I can do it-that I HAVE to do it-and I want to sit down now and pound out my thousand words. A little typically heavy-handed Bradburyan, he still made me feel like he was talking to and caring about ME.

Creepy and delightful. Short and intense. Perfect reading slump recovery book.

It seems unfair to so-so a book I enjoyed this much. Chosen as part of a challenge requiring me to read a book about food, it certainly fit that bill. Just a little too trite, a little too predictable; nevertheless, it was a fun read with likable characters.

It's been a long, long time since my last visit with Scout and crew in Maycomb. Always on my short list of absolute favorites, it didn't lose any standing in the re-read. Masterful.

Riveting stories and excellent explanation of South African history and politics. Brilliantly told in topic sections rather than chronologically. Besides a better understanding of him, I have a better grasp on apartheid and South African culture than I anticipated. This was an excellent exploration of diversity and finding a way to belong. I could have done without some of the language, but highly recommend. LOVED that he did the reading.

Read as part of a reading challenge-this time a book recommended by a favorite author. So when Dean Koontz said in an interview that he'd read it 6 or 7 times, I had to try it. Very noir which is not my fav type of writing. But enough twists in this plot to require chiropractic care. "Fun," quick read. My coffee got cold beside me which says a lot.

I hugged this book when I finished it. Always a Steinbeck fan, I think his memoir musings are even better than his fiction. Intelligent yet comfortably conversational. Hysterical and uncomfortable. Steinbeck the man was someone I wish I could have known. And I know I would have loved Charley.

As a writer, I liked this book on a different level: a writer working with her author idol. Each chapter started with a brief excerpt from the novel they were working on (which of course corresponded with THIS novel). Cozy mystery with just enough wrapped up to be satisfying. Only real problem is a personal one - a cliffhanger ending. My TBR pile is already longer than my lifespan-I don't like feeling "forced" into a series.

Microwave popcorn for lunch, bare feet up, reading a mindless novel, deepest thought of the day so far: "Coffee good." Actually novel isn't as mindless as I thought it might be. About a budding writer working with a famous author. Well written, easy read. Not far enough in for a true assessment.
#summerbreak

I'll admit to more than the usual skimming, but I blame that on a lack of focus that had little to do with the book. Needed an espionage thriller for my book challenge and went with something older and less currently popular. Mostly well written with an eye for detail. Good characterization. If I ever get a yen for another spy book or WWII book, I'd pick up another MacInnes.

I'm reeling. What a profound and disturbing read. Some parts had me peering between my fingers due to disgust at the content, but, like a disaster movie, I couldn't not watch it. The disturbing is worth the depth. Although the Christian part of me cringes at much of it, it is still some of the most beautiful imagery and depth of thought I've read, with some surprising bursts of humor. I'll be in a book coma for awhile.

Entered into this one with fear and trembling. Some pre-reading research helped. It's not a typical read and needs a little prep time. Finding it remarkable -touching, humorous, repulsive, suspenseful.

Read as part of a reading challenge, I have changed my rating a dozen times. 3 stars? 4? I wanted the book to be over and went to skimming: 3 stars. I finished reading all 629 pages: 4 stars. Great blend of science and drama. But too many characters to get well connected to any. Dated by its sexism and racism yet two of the strongest characters are a woman and a black man. Did I love it? Nah. Would I recommend it? Oh yeah...

It seems wrong to "so-so" a classic, and this was close, but it was just too much struggle to go to 5 stars. It was more fun as an audible, especially with a full cast. For those who don't know, this book is written as a series of letters, journals, memos, and diaries. That makes for a drier - and wordier - read than a full narrative. Still, overall worth the struggle. Great story.

Finished this awhile ago but failed to post it. Book club pick, but something weird happened. I was so personally connected with this book I was afraid someone would pan it, so I actually skipped the meeting. Be patient with the fantasy world-it all makes sense later. One of the most layered books I've ever read. Backman's a genius...and so was Granny.

Ack!!! If the other members of my book club liked this book, I may be finding me a new book club. Poorly written, painful similes, storyline ranging from predictable to ridiculous, and the phrase "crappy doodles" nine, count 'em, nine times! I will say that even with all that, Rose did endear herself to me enough that I can almost understand why there are sequels.

Not a perfect book-a little bogged down at the start and a little cheesy at the end, yet it has infiltrated my thinking and put me in a serious book coma. Finished at a restaurant over a solo dinner, then I had to fight to focus as I drove home. Perhaps the greatest tribute would be that I'm now interested in Russian history-a real first!

A question for my Litsy friends! How do you find new and trendy titles? What is your favorite source? I feel a bit out of the loop of what's current.

I'm wondering what's wrong with my book club. My Litsy friends have fun book picks. New choice tomorrow night so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and reading the next on my challenge list (season in the title) in the meantime.

Amping up my school reading. Middle grade book takes place in early 20th century. Young girl finding her writing voice while dealing with racial tensions and the KKK in her small town. Great historical view with strong protagonist. I love Sharon Draper.

Vacillating between so-so and a pan. Lovers of YA dystopia should find a lot to like. But unlike the few I've read, this one is especially violent and bloody. I had trouble "seeing" the world Cummings created. Ends on a cliffhanger, but I'll be skipping part 2. Book club pick. ?

Snuggle and read at Dad's while they watch the senior bowl. Not enjoying this book club pick. Anxious to get back to The Color of Water.

Trouble in my world, so I'm visiting in someone else's. Really like the very start of this memoir. Fingers crossed!

By necessity (characterization), redundant, and more than a bit predictable, I still liked it. Quick read. Told in first person, I came to like and cheer for Edward.

Not sure which of us enjoys my days off more. #dogs #readingbuddy Goal: finish one book and start another. Oh, and maybe clean the kitchen. 🤔

Storm rolling in. Feet up and enjoying one from the tbr pile. Liking it so far, although it's hard not to picture Sheldon from Big Bang Theory as Edward.

What a delight. Funny, touching, thought-provoking, and - best of all perhaps - read by the author! May get a hard copy or Kindle copy later to have his lists and grades for the past 90 years. Loved it!

Book club pick was a re-read for me. All the feels, this one. I know it's a very polarizing book, and I would only give the writing 4 stars. But the spiritual part? Without apology, I loved it. Much-needed reminders.

Middle grade book about the children of Dublin battling the black dog of depression to save the adults and the city. Clever with several surprising spots of humor. Doyle is a dialogue master. A little repetitious, but child-empowering. Some important stuff here.

I needed one more read this year and my daughter found this little gem on her shelf. Sweet, Christian fiction. 14 well-written stories, deliciously predictable with well-rounded and memorable characters. Wonderful way to end my reading year.

Not the best of the Odds. Koontz tried too hard to be funny. But I love them both and will no doubt be reading the rest of the series. I believe the passage above is Koontz being Koontz. The man certainly has a way with words...

I use a different devotional every year. This is the first time I'm thinking of rereading the same one next year. Manning is amazing. In just a few words he can cut to the heart of a matter. I've never laughed and cried over a devotional before.

Finished up my annual reading a little early this year. This one has it all! 😊Challenging read, but so worth the effort. I'll be reading this one again. And again.

Hyde is one of my favorite go-to authors. I listened to 80% of this on audible, then finished up tonight on the Kindle. Enough suspense to keep you on edge, enough humor to keep smiling, and - as all her books- enough tear-jerking to regret any eye make-up. She has a magical way with words as she creates characters of real depth. I KNOW August and those boys.

Time for comfort - coffee and an old favorite. So far I like this one better than Odd #3. None better than the first so far. Koontz is hit and miss, but Odd Thomas is one of my favorite characters by any author.

If this wasn't a book club choice, I'm not sure I would have gotten past the first 60 pages. So I owe my book club big time. The reader in me neither skipped nor skimmed anything. The writer in me was jealous at least once per page. This book is as exquisite as it's touted to be.

Reading in bed, listening to wind. Alarm set for far too early, and neither I nor my #readingcompanion are very happy about that. Maybe just one more chapter. Or twelve.

I've been avoiding this one, maybe because of all the hype. But now it's a book club choice.... So we'll see!

Christian fiction, but edgier than I expected from this author. A bit disjointed, but a very satisfying read for the mystery/suspense reader in me.

This book had too many raves to be real. But it was real. Literally laughed out loud and cried real tears. And writing so good I have sticky notes at the ready for book club.

Eh. An odd and somewhat annoying blend of biblical truths and spiritual mumbo-jumbo. Listened to the audible version, so Jeremy Irons every day for awhile was nice.

A YA book that doesn't feel YA and historical fiction that reads with the more comfortable fluidity of contemporary fiction. I truly loved this book and plan on pre-ordering part 2 when it becomes available.

The premise was promising, the brother story one I can seldom resist. The execution, however, was sometimes frustratingly...trivial, I guess. One line was so corny I complained out loud. This is the first in a series and, although I doubt I'll read the rest, I did care enough about Jeff Resnick to consider it.

I loved the characters in this book. I was happy to ignore the trite for the overall entertainment. The book references throughout were fun, especially when she editorialized on them (Dick Francis a dependable author, John Grisham not).

No disappointment for CRH fans. Good, touching story with a dog to boot. Stopped what I was doing to finish it.

I was slow to start it but am devouring it now. Such an intriguing premise. Pleased with how Dekker uses Yeshua as a character in a novel without fictionalizing Him. Also appreciate the research that went into the practices and ways of the time.