Reader’s Corner

[Songbird76]

I finished Penelopiad. It was good...I'm glad I read a summary of the Oddesey first. It helped make sense of a lot of it.

I'm now reading The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams and I'm really liking it. I'm not very far in, but it's really good so far. One of E's former teachers recommended it and E trusts her judgement....looks like it's going to be a winner.

And thank you, @lisak09 for the dates of the stuff your kindle days. I didn't get a lot in the Romance ones....only like 6, because most of them looked pretty cheesy, but today is the mystery, murder suspense, etc, and I got almost 50 of them. Some of them look really fun and some of them sound like they might be very funny.

 

[lisak09]

I finished Penelopiad. It was good...I'm glad I read a summary of the Oddesey first. It helped make sense of a lot of it.

I'm now reading The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams and I'm really liking it. I'm not very far in, but it's really good so far. One of E's former teachers recommended it and E trusts her judgement....looks like it's going to be a winner.

And thank you, @lisak09 for the dates of the stuff your kindle days. I didn't get a lot in the Romance ones....only like 6, because most of them looked pretty cheesy, but today is the mystery, murder suspense, etc, and I got almost 50 of them. Some of them look really fun and some of them sound like they might be very funny.

You're welcome! I actually forgot today was a stuff your kindle day! Hope it's not too late, I'm babysitting my granddaughter so I'll have to wait till she's asleep to check. I think I got about six in the romance one but half of them seemed more like thrillers Most of the romance ones didn't interest me either, I don't like the ones about fae or the "billionaire" ones with topless men on the covers

 

[k8einwdw]

My two latest reads:



“The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” is about Mika, an orphaned witch who was raised in isolation by a rotating cast of nannies and tutors. As an adult, she has a social media account where she “pretends” to be a witch who owns a tea shop. One day, she gets a message from a stranger asking if she could help tutor three young witches. She surprises herself by agreeing to go, and she ends up finding the family she’s always wished for.



“The Ex Hex” is about Vivienne, a witch who accidentally cursed her college boyfriend when he casually let her know that he was betrothed to someone else back home. Nine years later, he shows up in town for a family obligation, and they have to work together to lift the curse and save the town.

 

[lisak09]

You're welcome! I actually forgot today was a stuff your kindle day! Hope it's not too late, I'm babysitting my granddaughter so I'll have to wait till she's asleep to check. I think I got about six in the romance one but half of them seemed more like thrillers Most of the romance ones didn't interest me either, I don't like the ones about fae or the "billionaire" ones with topless men on the covers

Managed to get a few more free kindle books

 

[lisak09]

..

 

[Songbird76]

You're welcome! I actually forgot today was a stuff your kindle day! Hope it's not too late, I'm babysitting my granddaughter so I'll have to wait till she's asleep to check. I think I got about six in the romance one but half of them seemed more like thrillers Most of the romance ones didn't interest me either, I don't like the ones about fae or the "billionaire" ones with topless men on the covers

Yeah, I don't like erotica, and I don't like horror. I can handle some suspense, but I'm not a fan of real thrillers....I like the cosy mystery genre, like Pumpkin Spice Cafe, In the Company of Witches, etc. And I don't mind some paranormal stuff, like ghosts and witches, but I want it to at least seem realistic. I don't want talking animals.

 

[Songbird76]

I finished The Reading List. I enjoyed it for the most part. The story is good and I liked the characters. (Fair warning, could be triggering for some readers with issues dealing with depression, mental health, suicide)

It's mostly about the two main characters, though there are a lot of side characters, too. People have happened upon this list of books when they were going through something rough, like the list was made for them, and it ends up in the hands of several people. But the two main characters are a 17 year old girl and an elderly man. The girl is working at the local library, something she doesn't really enjoy, having never been a reader herself. When an elderly man comes in looking for a recommendation, she's really rude. A regular at the library hands her a book and makes it clear that he'd recommend it, and maybe she could pass it on to the elderly man. Inside the book, she finds the list. As she starts to read, it helps her open up and get away from the problems in her own life, and when she recommends the book to the man, he experiences similar. Together, they form a beautiful friendship, reading and discussing the books, and then letting each other see more into their lives.

The idea is really sweet, and fun to follow along on their journey. I've read all but 2 of the books on the list, and I've also read one of the other books mentioned that's NOT on the list. But most of them I read a LONG time ago, and I really don't remember much about them, so I don't know if the portrayal of them is accurate. But the way Pride and Prejudice is discribed is not at ALL correct. Characters are completely different, one of the side characters calls it "nineteenth-century smut". I don't know what her definition of "smut" is, but considering there is no physical contact outside of dancing, there is no handholding or kissing or anything, I'd hardly call it smut. It's hard to believe the author of The Reading List has actually READ Pride and Prejudice.

I wouldn't go so far as to say you shouldn't read it, because overall it was a fun read, but just beware that if you have read any of the books on the list, they may or may not bear any resemblance to the actual books. I can't vouch for them, because I haven't read any of them recently enough (other than P&P, which is one of my all-time favorites) to know whether they are described well.


I decided to re-read To Kill a Mockingbird, since I haven't read it in over 30 years....I was in high school. That's the first book on The Reading List, and I wanted to see how closely it relates, and it's just a good book and a classic and it's one of those books that I feel like everyone should have read at some point. Since I can't remember much about it, I figure it's time to read it again and I had a copy here, so why not.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I read this book this weekend and it was a fun read. It is a modern version of Tangled. It is a romance but not graphic or trashy.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Since Halloween is upon us, I started Shea Ernshaws Long Live the Pumpkin Queen for something festive to celebrate the holiday.

 

[erstwo]

I finished The Reading List. I enjoyed it for the most part. The story is good and I liked the characters. (Fair warning, could be triggering for some readers with issues dealing with depression, mental health, suicide)

It's mostly about the two main characters, though there are a lot of side characters, too. People have happened upon this list of books when they were going through something rough, like the list was made for them, and it ends up in the hands of several people. But the two main characters are a 17 year old girl and an elderly man. The girl is working at the local library, something she doesn't really enjoy, having never been a reader herself. When an elderly man comes in looking for a recommendation, she's really rude. A regular at the library hands her a book and makes it clear that he'd recommend it, and maybe she could pass it on to the elderly man. Inside the book, she finds the list. As she starts to read, it helps her open up and get away from the problems in her own life, and when she recommends the book to the man, he experiences similar. Together, they form a beautiful friendship, reading and discussing the books, and then letting each other see more into their lives.

The idea is really sweet, and fun to follow along on their journey. I've read all but 2 of the books on the list, and I've also read one of the other books mentioned that's NOT on the list. But most of them I read a LONG time ago, and I really don't remember much about them, so I don't know if the portrayal of them is accurate. But the way Pride and Prejudice is discribed is not at ALL correct. Characters are completely different, one of the side characters calls it "nineteenth-century smut". I don't know what her definition of "smut" is, but considering there is no physical contact outside of dancing, there is no handholding or kissing or anything, I'd hardly call it smut. It's hard to believe the author of The Reading List has actually READ Pride and Prejudice.

I wouldn't go so far as to say you shouldn't read it, because overall it was a fun read, but just beware that if you have read any of the books on the list, they may or may not bear any resemblance to the actual books. I can't vouch for them, because I haven't read any of them recently enough (other than P&P, which is one of my all-time favorites) to know whether they are described well.


I decided to re-read To Kill a Mockingbird, since I haven't read it in over 30 years....I was in high school. That's the first book on The Reading List, and I wanted to see how closely it relates, and it's just a good book and a classic and it's one of those books that I feel like everyone should have read at some point. Since I can't remember much about it, I figure it's time to read it again and I had a copy here, so why not.

I enjoyed ‘The Reading List’ too! Although, even as a passionate P&P fan, I didn’t take much offense to the character’s description of P&P. I just thought the character was saying P&P was like one of those 1980’s bodice ripper type books for its time. Which, was kind of Jane Austen’s reputation (a writer for the ladies) in her day. I read P&P every year on my birthday as a gift to myself

I also love to read ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ every summer! Although it’s more like I leave it on the screened porch and thumb through it and read a paragraph or page here and there over the summer. Harper Lee was just so good. That first chapter - I remember what an impact her descriptive words had on me - about how hot the southern summers were and how ladies bathed in the morning and by evening were layers of sweat and talcum powder - it was one of the most powerful descriptive books I’d ever read when I first encountered it! Like I was there from the first few paragraphs.

 

[lisak09]

These are the books I read on my two week trip to Orlando earlier this month. They were all good but my favourite was the Marian Keyes one. She's so good at what she does, I've never read one of her books that I didn't like. Finished this while waiting out Hurricane Milton holed up in the hotel room for two days!

 

[k8einwdw]

My most recent read was “Magic Hour” by Kristin Hannah



Set in the 2000s, this book is about a small town in Washington state, just outside of Olympic National Forest. One day, a young girl walks out of the forest - she is severely malnourished, and cannot/will not speak. The town sheriff enlists the help of her younger sister, a disgraced child psychologist, to try to help the little girl and figure out who she is. This was my fourth Kristin Hannah book in 2024 - she has quickly become one of my favorite authors. If you have enjoyed any of her other books, I’d highly recommend reading this one as well.

 

[Songbird76]

I enjoyed ‘The Reading List’ too! Although, even as a passionate P&P fan, I didn’t take much offense to the character’s description of P&P. I just thought the character was saying P&P was like one of those 1980’s bodice ripper type books for its time. Which, was kind of Jane Austen’s reputation (a writer for the ladies) in her day. I read P&P every year on my birthday as a gift to myself

I also love to read ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ every summer! Although it’s more like I leave it on the screened porch and thumb through it and read a paragraph or page here and there over the summer. Harper Lee was just so good. That first chapter - I remember what an impact her descriptive words had on me - about how hot the southern summers were and how ladies bathed in the morning and by evening were layers of sweat and talcum powder - it was one of the most powerful descriptive books I’d ever read when I first encountered it! Like I was there from the first few paragraphs.

I finished To Kill A Mockingbird and it was so so good... Better than I remembered. I remembered liking it in high school, but also not really understanding everything. Time has given me more context and it is just such an amazing story. I love that ending part with him asking her to walk him home. So sweet. It really does capture the societal views on class and economic status, etc. I feel like it's still completely relevant today.

I'm now reading The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, but I wanted some fluff, and also, YAY Autumn! Comfy sweaters and cozy blankets and hot chocolate! And bookstores? Yes please!

 

[Songbird76]

My most recent read was “Magic Hour” by Kristin Hannah

View attachment 823404

Set in the 2000s, this book is about a small town in Washington state, just outside of Olympic National Forest. One day, a young girl walks out of the forest - she is severely malnourished, and cannot/will not speak. The town sheriff enlists the help of her younger sister, a disgraced child psychologist, to try to help the little girl and figure out who she is. This was my fourth Kristin Hannah book in 2024 - she has quickly become one of my favorite authors. If you have enjoyed any of her other books, I’d highly recommend reading this one as well.

Um.

Did they change the title? I read that a few years ago when it was called "wild". (not to be confused with the Wild that was a memoir about a woman who hiked a large trail in California that was made into a movie with Reese Witherspoon and inspired many women to try to "find themselves" on said trail by following the author's footsteps. I read that Wild too.)

 

[k8einwdw]

Um.

Did they change the title? I read that a few years ago when it was called "wild". (not to be confused with the Wild that was a memoir about a woman who hiked a large trail in California that was made into a movie with Reese Witherspoon and inspired many women to try to "find themselves" on said trail by following the author's footsteps. I read that Wild too.)

Yes, evidently “Magic Hour” was the original title, but it was re-released as “Wild” a few years ago.

 

[Songbird76]

Yes, evidently “Magic Hour” was the original title, but it was re-released as “Wild” a few years ago.

That makes no sense... "Yes, let's rename it to a title of a book that already exists and is extremely popular. See if we can confuse people." If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Songbird76]

Finished cinnamon bun bakery. It was sweet. Now I'm going to start the next one in the series... I think it's Christmas Tree Farm or something like that.

 

[k8einwdw]

Finished cinnamon bun bakery. It was sweet. Now I'm going to start the next one in the series... I think it's Christmas Tree Farm or something like that.

I hope you enjoy it! It’s on my list for next month!

 

[lisak09]

These are the last two books I've read, both thrillers and both were free on stuff your kindle days. I really enjoyed these. They're both the first in a series, so I'm looking forward to reading more of them. Sometimes the free books are kind of disappointing so I'm delighted to have found two new series I like!

 

[Songbird76]

I hope you enjoy it! It’s on my list for next month!

It was.....ok. I didn't like it NEARLY as much as the first two. I can't stand the main character and it's very....erotic centered, which is not my thing. I'm hoping number 4 will be better.