Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Summer Book Bingo ... So Far


Mary's Summer Book Bingo started May 27, so I thought it was time for an update after a month of reading. I've finished eight books, am currently reading three, and am still enjoying looking for the ideal books to fill my remaining squares. I've added my star ratings below, but since your mileage may vary, I've linked to the goodreads book description so you can judge for yourself it it's a book that might interest you.

Moments of Seeing - 4 stars

Option B - 4 stars, and I was surprised I liked it as much as I did.

Bambi - 5 stars; this is one of my favorites so far.

Moon Over Soho - 4 stars

Chemistry - 3 stars

Before Green Gables - 3 stars, nothing compares to the original.

Mercies in Disguise - 3 stars

The Verdict - 2 stars, ugh! (But thriller is just not my genre.)

Currently Reading:

The Chalk Artist - I thought this book was mainly about a chalk artist, but it's taken a crazy turn to include virtual reality and video gaming; I have no clue where it will end up.

Bambi's Children - Because I loved Bambi so much, I had to find a way to include this one in Book Bingo. I'm very grateful that I have the "Backlist from an author you read for another square" square!

Whispers Under Ground - Book 3 in the Rivers of London series; Ryan assures me it's one of the best.

Book Bingo runs through September 4, so we've all got plenty of time. I'm glad of that because I have the "More than 500 pages" square on my card and plan on reading Centennial (with 909 pages). I've started it twice before but never been able to get very far into it, so I hope the third time is the charm.

If you've read anything really good lately, I'd love to hear about it. I hope everyone is finding some time to enjoy a bit of summer reading whether it's for Book Bingo or not. A hammock or porch swing is even more enjoyable with a cold beverage and a good book!

9 comments:

  1. You're off to a great start! I have Option B on my list, too -- so glad to hear you enjoyed it. I read Centennial WAY back -- when I lived in Colorado. I remember loving it, although it was quite The Commitment. (I had the paperback version, and actually ripped the book into 2 parts because it was just too hard to hold the book in my hand!) Happy reading, Bonny. XO
    (Ugh. I have "thriller" on my list, too. Not my genre. . .)

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  2. I'm doing pretty well with my Book Bingo, though none of what I've read is close in proximity, square-wise. But I don't care, because I just want to see how it all ends up!

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  3. I read Centennial back when it was first published and although long, I enjoyed it. For several years my dad & I read each of James Michener's books as they were published, our favorite was Chesapeake. Enjoy!

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  4. Wow! You've got a lot finished already! At the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky to get one bingo - don't think a cover all will happen for me. I'm in the midst of The Nix and am finding it just ok. It's not a book I can't wait to get back to...so not real compelling for me. Then, again, it might just be me. I seem to be reading at a more leisurely pace these days. I read most of Michener's books years and years ago. I remember really liking Centennial -- maybe now with your son in CO you will enjoy it more?

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  5. You read so many books. I'm way behind, but hope for a Bingo (at least). I just reread LaRose, which is the best book on my bingo card yet. I have big hopes for The Hate U Give. Case Histories is also up next and I already know it's a good book.

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  6. I just finished Grief Cottage by Gail Godwin. It was really good, but not for everyone. It is definitely a "literary" read, not so much popular fiction. I don't mean that in a snobby way, more of a psychological, inner life read. A shorter book, but a slower read as well. I found it interesting that you liked Option B. I am not a CS fan, but I may have to look at this book.

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    1. Grief Cottage sounds wonderful and is on my list now. I was prepared not to like Option B at all, as I'm not a fan of self-help, especially by celebrities. But there was kind of an "aha" moment in it about the "three P's" (really Martin Seligman's idea) that really hit me, so I gave it an extra star. Here's the link to my review on goodreads if you want to take a look at my expanded opinion: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2033825268
      Are you on goodreads?

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  7. Thank goodness for Bambi!

    I know you know all about the good things I've been reading ... and most of them are books you've already read (and loved) because you are my best book recommender (I'm sure there's a better way to say that :-) Several of my all-time favorite books are more than 500 pages - Pat Conroy's Beach Music https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16729.Beach_Music, Pete Hamill's Forever https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/148465.Forever (definitely mixed reviews ;-) and Verghese's Cutting for Stone https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3591262-cutting-for-stone. Long books are hard. Maybe your third try with Centennial will be the lucky charm (can you pickup someplace in the middle at least ;-)

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  8. This is an awesome list! Yay you for such a great start on your book bingo!! My suggestion is to listen to On the Road by Jack Kerouac. Holy cow is he a great writer!

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