Books #35

[LaBlonde]

Ahh, 10 things that never happened! Made me go into Fortnums to check out their Christmas ornaments (all very accurate reporting)!

Also I did make it through Dove Street and can confirm it was the right decision to give up.

Morgan is my name is on my tbr, but maybe I'll push it off now.

it made ME want to go to fortnums and buy a guinea pig ornament 🥹 glad it was accurate! it was very sweet, even if i thought the ending was a bit abrupt.

i truly don’t know why i even bought dove street as i didn’t like that green eyed girl at all but i blame them both having beautiful covers would not recommend morgan at all, just very dull and by numbers.

 

[LydiaDeetzHat]

i truly don’t know why i even bought dove street as i didn’t like that green eyed girl at all but i blame them both having beautiful covers would not recommend morgan at all, just very dull and by numbers.

Oh god i had the arc of That Green Eyed Girl . I DNF it i cant remember why. Loved the cover but I think it might have been because I just didn't care about her mums love life.

 

[LaBlonde]

Oh god i had the arc of That Green Eyed Girl . I DNF it i cant remember why. Loved the cover but I think it might have been because I just didn't care about her mums love life.

it had a GORGEOUS cover! her writing style just isn’t for me and there was so much repetition where she decided she liked a phrase or metaphor and so used it ten times in one chapter - i could not cope with it. i think i finished that green eyed girl but i couldn’t tell you what happened in the end.

 

[daisynoon]

it made ME want to go to fortnums and buy a guinea pig ornament 🥹 glad it was accurate! it was very sweet, even if i thought the ending was a bit abrupt.

i truly don’t know why i even bought dove street as i didn’t like that green eyed girl at all but i blame them both having beautiful covers would not recommend morgan at all, just very dull and by numbers.

I am also always a sucker for a pretty cover... 🫣 those cover artists really know how to sell a book.

 

[Tofino]

Here were my Feb reads. Really pleased as I had a very long slump for the second half of last year and just got back into it in Jan (but still only reas two books)

I just adore the Wild series.

Wild At Heart
Kill Show .5
Forever Wild
The Hiking Trip
The Last Passenger .5

 

[daisynoon]

My favourites would be Anna Karenina and Blood Over Bright Haven. Didn't enjoy Private Rites as much as Our Wives Under the Sea, and The Ministry of Fear was an odd one. Some of the language was beautiful, but what was that plot??

 

[CommentBelow]

my february reads! not as much as i’d hoped for as little shannon like the river wrecked me

morgan is my name - sophie keetch
binding 13 - chloe walsh
the familiar - leigh bardugo
73 dove street - julie owen moylan
sunbringer - hannah kaner
10 things that never happened -alexis hall

i didn’t make it even halfway through dove street so i feel bad including it tbh

What didn’t you like above Dove St? I’ve read it but can’t remember any strong feelings about it tbh, maybe felt it was a bit predictable

Sunbringer is on my March TBR so happy to see 4 s on your round up! I liked a lot about Godkiller but for a 300 page book there was too much slog.

 

[ToxicPony]

February round up! It's not been a good one...

Books read: 18
Average rating: 2.9

The Good: A Corruption of Blood by Ambrose Parry. I love this series, this is the third one and I have given them all 4 or 5 stars. Historical murder mysteries where doctors solve crimes in the Victorian era, set against a backdrop of medical developments and social change, with a little romance thrown in.

Honorable mention to Identity Crisis by Ben Elton, which I found very stressful as it was intended to be a satire of 2016 with Brexit, Cambridge Analytica and identity politics wars, but was so close to the bone it made me as angry as I felt then, which is quite meta. I do however always love Ben Elton's books.

The Bad:

I've already complained about Identity Crisis by Joseph Knox.

The Satsuma Complex just wasn't for me. I didn't think the story was gripping, the humour didn't land, I didn't think it was very well written and the character work was really poor imo.

The Controversial:

I really didn't think much of Crying in H Mart. The writing is fine, good even, but I'm just not really a memoir lover. I might be a horrible person but I just didn't understand what was unique or interesting about her story that it needed to be told. Gosh I do feel awful writing that

The Disappointing:

Sequels that give diminishing returns. The Final Gambit took the concept too far. The Kind Worth Saving was OK but nothing essential and felt like a cash-in.

 

[aalmaalm]

My feb reading! I think I overrated a bit with the 4 stars butttt that series got me out of a book slump I was in so always deserves extra for that!

Currently reading ‘Then she Vanishes’ by Claire Douglas

 

[Hannahebee]

My February Reads:

Five French Hens 7/10
The Countryside Cartoon Joke Book 5/10
Heading Over The Hill 4/10
Bournville 4/10
Off Track (not pictured) 6/10
Pork Pie Pandemonium 7/10
Shouting The Odds 9/10
Bomb Girls 7/10
The History of Uttoxeter Racecourse 5/10
The Cosy Teashop in the Castle 4/10
In The Market For Murder 7/10

 

[mindlessness]

I do not think I finished any books this month. Not great! Hopefully March will be a better reading (and completing) month!
I love seeing everyone elses lists though

 

[SaintLeo]

My Feb reads, 8 in total which is good for me but some time sitting round a sunny pool plus one v short book helped!

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson - the book that had been on my Kindle the longest! Had read it before but long enough ago that I’d forgotten the twist!

Animal Farm by George Orwell - I know it’s a classic but just ok for me. Expected more.

An Italian Girl In Brooklyn by Santa Montefiore - Normally an author I love but was a bit underwhelmed by this one. Not bad but my least fave of hers. I did read it was based on a true story so maybe that meant she was more restricted than normal.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - I’d been putting off reading this after hating Circe (a rare DNF for me) but this couldn’t have been more different! Loved it and really glad I eventually picked it up!

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors - another one I loved, although I could have done without the epilogue. Better than Cleo & Frank for me.

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey - a great easy holiday read, although more emotional than I expected.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty - wasn’t expecting to like this as had seen some bad reviews but I enjoyed it. Found some sections about the main character a bit slow but the stories of the other more minor characters made up for it.

The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet - there had to be one this month that was a complete waste of time and this was it! I just didn’t believe in the main character or the situations he found himself in. I can see why it’s been compared to Saltburn and The Talented Mr Ripley, but felt like a very poor wannabe.

 

[LaBlonde]

My Feb reads, 8 in total which is good for me but some time sitting round a sunny pool plus one v short book helped!

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson - the book that had been on my Kindle the longest! Had read it before but long enough ago that I’d forgotten the twist!

Animal Farm by George Orwell - I know it’s a classic but just ok for me. Expected more.

An Italian Girl In Brooklyn by Santa Montefiore - Normally an author I love but was a bit underwhelmed by this one. Not bad but my least fave of hers. I did read it was based on a true story so maybe that meant she was more restricted than normal.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - I’d been putting off reading this after hating Circe (a rare DNF for me) but this couldn’t have been more different! Loved it and really glad I eventually picked it up!

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors - another one I loved, although I could have done without the epilogue. Better than Cleo & Frank for me.

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey - a great easy holiday read, although more emotional than I expected.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty - wasn’t expecting to like this as had seen some bad reviews but I enjoyed it. Found some sections about the main character a bit slow but the stories of the other more minor characters made up for it.

The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet - there had to be one this month that was a complete waste of time and this was it! I just didn’t believe in the main character or the situations he found himself in. I can see why it’s been compared to Saltburn and The Talented Mr Ripley, but felt like a very poor wannabe.

fully agree about the epilogue to blue sisters, i liked the book a lot overall but someone should have told her to leave the epilogue out - i found it bordering on cringeworthy with the whole and then everyone got MARRIED and had BABIES of it all

also - song of achilles

 

[epl000]

The Bad:

I've already complained about Identity Crisis by Joseph Knox.

The Satsuma Complex just wasn't for me. I didn't think the story was gripping, the humour didn't land, I didn't think it was very well written and the character work was really poor imo.

I also did not enjoy The Satsuma Complex - I really wanted to but I just found it meh and like you, just not funny. I remember seeing a review on good reads I think it was where it was like if it hadn't been written by Bob M then it wouldn't have been published, and I have to agree.

@SaintLeo intrigued by your review of Song of Achilles - I have avoided as I really didnt enjoy Circe but maybe I should give it a go. I also just read Animal Farm and also found it okay - although thought provoking. The List of Suspicious Things is next month's book club pick so I am looking forward to reading that as based on your post it sounds like we have similar taste.

 

[SaintLeo]

fully agree about the epilogue to blue sisters, i liked the book a lot overall but someone should have told her to leave the epilogue out - i found it bordering on cringeworthy with the whole and then everyone got MARRIED and had BABIES of it all

also - song of achilles

Yes, that was my issue too! After rest of the book being about how problematic all the sisters were, to wrap things up in nice neat bows felt like a bit of a cop out!

 

[SaintLeo]

@SaintLeo intrigued by your review of Song of Achilles - I have avoided as I really didnt enjoy Circe but maybe I should give it a go. I also just read Animal Farm and also found it okay - although thought provoking. The List of Suspicious Things is next month's book club pick so I am looking forward to reading that as based on your post it sounds like we have similar taste.

It’s been a while since I tried to read Circe so can’t remember any specifics of why I disliked it so much but I think it was mainly that it felt really slow and hard going. I’m know very little about Greek mythology so did wonder if that was part of the problem!

Song of Achillles was much more engaging. There’s an actual story which Circe lacked for me, and the characters totally had me invested. I’ve seen other people say they’ve liked Achilles after not enjoying Circe so I’d say definitely give it a try!

 

[Thatsnotmyname123]

Has anybody got an any recommendations for non-fiction audiobooks (or just books if you didn’t listened) which might float my boat? I listen to a lot of podcasts and have no issue paying attention but have to be in the mood for an audiobook and find it harder to keep track.

I tend to like podcasts on crimes, scams, cults - that kind of thing.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Has anybody got an any recommendations for non-fiction audiobooks (or just books if you didn’t listened) which might float my boat? I listen to a lot of podcasts and have no issue paying attention but have to be in the mood for an audiobook and find it harder to keep track.

I tend to like podcasts on crimes, scams, cults - that kind of thing.

Yes!

Educated by Tara Westover (its a memoir but cult like)

College Girl, Missing: The True Story of How a Young Women Disappeared in Plain Sight by Shawn Cohen

Toxic: Women, Fame and the Noughties by Sarah Ditum

The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity by Axton Betz-Hamilton

The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing by Sonia Faleiro

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory In Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe (5 stars!!!)

No Choice: The Fall of Roe v. Wade and the Fight to Protect the Right to Abortion by Becca Andrews

Sedated: How Modern Capitalism Created Our Mental Health Crisis by James Davies

Know My Name by Chanel Miller (another memoir but focused on the aftermath of a crime)

Men Who Hate Women: From Incels to Pickup Artists, The Truth About Extreme Misogyny and How It Affects Us All by Laura Bates

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Ignited a Movement by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey.

American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road Drugs Empire by Nick Bilton (5 stars!)

 

[ScoutFinch]

These are my February reads. I still haven’t rated a book less than 4* in 2025 so feeling the pressure choosing my next!

 

[wishiniwasskinny]

My February Reads:
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Five French Hens 7/10
The Countryside Cartoon Joke Book 5/10
Heading Over The Hill 4/10
Bournville 4/10
Off Track (not pictured) 6/10
Pork Pie Pandemonium 7/10
Shouting The Odds 9/10
Bomb Girls 7/10
The History of Uttoxeter Racecourse 5/10
The Cosy Teashop in the Castle 4/10
In The Market For Murder 7/10

Love the sound of Five French Hens!