What is the last book you read, and your rating?

[Fran]

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood
In this the 3rd book in the apocalyptic MaddAddam trilogy Atwood continues with the fascinating story of the survivors of the Waterless Flood. This is a fascinating telling of a possible future for humanity and as with the previous two books all the more absorbing given the current developments in science, agriculture and medicine.
Absolutely brilliant trilogy 5/5*

[Dagny]

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach, 5 stars. It was a fascinating look at the things human beings do with the dead bodies of their fellow man. It read more like a novel-length article or blog post than a book, which I think was a good thing. Paired with the author's sense of humor, it made an entertaining read out of a potentially depressing/unnerving subject. That's not to say it wasn't more somber and respectful when it needed to be though. I had been curious about Mary Roach's work for some time, and I'm very glad I decided to check out two of her books at once. I'll be starting Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal in the near future.

[Jo Ledamun]

The Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Rating 3 stars

The Heart Shaped Box was a reasonably good book to read. At times the story showed moments of brilliance!

I have rated this book as 3 stars, Because I didn't think the story was very frightening & the plot often dragged a lot. But what I did like was Joe Hill's ability to characterize & I thought it was a good introduction to his work.

After reading The Heart Shaped Box, I would consider reading other books written by him. In particular NOS4R2.

[ezyvirtualassistant]

get real 5 stars!

[Jo Ledamun]

get real 5 stars!

I am glad you enjoyed The Heart Shaped Box, so much more than me. Hopefully I will enjoy NOS4R2 more. I did not realise until last night, that Joe Hill is Steven King's son!

Happy reading!

[A24]

I finished "Ordinary Grace" by William Kent Krueger.
I really liked this book. It was about a nuclear family which was a monthly book challenge requirement I had. I was able to easily relate to the daily life of this family as it was set in the 1960's (when I was very young). Some of the sayings, foods, prejudices, TV shows, etc. I could identify with. A tragedy happens within this family and that and its aftermath are played out amongst the characters in the book. Each of the family members deal with this their own way. Interesting that the Mother now hates/resents her husband as he is a pastor and is her representative of God. She has issues with God after this tragedy and her husband gets the brunt of that. I loved the way it all came together in the end. Very good book and I highly recommend it. 5/5

[Jacob]

Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis

8/10
It covers every tiny detail in his life and was mind blowing for the most part. Not much to say other than the fact that if you're a fan of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and/or Anthony Kiedis this is a must read. Just a man that was almost on the brink of death during the course of his stardom, amazing read.

[Geneen Karstens]

I just finished The Hit by David Baldacci. I have been a fan of Baldacci for years and this is the first book I will have to rate less than a 5. The book is about two hit persons with the CIA. Robbie is told to take out Jessica Reel. She has eliminated two people that she wasn't supposed to. Robbie feels she wouldn't have done that without good reason, so he is having a hard time carrying out these orders, as he also went through training with Jessica and she is as proficient as he is. There is a lot of killing and the two work together to find the bad guys in their own organization. The characters of the main people were not very well developed. It felt more like reading a James Patterson book than David Baldacci. I hope this is just a fluke. 4/5

[Bighuey]

I havent done much reading lately, but yesterday I read a short story by Madaline Wynn called The Lost Room. Kind of different and a little creepy About a room in a house, one time its there and then its gone. Average story, nothing really exceptional but mildly entertaining.

[Maud Fitch]

Finished reading "This Charming Man" by Marian Keyes.

I'd always thought author Marian Keyes was light-weight until I read this book. She's insightful, witty and has her finger on the pulse of modern woman - albeit younger than me - and skilfully (and creepily) exposes the plight of domestic violent, the hidden epidemic, via four women Lola, Grace, Alicia and Marnie.

Keyes is unabashedly Irish in her approach. Hey, Fran, I've learned what a fizzog is! Her first character Lola is amazing, written in an unusual style, but she lures you into the story about politician and serial hottie Patrick De Courcy and the women he's left behind. Wait! I hear you groan "not another romance" but it's not what you'd expect. Definitely 5 of 5 stars.

[Fran]

Finished reading "This Charming Man" by Marian Keyes.

I'd always thought author Marian Keyes was light-weight until I read this book. She's insightful, witty and has her finger on the pulse of modern woman - albeit younger than me - and skilfully (and creepily) exposes the plight of domestic violent, the hidden epidemic, via four women Lola, Grace, Alicia and Marnie.

Keyes is unabashedly Irish in her approach. Hey, Fran, I've learned what a fizzog is! Her first character Lola is amazing, written in an unusual style, but she lures you into the story about politician and serial hottie Patrick De Courcy and the women he's left behind. Wait! I hear you groan "not another romance" but it's not what you'd expect. Definitely 5 of 5 stars.

@Maud
I haven't read anything of hers but I seen her on TV & she is a very entertaining interviwee. The last time I hear her interviewed she was talking about suffering from depression & she even managed to make that sound funny.
On your recommendation I might just pick up This Charming Man (I mean pick up the book!)

[Jo Ledamun]

The Hammer of Eden by Ken Follet - 2.5 Stars - ok only.

Not especially good, if you like reading before going to bed & like to read the entire chapter before you call it quits for the night! On average 30+ pages in each chapter.

Karin Slaughter is far more exhilarating to read - in my opinion

[Bighuey]

Not really a book, but I listened to an audio of of Dragnet last night, Big Sorrow. Kind of sad, Joe Friday's partner Ben Romero dies. The actor who played him died suddenly so they killed his character off in the series. Great show if you can get through the Fatima cigarette commercials.

[Fran]

Just finished The Cold Eye of Heaven by Christine Dwyer Hickey
An elderly Dublin man wakes to find himself lying on the bathroom floor - partly paralised he is unable to get up and lying there his mind meanders over the years of his life, the heartbreaks, the friendships, betrayals, pains and sorrows but mostly the seemingly inconsequental events that resulted in the decisive decisions of his life. Like most people his is a story of a simple life, an ordinary life but the book is also the story of Dublin, the city itself is as much a character in the story as Farley and his companions. This book reminded me a lot of the saying that for most people "life happens to them" seemingly unawares and without choices on their part.
Not as enthralling a read as her Last Train from Liguria but an interesting, if somewhat sad, read nonetheless. 2.5/5*

[TrishaAnn92]

The Messenger: Deity or Not? by Paul Miller I rate the book a 5 out of 5 stars, it was truly an amazing read.