Every time I hear praise for The Ministry of Time, I am dumbfounded. The overuse of baffling metaphors and similes is just nuts. I actually created a list of them after reading the book for my own entertainment. A couple of random examples: "the air hung like an executed corpse," "he was a dreadful dancer... Victims of hangings kicked with more vim," "Graham visualized a cottage by the sea as a man who has walked through an abattoir visualized a shower." Huh?
I feel the same. It boggles my mind that Emily Henry and Eleanor Catton (both of whom I enjoy) provided front cover blurbs, and there are so many big names shouting support on the back cover. What am I missing?
I agree with the assessment of The Ministry of Time. It was a big disappointment for me. I also failed to try to do too much -Spy thriller, time travel, romance, historical fiction, climate change, discussions of colonialism. Too all over the place.
I'm excited to read The Boys of Riverside. During my first year as a professor at Gallaudet, I lived in a dorm right next to the football field. (The story going around at the time is that the football huddle was invented there so opposing players would not be able to eavesdrop on their signs to each other.)
I absolutely adored I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger. My favorite book of the year. It is so beautifully written and is a gorgeous love letter to book lovers. The characters are so well developed, you'll miss them when you finish the book. My husband and I had the opportunity to meet Leif and his wife at an event in Minnesota this summer. They were wonderful and gracious. I can't recommend this one enough!
I pretty much only read older books but seeing all these one after another makes me feel like I have been missing out. Maybe 2025 will be the year that I focus on current books
The Demon Of Unrest is excellent. ANY of Eric Larsons' bks. are SO WELL researched. One of my fave authors, have read many, almost all his bks. He is A journalist.
I’ve added a couple of these to my wishlist. I havnt read the ministry of time but saw Kaliane Bradley speak at Bath festival and she was very funny. She wrote this originally just to entertain a small group of friends in lockdown.
Just read Richard Osman's "We Solve Murders" and really enjoyed it! I know his Thursday Murder Club series is well loved, but I was put off by the silly banter between the elderly people -- it felt overdone to me. Glad to have a chance to read something else by this author and am looking forward to the next in his new series :)
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger is one of my favorite books. Beautiful narrative, quirky characters, mystery, family oriented and coming of age story.
I’m currently listening to There Are Rivers On The Sky I like the viewpoint of Arthur ( the Victorian era ) and the modern day London view. I’m not so in vested in the 3rd viewpoint. Overall very good so far.
New subscriber ☘️- as someone who spends WAY too much time on Goodreads- and wildly unimpressive book reviewers, I think I found a friend 🌺🐝. LETS GO!! (I always have a book in my hands)
Just read Richard Osman's "We Solve Murders" and really enjoyed it! I know his Thursday Murder Club series is well loved, but I was put off by the silly banter between the elderly people -- it felt overdone to me. Glad to have a chance to read something else by this author and am looking forward to the next in his new series :) Love love love "The Wedding People!" So different, so well done!
Leif Enger wrote Peace Like a River. I remember liking it when I read it but can’t remember anything about it now. I believe it has religious overtones.
I LOVED The Wedding People and I think Sandra would be perfect as Phoebe! I enjoyed The Women, perfect "girl power" read, and am currently listening to Ina's Memoir. have We Solve Murders, Martyr, All the Colors of the Dark, and James on my TBR.
Interesting list! I've been in the libby queue for the Osman for about 2 months. None of the others appeal to me. I love mysteries, but thrillers are not my jam. The deaf football team would have caught my interest had all of the other stuff like urbanization of farmland not been included. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the ones you choose to read 🙂.
Hey Shelly, I know you enjoy literary fiction, and I think you’d really connect with The Echoes Within by Alex Hartwell. It's a story that explores memory, identity, and the essence of who we are, all wrapped in a thought-provoking narrative. The book is available for free on Barnes & Noble, Fabble, Kobo, and will soon be on all major book platforms. I’d love for you to read it and share your thoughts!
I just got the John Lewis book on audio. Looking forward to listening to that. I have read several Larson books starting with devil in the White city. A year or so ago I read Demon. It was a very interesting read. Dark colors did not work for me. I didn't get on with the Nightingale. Hannah's writing was not for me but I have a good friend that really enjoys her books and especially liker the Women so with your review maybe I will give this a try.
The women was amazing . As a nurse and as a girl growing up and seeing her brothers coming home from Vietnam it opened up my eyes what nursing was like and what the nurses went through.
I did enjoy The Ministry of Time and especially the actual history of a failed naval expedition; it was quite inventive how the author used a historical person in this time travel fiction. However, the story had this very modern perspective focused on sexual minorities, identity politics, immigration etc. which was painted with quite a heavy hand to my liking - important topics but felt a little disconnecting, combined with the author's way of writing that may come of a little pretentious at times. Still a very easy and addicting read!
I read an earlier book by Leif Enger (10:00) - _Peace Like a River_ - and I didn’t like it. The narrative asserts that judges coddle criminals and are harsh on the righteous, that Democrats are freeloaders, and that God will intervene to levitate a virtuous man so that he doesn’t break his ankle. It really rubbed me the wrong way.
Every time I hear praise for The Ministry of Time, I am dumbfounded. The overuse of baffling metaphors and similes is just nuts. I actually created a list of them after reading the book for my own entertainment. A couple of random examples: "the air hung like an executed corpse," "he was a dreadful dancer... Victims of hangings kicked with more vim," "Graham visualized a cottage by the sea as a man who has walked through an abattoir visualized a shower." Huh?
I feel the same. It boggles my mind that Emily Henry and Eleanor Catton (both of whom I enjoy) provided front cover blurbs, and there are so many big names shouting support on the back cover. What am I missing?
I hated the Ministry of Time... nothing happens in the book! lol
@@dorydoesbooks They get paid. They dont even read the books they write bkubs for half the time
I agree with the assessment of The Ministry of Time. It was a big disappointment for me. I also failed to try to do too much -Spy thriller, time travel, romance, historical fiction, climate change, discussions of colonialism. Too all over the place.
I HATED this book thank you
I'm excited to read The Boys of Riverside. During my first year as a professor at Gallaudet, I lived in a dorm right next to the football field. (The story going around at the time is that the football huddle was invented there so opposing players would not be able to eavesdrop on their signs to each other.)
That is such a cool bit of trivia about the football huddle! Of all the books, The Boys of Riverside piqued my interest the most.
I absolutely adored I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger. My favorite book of the year. It is so beautifully written and is a gorgeous love letter to book lovers. The characters are so well developed, you'll miss them when you finish the book. My husband and I had the opportunity to meet Leif and his wife at an event in Minnesota this summer. They were wonderful and gracious. I can't recommend this one enough!
It sounds like you had a wonderful time meeting him!
Also: The Wedding People is GREAT! I loved it! :)
I need to add that one to my list!
I pretty much only read older books but seeing all these one after another makes me feel like I have been missing out. Maybe 2025 will be the year that I focus on current books
I love back listed books as well.
The Demon Of Unrest is excellent. ANY of Eric Larsons' bks. are SO WELL researched. One of my fave authors, have read many, almost all his bks. He is A journalist.
Oh! Now I’m interested in Larson’s new book. ☺️
There Are Rivers in the Sky is a beautifully crafted book. I loved it!
Thanks for sharing!!
All the Colors of the Dark is AMAZING!!!! one of my favorite books of the year! love love love it!
I'm adding it to my list!
Me too Im a Chris Wittiker fan
I’ve added a couple of these to my wishlist. I havnt read the ministry of time but saw Kaliane Bradley speak at Bath festival and she was very funny. She wrote this originally just to entertain a small group of friends in lockdown.
That’s cool! Thanks for sharing.
Loved James, sooooo good! Also ❤ The Women + All the Colors of the Dark. Great list. Thank you! 📚
Thanks for watching!
Love your channel. The Women is the best book of 2024...😊
Thank you!!!
Just read Richard Osman's "We Solve Murders" and really enjoyed it! I know his Thursday Murder Club series is well loved, but I was put off by the silly banter between the elderly people -- it felt overdone to me. Glad to have a chance to read something else by this author and am looking forward to the next in his new series :)
God of the Woods was my favorite book of 2024. James is also top of my list.
Two excellent reads.
I personally loved ministry of time! There’s a romance element which made the book for me, so I can see how some might not find it compelling.
Thanks for sharing. Very helpful.
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger is one of my favorite books. Beautiful narrative, quirky characters, mystery, family oriented and coming of age story.
Thanks for sharing!
Oh my the wedding people is so different than that hahaha highly recommend!
Wonderful!!
I’m currently listening to
There Are Rivers On The Sky
I like the viewpoint of Arthur ( the Victorian era ) and the modern day London view. I’m not so in vested in the 3rd viewpoint. Overall very good so far.
I really want to read "I'll give you the sun" now!! Thanks for your review
I love that book.
Some interesting books on the list. The Boys of Riverside sounds like one I would enjoy. I still need to read James as well. 😊💙
It really does!
"As boring as snot." 😂 Thank you for covering this list!
Right? 😂
A Sandra bullock movie in a book? Say less!!! ❤
Right!!!
New subscriber ☘️- as someone who spends WAY too much time on Goodreads- and wildly unimpressive book reviewers, I think I found a friend 🌺🐝. LETS GO!! (I always have a book in my hands)
PS. And a cat or two😳
Welcome aboard!
Just read Richard Osman's "We Solve Murders" and really enjoyed it! I know his Thursday Murder Club series is well loved, but I was put off by the silly banter between the elderly people -- it felt overdone to me. Glad to have a chance to read something else by this author and am looking forward to the next in his new series :) Love love love "The Wedding People!" So different, so well done!
Thanks for sharing. Definitely bumping up The Wedding People because of your comment.
Leif Enger wrote Peace Like a River. I remember liking it when I read it but can’t remember anything about it now. I believe it has religious overtones.
Peace Like A River was wonderful. I’m re-reading in December and have bought his new one to read directly after for January.
Thank you for letting me know!!!!
I LOVED The Wedding People and I think Sandra would be perfect as Phoebe! I enjoyed The Women, perfect "girl power" read, and am currently listening to Ina's Memoir. have We Solve Murders, Martyr, All the Colors of the Dark, and James on my TBR.
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
I read The Wedding People and really liked it.
Thanks for letting me know!!
I love your reference tp Miss Clavel. I do like some of the earlier work from Elif Shafak. I have not read these yet.
Thanks for letting me know!!
The Ina garten book is soooo good!
Interesting list! I've been in the libby queue for the Osman for about 2 months. None of the others appeal to me. I love mysteries, but thrillers are not my jam. The deaf football team would have caught my interest had all of the other stuff like urbanization of farmland not been included. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the ones you choose to read 🙂.
I can definitely relate to that. I like to focus on books I know I will enjoy.
Hey Shelly, I know you enjoy literary fiction, and I think you’d really connect with The Echoes Within by Alex Hartwell. It's a story that explores memory, identity, and the essence of who we are, all wrapped in a thought-provoking narrative. The book is available for free on Barnes & Noble, Fabble, Kobo, and will soon be on all major book platforms. I’d love for you to read it and share your thoughts!
Thank you so much for the recommendation! Adding it to my list.
I just got the John Lewis book on audio. Looking forward to listening to that. I have read several Larson books starting with devil in the White city. A year or so ago I read Demon. It was a very interesting read. Dark colors did not work for me. I didn't get on with the Nightingale. Hannah's writing was not for me but I have a good friend that really enjoys her books and especially liker the Women so with your review maybe I will give this a try.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the books!
The Women By Kristin Hannah i love that book
Thank you!
Boys of Riverside sounds really good.
It really does.
I love Ministry of Time
Thanks!
So dang good 😊
Thank you!!
This was the year of Kristin Hannah for me. I am wrecked by The Women.
Thanks for sharing.
The women was amazing . As a nurse and as a girl growing up and seeing her brothers coming home from Vietnam it opened up my eyes what nursing was like and what the nurses went through.
The women was fantastic. Didn't love The Nightingale, took me months to finish.
Thanks for sharing!
What is an Amazon Book Editor?
Update: How about that? I just learned that Amazon has an actual publishing house: Amazon Publishing. Who knew?
Right!
The Ministry of Time begins well. The premise is great. I didn’t like the ending.
Oh! Good to know.
I read 2 Elif Shafak books and thought they were bad, 2stars
Ministry of Time was only a 2/12 for me.
I did enjoy The Ministry of Time and especially the actual history of a failed naval expedition; it was quite inventive how the author used a historical person in this time travel fiction. However, the story had this very modern perspective focused on sexual minorities, identity politics, immigration etc. which was painted with quite a heavy hand to my liking - important topics but felt a little disconnecting, combined with the author's way of writing that may come of a little pretentious at times. Still a very easy and addicting read!
Thanks for sharing.
So…have you actually read any of these books or only heard about them? I’m confused.
I’m going presenting the list.
Gar-ten
Thx
I read an earlier book by Leif Enger (10:00) - _Peace Like a River_ - and I didn’t like it. The narrative asserts that judges coddle criminals and are harsh on the righteous, that Democrats are freeloaders, and that God will intervene to levitate a virtuous man so that he doesn’t break his ankle. It really rubbed me the wrong way.
Thanks for sharing, John. That’s helpful.