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BillKathyWms

BillKathyWms

Joined June 2016

review
BillKathyWms
The Lizard Cage | Karen Connelly
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Pickpick

Wow! I loved this book!!!! Hist Fiction. Story of Teza, a young man serving a 20 yr prison sentence for writing & performing political songs against the Burmese (Myanmar) gov't & in support of opposition party led by (Aung San Suu Kyi~ Nobel Peace Prize Winner). So beautifully written. Compelling, tragic, heart wrenching & inspiring... 📚💗

CDavittBell Hi Kathy - ok just joined Litsy - just to hear what your thoughts on vegetarian are... that lead in was enticing. Am finishing it in next day or so. 7y
BillKathyWms Hi Cathleen! Welcome to Litsy! Yes let me know what you think of "The Vegetarian"?? 7y
CDavittBell Ok will do 7y
10 likes3 comments
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BillKathyWms
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Pickpick

Nonfiction story of 2 Albino brothers kidnapped, sold & exploited by various circus shows. Deals with Jim Crow South. Meticulously researched. However, I felt the author did not have enough of a story line and the book went in many directions some of which were a bit dry...

Reviewsbylola I agree with you. I enjoyed this one but it could have been a little more streamlined. 7y
Nute I want to read this but I don‘t know if I can handle the subject matter. 6y
12 likes2 comments
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BillKathyWms
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Mehso-so

Fiction: story of a strained relationship between mother/daughter a midst the daughter recovering from a serious illness & of course family dysfunction. A little to vague in parts. I preferred "Olive Kitteridge" & look forward to her upcoming book..

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BillKathyWms
Dark Matter | Blake Crouch
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Wow! This book had it all- sci-fi, thriller, time travel & romance! (For the record I'm not a science or sci-fi person) I so enjoyed this book! The voice & persona of the main character was so strong. I really felt for him. Well written and thought out! Kudos! 💗📚💗

Elisa I'm reading it right now. Totally agree about it being well-written, and surprised myself at how strong the main character's voice is! So powerful, to create such a relatable character despite the crazy circumstances! 7y
Reviewsbylola It's one of those books that I still think about months later. 7y
13 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BillKathyWms
Mehso-so

Heard a lot about this book so I had to read it. Nice writing. Probably a bit too dark for me but I'm glad I finished it. Not for everyone...

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BillKathyWms
The Lonely Doll | Dare Wright
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I ordered this from Amazon for Christmas. This 1957 series was a childhood favorite. Some thought the pictures & storyline were creepy but I remember spending hours pouring through these books! Glad to have one back in my hands! 💓📚💗

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BillKathyWms
The Queen of the Night | Alexander Chee
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Mehso-so

Hist Fiction: 19th cent France. I wanted to love this book but it was not meant to be. Not a fan of the writing or punctuation (quotation marks are beneficial). Needed to be edited. Muddled in parts. Had to force myself to finish... 🙁

Reviewsbylola I think this will be my next read. The reviews definitely seem mixed. 7y
11 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
The Wonder | Emma Donoghue
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Historical Fiction. Set in Ireland after the Great Famine. Great writing & character development. Rural customs, religion & skepticism rule the day.. I enjoyed it! 📚💗

10 likes1 stack add
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BillKathyWms
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Mehso-so

Fiction "thriller" set in Britain. Some parts were just not believable. Characters were too shallow. I did finish it but preferred "Woman in Cabin 10."

JoeStalksBeck The audio is amazing. Nina is hilarious 7y
10 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
The Gargoyle | Andrew Davidson
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Mehso-so

Fiction/ Time travel..Nicely written. Intense. Story of a recovering burn victim. Graphic. Just not what I was looking for real right now

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BillKathyWms
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Pickpick

Tragic, raw, funny & inspiring! This book had it all. 17 year old physically disabled teen living in an asylum for gravely ill children. Set in Belarus. Many of the children suffered abnormalities from excessive radiation from a nuclear reactor accident. Ivan's wit & perseverance are remarkable.

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BillKathyWms
Here I Am: A Novel | Jonathan Safran Foer
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Mehso-so

Disappointing.. Nicely written but he rambles on at times. I did not connect with the characters..Just did not resonate with me on any level and I had to force myself to finish it... 📚🙁

jessberk13 Ooof, this is not the first dislike I've seen for this book! So many people aren't thrilled with it. 7y
8 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
Fourth of July Creek | Smith Henderson
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Fiction. Story of a Social Worker (with major baggage) working in rural Montana in 1980's with a heavy caseload. Raw, gritty, harrowing
& powerful! Not for everyone. Bumpy ride~ but I enjoyed it! 📚💗

Rebeccak Omg I'm always looking for books about social workers thanks for posting!! 8y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BillKathyWms
A Window Opens: A Novel | Elisabeth Egan
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Mehso-so

Struggling mother trying to have it all despite dealing with aging parents, 3 children,a slightly problematic husband & a demanding job. It was okay. I've just read so many other books that have truly resonated with me! 💗📚

thebookmagpie I love the cover! Reminds me of Where'd You Go, Bernadette! 8y
BillKathyWms I like the cover too. I preferred Where'd You Go, Bernadette over A Window Opens! 8y
14 likes2 comments
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BillKathyWms
A Window Opens: A Novel | Elisabeth Egan
Mehso-so

Struggling mother trying to have it all despite dealing with aging parents, 3 children,a slightly problematic husband & a demanding job. It was okay. I've just read so many other books that have truly resonated with me! 💗📚

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BillKathyWms
The Art Forger: A Novel | B. A. Shapiro
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Pickpick

If you love art & a little mystery this is the book for you! Fiction but based on the true events surrounding the 1990 ($500 million) heist of the Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Paintings are still unaccounted for..(Gorgeous museum- home private collection of wealthy patron) Thank you to a recent Litton who recommended this book! 💗📚🎨

MrBook And @BookBabe liked this one as well 😊👍🏻. 8y
11 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
The Turner House | Angela Flournoy
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Mehso-so

Nice writing. I guess it just fell a bit short of my expectations with the hype that came along with it. I think it could have been a little longer as well and tied up some loose ends..

Notafraidofwords I've tried reading this twice and have failed. 8y
8 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
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Nonfiction. Wow! Powerful! Between 1950-1973; prior to (Roe v Wade) 1.5 million babies were put up for adoption mainly due to pressure from families & society. Fessler presents commentary on the times as well as oral histories from over 100 birth mothers & their stories. Tragic & heartbreaking...On a personal level it stirred up a lot of emotions in me since I have both a sister & a daughter who are adopted.

9 likes2 stack adds
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BillKathyWms
Pickpick

Nonfiction. Wow! Powerful! Between 1950-1973; prior to (Roe v Wade) 1.5 million babies were put up for adoption mainly due to pressure from families & society. Fessler presents commentary on the times as well as oral histories from over 100 birth mothers & their stories. Tragic & heartbreaking...On a personal level it stirred up a lot of emotions in me since I have both a sister & a daughter who are adopted.

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BillKathyWms
Americanah | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Wow!! Impeccable writing. Interesting storyline on race/racism in America. Interesting observations on immigrant experience. I really enjoyed this novel & want to read her other works! ❤️📚

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BillKathyWms
The Silent Sister | Diane Chamberlain
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Contemporary fiction. Young woman loses father. Upon cleaning up his home & estate she discovers major inconsistencies in what she's been told pertaining to her deceased sister. Many twists & turns. A quick read. Lots of family dynamics & your usual dysfunction..Read this for my book club. Good tangents for discussion..

8 likes2 stack adds
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BillKathyWms
The Fireman | Joe Hill
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Mehso-so

Not sure how I picked this? I am not a Horror fan.. Having said that, the novel didn't seem that horrific. Interesting premise~ a fast spreading plague. However, at over 700 pages it was unnecessarily long. I did not appreciate the writing and in places it felt that it hadn't been properly edited..

Reviewsbylola I felt very similarly. 8y
11 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
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Pickpick

Love the book cover! Good quick beach read! Although the main character may have been a little self absorbed I got past it. It held my attention & I did not solve the mystery of my own accord.. I enjoyed it. Onto the next one...

10 likes1 stack add
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BillKathyWms
Before the Fall | Noah Hawley
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Overall I enjoyed this book. Good writing, solid character development & great plot. It kept my interest. I could have seen the ending go in a multitude of different directions. But then again, one could say that with any novel when using one's imagination..

11 likes1 stack add
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BillKathyWms
Before the Fall | Noah Hawley
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Reading @ the Beach... 🤗📚

MrBook Wonderful pic! 😎👍🏻👌🏻 8y
8 likes2 comments
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BillKathyWms
A Man Called Ove: A Novel | Fredrik Backman
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Just finished this delightful read recommended by Litsy Readers. What can I say? We all know or have come across people like Ove; those that view the world in black & white or on their terms...It is truly heartwarming to see the growth in people regardless of their age..As my mother always says "We're all on the journey, each individual is in a different place on that journey." Sweet, stubborn Ove!! ?

12 likes1 stack add
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BillKathyWms
Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson
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Mehso-so

Mystery set in England. Detective following multiple cases...Good writing, believable characters & story line. It just seemed a bit disjointed in places.. I loved her novel "Life After Life"..

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BillKathyWms
Finding Jake: A Novel | Bryan Reardon
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Fictional account of modern day school shooting. Emotionally gripping. Read in one sitting. Appreciated the perspective of the stay at home father... 📚

KrisConstantReader I read this one a while back, I really liked it. 8y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BillKathyWms
The Woman Upstairs | Claire Messud
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Mehso-so

This novel was said to be a "psychological & intellectual thriller".. I didn't find it to be either. Solid writing. I found the plot to be a little thin. Story of a frustrated middle aged school teacher who cannot stand up for herself. I got frustrated with the main character and didn't think much of the others..

jessberk13 I didn't like one of her other books either. I've heard that a lot about this author 😐 8y
JoeStalksBeck I just downloaded this one. I had a feeling it would be as you described when I read the summary 8y
8 likes2 comments
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BillKathyWms
Before the Fall | Noah Hawley
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Packing for the Beach!! 📚⛱🌞🍹

Suzze Good choices! 8y
11 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
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What a treat! Charming & quick read. Novel about a brilliant mathematics professor & his housekeeper/caretaker. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and has only 80 minutes of short term memory. She reintroduces herself to him everyday... They forge such a touching relationship. I really enjoyed this read!! 👍📚

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BillKathyWms
Silver Sparrow | Tayari Jones
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Fiction: 1980's Atlanta. Story of two sisters born to a bigamist father & their eventual encounter. Nicely written, vivid and believable characters. Told from multiple perspectives. Nice quick read. I enjoyed it. And a big thank you to the "Litsy" friend who posted & recommended this book!! ?

Notafraidofwords Love love love ... 8y
8 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
The Emperor's Children | Claire Messud
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Mehso-so

Story follows 3 thirty year old New York college friends before & after 9/11. I found the plot to be a bit weak was disappointed in the lackluster ending.

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BillKathyWms
Kindred | Octavia E. Butler
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I tried this book a year or so ago & didn't get far.. This time I couldn't put it down! Historical fiction set in antebellum south with time travel element. Fast paced, great story line, believable characters..I loved it! (Some graphic violence but it pertains to storyline)

RealLifeReading One of my favourites! 8y
Bookish_B This is in my list. Glad to see you enjoyed it! 8y
12 likes2 comments
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BillKathyWms
Homegoing: A novel | Yaa Gyasi
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Wow!!!! Absolutely stunning debut novel! Fastidious historical fiction. Epic in scope. Eloquent writing. A joy to experience! 👍📚

litsybookclub This is our pick this month! Come join us later in the month for awesome discussion :) 8y
14 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
Lab Girl | Hope Jahren
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I have always been drawn to history & literature. Not a fan of math or science. However, I so enjoyed this book! Intelligently written and such a joy to see someone who absolutely loves her profession!! 👍 📚

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BillKathyWms
Homegoing: A novel | Yaa Gyasi
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Packing for long weekend road trip! 📚 🤗

Liberty Great choices! 8y
MrBook Nice stack! 8y
11 likes2 comments
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BillKathyWms
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Pickpick

Exquisite historical fiction narrated by an 8 year old Polish Jewish boy confined to the Warsaw ghetto. Painstaking research based partially on a Jewish Doctor who ran an orphanage inside the ghetto. Gritty and real! 👍🏼📚

7 likes1 stack add
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BillKathyWms
Sweetbitter: A novel | Stephanie Danler
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Panpan

So much hype on this novel. I'm sure many will enjoy it.. Nice writing but I didn't connect to any of the characters & the plot was a bit too thin...Onto the next one... 📚

LyndseyReads I just finished and I agree. The food description was great. The characters and plot left me cold. 8y
5 likes1 comment
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BillKathyWms
I'm Just a Person | Tig Notaro
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Life is filled with challenges & crosses at various times. Sometimes you wonder how you made it through? While I'm not happy about all of the challenges that have been thrown at me I know that most of them have made me grow and become a stronger person. This memoir was open, honest and heartfelt! 💕

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BillKathyWms
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Mehso-so

This had been on my tbr list for quite a while. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I'm sure many will enjoy it. It's charming in places but it just wasn't enough to hold my attention or have an impact on me...Onto the next book..