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Macnjen

Macnjen

Joined April 2016

I love books about books, Ben and Jerry's Phish Food ice cream and being outdoors. So many books, too little time to read them all!
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The Bee Sting: A Novel by Paul Murray
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BLUE HIGHWAYS Revisited by William Least Heat-Moon, Edgar I. Ailor
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Macnjen
Until August | Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Panpan

This book was not for me. While I understand it‘s undeveloped because the author was unhappy with it, and didn‘t choose to publish it before he died-that‘s not the issue. I listened to this on audiobook, and the narration is terrible. Mostly I think because of the translation? It‘s hard to understand very disjointed, and does not flow at all. It‘s a very hard to listen to. Additionally, I just didn‘t care for the story at all.

13 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
Pickpick

Excellent. I love her writing and it felt very real.

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Macnjen
Pickpick

Great story about search rescue dogs and the foundation started to train them. Worth the read first sure.

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Macnjen

I‘m reading this because my grandmother was one of the hostages taken during this escape. I have her telling of the story on audio cassette thankfully since passed away a while ago.

Librarybelle What a connection! 10mo
11 likes1 comment
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Macnjen
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
Mehso-so

I liked the writing up until the last bit where the end felt rushed, a big lead up to a quick result and then all was good. Some questions remain so I think the end could have been developed further to make a more complete story..

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Macnjen
The Searcher | Tana French
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Audiobook. I liked the writing but didn't love the story, it seemed to drag a bit and was not quite as mysterious as her other books. This was not a “page turner“ of a story.

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Macnjen
The Golden Couple: A Novel | Sarah Pekkanen, Greer Hendricks

Pretty good audiobook. It wasn't quite as twisty as “The Wife Between Us“ but there is a twist.

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Macnjen
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13 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
A Simple Plan | Scott Smith
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Pretty good story about a simple plan not turning out that way. It's not a complicated read, but held my interest.

12 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Pickpick

Go on a great adventure transporting giraffes across the country and you won‘t regret it. Wonderful story I highly recommend.

15 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
Mehso-so

Odd little book with snippets from Archie the Alpaca. I‘m not a poetry fan so maybe that‘s why this was lost on me. Cute idea though.

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Macnjen
Pickpick

Super fun, humorous jaunt by the two main Outlander actors. Haven‘t seen much of the show yet but did read the first book. The Scottish history is very interesting and not dry; I only wished I could see Men In Kilts! What an adventures two friends took. Great read.

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Macnjen

I really like this author's writing, it's humorous, fun and fast paced. I loved 'The Martian' but this one was too deep into the science for me to understand the value. The story itself was good and enjoyable. If you can get beyond the science (or enjoy it) you will like this book.

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Macnjen
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EXCELLENT narration by the author on his musings about everything from farming to camping to old school being a good person and guardian of our planet. He's funny, so intelligent, and very insightful. It does get a little political but overall this was great. Definitely listen to it; his inflections make it that much more enjoyable. I think he'd be a great friend and neighbor to have.

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Macnjen
Never Let Me Go | Kazuo Ishiguro

Not for me. This narration was a bit dry and the story uninteresting. The big bombshells were slightly inserted and not really discussed in a manner appropriate for the topic. It's slow going, and I kept waiting for something to happen. It seems Ishiguro is a good author, it's just the story didn't do it for me at all. There was so much more that could have happened with this odd topic but it was just accepted as normal behavior.

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Macnjen
Turn of the Key | Ruth Ware

Great audio narration, good story, though it felt rushed to end.

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Macnjen
Pickpick

I love the author‘s storytelling normally but this has been my least favorite so far, solely because of the fantasy angle. I‘m not a fan of world building but if I was then it would have been spot on. The narration of the audiobook was really well done.

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Macnjen
The Plot | Jean Hanff Korelitz
Pickpick

I did not love the writing but there is an intriguing story with quite a twist at the end.

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Macnjen
The Wife Between Us | Sarah Pekkanen, Greer Hendricks
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This audiobook was well narrated, and that's a little tough given the complications in the story. Good plot twist in the Epilogue, don't miss that or you'll miss the crux of the story. I think I need to go back and listen again because half way through things aren't as you assumed. #listyAtoZ2022 for W

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Macnjen

This book is an extrapolation based on a screenplay, with some dialog generated and assumed. The writing is simplistic, and the unbelievable dialog simply odd in places. Only a third of this book is about the spying, much of it is guesswork and assumptions with possible dialog and situations. I was hoping for a profile of Hanssen, his actual misdeeds and the results.

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Macnjen
Hamnet | Maggie O'Farrell
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This book is so well written, is captivating and kept me reading on. It's a sad story for sure, but the sense of place and character building is wonderfully done. I love O“Farrell's writing , she creates such believable stories and characters. #litsyAtoZ for H 2022

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Macnjen
The Queen's Gambit | Walter Tevis
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I'd seen the tv series, and then just listened to it. The story really was better for me, visually. In the audio the chess moves are spoken, which, was beyond me. The story is mostly the same, and while I enjoyed the story, the narration is very stilted and sounded almost computer generated. So, overall, maybe print is better, but I think for once, I liked the visual production over the audio. #litsyAtoZ Q.

13 likes2 stack adds
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Macnjen
Untitled | Unknown

If anyone has the Google sheet link to the 2022 #litsyatoz challenge could you please post it? Thanks!!

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Macnjen
Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running | Susan Warner, Jennifer Lin
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Short book with vignettes about why a particular woman ran and how it effected her life. Quick read and inspiring; it makes you realize not everyone is out there just for the physical experience but for the social, emotional and mental side as well. If you have run or like to run you'd enjoy this.

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Macnjen
Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running | Susan Warner, Jennifer Lin
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Enjoying this so far. It's a small book with lots of short vignettes of women and their stories about running and how it affected their lives.

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Macnjen
Untitled | Untitled

Is there a #LitsyAtoZ challenge for 2022 Google Doc yet? I'm ready to roll! Thanks! @bookishmarginalia

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Macnjen
The Watcher in the Shadows | Carlos Ruiz Zafon
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Zafón's writing always amazes me. This YA novel was well crafted and for me, didn't leave any holes in the story. The story, about 2 teens and an evil nearby kept my interest and was well paced. I'll read anything Zafón has written.

18 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
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This book is a telling of a collision of storms off that created havoc for not only the F/V Andrea Gail but for the community as well. There's lots of weather science in the book that I found riveting, similar to Erik Larson or Mary Roach. If you like non-fiction and are an extreme-weather-outdoor-survival-story kind of reader then you will like this book.#litsyAtoZ for the letter J and it completes my challenge!

marleed I read this book years ago and keep it on my shelves still. It gave me mad respect for fishermen - particularly of the sword variety! 3y
15 likes1 comment
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Macnjen
This Must Be the Place | Maggie O'Farrell
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A tad bit complicated telling (due to multiple timelines) of a man, his choices and the life he leads with a complicated woman. Maggie O'Farrell's writing is great and she weaves a multi layered story that I enjoyed.

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Macnjen
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Macnjen
Panpan

Ugh, moan, whine, complain. Not funny and irritating narration by the author. Really disappointing.

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Macnjen
Anxious People: A Novel | Fredrik Backman
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Pickpick

Excellent book. I listened to this on audio and was very pleased with the narration and couldn‘t stop listening. Lots of trigger warnings about suicide and depression but a fantastically well told story about a group of people and how their lives intersect and affect each other. It is kind of sad, but very well written and I love how the author wraps it all up. Highly recommend.

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Macnjen
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Pickpick

Wow I loved this book;I couldn‘t put it down. The writing is great and the story very compelling. I cried a bit too and now I wonder who will play each role in the upcoming movie. Great story, fast read.

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Macnjen
Becoming | Michelle Obama
Pickpick

Excellent read about Michelle Obama‘s story. Fast paced, well written and very interesting. #litsyatoz challenge for the letter O.

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Macnjen
The Guest List | Lucy Foley
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Pickpick

Quick audiobook about a wedding on a remote island and the guests that attend. I didn‘t expect the twist at the end, but I feel like it did just kind of end. I loved the accents from the narrators.

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Macnjen
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This book is quirky, funny and poignant about the mental illness with which the author deals. It's odd and sometimes I wondered what I was listening to, but then it moves on to a chapter about what she actual deals with in a way that is understandable and sensitive. I listened to this on audio which was great because the author read it with her own great emphasis that made it entertaining. I'm glad I listened to it. #litsyAtoZ for “L“

MelAnn I loved this book! 3y
britt_brooke Love Lawson on audio! Her narration really adds to the experience. 3y
26 likes2 comments
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Macnjen
Untitled | Unknown

For the #litsyatoz challenge for 2021 I only have EJLOUY left. “O“ is going to be “Becoming“ by Michelle Obama but I'm not sure what EJLUY will be. If you have an recommendations for books you couldn't put down I'd love the guidance. I'm doing the “mixed“ (author and title) challenge. Thanks!

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Macnjen
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Really interesting story of a woman and her husband who live in several mining towns in the west. This woman was amazing and so is her story. Fast paced and easy to read; I recommend this to anyone who likes survival or adventure accounts. #litsyAtoZ challenge for the letter T.

16 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
X-Isle | Steve Augarde
Mehso-so

Young adult novel that is a bit Lord of the Flies-like. Quick read, chosen to satisfy the letter X for the #litsyAtoZ challenge. I think the author is Aussie so a few terms were unfamiliar. It‘s about a flooded world and kids on a island that isn‘t quite what they had hoped.

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Macnjen
Mexican Gothic | Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Bailedbailed

I got 2/3rds through and had to quit. The writing is not for me, nor is the story. It‘s confusing and really not interesting. The references were lost on me and the hallucinations were confusing and made no sense at all. I
Ike scary, psychological thrillers but this just didn‘t make me want to finish. Too bad, I‘d really looked forward to this one.

Johanna414 This is definitely one of those books that either really really works for you, or really really does not! 3y
17 likes1 comment
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Macnjen
Good Eggs: A Novel | Rebecca Hardiman
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I really enjoyed this story of an 83 year old woman and her family. It's witty, well written and a quick read. My only complaint is that it ended in a way that seems like it was a rush to the finish. I'm not a big fan of wrapping it all up in a bow, and this didn't do that but it felt like all of a sudden things fell into place (somewhat). Overall, I'd recommend it.

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Macnjen
The Venom Business | Michael Crichton, John Lange
Panpan

I love most of what I‘ve read by the author but this was not my favorite. It‘s choppy, campy and corny in spots. I recognize it was an early work, so it‘s going back in time in his writing career. I waas hoping it would be on par with his later writing. #litsyAtoZ for V.

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Macnjen
The Venom Business | Michael Crichton, John Lange
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This isn‘t the cover of what I‘m reading- I‘m sure I wouldn‘t have chosen it if I‘d seen it. Regardless- this choice is for the #litsyatoz challenge for 2021.

16 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
Institute | Stephen King
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Pickpick

Pretty good audiobook but not my favorite of King‘s writing. He is a masterful storyteller but this story has me question a few of his idea choices. Trigger warnings of child abuse and kidnapping. I think the main character should have been older in the story for as wise as he was. The narrator was pretty good but I had a few issues with the voice choices for done if the characters. Overall it‘s a good King read if you are a fan.

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Macnjen
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I enjoyed this telling of a visiting country nurse in the Outer Hebrides. It had a good sense of place, describing the area that is intriguing to me not only in landscape but in culture. Her tales (and chapters) are pretty short and it's easily digestible. There are fun and sad tales in the book; I only wish she'd outlined how they'd renovated the croft where they lived as she had described it as dilapidated when they first moved in. #litsyAtoZ

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Macnjen
Pickpick

Audiobook. Good narration but a very predictable story

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Macnjen

So far, not impressed. Seems very predictable. Book club choice so I have to finish.

sprainedbrain I hate it when that happens… 3y
14 likes1 comment
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Macnjen
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Interesting story about the “houseless“; those who live nomadically in the US to survive while working sporadic temporary jobs. I learned a lot and now appreciate and understand the lives these folks live, mostly out of necessity than desire. I listened to it on Audio which might not have been the best telling; I didn't love the narration. The book did seem a bit repetitive as well but overall worth the read.

19 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
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Interesting story about the “houseless“; those who live nomadically in the US to survive while working sporadic temporary jobs. I learned a lot and now appreciate and understand the lives these folks live, mostly out of necessity than desire. I listened to it on Audio which might not have been the best telling; I didn't love the narration. The book did seem a bit repetitive as well but overall worth the read.

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Macnjen
The Survivors | Jane Harper

I liked this book a lot; Jane Harper is a great author. I love her writing style, suspense and great audio narration.