Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
quietjenn

quietjenn

Joined March 2016

professional reader, amateur sleuth, punk-ass book jockey
blurb
quietjenn
post image

I have a good feeling about this. Hope my optimism is not misplaced...

Tamra Anxious to see what you think - the blurb sounds good! 6d
49 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

There's a read along of this happening on Substack, for women in translation month, so decided to give it another shot. The first time I tried it, I only got a few pages in and have been a little dismissive of "Ferrante Fever" ever since. But, timing is everything, and this go-around I devoured and loved it. Really looking forward to the rest of the quartet.

Ruthiella Timing really can be important! I caught the fever a few years ago. (edited) 1w
53 likes1 comment
review
quietjenn
Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson
post image
Pickpick

So much packed into this slight novel! Such layered, complex characters in a story that did not go all the places I expected it to. A great #persephoneclub pick!

LeahBergen Look at that old edition, too! 😍 2w
Tamra 👏🏾indeed, good things come in few pages. 😄 2w
CarolynM What a great edition! I‘m just getting started. 2w
45 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

Such a good one!

review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

Just as charging and cozy as I'd hoped it would be. I do love a found family story. 💜

KathyWheeler I love the rooster in this book. 😄 3w
julesG @KathyWheeler The rooster is great. 3w
59 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
quietjenn
My Brother Michael | Mary Stewart
post image
Pickpick

Was also in the mood for some comfort reading this week (work has been a *lot* lately). So, Mary Stewart it is.

Ruthiella Sorry to hear that. Labor Day is coming!🤞 And thank goodness for comfort reads. 4w
willaful You inspired me to shop and I just picked up Touch Not the Cat for $.99 at Kobo. 4w
TheBookHippie Oh I need to read more of her. Work 😵‍💫😝. Hope it gets better soon… 4w
LeahBergen I need to read another one of her novels soon! 3w
47 likes4 comments
review
quietjenn
Raising Hare: A Memoir | Chloe Dalton
post image
Pickpick

Playing a little catch up! Finished this earlier this week. Best read slowly. Super interesting and I feel like I know so much about hares now 😂.

CBee I absolutely loved this book! 4w
60 likes1 comment
review
quietjenn
The Cliffs: A Novel | J. Courtney Sullivan
post image
Pickpick

There is a *whole lot* going on in this one - honestly, probably too much and it could've been more tightly edited. That said, I found it to be a pretty compelling read, that I mostly enjoyed.

BarbaraBB I have this on my shelves. 1mo
51 likes1 comment
review
quietjenn
Wild Dark Shore | Charlotte McConaghy
post image
Pickpick

Loved this.

BarbaraBB Glad you did! 1mo
Cathythoughts Just reading it now. It‘s very good 👍🏻❤️ 1mo
kspenmoll Me too! ❤️ 1mo
BiblioLitten Can‘t wait to read this. I loved Migrations 🩵 1mo
52 likes4 comments
review
quietjenn
The Searcher | Tana French
post image
Pickpick

Read for one of the book clubs at work. I'd forgotten just how marvelous French is. Terrific characters and atmosphere. Looking forward to the sequel, as well as figuring out where I left off with the Dublin Murder Squad.

sarahbarnes I liked this one and the sequel. And want to read the second book in the murder squad series soon! 2mo
BiblioLitten I‘m always confused which book to start with. I have been wanting to read French since I joined Litsy! 😄 1mo
59 likes2 comments
review
quietjenn
Killer Question | Janice Hallett
post image
Pickpick

I'm too lazy to pick up lots of arcs at ALA these days, but this is one I was very keen on getting. And like other books by Hallett, I found it nearly impossible to put down once I started it.

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Ooh! Definitely worth the hassle of carrying around! I‘m excited for this to come out! 2mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo
uncommonlycozies i heard this is told through quiz sheets & emails.
does it actually work, or is it just a gimmick?
2mo
quietjenn @uncommonlycozies Yes, it's epistolary, like her other novels. I know it's not everyone's style, but it really works for me! 2mo
52 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

I've been really looking forward to this one and am glad to say it didn't disappoint. Maybe I'll finally get around to Testament of Youth, for non-fiction take? (It's in the bibliography and Brittain and Holtby are walk-on characters).

Liz_M I really liked Testament of Youth. It has two distinct sections -- the first is before the war, getting into university, meeting the love of her life, etc. Very different tone in the rest of the book, dealing with her war experiences and post-war advocacy. 3mo
squirrelbrain Interesting - I didn‘t realise this was linked to Testament of Youth. I read that years ago @Liz_M and loved it too! 3mo
kspenmoll I read Testament of Youth years ago & loved it. 3mo
59 likes3 comments
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

I think my expectations of this were slightly elevated, but it's still a sweet, very relatable collection of essays.

Bookwormjillk I just saw this at the bookstore and was tempted. Thanks for your review. 3mo
MaureenMc My audiobook hold just came in! 3mo
55 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
quietjenn
Bloomsbury Girls: A Novel | Natalie Jenner
post image
Pickpick

If historical fiction doesn't send you down countless Wikipedia holes, is it really good historical fiction? This one had me looking up articles on my phone in the middle of the night. 😂 I liked it a lot.

kspenmoll I enjoyed this too & yes, many rabbit holes to go down! 3mo
Ruthiella When I read books like that, I wonder how I managed in a pre-internet age with usually at most an atlas for locations and a dictionary to look words up! 😅 3mo
PaperbackPirate My book club read this and then we read The Mummy! 2mo
58 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
quietjenn
Sally-Ann | SUSAN. SCARLETT
post image
Pickpick

Hello, #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub pals! I haven't been online too much lately, but I did finish our May selection a few weeks ago.

At first, I thought that Scarlett's take on the Cinderella story might actually be *too* sweet for me and verge on saccharine, but I should've had some faith. I ended up being all about and finished the book with such a satisfied grin.

Ruthiella Glad you liked it! I don‘t think I could read too many Susan Scarletts in a row because they are so formulaic- though as a teen I‘ll bet I could have!😂! 3mo
quietjenn (Sorry about no-tags. I've been trying to get them posted for the last fifteen minutes and no luck. Will try later when maybe things are more stable?) 3mo
CarolynM Glad you enjoyed. I wouldn‘t mind living in Susan Scarlett‘s world 😆 3mo
See All 7 Comments
LeahBergen They are a bit sweet but reading one every once in a while isn‘t too bad! 😄 3mo
rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen @Ruthiella Too many in a row would be like bingeing on too much candy. 3mo
rubyslippersreads @quietjenn I can‘t post tags either. I‘ve tried in the app and the browser version. I think it doesn‘t like all those @@@ 😆 3mo
Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads Exactly! It would be a little too much! 😅 3mo
45 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

This maybe didn't hit quite as hard as Love & Saffron - which I read in one delicious gulp - but it still gave me all the feels and I loved it.

58 likes1 stack add
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

This was just what I needed this weekend.

62 likes1 stack add
review
quietjenn
Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore
post image
Pickpick

Realizing that I never posted about the #furrowedmiddlebrowclub book in March, mostly I guess because I finished while I was sick. I should've expected to be tense and anxious, based on other Moore books and that was certainly the case here. As predicted, I did a lot of internal screaming 😂. In a good way, though!

Ruthiella I also did a lot of nail biting! 😬😂 5mo
LeahBergen I was caught off guard by just how anxious this book made me! 😂 5mo
CarolynM It was a great read, if a little disturbing 😳 5mo
Cathythoughts Great review! Stacked 👍🏻❤️ 5mo
58 likes4 comments
blurb
quietjenn
post image

Making the most of my Sunday, by doing very little 😏

bookandbedandtea That's how I prefer to spend my Sundays too! 🩷 6mo
BiblioLitten I maniacally finish all my chores on Saturday so that I can read all day on Sunday. 😄 4mo
65 likes3 comments
review
quietjenn
Ashenden | William Somerset Maugham
post image
Pickpick

When I mentioned maybe doing a year of spycraft reading, Justin (my partner) highly recommended this one, based on Maugham's experiences during the first World War. Interconnected stories, it was excellent! Bonus for being a very vintage copy, although I alternate reading it with an ebook.

ChaoticMissAdventures I absolutely loved The Painted Veil I really need to pick up more of his books. 6mo
Leftcoastzen I always love a vintage copy ! 6mo
kspenmoll Stacked! 6mo
58 likes3 comments
blurb
quietjenn
post image

This is quite the mish-mash, sort of Cold Comfort Farm mixed with light New England Gothic, but I'm enjoying it.

58 likes2 stack adds
review
quietjenn
Family Roundabout | Richmal Crompton
post image
Pickpick

Realizing that I never posted about the #PersephoneClub book this month, which I quite liked a lot, despite being populated with so many unlikable people 😂. But it was so compelling and, as others have observed, such a strong picture of a particular time and class. I'll certainly read more Crompton in the future.

LeahBergen Your model looks a tad cranky. 😆 6mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 6mo
quietjenn @LeahBergen that's just Resting Dottie Face. Which is why she is 100% my familiar. 😹 6mo
LeahBergen 😆😆 6mo
rubyslippersreads I‘m late with my review too. 6mo
58 likes5 comments
blurb
quietjenn
The Seven Year Slip | Ashley Poston
post image

Really milking this holiday Monday.

59 likes1 stack add
blurb
quietjenn
post image

Also, day off! I am getting my car checked out (leaky tire?) and reading the next Smiley at the cute local coffee shop I should really patronize more. Other exciting plans for the day are buying a broom and neverending laundry.

Ruthiella I would love such an exciting day! 😂 7mo
Aims42 Oooo, a new broom is almost as exciting as a new kitchen sponge in my world 😂👍 7mo
Jari-chan The adventures of being a grown-up 🥲😂 7mo
56 likes3 comments
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

Finally finished our #furrowedmiddlebrowclub book from last month, and my thoughts echo what others have said. It wasn't my favorite, although I found bits of it amusing in its Over the Top-ness. Addie reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Taylor's Angel, in a kinder and more comic way. But rather melancholy and like I agree that it went in a bit too long. Not sorry I read it, just wish I'd liked it more. A low pick.

LeahBergen We all seem to be feeling very similarly towards this read! 7mo
Ruthiella That‘s a good way to put it. I also wish I had liked it more. 7mo
59 likes2 comments
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

Can't concentrate on anything else at the moment, so the spycraft reading continues. The first le Carre/George Smiley. I'm in.

MaGoose I need to read Le Carre at some point, too 7mo
Suet624 @MaGoose same. 7mo
64 likes2 comments
review
quietjenn
Beautyland: A Novel | Marie-Helene Bertino
post image
Pickpick

Finished this afternoon and haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

Sapphire Got it recently on audio. In a purchase of 3. Haven‘t started it yet. But it was listed on a best of list with “the wedding people” which I am liking. Maybe it was TOB? 7mo
quietjenn @Sapphire yes, it was on a lot of best list and is a TOB selection. 7mo
70 likes2 comments
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

Very much enjoyed this launch of a new series. I loved these characters and Osman's humor and style are very much intact. And while I'm not a big audiobook person, more like this might help convert me. We recently moved and it's certainly made the unpacking more enjoyable.

Ruthiella I love audio books for making chores more palatable! It is, however, important to find the right kind of book for you. I need, for example, very plot forward books when I listen. 8mo
69 likes1 comment
review
quietjenn
Slow Horses | Mick Herron
post image
Pickpick

An excellent way to spent the day. Perhaps this will be my year of spycraft? I could see it.

Ruthiella Ooh! What other authors or books would you include? 8mo
majkia I've been on a Spy kick too. 8mo
quietjenn @Ruthiella I have a lot of Helen Macinnes on my Kindle and have read very little Le Carre, so would probably start with those and go from there? Very open to suggestions though, if you recs. I am not well-read in the genre at all, but quite enjoy them! 8mo
See All 6 Comments
Ruthiella @quietjenn I‘m not well read in the genre either, which is why I asked! 😂 I did read a lot of Le Carre in the ‘90s and James Bond novels in the ‘80s, but that is it, really. 8mo
quietjenn I may do a little research and will keep you posted! 8mo
BkClubCare I‘ve been on hold for this at the library for EVEH! 6mo
67 likes6 comments
blurb
quietjenn
post image

In summation and on to the next 😃📚

quietjenn Tagging the aforementioned, which was with me through it all. 8mo
julieclair Great year! Congrats on War and Peace! 🎉🏆🎉 8mo
Ruthiella Fantastic! 🤩 8mo
See All 8 Comments
Texreader Brilliant numbers!! 8mo
Gissy Congratulations 📚📚📚🎉👏👏👏 8mo
youneverarrived Fab 🤩 8mo
kspenmoll Congrats!🎉🎈 8mo
SilversReviews Great year!! 8mo
50 likes8 comments
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

Among other things, on a personal level 2024 will go down as the year I read War and Peace. I did it chapter a day (kind of/theoretically) with the Footnotes and Tangents Substack. I can't say I really loved it, or think it's one of the greatest novels ever, but I'm glad to have read it and found the online discussion and commentary enriching.

Tamra 👏🏾👏🏾 That‘s an achievement! 8mo
AmyG 🙌🏻🎉 8mo
dabbe I felt EXACTLY the same way about this one. #welldone! 🤩🙌🏻🤩 8mo
62 likes3 comments
blurb
quietjenn
post image

Christmas trip home went way too quickly. I will be glad to see the boy and our cats, but otherwise I would be ok with a little more time. Alas, her I am at the airport ...

mabell It‘s tough! Hard to leave everyone, but also so nice to go back home! 8mo
53 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
quietjenn
Vain Shadow | Jane Hervey, Celia Robertson
post image

Ok, #PersephoneClub friends - here's your next slate for voting! Sort of seasonal, for those who like that, but not overtly so (I think?). Can't wait to see what you vote for!

@LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads @elkeOriginal @Cathythoughts @Caryl @sisilia @Tamra @andrew61 @willaful @julieclair @Aimeesue @Gissy @Bookbuyingaddict @daena

LeahBergen Ooo, this is the first time I‘ve actually already read both! Shall I still vote? How about if I vote for the one I liked a teensy bit better? 😆 9mo
See All 11 Comments
quietjenn @LeahBergen oops, sorry? But we should happily take your expert vote! 😜 9mo
Tamra Well, besides the recommendation of Leah, who can resist that cover!? 😵 😆 9mo
elkeOriginal Vain Shadow! 9mo
Cathythoughts Great choices. I‘ve read Blank Wall and would happily read it again. I‘ll vote for 9mo
LeahBergen @quietjenn 😆😆 9mo
LeahBergen Okay, @rubyslippersreads … you can post our two choices for December now. We‘re almost done! 😀 9mo
LeahBergen And the winner is The Blank Wall! 9mo
47 likes11 comments
blurb
quietjenn
The Baker's Daughter | D.E. Stevenson
post image

I was in the mood for a little Stevenson. This one started well, but is meandering a bit at the moment ...

review
quietjenn
Harlequin House | MARGERY. SHARP
post image
Pickpick

We'll then, this was completely delightful. And exactly what I needed. #furrowedmiddlebrowclub

Ruthiella Wonderful! I‘m also hoping to finish this weekend. 🤞 10mo
LeahBergen It was a fun one! 10mo
67 likes2 comments
review
quietjenn
We Used to Live Here | Marcus Kliewer
post image
Pickpick

Not necessarily my usual fare, but when looking through the new books at work I paged through it and ended up pretty much devouring it. Pretty trippy and fitting that it started on Reddit, as it will (has) spawn(ed) countless Internet threads. Fun, but I'm not trying to make sense of it!

Tamra Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. 😊 10mo
63 likes1 comment
blurb
quietjenn
The Marble Staircase | Elizabeth Fair
post image

Okay, posting the options before I overthink it! I've no reasons to offer, just going with my gut! 😆

#furrowedmiddlebrowclub

quietjenn Hopefully I got the tags right?! 10mo
See All 18 Comments
Tamra Both blurbs are intriguing, but I was sucked in by “domestic warfare.” 😳 (edited) 10mo
willaful I enjoyed The Native Heath so am voting for 10mo
Ruthiella This is tough because I have really enjoyed both authors books before…Flipping a coin for 10mo
julieclair Gosh… tough choice. I‘m going with 10mo
LeahBergen @quietjenn Oops. Poor @kwmg40 had her handle cut off again! 😆😆 10mo
LeahBergen This is a toughie like @Ruthiella said! Hmm, I own both but I‘ll go for 10mo
Teresereading Marble Staircase 10mo
Cathythoughts I‘m voting for 10mo
CarolynM Tough choice, both sound great! I‘m voting for 10mo
quietjenn @LeahBergen argh! Sorry @kwmg40 and thank you @LeahBergen 10mo
kwmg40 @quietjenn No problem, and honestly I would have been OK with whatever the group chose, but I‘ll go with 10mo
Kimzey I‘ll go with Marble Staircase. I haven‘t counted votes, so hope I didn‘t deadlock the election. Either would be fine with me. 10mo
elkeOriginal Same as @Tamra Not At Home had me at ‘domestic warfare‘ 😆💣 10mo
rubyslippersreads I‘m picking 10mo
LeahBergen And the winner is Not at Home! 9mo
49 likes18 comments
blurb
quietjenn
post image

I have so much to do, but really just want to snuggle under a blanket and read more of this ...

Ruthiella The struggle is real! 10mo
52 likes1 comment
blurb
quietjenn
A Novel Love Story | Ashley Poston
post image

Saying yes to a bit of fluffy escapism.

review
quietjenn
post image
Mehso-so

#throwback to a few weeks ago, when I was on vacation and started this one. Finally finished it today and glad to be done with it. Pretty disappointing. A good premise, but I had a ton of issues with the execution.

Hooked_on_books This one has sat on my shelves for years unread, in part because of mixed reviews. When I finally give it a go, I‘m going to be more willing to bail than I might otherwise if it isn‘t working. 10mo
56 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
quietjenn
Quiet as a Nun | Antonia Fraser
post image
Pickpick

Not sure I'll rush right out to read the next in this series, but I mostly liked this #nunlit pick, despite some dated bits and a solution I partially sussed out. I wish that modern mysteries were as short and moved as briskly.

review
quietjenn
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent | Judi Dench, Brendan O'Hea
post image
Pickpick

This was a complete delight. Highly recommended if you are interested in Dame Judi, Shakespeare, theatre history, the RSC, or acting in general. I googled so many pictures and fell down so many Wiki holes, looking up people and productions she talks about.

Bookberry This sounds wonderful! I'll check it out. I'm a big fan of Dame Judi. 10mo
55 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
quietjenn
The Examiner | Janice Hallett
post image

I hadn't planned to read this on my lunch today, but then the reserve came in and I couldn't resist diving right into it!

janeycanuck OMG, so jealous!! I‘m first on the holds list but the single copy coming to my library hasn‘t come in yet! 12mo
bookwench @janeycanuck Funny, it doesn\'t have any holds at my library, despite my trying to interest people in her books. I think not everyone is as entranced with the epistolary style as I am. BTW, my fave was Twyford--what was anybody else\'s? 11mo
janeycanuck @bookwench I‘m STILL waiting for the library‘s order to come in for this!! My favourite has been Alperton Angels but I haven‘t read the Appeal yet. Or this one! 11mo
57 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
quietjenn
post image

How I spent much of today.

Ruthiella Good day! 👍 12mo
57 likes1 comment
review
quietjenn
post image
Pickpick

I thought this was great! It made me laugh a lot, but I also cried a few times. And even though it did that thing I hate of constantly referring to Something in the Past for ages before explaining it and at one point I actually said aloud to an empty room, "Please go get some therapy," I think I loved it?

slategreyskies I just picked this up on Kindle this week. I‘m looking forward to it! 💕 12mo
quietjenn @slategreyskies I saw it was on sale when I put it on my Goodreads. Worth $3 I think! I hope you like it. 12mo
51 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
quietjenn
Big Sky | Kate Atkinson
post image

Catching up with Jackson Brodie, before my hold for the new one comes in. I love this series!

Ruthiella I love this series too. I preordered The Rook. Now let‘s see if I can get to it this month ! 🤞 12mo
46 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
quietjenn
The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen
post image

Getting a slightly belated start on this #hashtagbrigade selection, but excited to read another Bowen.

Cuilin The Hotel is a reread. What else have you read? I have stack not yet read. I loved 12mo
quietjenn Oh, that sounds good! I've read the tagged and a handful of short stories. 12mo
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
quietjenn
God of the Woods | Liz Moore
post image

Spent most of the day reading this. No regrets.

dabbe Agree 💯. 12mo
50 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
quietjenn
post image

I devoured Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, so I've high hopes for this sequel!

RamsFan1963 I thought the sequel was a little better, but it might just be because we've come to know the narrator and the story format better. 12mo
Read4life I also liked this one better than the first one. I hope you enjoy it. 12mo
quietjenn @RamsFan1963 @Read4life oh, that makes me happy to hear! I'm only a little ways in, but it's certainly hitting the right spots. 12mo
53 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
quietjenn
post image

Wondering if I'll love this as much as everyone else seems to ...

Prairiegirl_reading I got less than 10 pages in if that helps you. I hope you like more than I did!! 13mo
Jari-chan I pushed through. Not my cup of tea... 12mo
60 likes1 stack add2 comments