The Next Good Book
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 so i like to read- 

friends often ask for book suggestions so i created this site in 2014 to help me think about what i read and pass it on.  

I hope you find many good books here!

e-mail-thenextgoodbook5@gmail.com

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

8/30/2021

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Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
478 pages

What’s it about?
When Ryland Grace wakes up to find himself in a small bunk with tubes attached to his body he is confused.  He soon realizes that the two people in the bunks next to him are dead. He can’t remember who he is or why he is there, but he is definitely on a rocket ship hurtling through space. It slowly dawns on him that he is on a mission to save humanity and he is all alone.  Now, if he can just remember what the mission entails…
 
What did it make me think about?
Science, space, and what’s out there? 

Should I read it?
Andy Weir is such a unique talent.  He takes complicated science and sprinkles it throughout his stories to make a novel that challenges and entertains.  He is certainly making new science fiction fans everywhere.  Anyone who enjoyed “The  Martian” will love “Project Hail Mary”.

Quote-
“ I glanced at the pile of papers on a desk. The scientific community had moved into overdrive in a very unscientific way. Gone were the days of careful peer review and published articles. Astrophage research was a free-for-all where researchers posted their findings immediately and without proof. It lead to misunderstandings and mistakes, but we just didn’t have time to do things the right way.“

If you liked this try-
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

9 stars
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the last thing he told me by laura dave

8/15/2021

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The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
303 pages

What’s it about?
 Hannah Hall is thirty eight-years-old and a successful woodturner when she meets Owen Michaels and falls in love. She soon finds herself moving to California where she becomes Owen's wife.  Hannah also becomes a step-mother to Owen's daughter Bailey.  Bailey is a sixteen year old teenager with no interest in a new mom.  When one day Owen goes missing Hannah and Bailey find a way to come together and find Owen.  

What did it make me think about?
 What happened to Owen?

Should I read it?
 I love a book that is clear about what it is- this book is a good old fashioned mystery.  What happened to Owen?  Is there something in his past that Hannah is unaware of?

Quote-
"You see it all the time on television.  There's a knock at the front door.  And, on the other side, someone is waiting to tell you the news that changes everything."

If you liked this try-
My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
The Long and Faraway Gone by Lou Berney
These Women by Ivy Pochoda

9 stars
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the other black girl by zakiya dalila harris

8/9/2021

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A Good Morning America, Esquire, and Read with Marie Claire Book Club Pick and a People Best Book of Summer~~~

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by TIME, The Washington Post, Harper’s Bazaar, Entertainment Weekly, Marie Claire, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Parade, Goodreads, Fortune, and BBC


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The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
354 pages

What’s it about?
 Nella Rogers is a hard working 26-year-old editorial assistant.  She is a young Black woman trying to work her way up in the all-White world of publishing in New York City.  Nella is pleasantly surprised to look up one day and see that another black woman has been hired as an editorial assistant.  Soon she will wonder if this is a good thing for her career or not...

What did it make me think about?
 How much I don't know....

Should I read it?
 I don't even know where to start on this book.  It seemed to have so many different threads going all at once.  Some of the threads were amazing and some of the threads seemed disjointed to me.  Having said that- Ms. Harris has written a really interesting and inventive novel.   I am really glad I read it and although it didn't all work for me I would highly recommend it. One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the glimpse Ms. Harris gives us into the world of publishing.   Lots to think about in this novel!

Quote-
"But there'd been something profound in those moments.  Something intangible.  This something was in the look that her friends gave her when she told them how many hours she'd spent sitting between her mother's legs watching he 227 marathon the had been on TV One that weekend (then explaining what 227 was); it was in the nature of this elongated physical contact that most non-Black teenagers didn't have with their mothers, but she did.  And it was in the little things such contact -however many hours of time she's spent with hands in her hair- taught her about the women in her family.  Hair-care regimens, passed down from both sides.  Patience, until the fine line of impatience settled over the whole scene like a bad odor.  Perfectionism."

If you liked this try-
Afterland by Lauren Beukes​
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Outlawed by Anna North
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

8 stars
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we begin at the end by Chris Whitaker

8/3/2021

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Winner of The Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel from The Crime Writers’ Association (UK)

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We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
367 pages

What’s it about?
Duchess is a 13 year-old girl just trying to keep her mom (Star) and her brother (Robin) safe.  Her only ally is a local sheriff named Walk.  Walk grew up with Star and does his best to keep her sober and watch out for her two kids.  When Star and Walk’s old friend Vincent is released from prison after 30 years everyone is put on edge.  This whole story hinges on one question- is Vincent a good man?

What did it make me think about?
Justice. 

Should I read it?
This was a plot driven thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it!   Set in both California and Montana this story has a western feel to it.  Occasionally some of the sentences seemed a little stilted, but can you argue with being too poetic?  Part hard luck story, part who-dun-it, but always full of heart.  I highly recommend this book.  One of my favorites this summer.

Quote-
“You’re like a kid.  Better and worse.  Bad and good.  None of us are only one thing.  We’re just a collection of the best and worst things we’ve done.”

If you liked this try-
Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson
Idaho by Emily Ruskovich
My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson

9 stars
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    A sad, poignant, mystical read. I won't give too much away. Quick and well worth it! 9 1/2 stars!
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    A coming of age story set in Mexico. It certainly gives you a whole new view of all the people coming over the border. 9 stars
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    Quirky characters and the story told through letters to Richard Gere. Who could ask for more? 9 stars

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    “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
    ― Charles William Eliot
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     ratings

    1 to 2- I did not enjoy this book.
    3 to 4- I found some aspect of this book redeeming but would not recommend it.
    5 to 6- I really enjoyed something about this book (characters, plot, meaning etc.) but it was uneven. Some aspects were stronger than others.
    7 to 8- It was a good book.  I liked lots of aspects of this book.  I would recommend it.
    9 to 10- I was sorry to turn the last page.  I highly recommend this book!
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