Current and Recent Reads Part 2

[Bonnie G.]

We had a currently reading folder, but with nearly 650 posts it was getting a little unwieldy, and people had stopped posting. I archived that in Past Threads if anyone wants to check it out, and started this new thread for the (almost) new year. Let us know what you are reading, what you have read recently, and how you are feeling about it. This is a great place to make recommendations!

[Bonnie G.]

Starting us out with my current read, M Train. I just started the audiobook today, and am about a half hour in. So far I am loving it. I adored Just Kids so I expect this to be just as beautiful a memoir.

I tried to read The Secret Chord and stopped about 20% in because I was dying of boredom. It is very rare that I abandon a book, but I could not get engaged at all. Would love to hear of others read it and if they recommend I take another crack at it.

[Emma]

I'm currently reading the third of Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper books. Not exactly new but I hadn't read any of hers so I started this trilogy earlier this year and read all three in between other books.

I'll probably read some more of hers next year, if anyone has any recommedations?

[Leah]

Currently reading Everything I Never Told You. Normally this is the kind of book that doesn't appeal--the fundamental premise is so sad and there's a layer of 1970s ennui that kind of bums me out--but I first heard about it when I was in the throes of Serial last year and there were enough parallels--Asian American girl, unexpected death of a teenager, trying to figure out what really happened--appealed. So far it's highly readable while also being a bummer. If it weren't such a fast read, I might give up because the mood is so dark.

[Allie]

I'm working on Go Set a Watchman. I had not originally intended to read it because of the sketchy way it was published, but my book club read To Kill a Mockingbird and then picked GSAW. *shrug*

[Pamela]

Leah wrote: "Currently reading Everything I Never Told You. Normally this is the kind of book that doesn't appeal--the fundamental premise is so sad and there's a layer of 1970s ennui that kind of bums me out--..."

That is probably my favorite book of the year! It makes one thing.

I'm currently reading The Heart Goes Last. I am totally transfixed by it! I have to put it aside to read a book club book the next few days and it is going to kill me!

[Katie]

I'm in a bit of a reading funk at the moment, but I'm enjoying (if that's the right word) Every Day Is for the Thief. I'm also going to decompress for the holidays with a romance novella, A Kiss For Midwinter (if you've not read Courtney Milan, I heartily suggest it) and Brave Enough.

[Nikki]

I just did a quick reread of 4 books by my favorite 80s teen thriller writer, Christopher Pike. That was fun. And I am now trying Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy after many years of having it recommended by husband, friends, and colleagues.

[Bonnie G.]

Katie wrote: "I'm in a bit of a reading funk at the moment, but I'm enjoying (if that's the right word) Every Day Is for the Thief. I'm also going to decompress for the holidays with a romance nov..."

I like the phrase "reading funk." I have also been feeling maxed out, after reading a bunch of challenging books one after another. My remedy is the same as yours -- strait to the romance. I really like the Courtney Milan I have read, and maybe that will be next. I went right to the laziest read I have, Amanda Quick. Bless her heart, Jane Ann Krentz ( under each of her pseudonyms) writes the same book over and over, and yet each is still really fun.

[Christi]

Nikki wrote: "I just did a quick reread of 4 books by my favorite 80s teen thriller writer, Christopher Pike. That was fun. And I am now trying Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy after many years of..."

I have been thinking of Christopher Pike books lately but don't see them on Amazon's kindle library. Would love to re-read some of these.

[Nikki]

Christi wrote: "Nikki wrote: "I just did a quick reread of 4 books by my favorite 80s teen thriller writer, Christopher Pike. That was fun. And I am now trying Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy after..."
I found them at a small-town library book sale in northern Michigan. I bet you could find them on ebay, alibris, or other book trade sites.

[Bonnie G.]

Nikki wrote: "Christi wrote: "Nikki wrote: "I just did a quick reread of 4 books by my favorite 80s teen thriller writer, Christopher Pike. That was fun. And I am now trying Hitchhiker's Guide to ..."

Are you in Northern Michigan? We have a house in Traverse City. We rent it out most of the year, but take it for a month. I love it up there. I am from Detroit, but we spent time in and around TC most summers when I was growing up. I also had a lot of friends with places in Charlevoix, so I have spent a lot of time there.

[Nikki]

Bonnie wrote: "Nikki wrote: "Christi wrote: "Nikki wrote: "I just did a quick reread of 4 books by my favorite 80s teen thriller writer, Christopher Pike. That was fun. And I am now trying Hitchhik..."
Chicago, but the library was Elk Rapids. We were visiting my sister in TC. We love it there so, so much. I am from Grand Blanc.

[Emma]

I picked up the first Phryne Fisher book on a whim when I was waiting at the library. Read it on the last day of my holiday and LOVED IT. Went straight out and bought two more, and I've watched the first few episodes of the tv series, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (although I'm going to stop now til I've read more of the books).

I'm a bit behind but if you haven't heard of it and are into sassy lady detectives in the 20s, I highly recommend both the book and tv series.

[Katie]

EmVic, I haven't read any of the books but I LOVE the show. I just finished season three right after Christmas and I am so sad I don't have more episodes to watch. Maybe I should switch to the books to get my fix.

[Bonnie G.]

EmVic wrote: "I picked up the first Phryne Fisher book on a whim when I was waiting at the library. Read it on the last day of my holiday and LOVED IT. Went straight out and bought two more, and I've watched the..."

We just watched the first disc of season 1 (Our library just got it.) We love it! Disc 2 is on the holds list. Haven't read the books though. Sounds fun.

[Emma]

Katie and Bonnie, I think you would like the books! There's also currently a Miss Fisher Costume Exhibition for anyone in South Australia.

[Pamela]

EmVic wrote: "I picked up the first Phryne Fisher book on a whim when I was waiting at the library. Read it on the last day of my holiday and LOVED IT. Went straight out and bought two more, and I've watched the..."

Read the books! They're kinda like the show and kinda not. Even the books that have an episode based on them are different. Just as enjoyable, just no beautiful costumes to see. It's like getting extra episodes. I read the latest (I hope latest and not last!) one Murder and Mendelssohn as fun reading for Christmas.

[Andrea]

Christi wrote: "Nikki wrote: "I just did a quick reread of 4 books by my favorite 80s teen thriller writer, Christopher Pike. That was fun. And I am now trying Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy after..."

I reread my old Christopher Pike books every few years. Still love them after all this time!

[Andrea]

I just finished "A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson. I was a little disappointed - maybe my expectations were too high? I loved "Life After Life" and really like her Jackson Brodie books. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. I also recently finished "Vintage," by Susan Gloss, which was a quick easy read.

[Pamela]

Andrea wrote: "I just finished "A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson. I was a little disappointed - maybe my expectations were too high? I loved "Life After Life" and really like her Jackson Brodie books. Oh well, yo..."

That's funny- I hated Life After Life but really liked God in Ruins. Behind the Scenes at the Museum by her and that remains one of my favorite books ever.

[Bonnie G.]

Pamela wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I just finished "A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson. I was a little disappointed - maybe my expectations were too high? I loved "Life After Life" and really like her Jackson Brodie boo..."

I loved both, and the other Atkinson books I have read, but every book is definitely not for every reader. There are books that seemingly everyone loved which I really really really hated - The Husband's Secret, Blink, and The Alchemist come to mind.

[Bonnie G.]

I am doing the Book Riot Challenge. This is my 2nd year, and I like that it forces me to read things outside my regular genres. I read pretty broadly, but do definitely lean toward literary fiction and memoir. One of the categories this year is "read a play." Though I go to the theater a lot, perhaps 15 or 20 plays per year, I have not read a play since college. I just read The Merchant of Venice and got so much out of it. Reading the words challenged much of what I thought about the play. Thanks Book Riot :)

[Hayley]

I'm reading "The Night Circus" which isn't as great as I thought it was going to be... I love the imagery but I can't connect with the central love story.
I'm also reading a trashy crime thriller called "Torn".

Can't wait to read "God in Ruins" xx

[Pamela]

Hayley wrote: "I'm reading "The Night Circus" which isn't as great as I thought it was going to be... I love the imagery but I can't connect with the central love story.
I'm also reading a trashy crime thriller c..."

I was so excited to read Night Circus and did not like it. Read it again a couple years later for a book group and really liked it then. I think it is because it has a strange story structure so the first read you're too busy trying to figure out what is happening so the second time you can pay more attention to the story and characters. Not that I'm saying read it a second time....

[Hayley]

Pamela wrote: "I was so excited to read Night Circus and did not like it. Read it again a couple years later for a book group and really liked it then. I think it is because it has a strange story structure so the first read you're too busy trying to figure out what is happening so the second time you can pay more attention to the story and characters. Not that I'm saying read it a second time.... "

I think that's it! I have been reading it simultaneously with other novels and I wonder if I haven't been paying enough attention to the timelines or something. I do think some of the characters are lovely and the author clearly has a wonderful imagination.

[Pamela]

Hayley wrote:
I think that's it! I have been reading it simultaneously with other novels and I wonder if I haven't been paying enough attention to the timelines or something. I do think some of the characters are lovely and the author clearly has a wonderful imagination"

It's not you, it's the book. It's a really marvelous book but what a tough read the first time! I'm happy I had an excuse to try it again.

[Bonnie G.]

Hayley wrote: "I'm reading "The Night Circus" which isn't as great as I thought it was going to be... I love the imagery but I can't connect with the central love story.
I'm also reading a trashy crime thriller c..."

I was not a fan. And the parts I liked were cribbed from Something Wicked This Way Comes.

[Brooke]

After all the chaos of the holidays, I needed a light read in January. I chose How To Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz. I absolutely loved the Spellman series (very light and highly entertaining reading) and was disappointed when it ended, but this was a nice surprise. The style of the book is a little weird at first because each chapter takes place in a different year and city, and not in time order, but once you get used to that it totally works. And all the characters appear very one-dimensional at first, but as you get further into the stories they all become very complicated and interesting.

[Third March Sister]

EmVic wrote: "I'm currently reading the third of Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper books. Not exactly new but I hadn't read any of hers so I started this trilogy earlier this year and read all three in between other b..."
I really liked the first 4 Circle of Magic books by Tamora Pierce. So did my husband and our daughter (in high school).

[Third March Sister]

EmVic wrote: "I picked up the first Phryne Fisher book on a whim when I was waiting at the library. Read it on the last day of my holiday and LOVED IT. Went straight out and bought two more, and I've watched the..."
My husband and I really enjoyed the TV show and I am going to try to read the books in 2016.

[Barbara]

I just read the Silo series by Hugh Howey. I became so engrossed in it that read the entire series in 3 days. As soon as I finished I read his Sand series. It was excellent as well. They are both adult science fiction.

[Bonnie G.]

I just finished Fates and Furies and mostly liked it, I think... My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I am in controversial book read mode because I am now listening to Purity. I will report back. Next up I am going for something less challenging, Lafayette in the Somewhat United States. Oh, I am also reading a graphic history (way outside my regular genres) March: Book One. I know the story (I have seen John Lewis speak at least a dozen times - I live in Atlanta, and he is a hero to me) but I think this would be AMAZING for people who don't know Congressman Lewis' story, and especially for middle and high-schoolers.

[Third March Sister]

Bonnie wrote: "I just finished Fates and Furies and mostly liked it, I think... My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I am in controversial book read mode because I a..."

Didn't Part 1 of "March" almost win the "Battle of the Kids Books" over at the School Library Journal site? The 2016 battle will be judged by CeCe Bell and Michael Buckley, and it occurs in March of each year. Readers can vote and even help to bring a title "back from the dead" for the final match. My family has discovered some wonderful books through the "Battle of the Kids Books" battles, and CeCe Bell's "El Deafo" graphic memoir is among them.

[Bonnie G.]

Third March Sister wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I just finished Fates and Furies and mostly liked it, I think... My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I am in controversial book read m..."

I have never heard of this. Thank for letting me know about it!

[Mary]

Bonnie wrote: "Third March Sister wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I just finished Fates and Furies and mostly liked it, I think... My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I am i..."

Hi Fuggies! I'm a new member. Love the passion in your group. I'm currently reading My Name is Lucy Barton and loving it. The author's "simple" style is deliciously complex.

[Third March Sister]

Bonnie wrote: "Third March Sister wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I just finished Fates and Furies and mostly liked it, I think... My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I am i..."

You're very welcome! I have quibbles with BotKB: I wish they'd have separate battles for picture books, poetry, and YA vs. middle school and elementary school books.

[Bonnie G.]

Mary wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Third March Sister wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I just finished Fates and Furies and mostly liked it, I think... My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Okay, if there is a double post I apologize, but I think GR ate my response.

First off, Welcome Mary! Conversation here ebbs and flows, and we have quiet time, but when people are posting its always great. I have gotten so many great book ideas here. Without this group I would know nothing about the Miss Fisher Mysteries or Terry Pratchett - both are outside my regular interests, but much appreciated.

I LOVE Elizabeth Strout. I think she is one of the best American authors writing at the moment. I can't wait to read Lucy Barton. I look forward to your final review.

[Emma]

I just finished Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein.

(I know her earlier book Code Name Verity has been mentioned around GFY before, and if you haven't already, READ IT NOW.)

I didn't think BDWR was as good as CNV but it was still a good read, and very historically interesting. If you enjoy Ethiopia in the 30s, female and/or black pilots doing crazy pilot things and being pioneers of aviation, little-known (to me) history (Ethiopia at war with an invading Italy!), and great family relationships, I would definitely recommend it.

[Bonnie G.]

So I finally finished Purity. It is both very long and very complicated. I knew the book was controversial, but I didn't expect to be arguing with myself about it. In the end it was mostly positive, but as my review says, I am of two minds https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bonnie G.]

I went through a period of reading very serious books and wanted something light so I listened to Why Not Me?, and it charmed the pants off me. I smiled a lot while listening. Highly recommended.

[Andrea]

Bonnie wrote: "I went through a period of reading very serious books and wanted something light so I listened to Why Not Me?, and it charmed the pants off me. I smiled a lot while listening. Highl..."

I liked her first book more but enjoyed this one as well. Mindy's books are what I wanted both "Bossypants" and "Yes Please" to be (both of which I found disappointing).

[Bonnie G.]

Andrea wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I went through a period of reading very serious books and wanted something light so I listened to Why Not Me?, and it charmed the pants off me. I smiled a lot while l..."

I actually really loved Bossypants. but found Yes Please VERY disappointing.

[Barb]

Bonnie wrote: "I actually really loved Bossypants. but found Yes Please VERY disappointing."

I was disappointed in Yes Please, too, though I can't quite pinpoint why at this point. I think I maybe just wanted Amy Poehler to be more like Leslie Knope and was bummed she isn't, you know, the fictional character she portrayed.

[Alicia]

I'm re-reading the Southern Vampire series. I picked up the first one because it was on the shelf next to me while I was waiting for my kindle to charge, and now it seems I am doing a total re-read.

[Sara]

I'm reading and enjying Americanah - it's been on my to-read list for a while, but finally bubbled to the top when my other book club selected it.

[Bonnie G.]

Sara wrote: "I'm reading and enjying Americanah - it's been on my to-read list for a while, but finally bubbled to the top when my other book club selected it."

I loved Americanah. Such a fresh voice!

[Elizabeth]

EmVic wrote: "I'm currently reading the third of Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper books. Not exactly new but I hadn't read any of hers so I started this trilogy earlier this year and read all three in between other b..."
I'm totally late to this post, but her series are some of my favorites; strong women, a little fantasy...they're perfect! The first series, called "Song of the Lionness" is absolutely one of my favorite book series of all time.

[Emma]

Elizabeth wrote: I'm totally late to this post, but her series are some of my favorites; strong women, a little fantasy...they're perfect! The first series, called "Song of the Lionness" is absolutely one of my favorite book series of all time.

Perfect timing actually! Alanna: The First Adventure just arrived at the library for me. Along with about five other books... why does it always happen that way??

[Pamela]

Just fnished The Cuckoo's Calling- it's JK Rowling as another name. Loved it! It was like being in London. I'll be reading the rest of the series!