Current and Recent Reads Part 2

[Bonnie G.]

Pamela wrote: "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!"
Fun, that can go on the list, which I just realized really needs to go up!

[Pamela]

Bonnie wrote: Fun, that can go on the list, which I just realized really needs to go up! "

Ooo, I love the list! Especially when things win that I never would have read but end up loving (like this one- it was the book for another group)

[Bonnie G.]

Pamela wrote: "Bonnie wrote: Fun, that can go on the list, which I just realized really needs to go up! "

Ooo, I love the list! Especially when things win that I never would have read but end up loving (like thi..."

Darn, I said that and then spaced and did not put it on. Next poll, I swear! I am so sorry. I actually really want to read it.

[Brooke]

I know I am late to the party with this one, but I finally read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I can honestly say it was one of the best books I've read in a while and was sad when it ended because I wanted more. I love historical fiction, especially that which takes place during the WWII era in Europe. I've read books that take place in London and eastern Europe, but aside from Sarah's Key this was my first that really showed what happened in France. Yes, it is fiction, but it was heavily researched and based on true accounts. It really changed my perspective on the French people and what they went through during the war. I can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone who loves WWII or historical fiction. And I've also read Winter's Garden by the same author, which was great as well.

[Bonnie G.]

Brooke wrote: "I know I am late to the party with this one, but I finally read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I can honestly say it was one of the best books I've read in a while and was sad when it ended bec..."

Brooke, if you have not read Suite Française I absolutely recommend it.

[Brooke]

Bonnie wrote: "Brooke wrote: "I know I am late to the party with this one, but I finally read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I can honestly say it was one of the best books I've read in a while and was sad wh..."

Thanks, Bonnie! I have it but haven't read it yet. It is definitely at the top of the list, though. I just started Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum (I'm about 30% through), which is not as good as The Nightingale but still a great WWII historical fiction story. This one is from a German POV, with a teenage German girl that has a father desperate to impress The Party but she falls in love with a Jewish doctor and does what she can to survive. But as soon as I finish this one I will read Suite Francaise. :)

[Pamela]

There's also JoJo Moyers The Girl You Left Behind- I read it before The Nightingale and the whole time I was reading The Nightingale I kept thinking "I've read this." But it has a whole nother level with missing art which I liked better, I found the whole book more interesting whereas I'll admit I found the Nightingale a slog at times.

[Brooke]

Pamela wrote: "There's also JoJo Moyers The Girl You Left Behind- I read it before The Nightingale and the whole time I was reading The Nightingale I kept thinking "I've read this." But it has a w..."

I have that book also. (I need a 12-step program for books. I have 250+ real books to read as well as accumulating 750+ on my Kindle in 4 years. Oops.) I'll add that to my priority reading list as well. But I can't remember a time in The Nightingale where it was a drag. I think it could easily have been, however, if they hadn't had a few months go by in time between chapters.

[Pamela]

Brooke wrote: "Pamela wrote: "There's also JoJo Moyers The Girl You Left Behind- I read it before The Nightingale and the whole time I was reading The Nightingale I kept thinking "I've read this."..."

Maybe reading two books so similar back to back made it- so maybe don't put it to the top,

I'm getting ready to move and have gotten rid of several hundred books. Feels great!

[Brooke]

Pamela wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Pamela wrote: "There's also JoJo Moyers The Girl You Left Behind- I read it before The Nightingale and the whole time I was reading The Nightingale I kept thinking "I..."

Funny. I was just commenting to my BF last night that I wish I had all of the books I've given away over the years. I've probably given away around 300 books to various friends & family, but someday I want a house with a library room in it (or at least a den with tons of bookshelves). I definitely believe in passing books to others when finishing them so they can also enjoy the stories, but I guess I selfishly would rather just loan them instead of give them away. Because some I would like to revisit someday! :)

[Pamela]

Brooke wrote: "Funny. I was just commenting to my BF last night that I wish I had all of the books I've given away over the years

I used to feel that way, but now that I am getting ready to move, I've gotten rid of several bookcases of books and wish I could part with more. The mantra I said as I got rid of "can always get them again..." and I mostly kept exhibition catalogs and out of print books. When the moving estimators come, they keep telling me "yes, you don't have much furniture, but your books are heavier than several more rooms of furniture."

What I always thought I would want was a dining room with book shelves lining it. But now that I've become a committed declutter, I'm not so interested. Better to read and pass on. Plus I've become a big library addict, which saves lots of money.

[Third March Sister]

EmVic wrote: "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 absolut..."

My family loves Pierce's books. We liked the Lioness quartet, but we liked the Circle of Magic quartet even more, which begins with Sandry's Book. Enjoy!

[Emma]

I have been working my way through several series in order, including Song of the Lioness, In Death, and Phryne Fisher, interspersed with some graphic novels (currently Supergirl and Runaways) and other novels.

I just finished The Madwoman Upstairs, which I smashed through in about two days. Although the reviews seem a bit love-it-or-hate-it, I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Brontes, English literature in general, British university life, etc.

I studied Jane Eyre at uni, and read Wuthering Heights fairly recently as I thought it was something I should have read (love JE, hate WH). Maybe I'll get on to Agnes Grey or The Tenant of Wildfell Hall next.

[Sara]

"Love JE, hate WH" about sums it up for me, too. Characters that are entirely raging emotions don't do it for me.

I loved the Song of the Lioness series when I devoured them in middle school, but when I re-read the first one a few years ago, I couldn't bring back the love. I stopped to avoid tainting my memory any further. :-/

I've just finished Shadowshaper, which I would recommend to anyone who wants to dip into modern YA urban fantasy. It's a fun and fast read.

[Joanie]

One of my favorite reads this year, and maybe ever, was The End of Your Life Book Club

It was as touching as you might imagine it would be from the title, and it was also a lovely and compelling story of a man coming to grips with his mother's terminal illness. I've come back to this book several times since I first read it because it resonated so deeply for me. I can imagine doing much the same thing with my mom.

[Bonnie G.]

I think it is fascinating what a diverse bunch of readers we have! I love that. On another thread we were discussing Fates & Furies, and had very different reactions. Even those who did not enjoy the book, disliked it for different reasons. And though I liked the book for the most part, my review was conflicted and mentioned many of the things others cited for not liking the book. When I came to this thread it validated what different perspectives we all have, and since we all know we are all super cool and smart and discerning, that makes me rethink my reactions to certain books. No other larger point here, I just think that is really cool.

[Kris]

I read H is for Hawk a few months ago. I LOVED it and I needed it - it's a book about grief, and it's super timely for me. I'm having my IRL book club read it for next month, and I am really interested to see how the other ladies react to it. It is fantastically well written, and I had to remind myself that it was NON-fiction. It's really an exceptional book.

[Bonnie G.]

Kris wrote: "I read H is for Hawk a few months ago. I LOVED it and I needed it - it's a book about grief, and it's super timely for me. I'm having my IRL book club read it for next month, and I ..."

My favorite read of 2015. Gorgeous, honest, universal (who knew you could write a book that was universal and in large part about falconry?)

[Kris]

Right?

[Joanie]

That does it! H is for Hawk is going on my must-read list!

I have a HUGE stack of books in the living room that just happened to show up one day, but I think this book will have to be read first.

[Bonnie G.]

Joanie wrote: "That does it! H is for Hawk is going on my must-read list!

I have a HUGE stack of books in the living room that just happened to show up one day, but I think this book will have to be read first."

Books just happen to show up in my house all the time too. Its so weird! :)

Also, I hope you love H is for Hawk as much as Kris and I did. Nearly everyone I know who read it loved it.

[Joanie]

Well my bf found a huge box of books in front of a dollar store and brought the whole thing home. About half the box was books in Vietnamese so those were obviously not staying.

A good majority of the remaining books are classics and collections of short stories. All very good reading. I look forward to reading through the whole bunch but in the meantime, I crave something else.

Can't wait for my June selection to arrive and then H is for Hawk.

P. S. Is it weird that I kind of love books about dealing with grief?

[Bonnie G.]

nor weitd at all, grief is as intense and complicated as love, and therefore as fascinating

[Joanie]

I tend to think grief is a powerful emotion and worth exploring. In 2015 I lost two wonderful friends, a family friend, a dear cat, and have come close to losing a mother and sister this year. I think a lot about how I'm going to deal with the loss of my parents as neither of them are young (both over 80) and it's an inevitable part of life. The thing with my sister was surprising and I realized how ill-prepared I am for that, too. Just as I was unprepared for the loss of my friends.

I suppose that's what's behind much of my reading in this genre. I feel it's become more necessary to find a way to come to grips with death and living after the death of those I hold dear. I also think I was better prepared for this when I was still working as a nurse.

I'm just glad to still be around and getting back into the groove with this group. I need a bit more life in my life, if that makes sense

[Bonnie G.]

i am so sorry for your losses. sometimes the universe piles on. I went tbrough a sustained period with a great deal of loss, some anticipated and some not. it changes a person, and it can be unsettling to change so much in middle age. But we get theough. If you are reading about grief I recomend tbe book "And When did you last see your Father". The writer is I think Vlake Morrison. I had a complicated relationship with my dad, and this book was really healing for me.

[Joanie]

I'm sorry for your losses, too.

Middle age or just getting older ain't for sissies, is it? I just turned 50 barely a week ago and am seriously grateful for it. I know there's a lot more loss coming my way so I'll definitely look into that book, too.

I know The End of Your Life Book Club is one I'll continue to read again and again as death finds more of those I love but I'm glad to have other books to turn to when the going gets tough.

[Bonnie G.]

53 here, but I started the hard part early :).

[Joanie]

Aww! {{Hugs}}

And while I know that pain isn't funny, that line is a classic. Please tell me you write. A lot.

[Bonnie G.]

That is about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you! I write a lot of emails, short articles on job search and professional development, and a lot of strategic plans. One day perhaps I will write something a bit more enduring.and entertaining.

[Joanie]

I look forward to my dedication in your first book

[Bonnie G.]

you5ve got it, it's a lock

[Pamela]

I just finished The Improbability of Love. Someone here recommended it (but I can't find who) and wanted to say thank you! It started slow but boy did it gather steam! Plus rich people in London, how can we Fug readers not love it? So I second that recommendation, especially if you like art.

[Joanie]

Currently reading Affliction and aside from some unnecessary repetition of narrative, I'm enjoying it a great deal. Thankfully, I've not seen the movie so I think I'm among the lucky few to be reading the book so long after the movie came out. I much prefer to read before viewing, y'know? Princess Bride is, of course, the exception.

[Joanie]

Very close to finishing The Zahir The Zahir by Paulo Coelho. It's another book from the mysterious box the Man found.

I'm seriously enjoying this book. It's a look at what makes love so important, how we navigate our lives, and digs deeply into why we seem to NEED to complicate our lives, all within the structure of a compelling story.

Prior to choosing this from the stack of books from the mysterious box, I'd never heard of it or the author. Imagine my surprise when I was sitting in the doctor's office and my doc walks in, notes excitedly my book and proceeds to quote various passages from several different books by the author. He's now convinced me I need to read the man's entire collection. I'm so in!

Additionally, another patient in the waiting room commented how much shed enjoyed the book.

This is the first time I've ever had others comment (let alone with such enthusiasm) on a book in my hands.

[Kris]

The 15 influential authors list is circulating on FB - as in, list your 15 - and several people have listed him. I have never heard his name before yesterday, so maybe it's a sign!

[Pamela]

GFY just did the "What I'm Reading Now" post. Always dangerous to my TBR list.

I'm finishing up The Sympathizer. Loving it. It's a 4.5 star but I'll give it 4 because as fascinating as I find the book and it really makes me see the Vietnam War differently, it is still about the Vietnam War which I don't really care about.

[Brooke]

Pamela wrote: "GFY just did the "What I'm Reading Now" post. Always dangerous to my TBR list.

I agree! I am an avid follower of GFY and my "to be read" list has nearly doubled. Which really doesn't help since I (finally !!) cleaned out my closets and put all of the books that have been in boxes for the last 5 years on shelves. I counted 150 I have to read, in addition to the approx. 650 on my Kindle. I think I need to just live in a hut on the beach in San Diego so I can read everything I own. I have placed myself on a book-buying ban until at least December for this reason, so when I saw the list I could only bang my head against the wall. LOL

[Bonnie G.]

Brooke wrote: "Pamela wrote: "GFY just did the "What I'm Reading Now" post. Always dangerous to my TBR list.

I agree! I am an avid follower of GFY and my "to be read" list has nearly doubled. Which really doesn'..."

I am so part of that club. I am in the middle of a move right now, and I got rid of some books, but I still have 17 boxes of TBR books going with me and a few more to pack. I am also on the book buying ban program. We need to start a 12-step!

[Pamela]

Bonnie wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Pamela wrote: "GFY just did the "What I'm Reading Now" post. Always dangerous to my TBR list.

I agree! I am an avid follower of GFY and my "to be read" list has nearly doubled. Whic..."

I moved in June and will be moving again soon. I got rid of so many books.

My big problem at the moment is e-books. I just got introduced to this website that sends lists of kindle books on sale each day....danger!

[Brooke]

Pamela wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Pamela wrote: "GFY just did the "What I'm Reading Now" post. Always dangerous to my TBR list.

I agree! I am an avid follower of GFY and my "to be read" list has nearl..."

Danger, indeed. That is one of the reasons I amassed 850 ebooks in a matter of 4 1/2 years (the other being my book-buying addiction).

The thing about having that many books is that it is hard to decide what to read next. I go through phases. I just went through a major "fluff" phase because I had read quite a number of serious, heavy WWII historical fiction novels and wanted to "cleanse my palate," so to speak. But now that is done so I am going back to the good stuff.

[Brooke]

Bonnie wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Pamela wrote: "GFY just did the "What I'm Reading Now" post. Always dangerous to my TBR list.

I agree! I am an avid follower of GFY and my "to be read" list has nearly doubled. Whic..."

My friends tell me all the time I need a 12-step program. But I always respond with "at least reading is a healthy habit." LOL

[Bonnie G.]

Brooke wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Pamela wrote: "GFY just did the "What I'm Reading Now" post. Always dangerous to my TBR list.

I agree! I am an avid follower of GFY and my "to be read" list has nearl..."

Well, the first step is admitting you have a problem :)

[Pamela]

Brooke wrote: "The thing about having that many books is that it is hard to decide what to read next. "

Amen! I did one of those reading challenges thus year where they give you categories and I loved it- because it helped me figure out what to read next and made me be non-predictable

[Bonnie G.]

I did the same. The Book Riot challenge. actually it was my 2nd year. It got some books off the pile.

[Pamela]

Bonnie wrote: "I did the same. The Book Riot challenge. actually it was my 2nd year. It got some books off the pile."

I did 52 books in 52 weeks. I totally had a more interesting reading year than I would have had otherwise.

I dd Royal We for the beach read week.

[Bonnie G.]

Pamela wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I did the same. The Book Riot challenge. actually it was my 2nd year. It got some books off the pile."

I did 52 books in 52 weeks. I totally had a more interesting reading year than..."

I am going to look into that one. I like Book Riot and will likely do it again next year, but I am not certain. Definitely checking out the competition.

[Pamela]

Bonnie wrote: I am going to look into that one. I like Book Riot and will likely do it again next year, but I am not certain. Definitely checking out the competition. ..."

It's a good group. We're almost done setting the challenges for next year. Not enough weird ones in my opinion.

[Joanie]

Kris wrote: "The 15 influential authors list is circulating on FB - as in, list your 15 - and several people have listed him. I have never heard his name before yesterday, so maybe it's a sign!"

My doc is bringing me more of his books since I loved this one so much.

I highly recommend getting your hands on at least one

[Joanie]

Current read is a reread of Reflections of Eden: My Years with the Orangutans of Borneo.

My original (signed) copy was destroyed in a flood/fire when the electrical in my condo went crazy years ago. I mentioned in passing on Twitter and the most dear lady that is Dr Galdikas sent me a new copy last week. Once again, she's proven what a genuine and lovely person she is, how much she loves what she does, and how much she believes in sharing her knowledge.

If you have even the tiniest bit of interest in wildlife, conservation, pioneers in the field of anthropology, you should check out her book. Everyone remembers Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall, but Biruté was (and continues to be) in the mix. Her research was groundbreaking and she did what most said couldn't be done.