What are you reading March, 2016

[Robin]

Julie wrote: "Robin wrote: "I read The Widow which was only okay for me... and then was completely bowled over by We Need to Talk About Kevin. What a powerful, dark and fascinating b..."

This was my first time reading Lionel Shriver - I am really interested in reading more of her. I also haven't yet seen the film, but I intend to...

[Rosie]

I am reading "All the Birds in the Sky" by Charlie Jane Anders as recommended by Michael in his "one host, one book" podcast from Jan 20. Thanks Michael, it's not disappointing so far and you really did rave!

[Jillian]

I just finished All The Birds In The Sky as per Michael's recommendation as well, I loved it!!!!!!

Starting Furiously Happy and Every Thing Every Thing right now.

[Susan]

Katherine wrote: "Susan wrote: "1) The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
2) [book:The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Mo..."

Book club is 3/24, so I will be done by then and will let you know!

[Samantha]

Hey everyone! I'm new to the group! I'm currently reading two books. Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber which I've been looking forward to reading for some time. It's very good. I'm also reading the forth book to the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. This series stumps me because it's SOOOO different from the tv series True Blood. I mean, not just subtle differences. Huge differences. I love the books way better. However, my sister likes the tv series better! I'm Sam btw! How is everyone?

[Linda]

Welcome, Samantha! Glad to have you here.

[Hannah]

Hi Sam! Good luck with the Sookie Stackhouse series! I loved it until book 9 or 10 and then it started to go downhill, and the ending is horrible. But that's just my opinion. Some people loved the end and read all the short stories in-between, so don't let me stop you!

[Sue]

The Post-Birthday World was my first and favorite of hers. A masterfully done 'what if' story.

Robin wrote: "Julie wrote: "Robin wrote: "I read The Widow which was only okay for me... and then was completely bowled over by We Need to Talk About Kevin. What a powerful, dark and..."

[Deb]

Samantha wrote: "Hey everyone! I'm new to the group! I'm currently reading two books. Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber which I've been looking forward to reading for some time. It's very good. I'm also reading the fo..."

Love the Sookie Stackhouse series!!! When True Blood came out I watched the first episode and couldn't believe how they change it! Never watched another ep. Love the quirkiness of the books!

[Deb]

Hannah wrote: "Hi Sam! Good luck with the Sookie Stackhouse series! I loved it until book 9 or 10 and then it started to go downhill, and the ending is horrible. But that's just my opinion. Some people loved the ..."

I had to take a break after book 10 then picked it up again months later and really liked it again.

[Nancy]

I just finished reading the selection for a book club meeting, Charles Frazier's Nightwoods. I also wrapped up an audiobook, Runemarks by Joanne Harris. That book has me thinking about Norse mythology, so I checked out a library book on these tales. It's classified as a "juvenile" book—aren't adults supposed to also be interested in mythology?—but I'm sure it will still be a good start for refreshening my memory on what little I knew years ago and probably offering some new stories.
Earlier this month I finally finished the last book in a trilogy set in medieval Norway, the Kristin Lavransdatter series by Sigrid Undset. The last volume is The Cross. I was reading a relatively new translation by Tiina Nunnally, not a much older one. I read the other translation years ago, and looking at it a few times while I was reading the newer one, the recent translation is a very welcome update. My reading habits bounce all over the place, and I also recently read the latest book in the Number One Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith, The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine.
Having just completed titles in both print and audio, I think my next two books will be another series book, Blood of Tyrants, from Naomi Novick's series on Temeraire the dragon and the Napoleonic Wars, and, for the audiobook, The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse. With winter almost over, at least by the calendar, I thought it was time to get around to this one!

[Juliette]

Hannah wrote: "Hi Sam! Good luck with the Sookie Stackhouse series! I loved it until book 9 or 10 and then it started to go downhill, and the ending is horrible. But that's just my opinion. Some people loved the ..."

Isn't this a spoiler?

[Hannah]

Well, I didn't tell you what happened, and since some people like the ending, I don't think what I said really reveals anything...

[Anissa]

I just finished . It was great! I'm listening to and reading , both of which I'm enjoying.

[Anissa]

Robin wrote: "Pam wrote: "Robin wrote: "I read The Widow which was only okay for me... and then was completely bowled over by We Need to Talk About Kevin. What a powerful, dark and f..."

I had forgotten about We Need to Talk About Kevin. I added it back on to my TBR.

[Phil]

Greetings to all... I'm new to the group, and this is my first post. Currently reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and just starting Imbeciles by Adam Cohen. I'm looking forward to sharing time with lovers of the written word via book in hand or hands free listening. Until next post Happy Reading!!
Phil

[Sharman]

I have finished The Nightingale The Nightingale which I loved. I also finished Dept. of Speculation Dept. of Speculation. It was another enjoyable read.

[Linda]

Finished How About Never--Is Never Good for You?: My Life in Cartoons which IF it didn't show up on your recommended list today - put it there. 10 stars out of 5!

Starting The Mirror Thief for Booktopia. 600 pages! (All while I'm working on War and Peace and Middlemarch.)

[Denise]

Gerald, I hope things are looking up for you. I haven't read too much this year due to taking care of my elderly parents. Then my mom passed away ten days ago, and I haven't been able to focus at all. I need something that will immediately grab me!

[Sue]

How did you get your hands on Mirror Thief??

Linda wrote: "Finished How About Never--Is Never Good for You?: My Life in Cartoons which IF it didn't show up on..."

[Linda]

Sue wrote: "How did you get your hands on Mirror Thief??

Linda wrote: "Finished [book:How About Never--Is Never Good for You?:..."

I got a note from the publisher offering me an ARC (advance reader's copy) and I took him up on the offer. I know - I'm lucky.

[Sue]

I thought it sounded the most intriguing of all the Booktopia books. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Linda wrote: "Sue wrote: "How did you get your hands on Mirror Thief??

Linda wrote: "Finished [book:How About Never--Is Never Go..."

[Sue]

I finished Hidden Bodies on audio, and enjoyed it a lot, if not quite as much as the first in the series, You.

I'm about half-way through The Muralist, also on audio; finding it very compelling.

Still working on finishing The Singer's Gun and Mr. Splitfoot, plus this month's postal book club read, before diving into the Booktopia list in earnest.

[Linda]

Sue wrote: "I thought it sounded the most intriguing of all the Booktopia books. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Linda wrote: "Sue wrote: "How did you get your hands on Mirror Thief??

Linda wrote: "Finish..."
So far it is really intriguing.

[Connie]

Just finished Station 11 for my book club. Loved it! Now I'm reading my book for a postal book club.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I was going through the books I had bought but not read, and came across Any Human Heart by William Boyd. I think you all know why I bought it! I got 200 pages in last night and made myself put it aside. It's really engaging, and I am relieved because I was in a bit of a book slump. More like that please.

[Cindy]

I've started SPQR by Mary Beard, a history of Ancient Rome. Might sound heavy, but it is a fascinating read...the kind of book you want to stay up too late reading.

[Katherine]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I was going through the books I had bought but not read, and came across Any Human Heart by William Boyd. I think you all know why I bought it! I got 200 pages in last night and made m..." I read (well, actually listened to) AHH last year for Booktopia, and enjoyed it. Then a couple of months ago someone in my book club picked Restless by Boyd - very different book and style, but I still really enjoyed it. So while I can't say it's like AHH, I do think you'd enjoy it.

[Jennifer]

Hi all- I'm new to this group-- my name is Jen. Just discovered the podcast and love it. March has been a good reading month for me (although my sleep is suffering as I've been reading into the wee hours). I've read The Kitchen House (interesting story-- enjoyed it), The Expatriates (this one tugged at my heartstrings-- but at the same time, I don't feel like this is a book that I loved or would necessarily strongly recommend), The Sisters of St. Croix (decent historical fiction-- not as good as some other recent ones like the nightingale or All the Light We Cannot See but a quick enjoyable read), and The Wedding Dress (ok-- a little too chick litty for me), These Shallow Graves (good but I liked some of her others better-- still a decent historical fiction fast read) and am a couple of chapters into What Works: Gender Equality by Design-- fascinating book about using behavioral design to minimize gender bias. The following are on my nightstand: Yellow Crocus, Circling the Sun, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. Excited to look for recommendations here before I pick up some new books for the shelves/go to the library.

[Adria]

I'm *finally* reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven and Welcome to Nightvale by Joseph Fink/Jeffrey Cranor.

[Kelly]

I read Girl in the Dark - disappointed in this book. I love mysteries that take place out of the country but this one did not flow right for me and it was unbelievable. Also read Circling the Sun which was just okay for me. Good writing but I think I am too loyal to Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen). I am almost finished The Two-Family House - really like it so far. On my list for the month is Hold Still, Inside the O'Briens and The Nest.

[Nadine in California]

Marty wrote: "I am trying to read Welcome to Braggsville Welcome to Braggsville, but I'm really struggling with it. 50+ pages in and I haven't figured out what's going on yet. Not sure whether I'..."

I had the same problem and didn't get even that far. But it turned up as a Kindle Daily Deal about a week ago, which inspired me to buy it and try again some day.

[Linda]

Jennifer wrote: "Hi all- I'm new to this group-- my name is Jen. Just discovered the podcast and love it. March has been a good reading month for me (although my sleep is suffering as I've been reading into the wee..."

Welcome, Jennifer. Glad to have you with us.

[Dianne]

Starting for book club and reading . I do enjoy reading Frank Bruni in The New York Times and I do have a sophmore in high school.

[Karen]

I just finished I loved it so much I immediately started . Simon Mawer is a wonderful writer and one of my all time favorites is I highly recommend!

[[deleted user]]

I am reading The Girl in the Spider's Web. I got hooked in the first chapter and I'm really enjoying it. I've got Two If By Sea waiting in the wings.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I'm reading Riding Toward Everywhere by William T. Vollman and Life Before Man by Margaret Atwood.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Karen wrote: "I just finished I loved it so much I immediately started . Simon Mawer is a wonderful writer and one of my all time favorites is [bookcove..."

I loved The Glass Room!

[Jillian]

listening to and loving it! Also reading

[Anna]

Read Denise Minas "Garnethill" after two weeks off books. Just started Jenny Erpenbecks "The end of days", have heard great things about it.

[Jennifer]

Just did a living social to do a three month trial of audible.... any recommendations for a first book to listen to?

[Hannah]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society! You wouldn't think an epistolary novel would work on audio, but it's so good.

[Katherine]

Jennifer wrote: "Just did a living social to do a three month trial of audible.... any recommendations for a first book to listen to?" If you're a Princess Bride fan, listen to As You Wish by Cary Elwes - he reads majority of it and has some of the other actors and Rob Reiner on as well. It's like a love letter to the fans :) As for fiction books, You by Caroline Kepnes is a really great performance and a really creepy book, and I just finished The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah on audio and the performance was lovely - not to mention it's an amazing book. I also really loved The Farm by Tom Robb Smith.

[Willem]

Going through a bit of a depression at the moment. Rosalind's excellent "21 Tips on Keeping Your Shit Together During Depression" recommends David Sedaris and Jenny Lawson ( http://www.diycouturier.com/post/4724... ) But I've discovered Terry Pratchett does the trick for me as well. Been racing through some City Watch novels this past week. *thumbs up*

[Julie]

Just finished for book club. A struggle to get through 405 pp. of sci fi/time travel but ultimately worth it. At least that's what I'm telling myself. Last month we read which I really enjoyed. Now on to - now THAT'S up my alley!
ETA: LOVED 'Knitlandia' - finished in 2.5 days

[Robin]

just started What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours 25810500; recently finished The Thing Around Your Neck - EXCELLENT, as is everything she writes!

[Nadine in California]

Just finished Mockingbird by Walter Tevis, published in 1980. I usually don't read older sci fi, - I'm not sure how I even found this, maybe it was the Reading Envy podcast - but I really liked it. It would give a book group lots to chew on about what it means to be human - on so many levels. It didn't seem dated at all.

[Robin]

Anissa wrote: "I just finished . It was great! I'm listening to [..."

i love allie bosch! her blog was one of my favorites. glad to hear the book is good

[Britany]

My first 5 Star read of the year
Finished: by Hanya Yanagihara

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Matt]

I am currently reading May We Be Forgiven. I can't quite put my finger on why I like AM Homes writing style is so much.