What are You Currently Reading?

[Alicia]

I'm reading - non-fiction, about the British (and some Australian) girls who went to India to marry in the days of the Raj. It's not perfect - it's completely focused on the British experience in India and expresses the commonly-held beliefs (inferiority of the Indians and inability to govern themselves, etc) as if they were rational things to think. But interesting to see that sort of background to books like Death in Kashmir which we were discussing in another thread!

[Jody]

Brooke wrote: "I am finally reading Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. I've had it since December! I enjoy Moriarty's writing style and love this one so far. I am 1/3 of the way through and can't put it down."

This was the first book of hers that I'd read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to summer, so I can read more of her books on the beach!

[Bonnie G.]

Many of us loved Life After Life and so I wanted to report that I just finished A God in Ruins and it was PHENOMENAL. I liked it every bit as much as the first, perhaps even more. Atkinson says the book is a companion to Life rather than a sequel, and I understand why she makes the distinction. It is a very different book, and while we visit with many of the people we met in the first book, there is no time travel here. There is a straight narrative. For anyone interested, my review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Pamela]

Bonnie wrote: "Many of us loved Life After Life and so I wanted to report that I just finished A God in Ruins and it was PHENOMENAL. I liked it every bit as much as the first, perha..."

That's good to hear- I normally love Kate Atkinson, but the conceit of Life after Life got to me after awhile and I only got halfway. So good to know can revisit it without the conceit

[Bonnie G.]

Pamela wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Many of us loved Life After Life and so I wanted to report that I just finished A God in Ruins and it was PHENOMENAL. I liked it every bit as much as t..."

I would say this is definitely more like Life After Life than it is like her mysteries. No life redos in this one though.

[Pamela]

Bonnie wrote: I would say this is definitely more like Life After Life than it is like her mysteries. No life redos in this one though. /i>

I forgot she does mysteries- love the tv show though! I'm thinking more Behind the Scenes at the Museum and such....I'm #18 on the hold list for God in Ruins, so will be reading it at some point!

[Danielle]

I am currently reading Blood Done Sign My Name: A True Story (throwing in some non-fiction between Ruth Rendell mysteries). It's a very interesting and eye-opening book, and I am amazed (and saddened) at how much the events of the book (the core event happened in 1970) are being reflected in our current times. You get taught about the Civil Rights movement in school, but this really fleshes out that time in our history.

[Miz]

If you're into New Adult books, suggest you try Making Faces. I devoured it and it was an easy, nice, tear-enducing read :)

[Sarah]

Has anyone read Nell Zink's The Wallcreeper? I'd heard interesting things about it but am halfway through and wondering whether to keep going.

[Rosemary]

all involved in All Involved

[Sara]

Glad to hear A God in Ruins lives up to its predecessor! I will admit I was concerned about whether it had the do-over conceit because of how that would break the already established timelines from LAL. *facepalm* Good not to have to worry about that. It's on my list.

I have finally come off the library hold list for The Goldfinch. I think I'm getting to that dragging point I was warned about, but I'm still enjoying it. I had a second (actually, third!) hold come up right after I started, so I'm racing a bit to get to Hollow City.

[Bonnie G.]

Sara wrote: "Glad to hear A God in Ruins lives up to its predecessor! I will admit I was concerned about whether it had the do-over conceit because of how that would break the already established timelines from..."

I loved The Goldfinch. Was there room for editing? Sure. But I love the way she writes so I was pretty happy to follow her down a few rabbit holes. I am know scurrying to check out Hollow City. I know nothing about this book. If anyone enjoys short stories, I am reading Redeployment right now, and it is just fantastic. Fourth great book in a row (Wicked Intentions (its a romance if you like that sort of thing), A God in Ruins, Persuasion, and Redeployment) so I am bracing myself for a slump soon.

[Susan]

Bonnie- did you read Miss Peregrine's...? If not I think you might not enjoy Hollow City as much, as it is part 2.

[Bonnie G.]

Susan wrote: "Bonnie- did you read Miss Peregrine's...? If not I think you might not enjoy Hollow City as much, as it is part 2."

I didn't read Miss Peregrine's, but my son did. I will have to ask him what he thought. I will have to put part one on my list!

[Cat]

I am listening to the audio of White Cat by Holly Black. Why haven't I read this before? It's amazing! I have it in my car and honestly, I keep hoping I'll get stuck in traffic, the book is so good!

[annabel]

My mother has been trying to get me to read Stewart O'Nan for years, I am reading West of Sunset, which is pretty good so far. Any opinions on it or him in general?

[Leah]

Danielle wrote: "I am currently reading Blood Done Sign My Name: A True Story (throwing in some non-fiction between Ruth Rendell mysteries). It's a very interesting and eye-opening book, and I am amazed..."

This is a fantastic book and an incredible story. When I was a teacher in North Carolina, I actually was part of a workshop/tour in Oxford led by Tim Tyson and one of the activists he profiles in the book. A completely indelible experience--you realize just how small the small town was and how closely side by side everyone lived. Tyson is a really fantastic writer (especially for an academic ;-)

[Jennifer]

annabel wrote: "My mother has been trying to get me to read Stewart O'Nan for years, I am reading West of Sunset, which is pretty good so far. Any opinions on it or him in general?"

I read Last Night at the Lobster a few years ago and completely loved it. I think I read it in like two days, I found it so compelling.

[Allie]

I'm finally reading BJ Novak's short story collection "One More Thing." So far I'm really enjoying it!

[Third March Sister]

EmVic wrote: "I just finished The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet, based on the webseries The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, which is itself based on Pride and Prejudice. Love this version of Darcy. And re..."

I wasn't sure I was going to like The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet but now I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and am watching the web series. Big Austen fan here.
My daughter and I LOVE the Penderwicks series. We just finished listening to #4 in the car. We read them and we listen to the recorded book versions on long car trips.

[Andrea]

I just finished "The Rosie Effect," which I did not enjoy as much as "The Rosie Project." Next up: "A God In Ruins," Kate Atkinson's new book.

[Bonnie G.]

Andrea wrote: "I just finished "The Rosie Effect," which I did not enjoy as much as "The Rosie Project." Next up: "A God In Ruins," Kate Atkinson's new book."

We are on a similar schedule. I read A God in Ruins a couple weeks back, and I just got the audio for The Rosie Effect from the library. I have a feeling going in that I won't love The Rosie Effect (I felt that way before your comment too), but I will keep you posted.

[Andrea]

Bonnie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I just finished "The Rosie Effect," which I did not enjoy as much as "The Rosie Project." Next up: "A God In Ruins," Kate Atkinson's new book."

We are on a similar schedule. I read..."

At first I wasn't sure if I read them too close together - too much "Don Tillman" to digest all at once. I think that was part of it but I also think some of the plot points just fell flat. Let me know what you think!

[Miz]

If you liked The Rosie books, then try Us by David Nicholls. I found that it was a similar book in an excellent narrative form :)Also apparently has been optioned for a BBC mini-series.

[Andrea]

Miz wrote: "If you liked The Rosie books, then try Us by David Nicholls. I found that it was a similar book in an excellent narrative form :)Also apparently has been optioned for a BBC mini-ser..."

Thanks for the recommendation! I read "One Day" by Nicholls and did not realize he had a new one.

[Bonnie G.]

Andrea wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I just finished "The Rosie Effect," which I did not enjoy as much as "The Rosie Project." Next up: "A God In Ruins," Kate Atkinson's new book."

We are on a similar s..."

I am about 2/3 through on the audiobook, and I am really not liking the book at all. Not bad enough to abandon, but close.

[Pamela]

Miz wrote: "If you liked The Rosie books, then try Us by David Nicholls. I found that it was a similar book in an excellent narrative form :)Also apparently has been optioned for a BBC mini-ser..."

I've been dogsitting this week and it's on the bedside table. Is it as good as One Day was? I've been reading Persuasion so ignored it...

[Miz]

Yeah, I think it's written in the similar way but has a totally different vibe to it. Travel fiction as it makes me want to go to a bunch of places in Europe (which One Day never had). Both good, but in different ways. Glad I have paperbacks of both as he's great at writing a compelling narrative...

[Bonnie G.]

Andrea wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I just finished "The Rosie Effect," which I did not enjoy as much as "The Rosie Project." Next up: "A God In Ruins," Kate Atkinson's new book."

We are on a similar s..."

it is official. I hated The Rosie Effect. A lot. I almost never give 1 star reviews, but this one earned it in my opinion. So sorry about that because I loved "The Rosie Project." This one was twice as long with 1/100th of the charm. Oh well, onward and upward!

[Carolina]

I really liked "The Night Circus" but I thought the character development was weak (I still feel like the love story isn't really there) but the author did an amazing job creating an interesting world: I kept reading because I wanted to go there.
I just finished reading an amazing collection of short stories by Julio Cortázar "A certain Lucas". Some stories were so good I was a little shell shocked. And it's so fun!
Now I'm reading Milan Kundera's "The festival of Insignificance". Still in the beginning of this one though. Next on my list is Jennifer Egan's "The invisible circus". Has anyone read it? I loved "A visit from the goon squad" but didn't like "The keep".

[annabel]

I really liked goon squad, but not anything else of hers I've read. I eventually stopped.

[Carolina]

annabel wrote: "I really liked goon squad, but not anything else of hers I've read. I eventually stopped."

good to know... thanks!

[Pamela]

I just finished Everything I Never Told You. It is really a good book that makes you think. I was surprised I liked it as much as I did, but what i liked was the subtleties, little things, how those things you never tell really pile up.

[Leah]

I recently finished The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. My old boss raved about this book when she read it last year and it took me a while to get around to it, but it is utterly and completely charming. I'm not usually one to underline passages in fiction, but there were many phrases, descriptions and sentences beautifully expressed and perfectly observed. It's an especially wonderful New York story. The protagonist is a really smart and unusual woman, too. I wasn't quite sure based on the description--I don't really respond to anything that's vaguely coming of age--but so glad I finally picked it up.

[Elizabeth]

Katie wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Katie wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I'm now trying to get through reading Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. It's her second Code Name Verity book. Working nights zaps my desire to read ..."

You were absolutely right. Rose just didn't live up to Verity. It was still a good story. I really enjoy the style of writing Wein has, but the characters just didn't feel as developed. My heart didn't shatter into a million pieces reading the horrors that these characters went through as opposed to what Julie and Maddie went through. I will fall down the non-fiction Ravensbruck rabbit hole, though.

[Tara]

I recently read 'Testament of Youth' and didn't even realise a movie version was just coming out at the same time. It was probably the most dense book I have read in awhile and while it starts a bit slow in pre-WW1 upper class (new-ish money) minutiae, it becomes the most engrossing and devestating war story. I see WW1 in a whole new light now and from a much more personal level. The war was so massive and so long ago that it seems much more 'history class' than 'really real.'

The author Vera Brittain is very erudite, stubborn, and an amazingly focused feminist for the era where women have to be chaperoned on dates. Through her coming-of-age memoir she shows how the impact of the war on her and her generation is staggering. It makes me want to read more memoir and historical fiction from the era. If you watch Downton Abbey, you got a taste about its hardships and impact but this story takes you into the gruesomest war hospitals and into true stories of young lives lost before they ever really had a chance to get started. Testament of Youth

[Bonnie G.]

Just finished Girl in a Band (a wonderful must read for Sonic Youth fans) and am strting up our next book The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra. Can't wait!

[Alicia]

@Tara I read Testament of Youth as a teenager and remember loving it.

[Wanda]

I just finished reading I'll Give You the Sun (loved it!) and Saint Anything (it was okay). Now I'm reading The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

[Andrea]

Leah wrote: "I recently finished The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. My old boss raved about this book when she read it last year and it took me a while to get around to it, but it is utterly and completely c..."

I read this book several years ago and remember liking it very much!

[Andrea]

Is anyone reading the new Judy Blume book, "In the Unlikely Event"? I am about 1/4 of the way through and am curious about others' reactions. I like the general plot but there are too many characters.

[Kris]

Just finished Fixing My Gaze, about a woman who had crossed eyes as a child and never had stereo vision, until one day she decided to start vision therapy at the age of 50. Since I am similarly stereoblind, this was an interesting and exciting book to read. Highly recommend to anyone who has or had a lazy eye, crossed eyes, lack of stereo vision, or if you are the parent of a child who has these issues. The author also brings up that many children with learning disorders and add or adhd may have vision issues that have not been discovered or addressed. Again, I say, a very interesting study of vision and the brain!

[Bonnie G.]

Andrea wrote: "Is anyone reading the new Judy Blume book, "In the Unlikely Event"? I am about 1/4 of the way through and am curious about others' reactions. I like the general plot but there are too many characters."

MY IRL book club just picked this for next month and I am trying to decide whether to read it. Looking forward to others' comments.

[Alicia]

The Pool did a nice little interview on Youtube with Judy Blume that you might find interesting Bonnie & Andrea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ZzW...

[Bonnie G.]

Alicia wrote: "The Pool did a nice little interview on Youtube with Judy Blume that you might find interesting Bonnie & Andrea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ZzW..."

Thanks Alicia! I will put it on my weekend viewing schedule.

[Bonnie G.]

Listening to the audiobook H is for Hawk and absolutely loving it. No one could have told me I would be transfixed by a memoir of grief and falconry.

[Bonnie G.]

listening to Roxanne Gay speak and getting all fangirl

[Katie]

Just finished Red Rising and it was very good. Also working my way through You're Never Weird on the Internet which is delightful.

[Nikki]

Delicious Foods by Hannaham, Day Shift by Harris

[Amy]

Now reading God in Ruins (Kate Atkinson) and just loving it, maybe more than Life After Life.