What are You Currently Reading?

[Bonnie G.]

I don't mention every book I am reading here (people can look at my profile if they are interested) but I do like to drop names when I am loving something. I am reading Stuck in the Middle With You: A Memoir of Parenting in Three Genders. I read her earlier wonderful memoir, She's Come Undone about coming to terms with her gender dysphoria and becoming a trans woman while raising a young family and teaching at Colby College. I recommend it heartily. This book comes in about 10 years later, and is about parenting in a rather non-traditional environment. It is just great so far.

[Alicia]

Bonnie wrote: "Can anyone tell me how to link to the books in comments. It makes it so much easier when people do that, but I have no idea how!"

When you click on the box to reply/comment, there's a line just above it (in a weird khaki colour on my screen) that says add book/author (some html is ok). If you click the add book/author, it lets you search for the book you want and add it by cover or link.

Of course, that is on a desktop computer - if you are using a mobile version I have NO idea!

[Alicia]

Bonnie wrote: "I don't mention every book I am reading here (people can look at my profile if they are interested) but I do like to drop names when I am loving something. I am reading Stuck in the Middle by Jenn..."

I read a few years ago. I thought it was really interesting - I liked how she addressed the impact her transition had on her wife. One thing that really stuck with me as a life-lesson for relationships, is that telling people what is going on is not the same thing as them being involved!

[Stavra]

Bonnie wrote: "Can anyone tell me how to link to the books in comments. It makes it so much easier when people do that, but I have no idea how!"

Above the little comment box there is a link that says "add book/author." Click on that and it will bring up a search box, where you can type in the name of a book or author; when the right one comes up, you click on it and it will add the title or author as a link in your comment. Hope that helps!

[Bronwen]

Pam wrote: "arnie wrote: "I'm reading The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, which I think was recommended on Laineygossip. Unfortunately, so far they are not very interesting at all.

I'm halfway through and it's ..."

Totally agree on this one. I totally got that the joke was that they were not that Interesting, but that's like telling the readers 'the joke is that they're not really that interesting, so you're going to have to work really hard to find out why this book is actually interesting'. I didn't hate it but totally did not get with the rave reviews!

Just finished 'Lawrence in Arabia' by Scott Anderson which was absolutely fantastic. Anyone at all interested in WW1 or Middle Eastern history will love it. Now I'm looking for a change, some thing lighter and maybe even a little frothy after all that serious. Loving the recommendations on here...

[Amy]

I just finished This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper and LOVED it! Great characters, so many lines I wanted to commit to memory. This is Where I Leave You

[Amy]

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..."

The web series was so clever and charming, I will definitely check out The Secret Diaries - thanks for posting!

[Margaret]

Robyn wrote: "Kate wrote: "Susan wrote: "Danielle wrote: "I'm halfway through Connie Willis' Doomsday Book. It's not bad but is moving a little slow, at least for me. I also checked out 'To Say Nothing of the Do..."
I regret that I couldn't get in sync with "To Say Nothing of the Dog." It was highly recommended to me, it seemed like my cup of tea, but I wasn't able to finish it. I think I missed three-quarters of the jokes and references. I wanted to like it, but just didn't -- I was actually sad about not liking it!

[Bonnie G.]

Alicia wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Can anyone tell me how to link to the books in comments. It makes it so much easier when people do that, but I have no idea how!"

When you click on the box to reply/comment, there'..."

Thank you Alicia and Stavra! I am going to try it on my next comment.

[Bonnie G.]

Alicia wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I don't mention every book I am reading here (people can look at my profile if they are interested) but I do like to drop names when I am loving something. I am reading Stuck in the..."

This book is even more frank abut the impact on the family, particularly his wife. I think that is partly because she gave him permission to tell her story (there is also an interview with both of them at the end of the book.) In many ways they are a wonderful example of love and commitment though there are serious issues in their relationship that I have to imagine cause stress. Fascinating stuff really.

[Bonnie G.]

Amy wrote: "I just finished This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper and LOVED it! Great characters, so many lines I wanted to commit to memory. This is Where I Leave You"

A favorite of mine. I really love all the Jonathan Trooper books!

[Ashley]

I just finished The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper - really loved it! His books all feel similar (flailing man in dysfunctional family), but it doesn't bother me because they're so enjoyable.

[Bonnie G.]

Ashley wrote: "I just finished The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper - really loved it! His books all feel similar (flailing man in dysfunctional family), but it doesn't bother me because they're so enjoyable."

Good point Ashley! I seem to have an affinity for flailing men in dysfunctional families in my literature and in my life :)

[Amy]

Ashley wrote: "I just finished The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper - really loved it! His books all feel similar (flailing man in dysfunctional family), but it doesn't bother me because they're so enjoyable."

This is the first book of his I've read, but I will definitely be reading more!

[[deleted user]]

I've just started Jane Eyre. I put it off for ages because I was convinced that ye olde timey book = ye olde timey writing and that it would somehow be impossible to read. But it's surprisingly light and quick! I was definitely convinced to read it after I saw the mia wasikowska movie (which is so, so beautifully shot).

[Elise]

I'm reading Elantris; mixed feelings overall, but I'm enjoying it. It's sci fi/fantasy, with a heavy dose of political intrigue. I especially like the tough and savvy female protagonist, though every other major player is unfailingly male.

[Petrova Fossil]

Hannah wrote: "I've just started Jane Eyre. I put it off for ages because I was convinced that ye olde timey book = ye olde timey writing and that it would somehow be impossible to read. But it's surprisingly lig..."

Jane Eyre is so great! She is an amazingly strong character without being a jerk (unlike, say, Cathy and Heathcliff) and she doesn't get her man by submission and losing herself. Plus I love her description at the end of a perfect marriage: "To be together is for us to be at once as free as in solitude, as gay as in company."

[Leah]

Hannah wrote: "I've just started Jane Eyre. I put it off for ages because I was convinced that ye olde timey book = ye olde timey writing and that it would somehow be impossible to read. But it's surprisingly lig..."

Jane Eyre was assigned reading in 7th grade & I couldn't get into it at all. BUT! yay for getting past the olde timey idea!! Although he was far more modern than the Brontes, I swore off Evelyn Waugh for the longest time because I assumed it would be stuffy and difficult. ..now he's my Go To for anyone who believes classics = boring.

The Loved One was my first of his and I was cackling the entire way through!

[Lisa]

I'm reading The Fever and I love it! I read several reviews saying that it was "too" YA for adult tastes but I am not finding that to be the case at all. Love it. I just read The Vacationers -- also good and great for a beach read.

[Bonnie G.]

Nora wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I've just started Jane Eyre. I put it off for ages because I was convinced that ye olde timey book = ye olde timey writing and that it would somehow be impossible to read. But it's s..."

I love Jane Eyre! Your comments are dead on, Nora (including those about Wuthering Heights...how anyone sees that as a love story, or as romantic in any way is beyond me.) This discussion may have encouraged me to get in a Jane Eyre re-read.

[Hannah]

rockle wrote: "I'm reading "Grave Mercy" by Robin LaFevers, the first in a series of books which was recommended by Petra Mayer from NPR Books with the following description: "teenage nun assassins." I am not dis..."

I just read the same thing, also based on Petra's recommendation! (PCHH podcast???) Entirely enjoyable. Just picked up the second one from the library, but haven't started it yet.

[Hannah]

Robyn wrote: "Have you read "A Brief History of Montmoray" by Michelle Cooper? Not time travel, but the third book in the trilogy is set during World War II, from the prospective of the protagonists, royalty from a ridiculously small country forced in exile to England when the Nazis take their island over as an air base....I highly recommend the entire trilogy. "

If you liked the Montmaray trilogy (which I loved), you should also check out "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith. It's very similar, and also wonderful.

[[deleted user]]

Bonnie wrote: "Nora wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I've just started Jane Eyre. I put it off for ages because I was convinced that ye olde timey book = ye olde timey writing and that it would somehow be impossible to rea..."

Have you read Villette because people say it's better than Jane Eyre but I tried it once (years ago) and the writing bogged me down.

[Alicia]

Bonnie wrote: "This book is even more frank abut the impact on the family, particularly his wife. I think that is partly because she gave him permission to tell her story (there is also an interview with both of them at the end of the book.) In many ways they are a wonderful example of love and commitment though there are serious issues in their relationship that I have to imagine cause stress. Fascinating stuff really. "

I saw them on Oprah once and was impressed by how hard they seem to work on the relationship.

[Alicia]

Hannah wrote: "Have you read Villette because people say it's better than Jane Eyre but I tried it once (years ago) and the writing bogged me down.
..."

Really?! I have always heard that there's a reason why no one has read that one! I've always avoided it.

Shirleyis the only one of Charlotte's I get on with. And even that frustrates me more and more as I get older.

[Petrova Fossil]

Lisa wrote: "I'm reading The Fever and I love it! I read several reviews saying that it was "too" YA for adult tastes but I am not finding that to be the case at all. Love it. I just read [bo..."

I read The Fever when my daughter did and thought it was excellent.

[Bonnie G.]

Hannah wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Nora wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I've just started Jane Eyre. I put it off for ages because I was convinced that ye olde timey book = ye olde timey writing and that it would somehow be im..."

It is on my want to read list. I need to get on that!

[Megan]

Lisa wrote: "I'm reading The Fever and I love it! I read several reviews saying that it was "too" YA for adult tastes but I am not finding that to be the case at all. Love it. I just read [bo..."

I loved it too! You will have to let me know what you think of the ending once you get there!

[Megan]

I just finished The Goldfinch today. Those of you who told me that I'd like it were totally right. In fact, it was a 5 for me right up until near the end. I wasn't satisfied with the ending, but otherwise, it was just so good.

I also agree with what others are saying about Jane Eyre (so wonderful), and Wuthering Heights (I really can't figure out those who think it's so romantic. It's about obsession and abuse. Ick.).

[Joanie]

Bronwen wrote: "Pam wrote: "arnie wrote: "I'm reading The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, which I think was recommended on Laineygossip. Unfortunately, so far they are not very interesting at all.

I'm halfway throu..."

I've definitely put Lawrence in Arabia on my must-read list after reading an article about him in Smithsonian. An interesting man who led an interesting life, to say the least! I'm glad you liked it. It now moves up my reading list.

[Petrova Fossil]

Megan wrote: "I just finished The Goldfinch today. Those of you who told me that I'd like it were totally right. In fact, it was a 5 for me right up until near the end. I wasn't satisfied with the ending, but ot..."

I loved The Goldfinch until the last 100 pages or so, and then I felt like it went off the rails.

[Alyssa]

I just finished "The Haunting of Maddie Clare" and am now on "Me Before You" by Jojo Meyer at the urging of my best friend. So far it's definitely intriguing.

[Leah]

Alyssa wrote: "I just finished "The Haunting of Maddie Clare" and am now on "Me Before You" by Jojo Meyer at the urging of my best friend. So far it's definitely intriguing."

I hope you enjoy MBY. Jojo is phenomenal!

[Leah]

Finally (FINALLY!) finished Alias Hook earlier this morning. How could a book about Captain Hook (!) be so boring?

Immediately picked up Brown Girl Dreaming which comes out in August. It's a YA memoir told in verse - something completely new to me - & I'm enjoying it!

[Alyssa]

I'm an idiot. It's Jojo Moyes, not Meyer. And Leah, I'm halfway through and hooked.

[Martha]

I agree with people complaining about the ending of The Goldfinch. I was loving it and then the last 100 pages were a total cluster**** and I don't really understand wtf happened.

[Bonnie G.]

Of course the moment I started reading a memoir 2 others I have been waiting on for months from the library came in. These are both on audio, so that will help, but digesting three memoirs simultaneously is going to be rough! So I am now reading Stuck in the Middle with You (about parenting in general, and parenting as a trans woman specifically), and listening to Wild by Cheryl Strayed (mostly I think about how she can't out run -or out hike- what is wrong with her life, and God and men also aren't gonna cure the ills), and Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavage Hill (about living in and escaping from the Church of Scientology.) I may have overloaded my empathy supply.

[Kris]

Bonnie wrote: "I may have overloaded my empathy supply. "
LOL! That happens. Our book club got on this tear of reading Tragic Women books, and after about 3 I was like, "Uh, can we read something a BIT lighter, please, where a woman isn't raped/beaten/beaten down???" That was right after we read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

[Emily]

Ok I haven't read it yet, but this sounds right up our alley. May I humbly suggest The Care and Management of Lies?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Bonnie G.]

Kris wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I may have overloaded my empathy supply. "
LOL! That happens. Our book club got on this tear of reading Tragic Women books, and after about 3 I was like, "Uh, can we read something..."

LOL Kris. A Thousand Splendid Suns was some serious tragedy porn. I always squeeze in a super cheesy and hot romance book after I read a book like that. I can't recall what I read after ATSS, but I am quite certain it would have involved a Navy Seal or Black Ops operative who thunk deep thoughts and was spectacular in bed.

[Melissa]

I just binge read "Book of Life" by Deborah Harkness. It published last night on my Kindle at 9pm and I stayed up until 2:30am to finish it. Great read, now once more slowly.

[Francy]

I am currently reading The Actress: A Novel. I just started last night, but I could not put it down. It feels like reading a blind item and/or peeking behind the curtains in Hollywood. So far, it is definitely a book Fug Nation would enjoy!

[Alyssa]

Francy wrote: "I am currently reading The Actress: A Novel. I just started last night, but I could not put it down. It feels like reading a blind item and/or peeking behind the curtains in Hollywo..."

Francy, you may have just picked my next book for me!

[Sneha]

Kris wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I may have overloaded my empathy supply. "
LOL! That happens. Our book club got on this tear of reading Tragic Women books, and after about 3 I was like, "Uh, can we read something..."

I used to follow Oprah's book club for a while but after an unrelenting sequence of tragedies, I couldn't take it any more either! Now I read mostly for pleasure so if it's not entertaining, I honestly can't bring myself to get into it.

Real life is already hard enough!

[Elizabeth]

Sneha wrote: "Kris wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I may have overloaded my empathy supply. "
LOL! That happens. Our book club got on this tear of reading Tragic Women books, and after about 3 I was like, "Uh, can we r..."

So true! I have usually completely drained my own empathy tank by the end of the day, so I read mostly romances and mysteries. Comfort reading.

That said, I find a good Tragic Woman book can be thought provoking every once in a while. I have a friend whose TW book was actually chosen by Oprah back in the day! Christina Schwarz, Drowning Ruth. Have any of you read it? (It has mixed reviews here on Goodreads.) Getting the Oprah call changed her life, for sure.

[Kris]

Elizabeth wrote: "That said, I find a good Tragic Woman book can be thought provoking every once in a while."

Oh, I totally agree. And, I think it's very good for perspective keeping. However, being wrung out, book after book, was getting a little old!

[Francy]

Alyssa wrote: "Francy, you may have just picked my next book for me! "

I hope you enjoy! I just stayed up WAY too late reading it again last night :)

[Bonnie G.]

Kris wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "That said, I find a good Tragic Woman book can be thought provoking every once in a while."

Oh, I totally agree. And, I think it's very good for perspective keeping. However, b..."

I am not big on TW books (other than memoir), though I read all sorts of super depressing stuff in addition to the romances and comic novels. It is all about balance.

[Cait]

I just started reading "Tiger Lily" a YA rewrite of Peter Pan starting before Wendy's arrival. It's about Tiger Lily and Pan's relationship (because, of course they were in love... it's a YA story...) told from Tink's perspective. I'm only a few pages in, but it's actually not too bad so far!

[Jordan]

I'm currently reading Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan. I loved her other two novels, Maine and The Engagements (especially The Engagements! Love!!), and so far, so good on Commencement. It helps that it takes place at Smith College in Northampton, where I live.