What are You Reading October 2014?

[Deb]

I have read- The Painter
Wilderness
In the Tall Grass
The Orchard Keeper

Now on to Station Eleven
The Woman in White

[Diana]

I recently finished two excellent books, This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin, and Sins of Our Fathers by Shawn Lawrence Otto. If you like smart, compelling fiction, Sins of Our Fathers should be on your TBR in November list. I think it comes out November 18.

What's next depends on my mood when I have the time to start something else. It's nice to come here and share recommendations.

[Deb]

Diana wrote: "I recently finished two excellent books, This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin, and Sins of Our Fathers by Shawn Lawrence Otto. If you like smart, compelling fiction, Sins of Our Fathers..."

Loved This Is Your Brain on Music!!

[Sue]

I started The Spinning Heart over the weekend and will start listening to Fourth of July Creek this morning. I'm still working my way through Bad Feminist: Essays.

[Diana]

Deb wrote: "Diana wrote: "I recently finished two excellent books, This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin, and Sins of Our Fathers by Shawn Lawrence Otto. If you like smart, compelling fiction, Sins ..."

Nice to meet someone else who's read that one! If you liked that one, you must read Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan. And - hello - you sure read a lot! Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction or whatever is at hand?

[Linda]

Starting to listen to Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America

[Sara]

The Children Act by Ian McEwan

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

[Sue]

I started Station Eleven this morning, before hearing the National Book Award news. I'm a third of the way through and am completely mesmerized. This will be in my top three for the year, for sure!

[Julie]

After finishing Jon Odell's recently, I finally started . Absolutely LOVE this author - he makes characters come alive and place/settings so authentic. His novels deal with life in Mississippi - both Antebellum and pre-Civil Rights era - family struggles, spirituality, race/religion/class/politics. My book group read The Healing last year, but I missed out then. It's been on my shelf for 15 months.

[Gerald]

What do you know speaking of the National Book Awards, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS a biography by John Lahr (Bert Lahr's son ) is one of the finalist. This book was just featured in USA TODAY's book section. Should be an interesting read for theater lovers.

[Gerald]

What do you know speaking of the National Book Awards, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS a biography by John Lahr (Bert Lahr's son ) is one of the finalist. This book was just featured in USA TODAY's book section. Should be an interesting read for theater lovers.

[Gerald]

Just finished .

[Gerald]

Listening to . Thanks to the podcast for reminding me about this book. I am sort of a fan of this kind of novel listening to and reading my time travel favorite . I clearly remember reading about this book when it came out. Now I can finally listen to it.

[Kelli]

Finished (so far) in October:

[Janet]

Just finished The Story Hour. My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Highly recommend the audiobook to get the full flavor of the story.

[Adore]

i'm sneaking into this discussion to add that i finally finished: and it lived up to the hype! this is probably my favorite book read in 2014. i must read all of her other books now!

[Amy]

Adore wrote: "i'm sneaking into this discussion to add that i finally finished: and it lived up to the hype! this is probably my favorite book read in 2014. i must read all of her..."

I just read that a few weeks ago, Adore--I agree! It completely lived up to the hype. Great book.

[Sue]

Yep, she's fantastic.

Amy wrote: "Adore wrote: "i'm sneaking into this discussion to add that i finally finished: and it lived up to the hype! this is probably my favorite book read in 2014. i must r..."

[Pam]

I just finished reading The Wife, The Maid, and The Mistress by Ariel Lawhon. I heard the author at Booktopia Asheville and really enjoyed listening to her. I think my enjoyment of the book increased after hearing her backstory. She certainly came up with a plausible explanation of the judge's disappearance.

[Kathy]

So far this month, I've finished "The Outcast Dead" by Elly Griffiths and "The Children Act" by Ian McEwan. Currently reading "Nora Webster" by Colm Toibin and "The Silkworm" by Robert Galbraith.

[Amy]

Just finished Shot in the Heart by Mikal Gilmore. It was very good. Thanks, Ann, for bringing it to my attention via the podcast!

[Valerie]

Just finished reading Shoplifter on Michael's recommendation. Loved it. Thought it was brilliantly done.

[Andrew]

Finishing Travels with Casey and How Google Works.

Wrapped up Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. A gut-wrenching but enlightening take on life in Mumbai.

[Linda]

After listening to Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America I moved on to The Dog Stars finished that and last night started The Painter.
Sunday night I started The Light Between Oceans and I can't get enough time with that one.

[Patricia]

Finishing up In the Woods by Tana French, one of my favorite authors. Always meant to go back to her first book and read it, and I am so glad that I did. No wonder she won the Edgar Award!

[Sue]

Today, I will be saying goodbye to Station Eleven and Fourth of July Creek. There will be a significant mourning period for both. While I recover, I've got three weeks of New Yorkers to catch up on.

[Adore]

Sue wrote: "Today, I will be saying goodbye to Station Eleven and Fourth of July Creek. There will be a significant mourning period for both. While I recover, I've got three wee..."

awww -- that's quite an endorsement! this sounds like a good plan. i have tons of new yorker short stories i've been wanting to read for the past six months!

[Tomissa]

Sue wrote: "Today, I will be saying goodbye to Station Eleven and Fourth of July Creek. There will be a significant mourning period for both. While I recover, I've got three wee..."

I'm getting Station Eleven this weekend as part of my birthday gift. CANNOT WAIT. In my mind, I think it's going to be a lot like Age of Miracles where the story just sticks with you.

[Sue]

Well, if you liked Age of Miracles, my guess is you will LOVE Station Eleven.

Tomissa wrote: "Sue wrote: "Today, I will be saying goodbye to Station Eleven and Fourth of July Creek. There will be a significant mourning period for both. While I recover, I've g..."

[Andrew]

Adore wrote: "Sue wrote: "Today, I will be saying goodbye to Station Eleven and Fourth of July Creek. There will be a significant mourning period for both. While I recover, I've g..."

Wow, that's quite the recommendation! Both of those are on my TBR. Might just have to bump them up a bit higher.

[Victoria]

One of the things I'm reading is . Such buzz and I'm so disappointed in it. I will reserve final judgment but I am 65-70% through. I find the story entirely predictable. I just knew from very early on exactly how the plot was going to play out, at least until this point in the story. I'm surprised over the rave reviews and award nominations it's received.

And surprisingly, I searched for it here in our Goodreads group and found only 2 mentions of the book. Is no one else reading this?

[Kate]

I still have not gotten to , Unbroken, but I hope to read it in November. Currently, I am reading , Tinkers, after listening to the discussion on Literary Disco. I am also reading , Finding the Dragon Lady. I am learning much about Vietnam Nam and the conflict. I was young when the war was going on and remember parts, but the story and writing are very interesting. I finished , The Life We Bury, based on Michael' s recommendation and I enjoyed it very much. For my Halloween read: , The Haunting of Hill House, which I hope to start this weekend.

[Sue]

For all the New Yorker fans who are too busy reading to read the New Yorker, you are not alone:

http://thoughtcatalog.com/brian-donov...

Adore wrote: "Sue wrote: "Today, I will be saying goodbye to Station Eleven and Fourth of July Creek. There will be a significant mourning period for both. While I recover, I've g..."

[Susanne]

Sue wrote: "Today, I will be saying goodbye to Station Eleven and Fourth of July Creek. There will be a significant mourning period for both."

For people with a kindle or nook, Station Elelven is just $5.99. And on the kindle, Fourth of July Creek is only $1.99 (it's $15.99 on the nook).

[Jessica]

I'm in the middle of Doctor Sleep and I'm liking it a lot. I thought Stephen King would be perfect for October, and as predicted, I'm pretty scared!

[Pat]

Victoria wrote: "One of the things I'm reading is . Such buzz and I'm so disappointed in it. I will reserve final judgment but I am 65-70% through. I find the story entirely pr..."

I agree. It was a very predictable plot. When I finished the book I wondered why I had wasted my time.

[Victoria]

I just finished this morning. Gave it three stars. I'm disappointed I didn't start Station Eleven over this.

[Pat]

Victoria wrote: "I just finished this morning. Gave it three stars. I'm disappointed I didn't start Station Eleven over this."

You are generous. I wouldnt give it more than two stars. I have started Station Eleven and am absolutely enjoying it.

[Becky]

Susanne wrote: "Sue wrote: "Today, I will be saying goodbye to Station Eleven and Fourth of July Creek. There will be a significant mourning period for both."

For people with a kin..."

Thanks for the heads up on Station Eleven, just bought it!

[Victoria]

Finished Wolf in White Van. Huh. I would say I was really enjoying it (or very engaged) right up until I realized there were only 3 pages left and knowing there was no way things were going to be resolved or explained to my satisfaction. One of those books that makes me feel kind of anti-intellectual (since I don't want to say stupid!). I think some people will love this though.

[Gail]

I just finished Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll life by Graham Nash. I read the Kindle edition and there were audio and video clips inserted where needed to better describe a lyric or harmony etc. I've never seen this in a book before. This was not a great book, but full of tales of big egos when it came to CSN&Y!!

[Janet]

Gail wrote: "I just finished Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll life by Graham Nash. I read the Kindle edition and there were audio and video clips inserted where needed to better describe a lyric or harmony etc. I've..."

That's interesting....I wonder if the physical book comes with a DVD/CD?

[Linda]

Gail wrote: "I just finished Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll life by Graham Nash. I read the Kindle edition and there were audio and video clips inserted where needed to better describe a lyric or harmony etc. I've..."

Since I love CSN&Y, I may like the book provided the music is there. I may look for this one.

[Melissa]

I just finished Unbroken last week and absolutely love it. I highly recommend it to all. I'm now about half way through Station Eleven and it is wonderful. I was the first person to check it out from my library branch. How fun!

[Susanne]

I'm listening to The Bone Clocks -- I'm 60% through. It's not a fast paced book, and at the begining of each section I have to get used to a new story. I'll finish it because I want to know how it ends, but it isn't keeping my interest as much as I had hoped when I started it. If I weren't listening to it, I probably wouldn't be able to keep pushing forward. I had the same issue with Cloud Atlas.

I'm reading The Girl with All the Gifts - I'm only 50 pages in, but it has kept me engaged since the beginning. I'm not ususally into this type of book, but it has me hooked.

[Sue]

Loved them both!

Melissa wrote: "I just finished Unbroken last week and absolutely love it. I highly recommend it to all. I'm now about half way through Station Eleven and it is wonderful. I was the first person to check it out fr..."

[Sue]

I felt the same way about The Girl With All the Gifts. I kept sort of laughing at myself that I was enjoying it so much.

Susanne wrote: "I'm listening to The Bone Clocks -- almost 60% through. It's not a fast paced book, and at the begining of each section I have to get used to a new story. I'll finish it because I w..."

[Erica]

Melissa W wrote: "Currently reading ; its drawing me just as Atonement did."

Jillian wrote: "Listening to In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette and reading Station Eleven"

Jill: How is In the Kingdom of Ice?

[Sue]

I'd like to know about Kingdom of Ice, too. It's in my Audible wishlist, along with A Woman in the Polar Night and I'm not sure if I need to do both.

I hope you enjoy Station Eleven!

Erica wrote: "Melissa W wrote: "Currently reading ; its drawing me just as Atonement did."

Jillian wrote: "Listening to [book:In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible P..."

[Hannah]

Kate wrote: "I can't believe it is October as here in New York, it has been really warm. I am reading , Claude and Camille for one of my book groups and th..."

I haven't read Unbroken also for the first time! I just got it from the library on Kindle.