What books are you reading now? (2020) Showing 851-900 of 2,222

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Joy D wrote: "Published in 1965, this book is a deep character study on timeless themes about an American university professor's (mostly sad) life, covering turn of the 20th century until his death. It is beauti..."

Stoner - such a good read.

[Nigeyb]

Stoner is indeed a stunning book

[Susan]

As, in a literary sense, I still haven't left the USSR, after our Stalin binge, and this month's group read, I have startedBlack Sun a thriller set in 1961.

[Joy D]

Published in 1988. Set in London in 1954.
Justt finished this odd mix of humor and malevolence:

A Far Cry from Kensington by Muriel Spark - 3 stars - My Review

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan, have you read the Leo Demidov series, beginning with Child 44? It was not for me, but I think that would not stop you and it has an average GR rating of 4.09. Definitely a thriller series set in the USSR.

As advertised elsewhere, I have started The American Senator by Anthony Trollope. It feels so good to be back with him, if only for this one book deal.

[Nigeyb]

Joy D wrote: "Published in 1988. Set in London in 1954.
Justt finished this odd mix of humor and malevolence:

A Far Cry from Kensington by Muriel Spark - 3 stars - My Review"

I loved that book too Joy....

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

5/5

[Susan]

I have read Child 44, thank you, Elizabeth. Another series that I have not continued. However, thank you for pointing it out and remind me that I should go back to it :)

Nigeyb, I agree, I loved A Far Cry from Kensington. Really need to read more Muriel Spark...

[Chrissie]

Joy, Nigeyb and Susan, check out Loitering with Intent--another excellent one by Muriel Spark.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Of the three I've read by Spark, her The Stories of Muriel Spark was my favorite. I have A Far Cry from Kensington on my wish list. Not sure when it might rise to the top.

[Susan]

Just too many books to read... A Far Cry from Kensington is currently 99p on kindle, which I note from a quick browse online.

I would like to read, The Girls of Slender Means and The Abbess of Crewe, next, but will look at her others.

[Chrissie]

My head has been a mess today. Last night I finished How I Became Hettie Jones. Finally, I think I have a review that is readable.

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

Having wasted hours trying to write a review for the book just finished, I have not come far with The Book of Emma Reyes by Emma Reyes.

[Chrissie]

My first completed book for June is The Book of Emma Reyes. It is by no means a comforting read.

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

Next up is another autobiographical memoir which I believe will be much lighter in tone: The House on an Irish Hillside by Felicity Hayes-McCoy.

[Tania]

I finished Peking Picnic by Ann Bridge which was a beautifully written book, set in Colonial Peking. Similar in tone to E.M. Forster.
I've now started My Family and Other Animals which I haven't read for many years, but remember loving it.

[Chrissie]

I have enjoyed The House on an Irish Hillside by Felicity Hayes-McCoy. If Celtic traditions interest you, I think you might like this.

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

I have begun the short Down in the Valley: A Writer's Landscape by Laurie Lee. Why? Because I very much enjoyed Cider With Rosie by the same author.

[Joy D]

Just finished this non-fiction account of a WWII military search and rescue effort in Greenland:

Frozen in Time: An Epic Story of Survival and a Modern Quest for Lost Heroes of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff - 4 stars - My Review

[Nigeyb]

Chrissie wrote: "I have begun the short Down in the Valley: A Writer's Landscape by Laurie Lee. Why? Because I very much enjoyed Cider With Rosie by the same author."

Big Laurie fan over here

[Chrissie]

Nigeyb wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I have begun the short Down in the Valley: A Writer's Landscape by Laurie Lee. Why? Because I very much enjoyed Cider With Rosie by the same author."

Big Laurie fan over here"

It's easy to understand why.

[Judy]

I really like Laurie Lee too.

[Nigeyb]

And of course we have a dedicated Laurie Lee discussion thread....


https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jill]

I have now started Goodbye to Murder. Although I wasn't all that keen on Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper I am willing to give this try. Only a short way in but seems interesting

[Nigeyb]

Jill wrote: "I have now started Goodbye to Murder. Although I wasn't all that keen on Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper I am willing to give this try. Only a short way in but seems interesting "

I'll be right behind you.

As we're both reading it now I have opened up the discussion thread....

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Joy D]

Published in 1987, and set during 1937 - 1972, this book is filled with beautiful writing. It is a quiet book about life, love, friendship, aging.

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner - 4 stars - My Review

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Joy D wrote: "Published in 1987, and set during 1937 - 1972, this book is filled with beautiful writing. It is a quiet book about life, love, friendship, aging.

Crossing to Safety by [author:Walla..."

Stegner is a perpetual favorite. Have you read others by him?

[Chrissie]

I have completed Down in the Valley: A Writer's Landscape by Laurie Lee. Boy did he have a knack for expressing himself well.

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

I have begun At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. I have been told it is not preachy. My friends say it is very good.

[Barbara]

Joy D wrote: "Published in 1987, and set during 1937 - 1972, this book is filled with beautiful writing. It is a quiet book about life, love, friendship, aging.

Crossing to Safety by [author:Walla..."

I loved this book and all the other Stegner books too.

[Chrissie]

Joy D wrote: "Published in 1987, and set during 1937 - 1972, this book is filled with beautiful writing. It is a quiet book about life, love, friendship, aging.

Crossing to Safety by [author:Walla..."

I totally agree that Stegner is a must-read author. Once started on his books, you don't want to stop, but som are better than others.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Stegner's Angle of Repose is one of my all time favorites - top 1 or 2 depending on which day you ask.

[Barbara]

Chrissie wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Published in 1987, and set during 1937 - 1972, this book is filled with beautiful writing. It is a quiet book about life, love, friendship, aging.

Crossing to Safety by..."

That is very true; for Stegner and most authors. I have read more than one author who said they also are prouder of some of their books than others.

[Chrissie]

I agree with Elizabeth. That is one of Stegner's best, along with All the Little Live Things.

[Barbara]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Stegner's Angle of Repose is one of my all time favorites - top 1 or 2 depending on which day you ask."

It is really difficult for me to select my favorite Stegner book. Every one was the 'right book for the right moment'. There are still a few I haven't read; maybe the less loved book is still to be read.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Oh, I have in no way read them all. I was claiming Angle of Repose as one of the top two books by any author.

[Chrissie]

Barbara wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Stegner's Angle of Repose is one of my all time favorites - top 1 or 2 depending on which day you ask."

It is really difficult for me to select my favorite..."

And maybe what the author likes best is not what you like best, so it is necessary to check several out.

[Barbara]

Chrissie wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Stegner's Angle of Repose is one of my all time favorites - top 1 or 2 depending on which day you ask."

It is really difficult for me to se..."

I bet, often, an author's favorite is not the one that sold the most copies.

[Barbara]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Oh, I have in no way read them all. I was claiming Angle of Repose as one of the top two books by any author."
That says a lot. What would your other top book be? Now you have me wondering what my top all-time favorites are; there are so many in contention.

[Chrissie]

Barbara wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Stegner's Angle of Repose is one of my all time favorites - top 1 or 2 depending on which day you ask."

It is really diffi..."

I think you are right. There are probably no statistics to prove this though.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Barbara wrote: "That says a lot. What would your other top book be? Now you have me wondering what my top all-time favorites are; there are so many in contention."

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. I often refer to my fictitious top ten. If I were to actually try to choose 10 books, I'm afraid that I'd find 12-15 minimum that should get a place. But I know that those two are there jostling for the top position.

[Susan]

I am currently reading Nothing Can Hurt You which was inspired by a true crime, but is fiction. I think it is very unusual and well done. It explores how a murder affects everyone linked to it.

[Nigeyb]

Having really enjoyed Undermajordomo Minor (2015) by Patrick deWitt, I was keen to read more.

And so I have just started The Sisters Brothers (2011). The first few chapters are very promising.

[Susan]

I am also reading The Music Box Enigma

The first in this series is currently 99p. If anyone is interested, please see the kindle deals thread to have a look.

[Brian E]

Goodreads let's me maintain an "all-time favorites" bookshelf that I have used to have my top 10 list. I have 9 listed so I have an open slot to, hopefully, fill with a new book.
Both Angle of Repose and The Age of Innocence are on my GR Top 10(9) favorites list. I've never ranked the 9.

As to the thread subject, I'm currently reading Evelina, Hero of the Empire: The Making of Winston Churchill and Our Souls at Night.
Earlier this week, I caught up on novellas including Montana 1948, Passing, Daisy Miller, Rock Crystal, and a part-Hardy short story The Spectre of the Real: An end-of-the-century Narrative. all 4 star reads.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Brian wrote: "Both Angle of Repose and The Age of Innocence are on my GR Top 10(9) favorites list. I've never ranked the 9."

I talk about those two as being at the top of the list. After reading Angle of Repose I thought of it as my all time favorite. My review of The Age of Innocence says it replaced that.

Interesting idea of actually maintaining a shelf for a top ten. I think I'll shy away from that because I know it would be fluid.

[Chrissie]

I have completed At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. It is a very popular book, but didn't go down so very well for me.

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

I am now reading A Fairly Honourable Defeat by Iris Murdoch. This at least has me thinking!

[Joy D]

I really enjoyed this story of personal transformation set mostly in Newfoundland. Published in 1993. Winner of Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx - 4 stars - My Review

[Tania]

I'm reading The Country Girls at the moment, by Edna O'Brien.

[Alejandro]

Psychology for Dummies ---- The Black Pearl ---- The Antidote by Jesse Lee Peterson

[Jan C]

I just finished Blood & Ivy: The 1849 Murder That Scandalized Harvard, a true crime story by Paul Collins. 4 stars.

[Chrissie]

You guys all know I listen a lot. I often post my reviews so you know what I like! You know I do try different things, well to some extent! Classics (not Dickens and not Victorian) are a pretty good bet for me. I like memoirs and biographies--often preferring those set in the past. I am searching like mad for good reads. Want to suggest something to me???????

I struggle to find exceptionally good contemporary authors of fiction. Please advise me, if you can suggest some.

[Nigeyb]

I'm closing in on the finale of....


The Sisters Brothers (2011)

I've been beguiled by it from start to (nearly) finish

A wonderful read

Anyone else partaken?

[Tania]

This morning I picked up The Chronicles of Clovis by Saki A collection of short stories. They are darkly funny and rather moreish, before I knew it I had read 8 of them; usually with short stories I only dip in, reading them one at a time.

[Jill]

Nigeyb wrote: "I'm closing in on the finale of....


The Sisters Brothers (2011)

I've been beguiled by it from start to (nearly) finish

A wonderful read

Anyone else partaken?

"

I read The Sisters Brothers back in 2015 and enjoyed it. Although it is classed as a western, there is a lot more to it than what I think of as a western. Glad you are enjoying it