What non-mystery books are you reading? (2021-2022) Showing 501-550 of 1,030

[Katie]

I'm nearly halfway through Look at Me by Anita Brookner and I'm really struggling with it to be honest.

If there's one thing in life I really cannot stand it's when people make bitchy judgemental comments about others' lives in order to puff up their own fragile self-esteem. So far the main character seems to have done little else but! Now this perhaps wouldn't be so bad if it were a more plot driven book - no main character has to be likeable after all- but this is very much character driven.

If it weren't for the fact it's only 197 pages long I think I probably would have abandoned it by now.

[Katie]

However, on a more positive note I've recently finished Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. I loved it - one of those stay up until 1am to read another chapter type books.

It's inspired me to dig out a second hand copy of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell that I bought years ago but never got around to reading. However, it's 1007 pages long which I'm finding a bit intimidating...

Plus I notice the previous owner must have struggled with it. The corner of each page is turned over (the monster!) about every two pages before finally being abandoned at page 41 which doesn't bode well.

[Rosina]

Katie wrote: "Plus I notice the previous owner must have struggled with it. The corner of each page is turned over (the monster!) about every two pages before finally being abandoned at page 41 which doesn't bode well."

That fact that someone who gave up their copy of a book did not enjoy it, or finish it, has to be weighed against all those (like me) who loved it, and still have their copy. And anyone who turns down the corners of the pages of a book has already shown what they think of books!

[Sandy]

Both of these are on my TBR, with Piranesi first so if I don't like it, I can skip the thousand-page book.

It's amusing that you can track the prior reader's progress and that they gave up so early when it is such a long book. Not sure how I feel about that: admiration that they knew their mind so early? or disappointment they didn't give it a fair chance?

[Judy]

Before the days of ebooks, I bought one or two out-of-print Victorian books where the pages had to be cut - you could see where previous readers had given up when the pages were still uncut after a while!

[Susan in NC]

I’ve got some library mysteries on the go that have to be finished and returned, but just started Coldharbour Gentlemen by Ann Lee. I’d also like to get in my annual reread and listen to A Christmas Carol before Christmas.

[Carolien]

I finished Excellent Women yesterday which was my first book by Barbara Pym and it was so good. Going to be reading more of her books next year.

I'm busy with The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club which is enjoyable so far. Set in the 1970's in Australia's Northern Territory, I've just started, but the setting works for me so far.

[Tania]

I love Barbara Pym. I only have one of her books left to read, but I'm looking forward to re-reading them all, and this time I can start trying to identify the connections between the books. Characters from previous books often pop up in passing in her novels. I hope you enjoy your journey.

[Jan C]

Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve got some library mysteries on the go that have to be finished and returned, but just started Coldharbour Gentlemen by [author:Ann Lee|..."

Every year I get out my copy of Christmas Carol and every year I make a dent of about 5 more pages. I picked up my dad's copy after he died. Gilt pages.

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve got some library mysteries on the go that have to be finished and returned, but just started Coldharbour Gentlemen..."

Oh, lovely! I helped run my son’s grade school book fair every year for many years, and couldn’t resist the illustrated copy I have, the illustrations are stunning, I think! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

[Jill]

Started The Children's Book of Christmas Stories by Asa Don Dickinson I noticed others were reading it so thought I would try it. Also starting Told After Supper by Jerome K. Jerome

[Tania]

This is the second time I've seen Told After Supper mentioned. I've just downloaded a copy.

I've just finished Goshawk Summer: A New Forest Season Unlike Any Other a rather wonderful diary of a wildlife cameraman who spent lockdown filming goshawks in the New Forest. I had previously really enjoyed Light Rains Sometimes Fall: A British Year through Japan’s 72 Ancient Seasons, another lockdown nature diary, but I think this one is slightly better.

[Jill]

Now reading The Forthright Saga by Sue Millard. This is a book that I got for free on kindle back in 2012, and has just come to my attention on skimming my Amazon list.

[Jill]

Today, I finished The Borrowers by Mary Norton I read this years ago to my children, and now working my through a children's book of short stories, I felt I wanted a longer read. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and determined to read on with the series.
I am now going to start Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman in hope of a little background on this time in history. I have had this series a long time, and think the size of them has stopped me reading sooner, so am hoping this book merits it's size.

[Abigail]

Penman’s books are insanely long! But they do tend to read fast. I loved The Borrowers too as a kid!

Speaking of children’s authors, I am currently reading a book for adults by E. Nesbit: The Lark. So far it’s fun but not much to write home about.

[Susan in NC]

I’ve started a reread of Arabella by Georgette Heyer for the Heyer group January read. I’ve borrowed the audiobook from my library, the narrator is one of my favorites!

[Sandy]

I discovered The Borrowers several years ago, as an adult, loved it, and read the rest of the series.

[Abigail]

I’m looking forward to starting Arabella soon as well! One of my top five Heyer favorites.

[Rosina]

One of mine too, for Ulysses, of course!

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "I’m looking forward to starting Arabella soon as well! One of my top five Heyer favorites."

Me, too!

[Abigail]

Yes, Ulysses is the best dog in all of literature—and so good for his master! Or should I say his slave?

[Jackie]

Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve started a reread of Arabella by Georgette Heyer for the Heyer group January read. I’ve borrowed the audiobook from my library, the na..."
Susan in NC I have the same audio version from my library and will be starting soon. glad to hear the narrator is good.

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve started a reread of Arabella by Georgette Heyer for the Heyer group January read. I’ve borrowed the audiobook fro..."

I hope you like Phyllida Nash as much as I do - she’s just about my favorite Heyer narrator!

[Abigail]

Zipped through To Kill a Mockingbird and Arabella and now I need to read the assigned book for my local reading group, the oddly titled Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller, which is some sort of a biography of the founder (or first president?) of Stanford University. Random.

[Joanne]

Hey Abigail - I loved Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life. It was a very easy listen for me and well-layered for being so short. Part memoir, psychology, history, and science. Hope you like it.

[Abigail]

Thanks, Joanne! I am (mostly) enjoying it so far, an interesting hybrid.

[Tara]

Listening on audiobook to Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell, about Orwell's experience fighting in the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. So fascinating.

[Abigail]

Currently reading Much Dithering by Dorothy Lambert—underwhelming.

[Jill]

I am now reading If Beale Street Could Talk James Baldwin I'm nearly a third through but can't say I'm that enamoured at the moment.
Abigail, you were right about the Sharon Kay Penman It was a fast read despite it's length

[Susan in NC]

Currently reading Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade by Patrick Dennis. It is fun so far!

[Abigail]

Finished up Much Dithering (which continued to be underwhelming), started a reread of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (narrator annoying), and breezed through Lady Susan again before a couple of group discussions. Going to take a little time for work-related reading and dive into The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion before embarking on Cargo of Eagles.

[Tara]

I just finished up The War of the Worlds, a quick read by H.G. Wells and am about to embark on a much longer one with The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. To date I have only read A Christmas Carol, so I am excited to find out my true thoughts on this classic author.

[Sandy]

I loved A Gentleman in Moscow and started The Lincoln Highway. But got bogged down very very quickly (20 pages?), so picked up State of Terror which did grab me fairly soon. With so many reads coming up (I have the The Shadows of Men for the next ten days) I'm not sure I will get back to Lincoln Highway before its due date.

[Abigail]

Good luck with it, Tara! My favorites from Dickens are A Tale of Two Cities and Bleak House.

Sandy, I enjoyed State of Terror as well and it kept me up most of one night! I kept turning off the light and trying to go to sleep, only to turn the light on again to find out what happened next. Very unusually to have two middle-aged women as the protagonists of a thriller.

[Wayne]

At the moment I am having a few on the go: Shogun: A Novel of Japan, The Razor's Edge, Travels in West Africa and Children of the New World. I will also make a start with The Firm soon.

[Jill]

Wayne wrote: "At the moment I am having a few on the go: Shogun, Part 1, The Razor's Edge, Travels in West Africa and Children of the New World. I will a..."

I loved Shōgun One of the best books I have ever read. Hope you enjoy

[Wayne]

Jill wrote: "Wayne wrote: "At the moment I am having a few on the go: Shogun, Part 1, The Razor's Edge, Travels in West Africa and [book:Children of the New World|720..."

This is a reread Jill, though I must say it has been such a long time that it seems like a first time read. Bit slow at times, but I am enjoying it.

[Sandy]

I also loved Shogun and it is many years since I read it. It was highly recommended by a friend and while I can recall her enthusiasm I can't remember who it was.

[Wayne]

Sandy wrote: "I also loved Shogun and it is many years since I read it. It was highly recommended by a friend and while I can recall her enthusiasm I can't remember who it was."

I remember that my reading of the book all those years ago coincided with a tv-series, which might actually have been the motivation for reading it.

Btw, Travels in West Africa is a giggling-inducing account of Mary H Kingsley's visit to West Africa in the 1890s. I recommend this one.

[Sandy]

Wayne wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I also loved Shogun and it is many years since I read it. It was highly recommended by a friend and while I can recall her enthusiasm I can't remember who it was."

I remember that my..."

I own Travels. Maybe I should read it!

[Rosina]

A kindle version is free on Amazon UK - so perhaps we all should!

[Wayne]

Sandy wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I also loved Shogun and it is many years since I read it. It was highly recommended by a friend and while I can recall her enthusiasm I can't remember who it was."

I re..."

Aaah, like me and a few others here, you are also a bit of a bibliophile/tsundoku

[Susan in NC]

Wayne wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I also loved Shogun and it is many years since I read it. It was highly recommended by a friend and while I can recall her enthusiasm I can't remember who ..."

I plead guilty….always tell myself, it’s a less expensive addiction then shoes, or coke!

[Jill]

We saw the TV series but didn't think that much of it compared to the book, but that always seems to be the way of things.

[Rosina]

But whenever we rewatch Lord of the Rings, we greet Gimli with "It's the Portuguese Pilot!"

[Jill]

tsundoku I hadn't known there was a name for this addiction, but have to say I am working really hard at breaking it.

[Wayne]

Susan in NC wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I also loved Shogun and it is many years since I read it. It was highly recommended by a friend and while I can recall her enthusiasm I can't..."

Hah, nearly snorted there in my Sunday afternoon coffee. ;,>). New shoes also smell nice, but one would look silly holding a shoe in front of one's face for a long time.

[Wayne]

Jill wrote: "We saw the TV series but didn't think that much of it compared to the book, but that always seems to be the way of things."

Books are definitely always better Jill. I haven't wach tv in more than a year, but will gradually ease back because there are a couple of movie adaptations I want to see, first on the list being The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

[Wayne]

Rosina wrote: "But whenever we rewatch Lord of the Rings, we greet Gimli with "It's the Portuguese Pilot!""

No I will have another thing to watch out for ;,>)

[Wayne]

Jill wrote: "tsundoku I hadn't known there was a name for this addiction, but have to say I am working really hard at breaking it."

Ai Jill, I am weak, Planning a visit to my local second-hand book store to touch base with the friendly owner, and maybe pick up a few more reads for later (after all Christmas has come and gone ;,>)