What non-mystery books are you reading? (2021-2022) Showing 51-100 of 1,030

[David]

I have finally finished reading Ulysses. What a difficult read. Now that I've finished it I can't decide if the unusual punctuation, changes in style, shifting perspectives, literary, historical, and mythological references, and overall weirdness are make it a sign of genius or a trick played on literary critics. I'm glad I read it but I won't read it again.

[Abigail]

Good for you! I'm definitely in the trick played on critics camp.

[Jan C]

Congratulations, David! I have started on a second reading (I won't say when I started or how far I am).

[David]

Jan C wrote: "Congratulations, David! I have started on a second reading (I won't say when I started or how far I am)."

Thanks. I won't say how long it took me to get through my first reading. :)

[Jan C]

David wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Congratulations, David! I have started on a second reading (I won't say when I started or how far I am)."

Thanks. I won't say how long it took me to get through my first reading. :)"

I read it with a library group. Of course, I did finish after the rest of the group.

[Susan in NC]

I’m just starting a book on my nonfiction TBR list for a long time - Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m just starting a book on my nonfiction TBR list for a long time - Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies."

I have heard so many good things about that book.

[Tania]

I'm reading two non-fiction books at the mo, A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes, and The Mitfords: Letters between Six Sisters both very good.
I recently finished Another Part of the Wood by Denis Mackail. He was Angela Thirkell's brother and also writes light comedic novels.

[Abigail]

I'm reading Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell and a little booklet purporting to be a history of the Quakers, which is proving to be a great disappointment.

[Tania]

I enjoyed Cranford, though North and South remains my favourite. Which reminds me, I still haven't read Wives and Daughters

[Abigail]

I liked Wives and Daughters quite a bit; it's unfinished but almost finished, and the intended ending is pretty clear. I'm finding Cranford a bit coy, and the episodic nature of it prevents any build in plot.

[Susan in NC]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m just starting a book on my nonfiction TBR list for a long time - Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies."

I have heard so many good things about t..."

So far, I really appreciate his style - informative, but not bogged down in academic terminology over my head! I’ve been wanting to read the trilogy, and figured I better get cracking!

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "I'm reading Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell and a little booklet purporting to be a history of the Quakers, which is proving to be a great disappointment."

I enjoyed reading Crawford very much, then tried to watch the TV adaptation, and delightful as it was, I kept picking it apart in my mind (skipped this bit, changed that character, etc). I’ve had North and South on my TBR list forever - but saw the TV version years ago with Richard Armitage (hubba hubba), and I’m afraid I’ll be thinking of him too much if I try reading it!

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "I enjoyed Cranford, though North and South remains my favourite. Which reminds me, I still haven't read Wives and Daughters"

Oh, yes, thanks for the reminder, Tania, that’s on my list too! So many books...

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "I liked Wives and Daughters quite a bit; it's unfinished but almost finished, and the intended ending is pretty clear. I'm finding Cranford a bit coy, and the episodic nature of it prevents any bui..."

That’s probably why I enjoyed it, at the time I read it I was still running around like a chicken with my head cut off (our son’s school years), so episodic worked for me - before I dozed off, or was distracted. I’ve slowed down considerably! Wonder if I’d like it as much?

[Tara]

For my newest non-fiction read, I'm listening to Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine, 1921-1933 by Anne Applebaum. It is dense, but not boring. History can be truly horrifying.
For a lighter read, I'm also listening to Watership Down by Richard Adams, which I never read as a child. I'm hoping for good things.

[Shaina]

I am currently reading Madame Bovary and The Mysteries of Udolpho (at snail pace). I also read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen this month and so picked the mordern retelling from the Austen Project Series Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid. So far I have liked the retelling quite a bit.

[Abigail]

Glutton for punishment, Shaina! I hated Mme Bovary, in both English and French (my teachers were clearly sadists), and couldn't get beyond the black veil in Udolpho (on the life's-too-short principle). At least the Val McDermid book is somewhat entertaining.

[Judy]

Shaina, a fascinating combination to read Udolpho for the inspiration to Northanger Abbey and then the modern retelling by Val McDermid too! Hope you enjoy them both.

[Shaina]

Abigail wrote: "Glutton for punishment, Shaina! I hated Mme Bovary, in both English and French (my teachers were clearly sadists), and couldn't get beyond the black veil in Udolpho (on the life's-too-short princip..."

Hahaha... Abigail, this is my first time reading it and you are not helping. I have just finished part 1 of the story so let's see. As far as Udolpo is concerned I'm moving at snail's pace (too much scenery and description so far) but I can't abandon a book (it will worry me to no end). Also, I'm tired of hearing this reference to the black veil. I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

Yes, the Val McDermid book is quite entertaining. I love how modern jargon (totes & amazeballs) and Twitter and FB have been incorporated into it.

[Shaina]

Judy wrote: "Shaina, a fascinating combination to read Udolpho for the inspiration to Northanger Abbey and then the modern retelling by Val McDermid too! Hope you enjoy them both."

Judy, one book usually leads to another (in this case to two of them). So while another group I am part of is reading Udolpho, I hadn't planned on reading it but after Austen's Northanger Abbey I had to read Udolpho and the Val McDermid retelling (thank the stars the book/ series mentioned doesn't exist otherwise I would be reading that next).

[Carolien]

I've just finished The Orchard of Lost Souls which is beautiful. Set in Somalia in the late 1980's, three women's lives are intertwined in the run-up to an attack on Hargeisa. Really loved it.

[Sandy]

Tara wrote: "For my newest non-fiction read, I'm listening to Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine, 1921-1933 by Anne Applebaum. It is dense, but not boring. History can be truly h..."

I am also reading McDermid's Northanger Abbey, inspired by a friend reading Austen's original for the first time. It's nicely updated.

[Susan]

I just finished Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books and recommend it highly. Absolutely adored every page. - going to be one of my top books of the year, without doubt.

[Michaela]

Susan wrote: "I just finished Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books and recommend it highly. Absolutely adored every page. - goi..."

I was disappointed by this one: a list of books with a bit of her life inbetween.

[Icewineanne]

Susan wrote: "I just finished Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books and recommend it highly. Absolutely adored every page. - goi..."

Sounds terrific Susan, added it to my list 📚

[Sandy]

I've started Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey: A Novel and am loving it. A rather strange structure, alternating narration between a stuffed bird and a dead solider as they enter World War I.

[Susan]

Sounds really intriguing, Sandy. Not on kindle in the UK, sadly.

[Tania]

That does sound good.

[Tania]

I've just finished Mrs Tim of the Regiment by D.E. Stevenson which I really likes and I'm now reading Dangerous Ages by Rose Macaulay, one of the new British Library Women Writers series. Beautifullhy written so far.

[Jill]

I have started The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion for something different.

[Abigail]

Speaking of crime, I’m reading The Regency Underworld by Donald Low. Quite interesting popular history. Among other things, it talks about the debates that went on in the late 18th and early 19th centuries about establishing a police force, and what role the police should have in society. Something we take for granted was once very controversial!

[Susan in NC]

I’m rereading The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer.

[Sandy]

I'm continuing Terry Pratchett's Discworld with Guards! Guards!. Dragons!

[Shaina]

Halfway through The Color Purple by Alice Walker and slow going with The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and Macabre by W.W. Jacobs.

[Carolien]

Sandy wrote: "I'm continuing Terry Pratchett's Discworld with Guards! Guards!. Dragons!"

Probably my favourite of the series. Vimes has always been one of my favourite characters.

[Carolien]

Shaina wrote: "Halfway through The Color Purple by Alice Walker and slow going with The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and Macabre by W.W. Jacobs."

I'm hoping to read The Color Purple later this year. Would like to hear your opinion.

[Tania]

I keep meaning to read more of the Diskworld books, must make more of an effort.
I came across a copy of one of Elizabeth von Arnim's more obscure books An Introduction to Sally. In it's day, it was apparently more popular than The Enchanted April. I have a battered first edition which belonged to a subscription library, it has a bookplate in the back, first time I've come across this. Anyway, I'm enjoying it so far.

[Abigail]

Ooh, I'd never heard of that von Arnim book, Tania--thanks for mentioning it!

[Icewineanne]

by Lisa Duffy
What a terrific book. Takes place on a fictional island off Massachusetts. A story of families & friends, of people living year round on the island. And of course long buried secrets come to light. Wonderful characters that stay with you.
Highly recommended!

[Shaina]

Carolien wrote: "Shaina wrote: "Halfway through The Color Purple by Alice Walker and slow going with The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and Macabre by [author:W...."

Carolien, I finished the book yesterday. It was really good but very emotional. I highly recommend it. I gave it 5 stars which I rarely do.

[Carolien]

Shaina wrote: "Carolien wrote: "Shaina wrote: "Halfway through The Color Purple by Alice Walker and slow going with [book:The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and Macabre|3510..."

Thanks, I am looking forward to it.

[Nike]

I'm reading The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead and I love it. But I need to take time off in between the chapters because it's heavy and breathtaking and overwhelming.

[Abigail]

You’re brave to take on something like that in this moment! I read The Overstory by Richard Powers a few months ago and it was the same for me—I couldn’t engage with it every day because it was overwhelming.

[Nike]

I hadn't heard of it before - it's not translated into my language but I read about it now and it seems interesting. And it's possible to buy it here in Sweden in english so I put it on my waaaay-to-long to-read-list. When I read something heavy I always have a good mystery book to relax with as well. =)

[Jan C]

I started My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg tonight after I heard about her passing. So sad.

[Tania]

She looks like an interesting woman, with an interesting book.

[Tania]

Abigail wrote: "Ooh, I'd never heard of that von Arnim book, Tania--thanks for mentioning it!"
A GR friend pointed me in the direction of this edition of her collected works which includes this and others of her rare and very hard to get hold of novels including An introduction to Sally and The Jasmine Farm which I've been looking for. https://www.amazon.com/Delphi-Complet... (US)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delphi-Compl... (UK)

[Abigail]

Thanks, Tania!

[Tania]

You're welcome.