What non-mystery books are you reading? (2021-2022) Showing 1,001-1,030 of 1,030

[Jackie]

Sid wrote


Wodehouse's humour is very English and won't always gel with readers from other countries. Personally I think he's a genius (and I don't use that word lightly) in his humorous use of English. I'm not nearly as enthusiastic about his plots as many others, but as I only regard them as a peg on which to hang the language

nicely said!

I'm from the US but watch a lot of British programs and am a fan.

I love the humor of Wodehouse and think the way he uses language is brilliant but I also admire the plots. He makes it look easy and I have no problem calling him a genius.

[Susan in NC]

Sid wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Wodehouse v. Twain? I'll take Twain any day. His humor I understand."

Fair enough, Jan. Wodehouse's humour is very English and won't always gel with readers from other countries. Per..."

Ah, “a peg on which to hang the language”, beautifully put, Sid. I especially appreciate this when listening to a wonderful narrator read Wodehouse- if I’m watching the brilliant Fry and Laurie as Jeeves and Wooster, for instance, I might be distracted by the physical humor, and the way they perfectly physically inhabit the roles. But just hearing the words, I appreciate the skill and genius of Wodehouse!

[Jan C]

Wodehouse just leaves me ready to take a nap. I think there was one I thought was kind of humorous. Of course, they had to take a trip to New York for that to happen.

I like Runyon too.

[Sid]

Jan C wrote: "Wodehouse just leaves me ready to take a nap. I think there was one I thought was kind of humorous. Of course, they had to take a trip to New York for that to happen.

I like Runyon too."

😊

Yes, there are writers whom everyone else seems to think are brilliantly hilarious (Jasper Fforde springs to mind) but who have the same effect on me. It's just the way it goes with books.

I'm glad we agree about Runyon, though.

[Susan in NC]

I’m alternating between my nonfiction library book and an audiobook reread of Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer for the Heyer group’s upcoming November read.

[Jackie]

I was thinking about trying the audio version of Lady of Quality but my library doesn't have it, so I'll read it on my kindle.

I'm 4 chapters in to Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and I love it.

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "I was thinking about trying the audio version of Lady of Quality but my library doesn't have it, so I'll read it on my kindle.

I'm 4 chapters in to Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day a..."

Oh, that was delightful! Enjoy!

[Tara]

As much as I love 84, Charing Cross Road, and of course it is the book that led me to Hanff, I think I prefer Duchess. Her humor and irreverence stands out more.

[Jackie]

I finished Miss Pettigrew and loved the whole thing. I wish the other books by the same author were available but I'm not finding them.

[Abigail]

Reading in tandem Wessex Tales by Thomas Hardy and The Moon-Spinners by Mary Stewart.

[Sandy]

I will be starting Act of Oblivion tonight. I have liked others by the author, Robert Harris, and am looking forward to this book.

[Abigail]

Finished Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp and starting a quick reread of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston for a reading group.

I’d be interested to hear what you think about Act of Oblivion, Sandy—I was just reading about it in the Historical Novel Society’s quarterly newsletter and it sounds intriguing.

[Sandy]

Abigail wrote: "Finished Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp and starting a quick reread of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston for a reading group.

I’d be interested to hea..."

So far I quite like Act of Oblivion though I need to skim the many descriptions of ghastly punishments. Both sides of the pursuit are portrayed sympathetically and that emphasizes the tragedy of religious intolerance. Being from the US, I know only a bit about the English civil war and am glad to learn more. Being from Cambridge, Mass. (the fugitives first stop)., I was interested in the setting. It is barely recognizable but a couple of minor characters live on in street names.

[Abigail]

Thanks, Sandy!

[Jan C]

Started The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America by Karen Abbott yesterday. Years ago I read a fictional story about Remus by Craig Holden, The Jazz Bird.

[Sandy]

Abigail wrote: "Finished Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp and starting a quick reread of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston for a reading group.

I’d be interested to hea..."

I gave Act of Oblivion five stars. My review:

This book vividly demonstrates the tragedy of religious intolerance. Both sides firmly believe God is on their side and gladly kill anyone whose belief varies in the smallest detail. I found all the characters well-rounded, and each is sympathetic in his / her own way (with the exception of Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York). The story is compelling and moves between colonial New England and London. I learned a lot about the English civil war and the Restoration, and I enjoyed it tremendously.

[Abigail]

Thanks, Sandy! No wonder the Historical Novel Society featured it.

[Abigail]

Currently reading a deliciously strange book, Lucy Crisp and the Vanishing House by Janet Hill.

[Jackie]

I just started the 13th Mercy Thompson novel Soul Taken yesterday and was holding back so I wouldn't finish too fast. But it's very likely I will finish today. I love this author and find her world-building to be fantastic so I was stoked to find this in the new section at the library.

[Abigail]

Reading Old Filth by Jane Gardam. Very well written but I’m not in the mood.

[Tania]

Abigail wrote: "Reading Old Filth by Jane Gardam. Very well written but I’m not in the mood."

I loved this one, but still haven't got to the sequels. Maybe you'll enjoy it more another time.

O Poppy day, I picked up Testament of Youth: An Autobiographical Study of the Years 1900 - 1925 by Vera Brittain, which seemed fitting. It's rather long and not one I find myself reading for too long, especially knowing how many people she lost; but it is excellent.

For some light relief, I'm reading The Howards of Caxley by Miss Read.

[Abigail]

That’s quite a contrast, Tania! As for Old Filth, I’m just not in a mood for reading in general just now—my copy of season 3 of A Discovery of Witches arrived yesterday, and by end of day I’d watched the whole thing!

[Jackie]

I'm about halfway through Brittania Mews and it's not at all what I was expecting!

[Abigail]

Yeah, it’s pretty surprising. Not a cozy!

[Abigail]

Finished Old Filth and Wessex Tales and about to embark on Solito by Javier Zamora.

[Sandy]

I recently listened to Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? A Memoir and found it fit GR's description very well: both humorous and touching.

[Abigail]

Starting Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow today.

[Susan in NC]

I just read the latest St. Cyr mystery, set in Paris as Napoleon is about to escape from Elba, and realized how little I know about French history. So, I’m starting A History of France by John Julius Norwich for my final nonfiction book of the year. As a personal reading challenge, I’ve been trying to read a nonfiction book a month this year. I’ve enjoyed some wonderful history and science writing!

[Abigail]

What a great challenge idea!

[Jackie]

Just started Dragon Bones and it's very good. I have yet to read anything by Patricia Briggs I didn't like.