What non-mystery books are you reading? (2021-2022) Showing 251-300 of 1,030

[Susan in NC]

Good to know, I know I’ll want to read more of her titles!

[Jill]

I am about a third of the way through The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. Interesting but not captivating

[Sandy]

I have started A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life which is an exploration of a few Russian short stories. While geared more towards writing a short story than reading one, I got a lot more meaning out of the first story than I would have on my own.

The only other book by George Saunders I've read is Lincoln in the Bardo which I highly recommend on audio.

[Jill]

Having finished The Reader which is a sad read, I am now starting A Breath of French Air by H.E. Bates to give myself a lift.

[Tania]

I did enjoy that one Jill. Really good fun.

[Carolien]

I've just read A Room with a View for the first time, Tania. Really liked it.

My recent non-mystery reads were Doctor Thorne which I adored. Anthony Trollope is a new author to me and I am loving the Barchester series.

I also read The Bridges of Constantine which is set partly in Algeria and partly in Paris. Took a while to get used to the tone and pace, but then enjoyed it very much.

[Judy]

I love the Barchester series too, Carolien - glad to hear you are enjoying it.

[Jackie]

Jill wrote: "Having finished The Reader which is a sad read, I am now starting A Breath of French Air by H.E. Bates to give myself a lift."
I had to read all those books after seeing the TV shows on PBS. Perfick!

[Tania]

Carolien wrote: "I've just read A Room with a View for the first time, Tania. Really liked it.

My recent non-mystery reads were Doctor Thorne which I adored. Anthony Trollope and I'm loving thr Barchester Chronicles.

I loved A Room with a View, but I thought Howards End was even better.

[Jill]

I am now reading The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown. It has started well, plus I also know Manningtree where it is set.

[Tania]

Jill wrote: "I am now reading The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown. It has started well, plus I also know Manningtree where it is set."

I look forward to your thoughts on this Jill, I saw it at my library and wondered about it, enough to add it to my library list where it has languished for a year or two.

[Jill]

Tania wrote: "Jill wrote: "I am now reading The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown. It has started well, plus I also know Manningtree where it is set."

I look forward to yo..."

I don't know how closely this represented Matthew Hopkins actual life from historical facts, as this was a view from his fictional sister. This put forward that his behavior was due to what happened to him as a child, also that money and notoriety played a big part in his actions. Having said that, I did find I was getting annoyed with the sister.

[Jill]

I have just finished The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa and found it to be a disappointment after having read The Housekeeper and the Professor which I liked a lot
Have now started The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson Which has an interesting start, so hoping it carries on that way

[Sandy]

I read The Liar's Dictionary. I haven't decided on my rating yet, either three or four stars. It is a loose intertwining of two stories, a hundred years apart.

[Kanishka]

I'm currently reading Shopaholic Abroad by Sophie Kinsella, a guilty pleasure if you may.

[Tania]

Kanishka wrote: "I'm currently reading Shopaholic Abroad by Sophie Kinsella, a guilty pleasure if you may."

I remember being pleasantly surprised by the first 2 books. I think they came free with a magazine so I picked up the first one, not expecting much, and found myself laughing out load. They would have been good reading for last year.

I'm currently reading Tension by E.M. Delafield, certainly not as light-hearted as her 'Provincial Lady' books.

[Kanishka]

Oh! Do tell me your review about the book when you finish reading it! I'd love to hear all about it:)

[Tania]

I will : )

[Alwynne]

Sandy wrote: "I read The Liar's Dictionary. I haven't decided on my rating yet, either three or four stars. It is a loose intertwining of two stories, a hundred years apart."

I really liked this one overall, but I thought it was quite uneven, the contemporary storyline didn't engage me as much as the one set in the publishing company's past.

[Sandy]

Alwynne wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I read The Liar's Dictionary. I haven't decided on my rating yet, either three or four stars. It is a loose intertwining of two stories, a hundred years apart."

I rea..."

I agree that the older story was the more interesting.

[Carolien]

I've just finished Palace Walk, the first in the Cairo trilogy about an Egyptian family in WWI. The father is a tyrant who rules his family with fear while being a wonderful friend with multiple lovers on the side. Beautifully written. I loved it,

My other one is A Sin of Omission which covers a piece of South African history in the late 1800's where Black boys were educated to become missionaries in the Anglican church. Absolutely beautifully written historical fiction, but a challenging read. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sandy]

Carolien wrote: "I've just finished Palace Walk, the first in the Cairo trilogy about an Egyptian family in WWI. The father is a tyrant who rules his family with fear while being a wonderful friend wi..."

Palace Walk has been on my TBR for awhile. I should remember to read it.

[Judy]

We read Palace Walk last year in the other group where Susan and I are mods, Reading the Twentieth Century, and I really liked it - a very powerful story.

[Jill]

Just about to start Old Baggage by Lissa Evans I loved her Crooked Heart and as this book was the first book by this author recommended to me, I couldn't wait to start this one.

[Sue]

Jill wrote: "Just about to start Old Baggage by Lissa Evans I loved her Crooked Heart and as this book was the first book by this author recommended to me, I coul..."

Hope you enjoy this. I really enjoyed her Their Finest Hour and a Half and want to read more of her books.

[Susan]

I have enjoyed her books too. Hope you enjoy that one, Jill. I have started The King's Painter: The Life and Times of Hans Holbein.

[Tania]

Jill wrote: "Just about to start Old Baggage by Lissa Evans I loved her Crooked Heart and as this book was the first book by this author recommended to me, I coul..."

I've also been meaning to read this one for a long time, please do let us know how you find it.

[Lesley]

When we did the Ngaio Marsh mysteries, the last book we read was Money in the Morgue which Stella Duffy took Marsh's manuscript and finished writing it. I was asked at the time whether I'd read any other books by Stella Duffy which I hadn't for a very long time.

Well, I have just finished reading her latest published book, Lullaby Beach, and highly recommend it. It's not a 'whodunnit' mystery, but has elements of mystery wrapped up in family secrets. Set on the East Coast of England it is the stories of three generations of women from the same family. Very cleverly written and once begun difficult to put down until the back cover is reached. Do give it a read.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "I have enjoyed her books too. Hope you enjoy that one, Jill. I have started The King's Painter: The Life and Times of Hans Holbein."

That looks great, Susan - do report back. It's a shame that so many of Holbein's drawings are hidden away in the Royal collection and not on public display. I was once lucky enough to be able to view them - they're so skilled at drawing character.

[Susan]

It's really interesting so far, RC. I must admit I don't know much about him, although I know his most famous portraits of course and I recall the comments in Hilary Mantel's novels about Cromwell and how he looked like a murderer in his brooding portrait!

[Tania]

Lesley wrote: "When we did the Ngaio Marsh mysteries, the last book we read was Money in the Morgue which Stella Duffy took Marsh's manuscript and finished writing it. I was asked at the time whether I'd read any..."

Thank you. That does look interesting, I've added it to my library list.

I recently read Mamma which was one of the new British Library Women Writers books. I'd loved Guard Your Daughters by the same author, so I was keen to get this one and it was a great read. I've now picked up another one from the same series, Tea Is So Intoxicating by Mary Essex, which is rather good fun so far.

[Jackie]

I've been reading both series about the supernatural by Patritica Briggs, recently finishing Frost Burned and Dead Heat. I think both are excellent and rate a "couldn't put it down". Her world-building and long story arcs make me excited for what's next in each series. And it's not just action, suspense, and romance: they happen in a dense stew of world-wide politics.

[Kanishka]

I've started reading Animal Farm by George Orwell today. A short read before I depart for university next week.

[Jackie]

Kanishka wrote: "I've started reading Animal Farm by George Orwell today. A short read before I depart for university next week."

that one made me cry.

currently reading Beswitched and it's very good. It's a teenager time-travel story and I will be looking for more by this author.

[Susan in NC]

Kanishka wrote: "I've started reading Animal Farm by George Orwell today. A short read before I depart for university next week."

Good luck at university - have a good trip, and enjoy your last week at home!

[Susan in NC]

Just started listening to the audiobook of Summer Half by Angela Thirkell, it’s a reread for the Retro Reads group’s July book. Summer weather is just heating up here in NC (my tomato and pepper plants are happy), so seems fitting! A light, humorous read seems a natural summer choice, memories of summer reading as a kid!

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Just started listening to the audiobook of Summer Half by Angela Thirkell, it’s a reread for the Retro Reads group’s July book. Summer weather is just heating up here ..."

I read the first in that series and always meant to continue.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Just started listening to the audiobook of Summer Half by Angela Thirkell, it’s a reread for the Retro Reads group’s July book. Summer weather is j..."

I’ve read most of the series, I’m up to the last few - these early ones are a treat to revisit!

[Jill]

I will be reading High Rising in December with Susan and Judy's other group https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "I will be reading High Rising in December with Susan and Judy's other group https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/..."

Oh, one of my favorites, enjoy! I looked at that group site - some great books to explore when I’m “mysteried out” and looking to expand my reading horizons…thanks, Jill!

[Tania]

I loved that one, very jolly hockeysticks. I am about halfway through them and personally prefer the earlier ones.

I have just finished a very good biography of E.M. Delafield, The Life Of A Provincial Lady: A Study Of E. M. Delafield And Her Works. Excellent, apart from her habit of summarising the novels and giving away the endings. Since they are mostly very difficult to find, I'll no doubt forget before I get to them.

[Gary]

Currently about a third of the way through The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. I think this is my third or fourth read of this classic first part of The Lord of the Rings. I am currently in the section that Peter Jackson did not include in the movie.

[Alwynne]

Tania wrote: "I loved that one, very jolly hockeysticks. I am about halfway through them and personally prefer the earlier ones.

I have just finished a very good biography of E.M. Delafield, [b..."

I really enjoyed that one too, as well as [book:The Headmistress|30142104], but there are so many in Thirkell's series, and it's very variable, I've tried others I haven't been able to finish.

[Tara]

Gary wrote: "Currently about a third of the way through The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. I think this is my third or fourth read of this classic first part of The Lo..."

Tom Bombadil! I haven't read Tolkien in a while, and I was just thinking I need to get back into Middle-earth.

[Sue]

Gary wrote: "Currently about a third of the way through The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. I think this is my third or fourth read of this classic first part of The Lo..."

We watched the three Peter Jackson films in a mini marathon over the weekend, I've never read the books, so I didn't know all the different groups etc, but my daughter was giving me "cultural references" as we went along! Otherwise, I would have found it difficult to follow the plot, but it was an extraordinary, sweeping saga and well worth the nine hours of viewing.

[Jill]

I rarely read romance, but this was recommended to me, and as I have been enjoying books with older characters lately, I have decided to see how it goesMajor Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

[Tania]

I heard good things about that one. I haven't read it yet so I'd be interested to see what you make of it.

I finished Begin Again by Ursula Orange. It eas written in the 30's about four young women rebelling against society rules. While these rules are of their time, the young ladies attitudes are timeless. I really likes it.

[Sandy]

I've started This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing, a memoir by the author of the Maise Dobbs series. So far it is an interesting view of how "average" Brits were affected by the two world wars. Winspear uses many of her family stories in her books.

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "I rarely read romance, but this was recommended to me, and as I have been enjoying books with older characters lately, I have decided to see how it goesMajor Pettigrew's Last Stand b..."

Loved that one, it was one of my mother’s favorites! I hope you enjoy it.

[Susan in NC]

Just finished the latest Carl Hiaasen comedy/mystery? Comedy/thriller? Not sure what genre he fits into, but he’s funny - Squeeze Me .