What are you reading in 2021?

[Gretchen, Keep your head up or the crown slips]

New year. New reads.

Or maybe an old read made new again. Tell us about it here.

[Book Concierge]

The Twenty-One Balloons – William Pène du Bois – 4****
This is a classic of children’s literature, for which du Bois was awarded the Newbery Medal. It’s a fantastical adventure story featuring Professor William Waterman Sherman, who leaves San Francisco on Aug 15, 1883, in a balloon, with the intention of going across the Pacific Ocean and enjoying some solitude. He wasn’t counting on Krakatoa’s explosive eruption, however… The illustrations (also by du Bois) provide a visual representation to go along with some of the detailed descriptions of the various inventions.
My full review HERE

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I am finishing Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from The Atlantic Paranormal Society

[Ashley Marie]

Starting the year with a reread of City of Stairs before I pick up When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra.

[Annette]

The Note Through the Wire: The Incredible True Story of a Prisoner of War and a Resistance Heroine


Based on a true story. Against all odds, WWII brings two people from two corners of the world. They both have the same mission to defy the Germans. She passes a note to him through the wire of the compound as she is searching for her brother. He can’t forget this young woman disguised as an elderly lady.

5/5 This is one of the best WWII stories I've ever read. Brilliantly wrought story capturing the trauma of war, the love forged against all odds, the prose peppered with humor despite the sad subject of war.

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

[Annette]

An Unofficial Marriage: A Novel about Pauline Viardot and Ivan Turgenev

This story brings “life love affair of two great artists - the famous Russian author, Ivan Turgenev, and the celebrated French opera singer, Pauline Viardot.”

5/5 The prose is beautiful. The expressions of love are intensely passionate and that’s what I’d say represents the time period. How they expressed themselves. The story explores the relationship between following one’s passion for career and for love which is a complex matter. The story has a good flow with steady pace.

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

[PattyMacDotComma]

My first book of 2021 was more lighthearted. We know from the title to look forward to The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home, but it's an after dark innovation suggested by author Joanna Nell that interests me. I do love a good idea.
3.5★ rounded up Link to my Great Escape From Woodlands review

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Finished Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from The Atlantic Paranormal Society and starting The Nine Lives of Christmas

[Kathryn]

I've been on a Philippa Gregory Binge that will probably continue. Right now I'm reading The Constant Princess

[Simon]

Finished reading One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow.

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

[Alice]

I am tired of reading about WWI or WWII so I started
Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini. I am finding it very interesting. I know very little about Mary Todd Lincoln and her sisters. I have read about her in White House years but this one is set in 1875. Very interesting.

[Simon]

Started today reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson for my February book club.

[Book Concierge]

Simon the Fiddler – Paulette Jiles – 4****
Set in Texas at the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the reconstruction period, Jiles follows Simon Boudlin and his band of iterant musicians as they try to stay alive and out of trouble, and as Simon tries to win the heart of Doris, an indentured immigrant Irish lass. Simon is a marvelous character: intelligent, quick witted, resourceful, and determined. I love the way Jiles crafts her novels. While the plot focuses on the characters and their reactions to events happening around them, the atmosphere is enhanced by her descriptions of the landscape, the food, and culture of the times.
My full review HERE

[Ashley Marie]

I started When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra last night and I'm getting the feeling I'll probably skim it -- the author abuses commas to the point of crafting near-fragments instead of actual sentences.

Started The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane on audio this morning and I like it so far. Lisa See doesn't waste any time broaching the harrowing subject of (view spoiler)[twins born into the Akha culture (hide spoiler)], but the writing and narration are excellent.

[Chris]

Alice wrote: "I am tired of reading about WWI or WWII so I started
Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini. I am finding it very interesting. I k..."

I read a wonderful bio on MTL by Catherine Clinton Mrs. Lincoln: A Life. You should check it out sometime.

[Alice]

Chris wrote: "Alice wrote: "I am tired of reading about WWI or WWII so I started
Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini. I am finding it very in..."

Thank you for recommendation. I have not heard of that book

[Francesca]

I am reading ‘The Alice Network ‘. Very interesting

[Dem]

Finished The Thursday Murder Club

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3632014962

[Ashley Marie]

Francesca wrote: "I am reading ‘The Alice Network ‘. Very interesting"

LOVE this book! Happy reading, Francesca!

[Chris]

Francesca wrote: "I am reading ‘The Alice Network ‘. Very interesting"

This was a fascinating fictional account of a real life resistance group!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Nobody Walks by one of my favourite authors, Mick Herron, has nothing to do with driving kids to school these days. : )
Always suspenseful!
4★ Link to my Nobody Walks review

[PattyMacDotComma]

Who knew there was an in-depth, scientific (GORGEOUS!) study of international fairies?! A Natural History of Fairies by Emily Hawkins and illustrator Jessica Roux is terrific - as appealing for oldies as for kiddies!
5★ Link to my Fairies review with several beautiful illustrations

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished A Necessary Evil #2 Sam Wyndham historical mystery set in 1920's India by Abir Mukherjee. A fascinating read!
Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Finished The Nine Lives of Christmas and starting The Nightingale

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Finished The Nine Lives of Christmas and starting The Nightingale"

Jayme; Read The Nine Lives of Christmas a few years back. Cute romance!

[Annette]

8: A Song for the Peach Tree In My Master's Garden


Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), a Japanese swordsman and philosopher among other accomplishments, is considered a Kensei, a sword-saint of Japan. Through his story, we get to experience a culture of swordsmanship and its devotion.

5/5 This is one of those exceptional stories, noted for its originality in depiction and literary in language.

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

[Annette]

The Doll Factory

London, 1850. Iris with her sister Rose work for Mrs. Salter’s Doll Emporium. At the Great Exhibition, a collector named Silas meets Iris. His fascination with her gets obsessive.

5/5 This story is also categorized as Gothic, which has some dark moments of obsession. But it doesn’t overwhelm the story.

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

[Carolyn]

I've just finished my first historical read for this year, a family drama based on a true story, set in 1934 in Atlantic City

Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland,

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

[PattyMacDotComma]

Itchy fingers? Amigurumi Crochet: Farm and Forest Animals by Kristen Rask will have you busy with these cute designs. Clear details, excellent instructions.
5★ Link to my Crochet Animals review with several pictures

[PattyMacDotComma]

I finally decided to 'review' my own 2020 on Goodreads by choosing the books I liked best. It's a strange assortment, but that's what makes reading fun for me.
5★ of course! Link to my good reads of 2020

[Bruce]

I’m currently reading The Alienist for the January catch up.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I am reading Double Crossby James Patterson

[Carolyn]

I really enjoyed the latest in this series following Constance Kopp, the first female deputy sheriff in the US, and her sisters as the US enters WWI. Now that Constance is no longer in the Sherriff's office, the author has fewer facts to work with but has used what she can glean of their lives to fictionalise what they, and women like them, might have done during this period.

Dear Miss Kopp by Amy Stewart

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

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished A Madras Miasma #1 Superintendent Le Fanu byvBrian Stoddart. Rated this 3 stars. A gritty historical mystery set in 1920's India. Although the narrative and dialogue seemed stilted what I enjoyed most was the cultural and historical references. The murder mystery had potential but the big reveal at the end was predictable. This is the first in a series so it does have potential.

[Donna]

Hi, I have just read 'A Well Behaved Woman' by Therese Anne Fowler about Ava Smith, who married into the Vanderbilt family. I enjoyed it and part one is surprisingly funny.

[Cristina]

The Weight of Salt: A Gripping Story of Love and Courage.

I am reading the Weight of Salt for my second time. It is an amazing story of a first-generation Italian American in 1906. It is filled with happiness, sadness, comical moments, and the most amazing wisdom. I am reading for a second time so I can highlight all of my favorite quotes. I highly recommend it.

[Abigail]

I am reading Kingfishers Catch Fire by Rumer Godden, one of her trio of semi-autobiographical novels looking back on her childhood in India. This one is set in Kashmir, a place I have always wanted to go.

[PattyMacDotComma]

This is an unusual addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series for children by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara. Louise Bourgeois was a troubled, unique artist who created disturbing sculptures.
4★ Link to my Louise Bourgeois review with illustrations and a few photos of her "Maman" spiders

[PattyMacDotComma]

Amazing Things Are Happening Here is a collection of short stories by Jacob M. Appel, a doctor who has a knack for writing stories with a twist.
3★ Link to my Amazing Things review

[Carolyn]

I really enjoyed The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. It made me want to go and re-read all my Jane Austen's again :)

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

[Abigail]

Now reading Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss by Margaret Renkl, a combination of memories of her family and Deep South upbringing with loving descriptions of the harshness and beauty of the natural world in her backyard.

[Kathryn]

Just finished The Queen's Gambit. Now I'm reading The Midnight Library

[CindySR]

I just finished The Last Painting of Sara de Vos which I heard about in this group in a nomination thread, gave it 3.5

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

I don't remember who nominated it but thank you!

[JoAnne]

The Prayer Box (Carolina Heirlooms #1) by Lisa Wingate
4.08 · Rating
When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola's rambling Victorian house.

[Norma]

Carolyn wrote: "I really enjoyed The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. It made me want to go and re-read all my Jane Austen's aga..."

I won a copy of these book last year, and I plan to read at least 2 of Austen's books as a lead up to this one. I'm glad to know you enjoyued it - that's encoraging

[PattyMacDotComma]

I really enjoyed The Crossing, the first of Aussie author B. Michael Radburn's mystery series about a park ranger escaping his grief by taking a posting in Tasmania. It's frying pan into the fire stuff, except it's so bl**dy freezing that the fire might be welcome. Good read!
4.5★ Link to my review of The Crossing

[Carolyn]

This novella is free on Amazon and an excellent introduction to a historical mystery series I enjoy set in 1930s Australia

The Prodigal Son by Sulari Gentill

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

[Kathryn]

Still on my Philippa Gregory kick. Reading The White Princess now.

[Chris]

Gosh, I am in such a reading slump right now. I don't know if its because I'm busy & don't feel like reading or what I'm reading isn't meeting my needs! Slowly moving through Ride the Wind. So much death, I am having to do only small bites and the collection of Ghost stories on my bedside table has been neglected.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished Double Cross and starting Confessions of a Shopaholic