What non-mystery books are you reading? (2023-25)

[Abigail]

I saw you mentioned that book in another thread, Susan—yet another intriguing nonfiction selection from you!

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "I saw you mentioned that book in another thread, Susan—yet another intriguing nonfiction selection from you!"

Thanks! I really enjoyed her book about Teddy Roosevelt exploring the AmazonThe River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey, wanted to give this one a try.

[Glenda]

I’m gradually plowing through The Complete Works of Mark Twain.

[Susan in NC]

Glenda wrote: "I’m gradually plowing through The Complete Works of Mark Twain."

Good for you! Embarrassed to admit, I only read “Huckleberry Finn” a few years ago - I’ve been trying over the last several years (ongoing project) to fill in the blanks on the classics I missed in high school and college.

[Sarah]

I am a new member to the group, and just checked out this thread. A month ago, Susan in NC wrote she was reading Siddhartha Mukherjee's book "The Song of the Cell." Any comments? I read his "The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer," and was riveted, since I had childhood leukemia and this was like reading the history of why I survived. I also have what's called "secondary tumors in adult survivors of childhood cancer," and read anything I can find written by neurosurgeons, to know what it's like on the other side of the scalpel. Henry Marsh is my favorite, of course.

[Sarah]

I forgot to mention that I'm currently reading "Stardust to Stardust: Reflections on Living and Dying," by Erik Olin Wright, who was a Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin. I received a free copy from Haymarket Books, wanting to know more about his experience with AML, a form of adult leukemia. The book is a condensation of his blog, written as he navigated his disease and continued with his academic work and personal life. I find it very hard to read continuously, since my own health has had some sudden drawbacks, and I read mysteries to take a break from the medical world. Strange, how fictional death is such a relief from facing death in reality; especially with "the little grey cells"!

[Susan in NC]

Sarah wrote: "I am a new member to the group, and just checked out this thread. A month ago, Susan in NC wrote she was reading Siddhartha Mukherjee's book "The Song of the Cell." Any comments? I read his "The Em..."

I enjoyed it and learned a lot - got lost in the scientific weeds at times, but Mukherjee is a good writer.

[Sarah]

Thanks for your comment, Susan. I have wanted to read Mukherjee's "The Gene: An Intimate History," but felt intimidated by the length– 592 pages! It's available as a PBS documentary, however.
Both Mukherjee and Atul Gawande have written articles for "The New Yorker," and I read several of Gawande's books, including "Complications" and "Being Mortal." The latter also became a PBS documentary.

[Susan in NC]

Sarah wrote: "Thanks for your comment, Susan. I have wanted to read Mukherjee's "The Gene: An Intimate History," but felt intimidated by the length– 592 pages! It's available as a PBS documentary, however.
Both ..."

I’ve seen a few interviews with both doctors on PBS NewsHour when their books came out - they both struck me as deeply decent, intelligent, interesting people. Made me want to know more about them - I liked that Mukherjee put so much history, both scientific and personal, in his writing.

[Fred]

I am about one-third through One L by Scott Turow who also wrote Presumed Innocent and Burden of Proof. It Turow's experiences as a first year law student at Harvard. Very interesting so far. Some of it reminds me of the movie and t.v. show "The Paper Chase" that starred John Houseman.

[Jackie]

It's been a long time, but I remember reading One L and enjoying it. He is a very good writer.

[Tara]

On audiobook I am listening to Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe by Robert Matzen. It focuses on Stewart's war experiences and how they changed him and his acting--an interesting topic for sure.

My main non-mystery physical book is Imaginary Conversations by Walter Savage Landor. The gist of the book is a series of conversations between historical figures, although there is no pretense that these represent any real interactions but are rather in the voice of the author. There are various volumes divided into similar subjects (i.e. Greeks and Romans), although my copy appears to have been printed especially for the Limited Editions Club, and includes both long and short conversations, attempting to capture the best of what Landor had produced. I simply adore the fact that the book still has uncut pages (per the advice from Helene Hanff I use a grapefruit knife to get the job done). It feels like a present you get to keep opening as you read.

[Abigail]

Just finished the last book on my list for this month, Winter and Rough Weather by D. E. Stevenson. (Sorry, Goodreads is not letting me link right now; every once in a while I get a pared-down version of the website for no apparent reason.) since I have a few days left in the month I’m going to turn to a duty read, a novel written by an acquaintance, The Shadow of Celene by Carol Sanders, a slavery-era story.

[Jackie]

Winter and Rough Weather

I know I loved the first two, but I have no memory of reading this one.

[Abigail]

It’s not surprising, Jackie—I found it a little flat and dull compared to the other two. She wrapped up several storylines but in predictable ways without any suspense.

[Judy]

I've just finished listening to Listening Valley, another novel by D.E. Stevenson and enjoyed it a lot - it's a sort-of sequel to Celia's House with some of the same characters. One problem with listening to the audiobook for me was that the narrator did a terrible accent for a French character, so that I started to cringe every time this particular character came in!

[Rosina]

I have just started The Places in Between by Rory Stewart, about his walk across Afghanistan in 2002.

[Susan in NC]

I’ve just started Crewe Train by Rose Macaulay

[Abigail]

I’m excited to start reading my first Daphne du Maurier book, Jamaica Inn.

[Jackie]

Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve just started Crewe Train by Rose Macaulay"

I started it this week as well but got sidetracked and not very far along. I can't download the ebook onto my kindle (it's a library book) so I am reading it on archive.org and it's just less convenient that way.

[Jackie]

just finished Masques which is an edited/republished version of Patricia Brigg's very first novel. After reading her intro, and how she couldn't have written it today because she knows more about how to write, I was pleasantly surprised.

Excellent world-building and characters I cared about: what more can we ask?

[Craftyhj]

Abigail wrote: "I’m excited to start reading my first Daphne du Maurier book, Jamaica Inn."

Goodness - I haven't read that since I was a teenager many years ago! I look forward to hearing what you think

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve just started Crewe Train by Rose Macaulay"

I started it this week as well but got sidetracked and not very far along. I can't download the ..."

Yes, I thought it might be, was lucky to snag it as a kindle on sale. However, I DNFd due to a spoiler filled introduction in my edition.

I am now enjoying a reread of a favorite Georgette Heyer, The Talisman Ring.

[Tania]

The Talisman Ring was my introduction to Georgette Heyer. I'd always avoided her thinking she was a romance writer, but when Stephan Fry said she was one of his guilty pleasures I thought I would give her a go, she is so much more than *just* a romance writer.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "The Talisman Ring was my introduction to Georgette Heyer. I'd always avoided her thinking she was a romance writer, but when Stephan Fry said she was one of his guilty p..."

You’re right - and I’m afraid “romance” novels, at least in America, are often thought of as brainless fluff, or bodice-rippers - she doesn’t do any sexy bits, and excelled at clever, witty dialogue, delightfully entertaining scenes, and some great characters! Her mysteries are fun, too.

[Roman Clodia]

I also discovered Heyer late because of that 'romance' tag. My first was These Old Shades which is still one of my favourites.

I haven't read The Talisman Ring yet - and will recommend Faro's Daughter.

[Jackie]

I am also re-reading The Talisman Ring and always find it very funny; I would recommend it to anyone.

[Jill]

I am just starting News of the World by Paulette Jiles This is tagged as a western, which has never been a genre that I have wanted to read, but it was recommended to me, so I have decided to give it a try

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "I am just starting News of the World by Paulette Jiles This is tagged as a western, which has never been a genre that I have wanted to read, but it was recommended to..."

I enjoyed that, I’ll be curious to see what you think.

[Jan C]

I started The School that Escaped the Nazis: The True Story of the Schoolteacher Who Defied Hitler last week.

[Sandy]

Jill wrote: "I am just starting News of the World by Paulette Jiles This is tagged as a western, which has never been a genre that I have wanted to read, but it was recommended to..."

I liked it as well and suppose it is a western ...

[Jill]

I’m over a quarter of the way in now and really liking it. It has certainly captured my attention. I suppose I always thought of westerns as endless gunfights , and you always knew the one in the black hat was the bad guy, like in the films.

[Susan in NC]

I’ve started A Chelsea Concerto by Frances Faviell, a memoir of the London Blitz, and a reread of Mapp and Lucia by E.F. Benson for some comic relief.

[Judy]

I thought A Chelsea Concerto was very powerful, Susan - will be interested to hear what you think.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I thought A Chelsea Concerto was very powerful, Susan - will be interested to hear what you think."

Only starting, but yes, even her introduction was powerful and touching, the first chapter about first air raid drills, everyone laughing and joking, it’ll never happen here…

[Jill]

Thanks to those who encouraged me to read News of the World I really loved it.

[Jackie]

I am almost half-way through Crewe Train which I find to be interesting and very unexpected. I'd been advised not to read the introduction because of spoilers, so I have no idea what is going to happen to our odd heroine.

[Fred]

I am reading "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens. I am not a fan of big books, but I wanted to tackle something long this year. I am also reading short stories--mystery, science fiction and horror around the novel. So far, about 100 pages into "Copperfield" and am enjoying it so far.

[Craftyhj]

Well done Fred! I have never been able to get on with Dickens - far too wordy.

[Sandy]

I started Bleak House recently (sometime in the last three years) and was surprised that I liked it but is fell by the wayside as shorter books called. I will have to start all over if I pick it up again.

[Sandy]

P.S. It may be because I was forced to read David Copperfield in school, but I do NOT remember it fondly.

[Craftyhj]

I think audio may be the way for me when it comes to Dickens. I listened to Gulliver's Travels last year and I don't think I would have waded through it all on paper.

[Sandy]

Craftyhj wrote: "I think audio may be the way for me when it comes to Dickens. I listened to Gulliver's Travels last year and I don't think I would have waded through it all on paper."

I agree; that was how I was reading Bleak House.

[Rosina]

Sandy wrote: "Craftyhj wrote: "I think audio may be the way for me when it comes to Dickens. I listened to Gulliver's Travels last year and I don't think I would have waded through it all on paper."

I agree; th..."

I too fell foul of Dickens in school, disliking Oliver Twist, Great Expectations and David Copperfield. But with audible I have enjoyed Bleak House, Dombey and Son, Martin Chuzzlewit and Our Mutual Friend. But I don't think I'll return to the ones I read in school.

[Tania]

I also find Dickens rather wordy; I much prefer Anthony Trollope. I think he's the better writer, but Dickens translates better to telly/films; maybe that is why he is the more popular writer of the two.

[Judy]

I really love both Dickens and Trollope, but Dickens is my favourite. I love his humour and his amazingly vivid imagination which as you say translates so well to film/TV, and as a fan of 19th-century writing I also enjoy the wordiness! However, I don't think I can be bothered to watch the latest TV Great Expectations, which I saw a trailer for today. There have been so many!

I think Trollope is also a wonderful writer in a more realistic vein. I must reread some of his novels - I've been meaning to read The Pallisers books again but, as with all of us, there is so much I want to read and don't manage to get to! I'd also like to see more of his books adapted for TV (it's been a long time since any were done) but don't think that's very likely as there are so many period dramas already.

[Roman Clodia]

I like both Dickens and Trollope too, and would say that Trollope is straightforward and realistic, whereas Dickens has a more sophisticated system of symbolism and extended metaphor that underpins and unifies his books. I'm thinking of the symbolic uses of prisons, say, in Little Dorrit, or the varying meanings of 'expectations' in Great Expectations, or the way Bleak House offers such a sustained critique of the whole of English society.

So I like them both for different reasons but Dickens is the greater, visionary writer for me.

[Rosina]

I prefer Trollope's women though!

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "Thanks to those who encouraged me to read News of the World I really loved it."

Yay!

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "I started Bleak House recently (sometime in the last three years) and was surprised that I liked it but is fell by the wayside as shorter books called. I will have to start all over if..."

Oh, Sandy, I fell into the “Bleak House” trap with the audiobook, kept dozing off and losing my place! Finally picked up a used copy so I could read along and keep awake - took me a couple years to FINALLY finish ;) Good luck, I felt like it really took off for me once Inspector Bucket was on the scene!