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

[Jan C]

Keith wrote: "Jan C, you say the elderly 'sit in waiting rooms a lot'. Maybe where you are but not here in NZ, I am in my 90s and spend literally no time whatsoever in 'them places', I'm too busy."

The problem is, at least for me and I'm only in my 70s, all my appointments seem to be grouped. 3-4 in July (one of which I missed thanks to my GPS) and I think the same amount in September, which includes the re-scheduled missed appointment. So it seems like I do a lot of waiting.

Plus, not all of the waiting is in the waiting room. Generally, there is time spent waiting for the doctor, too.

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "Keith wrote: "Jan C, you say the elderly 'sit in waiting rooms a lot'. Maybe where you are but not here in NZ, I am in my 90s and spend literally no time whatsoever in 'them places', I'm too busy."..."

That’s for sure! I feel like they move you from waiting room to exam space, and then you often have at least 10 minutes more wait…

[Sandy]

I just finished Nicked, a humorous, swashbuckling view of what was probably a serious undertaking in its day.

I am also reading two non-fiction books: Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party: How an Eccentric Group of Victorians Discovered Prehistoric Creatures and Accidentally Upended the World and Fool: In Search of Henry VIII's Closest Man. "Fool" I am finding dry, but it has inspired me to read The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers. This interest in Henry's fool was tweaked by an historical mystery series using Will Somers (fool) as the main character.

I will be starting our monthly reads soon, to balance the non-fiction reads.

[Sandy]

he first in the historical series is Courting Dragons.

[Susan in NC]

Oh, thanks Sandy, for the new-to-me nonfiction titles. I had meant years ago to read The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers, but had forgotten about it. Reading Lamentation, with Jane Fool a character, gave me a brain niggle (what passes for recall, these days!), of a biook by Henry’s fool I wanted to read.

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Oh, thanks Sandy, for the new-to-me nonfiction titles. I had meant years ago to read The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers, but had forgotten about it. R..."

The Autobiography is fiction but recommended as having good portrayal of Somers, not that there is really much known about him. From the Fool book, much is legend.

[Susan_MG]

Hate inc, Why Today’s Media Makes Us Despise One Another, Matt Tibbi

[Jan C]

Just started Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America on a friend's recommendation. Surprised to find that I had it upstairs.

Also picked up Nancy Pelosi's The Art of Power. Haven't started it yet.

Trying to get ready for company later this week.

[Jill]

I have started Are We Nearly There Yet?: A Family's 8000-Mile Car Journey Around Britain by Ben Hatch. Too early to make a judgement, just glad it's not me dong it

[Sandy]

I am reading two non mysteries: The Lion House: The Coming of a King, a history of Suleiman written in an novelistic style, and Rants from the Hill: On Packrats, Bobcats, Wildfires, Curmudgeons, a Drunken Mary Kay Lady, and Other Encounters with the Wild in the High Desert, humorous essays.

My next mysteries are a new short story collection by Elly Griffith and our two monthly reads (both re-reads for me). I have other books from the library that I have sadly neglected and now forgotten.

[Judy]

Jill wrote: "I have started Are We Nearly There Yet?: A Family's 8000-Mile Car Journey Around Britain by Ben Hatch. Too early to make a judgement, just glad it's not me dong it"

What was that one like, Jill? Intriguing title but I definitely wouldn't want to make that journey either.

I'm halfway through Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle by Georgette Heyer after meaning to try her Regencies again for ages - I'm enjoying the witty humour a lot.

[Kirsten]

I've been listening to A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

[Jackie]

just started an audio version of Joy in the Morning (a much loved and read series) to enjoy the accents.

Currently re-reading Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and the last of the Innkeeper series, Sweep of the Heart

might be time to start something new soon!

[Jill]

Judy wrote: "Jill wrote: "I have started Are We Nearly There Yet?: A Family's 8000-Mile Car Journey Around Britain by Ben Hatch. Too early to make a judgement, just glad it's not..."

The only reason did not give up on this book is I have visited a lot of the places the book included, and jogged my memory of them. As for the characters, I thought they were awful! The author seems so obsessed with excreta. The behavior of the children, the girl 4 and the boy 2 is no surprise as when they have to be carried outside due to temper tantrums of not getting their own way, are rewarded with being bought gifts. Ok, a 2 year old may not understand but a 4 year old!

[Susan in NC]

I’m reading Cotillion by Georgette Heyer for a reader’s choice in another group, and Calypso by David Sedaris.

[Judy]

Jill, thanks, in that case I'll probably give that book a miss! There must be others about round-Britain trips which would appeal to me more.

[Jan C]

Got peeved with Audible today - kept telling me I had x hours left to listen to a book. They had a button "continue listening" and it didn't do anything when pressed. Had to press on more information/details. It was irritating so I stopped listening to The Nazi Spy Ring in America: Hitler's Agents, the FBI, and the Case That Stirred the Nation and ordered the ****** book. So will continue that next week.

Moved on to The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America by Timothy Snyder, read by the author. Chapter 3 coming up. Very interesting. But apparently flummoxed certain reviewers on GR. They were expecting something other than what they were getting. Not sure why.

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "Got peeved with Audible today - kept telling me I had x hours left to listen to a book. They had a button "continue listening" and it didn't do anything when pressed. Had to press on more informati..."

Sorry you had to deal with that - nowadays, with our political polarization, whenever I see complaints online, it’s almost always somehow political! Even if I can’t see the connection…

[Ellen]

Started yesterday The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss

[Jill]

Starting The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone

[Pamela]

Jill wrote: "Starting The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone"

That sounds interesting Jill, look forward to hearing what you thought of it

[Jan C]

Susan in NC wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Got peeved with Audible today - kept telling me I had x hours left to listen to a book. They had a button "continue listening" and it didn't do anything when pressed. Had to press on ..."

Maybe political in WWII? I just found them irritating. Tell me you are stealing the book in two days and I can remember that. They don't have to keep reminding me. One or two light reminders should be enough for anyone, Then you can just steal the book!

[Judy]

I had the same problem with Audible the other day, claiming I had 24 hours left to listen to a book but then not working when I pressed "continue listening". I found the book on Spotify, luckily. :)

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Got peeved with Audible today - kept telling me I had x hours left to listen to a book. They had a button "continue listening" and it didn't do anything when press..."

lol, I was referring to GR readers complaining about your Snyder book! But yes, Audible doing that would be irritating!

[Sandy]

I am reading Men at Arms, in the Discworld series. Perhaps because I haven't visited Discworld lately, but I am finding this entry great fun.

[Jackie]

I think I forgot about this thread!

I am just finished Smouldering Fire (love D.E. Stevenson) and very slowly making my way through Personal Finance for Dummies. I have to force myself to get through even one chapter.

( It's info I need and find both confusing and really boring.)

[Jan C]

Still listening to The Guarded Gate: Bigotry, Eugenics and the Law That Kept Two Generations of Jews, Italians, and Other European Immigrants Out of America. Then yesterday I heard about a new book on the same subject - Long Island and the Legacy of Eugenics: Station of Intolerance by Mark Torres. So that may well be a future book I pick up.

[Marcus]

I’m reading City of God by St. Augustine and a collection of essays about reading and books by Alberto Manguel.

[Franky]

Right now I'm reading Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, War with the Newts by Karel Čapek, and The Spectre General: The Golden Age Science Fiction Classic by Theodore R. Cogswell.

[Judy]

Jackie wrote: "I think I forgot about this thread!

I am just finished Smouldering Fire (love D.E. Stevenson) ..."

I love D.E. Stevenson too and read Smouldering Fire recently, but was a bit surprised by the melodramatic plot of that one - I suppose she fancied trying something different! I have a couple of hers lined up to read soon.

[Jackie]

I searched for any discussion of the book and was only able to read reviews. I liked it well enough, but understand why some people were disappointed.

I think the melodrama was what reminded me of Mary Stewart and as I put in my review (view spoiler)[ I was expecting a kidnapping (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Interesting comparison with Mary Stewart, Jackie, I think I've only read one or two by her so far though I'd like to read more.

[Sandy]

I am about to start Memorial Days. I have read several of her books and those of her late husband, Tony Horwitz, as well as seeing them both talk about their books. Could be either depressing or uplifting.

[Susan in NC]

I’m enjoying a Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, and early MC Beaton (writing as Marion Chesney). My library has several of her Regency romance series in ebook form, easy, fluffy, humorous-perfect for the end of the day when my brain is fried from the latest outrageous news stories! ;o

[Jackie]

I haven't heard of that one, Susan, is it short stories? I love the Bertie and Jeeves best but all Wodehouse is good, of course.

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "I haven't heard of that one, Susan, is it short stories? I love the Bertie and Jeeves best but all Wodehouse is good, of course."

It was published in 1960, and my hardcover copy is here:

On the copyright, it says “originally published in the USA under the title ‘How Right You Are, Jeeves’” if that helps. I’m listening to the audiobook from my library while I read, not my favorite, Jonathan Cecil, but pretty good, all the same! Here’s the cover of that audiobook:

[Sandy]

I'm reading When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution's Greatest Romance about how plants shaped the earth and the animals. Excellent.

[Jackie]

Sandy, that sounds very good; did you ever read The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth ? Gave me an incredible respect for plants of all kinds.

Just like with mammals, humans have truly underestimated them!

[Sandy]

Jackie wrote: "Sandy, that sounds very good; did you ever read The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth ? Gave me an incredible res..."

Sounds good. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Sandy]

I am reading Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures, a series of short essays each on an interesting animal. Wonderfully written.

[Marcus]

Finished City of God, vol 01, by Saint Augustine of Hippo and a little discourse by Jürgen Jabermas about Faith and Knowledge. I will decide my next reading in this matter.

[Carissa]

I'm re-reading "The Enchanted April" by Elizabeth von Arnim.

[Susan in NC]

Just finished The Brother Gardeners: A Generation of Gentlemen Naturalists and the Birth of an Obsession, which was interesting, but the incredibly tiny print of my used paperback was brutal on my eyes, took a month to get through, in small bites! Also listening slowly to a reread of Emma while knitting

[Judy]

I really liked The Enchanted April, Carissa. Hope you enjoy it. I need to read more of Elizabeth von Arnim's books - I've read a few but there are lots more.

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Just finished The Brother Gardeners: A Generation of Gentlemen Naturalists and the Birth of an Obsession, which was interesting, but the incredibly tiny print of my used paperback wa..."

I have read a couple of other books by that author and always enjoyed them - and learned stuff.

[Jackie]

So far I've only read The Enchanted April (once) by that author, but would be willing to try more.

Currently just finishing the audio book of Uneasy Money which I am loving. Also nearing the end of The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity which I am also loving.

[Judy]

Did you want to buddy read another Christianna Brand, Susan, and anyone else who's interested? Maybe Cat and Mouse which has just been reprinted in the UK?

[Judy]

Sorry wrong thread! I will copy over to the mystery reading thread.

[Jackie]

I continue to listen to the audio versions of all the Wodehouse I can find, currently it's Pearls, Girls And Monty Bodkin

[Jan C]

I finished the audio of From the Moment They Met It Was Murder: Double Indemnity and the Rise of Film Noir. History of the book, the movie and film noir.

Finally finished Didion and Babitz. Oh boy, did I hate this book. Every chance she has she builds up Babetz and tears down Didion. I'm not sure I've ever read a book where I was yelling at it on almost every page.

I've started The Englishman's Daughter: A True Story of Love and Betrayal in World War I by Ben Macintyre. At least in the prologue it reminds me of A Very Long Engagement. But that's probably just a first impression.