What I'm Reading May/June 2025

[Jane]

In March I started reading the first volume of the Cazalet chronicles:THE LIGHT YEARS by Elizabeth Jane Howard. I am fascinated by the Cazalet family and how Howard depicts them. So, I ordered the whole 5-volume set, and I am currently reading MARKING TIME (volume 2) which takes place during WWII. It's interesting how the children of the family are bored by the war. They have been taken out of school, and they are stuck in the country with not much to do. Has anyone else read this series?

[Lynn]

Thanks for starting a new thread for May/June, Jane. I've closed the March/April thread (which ran over into mid-May) to new posts, so please continue your discussions here.

[Tamara]

I read half a dozen books in May and was disappointed with most of them. I was on hold for what seemed like forever at the library for a couple of them. I was disappointed when I finally got to read them. But I ended the month on a high note with the last two books. I thoroughly enjoyed 84, Charing Cross Road. And I finally read One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, which I've been meaning to read for years. It was breathtaking.

These are the books I read in May:

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

The Discomfort of Evening by Lucas Rijneveld; translated from the Dutch by Michele Hutchinson.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

The Meaning of Life by Terry Eagleton.
My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit....

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lynn]

I just discovered 84, Charing Cross Road last winter and was captivated. My daughter and I listened to it as an audiobook during a 2 hour road trip. The narrators were perfect at creating the personalities of the characters through their voicing. I loved it so much that I bought a hard copy for my personal library.

[spoko]

Lynn wrote: "I just discovered 84, Charing Cross Road last winter and was captivated. My daughter and I listened to it as an audiobook during a 2 hour road trip. The narrators were perfect at creating the perso..."

I also just discovered that, last Fall. In time to get my wife a copy for Christmas; we both loved it.

[Tamara]

A friend in another group told me a movie was made of the book with Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins. I watched it for free on Youtube. It was very enjoyable. Link below (I hope!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3nNR...

Enjoy!

[Ruth]

Another Charing Cross fan here.

[Lynn]

Thanks for the link to the movie, Tamara. I'll try to get to it later this week.

[Tamara]

You're welcome, Lynn. I hope you enjoy it.

[Gina]

I've also been disappointed by several books I've read, several shortlisted on the Booker and International Booker. I almost get the idea that the judges are going for more ambitious topics than on the merits of the books. Some of those books I've been so disappointed in are: Headshot, Hunchback, and On the Calculation of Volume I: On the Calculation of Volume, Book 1. Rather than just unusual topics, I would rather see the books that have been written well.

And thanks for the movie recommendation. I look forward to seeing it.

[Joy D]

Here are a few books that might be interesting to this group. I read them in May:

Dream State by Eric Puchner - 4* - My Review

The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay - 4.5* - My Review

The Rebel Nun by Marj Charlier - 4* - My Review

Troubles by J.G. Farrell - 4* - My Review

The Marrying of Chani Kaufman by Eve Harris - 4* - My Review

The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason - 5* - My Review

Sing to Me by Jesse Browner - 4* - My Review

The Pretender by Jo Harkin - 4* - My Review

The Women by Kristin Hannah - 4* - My Review

Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea - 4.5* - My Review

Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah - 4* - My Review

The Conservationist by Nadine Gordimer - 4* - My Review

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson - 5* - My Review

Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama - 4* - My Review

Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins - 4* - My Review

Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan - 4* - My Review

The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai - 4* - My Review

[Tamara]

Joy D wrote: "Here are a few books that might be interesting to this group. I read them in May:

Dream State by Eric Puchner - 4* - My Review

The Far Field by [a..."

I've read a couple of the books on your list. I just put The Piano Tuner on my TBR. I read Mason's North Woods and loved it. So I'm looking forward to reading this. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

[Lynn]

Joy D wrote: "Here are a few books that might be interesting to this group. I read them in May:

Dream State by Eric Puchner - 4* - My Review

The Far Field by [a..."

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club has been on my TBR since it appeared on the New Fiction shelf at my library last summer, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Your recommendation has moved it up in my priorities.

[Donna]

Joy D wrote: "Here are a few books that might be interesting to this group. I read them in May:

Dream State by Eric Puchner - 4* - My Review

The Far Field by [a..."

I love Helen Simonson, so I was glad to see your 5 star review of her book. I'll definitely take a look.

[Ann]

Joy

[Gina]

I read Good Night, Irene, but none of the others. I've put The Piano Tuner and The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle Club on my TBR list. Thanks, Joy.

[Joy D]

My pleasure! I need to remember to come here to post during the month.

[Mary]

I read The Piano Tuner last year and gave it 4 stars. This is the note I wrote at the time: DM writes so well! His depiction of place is stellar. I knew nothing about the historical context of this story and appreciated this way of expanding my knowledge of British colonialism. How I long for — in vain I’m sure — us humans to stop our cruelty towards and subjugation of each other. It becomes so easy for us when we label the targets of our animosity as “other” or “savage” or “primitive” or “terrorist” or whatever label allows us to distance ourselves enough to feel justified and morally righteous about our beliefs and actions. I feel sad and preoccupied with this story.

[Sue]

Joy, I read Troubles a while ago and found it to be a great novel. What a writer Farrell was and sad he died so young. I have his other two books waiting for me. I also read and enjoyed The Mountains Sing. I’ve read tow of her books now…both good. And I have The Piano Tuner on my list.
What a list of books you’ve read last month!

[Joy D]

Mary wrote: "I read The Piano Tuner last year and gave it 4 stars. This is the note I wrote at the time: DM writes so well! His depiction of place is stellar. I knew nothing about the historical context of this..."

Glad to see it had an impact on you, too. I really love his writing style.

[Joy D]

Sue wrote: "Joy, I read Troubles a while ago and found it to be a great novel. What a writer Farrell was and sad he died so young. I have his other two books waiting for me. I also read and enjoyed The Mountai..."
I agree. I had a great month of reading. I think it helps that I'm mostly picking books I've wanted to read for a while, plus a few new ones that appeal to me.

[Book Concierge]

On Beauty – Zadie Smith – 3***
“What are the truly beautiful things in life – and how far will you go to get them?” (from the book jacket) Smith’s novel focuses on the Belsey and Kipps families as they navigate the politics of an American university and the betrayals within and between their families. I was distracted by real life issues and didn’t give this the full attention Smith’s writing deserves, though I finished because my real-life book club will be discussing it next month.
LINK to my full review

[Tamara]

I read The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North. This is the third and final book in her Songs of Penelope series. I've read all three books and they were all fantastic. Each one is told from the point of view of a different goddess. And each is feminist in its orientation. A wonderful series and highly recommended for those who enjoy mythic retellings.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Tamara]

I read After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell. I've loved everything I've read by her, and this is no exception. She has become one of my favorite novelists.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Tonya]

Tamara wrote: "I read After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell. I've loved everything I've read by her, and this is no exception. She has become one of my favorite novelists."

Agree. Just a couple of books ago I read my 3rd O'Farrell: Instructions for a Heatwave and enjoyed it a lot. I've ordered another from the library for (IIRC) August.

[Tamara]

Tonya wrote: "Tamara wrote: "I read After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell. I've loved everything I've read by her, and this is no exception. She has become one of my favorite novelist..."

Tonya, I've read six of her books so far. I have Instructions for a Heatwave on my TBR. I plan to read all of her books. I like to space her books out because I have yet to be disappointed in anything she's written.

[Lyn]

Just finished This Must Be the Place. It was well written and thoughtful, but I found the chapters jumping to different times and often unknown characters to be tiring for the reader.

[Tamara]

I read The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason. An adventure story of a piano tuner who goes to an outpost in Burma to tune a piano. It has echoes of the lotus-eaters and Conrad's Heart of Darkness. I enjoyed it, but I preferred his North Woods. Thanks to Joy for recommending it.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joy D]

So glad to see you enjoyed it, Tamara. I also enjoyed North Woods. Daniel Mason is such a wonderful writer. My favorite of his is The Winter Soldier.

[Tamara]

Now I've added The Winter Soldier to my TBR. Thank you, Joy, for expanding my ever-growing mountain of books I simply must read :)

[Joy D]

t's what we do! You have certainly returned the favor. :-)

[Ruth]

Joy D wrote: "So glad to see you enjoyed it, Tamara. I also enjoyed North Woods. Daniel Mason is such a wonderful writer. My favorite of his is The Winter Soldier."

I loved The Winter Soldier

[Lynn]

I just finished My Friends by Fredrik Backman, which ended up being a real life-interrupter for me. It’s about art, artists, love, loss, grief, healing, friendship, coming of age, self-belief, humanity and much more. I laughed, cried, held my breath and gave sighs of relief…. sometimes practically at the same time. On top of all that, the writing is beautiful.

[Tamara]

Lynn wrote: "I just finished My Friends by Fredrik Backman, which ended up being a real life-interrupter for me. It’s about art, artists, love, loss, grief, healing, friendship, coming of age, ..."

Lynn, I've read a couple of Backman's novels and enjoyed them. I'll be picking up My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry from the library this week. I've put My Friends on hold in the library. I'm only # 473 in line. Ouch!
And miles to go before I sleep :-)

[Mary Ellen]

Recently, I have read a couple of forgettable mysteries, but have just started The Drowned by John Banville. Wow, what a difference in the masterful quality of his prose! I've only read a chapter but have high hopes!

[Tamara]

I read Lampedusa by Steven Price. It is a fictionalized biography of Guiseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, a Sicilian aristocrat, and the author of The Leopard, a novel published posthumously and one which became a classic in Italy.
Price's diction is lyrical. He paints a beautiful picture of Tomasi as sensitive, cultured, intelligent, and with a mournful spirit. The novel is a meditation on aging. I thought it was wonderful.

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

[Joy D]

I have Lampedusa on my TBR. Based on your review, I will be moving it up the list. Thanks!

[Tamara]

Great. I hope you enjoy it.

[Ruth]

Tamara wrote: "I read Lampedusa by Steven Price. It is a fictionalized biography of Guiseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, a Sicilian aristocrat, and the author of [book:The Leopard|62509..."

Oh that sounds wonderful, Tamara. The Leopard is one of my favorite books. And the fictional city in which it is set, in reality is Santa Maria di Belice, where my father was born.

Just ordered it.

[Tamara]

I've got The Leopard on my TBR, Ruth. Looking forward to reading it. I'm sure it must have a special meaning for you because of your connection to the city.

[Lynn]

Tamara wrote: "I've got The Leopard on my TBR, Ruth. Looking forward to reading it. I'm sure it must have a special meaning for you because of your connection to the city."

When you do find time to read The Leopard, Tamara, you might be interested in checking out an old (2001) discussion of it from our pre-Goodreads days:
http://www.constantreaderarchives.com...

[Tamara]

Thank you, Lynn. I'll be sure to check it out.

[Lynn]

What a lucky week! I just finished a second excellent book - The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl. I don't know if I would have picked it up if I hadn't been introduced to Reichl years ago by other CRs.

It's clearly a novel, but feels more intimate - like it has an autobiographical foundation. That's probably because the author's note says it was loosely based on a chapter from one of her memoirs. Her editor begged her to turn it into a novel and she eventually did.

The story starts when 30-year-old Stella's estranged mother dies and leaves her only an airplane ticket with instructions to go to Paris. An unusual encounter with a Dior dress in a vintage store starts her process of shedding a rigid lifestyle and eventually blooming into her real self.

Like other Reichl books I've read, food and art play big parts. Not surprisingly, her descriptions of food and cooking are detailed and evocative. I always ended up hungry when I was reading! The other element that plays a big part is the Shakespeare & Company bookstore. Stella becomes a part of "the tumbleweeds" for a while and authors like Allen Ginsberg and James Baldwin make occasional appearances.

I'd recommend this to anyone who is drawn to France, food, cooking, and art. Of course, I don't really consider myself in any of those categories.... yet I still loved it because I was so drawn into Stella's growth into a new life among her new friends in Paris.

[Ann D]

Thanks, Donna, for recommending Malice by Japanese mystery writer Keigo Higashino. It truly was an intellectual puzzle, forcing the reader to constantly reassess understanding of the murder and the motive. Lots of twists and turns. I had a hard time putting it down.

I also really liked How to Be a Victorian by Ruth Goodman. This one is for fellow history nerds who have always wondered what daily life was like for regular people in old times.

[Donna]

Ann D wrote: "Thanks, Donna, for recommending Malice by Japanese mystery writer Keigo Higashino. It truly was an intellectual puzzle, forcing the reader to constantly reassess und..."

Im glad you liked it, Ann.

[Joy D]

I just finished Endling by Maria Reva and it is amazing! I think it is a "must read" for fans of literary fiction, and especially for fans of creative metafiction.
My Review

[Ruth]

In an extended bout of insomnia I finished The Hand That First Held Mine. I liked it a lot.

[Lynn]

Ruth wrote: "In an extended bout of insomnia I finished The Hand That First Held Mine. I liked it a lot."

Looks good, Ruth. I've put it on my TBR.

[Ruth]

Lynn wrote: "Ruth wrote: "In an extended bout of insomnia I finished The Hand That First Held Mine. I liked it a lot."

Looks good, Ruth. I've put it on my TBR."

I hope you like it. It’s beautiful writing.

[Lynn]

I picked up a copy of Loon Feather at the library yesterday and dived in this afternoon. It's an interesting read for me, since I currently live right in the heart of Ojibwa(y) and Voyageur territory in northern Wisconsin.

My memory of the Native American history I learned in grade school, as part of Iowa History, is mostly fugitive at this point (and probably wasn't based on the native point of view in the first place), so it's good to refresh it through this first person narrative. I hope others are also getting into it right now in preparation for the discussion on July 1.