Hello, Happy Friday!šāļø Weāre almost midway through Septemberā¦ how are things going for you, reading or life wise? Iāve been in a great reading flow, but Iāve noticed something interesting as far as my beloved mystery and thriller genre- I canāt seem to land on anything that gives me that stay up late into the night reading buzz. Of course, this is frustrating me and making me think ridiculous thoughts likeā¦have I read all the great mysteries and thrillers out there? Or the more catastrophizing thoughtā¦Iāll never again find a 5 star mystery or thrillerš Our thoughts can really go to wild places canāt they? What Iāve decided is that nowās the time to branch out- perhaps choose a classic mystery or thriller, something already loved and repeatedly recommended by other readers, or dip into a beloved mystery series Iāve been avoiding simply because itās a series (thinking here of Louise Penny or Deborah Crombie)- your thoughts and recommendations are welcomed!
I mentioned Iām in a great reading flow and that has to do with the wonderful literary fiction Iāve been reading. Iāll share more about that in my answer, but Iām noticing that this year literary fiction has been calling to me (and is currently my most read genre per The Storygraph) and Iām going to continue leaning into it this fall. Bonus question for you - what is your most read genre so far this year? If youāve listened to my podcast episode of Augustās Reading Simplified, you know our reading prompt for September is to read from our shelves, hence question two:) I canāt wait to hear what books have been calling to you from your unread shelves!
My unread bookshelf priorities
Question Timeā¦..The questions I ask in weekly threads are meant to be fun and help us connect, so please know you donāt have to answer each question, if you only have the time/desire to answer one, great! Please put book titles IN ALL CAPS for easy reading:)
What are you reading this weekend (or what did you finish reading this week)?
What books are you prioritizing from your unread shelves?
This week I finished listening to MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON by Elizabeth Strout and I LOVED it! The audio narration was excellent and brought a melancholic tone to the story that I think I would've missed in print. I thought this exploration of a complicated mother/daughter relationship was fascinating, complex, and at times quite sad. At less than 4 hours on audio this was a fast listen too. This is my first Elizabeth Strout and I have Michelle Beckwith (@bookshelfbybeckwith on instagram) to thank for answering my question of which Elizabeth Strout I should start with. Feel free to all chime in with which one of her books I should pick up next!
I'm editing my post to add in a photo too - A few of the books I'm prioritizing from my unread shelves this month are: DRACULA by Bram Stoker, MY DARK VANESSA by Kate Elizabeth Russell, CALL FOR THE DEAD by John LeCarre, SKIN DEEP by Liz Nugent, THE RESURRECTION OF JOAN ASHBY by Cherise Wolas, and THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt
My husband and I started watching The Perfect Couple on Netflix and we're enjoying it. We've watched 3 episodes, the setting is stunning! I'm actually liking the show much better than the book. And Nicole Kidman is so good at playing bitchy characters!
I'm so glad I loved my first Elizabeth Strout too, now I'm excited to continue with her backlist and also her new one, especially since Oprah picked it. What are your favorite books by her??
This week I finished up the last books for my Fall Fiction Compendiumā¦hooray! After Iām done Iāll be reading THE MOST, LIKE MEAT LOVES SALT, and the second Neapolitan novel. And Iām watching English Teacher which is so funny and which might be the best representation of life in a high school Iāve ever seen.
- This week I finished Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed the World by Mark Pendergrast. I am writing a series of articles which will appear in November on coffee and its relationship with literature for my publication, Beyond the Bookshelf. This was a fantastic history of my favorite beverage.
- I am prioritizing reading books that have been on my shelf for awhile that I can utilize to inform my writing. Since I will be hosting a read-along of Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey starting in January, I have been reading stuff on the Greek Hero, mythology, ancient history, etc...
- I have been watching Dark Winds on Netflix. It is very good in my opinion.
I am very close to finishing The Examiner by Janice Hallett. I am prioritizing some spooky reads on my shelves that I didnāt get to last year. Those being Starling House by Alix E. Harrow and The Only One Left by Riley Sager. However, next I am reading a new release book Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara. I have been watching a marathon of Beachfront Bargain Hunt on Max.
First, my favorite books by Elizabeth Strout are Olive Kitteridge, Olive Again, and The Burgess Boys. This week I finished reading Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke and Burning Bright by Nick Petrie. For some reason Iām in the mood for mystery, suspense and espionage spy thrillers. I picked up THE MAN IN THE CORDUROY SUIT BY JAMES WOLF. I had no idea what I was walking into when I picked up this book. I am halfway through the book and not sure if I want to continue. I had three books prioritized on my shelf to read next but I may have to reconsider and create a new list. so the books that I am tentatively considering reading our: ALL THAT IS MINE I CARRY WITH ME, CITY OF DREAMS, and MY DARKEST PRAYER. I also may squeeze in another book in the Peter Ash series by Nick Petrie. I truly love this series and there are only seven books in the series so far. I have read the first two. I think that I have mainly read literary fiction this year and second would be mystery and suspense. They seem to be the only two genres that I read with the exception of a few nonfiction here and there.
City of Dreams was so good! I'll miss Don Winslow's writing. I feel like you'd like All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, it was good on audio too. My mom loved The Burgess Boys, I forgot about that Elizabeth Strout!
Renee, I finished THE SEQUEL earlier this week and loved it! I actually not only found myself pulling for Anna, but actually empathizing with her. š³ Iām calling that the mark of some great writing. Iām currently halfway through Iām Thinking of Ending Things and I am totally sucked in. I started AN HONEST MAN today from my unread audiobook shelf- another Renee rec! Other than that I need to get to reading the books I bought from BOTM and Aardvark that have been piling up.
We started The Perfect Couple earlier this week and Iām sure weāll finish it.
And as always, Lit Fic is at the top of my list. No close 2nd.
oh yay!! Wasn't it so good?! I'm with you, the author did a brilliant job with Anna in book 2. Super interested in hearing what you think of I'm Thinking of Ending Things and An Honest Man, I know you don't read many thrillers but I feel like Michael Koryta could be a great fit for you. My husband and I will finish The Perfect Couple this weekend, so far I can't remember the book at all so it's a new to me story haha
She did a phenomenal job! So far, Iām definitely enjoying An Honest Man. I needed something fast but that would hold my attention, and so far itās working! I also finished Iām Thinking of Ending Things and I liked it! Surprisingly, I actually started figuring things out a lot more easily than I thought I would, but I really felt like he did such a great job building a sense of dread and horror. that it kept me glued to the pages for the last third regardless of guessing the ending!
I listened to THE PLOT when it came out but have zero memory of it. Do you think I should relisten before THE SEQUEL? I keep forgetting about the Perfect Couple - I think that might be a show my husband and I could enjoy together (when he's not watching football).
I just finished Perris, California and gave it 5 stars āļø I think the characters in that book will stay with me for a long time!
Starting The Rachel Incident and Wedding People for upcoming book clubs!
I watched the most horrifying documentary called Night Stalker on Netflix about a serial killer in the 80ās. I was born in 77 so I donāt remember this but it was horrific. I watched all 4 parts on a plane ride home on Monday. Has anyone watched that or remember that happening?
Have a great weekend everyone! Officially pulling out the Halloween š decorations this weekend as it finally feels a little cooler in Oklahoma and I am here for it! ššš»š§
Yay for 5 stars for Perris!! I truly think that book would work for most readers and it's a mystery why it's flying under the radar. I haven't heard of that documentary but I want to watch it, I was born in 72 but I wasn't paying much attention to the news in the 80s- back when you had to watch tv at a certain time in order to get the news - AKA the good old days š
Hi, Renee and all. I just finished reading The Surgeonās Daughter by Audrey Blake for Book Club. It is the sequel to The Girl In His Shadow. The stories revolve around a young woman who was raised by a surgeon in Victorian era London and who went to Bologna Italy for her medical degree. The underlying theme is that women were not permitted to practice medicine, especially surgery, at that time. They were both good!
My new September read is from my Kindle graveyard instead of book shelf but Iām calling that the same. And itās tied directly to what Iāve been watching. I just binged the first season on Dark Winds on Netflix and when I saw that it was based on a novel be Tony Hillerman, I went searching and found a copy of the first in the series already purchased. Itās scratching my itch for a mystery, which is my largest genre of reading, confirmed by The Storygraph
Your Kindle graveyard definitely counts! I love that you already had purchased that book when you went looking for it- bookish serendipity at work. Haven't heard of Dark Winds but I have heard of Tony Hillerman, that's also the best when you enjoy a show and then find out it's based on a book, I love when that happens because there's usually more to discover when reading the book
I just started Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Iāve had it for a couple years and as I read this excellent book makes me wonder what took me so long to read it! Actually, I had 2 copies and sent one to my niece. We are buddy reading it. So my work here is doneā¦Iāve gotten one of my beloveds to love reading! š
love that you and your niece are buddy reading! I've been reading some nonfiction with my adult son one the past 18 months and it makes me feel so happy when he gives me a book rec and then we can talk about it together- esp because he hated to read literally until 18 months ago.
Iām reading Double Exposure by Elissa R Sloan and finishing Sing Sing Files on audio. Loving both! Iām watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives but embarrassed to say so. š
What are you reading this weekend (or what did you finish reading this week)? I'm listening to LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov on audio. I started with the physical copy but haven't made time for it and listening has been easier. I also finished listening to THE FACULTY LOUNGE by Jennifer Mathieu earlier this week and loved it.
What books are you prioritizing from your unread shelves? Upcoming eARCs! I have a few publishing in October that I need to read later this month.
What are you watching? A Discover of Witches! OMG why did no one tell me about this book series and show? I can't peel my eyes off the TV.
I felt like I will be thinking of the characters for a long time. Most books I read I forget all about them once Iām finished. This one will stick with me for a while.
I finished THE HUSBAND by Maude Venture, the book was very good, definitely a dark and interesting, main character was OBSESSED with her husband! I gave it 4 stars, Iām currently listening to THE WEDDING PEOPLE and reading (print) STILL LIFE by Sarah Winman, Iām really enjoying STILL LIFE, not sure about THE WEDDING PEOPLE, might DNF , so far itās not working for me. I want to read Elizabeth Stroud books, I have not read any of her book, I have Oh William on my shelf, I might try to read it this month, I might add Dracula too. Super excited to see Balletmetās Dracula, here in Columbus, I just purchased tickets today. My husband and I are about to watch Perfect Couple this evening , I heard many good things about it!
Wasnāt My Husband interesting? I loved the ending. I didnāt know Dracula was coming to the Balletmet in Columbus, I may need to check on tickets. Iām glad to hear thereās one other person who struggled with The Wedding People:)
Hi! I just finished The Wedding People (5āļø) and started Penance by Eliza Clark. I also loved Chimp Crazy and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Have a great weekend!
Oh how I can relate to not being able to find a grasping thriller. I too, feel I have read SO MANY good ones, really struggling to find something I can't wait to get back into, or NOT want to put down. I also catastrophize, thinking I will NEVER have that feeling again, yet I know I most certainly will :)
What are you reading this weekend (or what did you finish reading this week)? Just finished "The Divorce", Finishing up: Blue Sisters and One Star Romance, going to start Riley Sager's "Middle of the Night" , next!
What are you watching? I struggle to watch any tv (this is a good thing? Im not sure) Anyway, really trying to dedicate some time to watch The Perfect Couple, Three Women, and Tell me Lies, wish me luck!
The Divorce was just ok? I found the MC whiney? Had a difficult time connecting. It was told in two parts, each partner shared their views. It was interesting, but forgettable.
Hi to all. I was surprised to find that my most read genre this year is bio/memoir. This week I read THE BERRY PICKERS (Amanda Peters) which I wasn't sure I wanted to read when it came out. Last week a friend recommended it based on her friend's reco and so I got it out of the library and LOVED it. I was drawn in from beginning to end. This was a debut book for the author. I am having a big DNF month (5 books), all of them from my TBR list. Today I finished KNIFE (Salman Rushdie) about the attack against him in 2022. It's deeply personal and shocking, but worth reading. I treated myself to Liane Moriarity's new book, HERE ONE MOMENT.
Jan I love that nonfiction is your top genre so far, I love hearing what nonfictions people are reading, I just got the audio of The Siege by ben Macintyre, is that one you've heard about? I felt the same about The Berry Pickers, it's not called to me but you've got me thinking I'll add it to my tbr. For me, it usually takes a trusted source to say they loved something I hadn't planned on reading and then straight to my tbr that book will go:) I'm definitely reading Here One Moment!!
Sorry about the blip. I looked at THE SEIGE but I've already read a book by the ops guys who freed them all. It was fascinating. HERE ONE MOMENT takes a bit of getting used to. It alternates between the fortunetellers' past story and the stories of several of the passengers that took place before the flight as well as subsequent to it. It's 500 pages but many chapters aren't even a page long. I'm just halfway through and am enjoying it.
Happy Friday! I just finished The Underground Library, a sweet story of a library set in a tube station in London during the Blitz in World War Two. I am currently reading Everyone on this Train is a suspect and I plan to start The Mesmerist. I just finished watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives-it was crazy and looking forward to Survivor starting this upcoming week. Also, football is back and I love it. This is my second year to play Fantasy football and it is so much fun.
I just finished some long lingering books I've been reading: No No Boy by John Okada, Dangers of Smoking in Bed (Stories) by Marianna Enriquez, and Gag Reflex by Elle Nash. I'll be reading The Road to the Country this weekend and prioritizing the books on the NBA fiction longlist! Watching The Righteous Gemstones again!
I have been watching a lot of BookTube videos recently in preparation for an upcoming post I am planning to write about BookTube. If anyone has any BookTube channel recommendations for me, I would love to hear them.
As for reading, unfortunately I have been DNFing a lot recently; but I did finish a lovely, bookish, fantasy short story: āLittle Free Libraryā by Naomi Kritzer. This is the second short story of hers that I have read and loved recently. So I am planning to try more of her work.
I stayed up way too late last night to finish BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman and now I can't wait to pick up the sequel! I watched the movie years ago when it first came out on Netflix and remember enjoying it but couldn't remember much else so I'm glad I waited to read the book and I was completely hooked (and terrified)! Also think the story hits differently now that I have young kidsā¦
I'm looking forward to prioritizing my shelves after I finish THE WILL OF MANY by James Islington, a huge undertaking so we'll see if I continue, I plan to read at least 100 pages of this 600+ page fantasy before deciding. On my shelves, I'm hoping to get to THE TAINTED CUP by Robert Jackson Bennett and reread ORDINARY MONSTERS by J.M. Miro (book 2 comes out next week I think).
I finished watching Dark Matter, which I also read recently and loved seeing how they adapted it, it followed the book pretty closely with enough differences that I can totally see a season 2 in the making!
Bonus response: Thrillers are my most read so far with literary fiction not too far behind
Bird Box is still on my spooky season tbr! I feel like I would like it so I'm glad you shared about it. I've heard good things about The Tainted Cup and Ordinary Monsters- I have OM on my shelf at home too
I had a long flight earlier this week and watched five episodes of Ronan Farrowās documentary about Harvey Weinstein. Like a trainwreck I couldnāt stop watching š
This week I'm finishing FELLOWSHIP POINT by Alice Elliot Dark. I'm prioritising via my mood which right now means fantasy and magic featuring books - I'm excited to keep going with THE MIRROR VISITOR series which I've rested for too long and THE FAMILIAR by Leigh Bardugo, I'm also excited by THE ACADEMY OF LIARS which is meant to be similar to NINTH HOUSE but we'll see if I can hold out buying it until October!
I just finished Emily in Paris' new season and loved it, I love that it's becoming more realistic otherwise, I'll be starting TELL ME LIES S2 this weekend
This week I finished listening to MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON by Elizabeth Strout and I LOVED it! The audio narration was excellent and brought a melancholic tone to the story that I think I would've missed in print. I thought this exploration of a complicated mother/daughter relationship was fascinating, complex, and at times quite sad. At less than 4 hours on audio this was a fast listen too. This is my first Elizabeth Strout and I have Michelle Beckwith (@bookshelfbybeckwith on instagram) to thank for answering my question of which Elizabeth Strout I should start with. Feel free to all chime in with which one of her books I should pick up next!
I'm editing my post to add in a photo too - A few of the books I'm prioritizing from my unread shelves this month are: DRACULA by Bram Stoker, MY DARK VANESSA by Kate Elizabeth Russell, CALL FOR THE DEAD by John LeCarre, SKIN DEEP by Liz Nugent, THE RESURRECTION OF JOAN ASHBY by Cherise Wolas, and THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt
My husband and I started watching The Perfect Couple on Netflix and we're enjoying it. We've watched 3 episodes, the setting is stunning! I'm actually liking the show much better than the book. And Nicole Kidman is so good at playing bitchy characters!
Iām so glad you loved Elizabeth Strout!!!! I finished watching the Perfect Couple and thought it was so good.
I'm so glad I loved my first Elizabeth Strout too, now I'm excited to continue with her backlist and also her new one, especially since Oprah picked it. What are your favorite books by her??
I loved I am Lucy Barton, Oh William and Lucy by the Sea. Those are my favorites.
Oh! William and Lucy by the sea ā¤ļø but I loved all of her books! š I canāt wait to read the new one š„°
Oprah said you could start with her new one, so thatās what Iām doing. Hoping it goes well. Iāve had her on my radar for a long time.
I binged The Perfect Couple last weekend Renee! Love Nicole Kidman in those roles. Let me know what you think of My Dark Vanessa!
Will do!
This week I finished up the last books for my Fall Fiction Compendiumā¦hooray! After Iām done Iāll be reading THE MOST, LIKE MEAT LOVES SALT, and the second Neapolitan novel. And Iām watching English Teacher which is so funny and which might be the best representation of life in a high school Iāve ever seen.
Can't wait for tomorrow and your fall guide! I need to know more about Like Meat- that title wow it's interesting
Sara, I can't wait to see what you think of THE MOST!
Renee, Iām reading How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. I think youād love it.
Thank you for this rec, Katie told me I should read it too so I'll grab a copy and join the club of you who love this book:)
Such a good one!
Isnāt it?? I just love the writing. Itās beautiful and funny and wistful and hopeful and heartbreaking all at once.
How To Read A Book will definitely make my Top Ten list for 2024ā£ļøšā£ļø
I loved the themes and the messages throughout. A powerful and heartwarming story.
Mine too. ā¤ļø
Renee - thanks for the opportunity to share.
- This week I finished Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed the World by Mark Pendergrast. I am writing a series of articles which will appear in November on coffee and its relationship with literature for my publication, Beyond the Bookshelf. This was a fantastic history of my favorite beverage.
- I am prioritizing reading books that have been on my shelf for awhile that I can utilize to inform my writing. Since I will be hosting a read-along of Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey starting in January, I have been reading stuff on the Greek Hero, mythology, ancient history, etc...
- I have been watching Dark Winds on Netflix. It is very good in my opinion.
I love coffee, that nonfiction sounds interesting!
I am very close to finishing The Examiner by Janice Hallett. I am prioritizing some spooky reads on my shelves that I didnāt get to last year. Those being Starling House by Alix E. Harrow and The Only One Left by Riley Sager. However, next I am reading a new release book Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara. I have been watching a marathon of Beachfront Bargain Hunt on Max.
First, my favorite books by Elizabeth Strout are Olive Kitteridge, Olive Again, and The Burgess Boys. This week I finished reading Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke and Burning Bright by Nick Petrie. For some reason Iām in the mood for mystery, suspense and espionage spy thrillers. I picked up THE MAN IN THE CORDUROY SUIT BY JAMES WOLF. I had no idea what I was walking into when I picked up this book. I am halfway through the book and not sure if I want to continue. I had three books prioritized on my shelf to read next but I may have to reconsider and create a new list. so the books that I am tentatively considering reading our: ALL THAT IS MINE I CARRY WITH ME, CITY OF DREAMS, and MY DARKEST PRAYER. I also may squeeze in another book in the Peter Ash series by Nick Petrie. I truly love this series and there are only seven books in the series so far. I have read the first two. I think that I have mainly read literary fiction this year and second would be mystery and suspense. They seem to be the only two genres that I read with the exception of a few nonfiction here and there.
City of Dreams was so good! I'll miss Don Winslow's writing. I feel like you'd like All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, it was good on audio too. My mom loved The Burgess Boys, I forgot about that Elizabeth Strout!
I loved Bluebird, Bluebird and Heaven My Home by Attica Locke.
Renee, I finished THE SEQUEL earlier this week and loved it! I actually not only found myself pulling for Anna, but actually empathizing with her. š³ Iām calling that the mark of some great writing. Iām currently halfway through Iām Thinking of Ending Things and I am totally sucked in. I started AN HONEST MAN today from my unread audiobook shelf- another Renee rec! Other than that I need to get to reading the books I bought from BOTM and Aardvark that have been piling up.
We started The Perfect Couple earlier this week and Iām sure weāll finish it.
And as always, Lit Fic is at the top of my list. No close 2nd.
oh yay!! Wasn't it so good?! I'm with you, the author did a brilliant job with Anna in book 2. Super interested in hearing what you think of I'm Thinking of Ending Things and An Honest Man, I know you don't read many thrillers but I feel like Michael Koryta could be a great fit for you. My husband and I will finish The Perfect Couple this weekend, so far I can't remember the book at all so it's a new to me story haha
She did a phenomenal job! So far, Iām definitely enjoying An Honest Man. I needed something fast but that would hold my attention, and so far itās working! I also finished Iām Thinking of Ending Things and I liked it! Surprisingly, I actually started figuring things out a lot more easily than I thought I would, but I really felt like he did such a great job building a sense of dread and horror. that it kept me glued to the pages for the last third regardless of guessing the ending!
You deserve a huge gold star for figuring that out!! I'm so glad An Honest Man is working for you
I listened to THE PLOT when it came out but have zero memory of it. Do you think I should relisten before THE SEQUEL? I keep forgetting about the Perfect Couple - I think that might be a show my husband and I could enjoy together (when he's not watching football).
I went back and googled spoiler summaries of The Plot and they got me all caught up!
Thatās what I was going to suggest:)
I donāt think you need to reread whole book, just checking some spoilers online should refresh your memory
I just finished Perris, California and gave it 5 stars āļø I think the characters in that book will stay with me for a long time!
Starting The Rachel Incident and Wedding People for upcoming book clubs!
I watched the most horrifying documentary called Night Stalker on Netflix about a serial killer in the 80ās. I was born in 77 so I donāt remember this but it was horrific. I watched all 4 parts on a plane ride home on Monday. Has anyone watched that or remember that happening?
Have a great weekend everyone! Officially pulling out the Halloween š decorations this weekend as it finally feels a little cooler in Oklahoma and I am here for it! ššš»š§
Yay for 5 stars for Perris!! I truly think that book would work for most readers and it's a mystery why it's flying under the radar. I haven't heard of that documentary but I want to watch it, I was born in 72 but I wasn't paying much attention to the news in the 80s- back when you had to watch tv at a certain time in order to get the news - AKA the good old days š
All three of those books were 4.5 or 5āļø reads for me. Enjoy!
Hi, Renee and all. I just finished reading The Surgeonās Daughter by Audrey Blake for Book Club. It is the sequel to The Girl In His Shadow. The stories revolve around a young woman who was raised by a surgeon in Victorian era London and who went to Bologna Italy for her medical degree. The underlying theme is that women were not permitted to practice medicine, especially surgery, at that time. They were both good!
My new September read is from my Kindle graveyard instead of book shelf but Iām calling that the same. And itās tied directly to what Iāve been watching. I just binged the first season on Dark Winds on Netflix and when I saw that it was based on a novel be Tony Hillerman, I went searching and found a copy of the first in the series already purchased. Itās scratching my itch for a mystery, which is my largest genre of reading, confirmed by The Storygraph
Your Kindle graveyard definitely counts! I love that you already had purchased that book when you went looking for it- bookish serendipity at work. Haven't heard of Dark Winds but I have heard of Tony Hillerman, that's also the best when you enjoy a show and then find out it's based on a book, I love when that happens because there's usually more to discover when reading the book
Definitely serendipity. Iām excited to have a new series to follow. That will curate my next reads for the month.
I just started Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Iāve had it for a couple years and as I read this excellent book makes me wonder what took me so long to read it! Actually, I had 2 copies and sent one to my niece. We are buddy reading it. So my work here is doneā¦Iāve gotten one of my beloveds to love reading! š
love that you and your niece are buddy reading! I've been reading some nonfiction with my adult son one the past 18 months and it makes me feel so happy when he gives me a book rec and then we can talk about it together- esp because he hated to read literally until 18 months ago.
Iām reading Double Exposure by Elissa R Sloan and finishing Sing Sing Files on audio. Loving both! Iām watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives but embarrassed to say so. š
Looking forward to your thoughts on Double Exposure, I'm going to read it soon. Same with Sing Sing.
What are you reading this weekend (or what did you finish reading this week)? I'm listening to LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov on audio. I started with the physical copy but haven't made time for it and listening has been easier. I also finished listening to THE FACULTY LOUNGE by Jennifer Mathieu earlier this week and loved it.
What books are you prioritizing from your unread shelves? Upcoming eARCs! I have a few publishing in October that I need to read later this month.
What are you watching? A Discover of Witches! OMG why did no one tell me about this book series and show? I can't peel my eyes off the TV.
I knew about the book series Discovery of Witches but not the series, I bet that's good this time of year
Just picked up Fellowship Point which has been on my shelves for awhile. Packed it for my trip to Maine.
Just finished A little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. It was sad and so very well written it kept me reading till the end.
It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover is a read I will start next.
Enjoying watching the WNBA Indiana Fever basketball games.
I agree with both your thoughts on A Little Life, itās hard to ask if you liked it but how did you feel about it when you finished?
I felt like I will be thinking of the characters for a long time. Most books I read I forget all about them once Iām finished. This one will stick with me for a while.
They really do stay with you, I still think about them 9 years later
I finished THE HUSBAND by Maude Venture, the book was very good, definitely a dark and interesting, main character was OBSESSED with her husband! I gave it 4 stars, Iām currently listening to THE WEDDING PEOPLE and reading (print) STILL LIFE by Sarah Winman, Iām really enjoying STILL LIFE, not sure about THE WEDDING PEOPLE, might DNF , so far itās not working for me. I want to read Elizabeth Stroud books, I have not read any of her book, I have Oh William on my shelf, I might try to read it this month, I might add Dracula too. Super excited to see Balletmetās Dracula, here in Columbus, I just purchased tickets today. My husband and I are about to watch Perfect Couple this evening , I heard many good things about it!
Wasnāt My Husband interesting? I loved the ending. I didnāt know Dracula was coming to the Balletmet in Columbus, I may need to check on tickets. Iām glad to hear thereās one other person who struggled with The Wedding People:)
Hi! I just finished The Wedding People (5āļø) and started Penance by Eliza Clark. I also loved Chimp Crazy and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Have a great weekend!
I love the cover of Penance, it also sounds like something Iād like, let us know what you think when you finish:)
Oh how I can relate to not being able to find a grasping thriller. I too, feel I have read SO MANY good ones, really struggling to find something I can't wait to get back into, or NOT want to put down. I also catastrophize, thinking I will NEVER have that feeling again, yet I know I most certainly will :)
What are you reading this weekend (or what did you finish reading this week)? Just finished "The Divorce", Finishing up: Blue Sisters and One Star Romance, going to start Riley Sager's "Middle of the Night" , next!
What are you watching? I struggle to watch any tv (this is a good thing? Im not sure) Anyway, really trying to dedicate some time to watch The Perfect Couple, Three Women, and Tell me Lies, wish me luck!
I hope we both find an unputdownable thriller soon š¤š» How was The Divorce?
The Divorce was just ok? I found the MC whiney? Had a difficult time connecting. It was told in two parts, each partner shared their views. It was interesting, but forgettable.
Hi to all. I was surprised to find that my most read genre this year is bio/memoir. This week I read THE BERRY PICKERS (Amanda Peters) which I wasn't sure I wanted to read when it came out. Last week a friend recommended it based on her friend's reco and so I got it out of the library and LOVED it. I was drawn in from beginning to end. This was a debut book for the author. I am having a big DNF month (5 books), all of them from my TBR list. Today I finished KNIFE (Salman Rushdie) about the attack against him in 2022. It's deeply personal and shocking, but worth reading. I treated myself to Liane Moriarity's new book, HERE ONE MOMENT.
Jan I love that nonfiction is your top genre so far, I love hearing what nonfictions people are reading, I just got the audio of The Siege by ben Macintyre, is that one you've heard about? I felt the same about The Berry Pickers, it's not called to me but you've got me thinking I'll add it to my tbr. For me, it usually takes a trusted source to say they loved something I hadn't planned on reading and then straight to my tbr that book will go:) I'm definitely reading Here One Moment!!
Good morning, I've heard about but I already read
Sorry about the blip. I looked at THE SEIGE but I've already read a book by the ops guys who freed them all. It was fascinating. HERE ONE MOMENT takes a bit of getting used to. It alternates between the fortunetellers' past story and the stories of several of the passengers that took place before the flight as well as subsequent to it. It's 500 pages but many chapters aren't even a page long. I'm just halfway through and am enjoying it.
Happy Friday! I just finished The Underground Library, a sweet story of a library set in a tube station in London during the Blitz in World War Two. I am currently reading Everyone on this Train is a suspect and I plan to start The Mesmerist. I just finished watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives-it was crazy and looking forward to Survivor starting this upcoming week. Also, football is back and I love it. This is my second year to play Fantasy football and it is so much fun.
I just got the audio of The Mesmerist, it seems like a perfect fall read!
I just finished some long lingering books I've been reading: No No Boy by John Okada, Dangers of Smoking in Bed (Stories) by Marianna Enriquez, and Gag Reflex by Elle Nash. I'll be reading The Road to the Country this weekend and prioritizing the books on the NBA fiction longlist! Watching The Righteous Gemstones again!
I have been watching a lot of BookTube videos recently in preparation for an upcoming post I am planning to write about BookTube. If anyone has any BookTube channel recommendations for me, I would love to hear them.
As for reading, unfortunately I have been DNFing a lot recently; but I did finish a lovely, bookish, fantasy short story: āLittle Free Libraryā by Naomi Kritzer. This is the second short story of hers that I have read and loved recently. So I am planning to try more of her work.
The only BookTube I keep up with is Brett's Book stack, he's got a great BookTube and reads a ton
I will try his channel out. Thanks!
I stayed up way too late last night to finish BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman and now I can't wait to pick up the sequel! I watched the movie years ago when it first came out on Netflix and remember enjoying it but couldn't remember much else so I'm glad I waited to read the book and I was completely hooked (and terrified)! Also think the story hits differently now that I have young kidsā¦
I'm looking forward to prioritizing my shelves after I finish THE WILL OF MANY by James Islington, a huge undertaking so we'll see if I continue, I plan to read at least 100 pages of this 600+ page fantasy before deciding. On my shelves, I'm hoping to get to THE TAINTED CUP by Robert Jackson Bennett and reread ORDINARY MONSTERS by J.M. Miro (book 2 comes out next week I think).
I finished watching Dark Matter, which I also read recently and loved seeing how they adapted it, it followed the book pretty closely with enough differences that I can totally see a season 2 in the making!
Bonus response: Thrillers are my most read so far with literary fiction not too far behind
Have a great weekend!
Bird Box is still on my spooky season tbr! I feel like I would like it so I'm glad you shared about it. I've heard good things about The Tainted Cup and Ordinary Monsters- I have OM on my shelf at home too
I had a long flight earlier this week and watched five episodes of Ronan Farrowās documentary about Harvey Weinstein. Like a trainwreck I couldnāt stop watching š
Vicki I think I will have to watch as well!
This week I'm finishing FELLOWSHIP POINT by Alice Elliot Dark. I'm prioritising via my mood which right now means fantasy and magic featuring books - I'm excited to keep going with THE MIRROR VISITOR series which I've rested for too long and THE FAMILIAR by Leigh Bardugo, I'm also excited by THE ACADEMY OF LIARS which is meant to be similar to NINTH HOUSE but we'll see if I can hold out buying it until October!
I just finished Emily in Paris' new season and loved it, I love that it's becoming more realistic otherwise, I'll be starting TELL ME LIES S2 this weekend