Love love love this post and idea!!! The last book that i gave 5⭐️ to was Somebody’s Fool by Richard Russo. This book is responsible for my reading slump because you just do not want the book to ever end. Russo is a brilliant writer and can get to the heart of human nature. I compare him to Pat Conroy. Somebody’s Fool is the third book in his trilogy and I believe you can enjoy this book without having read the first two. In fact, it may inspire you to read the first two. He writes about blue-collar workers living in a small town in upstate New York with such subtle humor that your giggling throughout the whole book. there’s really no plot to the story with the exception of a suicide thrown in and the town trying to figure out who that person was. The story is basically about characters trying to make it in a town that seems to be closing down due to the economy. There are silly, crazy, bizarre situations that are just funny. Yet, it is not slapstick, one liners comedy. While listening to this audiobook, I felt as though I was just watching an episode of Seinfeld in which there are just comical situations but no real plot to the story. Yet at the end you did not want to say goodbye to these characters and their lives. I definitely will get my book comps in by email by Friday. Thank you again for this wonderful post. I’m excited about this.
If you’re really interested, I would suggest you start with the beginning. It is not necessary however because when I read the last book it had been a few years since reading the second book in this series. You can definitely enjoy the third book without having read the first two.
My favorite is Lords of Discipline. It really shows off his brilliant writing style. South of Broadis a close second. I was living in South Carolina at the time and could truly appreciate the culture and the characters in this book.
My last 5 ⭐️ read was Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. This was a book club reading with Novel Pairings for the month of February which heightened the reading experience. It was written in 1913 and takes place during the new industrialized America. The protagonist Undine Spragg acts like a selfish, uncaring shallow person, who will do anything to climb her way to the top of society’s social and money scene. Wharton wrote this story right around the time she was planning to leave the US for France.
The story is based on Undine’s manipulations and schemes to climb her way to the top. This book surprised me in all of the right ways. Family drama, New York culture/society, business world and a close look at the main characters. I loved it!!!😍
I read this in my graduate program and wrote an essay about Undine as a character. Not many people have read this particular Wharton so I am excited to see it mentioned.
I"m so sorry I missed seeing this- I don't think you have to read Erasure first, from what I'm hearing it's in the realm of how Percival Everett writes but just a completely different story. I would say if you're going to see the movie American Fiction I'd encourage you to read Erasure first but also not absolutely necessary
My last 5⭐️ read was A Raisin in the Sun! After reading this I know why this is considered a timeless play. I loved the characters and the family interactions in this play! It was such a lovely read and a short one too
What was the last book you gave 5 ⭐️ to and why? If you'd like to leave your book comp requests here, just leave the title and author:)
Love love love this post and idea!!! The last book that i gave 5⭐️ to was Somebody’s Fool by Richard Russo. This book is responsible for my reading slump because you just do not want the book to ever end. Russo is a brilliant writer and can get to the heart of human nature. I compare him to Pat Conroy. Somebody’s Fool is the third book in his trilogy and I believe you can enjoy this book without having read the first two. In fact, it may inspire you to read the first two. He writes about blue-collar workers living in a small town in upstate New York with such subtle humor that your giggling throughout the whole book. there’s really no plot to the story with the exception of a suicide thrown in and the town trying to figure out who that person was. The story is basically about characters trying to make it in a town that seems to be closing down due to the economy. There are silly, crazy, bizarre situations that are just funny. Yet, it is not slapstick, one liners comedy. While listening to this audiobook, I felt as though I was just watching an episode of Seinfeld in which there are just comical situations but no real plot to the story. Yet at the end you did not want to say goodbye to these characters and their lives. I definitely will get my book comps in by email by Friday. Thank you again for this wonderful post. I’m excited about this.
I just saw this a BJs and was thinking of buying it - now I am going to go back and get it 😂
I am interested in this book. I loved Seinfeld when his show first came out! So funny. 😆
The whole series is like reading a cross between the characters of cheers, Seinfeld and friends. Just quirky characters and humorous situations.
3 shows I LOVED!!
If you’re really interested, I would suggest you start with the beginning. It is not necessary however because when I read the last book it had been a few years since reading the second book in this series. You can definitely enjoy the third book without having read the first two.
You really sold this book, I'm thinking it might be a good summer read for me. What's your favorite Pat Conroy book?
My favorite is Lords of Discipline. It really shows off his brilliant writing style. South of Broadis a close second. I was living in South Carolina at the time and could truly appreciate the culture and the characters in this book.
My last 5 ⭐️ read was Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. This was a book club reading with Novel Pairings for the month of February which heightened the reading experience. It was written in 1913 and takes place during the new industrialized America. The protagonist Undine Spragg acts like a selfish, uncaring shallow person, who will do anything to climb her way to the top of society’s social and money scene. Wharton wrote this story right around the time she was planning to leave the US for France.
The story is based on Undine’s manipulations and schemes to climb her way to the top. This book surprised me in all of the right ways. Family drama, New York culture/society, business world and a close look at the main characters. I loved it!!!😍
I loved Sara's thoughts on this book and now you loved it too- ok I need to read this! I love NY society and family drama
I read this in my graduate program and wrote an essay about Undine as a character. Not many people have read this particular Wharton so I am excited to see it mentioned.
My last five star read was James by Percival Everett. I already want to reread it!!
I can't wait to read this, I'm excited to read more Percival
Renee do you think I should read Erasure first?
I"m so sorry I missed seeing this- I don't think you have to read Erasure first, from what I'm hearing it's in the realm of how Percival Everett writes but just a completely different story. I would say if you're going to see the movie American Fiction I'd encourage you to read Erasure first but also not absolutely necessary
Thanks Renee.
I can’t wait to read this and got the audio from libro alc for educators so I will prob listen first!
I have this preordered. I can’t wait to receive it!
My last 5⭐️ read was A Raisin in the Sun! After reading this I know why this is considered a timeless play. I loved the characters and the family interactions in this play! It was such a lovely read and a short one too
You should watch the movie
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055353/
My last 5 star was Yerba Beuna by Nina Lacour.
I had picked Yerba Buena up from the library and didn’t have time to read it so I had to return it. Most likely I will revisit this book. 📚
the audio is also good!
I loved that book too!
I have had 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ books this year, all memoir. “Know My Name” by Chanel Miller is absolutely astounding.
I would like a book comp for “The Goldfinch!” One of my all time favorites. It was a propulsive character-driven story that is hard to match
Ooh that’s a good challenge, I’ll see what I can find- I haven’t read The Goldfinch myself, I’ve always suspected it was a story I might like