April 2026 -- What are you reading?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in between a few books due to travel and format availability:
- The Humans, Matt Haig (paperback): Very funny (and a bit sad) take on life on earth from an advanced life form’s POV—some really great descriptions/observations of the human experience
- The Marriage Portrait, Maggie O’Farrell (audio/hardcover…audio ran out): historical fiction / mystery based on a Medici daughter—intrigue plus great writing
- Less, Andrew Greer (ebook): I’m early here, but enjoying some of the descriptions (“sequin laugh”)
- The Scottish Prisoner, Diana Gabaldon (ebook/audio): Part of the Lord John Grey/Outlander universe

You have exquisite taste.

Thank you! ☺️ I feel so seen right now. What are your recommendations for where to go after these?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in between a few books due to travel and format availability:
- The Humans, Matt Haig (paperback): Very funny (and a bit sad) take on life on earth from an advanced life form’s POV—some really great descriptions/observations of the human experience
- The Marriage Portrait, Maggie O’Farrell (audio/hardcover…audio ran out): historical fiction / mystery based on a Medici daughter—intrigue plus great writing
- Less, Andrew Greer (ebook): I’m early here, but enjoying some of the descriptions (“sequin laugh”)
- The Scottish Prisoner, Diana Gabaldon (ebook/audio): Part of the Lord John Grey/Outlander universe

You have exquisite taste.

Thank you! ☺️ I feel so seen right now. What are your recommendations for where to go after these?

If you liked the Humans try The husbands.
The correspondent.
I personally hated Theo of golden.
The island of sea women
Project Hail Mary
What we can know
Kin
Lion women of Tehran
And my personal favorite (good luck if you read it) Andersonville by kantor

[Anonymous]

Currently reading Raja the Gullible. Agree prose is quick witted and smart. I’m not devouring the book, but am enjoying the writing.

Also Read Her Last Breath about two friends who go caving together, and are being chased through the underground labyrinths. It was a well thought out thriller that evoke a visceral reaction due to descriptions of very tight and claustrophobic spaces.

Lastly, Good People, about an Afghani family that becomes very successful in the US, but struggles with their children’s assimilation. There is also a bit of a crime aspect, and I thought it was also quite well written and engaging..

[Anonymous]

I have a great used book store in my neighborhood and while browsing around, I picked up an old, used paperback novel called “The Silver Star” by Jeanette Walls.
I had read her Glass Castle memoir years ago + loved it so I thought I might like this one too.

I am 2/3 into this book and so far it is a good read for me.
I also bought a book by author Shari Lapena and was addicted to the book and am looking forward to reading more titles by her.

[Anonymous]

Just read Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies (maybe recommended here due to Belle Burden's book...or Reddit, cannot remember!) and enjoyed it, as an audiobook and narration by her was excellent. Now moved on to a Beautiful, Terrible Thing by Jen Waite, on the same topic.

[Anonymous]

I am listening to the 5 types of wealth while walking my dog. The 5 types of wealth are: social, physical, mental, financial, and time. I generally like it.

[Anonymous]

Finally read Wild Dark Shore and thought it was ok. Loved the atmosphere and some of the scenes; however there were others that struck me as cringeworthy and melodramatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Finally read Wild Dark Shore and thought it was ok. Loved the atmosphere and some of the scenes; however there were others that struck me as cringeworthy and melodramatic.

Same here. Loved the atmosphere more than the plot itself. Also, I finally read Atmosphere after seeing recs here a while back (started at position 942 on the public library waitlist…). I enjoyed the cinematic storytelling and the characters were endearing, but the musings about god/the universe and the teachings about stars felt like fluff.

Trying to read The City and its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami but I don’t think I’ll be able to finish it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On my beach vacation I read Ordinary People and When Women were Dragons.
They were both okay, didn’t love either.
Ordinary People was well written but my patience for 20-somethings who make dumb life choices and can’t communicate effectively is limited. Same reason I can’t watch shows like Girls.
When Women Were Dragons also well written and an interesting concept (sort of an allegory or magical realism type thing), but I found it a little simplistic. It oversold the sexism in the 1950s and 1960: — I mean, there was definitely a lot of sexism but this was almost a cartoonish level of sexism. I get that it isn’t meant to be a realistic book (hence dragons) but it irked me a little.

I take it this was not Ordinary People written by Judith Guest, published in 1980?

I suspect she means Normal People.

Yes I heard my favorite actor/pod-caster raving over her series of books - just raving! So i tried to read Normal People and got so mired between the angst and the ennui. No thank you! Too bad b/c I thought i had something there - oh well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On my beach vacation I read Ordinary People and When Women were Dragons.
They were both okay, didn’t love either.
Ordinary People was well written but my patience for 20-somethings who make dumb life choices and can’t communicate effectively is limited. Same reason I can’t watch shows like Girls.
When Women Were Dragons also well written and an interesting concept (sort of an allegory or magical realism type thing), but I found it a little simplistic. It oversold the sexism in the 1950s and 1960: — I mean, there was definitely a lot of sexism but this was almost a cartoonish level of sexism. I get that it isn’t meant to be a realistic book (hence dragons) but it irked me a little.

I take it this was not Ordinary People written by Judith Guest, published in 1980?

I suspect she means Normal People.

Yes I heard my favorite actor/pod-caster raving over her series of books - just raving! So i tried to read Normal People and got so mired between the angst and the ennui. No thank you! Too bad b/c I thought i had something there - oh well.

The Hulu series Normal People, based on the book, is fantastic. It’s quite hot. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just finished Theo of Golden which everyone raves about. I had to force myself to finish. The concept seemed interesting but it really dragged for me. The book was cloying and saccharine.

I just started Sociopath: A Memoir and it’s too soon to form an opinion. My next read will be The Correspondent.

My last great read was The Wedding People.

This was a DNF for me. Will be interested to hear what you think. I got bored quickly.

It was a DNF for me, too! Like, within the first couple of chapters.

I’m the person who posted I was reading it. It was awful. I made myself finish though. It’s repetitive. She’s incredibly unlikable. She’s an unreliable narrator. I call BS on a lot of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just read Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies (maybe recommended here due to Belle Burden's book...or Reddit, cannot remember!) and enjoyed it, as an audiobook and narration by her was excellent. Now moved on to a Beautiful, Terrible Thing by Jen Waite, on the same topic.

I found Beautiful, Terrible to be just ok.

I recommend How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key. The male betrayed perspective was interesting, and the book was quite funny at times while still feeling devastating. It is my favorite on the topic.

[Anonymous]

I'm reading Hope Rises, book two in a new series by David Baldacci. So far it's keeping my attention but at this point (about 25% in) I think book one was better and made me remember why I enjoy his books.

[Anonymous]

Just finished James by Percival Everett. Absolutely loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just finished James by Percival Everett. Absolutely loved it.

Yes loved it- hope you read Huck Finn to go along with it! So fun