June 2026 - What are you reading?

[Anonymous]

I have been striking out some lately. I just finished Normal People by Sally Rooney and was really disappointed by the end. It’s kind of a romance that you can tell will have some darkness and heavy topics to it which I was ok with but the ending was just rushed and trite an and also upsetting. I haven’t been that let down by an ending in a long time.

I also read Abby Jimenez’s latest, the night we first met, which is definitely a rom com about how a mistaken first impression of the male main character but I didn’t enjoy it as much as her earlier books, I think the tension was just too entirely self inflicted. Or maybe I’m cranky lately.

I did read and like the Night Circus, which was a bit of a departure for me since I rarely read anything with mystical/magical themes but it was very interesting and nicely done. The night circus is what it sounds like, a circus only open at night and it’s a very self contained world in a lot of ways. There is a little love story which I wasn’t actually expecting but it’s nicely done. I found the main female character very likable, which helps.

Not sure what I will read next.

[Anonymous]

I just started getting into Sally Hepworth, whose books I found by looking up authors to check out if you like Liane Moriarty. So far I've read The Soulmate and The Mother-in-Law. They follow a particular formula and I won't pretend they're amazing prose, but they held my attention and I enjoyed the reveals and the pieces coming together at the end. Going to go to the library and get other ones.

[Anonymous]

I just finished Land, Maggie O'Farrell's new novel, and I was blown away. It is the story of an Irish family in the late 1800s. The father is a mapmaker. The family has hard times throughout the book, but it's not a hopeless story. And it she ties the family story into a connection with the land they live on beautifully.
I've read and loved many of her books, but this one felt like the one she was meant to write.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A bit of an older book, but I’m starting Malibu Rising ahead of a vacation I take this weekend. I won’t have much opportunity to read beforehand, but I like to be invested beforehand.

“Set in California in August 1983, Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid follows four famous siblings—Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit Riva. Over the course of 24 chaotic hours, their epic annual end-of-summer party spins completely out of control. The night brings long-held secrets to light and culminates in a devastating fire.”

Oooofff hated it!

Oof! These kinds of replies are so annoying. As if your personal opinion with zero context actually matters.

People’s “personal opinion” is exactly what matters on this thread. Context is helpful but not necessary.

Get over your need to be aggressive with people on the internet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A bit of an older book, but I’m starting Malibu Rising ahead of a vacation I take this weekend. I won’t have much opportunity to read beforehand, but I like to be invested beforehand.

“Set in California in August 1983, Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid follows four famous siblings—Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit Riva. Over the course of 24 chaotic hours, their epic annual end-of-summer party spins completely out of control. The night brings long-held secrets to light and culminates in a devastating fire.”

Oooofff hated it!

Oof! These kinds of replies are so annoying. As if your personal opinion with zero context actually matters.

People’s “personal opinion” is exactly what matters on this thread. Context is helpful but not necessary.

Get over your need to be aggressive with people on the internet.

+1

I just started "I Have Some Questions For You" based on a rec from this thread. I am really liking it so far, though many people on Goodreads hate it.

[Anonymous]

“Go Gentle”….I’m really enjoying it!

[Anonymous]

2024 BASS, edited by Lauren Groff

[Anonymous]

I just finished "We All Live Here" by Jojo Moyes.
It is set in London and is about a woman who is newly divorced with two daughters. Her widowed stepfather is lonely and has slowly moved in with them. Then her biological dad shows up after having been out of the picture for decades.
I thought the book was excellent. I think everything Jojo Moyes writes is excellent.

[Anonymous]

One Golden Summer for a light summer read and it fit the bill!

Into the Wild - good and I’m tardy to party!

[Anonymous]

Einstein’s Dreams by the physicist Alan Lightman

In 1905 Einstein was employed in the patent office in Bern, Switzerland while he worked on his theory of relativity. This beautifully written book imagines his dreams for one month during that time period.

This short book was not an easy read for me, but touched me deeply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just started reading Freida McFadden’s latest book 📖 called “The Divorce.”

I recently discovered this great author and have to admit that I have a very strong addiction to her novels.

So far I am engrossed in this story.
I cannot say what it is about since anything I say would be a spoiler since the first chapter weaves the initial story for the reader.

This was so terrible. I did read it in one day, but really I think it's the worst of Freida's books. Dear Debbie was enjoyable

[Anonymous]

I’m 60 pages into The True True Story of Raja the Gullible after seeing it suggested here. It is a great read so far. My last few fiction reads have been so-so and this is a solid reset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 60 pages into The True True Story of Raja the Gullible after seeing it suggested here. It is a great read so far. My last few fiction reads have been so-so and this is a solid reset.

It is soooo good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. I really love the humor, at least in the 75 pages I’ve read so far.

I’m also in the middle of listening to the third book in the Finlay Donovan series about a Fairfax County romance/crime author and mom who gets mixed up in crazy murder for hire and other ridiculous schemes. But they’re a fun, easy listen while driving or doing stuff around the house.

I DNF on Finlay Donovan after the 2nd book. The plots are thin and repetitive and are bloated with goofy characters and dialogs. A joke.

I am not the OP but I find this type of response disrespectful and unnecessary. Fine for you to have an opinion on a given book but it’s no more or less valid than anyone else’s. The OP quite clearly said that this book falls into the category of a fun, easy listen so the PP’s comments don’t even seem to fit the discussion. Pp, why not tell us your suggestions in the fun, easy listen category? Or ask the OP to expand on the things she likes about the books (assuming you’re open minded enough to reconsider your opinion)

Are you the author or something? What are you even talking about? Given the descriptions, the books would likely not appeal to a lot of the people who post in these threads. There's nothing wrong with stating that. Your response seems so unusual to me in an adult book club where it is very normal to state completely opposing opinions. Also weird that you are randomly assigning value and validity to anonymous posters. Insulting their open mindedness is also an unusual choice, they read the books themselves.

[Anonymous]

Freida McFadden is not a great author.