It is September, what are you reading?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I’ve read 6 books in 16 days. I read quickly and average around 100/year give or take. Last month I read 10 (including a Booker prize nominee, in case points are being given out for that).

I’m not really sure what the point is of questioning someone’s reading habits though. Why did you ask that question?

I’ll bite. The Booker prize nominees are generally more dense, longer, require more thought than some of the low brow or romance books. All reading is valid of course but there’s something different about reading a Booker prize vs Colleen Hoover when you’re tallying the numbers.

right, I understand that it takes longer to read certain books. I asked about why the PP asked in a disbelieving way whether I had read that number of books in sixteen days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

I have Sandwich but haven't read it yet. I saw her speak at a book lunch this summer on Cape Cod and she is breathless/fast paced in person too!

I liked the beginning of Sandwich so much - and then I just got so sick of it! I thought it got so repetitive - which, perhaps, was part of the point; but it left me bored after a while. And the big reveal just felt weirdly executed.

(PP who wrote the list posting) I do agree with what you're saying. In my list above I first typed that the narration style felt a little claustrophobic at times but I didn't know if I'd be getting that across in the right way.

(semi-spoilers ahead)
I still gave it my "second place" because it gave me a lot to think about ... and I really do appreciate reading about main characters experiencing menopause. And I also found it absorbing, especially for a book that could be described as low stakes. I mean, yes and no, because not a lot happens in terms of action, yet obviously she refers to divorcing her husband on and off throughout and then there is the big reveal, which I have some complicated feelings about. It is a book I've continued to think about it over the past couple of weeks--and I appreciate that, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

I have Sandwich but haven't read it yet. I saw her speak at a book lunch this summer on Cape Cod and she is breathless/fast paced in person too!

I liked the beginning of Sandwich so much - and then I just got so sick of it! I thought it got so repetitive - which, perhaps, was part of the point; but it left me bored after a while. And the big reveal just felt weirdly executed.

(PP who wrote the list posting) I do agree with what you're saying. In my list above I first typed that the narration style felt a little claustrophobic at times but I didn't know if I'd be getting that across in the right way.

(semi-spoilers ahead)
I still gave it my "second place" because it gave me a lot to think about ... and I really do appreciate reading about main characters experiencing menopause. And I also found it absorbing, especially for a book that could be described as low stakes. I mean, yes and no, because not a lot happens in terms of action, yet obviously she refers to divorcing her husband on and off throughout and then there is the big reveal, which I have some complicated feelings about. It is a book I've continued to think about it over the past couple of weeks--and I appreciate that, too.

You should add Claire Lombardo’s Same As It Ever Was. I read it in the same timeframe as Sandwich, but preferred it to that. Similar themes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

You've read 6 books in 16 days?

NP, but I read about 100 books a month, so 6 books in 16 days doesn't sound that crazy - especially since those aren't particularly dense books.

!!! You read three books every day?! How??

They don’t, they must read 100 books a year. Anyone who is reading this much has no job and no family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

You've read 6 books in 16 days?

NP, but I read about 100 books a month, so 6 books in 16 days doesn't sound that crazy - especially since those aren't particularly dense books.

!!! You read three books every day?! How??

They don’t, they must read 100 books a year. Anyone who is reading this much has no job and no family.

Whoops!! Yes, 100 a year. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

The Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters

[Anonymous]

Just finished "Always, in December".
It is a tearjerker romance, mostly set in England but also New York and Scotland. The main character, Josie, was orphaned on Christmas Eve at age 9 when her parents went to a Christmas party and died in a car crash on the way home. Josie was already at Grandma's house for the holidays, so she just remained there and her grandparents raised her from that point on. Josie has hated the holidays ever since, and rather than ruin everyone else's experience, she just holes up and avoids Christmas activities every year as much as she can. But then one Christmas season she meets a guy and that changes everything.

I thought it was good. A little slow. I was not expecting the ending.
I downloaded it from my Library website.

[Anonymous]

I just finished New of the World by Paulette Jiles. I've been on a Civil War/Reconstruction historical fiction kick, so this fit the bill. I liked it, but wasn't blown away. I've heard her new book, Chenneville is her best yet, so I will probably try it soon.

For nonfiction, I'm reading The World on Fire by Amanda Foreman. It's about Britain's role in the American Civil War. She hits a great blend of readability and scholarly tone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

I have Sandwich but haven't read it yet. I saw her speak at a book lunch this summer on Cape Cod and she is breathless/fast paced in person too!

I liked the beginning of Sandwich so much - and then I just got so sick of it! I thought it got so repetitive - which, perhaps, was part of the point; but it left me bored after a while. And the big reveal just felt weirdly executed.

(PP who wrote the list posting) I do agree with what you're saying. In my list above I first typed that the narration style felt a little claustrophobic at times but I didn't know if I'd be getting that across in the right way.

(semi-spoilers ahead)
I still gave it my "second place" because it gave me a lot to think about ... and I really do appreciate reading about main characters experiencing menopause. And I also found it absorbing, especially for a book that could be described as low stakes. I mean, yes and no, because not a lot happens in terms of action, yet obviously she refers to divorcing her husband on and off throughout and then there is the big reveal, which I have some complicated feelings about. It is a book I've continued to think about it over the past couple of weeks--and I appreciate that, too.

You should add Claire Lombardo’s Same As It Ever Was. I read it in the same timeframe as Sandwich, but preferred it to that. Similar themes.

+1

I loved Same As It Ever Was!

But I quit Sandwich about halfway through. Maybe because I found it similar in certain ways to SAIEW, but with a main character I found far less interesting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

I also normally like Katherine Centerbut the rom comers was definitely not my favorite. Any suggestions for authors like her better books?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just finished New of the World by Paulette Jiles. I've been on a Civil War/Reconstruction historical fiction kick, so this fit the bill. I liked it, but wasn't blown away. I've heard her new book, Chenneville is her best yet, so I will probably try it soon.

For nonfiction, I'm reading The World on Fire by Amanda Foreman. It's about Britain's role in the American Civil War. She hits a great blend of readability and scholarly tone.

I read News of the World by Paulette Jiles a couple years ago, after seeing the movie. I decided I liked her writing style, so then I read everything else she had written to that point. Some I thought were awesome, some I thought were duds. I haven't yet read Chenneville.

[Anonymous]

I just finished "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom. Published in 2010.
It is about a white girl who is raised by slaves on a plantation in Virginia.
The story begins in 1791 when a 7 year old Irish girl is given to the slaves "for the kitchen house". The girl's parents died on the ship from Ireland to the U.S. Her parents owed the ship captain for their passage, so he keeps the girl as an indentured servant. The slaves teach the Irish girl how to cook, and they raise her.
I thought it was excellent.
I downloaded it from my library website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

I also normally like Katherine Centerbut the rom comers was definitely not my favorite. Any suggestions for authors like her better books?

Here are a few - some are more loosely connected than others …

Emily Henry (especially Book Lovers and Funny Story)
Abby Jimenez
Christina Lauren
Trish Doller - start with Float Plan
Rachel Lynn Solomon - Business or Pleasure, the Ex Talk, Weather Girl … I’d start with one of these.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Birds of California by Katie Catugno
Amy Poeppel
Save What’s Left by Elizabeth Castellano
Annabel Monaghan
Elinor Lipman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Remains of the Day!

My favorite book from this author. I hope you enjoy it!

"Never let me go" is mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Skippy Dies

I read that about six months ago, what a crazy, quirky book! I really liked it. I have liked books about kids in boarding schools for a long time though so there's that.

I'll have to check out Skippy Dies. I'm trying to read "The Four" but having a hard time getting into it.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202747689-the-four