January 2026! What are you reading??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just finished The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. Received this as a gift otherwise was not on my reading list. An alternate history told from the POV of a 9 year old Jewish boy in NJ in which Charles Lindbergh was elected President in 1940. Roth is a great story teller , with great characters and love his descriptions of family dynamics. Also interweaves humor throughout. A great book!

I think they made this into a TV series during the pandemic? It was terrific but I haven’t read the book.

Its one of few Philip Roth's books noted for having very little sex in comparison to some of his other, more famous and lurid works. He’s overrated.

I’m the TV poster, and have read a few other Roth books that were older men objectifying young women. I didn’t get the hype and it weirded me out. But I really like the TV show.

[Anonymous]

I just finished The One by John Marrs

It's based on the idea that there is one perfect genetic love match for every person and it follows five people's decisions to find their match.

It reminded me a lot of The Measure - interesting premise, good for discussion (would you do it, would you not?), writing is fine but not great. I devoured it (I was sick so spent quite a bit of time in bed last week but would say it was a page turner regardless) and would recommend it if you're looking for something engaging.

[Anonymous]

I LOVED So Far Gone. I'm in the middle of Writers & Lovers by Lily King and I love it. Heart the Lover was the best book I read last year so I'm working my way through her books. I also loved So Far Gone. Also read The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovitz, which was terrific.

[Anonymous]

Just finished “The Names” which I put on hold a while ago after hearing about the idea behind the plot here on DCUM. I think I forgot in the mean time that the book centers around domestic abuse and it was hard to read but also pulled me in so I just read it super fast- it kept me up the first night after I started it because it has some parallels to someone I know trying to leave a differently abusive marriage and I have been reflecting a lot how much having kids with someone ties you them and makes it so hard to get out of a terrible marriage. It was really good in a hard way.

I will definitely read something lighter next.

[Anonymous]

Finished Children of God, the sequel to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Enjoyed it very much and a nice satisfying ending. Based on these books at least, I think she is a fabulous author, the writing makes everything feel so real.

Just started Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. Only about 50 pages in, but I'm enjoying it so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just finished “The Names” which I put on hold a while ago after hearing about the idea behind the plot here on DCUM. I think I forgot in the mean time that the book centers around domestic abuse and it was hard to read but also pulled me in so I just read it super fast- it kept me up the first night after I started it because it has some parallels to someone I know trying to leave a differently abusive marriage and I have been reflecting a lot how much having kids with someone ties you them and makes it so hard to get out of a terrible marriage. It was really good in a hard way.

I will definitely read something lighter next.

I also have this one on hold, did not realize it centered around DV, thanks. I left a severely abusive relationship with kids and I appreciate the heads up, will read with caution.

[Anonymous]

Just finished (and loved) Atmosphere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just finished The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. Received this as a gift otherwise was not on my reading list. An alternate history told from the POV of a 9 year old Jewish boy in NJ in which Charles Lindbergh was elected President in 1940. Roth is a great story teller , with great characters and love his descriptions of family dynamics. Also interweaves humor throughout. A great book!

I think they made this into a TV series during the pandemic? It was terrific but I haven’t read the book.

Its one of few Philip Roth's books noted for having very little sex in comparison to some of his other, more famous and lurid works. He’s overrated.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just downloaded on my kindle, "Wellness." It is a fictional story about a couple who meets in college, follows them through marriage, life, etc. Oprah book.

Come back and tell us what you think of it PP when you're done.

I enjoyed this when I read it about two years ago. The pacing was a bit odd, and plot loose, but the satire of UMC morays and child-rearing was funny (and in its deliberately exaggerated way, spot on).

Agree 100%! I absolutely loved this book ... !!

[Anonymous]

Just started "The Rest of Our Lives" (Ben Markovits). About 1/3 into it ... really enjoying it so far. Clever writing and it hits close to home as it reflects my stage of life (last kid off to college)!

[Anonymous]

Just finished “The Correspondent”. I liked it enough, but didn’t love it nearly as much as everyone else seems to.

[Anonymous]

Just finished The God of the Woods and I really liked it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books -- it's about a woman who goes on a book banning crusade and sets up a little free library with what she considers appropriate books, but someone swaps out all the books with banned books (leaving the wholesome dust jackets). It's very light and so far all the bad people are getting their comeuppances and the good people are triumphing and it's kind of what I needed to read right now.

I still have 14 people in front of me for The Black Wolf.

I love this premise! Going to look this one up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Finished Children of God, the sequel to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Enjoyed it very much and a nice satisfying ending. Based on these books at least, I think she is a fabulous author, the writing makes everything feel so real.

Just started Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. Only about 50 pages in, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Just finished The Sparrow and looking forward to Children of God. Great way to start the new year in reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finished Children of God, the sequel to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Enjoyed it very much and a nice satisfying ending. Based on these books at least, I think she is a fabulous author, the writing makes everything feel so real.

Just started Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. Only about 50 pages in, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Just finished The Sparrow and looking forward to Children of God. Great way to start the new year in reading.

The sparrow is something else.