December - what are you reading this month?

[Anonymous]

I am reading John Banville's The Drowned. It is his usual, 1950s detective story, set in Ireland with a ton of emotional weight informing every scene. I feel like I really have to be on my toes to keep up with the connections between chapters, because they are not always obvious, but it's so compelling I'm about 3/4 thru now.

Anyone else reading it, or something different that is great?

[Anonymous]

I'm reading The Corrections. I don't know how I am just now reading this but it is hilarious and sad. Highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.

[Anonymous]

Anthony Fauci's book.

[Anonymous]

I’m finishing up Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. I’m not sure what I’ll read next but I have one book goal left for the year that I haven’t done yet - read a long book

Some ideas for that are Outlander #2, Pillars of the Earth, GoT #3… not sure what I will pick…

[Anonymous]

Finished All the Colors of the Dark this morning and really did not like it at all and was almost a DNF. Started The Wedding People and am enjoying it so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anthony Fauci's book.

What do you make of it so far? I really like him and think he was put in a completely untenable position and did the absolute best job he could. I hate that he needs round the clock bodyguards (who now may well be removed). Poor guy.

[Anonymous]

Just finished an ARC of “Heartwood,” by Amity Gaige. It’s about a woman who went missing while hiking the Appalachian Trail. It’s unfortunate that I had just finished “God of the Woods,” because the parallels were distracting. (No fault of the author’s and may not be a problem when it comes out in May 2025). But there were many similarities: lost person in daunting woods; changing perspectives each chapter; red herrings/twists; a sense of “otherness” about the community; perspective on outsiders; tough female characters in iconoclastic roles; etc. The writing and vibe are different, though. “God of the Woods” is more thriller; “Heartwood” is more of a reflection on community and meaning. But I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t just read another “lost person” book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anthony Fauci's book.

What do you make of it so far? I really like him and think he was put in a completely untenable position and did the absolute best job he could. I hate that he needs round the clock bodyguards (who now may well be removed). Poor guy.

I'm only on like the sixth page where he's in elementary school, so ... I have no opinion yet.

[Anonymous]

I just finished She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica, which had plot holes big enough to drive a truck through but was an easy thriller read for people who like that genre. It’s me, I’m people. It’s definitely not the best I’ve read in this genre though. Now I’m starting Burn Book by Kara Swisher.

[Anonymous]

The Reformatory. It is really messed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just finished an ARC of “Heartwood,” by Amity Gaige. It’s about a woman who went missing while hiking the Appalachian Trail. It’s unfortunate that I had just finished “God of the Woods,” because the parallels were distracting. (No fault of the author’s and may not be a problem when it comes out in May 2025). But there were many similarities: lost person in daunting woods; changing perspectives each chapter; red herrings/twists; a sense of “otherness” about the community; perspective on outsiders; tough female characters in iconoclastic roles; etc. The writing and vibe are different, though. “God of the Woods” is more thriller; “Heartwood” is more of a reflection on community and meaning. But I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t just read another “lost person” book.

I'll be honest, they both sound somewhat cliched. Those are not new tropes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just finished an ARC of “Heartwood,” by Amity Gaige. It’s about a woman who went missing while hiking the Appalachian Trail. It’s unfortunate that I had just finished “God of the Woods,” because the parallels were distracting. (No fault of the author’s and may not be a problem when it comes out in May 2025). But there were many similarities: lost person in daunting woods; changing perspectives each chapter; red herrings/twists; a sense of “otherness” about the community; perspective on outsiders; tough female characters in iconoclastic roles; etc. The writing and vibe are different, though. “God of the Woods” is more thriller; “Heartwood” is more of a reflection on community and meaning. But I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t just read another “lost person” book.

I'll be honest, they both sound somewhat cliched. Those are not new tropes.

Only God creates from scratch.

[Anonymous]

The Change by Kirsten Miller.

[Anonymous]

I'm reading The Color of Water. I've really enjoyed some of McBride's fiction and am excited to learn more about his childhood and upbringing. I just started it last night so no opinions yet!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Reformatory. It is really messed up.

I just read this last week. It's a hard read. Stick with it, I thought it was worth it.