April 2026 -- What are you reading?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harry potter
The Martian
Project Hail Mary comes close

You could make a good argument that these are not "great" books. I know people would come for me on this. And I'm not necessarily saying it is the case, just making the argument.

I haven't read Project Hail Mary.

What it is not great about them? HP is a freaking phenomenon.
The Martian made it to film (w a major movie star) from a self published book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1000

That show was amazing. I haven't read the book because of the mixed reviews and I loved the show so much I don't want to dislike the book.

When I was in grad school for creative writing I remember we had a big discussion in one of my classes about why you get great book/ bad movie/tv adaption or average-at-best book with a great adaptation and there are not a lot of exceptions or in-between situations. The only instance I could think of where I truly loved a book and the film of it was A Clockwork Orange. (But that film has about the biggest problem it could have, which is in the casting. I think I love that film as much as I do because of Malcolm Mcdowell's performance, but he was way too old to play Alex. The Alex in the book is only 15 and he is younger than any of the rest of the gang, which he is running. What the authorities do to him when they catch him -- deep psychological conditioning by combining his beloved Beethoven with torture and images of crime and violence -- is a very different proposition with a teenager as opposed to a young adult. The Alex in the film is old enough that a major them of the book disappears.)

Anybody have instances of where you loved both the book and film/show that arose from it?

The Shining by Stephen King— loved both the book and the movie

Life of Chuck also by King. Loved the short story and loved the movie even more

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1000

That show was amazing. I haven't read the book because of the mixed reviews and I loved the show so much I don't want to dislike the book.

When I was in grad school for creative writing I remember we had a big discussion in one of my classes about why you get great book/ bad movie/tv adaption or average-at-best book with a great adaptation and there are not a lot of exceptions or in-between situations. The only instance I could think of where I truly loved a book and the film of it was A Clockwork Orange. (But that film has about the biggest problem it could have, which is in the casting. I think I love that film as much as I do because of Malcolm Mcdowell's performance, but he was way too old to play Alex. The Alex in the book is only 15 and he is younger than any of the rest of the gang, which he is running. What the authorities do to him when they catch him -- deep psychological conditioning by combining his beloved Beethoven with torture and images of crime and violence -- is a very different proposition with a teenager as opposed to a young adult. The Alex in the film is old enough that a major them of the book disappears.)

Anybody have instances of where you loved both the book and film/show that arose from it?

Remains of the Day

Love Anthony Hopkins and the subtle humor in the book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

The Audible version of Kin was beautiful. I loved the writing and the narration.

[Anonymous]

Biography of Sir Thomas More

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Hmm.

Well, I've got 2/5. Sigh.

Maybe you'll get some ideas from reading the book!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1000

That show was amazing. I haven't read the book because of the mixed reviews and I loved the show so much I don't want to dislike the book.

When I was in grad school for creative writing I remember we had a big discussion in one of my classes about why you get great book/ bad movie/tv adaption or average-at-best book with a great adaptation and there are not a lot of exceptions or in-between situations. The only instance I could think of where I truly loved a book and the film of it was A Clockwork Orange. (But that film has about the biggest problem it could have, which is in the casting. I think I love that film as much as I do because of Malcolm Mcdowell's performance, but he was way too old to play Alex. The Alex in the book is only 15 and he is younger than any of the rest of the gang, which he is running. What the authorities do to him when they catch him -- deep psychological conditioning by combining his beloved Beethoven with torture and images of crime and violence -- is a very different proposition with a teenager as opposed to a young adult. The Alex in the film is old enough that a major them of the book disappears.)

Anybody have instances of where you loved both the book and film/show that arose from it?

This is going to be a totally random rec but In her shoes by Jennifer Weiner

I think the notebook is a good movie adaptation too...

[Anonymous]

I went to Penn and I am elder millennial so I felt I really need to read So Old, So Young when I saw the NYT review. I just started but I think I like it so far. So far two of my Goodreads have read it - one Penn friend gave it 5 stars. Someone else I know from the neighborhood gave it 2 stars... so we will see!

"For These Millennials, College Was a Party. Then Came Real Life.
The milestones of an undergrad friend group give shape and color to Grant Ginder’s latest novel, “So Old, So Young.”"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harry potter
The Martian
Project Hail Mary comes close

You could make a good argument that these are not "great" books. I know people would come for me on this. And I'm not necessarily saying it is the case, just making the argument.

I haven't read Project Hail Mary.

What it is not great about them? HP is a freaking phenomenon.
The Martian made it to film (w a major movie star) from a self published book.

That doesn't make it great literature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harry potter
The Martian
Project Hail Mary comes close

You could make a good argument that these are not "great" books. I know people would come for me on this. And I'm not necessarily saying it is the case, just making the argument.

I haven't read Project Hail Mary.

What it is not great about them? HP is a freaking phenomenon.
The Martian made it to film (w a major movie star) from a self published book.

That doesn't make it great literature.

GFY we don't need book snobs here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harry potter
The Martian
Project Hail Mary comes close

You could make a good argument that these are not "great" books. I know people would come for me on this. And I'm not necessarily saying it is the case, just making the argument.

I haven't read Project Hail Mary.

What it is not great about them? HP is a freaking phenomenon.
The Martian made it to film (w a major movie star) from a self published book.

That doesn't make it great literature.

GFY we don't need book snobs here.

Saying that massive sales numbers do not mean something is great literature does not make a person a "book snob."

[Anonymous]

you didn't say great literature you said a great book. And I decided that because of the phenomenon that is HP, it's a great book for many different reasons other than its literary merit, of which personally, and as a children's librarian, I think it's up there.
It was a ground breaking children's book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harry potter
The Martian
Project Hail Mary comes close

You could make a good argument that these are not "great" books. I know people would come for me on this. And I'm not necessarily saying it is the case, just making the argument.

I haven't read Project Hail Mary.

Sigh. The word "great" was used to describe the adaptation, not the literature. Unclench, will you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harry potter
The Martian
Project Hail Mary comes close

You could make a good argument that these are not "great" books. I know people would come for me on this. And I'm not necessarily saying it is the case, just making the argument.

I haven't read Project Hail Mary.

What it is not great about them? HP is a freaking phenomenon.
The Martian made it to film (w a major movie star) from a self published book.

That doesn't make it great literature.

GFY we don't need book snobs here.

Saying that massive sales numbers do not mean something is great literature does not make a person a "book snob."

Yes, it does. It also makes you insufferable. Start a thread about what you think constitutes great books instead of ruining this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1000

That show was amazing. I haven't read the book because of the mixed reviews and I loved the show so much I don't want to dislike the book.

When I was in grad school for creative writing I remember we had a big discussion in one of my classes about why you get great book/ bad movie/tv adaption or average-at-best book with a great adaptation and there are not a lot of exceptions or in-between situations. The only instance I could think of where I truly loved a book and the film of it was A Clockwork Orange. (But that film has about the biggest problem it could have, which is in the casting. I think I love that film as much as I do because of Malcolm Mcdowell's performance, but he was way too old to play Alex. The Alex in the book is only 15 and he is younger than any of the rest of the gang, which he is running. What the authorities do to him when they catch him -- deep psychological conditioning by combining his beloved Beethoven with torture and images of crime and violence -- is a very different proposition with a teenager as opposed to a young adult. The Alex in the film is old enough that a major them of the book disappears.)

Anybody have instances of where you loved both the book and film/show that arose from it?

Sharp Objects!