November 2025 - What are you reading?

[Anonymous]

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

It's going to be one of those books that I don't like as much as most people seem to. I don't find the writing style to be engaging, and there's a lot unnecessary over-explaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Smilla’s Sense of Snow” which was recommended in a thread about spooky books.

It’s really interesting— a dark Scandinavian mystery that’s also a lot about the main character’s Greenlander heritage. Recently I have read a lot about the complicated relationship between Denmark and Greenland (particularly the native Greenlanders) so this novel tied in nicely.

Please come back when you finish it. I read it back in the day and really liked the parts about heritage. But then it sort of turns into a different sort of book, and while I don't remember the specifics I remember ultimately not liking the book overall as much as I thought I was going to.

[Anonymous]

I finshed Wild Dark Shore on Nov 1, so it missed my October reading. I'm still processing. Feel like I need a spoiler filled discussion of that book.

I'm finishing up a Halloween read - A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara. First in a new series "S.C.Y.T.H.E. Mystery" - about a corporation that handles ushering souls to the after life. It's weird and a little bit slow to get going. But light (cozy?) mystery.

I've just had a bit hit from library holds -
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark - a famous horror writer who was the only survivor of a sibling massacre (and often suspected of killing his siblings) decides to write his memoirs with a ghostwriter, but the only ghostwriter he allow is his estranged daughter.

Play Nice - Rachel Harrison - haunted house story

Culpability Bruce Holsinger - often discussed here, locally set (Chesapeak) about a car accident and something about AI.

I am expecting two more to come from liraty holds this month:

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton - non fiction wild rabbit

The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sacher - adult fantasy by the YA author famous for Holes.

I've jsut recently started posting here - some of these books I thought might come in last month but got pushed back a month.

[Anonymous]

I just finished So Far Gone by Jess Walter. It's a great read with a plot that hooks you right away, terrific humor beats, a family story that will bring you to tears, and punchy insights into our current national disfunction. Also, it's under 300 pp -- perfect for Thanksgiving weekend, especially if you're flying to the west coast (BTW, the setting is Oregon and eastern Washington State).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just finished So Far Gone by Jess Walter. It's a great read with a plot that hooks you right away, terrific humor beats, a family story that will bring you to tears, and punchy insights into our current national disfunction. Also, it's under 300 pp -- perfect for Thanksgiving weekend, especially if you're flying to the west coast (BTW, the setting is Oregon and eastern Washington State).

Grumpy old man plus precocious, witty granddaughter is one of my favorite literary combinations. I loved this book too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started Buckeye by Patrick Ryan since it was a Today Show pick. Its historical fiction and is described as "weaving the intimate lives of two midwestern families across generations, from World War II to the late twentieth century". It was just released in Sept but has good reviews.

I am reading Buckeye right now as well but I think it will end up being DNF for me. The story just isn’t holding my interest/attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just finished So Far Gone by Jess Walter. It's a great read with a plot that hooks you right away, terrific humor beats, a family story that will bring you to tears, and punchy insights into our current national disfunction. Also, it's under 300 pp -- perfect for Thanksgiving weekend, especially if you're flying to the west coast (BTW, the setting is Oregon and eastern Washington State).

Grumpy old man plus precocious, witty granddaughter is one of my favorite literary combinations. I loved this book too.

Seared in my memory: Bethany's retort to Kinnick about how exhausting his disappointment feels to her.

[Anonymous]

Here’s what I’ve read so far:

Heart the Lover
The 10 Year Affair
The Fourth Wing
Never Let me Go

[Anonymous]

I’m about a third of the way through The Wall by Marlen Haushofer. It was everywhere on literary fiction booktok and sounded really interesting so decided to give it a go. So far pretty good—lots of food for thought about human purpose.

[Anonymous]

Wreck by Catherine Newman, a sequel to her Sandwich. Just as funny and real.

So Far Gone by Jess Walter, see PP above’s synopsis.

Really enjoying both of them. I also liked Buckeye.

[Anonymous]

The Let Them theory. It’s ok but I know most of it already but I’ll finish.

[Anonymous]

I’m visiting my sister and she’s a huge sci-fi fan so I ordered Jonathan strange per her suggestion.
I brought with me tinkers and I bought out here the heaven and earth grocery store.

Will look at buckeye.,

[Anonymous]

North Woods by Daniel Mason.

Utterly incredible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:North Woods by Daniel Mason.

Utterly incredible.

Isn't it? I wish I could read it for the first time again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just finished So Far Gone by Jess Walter. It's a great read with a plot that hooks you right away, terrific humor beats, a family story that will bring you to tears, and punchy insights into our current national disfunction. Also, it's under 300 pp -- perfect for Thanksgiving weekend, especially if you're flying to the west coast (BTW, the setting is Oregon and eastern Washington State).

Grumpy old man plus precocious, witty granddaughter is one of my favorite literary combinations. I loved this book too.

Sounds like something I would like. Thanks for the recommendation!