What are you reading for February?

[Anonymous]

I'm working on The Book Spy by Alan Hlad. It is historical fiction which is not one of my usual genres. In audiobooks I'm listening to I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella. I wanted something light but I'm annoyed by the main character because she's in love with an idiot. I'm halfway in, and she might have come to a turning point so I'm going to try to continue but might give up soon.

[Anonymous]

Vera Wongs Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Finding it very soothing and light.

The House on the Cerulean Sea, finally off the waitlist, finding the opening chapters very touching.

Will be reading the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store this month because it’s the “no wait” book at my local library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I finished Lessons in Chemistry this morning. Not sure I understand the hype.

Did not like this at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Candyhouse by Jennifer Egan. It's about memory externalization and a collective conscience via social media in the near future. I'm enjoying it, but it's more dense and harder to follow than what I usually read.

I read this book - didn’t give up - but I’m sure I understood at all! There were enough pieces and small story lines for me to follow and enjoy but I wish someone could give me an explainer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m finally reading hello, beautiful. Feel like i’m late to the game on this one

I just finished it. Have mixed thoughts. I enjoyed it but it annoyed me a lot.

[Anonymous]

I listened to Cassandra in Reverse.
It was 13 hours of navel gazing, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I finished Lessons in Chemistry this morning. Not sure I understand the hype.

I actually liked it maybe because of the low expectations and criticisms on this board. But I found it amusing and engaging. It’s worth reading.

[Anonymous]

All This Could be Different
30 Things I Love About Myself

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just finished Bunny by Mona Awad; working on Old Gods Time by Sebastian Barry.

What do you think of Bunny?

I'm still reading the second in the Slow Horses books. I don't know why I can't just get through it! I love the TV show and really enjoyed the first novel, and for the life of me I can't get into this one.

I don't know what's after this because I don't know if I will ever finish reading this book!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finished Lessons in Chemistry this morning. Not sure I understand the hype.

Did not like this at all.

I didn't love it either. I guess maybe I've had enough of books where someone being super duper beautiful means that they get a ton of things thrown their way. (I know that's not the whole thing but it's enough of it that I was like, oh brother.)

Did love the dog, though.

[Anonymous]

I just finished The Pillars of the Earth. It was long but worth reading. It is set during the medieval period around the time of Thomas Becket and follows a Monk named, Philip who wants to build a new cathedral and the people of the shire struggling to survive.

[Anonymous]

I'm reading Ripe, by Sarah Rose Etter. It's sucked me right in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Candyhouse by Jennifer Egan. It's about memory externalization and a collective conscience via social media in the near future. I'm enjoying it, but it's more dense and harder to follow than what I usually read.

I read this book - didn’t give up - but I’m sure I understood at all! There were enough pieces and small story lines for me to follow and enjoy but I wish someone could give me an explainer.

Same. I thought it would tie together by the end, but it never really did. And there are too many characters to keep track of and follow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Candyhouse by Jennifer Egan. It's about memory externalization and a collective conscience via social media in the near future. I'm enjoying it, but it's more dense and harder to follow than what I usually read.

I read this book - didn’t give up - but I’m sure I understood at all! There were enough pieces and small story lines for me to follow and enjoy but I wish someone could give me an explainer.

Same. I thought it would tie together by the end, but it never really did. And there are too many characters to keep track of and follow.

I loved Candy House! And I agree that it was full of small pieces, big ideas, and characters/story lines interconnected but not in the clearest of ways. I found it entertaining and thought-provoking, but not an easy read because of Egan's construction.

Her earlier book, A Visit From the Good Squad may help pull things together a bit more, if you're interested. Egan wrote it a good 10 years before Candy House. The two books are linked - more like siblings/cousins than prequel/sequel, if that makes sense. Goon Squad is similarly kaleidoscopic, and includes many of the Candy House characters, but earlier in their lives and with different technology in play (but it's similarly in part about people's relationships with technology and each other.) I found Goon Squad interesting and thought-provoking back in the day. Definitely worth reading a decade later, though I can see how you'd give it a pass if Candy House felt like a slog.

[Anonymous]

Just finished “Wandering Stars.”

Now onto “A Month in the Country.”