May 2025 -- What are you reading?

[Anonymous]

I just started Possession, based on a recommendation from a "best fiction" thread on DCUM.

So far I'm finding it very difficult to get into, but the other authors that poster recommended are some of my absolute favorites, so I'm hoping this one clicks soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just started Possession, based on a recommendation from a "best fiction" thread on DCUM.

So far I'm finding it very difficult to get into, but the other authors that poster recommended are some of my absolute favorites, so I'm hoping this one clicks soon.

I read this last year (also based on DCUM). I think it requires a fair amount of hard work— it’s not a slog, but it asks a lot of the reader. There are aspects of it (particularly the poems and stories in the Romantic style spread throughout the book) that are truly brilliant, but at the same time, require a lot of work to read and decipher. I feel as though I would’ve been best served by reading the book in a lit class. I did take a course on the Romantic poets while in college so I felt that I had some context, since the two Victorian poets are an amalgamation of real people.

Anyway, I’m glad I read it, but do feel like it’s an undertaking!

[Anonymous]

I’m reading “The Elements,” John Boyne’s new book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just started Possession, based on a recommendation from a "best fiction" thread on DCUM.

So far I'm finding it very difficult to get into, but the other authors that poster recommended are some of my absolute favorites, so I'm hoping this one clicks soon.

I read this last year (also based on DCUM). I think it requires a fair amount of hard work— it’s not a slog, but it asks a lot of the reader. There are aspects of it (particularly the poems and stories in the Romantic style spread throughout the book) that are truly brilliant, but at the same time, require a lot of work to read and decipher. I feel as though I would’ve been best served by reading the book in a lit class. I did take a course on the Romantic poets while in college so I felt that I had some context, since the two Victorian poets are an amalgamation of real people.

Anyway, I’m glad I read it, but do feel like it’s an undertaking!

PP and I love your comment about reading the book in a lit class. I definitely feel like I'd be getting more out of it in that type of environment.

Reading this book also made me realize that I never read poems or songs injected into novels. I just skip over them. This book really drove that home because there are so many of them! I'm sure it's all thematically related and beautifully done but I'm definitely missing that layer.

Anyway, I'm someone who rarely DNFs so I'll continue to plow through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On a Kate Quinn kick (The Rose Code, Briar Club). Only The Alice Network was in at the library so that's what I'm reading now.

I am struggling through the Briar Club now. Does it eventually pay off? Also, the DC descriptions feel like someone who’s never been to DC…

[Anonymous]

Wild Dark Shore. One of the best books I’ve ever read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On a Kate Quinn kick (The Rose Code, Briar Club). Only The Alice Network was in at the library so that's what I'm reading now.

I am struggling through the Briar Club now. Does it eventually pay off? Also, the DC descriptions feel like someone who’s never been to DC…

Hmm I was into it from the beginning. Might not be for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just started Possession, based on a recommendation from a "best fiction" thread on DCUM.

So far I'm finding it very difficult to get into, but the other authors that poster recommended are some of my absolute favorites, so I'm hoping this one clicks soon.

I read this last year (also based on DCUM). I think it requires a fair amount of hard work— it’s not a slog, but it asks a lot of the reader. There are aspects of it (particularly the poems and stories in the Romantic style spread throughout the book) that are truly brilliant, but at the same time, require a lot of work to read and decipher. I feel as though I would’ve been best served by reading the book in a lit class. I did take a course on the Romantic poets while in college so I felt that I had some context, since the two Victorian poets are an amalgamation of real people.

Anyway, I’m glad I read it, but do feel like it’s an undertaking!

PP and I love your comment about reading the book in a lit class. I definitely feel like I'd be getting more out of it in that type of environment.

Reading this book also made me realize that I never read poems or songs injected into novels. I just skip over them. This book really drove that home because there are so many of them! I'm sure it's all thematically related and beautifully done but I'm definitely missing that layer.

Anyway, I'm someone who rarely DNFs so I'll continue to plow through.

Oh yes. I skimmed them (particularly as the story went on) and am sure I missed really important context. There’s one thing buried in the poems that I know I missed, but only from some critiques from the book. But ah well. Life’s too short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wild Dark Shore. One of the best books I’ve ever read.

Loved this also - have you read her other books? I love them all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wild Dark Shore. One of the best books I’ve ever read.

I really, really disliked Migrations so I was planning to skip Wild Dark Shore but people have been raving so much about it I'm feeling FOMO over not reading it. Any thoughts on if I would or would not like it based on how much I hated Migrations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Summer Water by Sarah Moss. So far it’s outstanding.

Braided stories about people vacationing in the same community in Scotland, collectively moving (I’m pretty sure?) toward something big. Some stories are harrowing, one was laugh-out-loud funny, and all are completely compelling, with characters you can’t look away from.

Such good writing, too. I am loving it.

That sounds really good!

I just finished The Usual Desire to Kill and am now reading Bummer Camp (it's Kindle Unlimited) - about two sisters who don't quite get along, trying to save their parents' summer camp. It's pretty fun so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got Say You'll Remember Me on the lucky day shelf at MCPL. I love Abby Jimenez books.

I had seen Abby Jimenez recommended here, and just forced my way through The Friend Zone, which was easily the worst book I ever made myself finish. I checked Reddit, which suggested she has dreadful books and very good ones. I’m now wondering if there is some sort of writing conglomerate that uses her name?

I hated the one book of hers that I read - but I've come to realize that romance just isn't my genre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wild Dark Shore. One of the best books I’ve ever read.

I really, really disliked Migrations so I was planning to skip Wild Dark Shore but people have been raving so much about it I'm feeling FOMO over not reading it. Any thoughts on if I would or would not like it based on how much I hated Migrations?

I think WDS is a stronger book than Migrations, but to be fair I liked Migrations and LOVED WDS. I don’t know what made you hate Migrations so hard to say!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got Say You'll Remember Me on the lucky day shelf at MCPL. I love Abby Jimenez books.

I had seen Abby Jimenez recommended here, and just forced my way through The Friend Zone, which was easily the worst book I ever made myself finish. I checked Reddit, which suggested she has dreadful books and very good ones. I’m now wondering if there is some sort of writing conglomerate that uses her name?

I hated the one book of hers that I read - but I've come to realize that romance just isn't my genre.

I used to hate romance. So boring! So predictable! So cheesy! But now I am 51 and I enjoy it have added some into my reading mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got Say You'll Remember Me on the lucky day shelf at MCPL. I love Abby Jimenez books.

I had seen Abby Jimenez recommended here, and just forced my way through The Friend Zone, which was easily the worst book I ever made myself finish. I checked Reddit, which suggested she has dreadful books and very good ones. I’m now wondering if there is some sort of writing conglomerate that uses her name?

I hated the one book of hers that I read - but I've come to realize that romance just isn't my genre.

I used to hate romance. So boring! So predictable! So cheesy! But now I am 51 and I enjoy it have added some into my reading mix.

What ones have you liked? I'm your age and a lot of people I know really enjoy romance. I don't even mind boring, predictable, and cheesy - I like cozy murder mysteries a lot. What drives me crazy in romance novels - at least the ones I've read - is that the characters just seem fundamentally incapable of having normal adult human conversations.

I don't mind two imperfect people having a hard time getting it together - I love that. I do mind a character never being able to express themselves and letting miscommunication or wrong impressions go on forever and ever because they refuse to open their mouths and speak.

Help me learn to like romance!