What are you reading for May - open to all

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just finished reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I remember loving this book when I read it in the early 90s, and I'd seen some buzz about it recently so I decided to read it again. It took me a very long time to get into but I enjoyed it by the end. However I have no idea why I loved this book so much when I was younger. Maybe because I was in college at the time and it takes place at a college? I wasn't into Greek and I wasn't academic in any way, so who knows. I probably won't read it a third time though.

I think this is it, you were young enough to enjoy the story and connect with the characters. I loved Goldfinch! Right after reading it, I grabbed The Secret history. I was in my mid 40s and thought it a well done young adult novel. My favorite part was Richard being lonely and depressed during the winter or fall break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost done The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. I like it -- but also took a long break in the middle so it can't have been that compelling. I've enjoyed the odd slice of native american life it explores; and how it processes recent events, pandemic, BLM protests, etc.

Reading the Secret Book of Flora Lee, by Patti Callahan Henry, and love it; already trying to slow myself down so as to not finish it too quickly. But it pushes all my buttons--English countryside/shire, escapes into imagination, myth, bookstores & booksellers--so perhaps it will not be so universally appealing!

I loved The Round House and have been meaning to read other books by her so thanks!

And I'm intrigued by Erdrich & was wondering which of hers to turn to next, so thanks for the suggestion! (And if there are any others from her works that folks would recommend, I'm all ears.)

To report back on Flora Lee, I really enjoyed it but was a little let down by the ending which... (POSSIBLE SPOILER... ...?)
...felt a little too tied up in a bow. Still, it probably is my pick for feel-good book of the year.

Currently 75% through reading On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (Vuong). It is worthwhile, but I came in with very high hopes, and I am not sure how I feel about his very lyrical style. It is basically a book-long poem and I wonder if a different format (a memoir consisting of more distinct personal essays/poems?) may have worked better. I am also terribly anxious about all the "main characters" and it feels sort of like holding your breath for the whole read (which, if it was his intention, I suppose was successfully executed!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. This was my second book of hers, the first being The Alice Network. I liked that one a lot but loved The Rose Code. I think I'll keep going back to this author every few books or so.

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood. This was a book club book and I've seen a ton of great reviews for it but I hated it and kept wanting to give up. I won't give anything away but I was just put off by the whole thing. (For context, I enjoyed Demon Copperhead, which is similar in that it's based on a down-trodden tween/teen, but this book failed to land in every single way that Demon Copperhead managed to).

The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham. I read all Grisham books. Some are amazing, some are not. This one I thought was not. Oh well.

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King (and Owen King, his son). The premise of this book was really interesting and raised a lot of questions that would have been great for a book club. I love Stephen King so I read everything of his.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. This is part of a series (I don't remember how many come after this). It's based on the Yale secret societies, but with a magic twist. Far more engrossing than I thought it would be.

Finally, Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult. I'm probably 3/4 of the way through but not yet done but I am always looking forward to coming back to it.

I do a mix of reading and Audible, which is how I'm able to get through a lot of books. I also have varied tastes (as I imagine is clear from the above list), and I love finding random books I've never heard of and checking them out. Sometimes they're a good idea, sometimes not!

I just finished the Rose Code and thought it was great. Also finished Under the Whispering Door which was predictable but moving. Now on to Babel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. This was my second book of hers, the first being The Alice Network. I liked that one a lot but loved The Rose Code. I think I'll keep going back to this author every few books or so.

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood. This was a book club book and I've seen a ton of great reviews for it but I hated it and kept wanting to give up. I won't give anything away but I was just put off by the whole thing. (For context, I enjoyed Demon Copperhead, which is similar in that it's based on a down-trodden tween/teen, but this book failed to land in every single way that Demon Copperhead managed to).

The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham. I read all Grisham books. Some are amazing, some are not. This one I thought was not. Oh well.

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King (and Owen King, his son). The premise of this book was really interesting and raised a lot of questions that would have been great for a book club. I love Stephen King so I read everything of his.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. This is part of a series (I don't remember how many come after this). It's based on the Yale secret societies, but with a magic twist. Far more engrossing than I thought it would be.

Finally, Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult. I'm probably 3/4 of the way through but not yet done but I am always looking forward to coming back to it.

I do a mix of reading and Audible, which is how I'm able to get through a lot of books. I also have varied tastes (as I imagine is clear from the above list), and I love finding random books I've never heard of and checking them out. Sometimes they're a good idea, sometimes not!

I just finished the Rose Code and thought it was great. Also finished Under the Whispering Door which was predictable but moving. Now on to Babel.

I'm PP. I've never read anything by TJ Klune but have The House In the Cerulean Sea on my list and I just keep hearing other books of his mentioned so now I'm definitely intrigued!