It’s August, what are you reading?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m reading Shark Heart, a recommendation from here. Will report back once I finish.

I did not like this book. Although it was an interesting premise, I thought it was disjointed and didn't flow well. I actually went back and read the first few chapters and thought "Oh!" now that makes sense but when I read the first time, just felt frustrated.

[Anonymous]

I just finished All The Colors Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker which was so good! Its part love story part thriller, and had some good suprises.

[Anonymous]

I’m on “The Monsters of Templeton” by Lauren Groff.

[Anonymous]

I am trying The Frozen River, which is really good, but I find so much stress in the world right now that I find it hard to read. But when I try happy fluff, it seems like fluff. How to find something that both has depth, but also is uplifting?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finished “The Buried Giant.” A big “meh” from me. I’ve read 3 Ishiguro books, and in every one I appreciate the construction/writing, but I just cannot connect with them. This might’ve been the biggest miss for me.

Reading “Normal People” now. I’ve never read Sally Rooney, and she has been very hyped up, so I’m going in cautiously optimistic.

Regardless of whether you like the book, I HIGHLY recommend the TV show

PP here. Just finished it, didn’t much care for it— but I thought, I bet this could’ve been a great series. So I think I will watch it!

I could not take the book, but loved the Hulu series! I have rewatched a few times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am trying The Frozen River, which is really good, but I find so much stress in the world right now that I find it hard to read. But when I try happy fluff, it seems like fluff. How to find something that both has depth, but also is uplifting?!

I just finished this and really enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finished “The Buried Giant.” A big “meh” from me. I’ve read 3 Ishiguro books, and in every one I appreciate the construction/writing, but I just cannot connect with them. This might’ve been the biggest miss for me.

Reading “Normal People” now. I’ve never read Sally Rooney, and she has been very hyped up, so I’m going in cautiously optimistic.

I have the same reaction to Ishiguro. Except for Remains of the Day which was beautiful. I also met him in the early 2000s at a literary event in London and he was charming.

I won't read Sally Rooney. Who needs to read sex books dressed up as lit? No one.

Raises hand. I need a sex book dressed up as lit.

I was surprised by how spicy some of the books from Emily Henry and Elle Kennedy were. I think Emily Henry's books are better, but they're both kind of light fluffy easy reads with romance. Abby Jimenez books are similar. Hers are pretty well written although I'm not sure I'd call any of these literature, but they're definitely lit (beach lit/chick lit, etc.). Easy to read and enjoyable.

PP- Based on your list, I think you would also enjoy the author, Emily Giffib.

Correction: Emily Giffin

Yes, I've read all of her books! Also Sophie Kinsella.

My current favorite is Sophie Cousens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just finished The Whispers by Ashley Audrain-
Recommend

I liked this one as well! I didn't like The Push as much, just FYI. It was fine but definitely weird and I'd never read it again or recommend it although I didn't hate it, just didn't like it much.

Seems like we have similar taste in books--- do you have other recommendations? You may also like the Paper Palace!

I have wildly varying tastes in book.

What are your favorite kind? I'm happy to recommend some along those lines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko about his and his buddy's effort to hike the length of the Grand Canyon. HIGHLY recommend.

If you liked this try A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson! Same idea but with the Appalachian Trail.

PP here - I read A Walk in the Woods years ago - and loved it. This book, however, is better imho. The hike here was on another level as far as danger was concerned, and he spends alot more time discussing the natural and cultural history. Don't get me wrong - it is uproariously funny in parts, but it is not a humor travelogue. He knows he walks in the footsteps of giants (even gives a shout-out early on to Bryson), but, in the end, it's a much more serious book than AWITW.

If you like more danger, have you read Into Thin Air by John Krakauer? It's an oldie but a goodie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am trying The Frozen River, which is really good, but I find so much stress in the world right now that I find it hard to read. But when I try happy fluff, it seems like fluff. How to find something that both has depth, but also is uplifting?!

That's where I'm at right now. I need something light and easy but not stupid.

I just posted about her upthread, but have you tried Sophie Cousens? The Good Part is the first of hers I've read but now I've read them all. I'd call them smart chick lit.

[Anonymous]

I'm working on three books:

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
Grumpy footballer (soccer player) needs to write his memoirs and hires a Sunshine ghostwriter. Romance ensues. I'm listening to the audiobook, and I'm only 18% into it but my mind has wandered a bit already so I'm not sure if this one is going to hold my attention.

Captain Saturday by Robert Inman
Popular middle aged TV weatherman loses his job following a mega corp station buy out. He also has some issues with his wife and college age son, and some things from his past to resolve. A coming of middle age story.
I'm about halfway through this one and enjoying it so far.

Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler
I'm only about one chapter in to this one and so far it's a bit of a slog. Tyler has been recommended by DCUM so I'm trying to give it a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anne of Green Gables - we were just in PEI and I'd wanted to finish it before we were there but even though it's a delightful book I am finding it a slog!

Then going to be reading a friend's new book (I am interviewing her on stage for an event) and not sure after that. Something weird, well written, and short, hopefully, if anyone has a suggestion.

Have you watched the CBC Anne of Green Gables miniseries with Megan Follows? It is so good.

Not PP but LOVED this series so much, watched it on VHS over and over with my grandma. I've never watched it with my girls, may have to have a girls' night!

I recommend reading The Grace of Wild Things, it's a magical and witchy version of Anne of Green Gables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières. He's best known for Captain Corelli's Mandolin, but I've read a bunch of his other books and have really enjoyed them all.

This book is such a slow read for me. There are a bunch of characters and it's in a time & place I don't know much about. But I love his writing and will eventually make my way through it.

I loved the War of Don Emanuel's Nether Parts and the two sequels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko about his and his buddy's effort to hike the length of the Grand Canyon. HIGHLY recommend.

If you liked this try A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson! Same idea but with the Appalachian Trail.

PP here - I read A Walk in the Woods years ago - and loved it. This book, however, is better imho. The hike here was on another level as far as danger was concerned, and he spends alot more time discussing the natural and cultural history. Don't get me wrong - it is uproariously funny in parts, but it is not a humor travelogue. He knows he walks in the footsteps of giants (even gives a shout-out early on to Bryson), but, in the end, it's a much more serious book than AWITW.

If you like more danger, have you read Into Thin Air by John Krakauer? It's an oldie but a goodie.

I also recommend John Krakauer books - Into Thin Air, Into the Wild. They are so interesting and easy to read.

[Anonymous]

I just read Far from the Tree (one of the NYT top 100 of 2000s pick) but I found it very uncomfortable as a parent/ sibling of child with special needs.

I am currently reading Real Americans by Rachel Khong - slow start but now I am into it.

My other recent reads were more fun-
- Good Material
- I Hope This Finds You Well
- Georgie All Along (this one was a little syrupy but good for the beach)

Happiness Falls (Angie Kim) was a DNF.