August 2025 - What are you reading?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is everyone reading this month?
What is it about?
What do you think of it?

I have started on a cozy mystery series about a caterer in Colorado. The first book came out in 1990 and the last one came out in 2013. There are 17 books total in the series.

So far all I have finished is the first book, which is called Catering to Nobody.
In the first book, Gertrude "Goldy" Bear is catering an event and someone ends up poisoned. Therefore her business is shut down, therefore she has no income, therefore she tries to figure out how the person got poisoned.

I read about five books in this series many years ago. Back when you had to physically go to the library to check out paper copies of books. I enjoyed them back then and have always wanted to read all the books in the series. So here I am. I am about 3/4 of the way through the second book in the series.

Based on this recommendation, I.checked out the book, Catering to Nobody. It’s not overly formulaic or conventional writing that might sometimes accompany more experienced authors. It was cute and enjoyable. But the 2nd one in the series is not as enjoyable as the first and the 3rd one maybe a DNF.

[Anonymous]

These Summer Storms was a good one about a wealthy family coming together for a week when their billionaire father/husband died.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remarkably Bright Creatures

Loved it.

This was a really fun read.

For those who enjoyed this book. What others do you recommend? I’m in a slump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Wager by David Grann . . . nonfiction account of an 18th century shipwreck. Very good.

I loved this book!

[Anonymous]

I'm reading Personal History: A Memoir by Katharine Graham. I'm enjoying it so far but I'm not getting through it very quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remarkably Bright Creatures

Loved it.

This was a really fun read.

For those who enjoyed this book. What others do you recommend? I’m in a slump.

In my opinion, the gist of Remarkably Bright Creatures was it was about a woman who lost her tribe, felt bereft, then through her friendship with the octopus, she found a new tribe and a new purpose in life.

So with that in mind, other books I can think of along the lines of a person who lost their tribe and /or purposeful direction then found a new tribe and / or purpose:

A man called Ove and Brit-Marie was here. Both of those books are by Fredrik Backman.
Debbie Macomber wrote a series of books about a woman whose husband died, and then she bought a bed and breakfast. The first book in the series is called The Inn at Rose Harbor.

[Anonymous]

I recently finished Isola and really enjoyed it. Searching for my next read so this thread is helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remarkably Bright Creatures

Loved it.

This was a really fun read.

For those who enjoyed this book. What others do you recommend? I’m in a slump.

In my opinion, the gist of Remarkably Bright Creatures was it was about a woman who lost her tribe, felt bereft, then through her friendship with the octopus, she found a new tribe and a new purpose in life.

So with that in mind, other books I can think of along the lines of a person who lost their tribe and /or purposeful direction then found a new tribe and / or purpose:

A man called Ove and Brit-Marie was here. Both of those books are by Fredrik Backman.
Debbie Macomber wrote a series of books about a woman whose husband died, and then she bought a bed and breakfast. The first book in the series is called The Inn at Rose Harbor.

I'd add in The Bird Hotel to this list...similar vibe. Also, Other Birds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m starting Culpability and loving it. It’s about a family from Bethesda who vacations in the Eastern shore and hits traffic over the Bay Bridge. They get into an accident and all the family secrets leak…. The GoodReads descriptions says they vacation in the Delaware Chesapeake bay. There is not bay in Delaware….grrrrrr

Just finished this. It was surprisingly very good. It's about a car accident from a self-driving car where two people died. Who is responsible? It was an easier, quick read, I could totally picture this family living in Bethesda.

PS I am not sure where I saw "Delaware Chesapeake Bay", d'oh, I must have been dreaming.

[Anonymous]

Finished We don't talk about Carol by Kristen Berry. Relaly enjoyed it, it was a serious subject (about 6 missing black girls from the 1960s who were mostly forgotten). It had a lot to say about families and secrets. I'm not 100% sure I bought the full ending, but it never got crazy and dark and twisty like so many modern mystery/thrillers feel like they have to pile on. It was just a good solid telling of unraveling a mystery and the family ramifications.

[Anonymous]

I finally read Project Hail Mary. Wow was it bad! I do not understand the hype at all. It was so poorly written and the narrator was beyond annoying. I did find the "twists" to be entertaining and it made some interesting observations, but overall? Meh. It was WAY too much like The Martian, which I think was better (or maybe you like whichever one you read first).

[Anonymous]

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Detailed memoir of her time at Facebook. Spills the tea and confirms what I suspected about Mark: childish and out of his depth. The juicy summer read you didn't know you needed.

[Anonymous]

Connie. Connie Chung’s memoir. I had not expected to like it so much. Added bonus, she is a local and went to Blair!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remarkably Bright Creatures

Loved it.

This was a really fun read.

For those who enjoyed this book. What others do you recommend? I’m in a slump.

In my opinion, the gist of Remarkably Bright Creatures was it was about a woman who lost her tribe, felt bereft, then through her friendship with the octopus, she found a new tribe and a new purpose in life.

So with that in mind, other books I can think of along the lines of a person who lost their tribe and /or purposeful direction then found a new tribe and / or purpose:

A man called Ove and Brit-Marie was here. Both of those books are by Fredrik Backman.
Debbie Macomber wrote a series of books about a woman whose husband died, and then she bought a bed and breakfast. The first book in the series is called The Inn at Rose Harbor.

Agree with Fredrik Backman. Also, Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. Nothing to See here. The Wedding People.

[Anonymous]

I'm reading Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller. I chose it for my book club's August meeting. It's good so far, exactly what I expected. I'm enjoying the format, almost like short stories each with their own message. Actually laughing out loud at various parts and makes you think about various views and practices adopted by society.

Also reading and enjoying The Change by the same author. Started this one awhile ago and am perfectly happy to read a chapter or two here and there. It's also enjoyable but I'm not overly invested in what happens. Have read multiple other books in the meantime.