It is September, what are you reading?

[Anonymous]

I just finished The Nix but Nathan Hill. It is about a man reconnecting with his mother after she walked out when he was 11 and coming to understand some of the mysteries of her past. The book begins when, 25 years after she deserts her family, she is arrested for throwing rocks at a presidential candidate. The book was more essentially comedic than I expected from the description of the plot—and I resisted some of the unrealistic dimensions of the plot that sprang from that essentially comedic approach. That being said, I enjoyed it over all and it was well written and engaging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading One Day. It's ok.

I read it many years ago, closer to when it was published. I thought it was ok. Enjoyed the netflix show much more.

I liked the Netflix tv series more, too. I'm the pp you quoted.

[Anonymous]

I am reading Lost Man's Lane by Scott Carson. It is a millenial coming of age/horror combination a la Stephen King. It is very good so far. I am about 75% in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just finished All the Colors of the Dark, pretty good for what it was, a thriller mystery. Just started the latest Elizabeth Strout book, I just love them!

Is the Elizabeth Strout book Tell Me Everything? I love her books - let me know how it is after you read it!

[Anonymous]

Finished -
Fourth Wing and Iron Flame - entertaining and quick reads but not sure that I'll read the next one
Into the Wilderness (historical romance) - didn't like very much and won't read more in this series
The Winter Sea (historical romance) - better than Into the Wilderness, but also not sure that I'll read more by this author
The Cuckoo's Calling (JK Rowling mystery) - enjoyed, would read more in this series

Currently reading - The Thief (fantasy)

[Anonymous]

Almost done with “The Pretender”— an ARC about a real life historical figure who claimed that he was the rightful king during the reign of Henry VII. It’s similar but a little more accessible than Maggie O’Farrell. I’m really enjoying it. I also enjoyed but didn’t love the ARC I got of “Absolution” by Jeff Vandermeer.

So it’s been a great month for ARCs—sometimes I get several duds in a row.

[Anonymous]

so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

You've read 6 books in 16 days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

I have Sandwich but haven't read it yet. I saw her speak at a book lunch this summer on Cape Cod and she is breathless/fast paced in person too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

You've read 6 books in 16 days?

NP, but I read about 100 books a month, so 6 books in 16 days doesn't sound that crazy - especially since those aren't particularly dense books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

You've read 6 books in 16 days?

DP. But note than none of these are on the Booker short (or even long) list ...

[Anonymous]

Yes, I’ve read 6 books in 16 days. I read quickly and average around 100/year give or take. Last month I read 10 (including a Booker prize nominee, in case points are being given out for that).

I’m not really sure what the point is of questioning someone’s reading habits though. Why did you ask that question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I’ve read 6 books in 16 days. I read quickly and average around 100/year give or take. Last month I read 10 (including a Booker prize nominee, in case points are being given out for that).

I’m not really sure what the point is of questioning someone’s reading habits though. Why did you ask that question?

I’ll bite. The Booker prize nominees are generally more dense, longer, require more thought than some of the low brow or romance books. All reading is valid of course but there’s something different about reading a Booker prize vs Colleen Hoover when you’re tallying the numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

I have Sandwich but haven't read it yet. I saw her speak at a book lunch this summer on Cape Cod and she is breathless/fast paced in person too!

I liked the beginning of Sandwich so much - and then I just got so sick of it! I thought it got so repetitive - which, perhaps, was part of the point; but it left me bored after a while. And the big reveal just felt weirdly executed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so far in September I've read:

Best **
The Searcher by Tana French. It's my first time reading her and I just loved this book. Mystery with a slow burn feel to it, from the perspective of a retired Chicago cop who relocates to rural Ireland and is asked by a 12yo to help find their missing sibling. It's a very delicate balance to investigate when you're not actually a cop anymore (and don't necessarily want your neighbors to know you were one) over a crime that may or may not have been committed. On top of that, all the people you're talking to have basically known each other their whole lives. A lot going on under the surface and beautifully written. The second in the series comes out this month.

Runner up *
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I found this book to be very readable and relatable, a slice of life from the perspective of a woman going through menopause with young adult kids and aging parents during a week(?)long vacation in Sandwich, MA. Newman's writing style is very personal (even her fiction feels more like a memoir to me) and sort of breathless/fast-paced/intense. Idk how to explain other than that.

Least favorite: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: I liked the first 2/3 of this one but was super disappointed by the ending. I am a huge fan of Center's previous two books but this was just not it for me. Sadly.

Others:
Swift and Saddled by Lyra Sage - romance, cowboys, fun setting.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus - YA thriller, dual perspective from two teenagers (with morally shady parents) who investigate a murder/try not to get implicated in wrongdoing.

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hazy - cozy mystery from the perspective of the head chef at the White House. It's older and a bit dated but still fun enough.

You've read 6 books in 16 days?

NP, but I read about 100 books a month, so 6 books in 16 days doesn't sound that crazy - especially since those aren't particularly dense books.

!!! You read three books every day?! How??