Anonymous wrote:Just started audio version of Yesteryear. So much hype around it but so far I'm struggling to get into it. It seems kind of flat to me.

Ditto

I just finished Strangers, by Belle Burden, on audiobook. I really enjoyed it; I found opportunities to listen at times I don’t usually have my AirPods in! It is a memoir of a very wealthy woman whose husband left her very suddenly, but well written and insightful. Before that I listened to the often recommended The Husbands and enjoyed that a lot as well. This is the book about the new husbands that keep coming out of the attic. It was sharper and wittier than I expected. I am reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, about a group of many nationalities being held hostage in South America and also enjoying the beautiful writing, though I admit I have taken a break from it for about a week. Looking forward to digging back in this weekend.

Just started audio version of Yesteryear. So much hype around it but so far I'm struggling to get into it. It seems kind of flat to me.

Famesick

And

Mother Mary Comes to Me

I’ve just started Margo’s Got Money Troubles (reading before watching), about an intelligent yet naive 20yo single mom who starts an Only Fans to make ends meet (aided by her former pro-wrestler dad, newly back in her life). Enjoying it so far, and am curious to see how the narrative structure develops.

On the other end of the spectrum, I also just started listening to Raising Hare (memoir about a woman’s attachment to a leveret, recommended here several times). Also enjoying it—lovely writing that matches the environment (so far).

I just finished Vigil; it’s about an oil man who, on his death bed, is completely unrepentant about his role in climate change—beings from the after life try to convince him he should atone. It was fine (continued to be heavy-handed), might be a good book club read for adventurous readers or Saunders fans, but wouldn’t actively recommend.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starting the newest Tana French tonight. It's the third in a trilogy about Scottish highlands and the mysteries of that small community.

Do you mean Ireland? The newest Tana French is about the American detective who retires to rural Ireland.

Yes. I've had surgery and might be on drugs. (not narcotics, but still).

Cold Comfort Farm. I was expecting to love it, but it’s slow going so far.

"Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking" recommended on here!

It is "a memoir of food and longing" written by a russian cookbook author who emigrated to the US with her mother when she was a child.

I love it. It is everything I like in a book. History, food and Russia (and why it is the way it is)

Anonymous wrote:Starting the newest Tana French tonight. It's the third in a trilogy about Scottish highlands and the mysteries of that small community.

Do you mean Ireland? The newest Tana French is about the American detective who retires to rural Ireland.

Starting the newest Tana French tonight. It's the third in a trilogy about Scottish highlands and the mysteries of that small community.

Anonymous wrote:Ada Palmer, Inventing the Renaissance. I'm loving it; she offers some new perspectives and it's an easy read (at least, for a work on historiography).

Ooooh, I might like to read this. I'm the PP who just finished reading the book on Gaugin, and what was going on in art/culture at that time was very much a reaction to and evolution out of the Renaissance, so it might be cool to go back and read about what happened earlier.

Ada Palmer, Inventing the Renaissance. I'm loving it; she offers some new perspectives and it's an easy read (at least, for a work on historiography).

Just finished the Gaugin biography -- Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gaugin.

I read this pretty quickly as there is much of interest (he was there when Van Gogh cut his ear off!) and the writing is excellent. Before I picked it up I remember reading that this was a bit of a rehab of Gaugin's reputation and legacy. I don't think so. I do think the writer is a bit of an apologist, but the facts are there. And anyone whose negative opinion is rehabilitated by this book isn't paying attention. But he was an incredible artist, a fascinating and complex person, and a critical link in the chain of art history, all of which is made clear in the book.

I'd give it a 9/10, especially because it is so readable.

I started "Happy Wife" last night.
It is about a 28 year old woman who marries a 46 year old divorced dad of a teenage girl after a short courtship. He disappears the day after she throws him a big birthday party. It is set in Winter Park Florida.
I am not very far into it but enjoying it so far.

What is everyone reading this month?
What is it about?
What is your opinion of the book?