The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

Overwhelmed father of toddler twins loses job and becomes a temporary stay at home dad while he looks for work. Tragic accident occurs and the book explores the characters and repercussions.

Well written but bleak. Some redemption. In good faith, I can’t even pass this book along to other readers I know. Check the trigger warnings before reading.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just started reading Freida McFadden’s latest book 📖 called “The Divorce.”

I recently discovered this great author and have to admit that I have a very strong addiction to her novels.

So far I am engrossed in this story.
I cannot say what it is about since anything I say would be a spoiler since the first chapter weaves the initial story for the reader.

This was so terrible. I did read it in one day, but really I think it's the worst of Freida's books. Dear Debbie was enjoyable

I’m halfway through listening to it and both the ex and his girlfriend are so over the top mean that they are completely unbelievable. I’m going to get the e-book from Hoopla and finish it at a much faster pace because I do want to find out what happens in the end. I did like Dear Debbie as I’m a big fan of revenge fiction

Anonymous wrote:My primary right now is “The Ghost Map,” by Steven Johnson. It’s NF about the 1854 cholera outbreak in London, which in part shaped modern understanding of disease spread. Very interesting and well written; listening and reading.

I just got “The Midnight Train” by Matt Haig (new release) on audio, a sequel to “The Midnight Library”; excited to start that soon.

I finished “The Ghost Map” and enjoyed it; it was published in 2006, and it was interesting to read post-pandemic and given recent shifts in public health management.

I’m enjoying “The Midnight Train,” about a man who dies and is being taken back through key moments in his life…fairly light in tone so far (vs Vigil).

I’m almost done with Ben Lerner’s “Transcription,” a very short, kind of experimental novel that explores parental relationships and the challenges of modern, affluent parenting (intersecting with tech and the pandemic). Engaging and a bit philosophical; not plot driven.

Next up: Ann Patchett’s new novel “Whistler”…I usually love her writing, so especially looking forward to this read.

I think I need a nonfiction option in the mix—thoughts on The History of the World in Six Glasses or The Man Who Pays the Rent (Judi Dench on Shakespeare)?

Just finished "I Have Some Questions For You" by Rebecca Makkai and I liked it so much that I immediately started "The Great Believers," also by her, and I like it even more

I’m working on a time consuming home project and have been listening to a lot of books on Libby while I work. I cross reference my TBR list with books available now.


Just finished two college themed thrillers The Parents weekend by Alex Finley and

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

I have to laugh at some similarities. They each had a student character named Natasha from Russia but the settings couldn’t be more different.

Parents Weekend takes place at a small private College in Northern CA, The Maidens takes place at St Christopher’s college in Cambridge UK.

Parents Weekend was well done with a wide array of characters though the ending fell apart a little bit for me.

The Maidens leaned heavily on Greek Mythology which is interesting but the MC was completely clueless and annoying. I did like the ending though many folks on Goodreads hated the ending and it got very mixed reviews.

Also listened to We Used to live here by Marcus Kliewer. I liked this creepy supernatural book but need to read a written copy because I got lost a couple times.

Freida McFadden is not a great author.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. I really love the humor, at least in the 75 pages I’ve read so far.

I’m also in the middle of listening to the third book in the Finlay Donovan series about a Fairfax County romance/crime author and mom who gets mixed up in crazy murder for hire and other ridiculous schemes. But they’re a fun, easy listen while driving or doing stuff around the house.

I DNF on Finlay Donovan after the 2nd book. The plots are thin and repetitive and are bloated with goofy characters and dialogs. A joke.

I am not the OP but I find this type of response disrespectful and unnecessary. Fine for you to have an opinion on a given book but it’s no more or less valid than anyone else’s. The OP quite clearly said that this book falls into the category of a fun, easy listen so the PP’s comments don’t even seem to fit the discussion. Pp, why not tell us your suggestions in the fun, easy listen category? Or ask the OP to expand on the things she likes about the books (assuming you’re open minded enough to reconsider your opinion)

Are you the author or something? What are you even talking about? Given the descriptions, the books would likely not appeal to a lot of the people who post in these threads. There's nothing wrong with stating that. Your response seems so unusual to me in an adult book club where it is very normal to state completely opposing opinions. Also weird that you are randomly assigning value and validity to anonymous posters. Insulting their open mindedness is also an unusual choice, they read the books themselves.

Anonymous wrote:I’m 60 pages into The True True Story of Raja the Gullible after seeing it suggested here. It is a great read so far. My last few fiction reads have been so-so and this is a solid reset.

It is soooo good.

I’m 60 pages into The True True Story of Raja the Gullible after seeing it suggested here. It is a great read so far. My last few fiction reads have been so-so and this is a solid reset.

Anonymous wrote:I just started reading Freida McFadden’s latest book 📖 called “The Divorce.”

I recently discovered this great author and have to admit that I have a very strong addiction to her novels.

So far I am engrossed in this story.
I cannot say what it is about since anything I say would be a spoiler since the first chapter weaves the initial story for the reader.

This was so terrible. I did read it in one day, but really I think it's the worst of Freida's books. Dear Debbie was enjoyable

Einstein’s Dreams by the physicist Alan Lightman

In 1905 Einstein was employed in the patent office in Bern, Switzerland while he worked on his theory of relativity. This beautifully written book imagines his dreams for one month during that time period.

This short book was not an easy read for me, but touched me deeply.

One Golden Summer for a light summer read and it fit the bill!

Into the Wild - good and I’m tardy to party!

I just finished "We All Live Here" by Jojo Moyes.
It is set in London and is about a woman who is newly divorced with two daughters. Her widowed stepfather is lonely and has slowly moved in with them. Then her biological dad shows up after having been out of the picture for decades.
I thought the book was excellent. I think everything Jojo Moyes writes is excellent.

2024 BASS, edited by Lauren Groff

“Go Gentle”….I’m really enjoying it!