Anonymous wrote:Just finished listening to The Marsh King’s Daughter through the Libby app. Very dark and atmospheric, well done. The storyline mirrors Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale, so stay away if that bothers you.

I had read The Wicked Sister by the same author and liked this one much more.

The writer, Karen, is very nice and a really fun person. I spent some time with her at a writers' conference years ago.

Anonymous wrote:About to finish “Raising Hare”—just beautiful, thanks to all who recommended it (a woman’s observations of her time with a wild hare, lovely writing and has inspired me to revel in the details of my local wildlife and pets). I will highly recommend this to several people (I switched between audio and hardcover, both are wonderful—very sweet illustrations in the hardcover).

I’ve started “On the Calculation of Volume II”, about a woman who gets stuck in November 18–a very reflective and nuanced approach to the Groundhog’s Day concept. It was a slower start than Volume I but it’s pulling me in now.

Also working through Dark Renaissance, a bio of Christopher Marlowe. It’s interesting, but drier than the narrative fiction I’ve read over the last year (Stoned, Indifferent Stars Above, London Falling)

I very much enjoyed this, but I felt that it got a bit dry. Early on in read like a bit of a page turner, but at some point it really slowed down. Glad I read it though.

My 8th grade son read The Outsiders in school and liked it a lot - so I decided I should finally read it too. I'm not done with yet, but I think it is worth the read.

Just finished listening to The Marsh King’s Daughter through the Libby app. Very dark and atmospheric, well done. The storyline mirrors Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale, so stay away if that bothers you.

I had read The Wicked Sister by the same author and liked this one much more.

I just finished The Director by Daniel Kehlmann and I highly recommend. It's by a German author and is historical fiction loosely based on the life of film director G.W. Pabst. He had left Germany before WWII but goes back right before the war begins to help his ailing mother and gets stuck there and is made to make movies approved by the Nazi regime. The book is a real exploration of "looking the other way", valuing art over politics, personal responsibility, etc. The first half I was thinking that it was a fine book, but what's all the fuss about, and then the last third just circled back on so many things and made it an incredibly smart, interesting, and special book.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just started “His Majesty’s dragon” by Naomi Novik. I am listening to the audiobook narrated by Simon Vance. It is a reimagining of the Napoleonic wars with both England and France having sort of a dragon Air Force. Really liking it so far. Has anyone read it? Did you like it? (No spoilers please). This is my first Naomi Novik read.

Finished this book and moving to Throne of Jade”, next in the series. I feel like this series should be more popular! The dragons are so awesome. Love their unique personalities.

This is me as well! (Did I write this?) Started the series on DCUM's recommendation, now on Throne of Jade. Just about the perfect fun, diverting, but well-written read. (Well in my case, listen.) A good twist on conventional fantasy, and I like how "straight" Novik plays it outside of the "unconventional" air force. It feels very much like: Mr. Darcy goes to war. But with a dragon.

Also, my biggest criticism of the first book was that the characters were somewhat thinly drawn outside of the main dragon, Temeraire - certainly most of the humans, even the protagonist Laurence. Now midway through the second book, the characters are somewhat more fleshed out so I am enjoying it perhaps more, even though the plot is a somewhat more meandering than the first.

Just finished The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale by CM Waggoner - A witch raises an abandoned baby who turns out to be a lost prince, but when he becomes king she has to plot to overthrow him (for the good of the kingdom). cozy fantasy, sweet/funny, a bit silly at times, heartfelt. Loved it.

Reading "Limelight" by Amy Poeppel, about a woman who relocates with her family to NYC from Dallas and ends up being a personal assistant to a Justin Bieberish teen superstar. I really enjoy this author.

Onto “Five” by bannister.

About to finish “Raising Hare”—just beautiful, thanks to all who recommended it (a woman’s observations of her time with a wild hare, lovely writing and has inspired me to revel in the details of my local wildlife and pets). I will highly recommend this to several people (I switched between audio and hardcover, both are wonderful—very sweet illustrations in the hardcover).

I’ve started “On the Calculation of Volume II”, about a woman who gets stuck in November 18–a very reflective and nuanced approach to the Groundhog’s Day concept. It was a slower start than Volume I but it’s pulling me in now.

Also working through Dark Renaissance, a bio of Christopher Marlowe. It’s interesting, but drier than the narrative fiction I’ve read over the last year (Stoned, Indifferent Stars Above, London Falling)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone read Her Last Breath?
I just read Emma Straub's American Fantasy and meh.

I’m afraid I can’t help with Her Last Breath, but I had the same reaction to American Fantasy. Perhaps it would resonate more with fans of either boy bands or cruises, but I thought it might shed more light on the fandom of both, and it just didn’t for me.

Ugh same here. I like Emma Straub too but none of it clicked for me.

Same. I’ve read most of Emma Straub’s novels. Really liked This Time Tomorrow, but American Fantasy is a big meh.

When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman . . . about childhood, family, and friendship. It's well-written, and I'm enjoying it in part because the protagonist was born the same year as I was and I can really "see" her life in my mind's eye.

I’ve been listening to Tom Lake by Ann Patchett , narrated by Meryl Streep.

I love the family relationships and gentle twists and turns of the MC’s long ago relationship with a famous actor ( before he became famous).

It’s not an exciting book but is keeping me engaged in the story. Meryl Streep is great for the most part, sometimes she was just a little bit too much.

Similar to books by Ann Tyler in some ways.

Will definitely read more by this author. ( I usually read books in hand or Libby on my tablet but working on a big project concurrently. I like to read in bed also, but with an audio book it puts me right to sleep!)

Twit not truth

Anonymous wrote:Finally starting Prince Harry's book "Spare"

He’s a whiny truth but I really liked the behind the scenes what it’s like to be a Royal. He probably has an undiagnosed learning disability.

Just started The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh. Romance-thriller. Only a third in and not sure yet where the story is going, but liking it so far.