Anonymous wrote:"Leaving Atlanta" by Tayari Jones.

The protagonists are children living in Atlanta in the time of the child murders. I've just started it, but so far it's good. It's coming on the tails of a book I enjoyed immensely ("A Gentleman in Moscow"), so I'm trying hard not to compare.

I’d love to know what you think of this book! I’m reading Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones right now and am really enjoying it. (I read An American Marriage several years ago when it was getting a ton of buzz, but TBH I am liking Silver Sparrow a lot more.) I was in Atlanta for a work trip last week and saw Leaving Atlanta prominently displayed at an independent bookstore there. I was thinking of adding it to my TBR.

Anonymous wrote:Now 3/4 through "The Berry Pickers." The nicest thing I can say about it thus far is that the cover is pretty. It takes a heavy subject, places it in an interesting and cross-cultural setting, and somehow manages to be boring and lackluster.

I need to read this for book club next week. I've been putting it off because it sounds boring.

Now 3/4 through "The Berry Pickers." The nicest thing I can say about it thus far is that the cover is pretty. It takes a heavy subject, places it in an interesting and cross-cultural setting, and somehow manages to be boring and lackluster.

Anonymous wrote:I just finished "Bright Lights, Big City" by Mary Kay Andrews.

It is about a family who has run a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina for several decades. They spend every December at a designated lot in NYC selling the trees. This year, The brother and sister, both in their 30's, are running the Christmas tree lot. They both fall in love, make new friends, have adventures.

I downloaded it from Libby. I have read every book Mary Kay Andrews has written.

I think you mean Bright Lights, Big Christmas. Bright Lights, Big City is a very different book!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Leaving Atlanta" by Tayari Jones.

The protagonists are children living in Atlanta in the time of the child murders. I've just started it, but so far it's good. It's coming on the tails of a book I enjoyed immensely ("A Gentleman in Moscow"), so I'm trying hard not to compare.

All of Tayari’s books are so much better than “A Gentleman in Moscow.”

Perhaps. I have a soft spot for 20th Century history, so that book really appealed.

Rules of Civility is another good one by Amor Towles.

Count My Lies by Sophie Stava - it's an easy fiction about a pathological liar nanny/preschool teacher/nail tech. Book of the Month labels it a thriller, but other than the lies, there isn't anything super thrilling. It's more of a domestic drama.

"Skip to the End" by Molly James.
Just finished it. It is a rom-com about a woman who can see how the relationship will end from the first kiss. One night at a wedding she gets very drunk and kisses three men and one of them is supposed to be her happily ever after person. However, the next day she can't remember who it was.
I thought it was predictable, superficial, fluffy, fun. I listened to it on audio and it kept me company while I did yardwork.
The book had been mentioned on here about a year ago, while discussing a similar book called Expiration Dates. (I listened to Expiration Dates about six months ago. I thought that one was better). Downloaded both books from Libby.

Just finished "The Guest" by Emma Cline---about a young grifter sex worker who spends a week drifting around the Hamptons after her sugar daddy kicks her out. I got caught up in the stress of the narrative and read it in one day. It's an intense read that's unsatisfying in a good way---the ending opens up interpretations that can leave you questioning some or all of what you just read.

PP above…I’m having an unexpectedly nautically heavy year, and am reading/listening to Moby Dick. I had no idea how many modern phrases have their root in sailing jargon.

I’m also starting Mexican Gothic (book club).

And just finished A Room of One’s Own (Woolf), which remains relevant regarding the arts, and some views of women. I read this and the short story the Yellow Wallpaper after reading All Fours.

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading Endurance: Shackelton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. It was recommended by a coworker and it's very good. I've had it on hold since mid-January and just got it from my local library.

After reading The Wager earlier this year, I added Endurance to my 2025 list—glad you are enjoying it (I’m saving it for summer)!

I just finished "Bright Lights, Big City" by Mary Kay Andrews.

It is about a family who has run a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina for several decades. They spend every December at a designated lot in NYC selling the trees. This year, The brother and sister, both in their 30's, are running the Christmas tree lot. They both fall in love, make new friends, have adventures.

I downloaded it from Libby. I have read every book Mary Kay Andrews has written.

"The Voyage Home" by Pat Barker. It's the last in her Trojan War trilogy and came out a few months ago.

I still think "The Silence of the Girls," the first book concerning Briseis and the start of the war, is the strongest in the trilogy.

I'm reading Endurance: Shackelton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. It was recommended by a coworker and it's very good. I've had it on hold since mid-January and just got it from my local library.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got Show Don’t Tell from Curtis Sittenfeld, which is her new short story collection. I love her writing so it’s very good and I forgot how much I enjoyed short stories - it’s nice to read one when I have a little bit of a break instead of scrolling on my phone. There’s a story that follows up with Lee from her first book Prep too which I am looking forward to.

I’m so excited for new Curtis Sittenfeld! Finally a bright spot in this terrible 2025!

It’s fantastic so far! There was a quip about a novelist (that resembles her) as being the type of writer moms read when recovering from knee surgery haha. I also saw that she will be at the Arlington Library in April doing an event.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Leaving Atlanta" by Tayari Jones.

The protagonists are children living in Atlanta in the time of the child murders. I've just started it, but so far it's good. It's coming on the tails of a book I enjoyed immensely ("A Gentleman in Moscow"), so I'm trying hard not to compare.

All of Tayari’s books are so much better than “A Gentleman in Moscow.”

Perhaps. I have a soft spot for 20th Century history, so that book really appealed.

You should try The Lincoln Highway. I loved it, by the same author as A Gentleman in Moscow.