I’m reading The Anxious Generation (nonfiction about how tech and safetyism rewired childhood starting in the 80s, and the impacts/inappropriateness of social media for kids, tweens, and early teens). Vey compelling, a little scary, well written, and also highly actionable.

Also, An Echo in the Bone (part of the Outlander series). It’s taking me a minute to warm to the newer characters, but I like the freshness they bring.

Anonymous wrote:I picked up "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson from a display promoting "banned" books. It's YA, but very well-written. It's worth your time as an adult to read if for no other reason than to stick it to the right-wing weirdos who'd like to silence the voices of sexual assault victims, fictional or otherwise.

I didn't realize it was a banned book. Both of my boys read it in their 9th grade English classes.

Anonymous wrote:Reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

I generally hate post-apocalyptic novels but I'm actually enjoying this one so far.

Of all the books I've read, and I do this professionally, this is the book that haunts me.
The airplane that lands and no one gets off....

Reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

I generally hate post-apocalyptic novels but I'm actually enjoying this one so far.

Blitzed through All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker.

I really enjoyed reading it, although I feel like objectively it wasn't really that good of a book.

Anonymous wrote:reading Less about a gay man who plans an around the world trip to avoid his ex-boyfriend's wedding. It's good so far but I'm not sure I understand the pulitzer win...

I remember being puzzled about that as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Then I read When the Cranes Fly South. It is a story about an elderly pensioner in Norway (?) whose wife was put in a care home with dementia. It’s his story of aging under the care of his son and some carers. A beautiful reflection on his life and loss of control, plus his relationship with his dog. Tears spilled, but they were worthwhile.

Sweden actually. When the Cranes Fly South is such a slow burn that sneaks up on you. It feels a bit like, do I really need to read another page about an elderly man peeing in his pants and being bathed by his caretakers day after day? But then by the end it's so profound and meaningful and it really sticks with you. The promotional quote on the cover says, "This is a book that will echo in your soul" and when I picked it up at the library I even joked with the librarians at the desk that it was a lot to live up to. But I happily reported to them when I returned the book that it was entirely true; this isn't a book that I would say is excellent or that I would rave about, but it's definitely one that moved me and I thought about long after the last page.

I loved North Woods!! Got the recommendation here and thought it was just beautifully written. Great start to the month.

Then I read When the Cranes Fly South. It is a story about an elderly pensioner in Norway (?) whose wife was put in a care home with dementia. It’s his story of aging under the care of his son and some carers. A beautiful reflection on his life and loss of control, plus his relationship with his dog. Tears spilled, but they were worthwhile.

Just started Queen Esther by John Irving.

reading Less about a gay man who plans an around the world trip to avoid his ex-boyfriend's wedding. It's good so far but I'm not sure I understand the pulitzer win...

Anonymous wrote:I picked up "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson from a display promoting "banned" books. It's YA, but very well-written. It's worth your time as an adult to read if for no other reason than to stick it to the right-wing weirdos who'd like to silence the voices of sexual assault victims, fictional or otherwise.

I loved this book as a young adult. The movie adaptation was also very good.

Anonymous wrote:Fleishman is in Trouble
I too am behind the curve

I had that in my "didn't finish" pile for a long time before I gave it a second try. I'm so glad I did!

I picked up "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson from a display promoting "banned" books. It's YA, but very well-written. It's worth your time as an adult to read if for no other reason than to stick it to the right-wing weirdos who'd like to silence the voices of sexual assault victims, fictional or otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:Just finished What We Can Know, which is the new Ian McEwan. I've read all of his books, and I'm not quite sure why, lol. I am always a bit bored by them. This was better than most, though. It's creative and twisty. I do recommend it. You have to stick with it for the payoff.

Just started Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy. I'm sure I will love it. It's very different from the other books of his that I've read, and I've read most of them. Both Blood Meridian and The Crossing are probably in my top 10 fave books. Certainly in my top 20.

I tried and was aroud 50 pages in and not enjoying it at all. The writing is very good, you almost forget you're reading a book. But I found parts dull and just didn’t find interest. I loved Nutshell.

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter.

It's a romcom for young adults. Woman spills coffee on hot guy at starbucks. While wiping him off with napkins she feels all tingly. They swap phone numbers. Then she gets to work and realizes he is her new boss. Whatever shall they do?

I thought it was meh. When I was about 3/4 of the way through the book I looked up the author. Turns out her books are aimed at ages 12 and up. That makes sense. There was one bit in the book where the main character's car breaks down on the interstate. So she walks home, then spends the evening goofing off with her cousin and his buddies. A few days later she is surprised to learn that her car has been towed and impounded and she has to pay for it. I have been a grownup for a long time, and that is when the book "jumped the shark" for me.

Anonymous wrote:Wreck by Catherine Newman, a sequel to her Sandwich. Just as funny and real.

So Far Gone by Jess Walter, see PP above’s synopsis.

Really enjoying both of them. I also liked Buckeye.

Catherine Newman is going to be at Wonderland books next week if that's of interest to you.