The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. This was my second book of hers, the first being The Alice Network. I liked that one a lot but loved The Rose Code. I think I'll keep going back to this author every few books or so.

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood. This was a book club book and I've seen a ton of great reviews for it but I hated it and kept wanting to give up. I won't give anything away but I was just put off by the whole thing. (For context, I enjoyed Demon Copperhead, which is similar in that it's based on a down-trodden tween/teen, but this book failed to land in every single way that Demon Copperhead managed to).

The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham. I read all Grisham books. Some are amazing, some are not. This one I thought was not. Oh well.

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King (and Owen King, his son). The premise of this book was really interesting and raised a lot of questions that would have been great for a book club. I love Stephen King so I read everything of his.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. This is part of a series (I don't remember how many come after this). It's based on the Yale secret societies, but with a magic twist. Far more engrossing than I thought it would be.

Finally, Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult. I'm probably 3/4 of the way through but not yet done but I am always looking forward to coming back to it.

I do a mix of reading and Audible, which is how I'm able to get through a lot of books. I also have varied tastes (as I imagine is clear from the above list), and I love finding random books I've never heard of and checking them out. Sometimes they're a good idea, sometimes not!

I am reading Hello, Beautiful, I'm about halfway through it and although I am somewhat intrigued by the story there is a lot that annoys me about this book. Anyone else?

Anonymous wrote:Almost done The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. I like it -- but also took a long break in the middle so it can't have been that compelling. I've enjoyed the odd slice of native american life it explores; and how it processes recent events, pandemic, BLM protests, etc.

Reading the Secret Book of Flora Lee, by Patti Callahan Henry, and love it; already trying to slow myself down so as to not finish it too quickly. But it pushes all my buttons--English countryside/shire, escapes into imagination, myth, bookstores & booksellers--so perhaps it will not be so universally appealing!

I loved The Round House and have been meaning to read other books by her so thanks!

Anonymous wrote:Molokai'i

It's so interesting! Historical fiction. Liking it a lot.

There's a second book in the series called Daughter of Moloka'i, if you're interested.

Anonymous wrote:I discovered a gem when I randomly checked out a fiction from the library called, Rosewood Casket by Sharyn McCrumb. Not my typical genre but I was hooked after reading it. It’s part of her The Ballad Novels series set in the Appalachian Mountain areas of VA, NC and TN. They weave together the history, legends, geography and contemporary issues.

I just looked this book up on Amazon and it's free on Audible, if anyone likes listening to books. The narrator's voice sounds pleasant as well. Thanks for the recommendation!

Beartown. I like it but early on.

Anonymous wrote:I am currently reading the Perfumist of Paris, and I am disappointed with it. I'm almost done - its #3 in the Henna Artist series. After that I will read the Art Forger for book club. We normally meet at someone's house - but once a year we do a field trip related to the book for our meeting and we are going to the National Gallery of Art instead of our standard book club meeting for that book. After that, I think I will read Lessons in Chemistry... but we will see.

For what it's worth, I loved this book. I also really liked The Henna Artist but haven't read any others in the trilogy.

“Magpie Murders” (Anthony Horowitz) and “Look for Me There” (Luke Russert)

I’m currently reading Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes and I’m enjoying it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just finished reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I remember loving this book when I read it in the early 90s, and I'd seen some buzz about it recently so I decided to read it again. It took me a very long time to get into but I enjoyed it by the end. However I have no idea why I loved this book so much when I was younger. Maybe because I was in college at the time and it takes place at a college? I wasn't into Greek and I wasn't academic in any way, so who knows. I probably won't read it a third time though.

I read the Secret History a while ago and loved it. I had such high hopes for The Goldfinch, but sadly, it did not deliver IMO. Way too long, sprawling, and many parts of it made no sense.

PP here, thanks for this. I was thinking of trying The Goldfinch but I'll pass at this point. I'm in the middle of The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton which is good so far.

Anonymous wrote:I just finished reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I remember loving this book when I read it in the early 90s, and I'd seen some buzz about it recently so I decided to read it again. It took me a very long time to get into but I enjoyed it by the end. However I have no idea why I loved this book so much when I was younger. Maybe because I was in college at the time and it takes place at a college? I wasn't into Greek and I wasn't academic in any way, so who knows. I probably won't read it a third time though.

I read the Secret History a while ago and loved it. I had such high hopes for The Goldfinch, but sadly, it did not deliver IMO. Way too long, sprawling, and many parts of it made no sense.

Liked but didn't love Romantic Comedy even though I usually love everything by Curtis Sittenfeld. It was nice, just a little flat.

Liked I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai but like a PP, I found myself getting bored at times.

Loved Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano - so much so that I downloaded her other books on my kindle and now from a PP's endorsement am looking forward to read Hello Beautiful

I just finished reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I remember loving this book when I read it in the early 90s, and I'd seen some buzz about it recently so I decided to read it again. It took me a very long time to get into but I enjoyed it by the end. However I have no idea why I loved this book so much when I was younger. Maybe because I was in college at the time and it takes place at a college? I wasn't into Greek and I wasn't academic in any way, so who knows. I probably won't read it a third time though.

Anonymous wrote:I tried Wrong Place Wrong Time after hearing about it here, and I’m 1/3 in and surprised to find myself bored. I’ll probably DNF it. Anyone else not love that book?

I absolutely loved that book, but I definitely think it takes a while to get hooked. Give it a bit more pages and if you at aren’t into it stop. But I was surprised by how it stuck with me.

Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho

Delightful romcom — very much Bridget Jones Diary meets Crazy Rich Asian. It was recommended to me by an Asian American friend with the comment that the diaspora vibes were impeccable. I can’t speak to the accuracy of being part of a Chinese family in Singapore or any of the law stuff but I found it a very enjoyable romantic comedy.