YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Recent reads

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Recent reads https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:51:07 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Laurie on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads/page/2#post-1941365 Wed, 25 Jul 2018 23:41:57 +0000 Laurie 1941365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hadn't seen this thread when I started the one about Libby.  So many great suggestions here that I just added to my Holds. viva on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads/page/2#post-1932019 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 00:01:57 +0000 viva 1932019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My favorites from the late spring were Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (devastating and poetic), The Wanderers by Meg Howrey (philosophical and provocative), and Less by Andrew Sean Greer (funny and relatable, also Pulitzer-prize winning). Most recently I've read some trashy crime/mystery but none good enough to recommend. I did enjoy The Fact of a Body by Alexandra Marzano-Lesnevich, sort of a true-crime investigation/memoir about, among other things, the long-term effects of trauma. Moving and harrowing, mostly well-written. On my list are books from two members of the Obama Administration, Ben Rhodes and Dan Pfeiffer, as well as Salvage the Bones (Jesmyn Ward), Kitchen Confidential (Anthony Bourdain), Florida (Lauren Groff), and Flights (Olga Tokarczuk, winner of the 2018 International Man Booker prize). Lisa, it was interesting to read your thoughts about what Canadians read vs what Americans read. I read as much as I can and try not to limit my choices by genre or place of origin. But looking back at my reading list I'm actually saddened by the dominance of North American voices. I need to work harder at reading books written elsewhere. For me, one of the real gifts of good writing is that it exposes me to other cultures, lives, and histories.  Thanks for the great suggestions here, ladies! Will use them to keep adding to my list. JAileen on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads/page/2#post-1931023 Sat, 23 Jun 2018 17:02:38 +0000 JAileen 1931023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’ve started reading the Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman. On the cover is our jay, the scrub jay. Before our vacation I downloaded a bunch of books from the library, and this was one. I didn’t take any paper books at all. When you do that, you’re at the mercy of availability. Dianna on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads/page/2#post-1930563 Fri, 22 Jun 2018 02:42:32 +0000 Dianna 1930563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne, I Will look for the book "The Bonjour Effect"  I have read "Sixty million Frenchmen can't be wrong" from the same authors, and found it interesting. anne on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads/page/2#post-1930046 Wed, 20 Jun 2018 03:56:36 +0000 anne 1930046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I liked All the Light We Cannot See  too. And "The Bonjour effect" - in my photo above - was SO interesting about how French people think and communicate (written from a Quebec perspective ) I'm going to look up other books by the authors Karie on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads/page/2#post-1929976 Tue, 19 Jun 2018 23:13:07 +0000 Karie 1929976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I loved The Nightengale, and if you loved it too you will enjoy All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I am currently reading Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (also a WWII setting). anne on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads/page/2#post-1928200 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:38:48 +0000 anne 1928200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Latest haul from the library. Five from this thread. Plus three others that look interesting. anne on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1927433 Mon, 11 Jun 2018 02:53:08 +0000 anne 1927433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a wonderful list. I've just been through and reserved lots of your suggestions from my local library.  (16 reservations in total there! better stop for now) My reading has been a bit random this year, as unlike previous years, I haven't set myself up a reading challenge. Ebfgen - what's the name of the book on the St Lawrence River? I'd like to check that out. I'm a confirmed bookworm so love these threads.  The book that transfixed me recently I wasn't going to mention here as I thought it was a niche interest, But I have since learnt it has one the 2018 Pulitizer price for biography so might be of more general interest. I'm quite keen on children's literature and the Little House books (I never watched the TV show) were my favourite books from about 6-8 years. I have read every secondary source on them I can find - but I think this is the best. Great insight into the social, political and environmental factors at play in the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder The book is Prarie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, by Caroline Fraser <div> </div> I'm not really into fantasy, with a few exceptions, one being Lord of the Rings (though not on initial read) which I have just finished reading for the second time out loud (maybe 6th overall reread) because DD10 couldn't remember me reading it to all my daughters 5 years before. I got a bit obsessed with finding online discussions of each chapter. Peri on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1927384 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 22:05:04 +0000 Peri 1927384@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Diana, yes! That almost made my list...I really liked them, not quite up to the love of the ones I listed, but very fun, and I thought each book was better than the one before. Well, maybe Cress was my favorite. I love such creative rethinking of stories we all take for granted.  I'm so eager for the Dreamer books from Maggie Stiefvater. More Ronan, yay! Okay, our Fantasy Book Club is now 3 of us. Diana on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1927317 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 16:17:54 +0000 Diana 1927317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Peri, I loved the Raven Cycle and Six of Crows! :) Have you read The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer? The first book is Cinder. They’re retellings of fairy tales in a futuristic setting, and are really fun. Peri on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1927295 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 15:26:51 +0000 Peri 1927295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Okay L'Abeille! We can be a book club of two, the escapers. Here are some I have loved: <ul> <li>The Raven Cycle (first one, The Raven Boys), Maggie Stiefvater</li> <li>Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom dualogy, Leigh Bardugo (it took me awhile to get into Six of Crows, but once I was about halfway through I was beyond hooked, and the second book is 5/5).</li> <li>Anything Rick Riordan</li> <li>A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy, V.E. Schwab</li> <li>The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, MaKenzie Lee (hilarious!)</li> <li>Station Eleven, Emily St John Mandel </li> </ul> <div>That's a start! I find most of my booklist from some YouTube channels I follow. I started out just searching for a lot, but the ones I've ended up following because I tend to like their recommendations are: Peruse Project, Books with Emily Fox, and A Clockwork Reader.  So Amazon charges you in Canada to borrow public library books? Ours go through Amazon, but no charge. I go through my county public library system website, place a digital hold, and then when it's my turn the link takes you to Amazon to do the download. Two week loan, just like a hard copy library book. Genius! </div> L'Abeille on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1927229 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 04:47:22 +0000 L'Abeille 1927229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Bring on your favourites, Peri! I get more than enough people problems and drama at work. For reading, I prefer fantasy, sci-fi, and some historical stuff. I just finished The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O., which combines a bit of all these. It's by Neal Stephenson, one of my faves, plus a new-to-me author whose oeuvre I now get to explore. I've had a Kindle for awhile, but haven't used it much lately. My usual sources for paper books are the library or the used book store, where I can flip through to rule out what is poorly written or just not for me. It has been wonderful when I can buy an obscure or new book by a favourite author. But I can't check out library books, because Amazon demands more money than our public library is willing to pay. (Only the most populous Canadian province and the most rural one participate.) M. Abeille got me a tablet for Christmas, so I can finally read library books on a handheld device bigger than a phone. Sadly it also makes it too easy to websurf or scroll social media when I could be reading. Hoping this thread will lure me back. Peri on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1927179 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 23:10:52 +0000 Peri 1927179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love my Kindle and read from it exclusively. I do understand and adore the beauty of actual books, and miss seeing the covers, but my Kindle wins out for ease of use, lightness to hold, and the beyond brilliant fact that I can finish one book and start another a few minutes later without going to the store or the library. Adore. Most of my books I do get as digital library loans, and going to the real life library is just not convenient for me. I don't go for real life books though. I don't want anything heavy or sad...my real life has enough of that currently and reading reality doesn't relax me at all. I want to be way off in some other world. I love fantasy and some YA. Based on everyone's recs so far, I may be alone with that here so I won't list titles unless there are other fans who want to know.  JAileen on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1926928 Fri, 08 Jun 2018 20:59:34 +0000 JAileen 1926928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just finished Alternate Side by Anna Quindlen. The novel takes place in NYC. Since I live in the interior west, I don’t if it rings true or not, but it was very enjoyable, and I practically read it in one sitting. Janet on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1926779 Fri, 08 Jun 2018 12:33:46 +0000 Janet 1926779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was looking for some good suggestions for beach/vacation reading and posted on Facebook and got such a variety of responses! Always interesting to see what people read. My tastes are pretty eclectic, so I appreciated all the suggestions, but I ended up buying a few books to take on vacation: "How to Stop Time" by Matt Haig "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" by J Maarten Troost "The Mars Room" by Rachel Kushner Of course, I always wait until the last moment to decide what to take, so I may end up subbing out one of the books I mentioned upthread. I generally like to read page turners on vacation, but I'm game for anything as long as it's good! I'm probably way overthinking the book thing, because the resort where we are going has a great little free book room where guests can leave books behind or pick up something new, and there is always something good in there!  Aquamarine on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1925767 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 12:25:03 +0000 Aquamarine 1925767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love, love, love my Kindle. I tend to download library books, though, rather than purchase books for it. I am currently reading Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger and highly recommend it. Jane on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1925718 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 06:36:19 +0000 Jane 1925718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My mum, a vicarious member of YLF! chimes in to say that A gentleman in Moscow is very good and for those who might want to read about English football The Mixer, by Michael Cox. She raves about this but never watched or followed footie. It is great to share good reads! Anonymous on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1925231 Mon, 04 Jun 2018 02:14:57 +0000 Anonymous 1925231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I always find book conversations interesting here.  It furthers my theory that Americans and Canadians read different things. Of course there is overlap in some genres and categories, but Canadians read Canadian books, and have a wealth of writers to choose from.  I worked in the Canadian publishing industry for almost 20 years, and despite having access to almost everything, I still read primarily British and Canadian authors. A few Americans yes, but not as many as from other countries. Our industry is so well supported in terms of publicity and award programs that boost the profile of Canadian writers who would otherwise be unknown.  I know lots of writers would disagree with my statement , but from a reader's perspective, I think it's great.  Anyways, my latest read was Michael Ondaatje's Warlight. And you know who he is even though he's Canadian, right?  Ha.  Didn't like it and didn't finish it. I go hot and cold with his books, and because I am a library borrower exclusively now, I feel no regret or obligation to finish anything I've started.  Suz on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1924928 Sun, 03 Jun 2018 04:04:14 +0000 Suz 1924928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think the book club just kind of petered out. It turned out not to be all that easy to have conversations about one book -- people wouldn't read at the same rate or the same time. But I may be mistaken.  Anonymous on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1924901 Sun, 03 Jun 2018 01:10:46 +0000 Anonymous 1924901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Does anyone know what happened with The YLF book club? It looks like it hasn’t been active for a while. I have the book they started with because I de la F is one of my style icons. Thank you JANE for starting this thread and to all of you who posted leads- woohoo! Let’s keep it going. JANET- “thoughtful dresser “was a good read- others posted about it in response to my first book review about a month ago. Your picks will be added to my list. Dianna on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1924874 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 23:28:09 +0000 Dianna 1924874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Efbgen, thank you very much!  It sounds interesting, and like a book I will enjoy reading.  I am a fan of maps and cartography too, and I like to read books about geography, travel, culture, and languages.  I have just read your review about "The curated closet", and since I already have the book (electronic copy), and had not made time to read it before, but after reading your review I will make time to read it too, and Will be watching for your book recommendations from now on. Jane, thanks so much for starting this thread.  Anonymous on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1924706 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 09:42:39 +0000 Anonymous 1924706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ DIANA- daughter gave me “prisoners “ for Christmas as she knows I am a fan of cartography. I love it- explains a LOT of why the world is the way it is. Fascinating read. Btw- I read each section out of order based on curiosity of regions. Enjoy! Btw I volunteer at a library book store- folks bring in their used books and we sell them to raise funds for kids programs. This store is stocked as good as B&N except you have to wait for current ones to show. But oh it is soooo dangerous volunteering there. Fellow volunteers take bets on how many books I will walk out with at the end of the day. Giggle Jane on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1924008 Wed, 30 May 2018 20:40:48 +0000 Jane 1924008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am so pleased to have received so many suggestions and that we have been able to share recent good reads.  I have to say the one that really catches my eye is JAileen's suggestion, Wesley the Owl! A super name for an owl. I've downloaded the sample. I haven't read H is for Hawk, but I know friends have loved it and I am thinking it might be similar.  Sara L. on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1923958 Wed, 30 May 2018 16:05:17 +0000 Sara L. 1923958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ RobinF - Yes, I use Bookbub too!  If my reading list gets too long, I stop actually looking at the emails, but they're great for when I'm looking for something new.   RobinF on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1923918 Wed, 30 May 2018 13:05:04 +0000 RobinF 1923918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love to read on my iPad. I didn't think I would be a fan but it didn't take long to get used to it and I love the convenience. Does anyone else use Bookbub? I get a daily email of cheap ebooks and can buy them directly through the email. Sometimes they are cheap for a reason (if you know what I mean) but often they are really good books that are just on sale for a few days. Janet on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1923900 Wed, 30 May 2018 12:13:40 +0000 Janet 1923900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ooh, I love book threads! I'm taking notes... I read on my iPad sometimes, but I still prefer good old ink-and-paper books. I haven't exactly been tearing through books lately (I've been on some other projects), but some recent reads:  - I'm just finishing (after a hiatus and then picking it back up) "Truevine" by Beth Macy, and it's fascinating and heartbreaking, and still feels all too relevant. The true story of two brothers who were abducted from their home in the Jim Crow era south and made to perform for the circus for decades.  - I read James Comey's "A Higher Loyalty" and found it very compelling. He's an interesting person and I thought it was well-written and earnest.  - Linda Grant's "The Thoughtful Dresser" -- just wonderful for anyone interested in the meaning of clothing and style!  In my soon-to-read pile:  - "Deep into Yellowstone" by Rick Lamplugh - I met Rick and his wife in the desert this spring (they're originally from my hometown but moved out west years ago), and I can't wait to dig into his award-winning books on nature and wildlife. - "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann (about the Osage murders and the origins of the FBI) - "The Clothes on their Backs" by Linda Grant (I had to get it after reading the aforementioned LG book) - "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - "Sing Unburied Sing" byt Jesmyn Ward - "A Strangeness in my Mind" by Orhan Pamuk Dianna on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1923866 Wed, 30 May 2018 07:52:58 +0000 Dianna 1923866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love my kindle, it took me time to get used to it, but now I completely love it, it is so practical.  Efbgen, how was Prisoners of Geography?  I have just gotten it, and I will start it as soon as I finish the one I am Reading: "The Traveling Economist: using Economics to think about what makes us all different and the same".  I finished "Geography of Genius" a couple of months ago, and I enjoyed it a lot.  I guess you can see a "pattern" in my reading habits. Anonymous on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1923850 Wed, 30 May 2018 03:01:20 +0000 Anonymous 1923850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Most recently I finished A Maggie Sefton mystery George Brescia’s Change your Clothes, Change Your Life- which was pretty good. Tim Marshall’s Prisoners ofGeography - really interesting book on the 10 maps that explain the world. Now I am reading 2 - a book on the St Lawrence River and its history- great. Anuscka Rees’ Curated Closet. I go between books and kindle - I need both. Sara L. on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1923789 Tue, 29 May 2018 21:22:28 +0000 Sara L. 1923789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like Diana, I love my Kindle. I use it almost exclusively because it's so easy to download books from my library.  I also recently read The Immortalists and really enjoyed it.  Although I liked some of the individual stories better than others.  Let's see, I read a lot so here's a short list of what I've read lately and enjoyed: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn - Two stories that take place during WWI and immediately after WWII. Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton - Interesting look at Cuba. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss - Long fantasy epic.  It's a trilogy but the third book hasn't been published yet (I wouldn't have started it if I had realized that). Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - His newest.  Interesting look at mental illness. Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman - I haven't seen the movie but the book was not what I was expecting. Anybody on Goodreads?  I track what I read through it and like to look at other's reading lists. Suz on "Recent reads" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/recent-reads#post-1923774 Tue, 29 May 2018 20:28:57 +0000 Suz 1923774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jane, I'm so glad you have adjusted to the Kindle! I figured you would! I am grateful to have mine for sure.  Your recent reads sound intriguing. Mr. Suz would be really interested in the Heather Morris -- I will look it up. And what a good thread. Diana, I love Elif Batuman. I haven't read that book but will have to do so!  I recently finished Natalia Ginzburg's Family Lexicon. It was a fascinating look at life for an anti-fascist family in Mussolini's Italy. So then I read a book of her essays, The Little Virtues.  I do a lot of my "reading" via audio (through my library, mostly). Just finished a re-read of Muriel Spark's Loitering with Intent. My goodness, she's smart.