YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What are we reading now?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What are we reading now? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 20:46:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php JAileen on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now/page/2#post-2253099 Thu, 24 Feb 2022 15:35:37 +0000 JAileen 2253099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ, thanks - I’ll look into it.  I found the olympics were a perfect backdrop, especially something like curling.  Alcohol sounds like a great idea, too.  I was reading an ebook from the library while my physical copy was sent.  It was okay, I could look up some things, but then I found the Joyce Project.  Nearly everything is clickable.  Your party sounds like fun.  It’s just me here so I’ll have to think of a treat if I ever manage to get through it.  It’s quite a slog. <div> </div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.joyceproject.com">https://www.joyceproject.com</a> </div> AJ on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now/page/2#post-2253071 Thu, 24 Feb 2022 07:34:20 +0000 AJ 2253071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JAileen, my book club is reading Ulysses.  We are on the last two chapters.  It has been quite the struggle to get through this book!  We decided a quarter of the way in that alcohol was needed for our weekly discussions.  LOL! I have found this video series very useful in gaining an understanding of each chapter: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK3BclJtPQY&list=PLxlGs_Xj2HYA8P6E2Jy6Ub9m7eqs-9lcU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....m7eqs-9lcU</a> Be patient with his long musical intro in each video.  He eventually realizes it's too long and shortens it.  :) Some members have found it useful to listen to an audiobook version of each chapter and then go back to read it.  (I don't have that kind of patience!) We will have a party after we finish the book and some of the festivities will include:  <ul> <li>Each person picking a sentence and challenging the group to diagram it.</li> <li>White elephant soap bar exchange (Irish Spring has been banned).</li> <li>Irish food </li> </ul> Wishing you a great book journey! Echo on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now/page/2#post-2252853 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 21:37:39 +0000 Echo 2252853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My "desert island" book (the one book I'd take with me if I were left on a deserted island), The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins and Yan Wong, was rereleased in 2016. Since I had the original version, I never looked that deeply into the new one, but it turns out to have over 200 pages of new material! Imagine if your favorite novel had an additional couple of chapters added! It is truly Dawkins' magnum opus, and just a fascinating read. Anyway, so I picked that book up recently and have been rereading it, relishing the new information. I also picked up another Dawkins book (my favorite author) - one of the few of his I haven't yet read - to read after I finish The Ancestor's Tale. Sloper on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now/page/2#post-2252723 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 00:06:15 +0000 Sloper 2252723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Re-reading an old favorite, The Old Wives Tale, by Arnold Bennett. Anyone who's ever had a sister should read this! JAileen on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now/page/2#post-2252681 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:47:05 +0000 JAileen 2252681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m reading Ulysses.  I’m not kidding.  It’s slow going.  Each paragraph has items I need to look up for meaning or context.  For example, I’ve learned about hoof and mouth disease.  I hope I can keep it up.   MsMary on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now/page/2#post-2251879 Mon, 14 Feb 2022 17:25:43 +0000 MsMary 2251879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just finished The Underground Railroad by Colsen Whitehead and just loved it, although parts of it were hard to take.  And have I mentioned Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots? It turns the superhero genre on its head and was great fun!<div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div> </div></div> Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now/page/2#post-2251435 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 06:11:22 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 2251435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ RoseandJoan  I LOVED the Masters of Rome series!   I've read this series multiple times.  I'm a huge fan RoseandJoan on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now/page/2#post-2247083 Sat, 08 Jan 2022 17:33:03 +0000 RoseandJoan 2247083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My reading life, the Saturday addition. A beautiful morning followed by the book that threatens to break me. cat2 on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246847 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 22:20:59 +0000 cat2 2246847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am really taken with the Lucey Foley mysteries; she is such a good writer for a mystery author. MsMary on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246817 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 18:44:58 +0000 MsMary 2246817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just started the book my town is doing for One City, One Story: In the Country of Women by Susan Straight. She is about my age, and the story is set not far from where I grew up, so I am loving it! <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/library-news/pasadena-announces-2022-one-city-one-story-selections-in-the-country-of-women-and-stealing-home-los-angeles-the-dodgers-and-the-lives-caught-in-between/">https://www.cityofpasadena.net.....tory-selec</a> ETA: Suz, I read Say Nothing last year and it made a big impression on me! Suz on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246705 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 19:36:58 +0000 Suz 2246705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ooh, I love these threads -- thanks, Laurie! I have not read the Shriver you have just finished but concur 100% about We Need to Talk about Kevin. It was terrifying and also eerie for me as we were dealing with some difficult family issues at the time. Not on that scale, but I was fearing for the future...which luckily, turned out much different!  She is quite a character, for sure, that Shriver, and not (I suspect) a "nice" person. I started Big Brother but couldn't stand it and stopped after a few chapters. Too much sourness there.  Like Ummlila, my kid (same age) loved John Green's YA work. I must pick up the essays -- thanks!  I read Crying in H Mart a while ago and enjoyed it. My kid is reading it now.  Like LisaP and Janet and Shevia, I recently read Crossroads. I enjoyed it more than I had expected to! I haven't read Franzen in a while, but this was worth it, I think. I'm curious what the next phase of the story will be like, which I guess is a good sign?  I read about 20% of Colm Toibin's The Magician, but stopped because it bored me. Not a real biography, not a real novel is my verdict.  Also re-read The Friend, by Sigrid Nunez. But most of my recent reading has been nonfiction -- three memoirs -- A Ghost in the Throat, which is an interesting blend of biography, memoir, translation and more. Beautiful Country and Made in China, two memoirs by Chinese immigrants who wound up working in sweatshops (under different circumstances).  And a work of literary journalism: Say Nothing, about the troubles -- it is really well done.  Anonymous on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246692 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 17:00:09 +0000 Anonymous 2246692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Circe is fantastic, as is Miller’s other book, Song of Achilles. I hope she writes more! Laurie on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246691 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:40:40 +0000 Laurie 2246691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So many great recommendations! Love our group of avid readers!! I have added Station Eleven to my list - I watched half of the first episode and found it upsetting given what we are living through, so I think I'd rather read it.  Have also borrowed Useful Delusions and Difficult Women, and am enjoying both. I just got a book called Squirrel Hill after a long hold. It is about the Tree of Life Synagogue shootings in this area of Pittsburgh in 2018. Being from a neighborhood not far from Squirrel Hill, I am sure it will be sad, and interesting. SarahD8 on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246667 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 05:06:02 +0000 SarahD8 2246667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ha! Fun to see more acclaim for Circe in this venue too! I am taking notes on all the great recommendations here. UmmLila (Lisa) on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246627 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 23:27:39 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2246627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Circe is so good. I also have read the City of Brass Trilogy, and love it. And Piranesi was tremendously thought-provoking. I'm part way through Heroine with 1001 Faces and I love the thousand and one nights reference. I'm sidetracked by Medusa's Ankles, which I'm reading now but take as a point of reference because I love everything by Antonia Byatt. And let me beg you all to read anything and everything by Natasha Pulley, starting with the Watchmaker of Filigree Street and ending with The Kingdoms. MsMary on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246621 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 22:33:51 +0000 MsMary 2246621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ SarahD8, I really enjoyed Circe! SarahD8 on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246611 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 21:36:57 +0000 SarahD8 2246611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Am about to wrap up Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson: 12 short stories, I've been reading 1 a day since the 25th -- it's been a really nice ritual and has kind of gotten her back on my radar screen, I'm planning to reread The Passion soon. Also just finished Heroine with 1,001 Faces (nonfiction/literary criticism). Starting Circe by Madeleine Miller now -- I posted my TBR pile on Insta and that book generated lots of positive chatter so now I'm extra excited to dive in! cjh on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246595 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 19:36:12 +0000 cjh 2246595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My sister and I are reading Grant, almost 1000 pages. I’ll let you know when (if) I finish it. Anonymous on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246584 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 18:38:07 +0000 Anonymous 2246584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I liked Atomic Habits too! Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246520 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 04:17:22 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 2246520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery has been on my radar for a few months, after popping up in my Kindle app recommendations.   I came across a clean print copy at Goodwill just before Christmas, and snapped it up. I finally opened it yesterday, and that's all I did - read this book.  I'm halfway through, and enjoying it so much, I know that I will re-read it, probably sooner than later.     The characters are beautifully written, and evocative of people I know or have known. The original novel was written in French - this is the English translation by Europa, and it reads flawlessly, as if it were originally written in English.  I've downloaded a sample of the original French on the Kindle app, to work on my French language skills.    Atomic Habits is purchased and loaded up on my tablet, waiting to be opened and read, but first I want to read "Breath", by James Nestor.   I've heard great things about both. Helena on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246500 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 00:20:25 +0000 Helena 2246500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've just finished "We Are The Brennans" which I really loved but partly that's because the crazy dysfunctional but loving Irish Catholic family in it reminded me of my own in some ways! It's an easy and entertaining read with some twists and a few heavy aspects, a bit slow to start but the ending was satisfying to me. On deck is "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi; I recently read her "Transcendent Kingdom" and it was absolutely picture perfect writing in my (admittedly amateur!) estimation. Also have Brene Brown "Atlas of the Heart" which is sort of an exploration of all the different human emotions, Richard Wagamese "Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations" and James Clear "Atomic Habits" on the side table for when I need a bit of inspiration, beauty, or a kick in the butt! Style Fan on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246494 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 23:56:45 +0000 Style Fan 2246494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have been reading the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny.  Several people recommended it to me.  I am enjoying the series, but I do have some criticisms.  I won't go into them here.  I love Quebec and Montreal, which is where the books take place.  I also like the character development. Chewy, The Body Keeps the Score is excellent.  Great choice. Anonymous on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246483 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 22:12:12 +0000 Anonymous 2246483@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agree with Station Eleven . Great book . TV series is pretty good too , after two episodes . MsMary on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246466 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 20:09:40 +0000 MsMary 2246466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, you and I are on the same wavelength! I loved Ministry for the Future and moved from that to the same author's (very long  but rewarding) Mars trilogy. Piranesi was my favorite book of 2021, and I have Cloud Cuckoo Land on deck for when I finish my current book, which is a very long historical novel called The Eight, which I am not super loving, honestly. Also, I keep saying this, but I just re-read Station Eleven and HIGHLY recommend! Janet on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246444 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:46:19 +0000 Janet 2246444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also read Crossroads recently. Some other recents: Piranesi, Cloud Cuckoo Land, and Appleseed. Currently reading The Ministry for the Future and it’s pretty deep into science-y climate stuff but still compelling. RoseandJoan on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246437 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:19:30 +0000 RoseandJoan 2246437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've just finished a trilogy of fantasy books by S A Chakraborty called the City of Brass series and it has been the most marvellous way to escape reality for a couple of weeks. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32718027-the-city-of-brass" rel="nofollow">https://www.goodreads.com/book.....y-of-brass</a> I'm now reading a historical novel, part of another series, for a change of pace and genre. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/43716-masters-of-rome" rel="nofollow">https://www.goodreads.com/seri.....rs-of-rome</a> Staysfit on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246436 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:16:34 +0000 Staysfit 2246436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m almost done with Difficult Women, Roxanne Gay.  Thought provoking short stories….. Bonnie on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246426 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:59:48 +0000 Bonnie 2246426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just finished The Searcher by Tana French and thoroughly enjoyed it and am about to start The Dark Hours, by Michael Connelly. Laura on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246414 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:13:57 +0000 Laura 2246414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I recently read The Night Watchman by Louise Erdich and wow, is that an excellent novel. It takes place on a Chippewa reservation in North Dakota in the 1950s. The plot centers around the battle the tribe waged with the Federal government when the government tried to legally terminate the tribe. It's based on a true story (Erdich's grandfather was the tribal leader during that time and led the fight against its termination). Highly recommend! chewyspaghetti on "What are we reading now?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-we-reading-now#post-2246413 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:13:25 +0000 chewyspaghetti 2246413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just finished The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson- light without being too silly, and The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser- what I would call a beach read. Now, I'm reading The Paris Wife by Paula McLain- the story of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage from the wife's point of view. I also have The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kook on my nightstand.