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What are we reading now?

Laurie

Veteran

Happy new year everyone. It's been a very stressful holiday season trying to skirt Covid with my family, can't lie. Glad it's over.

Ok, I read a pretty disturbing novel that is sticking with me....anyone read Should We Stay or Should We Go? I may well have picked up the recommendation here. The topic is aging, which is something I'm grappling with for myself and with my parents, so it was close to home in that regard. But it's particularly disturbing. Half way through I realized that the author, Lionel Shriver, wrote the very most disturbing novel I've read, We Have to Talk About Kevin. I think I'm not a fan, but got to hand it to her, she gets under the skin and I'm here telling you about it!

I read Crying in H Mart over the break - lovely memoir. Again, if recommended here, thank you!

My favorite recent read, though, was The Anthropocene Reviewed, which I am sure was a YLF inspired book. I was not familiar with John Green, but am now a huge fan. I really recommend it to anyone who likes memoir/essays. He is such an interesting thinker and writer, on such diverse and relevant topics. As I read, I just kept thinking how much I would like to have a beer and a chat with him! (I do not want to have a beer or a chat with Lionel Shriver - ever - however)

Need to fill up my Holds list on Libby again - what should I read next?

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37 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

My daughter was such a John Green fan when she was in middle school, and I heard a lot of his podcasts as a result. I concur that he'd be an interesting fellow to meet.

Oddly, I just read a New Yorker piece this morning that I believe was the foundation for Crying in H Mart; I came across it because I like the music of Japanese Breakfast, which is that author's primary project.

I just finished Termination Shock, which I quite liked. Neal Stephenson isn't for everyone; he tends to wander deep into the weeds of science and technology (in this case around climate change), but he has an affectionate irony about his protagonists that I quite enjoy.

Anonymous

I just finished Jonathan Franzen’s Crossroads . Not sure how I felt about it . The religious navel gazing put me off , but that was the point of the story . Flipped from that to the latest Michael Connelly , The Dark Hours , which is great . Just finishing it tonight . Tons of books are piling up in my iPad and on my bedside table - can hardly keep up !

Echo

Veteran

I am reading Useful Delusions by Shankar Vedantam. It is a fascinating read about why people cling to irrational beliefs, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. He makes the point that beliefs like this, even when untrue, must have had an evolutionary purpose, otherwise they would not have persisted.

He also points out that if it were publicized that we know of a medication/treatment that can help in half of cases or more, yet has no side effects, no addicting qualities and no possibility of overdose, people would be outraged that it wasn't being used. But that medication/treatment is placebo. We think that a placebo isn't effective, but our own brains and beliefs are capable of extraordinary things. Indeed, statistically, optimists live longer and even live longer in the face of terminal diagoses than do pessimists. What we believe about our outcomes matter.

Anyway, for someone very scientifically minded like myself, it is kind of eye-opening. And for anyone who has heard Hidden Brain on the radio, Vedantam's writing style is just as personable and enjoyable as his speaking/storytelling.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I recently read Crossroads like Lisa. Despite his problematic personality I do appreciate Jonathan Franzen's books and was glad to see he managed to write about a compelling middle aged woman. And speaking of which, I am currently reading Wayward - about a 50 something woman and, well, her overly entitled personality really. I was intrigued when I saw it on best of the year lists but it got just about the worst Amazon reviews I have ever seen. I have not finished, but am bemused enough to keep reading and would love to know if anyone else here happened to read it!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have just come back from an 8-day holiday. I took a more improving book with me but as often happens the 2 accommodations had some lighter reading which I read instead! One Marian Keyes, one other Irish author romance, and one I liked the best which was set in Maine, that had me checking Google maps. It was called “For My Daughters” and the author was Barbara Delinsky. Lighter reading but made me think, definitely better than the Marian Keyes!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

BTW I agree about “We Need to Talk About Kevin”- very disturbing but I am glad that I read it. It was about 10 years ago perhaps when my now fully adult children were about 20, 17 and 14, a bit of a scary time to read it.

lozz_oz

Veteran

I have to agree that Lionel Shriver has that knack of getting under your skin. She has visited our shores to present at Writers Festivals and has created controversy on several occasions!
I’ve read several of her novels including WNTTAK and So Much For That.
I’ve just started Wild Abandon by Emily Bitto an award winning Australian writer. She has a fresh style and the story so far has an exhilirating momentum.....
Next on my bedside pile is These Precious Days by Ann Patchett who Is an author I very much enjoy reading.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

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.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

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!

Bonnie

Veteran

I just finished The Searcher by Tana French and thoroughly enjoyed it and am about to start The Dark Hours, by Michael Connelly.

Staysfit

Veteran

I’m almost done with Difficult Women, Roxanne Gay. Thought provoking short stories…..

RoseandJoan

Veteran

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. https://www.goodreads.com/book.....y-of-brass

I'm now reading a historical novel, part of another series, for a change of pace and genre. https://www.goodreads.com/seri.....rs-of-rome

Janet

(website)

Veteran

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.

MsMary

Veteran

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!

Anonymous

Agree with Station Eleven . Great book . TV series is pretty good too , after two episodes .

Style Fan

Veteran

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.

Helena

Veteran

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!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

"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.

Anonymous

I liked Atomic Habits too!

cjh

(website)

Veteran

My sister and I are reading Grant, almost 1000 pages. I’ll let you know when (if) I finish it.

SarahD8

Veteran

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!

MsMary

Veteran

SarahD8, I really enjoyed Circe!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

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.

SarahD8

Veteran

Ha! Fun to see more acclaim for Circe in this venue too! I am taking notes on all the great recommendations here.

Laurie

Veteran

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.

Anonymous

Circe is fantastic, as is Miller’s other book, Song of Achilles. I hope she writes more!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

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.

MsMary

Veteran

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!

https://www.cityofpasadena.net.....tory-selec

ETA: Suz, I read Say Nothing last year and it made a big impression on me!

cat2

Veteran

I am really taken with the Lucey Foley mysteries; she is such a good writer for a mystery author.

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