What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? Please share! We’d love to know.
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Just started Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves, a part of her Shetland series.
Also finished up listening to Isola by Allegra Goodman, based on a recommendation from someone on BB. Like all historical novels some parts seemed less likely than others, and the last half of the book had a greater hold on me.
Also reading Lolita. I’ve never read it before, but decided to plunge in for the book discussion. The introduction suggests we shouldn’t just typify it as “problematic” to avoid grappling with our reactions to it. I’m having some strong reactions to it, so I expect there will be some grappling to come.
I finished The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai a few days ago. It’s her first book in 19 years (!) after her Booker-winning The Inheritance of Loss. It’s also longlisted for the Booker, as well as the Kirkus Prize. At nearly 700 pp it was long, but I enjoyed it. Lots of important themes here beyond loneliness, and some really great characters as well.
At the suggestion of y’all here at the Community Forum, I’m reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans now. I’ve got a few days before I have to start my next review book (Mary Roach’s newest, Replaceable You) so I thought I’d take a look at it. I’m about 30% of the way through and finding it hard to put down. While not as old as the protagonist, who’s 73 when the book starts, I’m finding a lot of parallels to my own 64-year-old life, and even more to my mother’s.
In audiobook format, I’m still listening to the second book in Octavia Butler’s Earthseed series, The Parable of the Talents. I haven’t had as much time to enjoy audiobooks this week, so I haven’t really been able to get into it. I’m not sure if I don’t like it as much as the first book, or if I’m just approaching it too piecemeal to sink into the story.
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I finished I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue for one of my local bookclubs. From my older citizen perch, I found it informative to watch the interactions or lack thereof in the fictional workplace. This smart, funny and often sad tale demonstrates the toxic nature of some office relationships. Amid her witticisms, Sue explores the coping mechanisms coworkers use to manage the realities of loneliness, trauma, grief and fear. I am at the 25% mark in This Motherless Land by Nikki May. Interestingly I am listening to Run Toward the Danger by Sarah Polley a memoir that also addresses the challenge of growing up without a mother. I feel like all the books I have read recently cover that subject from different points of view. I had my loving mother with me until my mid forties so I don’t relate to the characters in that way, but their various experiences are well worth reading.
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This week I will be reading Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Hired Girl, and Lolita, all for my three bookclubs. Just for myself I would like to read The Sound and the Fury.
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I’m part way through Satisfaction Cafe by Kathy Wang–which I like–and have Stephanie Dray’s Becoming Madam Secretary, about Frances Perkins, waiting in the wings. My father began working for the Social Security Administration soon after its inception so I feel like I should read it & it was actually in when I went to the library this morning. I put a hold on The Correspondent based on recommendations I’ve read here so am looking forward to it.
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It’s Wild Fire the new one? I love Shetland!
Also loved Isola, and she has a new one coming next year, looks completely different.
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I’m reading ‘The Book of I’ by David Greig. It’s very different and a bit violent and it just gets better and better.
The Correspondent will likely be in my top five for the year!
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Upon reading your endorsement, I placed a hold on the e-Audio format of The Correspondent and I’m only number 788 on the list ! 
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I’m finishing up The Frozen River by Ariel Lawton and will read Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov after that. I’m listening to The Killing on the Hill by Robert Dugoni which is also almost over. Then plan to listen to Like Lions by Brian Panowich.
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I’m currently listening to Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. I’m two hours into the story but it hasn’t quite grabbed me yet. I also have The Stars at Noon by Denis Johnson waiting in the wings.
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It will be worth the wait! 
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I just finished THE HITCHHIKERS by Chevy Stevens.
If you are a fan of her books and/or thrillers, you won’t want to miss this book.
I was so tense the entire read, but it’s so good.
I’m still reading Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life by Jason Roberts. I’m only at about 32%. Fingers crossed I finish before its due date in about ten days!
I’ve been so busy babysitting grandkids, going to their activities, and going to K-State football games that I haven’t gotten much reading done lately. I’m still reading Las Madres: Latinas in the Heartland Who Led Their Families to Success by Dennis Raphael Garcia and still listening to the Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Hope to finish both this weekend.
Doctors by Nature: Packed with facts. well written.
I just finished Theo of Golden by Allen Levy and I thought it was a beautifully written masterpiece! I had noticed that it has received across the board 5 star reviews and now I know why. This wonderful book explores profound themes which include generosity, forgiveness and healing, and the goodness in humanity. I rarely hold on to hard cover books, but this one is a keeper and I will enjoy re-reading it someday.
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Wild Fire is the new book in the Shetland series. I was so surprised I could download the audio from the library without waiting.
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I just finished reading Buckeye-it’s a story that will really resonate with the baby boomer generation who grew up during the decades that form the backdrop to the storyline,
The story really engaged me and I’ve thought a lot about how families hold onto secrets- it saddened me to realize that I no longer have my parents to ask them what the secrets were that shaped their lives.
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