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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The Oligarch’s Daughter is an interesting crime mystery. The author portrays the power of an oligarch much like we read in the news. People who cross him or even someone who has made a mistake in business dealings is likely to disappear or die an unusual death. Lots of seemingly identical actions taken by current Russian leaders.
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In the past week I finished Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray for our upcoming book club read next week. I thought it was very well done and I’m looking forward to discussing it with the group.
I then moved on to Partially Devoured by Daniel Kruas. This was a fascinating book. It’s about the movie, Night of the Living Dead. In some respects it’s a multimedia experience, as each chapter has a time stamp that corresponds to the part of the movie the author is discussing, and I watched the movie as I read the book. That was fun in itself. But in addition to commentary - in-depth analysis of the movie, trivia, info about the actors - the author weaves in history and memoir. It seems like a bit of a niche read, but I think most would enjoy it. It’s not at all geeky. (Well, maybe a bit, but not overwhelmingly so.) Kraus will be here next week to talk about it and his other works (Angel Down, Whalefall, The Shape of Water…).
Then on to Vigil by George Saunders. I’m still processing this one. I do know it didn’t affect me as much as Lincoln in the Bardo, but it still offers a message of hope. I like this author because I feel like he really is trying to make the world a better place.
And now I’m rereading Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid for an upcoming book group discussion.
In audiobook format, I finished A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett, the second in an off-world/fantasy procedural series. Although the author kind of telegraphed the identity of the murderer early on, the path to proving it was very twisty, and everything else about the book was exquisite. Loved it and can’t wait for Book 3 to come out this summer.
Now I’m listening to Starter Villain by John Scalzi, narrated by Wil Wheaton. Scalzi’s books are always a blast.
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I finished Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt; 
. The character of Ruth is wonderfully human with flaws, strengths, quirks, and so much shame. It’s a story about Ruth and the women in her life; the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, friends and less so, men who flit in and out. I just loved it.
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Red Clay by Charles B. Fancher. It is the story of slaves getting their freedom and what they chose to do. Also includes the plantation owners and what happened if their slaves left. Such interesting perspectives from share cropping to the Klu Klux Klan.
I’m reading the ARC of a novel called ‘Saoirse’ by Charleen Hurtubise. It’s the story of an American woman who reinvents herself in Ireland after a devastating family life of drugs and crime. She assumes a new (and false) identity, but faces new challenges and new love. But will her secrets be revealed?
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I’m guilty of judging a book by the cover because I love the cover of Starter Villain with the cat in a business suite. Looking forward to your thoughts on the book!
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I started My Friends by Fredrik Backman.
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This week I got my ARC copy of Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan. Got hooked and read it in one sitting. Will be posting for First Impressions this weekend while staying in for the big storm. Started reading The Good House by Tanerieve Due. Going slowly on this one, feels like watching a scary movie. I’ve read several of her books but I think this may be my favorite.
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I’m reading HARLAM RHAPSODY. Just started.
Really enjoyed listening to THE CORRESPONDENT…the voices of the letter writers made the book more ‘real’.
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I finished “New and Selected Poems by Marie Howe”and really enjoyed some of the selections. I should have time to finish “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham tomorrow and start the apparently heavy “One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.”
I’m still reading A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan for this month’s book for the BookBrowse Side Read of James Mustich’s 1000 Books to Read Before You Die. I’m also doing Nick Senger’s A Chapter A Day read of Anna Karenina. When I’m driving I’m listening to Rabbit, Run by John Updike.
I read one of Book Browse top 20 books of 2025, ENDLING by Maria Reva. An extremely interesting read of a unique scientist and her three sisters planning an unconventional journey at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A dark and humorous read with a unique plot of the author inserting her personal struggles into the actual story
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@Lynne_G Endling is on my list to read soon. Maria Reva will be here for a Q&A in a few weeks, and I hope you’ll stop by with a question or two.
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Just finished “Te First Time I Saw Him” by Laura Davis.Overall, I was very pleased with this much anticipated sequel to “The Last Thing He Told Me.” The book begins six years later with a pace that is quick, filled with high tension and constant suspense.The author takes the reader back and forth in time while doing a good job of keeping the flow moving. This reader was never sure how it was going to play out as the author cleverly slipped in plenty of twists and turns, making for a good ending. Perhaps there is a number three in our futures, only the author knows???
We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter….fascinating, interesting, but brutal look at pedophilia.
I am looking forward to your feedback about Endling because it was a different read and hard to review without mentioning spoilers..
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I am well into Bob Dugoni’s book 3 of the Keera Duggan series. It’s called Her Cold Justice, and it’s really good, like all of Dugoni’s books.
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I am reading Walter Mosley’s Head of a Pin. Looking forward to it.
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It’s been a good weekend to read here in icy Texas. The ending of The Rest of Our Lives* is near. Next up is Grisham’s The Widow.*
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