What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? Please share! We’d love to know.
I’m still reading The Man in the High Castle. Also, I’m reading bit by bit The Bald Eagle by Jack Davis. It’s everything you’d want to know about eagles. In the present chapter the founding fathers of our very young country are intent on creating and adopting an official seal for the U.S. (After all, the European royals all have their individual seals!) The eagle isn’t considered yet, but the “guys” have rejected a buck-skin clad, musket bearing soldier and also a profile of an ancient Egyptian and pyramid. Guess they saved some of that motif for the dollar bill. ****
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Just started this month selection for one of my book clubs, The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel. New author to me, never have read any of her other books. After that it’s time read the books assigned to me from BB
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I finished The Violin Maker’s Secret and am now reading A Crown of Stars. Especially enjoying A Crown of Stars.
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Currently, I am reading “The Violin Maker’s Secret”. I am enjoying the book and wondering in my mind how it will all turn out in the end.
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I finished Michael Pollan’s latest, A World Appears, for review, and thought it was a fascinating exploration of human consciousness. Also finished up The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods for our upcoming discussion. We’ve had book group conversations for all her novels, and I think this one is her best to date. It’s not earth-shaking - predictable, lightly romantic - but I found it utterly charming. It felt very much like the book I needed right now. (Probably didn’t hurt that I was a violinist in another life.)
Currently reading a novel called Bellosio by John F. Shekleton. Not really sure how to categorize it. It’s kind of fantasy, kind of sci-fi, kind of political intrigue. Enjoying it so far.
Then it’ll be off to Crown of Stars by Shana Abe for an upcoming BookBrowse discussion, followed by a reread of Buckeye by Patrick Ryan for a book group.
In audiobook format, I’m finishing up Vigil for a side read with @Norma_R (pop on over & add comments if you’re read it!), and then I’ll either dive in to Book 19 of the Expeditionary Force series I’ve been reading through, Tom Lake, or The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. TBD.
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I finished Morningside and thought it was interesting and very thorough. Also finished The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy. This was not the book for me. I like my books told in a relatively organized, straightforward manner. This one has been perfectly described as kaleidoscopic. Also finished the audio of Happy Land and while it was fine, it seemed almost like a YA novel. I wanted something more.
Now reading This is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin. Too soon to comment. Listening to the small fable called Eradication by Jonathan Miles. I’ll finish it tomorrow and I think I like it.
I’m reading ‘This is Not About Us’ by Allegra Goodman and enjoying it so far. Her ‘Isola’ was one of my favorites last year, this new one is entirely different but same great writing.
I finished “Everything Is Tuberculosis” this week and enjoyed it. I started “Memorial Days” yesterday and worry that its grief themes will be too much. The Newbery winner will be next and that should be lighter and a nice break. It is hard to read about loss and not personalize it.
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I’m reading A Crown of Stars by Shana Abe for the upcoming discussion. Enjoying it!!
I finished The Lioness of Boston and The Secret Book Society. I just started Good People by Patmeena Sabit and Verity & Perpetua (written by a local Maine author, Agnes Bushell). I’m also listening to The Bookbinder’s Secret.
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I finished When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa on Audiobook. I also read Time-Tripping Over You by Brennon Lane, it is an ARC that I received from NetGalley. It was cute and loved how original it was - it’s has queer characters dealing with acccidental time travel. I am currently reading Razorblade Tears by S.A. Crosby and will finish this today. I can’t put it down. I now want to read everything by this author.
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I watch several bald eagle nest live cameras on YouTube - and I enjoyed Davis’ book.
The Lioness of Boston has been on my to read list. At the end of last year, I read Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner by Natalie Dykstra. I enjoyed it - learning more about her and her social circle of writers, artists, and collectors. It increased my interest in visiting her museum in Boston.
I just finished Matisse at War: Art and Resistance in Nazi Occupied France by Christopher Gorham. I enjoy biographies as an engaging way to learn about history. This hits the mark; I learned so much about Matisse and his family as well as a deeper look at the world events during his lifetime.
I’m considering starting Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age by Kathleen Sheppard next. I thought this would be a nice seque to Marie Benedict’s upcoming publication, Daughter of Egypt.
I just finished the House at Worlds End. Excellent locked room whodunnit. The characters were unique and the ending had an interesting twist.
I am working on Best Offer Wins. I am finding it challenging to feel for the protagonist.
I drive 6 1/2 hours down and back to my parents every weekend and am listening to Theo of Golden. Its heart warming. I enjoy the narrators voice.
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We’ve been watching FOBBV with the eagle pair, Jackie and Shadow. Such a sad time now that Sandy, the director, passed, but maybe good news will soon follow if Jackie has a second clutch.
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I’m still catching up on the great reads of 2025! Just finished Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.
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Theo of Golden is a great car trip audio!
I’m about half way through “This is Happiness” by Niall Williams and am enjoying it very much. Also reading “Another Country” by james Baldwin and am enjoying”The Known World” by Edward P. Jones. To top it off, my book club is about halfway through “Joseph and His Brothers” by Thomas Mann.