What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (4/09/2026)

To Roberta, I listened to Theo… on audible and enjoyed it, the narrator did a great job. Yes, it was a sentimental story which is not usually my thing, but it had a few twists, an unusual set-up, which I enjoyed and some of the characters are memorable. The ending I found a bit troublesome. On you tube there is an interview with the author which is really enlightening, almost 2 hours long.

Last week I reread Whalefall by Kraus for my book club next week. I’ll be happy to share the Q&A from the BookBrowse interview with him with the group.

Now I’m reading Blob by Maggie Su. So far, very imaginative, fast read.

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I have Trees for my next read. Are you reading the book or will be an audio read?

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Looking forward to your opinion of Blob, @Connie_K!

@Lynne_G it’s an audiobook. I was on my walk yesterday and listening to The Green Mile and all I could think of was, “OK, I’ve had enough of this. I need something funny.” I remembered people here talking about The Trees as one of Everett’s funniest, so I downloaded it on the spot (100 MB of my data… my hubby’s going to have questions…).

Thank you @Jolene_Blankley I sometimes think I’m being a reading snob when I talk about needing meatier books that feed my brain. I totally agree with the way you’ve said it: I want my reading to challenge my world view and make me think.

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Just started “Dangerous, Dirty. Violent & Young” for Book Browse review. Enjoying the depth of information on this group, Weather Underground. I was a young mother during this time and I find myself reflecting on my life during this troubled time. America has experienced its share of troubled times, hasn’t it??

Finished several days ago “When the Cranes Fly South.” I really enjoyed the Bo’s story and was especially touched with chapters when he is having to give up the companionship of his dog, Sixten. Needless to say I used more than my supply of tissues before its end.

I

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@Carol_N the thought that the country has had troubles in the past gives me hope every day.

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@Carol_N, I just booked the author of Dirty, Dangerous, Violent, and Young for a Q&A starting June 1. I hope you’ll pop by to ask questions!

Well I have to laugh at myself—-the only way to survive. My book on The Trees: An Exploration is by Robert Moor which sounds a little heavy for me now.

I don’t remember when but I ordered the audio book Every Summer After by Carley Fortune. I feel asleep and woke up to the voice describing an explicit sexual encounter ….not really what I expected to hear at the age of 75!

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Haha, @Lynne_G, that’s too funny. I’ve run into such things myself, and I find it a little irritating when two authors choose the same title. Case in point: My Friends, used by both Hisham Matar and Fredrik Backman.

So far, I’m really enjoying The Trees (the one by Percival Everett) though!

I finished reading it this week too. Like you, I found it fascinating. I knew nothing about the “Brown Babies” and the woman who found homes for them.

I finished my reread of Endling. Thanks to you @kim.kovacs or whoever deserves credit for booking the author events. I’ve read through Maria’s comments a couple of times to get more understand of what her book is about.

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I’m glad they’re helpful, @Anne_Glasgow, and that they serve a life beyond the three-day window during which the author is present. I regularly feel bad that we don’t get more people asking questions, and I hope the authors aren’t disappointed in the response (I’m afraid to ask!). I think I’ll start mentioning that as a selling point, that since the Q&As are available to our members permanently, people do go back to them later, particularly when hosting book groups.

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I wish I could be prepared to participate more frequently @kim.kovacs. Can we pass you author suggestions?

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Absolutely, @Anne_Glasgow! Feel free to suggest any authors you think would be good. I’m happy to ask!

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This past week my reading took me back to the Greek Islands in The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Bloom. An excellent romantic novel with the plot in two different periods.
Then I read This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman. An entertaining read about 3 generations of families dealing with the complexities of marriage, parenting and sibling rivalry.
Now I am reading The Good Liar: A Novel by Denise Mina. I do not remember downloading the book which explains my current mindset. I thought it was a thriller but I have read a third of the book and I can’t say it has kept my mind from wandering. I will keep reading to my benchmark of 50% and see how it goes.

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Did you read Isola by Allegra Goodman? I thought it was a very interesting depiction of historical events. It also garnered some prizes, I think. At least made it onto some prize lists.

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Yes! It was on my top ten list of 2025

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This sounds so good! What a great description of it. I’m adding it to my holds list.

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I enjoyed Isola, too. It’s so different from Goodman’s other work. I hope she delves into historical fiction again at some point.

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I like your 50% benchmark rule. I suspect mine is a bit less depending on the book.