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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I finished The Keeper by Tana French. It left things a little but unsettled, I thought. Still, I enjoyed the time back with these characters.
I’ve now reached the halfway point of Tom’s Crossing. I can spot things I wish were different about it but I am so invested in the main characters that I can’t quit.
My side read is the upcoming novel jointly authored by Louise Penny and Melissa Fung called The Last Mandarin. It is a fast paced international political thriller as best I can tell from early pages
I dnf’d the audio of The Fountain because I just couldn’t keep attention focus. I might pick it up another time in print.
I’m now into the audio of No One’s Coming by Kevin Hazzard about a flight crew called upon to transport ebola cases. This nonfiction interests me for multiple reasons: I’ve heard raves about it, I thoroughly enjoyed American Sirens by the author, and it has a solid medical story. The book gets off to a pretty ripping start talking about the men willing to take on the mission.
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I finished Aphrodite in Pieces by Lauren Bear for the online book club. It was a good read, nicely written and would recommend it to anyone looking for a strong female heroine. Lots of wisdom imparted that is timeless. Have just started Kin by Tayari Jones for my regular book club.
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I just finished All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Brinkley and loved his thoughts about art and life and how to look at a painting. Such a good writer and a book that can be read over time. I’m currently reading Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy and find the main character a bit quirky. I loved her recent book Wild Dark Shore so wanted to read other books she’d written.
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I just finished Theo of Golden by Levi. What a gem of a book in this chaotic world we inhabit. Focusing on the treasures of living like friendship, nature, a good book, a good cup of coffee, a good place to live is charming. I hope I didn’t make it sound so calm you fell asleep.
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So in the past week, I finished up two of our discussion books: Ms Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto; and Won’t Be Long Now by Elizabeth Hardinger.
Also, for review, I finished John of John by Douglas Stuart. Wow, what a wonderful novel, probably my favorite of the year so far. If you like literary fiction, particularly novels set in remote Scotland and/or one that focuses on father-son relationships, this is the one to get. Absolutely exquisite.
I’ve started a book for review for our self-published/indie author program: Along the Scarlet River of Destiny by Subhir Roy, which will be followed by two more I’m reading for the same reason: Shelter Island by Jill Wisoff, and I Live You Forever by Meredeth Rutter Marple. Plus I’ve got to read Kin by Tayari Jones for a book group. (Yeah, no wilderness adventures for me this week! My hubby is starting to feel neglected. 
)
I’m obviously behind in my reading. I still have to get to The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien for our 1000 Books Before You Die side read! (BTW, anyone is welcome to join the group; next up will be A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines.)
In audiobook format, I’m listening to The Forgiving Kind by Donna Everhart in preparation for her visit here next week, although it’s looking iffy for me to finish it by the time I speak to her.
Sally, I completely enjoyed Migrations, the characters, their motivations, but haven’t read Wild Dark Shore. Let us know how the two compare when you are done.
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I haven’t read Migrations, @Connie_K, but I can vouch for Wild Dark Shore.
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I am currently reading another “sweet” read by Rachel Linden - A SPRINKLE OF SWEET SERENDIPITY. LOVE her books.
This book was a heartwarming read too - I finished it last week - GOOD JOY, BAD JOY by Mikki Brammer. Her other book THE COLLECTED REGRETS OF CLOVER was also very good….I read that a few years ago.
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I loved Migrations, our book club read it a few years ago. Everyone really enjoyed it. I hear Dark Shore is really depressing
I heard it was really depressing
Oh, interesting, @Antoinette_B! I didn’t find it depressing at all, although the book’s atmosphere is pretty bleak/windswept/grey. You can find my review of it here. What do others think? Was it depressing?
After reading London Falling I was in the mood for a lighter read. From my TBR list I chose The Very Long Strange Life of Issac Dahl by Bart Yates. It was an entertaining memoir of a man reflecting on his past life.
For the May’s1000 Books to Read: The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brian.To fully understand the book I have to read it in parts because some of the book is haunting.
I am reading another book in this similar format: Of Arms and Artists:The American Revolution through Painter’s Eyes by Paul Staiti. It explores the lives of 5 American artists. It is very interesting but somewhat deep. I have only read a fourth of the book so it will be a slow read.
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Audio: Kin
Non Fiction: The Breath of the Gods. Everything you wanted to know about the wind. I love Simon Winchester. I feel smarter everytime I read a book of his.
Fiction: Seascraper. Booker prize nominee. Beautiful short character study of a young isolated shrimper.
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I’m thrilled to learn how much you loved John of John. I look forward to reading that one soon.
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I re-read Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer for my discussion group (perfect for Earth Day) & I’m almost finished with Won’t Be Long Now by Elizabeth Hardinger for the BookBrowse discussion, which is somewhat of a depressing read.
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The Alice Network, The Rose Code, The Huntress, The Diamond Eye all I previously mentioned are by Kate Quinn. I gave the wrong author- sorry!
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I’ve been babysitting grandchildren a lot lately so I, too, am way behind on my reading. Watching an 18 month old grandson is a full-time job for this old lady! I am reading Won’t Be Long Now by Elizabeth Hardinger for the BookBrowse Book Club Discussion, but I’m going to have to dedicate some serious time to it this weekend. Also, must get The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien finished for the 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die side read. I’m still listening to The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. The plight of the poor and the immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s is truly heartbreaking.
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I have less than 100 pages left in The Keeper by Tana French and next up is Last One Out by Jane Harper.
Sally - I also enjoyed All the Beauty in the World and have a wider respect for museum guards now. Regarding the visual appreciation of paintings, have you considered reading Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser? Art docents often advocate taking more than quick glance at a piece of art in the museum. Schlesser give you a real appreciation of the details that can be considered when viewing art.