Just started When No One Else Will, just 80 pages in but so far I know it will be worth reading. Other books read so far in May, Won’t Be Long Now by Elizabeth Hardinger, World’ s Greatest Detective…., by Liza Tully and Last One Out by Jane Harper.
I’ve got The Original on loan from the library…I either need to start on it or return it soon!
I’m working my way through Anna Karenina, a buddy read with a friend. Also listening to Lolita (for an online book group), narrated by Jeremy Irons. He’s perfect for the role of creepy HH. The third book I have on the go is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. It’s a delightful read, and when Anna K. and Lolita feel too heavy, it’s fun to escape to this wonderful epistolary delight.
I am reading Wuthering Heights again.
’I’m still reading an ARC of THE CALAMITY CLUB by Kathryn Stockett. It’s quite a long book, but I’m really enjoying it. As for last week’s books, I am disappointed that so many are e-books. I don’t want to read those, only paper.
I found several of the stories in Python’s Kiss to be kind of confusing. I just couldn’t figure out what she was saying. There was one, I seem to recall, about a girl that I liked. I have totally enjoyed many of her novels but find others just don’t quite work for me.
My reading time has been limited because my husband and I will travel next week to attend our grandson’s 8th grade graduation ceremony.
I did finish The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout. The author continues with her perspective writing style as in the Olive Kitteridge series, but she surprisingly introduces new characters in the story. Also the plot reflects a negative opinion of the current administration. It was a refreshing read.
I am now reading When No One Else Will by Amanda Skenandore for the online book club discussion that will open May 21. I have read 50%, and I agree with @Paula_Walters insight that it is a book worth reading. I look forward to where the plot takes us.
Enjoy your trip, @Lynne_G! I’m glad you’re getting some family time.
I just finished When No One Else Will and found it hard to put down. Looking forward to discussing it next week.
In addition to what I mentioned above, I am listening to Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. It is a short two-hour fiction audiobook narrated by Will Patton (one of many who narrated Lonesome Dove - he is wonderfully suited for Westerns). Unlike many novellas, this one is able to relate a complete story - one man’s life in the American West at the turn of the 20th century.
I’m impressed with your quantity of reading. How do you accomplish getting so much read?
I prioritize reading by listening to audios every morning while I walk, very little tv time. and carrying a book everywhere I go. I’m also blessed with being a fairly rapid reader which is fine in most cases. I tend to read slower if it’s a book I know I’ll be discussing or one that requires greater investment for comprehension. I’m retired and reading is my favorite hobby.
I thoroughly enjoyed Train Dreams when I listened to the audio before watching the Oscar nominated film.
I’ve read the first quarter of When No One Else Will. The story lingers already. I’ll join the online discussion late as we’re headed to the Indianapolis 500 race so will be on the road when the discussion opens. Even if you’re not a fan of Indy racing, I encourage you to check your local TV listings for Friday, the 22nd as Fox will televise live the second annual Oscar Meyer Weinie 500. Six of their massive weiner mobiles race on the track. Last year was the first year and was a fan favorite. You can catch the 2025 race on YouTube if you’d like to see what the heck I’m suggesting. “Weinies, Start Your Engines”! We sure enjoyed this fun special race and are looking forward to the second race and maybe grab some merch!
Oh, I’m also still reading Penny’s The Last Mandarin. ![]()
I just finished “Revenge Prey” by John Sandford which has a lesser level of bloodshed in it than in some of the earlier “Prey” novels. However, Sandford turned the tension dial up to maximum from the first pages. I couldn’t put it down until I’d read nearly half of it, even though the necessities of life were beckoning beyond the pages of the book.
I’ve been busy reading, even though I’ve not kept up with posting. Recently I read “Vigil” by George Saunders. Two angelic types fighting over the soul of an absurdly wealthy & greedy dying man is an unusual premise. The battle between one seeking to comfort and a second promoting a final awareness and repentance fulfilled my expectations of a Saunders novel.
Also read “Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney. At first I didn’t think I’d be able to enjoy it, but as the story progressed I became invested in the relationships of two brothers, as well as the choices they had to make to live fuller lives.
This week I’m reading “The Antidote” by Kate Atkinson, and I admit the premise has not yet captured my imagination. Warring angels (see “Vigil”) are more appealing for me than a witch who hears secrets and stores them. I’m looking at the library copy of “American Struggle: an anthology” from Jon Meacham and wondering how much I’ll actually read before the due date.
Have fun at the Indy 500, @NanK!
@Robin_G, I can’t believe Sandford is still writing Prey books. The first one had to have come out something like 30+ years ago; I remember reading it before my divorce in 1991!
I know I read some of them, but I kind of lose interest in series after awhile, particularly the detective/police ones. I think trilogies work best for my attention span.
The Antidote seemed to be a hit-or-miss kind of book. I absolutely loved it, but I know a number of readers who didn’t like it at all.
Doing a mix of listening to the audiobook and reading the hardcover, I finished The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien. I wish I would have listened to it in its entirety as the narration by Juliet Stevenson was outstanding. It’s an unusual book with many themes which I’m glad was chosen for BookBrowse’s 1000 Books to Read Before You Die side read. I’ve added O’Brien’s Country Girls to my TBR list.
I’m back to listening The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. It continues to be heartbreaking, but so worth it. And I’ve started reading Theo of Golden by Allen Levi for my local book club meeting at the end of the month.
I enjoyed Revenge Prey, too. I’ll always try to read his new releases. The returning characters are so familiar! That’s part of the charm as well as I’m from NE Iowa and am familiar with many of the settings whether in Iowa, WI or MN.
I read two pretty heavy books in a row - ‘Midnight, at War’ by Devi S. Laskar and ‘A Guardian and a Thief’ by Megha Majumdar.
Both are intense and set at least in part in Kolkata. ‘A Guardian and a Thief’ is for my IRL book group and I’ve already heard negative reviews from at least one member. Not because the book isn’t written beautifully, but the subject matter is so difficult.
And herein lies a divide into why different people read - some want to escape, others want to learn about people and parts of the world they might not otherwise. No judgment here but I know I am squarely in the second group.
Yet for now I am in the first group having started ‘Enormous Wings’ by Laurie Frankel which is thoroughly delightful, at least so far!
I picked up Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser to take a break from my usual selections. I’m halfway through and really enjoying it!