Book Lovers Club

Some books I've enjoyed this fall are: Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reed, Help Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, The Retreat by Sarah Pearse, Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie, The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page, I'm just starting The River We Remember by William Krueger

Back to classes on Monday! So I’ll be back to class related reading.

Ruth - I like Krueger. The last one I read was 'Iron Lake'. I'll add your recommendation to my wish list.

I spent the holidays reading Ann Beattie 'The New Yorker Stories'. Since there are 48 stories, I set it down about half way through and was about to give up. Took a break but I'm glad I finished. The way she writes character's internal thoughts and interactions & involvement between the people in all the stories are always right on. Good interview with her in the end. Her comment about writing/composing on a computer: "It's like Schrodinger's cat: You turn it on, and a different typeface comes up. You hit the wrong key, and the page splits in half. Your e-mail message says 'Still sending' long enough for you to take a shower."

Also ordered & read 'The Crazy Ladies of Pearl Street' by Trevanian. Fascinating coming-of-age story from the point of the son of a vulnerable young mother, abandoned by her husband - a charming con. And oh my - POOR in an Albany, NY slum. The time period is between "the" wars (WWI and WWII) and during the depression. Supposedly it's a fictional recreation of the neighborhood of his youth. Definitely a 'lost age'.

Next up - Alice Munro.

And tomorrow is the first Saturday, so I'll go to the Public Library warehouse for their monthly surplus book sale. It's packed and not in any order but type of book, so it's a scramble to grab what you think might be interesting. But I can come out of they with two grocery bags full of books for $20.00.

Hi Gals and thanks for the recommendation for this thread, Minus. I currently have Covid and am feeling punk. When better I will share my reading.

Already enjoyed reading through everyone's recommendations.

Just finished a fascinating memoir "The Other Side of Silence: A Memoir of Exile, Iran, and the Global Women's Movement" by Mahnaz Afkhami. I learned so much of the three steps forward two steps back of women's rights in that part of the world. I also heard the author speak at a book festival last year.

Since I'm just jumping in here, in addition to all memoir I also love mysteries like those of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and more recently Louise Penny, Harlan Koban and light- hearted fare written by Alexander MacColl Smith, particularly the Isabelle Dalhousie series.

Reader: SO glad you're here. Sometimes I read something serious. Most of the time I don't. Still - what ever you're sharing is great.

Ruth - Glad to see you. Hope you are doing OK. Thanks for the Frozen River referral.

I'd really like this thread to stay active. I know VR has likely dropped off, but I think of her in NYC with the wonderful lions at the library.

Reader: I've dabbled in Welty and like what I've read. A couple of years ago I ordered "The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty" with an introduction by Ann Patchett (2019). It's a large book (564 pages) with very small print. I'm ashamed to admit that I read one or two stories and then set the book down. I do want to read the rest, but it requires very bright light and a pillow on my lap to help hold the book. No reading in bed for sure. I look at it sitting on my shelf regularly & then pick up something "easy". (guilt here for sure)

Carole - would "whimsical" be the same as "cozy" mysteries? I've read a few, but not my first choice. I too like Tana French.

Brain exercise is a GREAT reason - not really an excuse. Years ago I did cross word puzzles, but now I guess I'm too lazy.

I wish I could do crossword puzzles. For all my reading and word love, I am terrible at CWs, take forever to get a few right then give up. Don't know quite why.

I call Alexander MacColl Smith a cozy mystery writer. Is that what you mean? Gritty is good too though! There's an English writer, Lisa Jewell that I like. Very scary.

I also like historical novels but wore out on the WWII ones for a bit. One of the book clubs I was in tended to focus on them. Loved "Clementine."

I read the Carson McCullers novel and some of her short stories. She lived in Georgia and raised peacocks. Something I learned when I was a graduate student at University of Georgia.

My mistake. It was Flannery O Connor who raised peacocks. Thanks, Reader.

I met Lisa Jewell last summer at Book Bonanza! She is smart, very kind, and has a beautiful accent, also very pretty.

my guilty pleasure is romance, and especially paranormal romance. My favorite author is Elizabeth Hunter and her Elemental Mysteries series, plus all the spinoffs. I also love Preston and Child’s Pendergast series. JD Robb (Nora Roberts) In Death series is another favorite. Futuristic cop thriller and romance.

kyrex - no - but thanks for the references. I like to read a 'real' book or magazine that I hold in my hands. I really don't like to read from electronic devices. I do have a very old Kindle that I once thought I'd take on trips to save room & weight, but I don't care for it at all.

Just finished "Child of my Heart" by Alice McDermott. It was a lovely tribute to friendship & growing up one summer at the shore (Eastern end of Long Island). And so much more, but I don't want to be a spoiler. "…McDermott once again peers into the depths of everyday life with inimitable insight & grace."

That's truly wonderful Ruth. Thanks for posting