I just finished reading The Painted Girls. I found it unique and interesting in that it gave historical insights into life in 1880s Paris, ballet and Degas.
I just finished āDreamland: The True Tale of Americaās Opiate Epidemicā and highly recommend it.
The Danish Girl is my bookclubās next read. I have heard very mixed reviews about it.
@TempeMom Will your book club go see the movie after? I heard it was very good.
Due to recommendations of this thread, I listened to Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin and enjoyed it while riding my bike. Itās short, though. Iāve just started the Gamache series today (also as a result of the recommendations here), also on audio while bike riding.
After repeated harassment by D2 :), I purchased The Nazi Officerās Wife, a true story of a Jewish woman who marries a Nazi officer and must hide her heritage in order to survive. The implications of this relationship on the woman would be significant, for many reasons.
From Publishers Weekly
Apologies if this work has been discussed already. Iām WAY behind in this thread.
Yes, I read The Nazi Officerās Wife as well and it was compelling, to say the least. What people go through. I am so spoiled and sheltered.
I just finished āThe Truth About the Harry Quebert Affairā by Joel Dicker. Published a few years ago, just found it at my new local library. I liked it quite a bit, had a hard time putting it down. It is a thriller with an overlay about writing novels ā while almost no one in the book comes out looking good in the end, I actually liked most of the characters in spite of that. I guessed some of the ending, but not all of it.
I made a list of several books from this thread and made library requests. Scout59 - Black Eyes Susans was the first book to come in. Picked it up yesterday and will hopefully find time to start it today.
I donāt post on this thread but I appreciate those who do.
So far on my vacation I have finished A Widowās Story by Joyce Carol Oates, Faithless (series of short stories also by her), Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs and The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. Up next are The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant and The Places in Between by Rory Stewart. Enjoying these books immensely and thank you to all who suggested them! Iām particularly captivated by The Signature of All Things as I think I was expecting lightweight from Gilbert since sheās known as the Eat Pray Love author, but wow, what research went into that.
Has anyone read Outline by Rachel Cusk? It was a very interesting read ā no real plot, but the narrator just has these long conversations with people she doesnāt know well who tell her their stories. There are some sharp insights and beautiful writing and it kept me engaged, but Iām not sure I understood exactly what she was trying to accomplish. I did enjoy it though. Would love to hear what others thought of it.
I also just re-read an old favorite ā Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. Now thatās a rollicking good read! Exactly the opposite of the Rachel Cusk novel because it had such a well-crafted plot. Undine Spragg has to be the most despicable (but most compelling) anti-heroine in all of fiction. Yet somehow we root for her.
Also just read a book I decidedly did not like, The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian. Not the kind of book I normally would pick up, but someone I trust recommended it. it was a domestic drama/ thriller arising out of a bachelor party that had gone terribly wrong. To me, it had this unpleasantly didactic tone about the horrors of sex slavery, and I absolutely hated the ending. Any Bohjalian fans out there who disagree with me on this one?
I just finished reading The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philippe Sendker. Great read, especially if you have any interest in Myanmar (Burma).
@nottelling, glad to see Edith Wharton on this thread. (One of my all time favorites.) I recently read Hermione Leeās biography of Wharton, and recommend it highly.
Also, Iām on the waiting list for Outline at the library; looking forward to getting my hands on it.
I am in the midst of listening to A Man Called Ove for my book club gathering tomorrow. I havenāt had a book read to me for a long time and I am enjoying it! Thanks to all here who suggested trying Audible.
I am also working my way through all of the new mystery/thriller authors you have recommended. So much fun! 
Recently read Iāll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson and really liked it - technically it is YA but donāt let that stop you from enjoying a good read
A good read for CC people because of the topic - The Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore - god book about life at a high pressure HS
In the middle of reading Ove after recommendations here, and very much enjoying!
Really liked A Man called Ove, so have started Backmanās other book, āMy Grandmother asked me to tell you sheās sorryā ā¦quite amusing so farā¦
Count me in as another one currently reading A Man Called Ove. Iām really enjoying it.
Iām so happy about this thread. I finished the first Gamache book, as well as The Nazi Officerās Wife.
Iām deep into my second Gamache book on audio, and have started a book on Kindle written by the prosecutor in the Jodia Arias case, called Conviction: The Untold Story of Putting Jodi Arias Behind Bars, by Juan Martinez.
So far Iām enjoying both books. Iāve put @nottellingās Wharton Book in my cue.
I read the first Gamache book, and put it on IRL Bookclub list. Then I read a second. So much fun. A mix of Maeve Binchle and agatha Christie