Commonwealth. Ann Patchett
I have heard good things about Commonwealth from a friend who is a serious reader. D just saw the author of Hillbilly Elegy at the Southern Festival of Books and, after hearing about his story, this one is on my radar for when I have some time. A young woman who I know casually raved about Hillbilly Elegy in her FB feed not too long ago, so a second on that title. My last favorite fiction fast read was Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld. Itās a modern retelling of Pride & Prejudice.
Just finished the latest book by Louise Penny and as usual it was fabulous.
I am reading āA Constellation of Vital Phenomenaā by Anthony Marra. It takes place in and around the two Chechen wars. I find myself fascinated by it and amazed that I am rooting for the Muslims! As a Jew, I didnāt think that possible, but then again, as a Jew whose ancestors lived in Russia and suffered under their systems, I guess I have more in common with the Muslim Chechens than the ethnic Russians.
Itās a hard read in that parts of it are violent but it is apparently as real a depiction of some of the horrors that went on during this period of time. I highly recommend the book.
Itās not fiction, but I am just finishing The Romanovs:1613-1918 by Simon Sebag Montefiore. I feel like I have been reading it for a year (it is almost 800 pages). it is a hard read partly because of the length of the time period, and partly because the names are all so similar (lots of Peters, Pauls, Alexanders, Alexeis, Catherines, etc)āit all kind of blends together. A very interesting read in the moment but not sure how much of it I am really retaining.
Fiction: I just reread The Beach by Alex Garland. Currently rereading Sense and Sensibility. More recent books I have enjoyed are The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin and The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell.
@techmom99 Constellation was fabulous!
@2VU0609 I just downloaded Hillbilly a Elegy. Not far enough in to give a verdict, but I think it will be good. Also read Eligible. Fun read!
I am reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. It is not at all what one would expect from the title and the authorās name, and it is extraordinary.
āDark Matterā by Blake Crouch. Highly recommended!
Any recommendations for books that are on Amazonās Prime Reading list?
I agree with techmom99 that A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is very good.
Currently I am reading Barkskins by Annie Proulx and really liking it.
Wigs on the Green Nancy Mitford
Just started the Chernow biography of Alexander Hamilton.
Iām reading East of Eden and donāt like it much. So I am also reading A Suitable Boy, which is very, very, very, very, very long, but mostly delightful.
Iām just finishing Hillbilly Elegy. Iāve enjoyed it. Lots to think about.
I see a distinct difference in āwhat we are reading nowā and āTHE BEST books Iāve read in the last six monthsā.
Anyone else?
I hesitate to post in that other thread because I may certainly like the book and would recommend it while it may not be one of the best books Iāve ever read. Iāve never understood this ridiculous āruleā about not having similar/parallel thread in this forum.
I just started Hillbilly Elegy and whoa, boy it sucked me right in. Really good.
https://www.amazon.com/Hillbilly-Elegy-Memoir-Family-Culture/dp/0062300547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477713932&sr=8-1&keywords=Hillbilly+Elegy
I finished āHere I Amā by Jonathan Safran Foer earlier this week. I started it last week. I read it in four days, despite is length (550 pages). Iām reading āThe Witchesā now; itās nonfiction, about the witch trials in Massachusetts in the 1690s. Fascinating.
Wuthering Heights
I agree with @VaBluebird. I too see a distinct difference between the two threads. I always have a book or two going and I seldom - almost never - add to the Best Books thread, though am grateful to all who do. (See a thank-you below).
So what Iām reading now:
Assassinās Quest, Farseer Trilogy, #3 - Robin Hobb - I started the trilogy after seeing a recommendation on the Best Books thread - so thank you to the person who posted re Hobbās books. A definite thumbs-up from me.
The Sugar Queen - Sarah Allen Addison; a reread for me. My reading equivalent of comfort food.
Might have been me ā I love the Farseer books! :). What is The Sugar Queen about?