I added it to my pile 
1 Like
I loved both Tomorrow and AJ Fikry! Two of my favorite reads in the last year.
4 Likes
I mentioned that I was going to hear Javier Zamora speak at our literary festival. He is a wonderful, thoughtful and vulnerable speaker. Although heās in his 30ās, heās still in therapy to work through his experience. Tickets were given to some local students who were about the age he was when he came to the USA and probably most were immigrants or children of immigrants. It was so interesting to hear their questions for him.
6 Likes
Iām reading Yellowface right now. Subtly sly and a good read.
2 Likes
I just finished Friday Night Lights which was great. Itās a bit sobering to read about the use-them-up-and-then-spit-them-out mentality of football, and even more sobering to think that it was written about a team in 1988. Maybe Iām just putting on rose colored glasses, but I feel like high school athletics have only gotten more intense in the subsequent decades. Interestingly, though, the authorās visit back to Odessa in 2013(?) found that at least at that high school football was in a healthier place.
1 Like
Ordinary Grace, William Kent Krueger - recently on Facebook post, people were asked what is best book they ever read. Ordinary Grace, was repeatedly mentioned.
I now know why ! Stunning
5 Likes
Interesting, I liked it well enough (I gave it four stars on Goodreads), but I remember the book hardly at all. At least I still remember the plot of This Tender Land! Anyway no where near the best book I ever read.
2 Likes
Ordinary Grace is my favorite of Wm Kent Kruegerās books, but definitely not the best book I ever read. Something about the setting made me feel nostalgic of my own childhood. His writing style really seems to evoke those kind of feelings for me, and the story line in this novel I liked most out of his standalone books. I did give it five stars on Goodreads, a rating I rarely give out. The mystery of the plot was secondary to me as I was more focused on the relationship between the brothers who had to grow up quickly as a result of the tragedy within their family.
(I just looked at when I read OG - surprised to see it was exactly 10 years ago! I hadnāt realized I read it quite that long ago)
3 Likes
I liked the language and the nostalgic feeling. Some of the images were exactly the same as Iād just read in Tender Mercies. Which was irritating!
1 Like
Iām going to a book festival this weekend and one of the featured authors is Margaret Atwood. Iām really interested in hearing herāsheās 84. Her publisher is interviewing her for the presentation.
Another author thatās participating is Erik Larsen. His new book (The Demon of Unrest) deals with the five months between Lincolnās election and the start of the Civil War. Iām sure Iāll end up buying it while Iām at the festival.
10 Likes
Oh those are two authors I would love to see in person. I did see Erick Larsen on a zoom once. His way of organizing facts was fascinating.
1 Like
I just finished The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson. I had read and enjoyed her first title, Major Pettigrewās Last Stand, during the pandemic, so I was thrilled to see her promote her newest book a few weeks ago at Parnassus Books. I think I enjoyed this new book even more. It was a great escape for me at a stressful time.
8 Likes
I just read The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. Itās an easy read, and the plot moves along. I bought it as a beach read but picked it up, got sucked in, and turned the last page before I got to the beach! Itād be a good book club choice.
There are apparently two books that follow it, so maybe some part of the trilogy will end up with sand between the pages!
3 Likes
Our local bookstore is promoting this as the best book of the year!
4 Likes
Is talking tv book taboo here?
Anyone watch Apples Never Fall the series that recently came on Peacock?
No spoilers please for anyone. But I finished and would say it was worth the quick 7 episodes. Some interesting differences from the book.
2 Likes
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan.
2 Likes
I just put that on my list!
Moving James to the top of the bedside pile based on this thread!
2 Likes
@VeryHappy i reserved Solito from my library and I started it this week. Iām enjoying it, very eye opening.
2 Likes
Finally read Remarkably Bright Creatures which Iād previously avoided because for some reason I had the idea that it was an entire book written from an octopusā point of view and that didnāt interest me. Laughed at myself when I started reading it and realized how wrong I was. I really enjoyed it.
11 Likes