Some fiction books mentioned here that I’ve read recently:
• We Solve Murders by Richard Osman. Enjoyed. • The Most by Jessica Anthony. Enjoyed. • Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz. Enjoyed. • The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Enjoyed a lot. • The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. Enjoyed a lot but wish it was shorter.
Some I haven’t seen mentioned; they all have at least a light fantasy element:
The Jane Eyre Affair (#1 in the Thursday Next series) by Jasper Fforde. This is quite a mishmash of styles and was very fun. I’ll continue the series. I’d encourage anyone who likes literature and history and fantasy to give it a look. It reminds me of the kind of TV series the BBC would make.
Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki. Loved it. Very unique and I find myself recommending it to others.
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young. Enjoyed. I think some people on this thread would like it.
Currently, I’m finishing The Fifth Season (#1 in Broken Earth series) by N.K. Jemisin. I’ve already got the sequel queued up and I’m annoyed I have some other borrows I need to get through first. I’m especially loving the geology theme!
You might also like “Five Presidents” by Clint Hill. He was a Secret Service agent who protected Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, and Ford. He also protected Jackie Kennedy and wrote “Mrs Kennedy and Me”. It is shocking how young he was and the tremendous responsibility he had to protect the leaders of our country.
Great writing in Beartown, and it worked quite well in the audio version that I “read”.
Usually I read real books (Kindle or hardcover). But audio books are a nice change of pace from podcasts when I run and garden. Also I put it on 15 minute timer at bedtime. Currently I’m listening to “City of Thieves” (David Benioff, takes place in Russia during WWII). It was on my library List, perhaps from recommendation here. It too works well as audiobook.
I also lean toward non-fiction for my audiobooks (though I avoid those where I’d like to see charts etc). But gotta say the two I’ve mentioned were surprisingly effective for me.
I recently finished Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River and found it the best book I’ve read in a long time. It’s a historical mystery novel based on a true character, a great combination for me.
I just finished reading The Women, by Kristin Hannah. It was excellent. I remember Vietnam and everything surrounding it, but this story helped me to understand the history I lived through (plus, it’s a good story in itself). I couldn’t help but see some parallels to the politics of today, and it gave me some hope that divided people can eventually get closer together.
After a run of books that are the junk food of the literary world – as in designed to be inhaled and be very enjoyable in consumption, but ultimately leaving little of value behind – I read – and recommend! - A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhurst. It’s not long (read in a day), and it’s non-fiction. While centered around the account of a couple’s experience of living on life raft in the Pacific for almost 4 months after their sailboat sinks, it’s also quite thoughtful on the topic of what and who gives importance and meaning to life.
Many books of this type contain lots of digressions, often research the author did and hated not to include. This book was very tight and spare and kept the couple’s story at its core, as tempting as it may have been to provide info on different types of sharks or how to eat a turtle. I suspect many here in the Parent Cafe would enjoy it.
I recently finished “A Marriage at Sea”. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I found I was fascinated by some parts especially since based on true story. It’s one of the few reads that I might continue to reflect on this year. (Granted I’m having a much harder time concentrating on my books’ storylines this year overall.But this was an intriguing read.)
Just finished the God of the Woods and Heartwood. I enjoyed both but Heartwood was the winner for me. I struggled some with the ending of God of the Woods.
I recently finished God of the Woods as well and agree that the ending was very unsatisfying and still can’t figure out how the title relates to the story. I would put it in the category of Another Reason I Don’t Read Much Fiction.
I did enjoy Melinda French Gates’s book,“The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward.”
Listed to James on the 10+ hour roundtrip drive to bring D24 back to school. Enjoyed it very much, and though I’m not normally much of an audio book person, I think this was the perfect story to consume this way.
I’m now reading Girl A by Abigail Dean. So far, so good!