I enjoyed learning about Tehran, but I didn’t love
Lion Women.
I just finished two very short Murderbot stories. I’m still working my way through Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings text series. (8 of 16…!)
In Spanish I’m reading Reina Roja. It is a fun thriller. We saw the TV series based on it which is helpful. I also have an English copy on hand also helpful!
The 2025 Gulf Coast Reads book is The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu.
What is Gulf Coast Reads, you may ask:
Gulf Coast Reads is an annual regional reading initiative that encourages people across Southeast Texas to read the same book during the month of October and to come together in dialogue through related events and discussions. It’s about building connection across neighborhoods and counties—through the power of a shared story.
Anyway, I’ll be reading it for book club. Other than that, I’m making an effort to finish series I’ve started over the years. I currently have eleven books waiting to be read: seven are part of one series or another. I’m glad to be catching up; on the other hand, I’m not doing so well reading newer releases. Only so much time in a day, right?
for another book club discussion well-done, @Mary13. No other book club even comes close in my opinion.
I just finished reading The God of the Woods and The Frozen River. My library system is giant as it serves the whole county and (imo) doesn’t have enough copies of popular books. It took almost the full 28 weeks they had originally estimated to get both these even after they got a few more copies. Hoopla isn’t useful either as these books aren’t available for me there.
For all the hype, I found TGotW meh. I enjoyed The Frozen River and am exited to read the discussion that I had to miss.
Upcoming for me The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny and Nettle and Boneby T. Kingfisher.
I’m continuing on with several British procedurals that release a new book every 3 months or so on Kindle Unlimited as well as indulging myself with a nostalgic rereading of the Roderick Alleyn series by Ngaio Marsh.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is on hold but it’s estimated to take 23 weeks to get it. Fortunately, the book is available with Kindle Unlimited so I will be able to read it for the discussion.
I also think The God of the Woods doesn’t live up to the buzz surrounding it. TGotW came up at my book club Monday night. Two of us had read it. My friend just said she felt it was overhyped; she expected a “wow” and didn’t get it. I felt much the same. I rated it 3.5 stars. You can’t actually do that on Goodreads so I scooted it to four stars. I’ve debated that rating since. (All the Colors of the Dark is so so much better, imo; twas the book I picked up after TGofW. No need to think twice about how to rate that one.)
You’ve mentioned the Ngaio Marsh books previously. I jotted her down in my “of interest” list.
I quite recently read Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest, Atmosphere about:
Joan Goodwin, a fictional astronaut in NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the early 1980s.
It’s certainly readable but I have mixed feelings. Lots of tech detail about the program and some lovely descriptive prose, but in the end it seemed more like a manifesto, or perhaps I should say mission statement! I skimmed quite a bit the further I got.
Heard that same thing about Atmosphere at my Monday night book club meeting.
I posted this two days ago.
Great minds think alike! There was a few movies about a book club of older single famous actresses and adventures they had. Bank robbing wasn’t one of the adventures—cartoon is more like an “Oceans” type genre.
I laughed both times, ready for a third. 
@HImom, there was a movie called “Book Club” with Jane Fonda and Diane Keaton. I never saw it, but the synopsis says, “Four friends’ lives are turned upside down when their book club tackles the infamous ‘50 Shades of Grey.’”
Yeah, we won’t be doing that. 
I watched the movie on the airplane—parts 1&2. It was ok for airplane fare. I don’t see our group doing that route.
Although I generally liked “The God of the Woods,” I did have a few issues with the storyline. I also rated it 4 stars on Goodreads. I often wish the rating system allowed for 1/2 stars; I usually “round up” but mention that rounding if I leave a review with my rating.
I always round up. I liked The God of the Woods and gave it 4 1/2 stars in my head and 5 on Goodreads. It clicked all the mystery boxes for me, with the main one being that I was able to use the clues to gradually figure out everyone’s secrets. The pieces came together in a way that made sense, without relying on an out-of-left-field reveal.
I also appreciated that it was a book I could recommend to others as a solid mystery, without worrying about graphic violence or overly steamy romance.
The male detective and his rookie female assistant reminded me of a similar duo in the second season of “Bad Sisters.” Random observation, but thought I’d share. 
Re The God of the Woods:
I felt that out-of-left-field reveal which ultimately propelled all that happened. Interesting you didn’t. And how could you not? PM me … since this isn’t a TGotW discussion and we’re talking major spoiler anyway.
Been in a reading slump.
Saw posts about good books that include recipes - many recommended The Briar Club- Kate Quinn ….. so that’s up next
