CURRENT READS

[rapa]

Have been reading up a storm  lately.  Habitually head to bed at 11:00 pm and read until 3:00-4:00am crawling out at 11:00am. Guess it comes from years of being a night nurse! Definitely not a morning person!!

Here are the three books I'm returning to library.  Still have 10 piled by bed, all of which can be renewed. 

FAITHFUL by Alice Hoffman, who has never disappointed me.  Her THE DOVEKEEPERS is one of my all time fav reads!

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh.  The story revolves around a disturbed young woman who worked as a secretary at a private prison facility for teenage boys.

In a Hitchcockian twist, her affection for a new counselor ultimately pulls her into complicity in a crime that surpasses her wildest imaginings. 

and a totally lovely novella (76 pages) from Fredrik Backman, the author of A MAN CALLEED OVE.    The novella is AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER.  This novella tells of how a Grandpa and his young grandson learn to say good-bye.

...........and what are you reading? Anything new in your life? 

[Ioruach]

That one is still on my "hold" list. There are a mere 78 other readers ahead of me. I have also encountered books that disappoint me in the way you describe. Just part of the reading adventure, I suppose.

I've been reading most of the afternoon, because there is nothing else to do. It has been raining all day. As I sit here at my computer looking out my apartment window, I see nothing but clouds and rain. It has been that way most of October so far. I was hoping to go for a walk, then stop at the library. But that doesn't look promising.

Next week, it is on to Wisconsin Dells to meet my best friend from Chicago, where we will indulge in a few beers (while solving all the problems of the world). Then I'm meeting my three brothers for a trip down to Kentucky. They decided they wanted to visit a few distilleries. I am not so big on distilleries but am hoping we can catch some horse racing at Keeneland in Lexington. Probably will not get in much reading during that week.

[rapa]

Have also had a rainy day here with several inches of rain and occasional thunder. Am putting off errands until tomorrow as some local flooding. 

Wishing you safe travels as you visit friends and family.  Hope you find some "ponies" in The BLUEGRASS state! I had some good friends who raised race horses near Middleburg, VA..  Now live at The Polo Club north of Miami. My grandson is engaged to a lovely gal who showed her horse, "Denver", winning several championships. I'll send you an article about her from the Equestrian Chronicle. 

Enjoy your travels! The Stuve Boys on the Road!

[rapa]

Last night finished "a shocking and strangely tender novel about a young woman's efforts to duck the world by embarking on an extended hibernation with the help of one of the worst psychiatrists in the annals of literature and the battery of medicines she prescribes.". This was one of the strangest and most well written books I've read in a long time, truly unfogettable. The author of MY YEAR OF REST AND RELAXATION is Ottessa Moshfegh

[Lip Service]

Finished the whodunit novel Magpie Murders by the British author Anthony Horowitz

I was not familiar with the author but he has written quite a bit for British TV such as the series Foyle's War and multiple episodes for Midsomer Murders and others

Cleverly written and with unusual twists. Some parts are written deliberately in the style of Agatha Christie (for a purpose). If you enjoy this kind of thing it will be a treat. The less you know about it the more you will enjoy it.

[Carci]

Have read many books since I last logged in here.  The only one worth mentioning is We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter.  I am a fan of WWII novels and this one is based on a true story set in Poland during the Nazi occupation.  If you like this type of story you might want to try this one.  

Has anyone else read it?

[Ioruach]

I just finished reading (rereading actually) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I vaguely remember reading it the first time shortly after it was published back in the 1950s. It is a different world today and the book sometimes reads like a period piece, but the it certainly retains its relevance. We seem to want quick and easy gratification through television and other forms of entertainment, rather than having to work at it a little harder by reading a book. I don't think we are about to burn them, but we often seem to ignore them.

[rapa]

Last night started Stephen King's latest book THE OUTSIDER.. After 100 pages found no interest in reading further. The story dealt with the murder and defiling the bodies of children. A well loved high school teacher/coach was accused of the murders although he had an alibi. Did some skimming and decided to not wade through the book further. 

Now back to reading Kate Morton's THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER!

[Ioruach]

As far as The Outsider is concerned, it doesn't sound like I would get much further than you did, rapa.

[rapa]

John Irving has always been one of my favorite authors. Decided to read some of his older books and last week finished the 20 year old A WIDOW for a YEAR..   Irving can really tell a story! Hard to put this one down!  If you're uncomfortable reading about sex, this book's not for you.  I got educated in the lives of prostitutes. Have two more Irving books on my TBR stack. Must first finish the new Kate Morton book THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER.  This book goes back and forth in history and is a slower read. 

What are you reading now???

[Ursula]

Just found this discussion and am wondering how I missed it, especially since it covers 7 months of posts.  How curious!!

I have been so busy this year (what else is new?!!), but I have been trying to make more time for reading.  My Novella group disbanded in June after 4 1/2 wonderful years.  We were a small group of 6 and one of our members died in January and another had a stroke, so the decision was made to end rather than recruit new members.  Fortunately 2 girlfriends started a new book club and I was invited to join.  New books to share with new friends; life is good!!  Our October read was Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton, which switches back and forth between the stories of grandmother and granddaughter. The grandmother's story unfolds during 1958-59 when Castro took control of Cuba; the granddaughter returns to Cuba in 2017 to scatter her grandmother's ashes, but instead uncovers family secrets.  The sequel, When We Left Cuba, won't be published for another 6 months.  Anther opportunity to practice patience.

I was fortunate enough to be the first person to check out the new Kate Morton novel, The Clockmaker's Daughter.  I have loved all of her books and this one did not disappoint.  The story covers a period of about 150 years and deals with several generations, but the characters are well-developed and make for an enjoyable read.

My newest read is the first book in a new Alexander McCall Smith's series.  It's called My Italian Bulldozer; so far it is a charming story about a food and wine writer traveling in Italy while dealing with a broken heart.  Due to a mix-up, instead of a rental car, he is traveling by bulldozer.  Gives a person pause to think.

Next on my list is the new John Hart novel, The Hush.  Another book from yet another attorney turned author.  His books set in North Carolina always please, even though they often deal with dysfunctional families.

Finally for a change of pace, my F2F book club is reading a memoir this month, Educated, by Tara Westover.  I've heard plenty of good things about this one and am looking forward to the experience.

Getting close to the holidays and busy, busy, busy.  Remember to make time to read and drop by Bookoholics.

[Lyn]

wow, sounds like some good books, thanks for the information

Lyn

[Mandy Muffin]

My top read for 2019 is "Woman in the Window" by AJ Finn.  Soon to be a major motion picture this a modern twist on the often used theme of agoraphobia, which literally means fear of going to the marketplace in Greek.  A Child Psychiatrist is suffering from the disease, after being involved in a serious auto accident. She has separated from husband and child and lives alone and doesn't leave her condo, fascinated by the people who live in her neighborhood as she observes and records them with a camera day after day. Things start to happen, as events unfold and some realities are revealed. Police are involved and the reader is left in suspense as he tries to separate fact from imagination.  A fantastic ending keeps you reading well into the night.  Warning: This one may give you nightmares.