Hello friends, happy Sunday! We’re getting a snowstorm today here in Maine, so consider this thread as us sitting down together over coffee and chatting about our reading lives. What are you reading right now?
I slogged through Onyx Storm last week and felt very free when I finished the last chapter a few days ago. I read it at the same time as two of my best friends, and honestly, the best part was our ongoing snarky text thread 😂
Then I dove into a cute rom-com on my Kindle, Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair, which was very cozy and fun (interior design! cute cabins! the Blue Ridge mountains!). Now I’m reading Blob after hearing
Just started The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and it got off to a confusing start but it’s starting to suck me in now. Also listening to the audiobook of Project Hail Mary finally (another Olivia Muenter rec!) and I am HOOKED.
I'm listening to One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid -- Julia Whelan is my favorite audiobook narrator. After that, I've got the next Ironside Academy series (narrated by my friend, Jennifer Sterling) on deck on Audible. I've also got a hard copy of The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave going, and a digital copy of My December Darling by Lauren Asher going.
I loved Hannah Tate - yay! And I just picked Blob up from the library last week - excited to give it a try soonish :-) I'm currently reading (and inhaling) DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor ~ it is checking off my "genre-blending" task on the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge, and I'm shocked by how absolutely hooked I am on it! I was thinking it would be a tough read for me but I'm flying through it. I'm also still slogging through EMMA, one chapter a day. And just finishing up the delightful romance THE LOVE LYRIC by Kristina Forest on audio ~ it's the 3rd in a series about sisters and I have loved all of them. Happy snowy Sunday!
I honestly hadn’t heard anything about Hannah Tate when I randomly saw it at the bookstore last weekend. Then I looked it up on Goodreads and saw that you and Kuleigh had given it five stars was sold 😂 I just loved the setting and Hannah’s character so much!
Just finished Last Flight of the StarLeap (Simon Panneton), working through Martha Wells, but most excited about A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage (Asia Mackay), which just came out, I believe.
The very next thing on my to-do list is to write a review for Starleap, which I think I might repost to my Substack. Should I make a place for book reviews? I like to write them. I dunno.
I finished Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young yesterday and am starting Reel by Kennedy Ryan as we speak! Next up will be Isola for the February Bad on Paper book club pick.
Dean just read it after reading David Copperfield and he has been raving non stop! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, too. I’m going to have to steal his copy from his shelves 😂
I’m such a Barbara Kingsolver fan. Did you see she used the proceeds from this book to build a recovery center for women struggling with addiction? She’s incredible in so many ways
I’m finishing Migrations today, ahead of the upcoming book from Charlotte McConaghy. It’s intense and raw, but so good! I’m planning to read Amanda Peter’s newly released collection of short stories next. Happy snowy Sunday!
I'm still getting caught up on all of the incredible new releases from last year. Currently reading Real Americans by Rachel Khong and it is just as good as everyone said. We're reading it for my new work book club and I'm excited for the discussion!
Ellie gave me Piglet and I'm enjoying that now - about 1/2 way through and it's very nuanced, which I like. Finished The Last Romantics which I found interesting.
I loved both of those! Piglet ended up surprising me so much in the best way possible when I read it early last year. You’ll have to let me know what you think when you finish 😊
I’m reading onyx storm too and I am enjoying it but it also almost feels like required reading and it is a bit sloggy. I find the writing to be less sophisticated than the first two books and it needs better editing. But I love Xaden and Tairn and Violet and everyone else so I’ll hang in there!
I just started This Motherless Land by Nikki May last night—it’s a reimagining of Mansfield Park set between Nigeria and England. I looked up and it was 1:30 in the morning! I just got sucked into the story.
Just finished “The Wild Birds” by Wendell Berry. Four or five stars. Also Sherman Alexie Memoir, “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” Put me down as a Sherman Alexie fan for life, please. Now reading “Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney. A really good book so far.
My husband is reading Onyx Storm and then I’m on deck after him and kinda dreading it 😆 I think I’m broken. 🤪🫣🤣
I’m reading several things at once so my reading life feels kinda slow but I’m planning to hunker down and enjoy some reading today with the snow! My recency read was Glaciers by Alexis Smith and I LOVED IT! Super slim and delightful little read.
The Empyrean trilogy is on my TBR but I was waiting for the last book to be released because I'm terrible at remembering things if too much time passes from a book from a series to the other. Speaking of, I'm currently reading "Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales" by Heather Fawcett. It's the third book of a trilogy and I'm struggling a bit since I've read the previous one like one year ago, but I'm loving the story so far. However the best part of it is that my preorder was supposed to arrive tomorrow, instead it anticipated to today so my Sunday took a happy turn!
I almost never read two books at once, but I’m reading Octavia Butler’s Lilith’s Brood trilogy and it’s a chunky paperback that feels like it’s only right for reading in bed. So I’m supplementing on my commute and everywhere else with Roxane Gay’s Hunger on my kindle! I think fiction/nonfiction helps with the multitasking for me
Currently reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and listening to The Paris Novel on audio. My TBR stack is very full at the moment (all the library holds came at once). I've got This is a Love Story, How to Sleep at Night and Frozen River all waiting for me.
Made a commitment to read the books I own. It's only February but so far so good. I'm currently reading Fangirl, The Kite Runner, Southern Man, and Heir of Fire. I'm a moody reader, so I'm always reading multiple books at a time. 🤪
I'm currently reading Good Material by Dolly Alderton and I'm really enjoying it! I'd heard very mixed reviews and had kind of meh feelings about the other book by her that I read, so I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I like Good Material so far.
Just started The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and it got off to a confusing start but it’s starting to suck me in now. Also listening to the audiobook of Project Hail Mary finally (another Olivia Muenter rec!) and I am HOOKED.
Loved both of these!
I get such a thrill every time I hear about someone reading PHM for the first time. Enjoy every second!!!
Ah, getting hooked is the BEST feeling 😊
I am reading 7 1/2 deaths, too! I was warned it is a little hard to orient in the beginning but now I am definitely in it.
Yes - hard to orient is exactly it! Now I’m happily along for the ride, haha.
I'm listening to One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid -- Julia Whelan is my favorite audiobook narrator. After that, I've got the next Ironside Academy series (narrated by my friend, Jennifer Sterling) on deck on Audible. I've also got a hard copy of The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave going, and a digital copy of My December Darling by Lauren Asher going.
What a good lineup! I, too, love Julia Whelan and you’re making me want to seek out an audiobook by her to queue up 🎧
Reading Stanley Tucci’s “What I Ate in One Year” - absolutely loving it. Would be so good on audiobook, too!
Oh my goodness, I can only imagine what a delight it would be on audio! 🍝
I loved Hannah Tate - yay! And I just picked Blob up from the library last week - excited to give it a try soonish :-) I'm currently reading (and inhaling) DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor ~ it is checking off my "genre-blending" task on the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge, and I'm shocked by how absolutely hooked I am on it! I was thinking it would be a tough read for me but I'm flying through it. I'm also still slogging through EMMA, one chapter a day. And just finishing up the delightful romance THE LOVE LYRIC by Kristina Forest on audio ~ it's the 3rd in a series about sisters and I have loved all of them. Happy snowy Sunday!
I honestly hadn’t heard anything about Hannah Tate when I randomly saw it at the bookstore last weekend. Then I looked it up on Goodreads and saw that you and Kuleigh had given it five stars was sold 😂 I just loved the setting and Hannah’s character so much!
Yes!! I interviewed the author of Hannah last year if you’re interested in reading: https://buttondown.com/mindfullibrarian/archive/what-writers-read-laura-piper-lee/
Just finished Last Flight of the StarLeap (Simon Panneton), working through Martha Wells, but most excited about A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage (Asia Mackay), which just came out, I believe.
The very next thing on my to-do list is to write a review for Starleap, which I think I might repost to my Substack. Should I make a place for book reviews? I like to write them. I dunno.
If you like writing them, I say go for it! 😊
I finished Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young yesterday and am starting Reel by Kennedy Ryan as we speak! Next up will be Isola for the February Bad on Paper book club pick.
Isola was amazing! I loved it. I can’t wait to hear others’ thoughts.
I’m looking forward to Isola, too!
I finally Demon Copperhead this weekend and I’m LOVING it!
This is next on my list! Can't wait to start!
Ahhh it is SO SO good. Such a tough read but my gosh, it just grips you from the very beginning. Enjoy!!
Dean just read it after reading David Copperfield and he has been raving non stop! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, too. I’m going to have to steal his copy from his shelves 😂
I’m such a Barbara Kingsolver fan. Did you see she used the proceeds from this book to build a recovery center for women struggling with addiction? She’s incredible in so many ways
Yes!!! Seeing that actually enticed me to finally pick it up after having it on my shelf for so long. What an incredible human.
I’m finishing Migrations today, ahead of the upcoming book from Charlotte McConaghy. It’s intense and raw, but so good! I’m planning to read Amanda Peter’s newly released collection of short stories next. Happy snowy Sunday!
I put a hold on Migrations this week! I loved Once There Were Wolves and I’m so excited for her new one too 😊
I also loved Once There Were Wolves! Migrations is very good, I hope you like it!
I am reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera.
I'm still getting caught up on all of the incredible new releases from last year. Currently reading Real Americans by Rachel Khong and it is just as good as everyone said. We're reading it for my new work book club and I'm excited for the discussion!
I read that one in December and loveeeeddd it so much! How fun that you get to chat about it with a book club!
Ellie gave me Piglet and I'm enjoying that now - about 1/2 way through and it's very nuanced, which I like. Finished The Last Romantics which I found interesting.
I loved both of those! Piglet ended up surprising me so much in the best way possible when I read it early last year. You’ll have to let me know what you think when you finish 😊
I also just finished Small Things Like These on audiobook and loved it. Very short but powerful.
Claire Keegan is wonderful!
I just DNF'd Fellowship Point.... could NOT get into it. Picked up The Knockout Queen and am loving it so far!
I ended up enjoying Fellowship Point but I had to give it a few gos before I was in the right mood 😂
I’m reading onyx storm too and I am enjoying it but it also almost feels like required reading and it is a bit sloggy. I find the writing to be less sophisticated than the first two books and it needs better editing. But I love Xaden and Tairn and Violet and everyone else so I’ll hang in there!
Yes to better editing! I think there was too much recap in the beginning.
I just started This Motherless Land by Nikki May last night—it’s a reimagining of Mansfield Park set between Nigeria and England. I looked up and it was 1:30 in the morning! I just got sucked into the story.
Oh that sounds so delightful!
I'm finishing up Saint X! It started SO strong for me (next-level prose and so much suspense!) but I am unsure how it's going to end.
Also I hope you enjoy Blob! It seems like it might be up your alley.
I’m excited for a weird love story!
Just finished Dawnland by Tess Callahan from Sept. 2024, and thoroughly enjoyed this story of family, love, children, parenting and resiliance!
Just finished “The Wild Birds” by Wendell Berry. Four or five stars. Also Sherman Alexie Memoir, “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” Put me down as a Sherman Alexie fan for life, please. Now reading “Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney. A really good book so far.
Currently reading The Nix by Nathan Hill. I’m 200 pages in and already feeling nostalgic and heartsick simultaneously…
I remember really enjoying that one! The feelings you describe feel spot on…
My husband is reading Onyx Storm and then I’m on deck after him and kinda dreading it 😆 I think I’m broken. 🤪🫣🤣
I’m reading several things at once so my reading life feels kinda slow but I’m planning to hunker down and enjoy some reading today with the snow! My recency read was Glaciers by Alexis Smith and I LOVED IT! Super slim and delightful little read.
Haha you are in for a ride 🐉 is he enjoying it?
Currently reading The Favorites!
Finished last night! I loved it!
The Empyrean trilogy is on my TBR but I was waiting for the last book to be released because I'm terrible at remembering things if too much time passes from a book from a series to the other. Speaking of, I'm currently reading "Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales" by Heather Fawcett. It's the third book of a trilogy and I'm struggling a bit since I've read the previous one like one year ago, but I'm loving the story so far. However the best part of it is that my preorder was supposed to arrive tomorrow, instead it anticipated to today so my Sunday took a happy turn!
Oh, that’s the best Sunday surprise!
Just finished The Favorites by Layne Faro last night. SO GOOD! Starting Almost Family by Ann Bancroft.
I flew through A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young the last couple of days!
I almost never read two books at once, but I’m reading Octavia Butler’s Lilith’s Brood trilogy and it’s a chunky paperback that feels like it’s only right for reading in bed. So I’m supplementing on my commute and everywhere else with Roxane Gay’s Hunger on my kindle! I think fiction/nonfiction helps with the multitasking for me
Currently reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and listening to The Paris Novel on audio. My TBR stack is very full at the moment (all the library holds came at once). I've got This is a Love Story, How to Sleep at Night and Frozen River all waiting for me.
I’m reading These Ghosts Are Family and Happiness Falls!
I’m trying to finish up Quicksilver. One of my goals this year is to read more fantasy!
i've got 100 page left of Greta and Valdin and just love the voice so much, its got a compulsive rhythm of emotion and snark.
I am listening to Dinner for Vampires and just started Blue Sisters on my Kindle.
Made a commitment to read the books I own. It's only February but so far so good. I'm currently reading Fangirl, The Kite Runner, Southern Man, and Heir of Fire. I'm a moody reader, so I'm always reading multiple books at a time. 🤪
I'm currently reading Good Material by Dolly Alderton and I'm really enjoying it! I'd heard very mixed reviews and had kind of meh feelings about the other book by her that I read, so I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I like Good Material so far.