Read the Room

[Lola]

I don’t know how many books I read last year but this year my goal is to read more physical books as well as kindle ones, mainly so I can declutter a shelf and to spend less time looking at a screen.

So far I’ve read The Ghost Cat (book) which was quite sweet and appropriate for the time of year, but it felt more like a young adult book.

I’m now reading In Memoriam on kindle which is really good. It’s reminding me of A God in Ruins.

[Ismee]

I absolutely loved In Memoriam, Lola. Harrowing at times but beautiful.

I am nearly finished Intermezzo, I am enjoying it. I have an Ann Pratchett one to read next, I've forgotten the name but I bought it because I loved Tom Lake so much.

[Disco]

Chris Van Tulken - Ultra processed people - why do we eat stuff that isn't food

Pray tell what oil should we be using for cooking and which oils should we never touch? :spin:

I am now reading The Last List of Mabel Beaumont.

[Turtle Bean]

I quite enjoyed that, Disco. It wasn't spectacular but I read it on holiday and it suited.

[Disco]

That is the sort of read I need in the gloom of January. Well I say that but the start has made me cry so perhaps not quite the light easy read to fight the gloom. I'm enjoying short chapters!

[dizzyd]

Chris Van Tulken - Ultra processed people - why do we eat stuff that isn't food

Pray tell what oil should we be using for cooking and which oils should we never touch? :spin:

I am now reading The Last List of Mabel Beaumont.

Goodness knows I'm about a quarter way through it

I've heard a lot of talk about seed oils but don't have a clue what they actually are

[Ismee]

I quite enjoyed that, Disco. It wasn't spectacular but I read it on holiday and it suited.

I would agree with this review - I gave it three stars on my good reads.

[Kenickie]

I've finished my first book of the year, Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny, and really recommended it. Laugh out loud funny in lots of places and also quite bittersweet and moving. It's on kindle unlimited if anyone has that.

[Flora Poste]

I really like Katharine Heiney - I read Early Morning Riser a while back and really enjoyed it.

[lazzbo]

I've got that on my to read pile, Ken, so I shall copy you! Just need to finish Spook Street first.

[Turtle Bean]

I started Olive Kitteredge. I like it.

[Estrella]

Finished Eleanor Oliphant. Utterly loved it. I’ve moved on to Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson now.

[Cerise]

Finished Eleanor Oliphant. Utterly loved it. I’ve moved on to Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson now.

EO was such a lovely book!

I’m still reading All Fours. I can’t wait for it to finish. :lol:

[Loralei]

I finished The Pact by Sharon Bolton on new years day so am on the hunt for something new. There is the latest Aussie-noir from Chris Hammer but its a tenner and that feels a lot of a Kindle book.

Broken River? I am half heartedly listening to this on Audible but don't think it's one of his best and would wait for the price to drop.

[Red]

I finished The Pact by Sharon Bolton on new years day so am on the hunt for something new. There is the latest Aussie-noir from Chris Hammer but its a tenner and that feels a lot of a Kindle book.

Broken River? I am half heartedly listening to this on Audible but don't think it's one of his best and would wait for the price to drop.

Yes that's the one. I read the synopsis and it sounded very similar to another in the Nell Buchanan series so I need to check which ones I've read.

[Bat Macdui]

I have added Katharine Heiney to my To Read list. Thanks.

My first book of the year was Brighton Rock, because I have never read any Graham Greene. I could have chosen something less dark for sitting in yesterday. :)) It was beautifully written but I felt a bit weighted by human misery afterwards. So I've gone for an Adrian Tchaikovsky sci-fi next.

Pip, from the other thread, I very much approve of your sister warning buyers about A Little Life. I'm not sure I would have listened but it should come with a sticker 'advisory: bloody miserable'.

I have set my target on Good Reads to 45. I usually get to that by summer, but I am always cautious in case I have one of those phases of being uninspired.

[Red]

Pip, from the other thread, I very much approve of your sister warning buyers about A Little Life. I'm not sure I would have listened but it should come with a sticker 'advisory: bloody miserable'.

What is your take on Jude as a character, Bats? Before I read the book I saw lots of social reviews of people weeping about how much they still think about him long after they finished the book.
I had a different view!

[Bat Macdui]

What is your take on Jude as a character, Bats? Before I read the book I saw lots of social reviews of people weeping about how much they still think about him long after they finished the book.
I had a different view!

As far as I got (about halfway through), I found him both appealing and frustrating - frustrating because he should have done what he was told AAAGES ago. :)) But one of the reasons I gave up was I found him (and everyone, really) quite improbable. Such gilded and lucky lives in terms of success and privilege versus all this wallowing in misery. And all the women were two dimensional caricatures with walk on parts, which also grated.

[Red]

What is your take on Jude as a character, Bats? Before I read the book I saw lots of social reviews of people weeping about how much they still think about him long after they finished the book.
I had a different view!

As far as I got (about halfway through), I found him both appealing and frustrating - frustrating because he should have done what he was told AAAGES ago. :)) But one of the reasons I gave up was I found him (and everyone, really) quite improbable. Such gilded and lucky lives in terms of success and privilege versus all this wallowing in misery. And all the women were two dimensional caricatures with walk on parts, which also grated.

Ah, I didn't realise you gave up. You probably know this, but the reveal of what happened to Jude was hellish to have to read through and totally gratuitous, and and an exercise in how much the author could put the reader through.
And yes, the characters were ridiculously privileged, talented and insufferable. How Jude, who had very little to offer as a person to any of his friends, had them running around after him, often to their own detriment, when he refused to help himself in any way was ridiculous and unbelievable.

[Kenickie]

I really like Katharine Heiney - I read Early Morning Riser a while back and really enjoyed it.

I definitely want to read more of hers.

I hadn't realised that Cerise's porn book was Miranda July, so I might read it too as I really liked one she did years ago.