The Mock Turtle

Whisper Network was really good.

I’ve done exactly the same as I did last time I listened to a Lianne Moriarty (got tired of the ‘suspense’* and googled for the end). I only know this because I looked up my posts on the 2020 book thread as it seemed familiar.

I have a non-fiction book from the library - The Radium Girls - as well as the second Richard Osman.

(*also tennis, migraines and general whining but that’s specific to this book)

The Radium Girls sounds fascinating, Wendy. They were minor slebs, IIRC. Let me know what you think of it.

I'm also getting on with some non fiction: Give Birth Like a Feminist and The Roar Behind the Silence. Possibly not hugely interesting to most

I wouldn't recommend The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club. It wasn't badly written but twee and hugely predictable.

I've just started my second book this year and considering I only read 5 last year that's a big achievement - Rachel's holiday

My copy of Rachel's Holiday arrived! I ordered it from WOB and also got A Fine Balance (because I can't find my copy and it had a note in it ) and Everything I Never Told You because there was 20% off if you order three. I think I got them all for less than £10 and they arrived fast too.

Loralei wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:08 am

I wouldn't recommend The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club. It wasn't badly written but twee and hugely predictable.

I am totally here for this sort of review.

I’m reading Rachel’s Holiday, like the turtle sheep I am. It’s years since I read any Marian Keyes and I’m enjoying it.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts on The Radium Girls too Wedndle.

I shall report back. I came across it as I want to read another of the author's books (about Elizabeth Packard) but the library don't have it listed.

She sounds brilliant. How fascinating! I'm going to look into her more.

Ella77 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:52 am Whisper Network was really good.

I really enjoyed that but still haven’t started The Husbands as I’m worried it might make me go off in a murderous rampage.

I’ve finished The Mountains Sing which follows a Vietnamese family over 100 years. It’s beautifully written but not the most uplifting book I could have kicked the year off with.

I’ve got Bella Mackie How to kill your family lined up next. I’m also debating whether the Seven Sisters series is my bag.

I gave up on the Seven Sisters series after about sister four. I was finding them very repetitive by that stage.

I'm down an Agatha Christie Miss Marple path and fear I may never get out. They are exactly what I need at the moment.

I just reread all the Marples. I was ill before Christmas and they were perfect.

Jupiter wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 6:23 pm I gave up on the Seven Sisters series after about sister four. I was finding them very repetitive by that stage.

They are a bit repetitive, but they are a nice, light read, and I am enjoying them. I’m up to sister six, I think, and I think I really need to see how they end now.

I read series like this now interspersed with other books/series, so I come back to them every so many books, makes them a bit less repetitive.

olive wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:14 pm

Ella77 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:52 am Whisper Network was really good.

I really enjoyed that but still haven’t started The Husbands as I’m worried it might make me go off in a murderous rampage.

I recognised that stuff but it didn’t bother me too much, although I’m well aware that I skip an easy 85% of male partner bullshit through not having children, so I may not be a good judge. It is very much on women’s side.

Kenickie wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 6:26 pm I just reread all the Marples. I was ill before Christmas and they were perfect.

It's a murder hug in a book

Hobbes wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 6:32 pm

Jupiter wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 6:23 pm I gave up on the Seven Sisters series after about sister four. I was finding them very repetitive by that stage.

They are a bit repetitive, but they are a nice, light read, and I am enjoying them. I’m up to sister six, I think, and I think I really need to see how they end now.

I didn't really find them too repetitive on the one hand because each book was set in a different country/culture and the author obviously did her research very well. I learnt something new from every book, which I liked. On the other hand, the themes and the ever-recurring life at Atlanta became a bit tiresome. I've read all 7 but there's still a final book to come about Pa Salt which will be published posthumously, as she died last year.

I'm still reading The Break by Marian Keyes and enjoying it tremendously.

Just finished The Impossible Truths of Love by Hannah Beckerman. It was pretty average. Onto Educated by Tara Westover now.

I've just finished Rachel's Holiday. Found it a nice easy read. Good to read in bed.

I'm now reading Luster by Raven Leilani. It took a few chapters to adapt to the change in writing and content after Rachel's Holiday, but I'm really enjoying it now.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of it, Marth! I found it quite an uncomfortable read - very confronting. I loved the writing style and dark humour.

I finished Rachel's Holiday too, and I enjoyed it.

Now reading Lemn Sissay's autobiography, I've been meaning to read it for a while as I've listened to a few of his Ted talks and read some articles by him.