Started and finished Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine today. 5 star edge of seat stuff. Probably not for book group as it's a thriller, but I didn't see the ending coming. And on top of that she left it with a cliff hanger but I see Killman Creek is #2 in the series, so I guess I'll be reading that soon too. Wow!

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, it’s Irish, darkly funny, deals with a complicated family from the perspective of each. I’m going to recommend it to my bookclub because it has beautiful writing with lots of worthy sentences and also covers big life issues.

Quibble - a lack of punctuation that I found more irritating than notable. Just why?

I enjoyed Ruth Hogan's The Keeper of Lost Things, and have now finished The Phoenix Ballroom. These are homely stories, but never dull. The author 'knows people'. 3.5 Stars. (Ignore the ridiculous flowery cover art.)

I'm into Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah, set at the start of the 21st Century. Old customs only partly give way in the lives of the characters just coming of age in Tanzania. The author slowly reveals conflicted lives of young people trailed by old customs and grudges in small societies. I'll rate when I finish this; so far 4.5 Stars.

I liked Theft very, very much. I had never read anything by Gurnah before.

I am very excited that my copy of Amity, by Nathan Harris is waiting for me at the library. I enjoyed The Sweetness of Water, and this book looks like a variation on it. Of course, no sooner did I get home from my shelving volunteer gig at said library, did I get the email telling me of my good fortune!

Thanks to the KT friend who recommended this amazing 5 Star life lesson in 69 pages: The English Understand Wool, by Helen DeWitt. Let it sneak up on YOU!

I'd never heard of this publisher, "Storybook ND: The Pleasure of reading a great book from cover to cover in one afternoon."

@chisue Thanks for mentioning the English book. Turns out I’ve had it as a Want to Read on Goodreads since Nov 2022. I just checked, again, and although my library still doesn't have it I can get it from another local library. Yay!

• Just finished Buckeye and loved it.

I read How to Read a Book, by Monica Wood. and while I did enjoy it, I did not love it the way so many of you have. She is a good writer and I thought the characters had good depth ( well most of them ) I found the plot a bit too much. Without giving it away I could go along with almost all of it, but I felt the Professor was the tipping point where it just seemed too forced for me.

Still I would give it 4 stars and I do think it would make for good discussion .

I will start Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books.

I just checked and The English Undersand Wool is available on kindle from my library , so thanks for that recommendation. When I first looked it up, I saw that it was 690 pages, so I thought maybe not. I just looked again and apparently it is 69 pages so sounds like a plan!!

Just finished The Wedding People by Alison Espach and loved it. Total delight. 4+ stars. I'm sure book club readers would enjoy it too, but not sure how much meat it would provide for discussion.

Next up, What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown.

I keep cribbing titles from y'all. (The drawl is due to the novel below.) Thanks to salonva and socks for this one.

It's Shana Abe's An American Beauty. Advertised as "A novel of the gilded age". It's focused on RR baron Colin Huntington's mistress -- and eventual wife -- Arabella. I'm saying only 3+ Stars because it could be condensed without losing anything.

Annie, I finished Stillhouse Lake last night! Starting #2 tonight!

Not to be confused with American Beauty by Edna Ferber which I read and enjoyed... historical saga about a family and their property from 1700s until 1930 which is when it was written. Good stuff. I've enjoyed a number of her novels. She's one of those who has fallen off the plate though at the time she was quite famous: Cimarron, Giant, and Show Boat to name a few of her books that were made into movies, the 2nd one of James Dean's 3 movies and the last a famous musical.

Apparently @Annie Deighnaugh and I were reading The Wedding People simultaneously. It is the first book by Alison Espack that I’ve read. Now I’m looking for others.

I liked, but did not love Amity, by Nathan Harris. Actually, I put it down for a few days and restarted. It is about a brother and sister, former slaves, who are separated and have a perilous journey to reconnect, after being taken to the wilds of Mexico. I loved Harris's earlier book, The Sweetness of Water. Next up is Flashlight, by Susan Choi. I've been on a streak of new releases lately!

I'm having great fun with Jonathan Coe's The Proof of My Innocence. Coe writes 'state of England' novels, done with wry humor. If you're an Anglophile, his books are for you.

I think it was I who recommended The English Understand Wool. I found it from a FB feed of author and bookstore owner Ann Patchett who weekly recommends or discusses books to read.

https://www.tiktok.com/@parnassusbooksnashville/video/7528448487852133663

Now read DeWitt's The Last Samurai. It's a brilliant piece of writing.

Read What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown. I'm debating about the rating...maybe 4 star provided you can deal with plot twists that are coincidental and contrived to make the story hang together. But it was a compelling read. At first I thought it was going to be obvious, but then it wasn't so. I liked the character enough that I wanted to see her through to the end, but I was also frustrated with so many of the choices she made. But that's what made the story line. So there's that. I would recommend for book group if I liked it more as it could lead to interesting discussions around technology and where it's leading us. But it wouldn't be a top choice for me.

Annie, our book club read The Wedding People a couple of months ago. It sparked lively discussion.

I am reading Flashlight, by Susan Choi. It's a story about a set of parents and a daughter, and the narration goes back and forth. I was doing okay, but there was just two unbelievably improbable story lines for the father and daughter that has put me off. I will finish the book, but I am wary of the second half.

A friend gave me a book by Shirley Rousseau and Pat J.J. Murphy called, “THE CAT, THE DEVIL AND LEE FONTANA.”

I thought this would be a teen book, but am surprised to find it is not. I’m having fun with it because the cat is a spirit animal and can move between time and dimension. The cat is protecting two people in the book from the dark influence of the devil. This is nothing like I’ve ever read, but her writing is very descriptive and flows well.
Next up will be “BLACK CAKE” by Charmaine Wilkerson.

debra

I'm disappointed in Steve Cavanagh's Fifty/Fifty. DH and I have enjoyed his earler legal mysteries, but the evil here is nauseating. Two mid-thirties sisters are on trial for the grisly knifing death of their father, a retired mayor. The women accuse one another. The judge allows the prosecutor a dual trial. Each sister's attorney believes their client is innocent. The legal machinations would be enough for me without the ongoing gore.

Just finished one fun book - Blood, Bones, Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton who started the restaurant Prune and have been slowly wending my way through Emily Wilson’s version of The Odyssey. friendly modern translation.

This novel, The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler, translated from German, was so absorbing, that I read it in one day. In 1966, Robert Simon opens a very modest cafe in Vienna that attracts some eccentric customers. The book traces the activities and interactions of the "found family" of Robert and the customers, while events go on and time passes outside the cafe. A lovely book.

I read Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books. I am not sure if it was here or other word of mouth, but it came very highly praised. Goodreads has it at over 4 which is a really strong recommendation. I did enjoy it, and thought it was interesting and humorous, for me it fell flat. There were so many characters and so much brewing, which of course, tied up neatly with lots of smirking.

There were good points raised but I think it went a bit wild with it.

I gave it 3 stars. I think it would be good for book club discussion and I would probably be in the minority not loving it.

@salonva I couldn't even get through"Lula Dean's..." Maybe if I hadn't given up on it, I would have understood what the author was trying to convey. Unfortunately the over the top stereotypes on both sides of the political divide were driving me nuts so I gave up on it.

I haven't posted here in a while but one of my favorite books so far this year has been The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Heartbreaking at times, with bits of humor interspersed throughout, this epistolary novel has the main character, Sybil, reflecting on her life while corresponding with family, friends and strangers. I listened to the audiobook, which was really enjoyable due to its ensemble of narrators. It was a rare 5 star read for me.

I loved The Correspondent. I am reading Lonely Crowds, by Stephanie Wambugu .It's just okay.

I'm about to read The Correspondent for my book club, so glad to hear you all liked it!

Finished Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters. 3 stars, not for book group. I'd not read it before but it was mentioned in How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. I thought the premise was fascinating, the tie-ins between some of the epitaphs was fun. Some of it was delightful and it certainly touched on a wide variety of topics. But I thought it was too long and the Epilog was just weird.

Next up is Killman Creek by Rachel Caine (Stillwater Lake #2). I hope it's as good as the first, and I see there's a 3rd already published.

I saw a musical production of Spoon River a number of years ago--off-Broadway. We walked into the theater through a hallway, passing the actors who were lying in coffins. Weird? Yes. But they sang the epitaphs, and it was actually well done.

Just received Mick Heron's Real Tigers in the mail, this is my last one as I've read them all out of order, after watching the TV series. His writing makes me laugh out loud and care for the characters - and I get some good lines to try out on my husband ;))

I have an advance copy (from my friend's librarian daughter) of The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto , The true story of five courageous young women who sparked an uprising. Trying to get into a focused place to read and eschew the TV, thanks to you real readers for inspiring me to get back to it.

edited to correct my spelling

Annie - I imagine there's been a spike in sales of Spoon River Anthology at used bookstores around the country this year because of its mention in How to Read a Book. I'm an owner now myself for that very reason. I thought your description of it was spot on.

I've long enjoyed Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti Venice mysteries for the deft handling of various characters morals. Now I'm reading the author's Backstage, where she talks about writing. (A reminder to novelists is, "Don't tell the reader. Show him.") I like this more than I'd expected. 3+ Stars.

Glad I'm not alone with Lula Dean.

I started The Spoon Stealer. I cannot find where it was mentioned here. I added it to my to be read list/goodreads in March. Whoever mentioned it, thank you.

I am really just at the beginnig but it is such a delight.

I finished Killman Creek by Rachel Caine and yes it was very exciting. I worried that the #2 won't be as good as the first in the series, but this one went right along. Of course you must suspend belief in perfect logic and allow for coincidences to make these things work. But if it's a thriller you want, it was good. Not for book group. According to Goodreads, there are now 7 in the series. But I don't feel compelled to read further than I already have.

Next up None of This is True by Lisa Jewell.

I have not read (or listened to) many of the classics. Chirp had Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell for $2.99 a few days ago, so I bought it. I'm 77% of the way through.

I just have no words.

Wow. I read that a few years ago, Tobacco Road, and was also blown away by it.

I am finishing up The Spoon Stealer and absolutely engrossed in it. It is such a good book, and the author , Lesley Crewe,has written several books. I still don't know where I heard of the book but it's a special one. It is beautifully written, very engrossing, and just a wonderful story. There are quite a few twists, so I 'm not sure where it's going to end up, but it's been a while since I stumbled on a book I've enjoyed as much.

Just finished Citka"s Journey by Heather Morris. It's about a young girl that was sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp and after the war sent to prison in Russia. When I first started reading it, I had to set it down for a few days. The beginning was tough, but I picked it back up and glad I did. I would give it a 4 star and believe it would spark some good conversation in a book club.

I’m a fan of Anne Tyler. i’m currently reading Three Days in June.

Sorry, bold function not cooperating.

I just finished reading The Names by Florence Knapp.

5 stars.

I actually think I am going to reread it immediately. I’m still savoring it.

Finished None of This is True by Lisa Jewell. I'll give it 4 stars, but man it creeped me out. I'll have to make sure I don't read thrillers back to back as it's not good for my headspace. Not for book group.

Next up, The Mysterious Baker on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods. I suspect this will be something different for sure.

Widow of the South, by Robert Hicks. Mostly factual report of life around the Battle of Franklin, during the civil war. He's drawn a lot of the material from letters and journals. I'm from the area. I'd like to see (read) a book written about John Overton and his wife, and the relationship they had with Andrew Jackson's family. They were supposed to be friends for a very long time, but a rift came. The Travelers Rest, John Overton's home, was site of the battle of Nashville. The Battle of Franklin took place close to the McGavocks' home. What the book is about Carnton plantation, which was used as a hospital during the war. It was owned by John McGavock and Carrie Winder McGavock.

Do I think it's book club worthy? It's worth a discussion. I think people romanticize some of the things about American history, this is a little more realistic. The main character falls in love with somebody who is in another world and she would have never met had it not been for the war. That part is completely fantastical. And isn't. I'm sure many people crossed other people's paths during such a strange and difficult time. There's much to think about. War makes strange bed fellows.

rob333 - My book club read and discussed Widow of the South some years ago. My recollection is that it was a popular selection and led to a good discussion. My reading journal tells me we read it in 2007 (Oh my, that long ago?) and my comments include "I loved this book!" and "It was interesting and compelling." It's pretty rare for me to say I loved a book, so yes indeed, I consider it quite book-club worthy.

The Names was wonderful!

I'm reading 'The Idaho Four" by James Patterson. I followed this case from all the Dateline and 20/20 stories, as well as the fact that the killer was from Pennsylvania. The four friends were just the sweetest kids, the kind who would have made a difference. Kohlberger is one of the worst human beings and deserves every day of the rest of his pathetic life to be caged like the dangerous animal he is.

I read "None of This Is True" and liked it.

I tried to like The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong but it was a true slog. There were themes that made me like the main character but he seemed to be lost in a drug haze at times. 3 stars. I am not sure that a book club would find it any more interesting than I did.

Agree, Betsy. I loved On Earth We Were Briefly Gorgeous and expected a similar time. . But you are a better person. It was a DNF for me.

kathy, does it bother you at all that a main character arc is totally a lie? I realize a lot of the things are fantastical. I felt like he was telling a true story about a specific character and it was totally wrong. Mariah. Everything about her is a lie. Far truer to the times, what happened to her. You can mostly tell when a character was fantasical. But her story? I didn't think it was.

Link to October 2025 Edition