Kin, by Tayari Jones. Two girls, friends since birth, both without mothers. They grow up in the South during the Jim Crow days., and their connection never ends. Really good.

Just finished There Is No Place For Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstone 5*. Definitely book group worthy, it's the March selection for one of mine. Non-fiction but reads much like a novel, the characters got into my brain and I found myself thinking about them when I wasn't reading which makes sense because this is real life.

Will start reading today, 1929: Inside The Greatest Crash In Wall Street History by Andrew Ross Sorkin which I've only heard/read good things about. Looking forward to it.

Thought I commented last month but maybe not? There Are Rivers In The Sky by Elif Shafak - 10* - is one of the best books I've read in a long time, maybe in my top 10 ever. Her writing is lyrical, rich characters, finely detailed locations. Excellent book group options for discussion.

I finished and absolutely loved Time of the Child, by Niall Williams (mentioned by stacey-mb in Feb thread). It was just so beautifully crafted. I gave it 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone. It was sad, happy, uplifting, and "with substance".

I have wanted to read but also hesitated to read, Hostage by Eli Sharabi. It was actually a very good and meaningful read. For me, it had strong shades of Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. He was such a source of strength to several other hostages and even after release, finding his family was gone, he maintains that there is always a choice we have. It feels silly to "rate" this book, but I can say it' is an important book.

Finished The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett. 4 star, good for book group. It was a cross between Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles and The Guncle by Steven Rowley. Unexpected children enter the life of an older man who then take a cross-country trip along with his daughter and a cat who seems to know when people are going to die. Light and humorous while at the same time dark in that there's death around every corner -- blame the cat? I enjoyed it.

Next up, An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin for book group. I need to get started on it as it's longer than our usual book group book.

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon & Harlan Coben

I give it a 1 star. It seemed to meander all over the place. So much unnecessary explanations... I just could not get invested. In fact, I downloaded it a second time, because I wasn't sure I finished it. I had. It was just unmemorable.

I'm about 80% through Welcome to the World, Baby Girl, by Fannie Flagg

I will say, it's not a "barn burner" but it is an enjoyable read. I find many of the references to the news media very appropriate, even though this was published in 1998.

The Keeper of Lost Children, by Sadeqa Johnson. It's about a woman who arranged for US adoptions of mixed-race German/American children after WWII. The plot was a little predictable, but there was a lot of heart wriitten in.

Because of the recently released movie I was motivated to start rereading Wuthering Heights. I had readit several times in the past but the details that are out on the movie made me want a refresh. I had a rather heated argument with my 12th grade English teacher about it. We were writing book reports on a book of our choice and she was heavily pushing Jane Eyre to all the girls and I made an argument for WH being the more interesting and demanding book to read if you were going with a Bronte. I hadn't at that point ever run into the bizarre book by Charlotte called Villette. You can get them online for free these days.

This may be my push for another read of WH— I was never a big fan in the past.

" Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon & Harlan Coben

I give it a 1 star"

For about 20 years, Coben was a reasonably successful author in the popular fiction series genre (as distinguished from literary fiction). Whether he got bored of it and/or decided to go off in other directions, I don't know. His later works and some of the stories he's been involved with for TV and Netflix have seemed so-so to me.

Many creative types do their best work during the early and middle parts of their careers and then seem to lose their mojo. Maybe that's his story.

The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine

This is the book Timothy Snyder used for his Yale class on Ukraine the fall after Russia invaded the country. I read a lot of history, mostly on late Roman/post Roman Britain and the migration period in Europe also late and post Roman, but this area of Europe has always remained pretty unknown to me. I'm finding it fascinating.

BTW--if you're interested, the entire class is (or was) on youtube--18-20 sessions. It's fascinating.

I like WH better than Jane Eyre, but my favorite Bronte of all is Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

Well, years ago I read WH and Ithought it was awful. I have always wondered about that because it is reference so often ( even before the current movie). I remember reading Jane Eyre in high school and I did like that. I may have to give it another try just to see but my recollection was that WH was torture for me to read. ((go figure)).

Anyway, I just finished Broken Country which I'm sure was mentioned in previous months' threads here. It was a very good read, good story, and had me eager to see what would happen. Parts were so touching and parts were just - to me- not believable. I mostly loved it but there wee too many disconects for me. I give it 4 stars, with caveats.

Just finished Taste: My life Through Food, Stanley Tucci. I really loved it. I always imagine the characters in books as I read, hear their voices and see their faces. Wasn't too hard to do this time, since I am a huge fan of Mr. Tucci. It felt so much like an intimate conversation, and it spawned more conversations outside of the book when making the meals for which he offers up recipes. It also inspired me to look for his videos online. He often references his mother in the book, and I found one of him cooking with her, so that was a pretty major delight ;) I don't know why, but I assumed both of his parents were gone (they're both alive), so I was pretty happy to see her.

an example of him cooking with his mom

Finally finished The London House by Katherine Reay. A delve into what an imagined spy could've been like in WWII, such as the assumptions made by her family. The parallel story is about the granddaughter leading the family's way through the minefield and headed towards coming out knowing who she is by knowing her past. I liked it loads. Much fodder for book club.

“A Game of Lies” by Clare Mackintosh I’d give it a 5 just for reading fun. It’s a murder mystery, the 2nd book in a new series of 3 books with Welsh detectives DC Ffion Morgan & DS Leo Brady with Ffion as the primary character. This murder takes place within a reality show called ”Exposure” with 7 contestants & set in the Welsh mountains. The characters are likeable & the plot has great twists. I didn’t solve the murder before it was revealed. Each of the 3 books are easily read as a stand alone but it’s nice to have the full picture of Ffion’s character so I’ve read all 3 but not in order. First book is ”Last Party”; third book which is recent & that I read first is “Other People’s Houses”.

Finished Seascraper by Benjamin Wood. Brilliant.

Also finished Time of the Child by Niall Williams. Liked many aspects of it, but found it a little overwritten, overwrought, where the author was feeling all the feels for the characters. But still liked it a lot, especially the characters, the scene, the town. The writing was very good in places.

Started The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai. Quit after 100 pages or so, because there was nothing that held my interest -- not the writing, not the characters, though I am hesitant to give negative feedback on a book that I didn't bother to finish. Would be interested to see what others who read it think.

Went back to re-read The Stranger by Camus (Matthew Ward's translation). One of the books I revisit from time to time. There is always more to glean every time I read it.

Just finished Hail Mary by Andy Weir, then re-read his The Martian.

Just finshed this. 4.5 stars from me.

I agree about Seascraper and Sonia.

I've started Shakespeare by Bill Bryson who is one of my favorite authors. He can be hilarious!

I finished An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin for book group. It was really good. 4 star. Will lead to good discussion. I had no idea who her husband was...Dick Goodwin was author of the term "The Great Society" for LBJ and was an integral part of speech writing for JFK as well. He also worked with RFK and Eugene McCarthy. Lots of interesting insight into the unfolding of critical legislation like the Voting Rights Act and other civil rights legislation as well as the creation of many of the social safety net programs. Also some insight into the thinking around the Vietnam War. So much happened in the 60s and 70s and this gives a real insider view as to how a lot of it happened. If that period of history interests you, you'll enjoy this one.

Next up ... recommended here??? ... This is Happiness by Niall Williams.

I just finished Good People by Patmeena Sabit. It was certainly thought provoking and makes you look at a tragic situation from different angles. Its the story of an Afghan family who came to the US to escape oppression and for a better life. The father is a huge financial success while trying to maintain old values. A rebellious daughter brings the family to its knees. The story is gripping at times but I felt like the author belabored many points, making the story move slowly.

The ending was unsatisfying. This was my book club book and Im sure we’ll have a good conversation.

I am reading Nonesuch, by Francis Spufford. It is a historical/fantasy/magical realism/weird novel. I admire the work that went into its concept, but my jury is out on it. I am going to finish it. The NYT liked it.as did the Goodreads readers, but everyone thought the ending was abrupt. We shall see.

Magical realism escapes me, as in, I just don’t get it. I’m by no means a lazy reader and can stick with difficult books, authors, and concepts. But magical realism just doesn’t make sense to me.

Another one here who just doesn't like magical realism. I'm fine with really good fantasy, but that's not magical realism. MR always strikes me as just "well, let's just do something crazy here to gin up the story."

Not a fan of either fantasy or magical realism, but one novel I liked very much was The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It had so much going for it, inspite of the genre. Highly recommend.

Yes, The Shadow of the Wind was marvelous, to where I didn't even realize or care what genre it was! I wrote this down from the book because it sums up the wondrous power of the creative act we call writing: "This is a place of mystery, Daniel, a sanctuary. Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens."

Nonesuch was just whatI thought. It must be a failing on my part, because the reviews were very favorable. On to The Land in Winter, by Andrew Miller, a Booker shortlist. Wish me luck.

My book club is reading 1929 by Sorkin. My recommendation--we meet on Friday--going to be very interesting to see the reactions to it.

Finished So Far Gone by Jess Walter. It was just ok. The author draws too blunt and stark lines delineating the "Right" and the "Left." Makes literary hay of political ongoings in too obvious and lazy a way to be truly literary. The political beliefs almost become plot points (think violent encounters between fundamentalist nationalist militia and a liberal environmental journalist disillusioned with the world going off grid, and their sidekicks joining the fray). Don't remember where I got the recommendation.

I started Little Bosses Everywhere which was actually pretty good, but seemed quite similar to another book I read recently, Ponzinomics. I really learned a lot ( and forgot!) from Ponzinomics, so I decided to maybe return to LBE at another time. I think either one would be a very good read, mostly about multi-level marketing and direct selling .

I then read The Saad Truth About Happiness by Gad Saad. I did finish this and it was a worthwhile read, but I was a bit disappointed in it. I've watched many of his clips and find him really sharp, and while the book was good, it wasn't on the level I had expected of hiim.

I am now reading Spare ( the memoir of Harry ) which I had wanted to read for a while and kept forgetting about. I may be in a mood or maybe non fiction is not suiting me lately but it's just ok and is not at all engrosising. ( at least so far, at up to 30% after several days).

I just finished Michael Without Apology by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

A college freshman struggling with self-acceptance finally stops looking away from his traumatic past in this powerful novel that explores themes of self-acceptance, trauma, and personal growth through the journey of a film student named Michael Woodbine.

I think this would be an excellent book for a book club, the issues presented are timeless and could spark many interesting discussions.

I've enjoyed a number of Ms. Ryan's books, but this one is the best so far. "Powerful" is probably an understatement. I give it a 5.

Rusty

I stuck with Spare and there were parts that were more engrossing but basically,it was a disappointment. I had read The Tender Bar which was the author, J R Moehringer's memoir and thought it was wonderful. The man can write, but this was not a smooth read by any means.

I ended up feeling a bit more sorry for Harry, but for me, he and Megan were not super likeable. I was surprised because I expected it to garner for feelings for them.

I would give the book 2.75 stars.

I just started Rainwater, and it seems quite good.

@salonva . I also read Spare, and barely made it through. Boring! I would though, like to recommend Me by Elton John. I think it is extremely interesting and well written, and at times laugh out loud funny.

The Weekend, by Charlotte Wood. Three women spend a weekend at a deceased friend's house, going through her possesions. Everybody has secrets. Already been there in other novels. A meh.

Dear Debbie, by Freida McFadden What a surprise of a story. I thought it was a fluff read but turns out to be a bit of a thriller. The author is a physician specializing in brain injuries - still practicing today. I have ordered the first book of her best seller series “The Housemaid” which is the first of 3 housemaid books.

Link to April 2026 Edition