We have some very similar experiences with the books here (I also struggled to get into Neverwhere and also put down Demon Copperhead because I just wasn’t ready for it right now) so I look forward to reading some of your recommendations! Gaiman and Kingsolver have written some of my favorite books (Fortunately, the Milk and American Gods for Gaiman, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle for Kingsolver) but as you say, sometimes it’s just not the time.
I’m currently reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King and I am loving it. I think King gets a bad rap as a creepy pop-horror writer but he is a master at creating characters. His non-fiction book “On Writing” is one I have visited over and over as well. He’s truly a master of the craft!
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry was another recent read that gave me a lot to think on. I’d highly recommend it, but I feel pretty confident you’ve already read it 😂 I was a little late to the party on that one but better late than never!
I'm going to check out the other books by Kingsolver and Gaiman that you mentioned. Thanks for sharing them! And I don't do horror at all but I read 11/22/63 and King is such a great writer. Made me sad that I really can't handle his other stuff!
Hi Lisa - I loved these reviews, mostly new to me, and your thoughtful reflections on each one. I was fascinated by 'underlining my favorite sentences and I do not typically write in novels.' I don't believe I've ever highlighted a thing in a novel. And your words make me wonder why. Thanks for that invitation.
Love that you shared your post! I hadn't seen that book by Cloud and I want to read it now! I'm curious why I rarely mark in novels at all too. We'll have to continue thinking about that.
The only book I finished this month that wasn’t for work was Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Absolutely stunning. A good balance of character and plot and breathtaking metaphors.
Thanks for making these available! I love reading about other people's reading.
Loved your line about underlining in Gilead not being something you normally do given that it's a novel. I LOVE underlining beautiful passages in novels and it's one of my favorite things about using a Kindle, it stores them for me and I can reference them again easily when the moment strikes. Keep on!
I read James for my neighborhood book club and did not anticipate as dark of a story as we got. Also did not expect that it would not line up with Huck Finn as that's the story it was supposed to retell. I think I would have been more satisfied if it delivered what it promised, but nonetheless it was a good read and I gave it 4 stars.
Intrigued by some of your other reads; I added Unreasonable Hospitality to my (ever-growing) TBR.
So glad that you enjoyed this book post! Reading about other people's reading is always so fun! I'm so intrigued that you usually underline in novels. We'll see if it's something I feel compelled to continue!
We have some very similar experiences with the books here (I also struggled to get into Neverwhere and also put down Demon Copperhead because I just wasn’t ready for it right now) so I look forward to reading some of your recommendations! Gaiman and Kingsolver have written some of my favorite books (Fortunately, the Milk and American Gods for Gaiman, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle for Kingsolver) but as you say, sometimes it’s just not the time.
I’m currently reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King and I am loving it. I think King gets a bad rap as a creepy pop-horror writer but he is a master at creating characters. His non-fiction book “On Writing” is one I have visited over and over as well. He’s truly a master of the craft!
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry was another recent read that gave me a lot to think on. I’d highly recommend it, but I feel pretty confident you’ve already read it 😂 I was a little late to the party on that one but better late than never!
I'm going to check out the other books by Kingsolver and Gaiman that you mentioned. Thanks for sharing them! And I don't do horror at all but I read 11/22/63 and King is such a great writer. Made me sad that I really can't handle his other stuff!
Hi Lisa - I loved these reviews, mostly new to me, and your thoughtful reflections on each one. I was fascinated by 'underlining my favorite sentences and I do not typically write in novels.' I don't believe I've ever highlighted a thing in a novel. And your words make me wonder why. Thanks for that invitation.
Here's my October Bookbag -
https://lindastoll.substack.com/p/porch-154-october-bookbag
Love that you shared your post! I hadn't seen that book by Cloud and I want to read it now! I'm curious why I rarely mark in novels at all too. We'll have to continue thinking about that.
The only book I finished this month that wasn’t for work was Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Absolutely stunning. A good balance of character and plot and breathtaking metaphors.
Demon Copperfield was brilliant but so depressing that I don’t necessarily recommend it.
Currently reading Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. I’m enjoying it.
I've heard Maybe you Should Talk to Someone is good. I'll have to look around for it!
Thanks for making these available! I love reading about other people's reading.
Loved your line about underlining in Gilead not being something you normally do given that it's a novel. I LOVE underlining beautiful passages in novels and it's one of my favorite things about using a Kindle, it stores them for me and I can reference them again easily when the moment strikes. Keep on!
I read James for my neighborhood book club and did not anticipate as dark of a story as we got. Also did not expect that it would not line up with Huck Finn as that's the story it was supposed to retell. I think I would have been more satisfied if it delivered what it promised, but nonetheless it was a good read and I gave it 4 stars.
Intrigued by some of your other reads; I added Unreasonable Hospitality to my (ever-growing) TBR.
Can't wait to read more!
P.S. I, along with my husband and kids, share tiny book reviews over at https://shoreystories.com
Thanks for sharing! It wouldn't open the page?
whoops sorry! I tend to forget my own link *eye roll* It's theshoreystories.com
So glad that you enjoyed this book post! Reading about other people's reading is always so fun! I'm so intrigued that you usually underline in novels. We'll see if it's something I feel compelled to continue!
oh please consider it! I keep a separate commonplace book for passages I pull solely from novels. There is some really stunning writing out there.