For anyone who may be confused, this seems to be the reissue of the original novel which was titled Smilla's Sense of Snow (not Miss Smilla's feeling for Snow). I LOVED this book, not a light or cheerful read but incredibly atmospheric and the heroine was rather a forerunner of Lisbeth Salander. I just read The Girl on the Train as a book club selection, really liked it more than I thought I would. It probably helped that I had a day off from work and spent most of the day just inhaling the book :). The plot was twisty enough that I am glad I had time to stay absorbed in reading on and on and on. While I'm here, one of the nonfiction books I recently enjoyed tremendously just won the Pulitzer! Barbarian Days is nominally about surfing but it is so beautifully written, and the arc of the author's life from childhood through young manhood to becoming a husband, father and noted New Yorker writer was quite fascinating.

Netla, I think by late March there should be enough of interest for a visit to Kew Gardens. I notice that there are guided tours held quite frequently which might be worth taking advantage of. Plenty to see at Hampton Court esp. the Tudor part which could be combined with the Kew visit. John's ancestors way back in time had worked 'in the gardens' at Kew and lived in the area that is now so eye-wateringly expensive that no gardeners could afford to live there! He also grew up in Thames Ditton, the nearest station to HC. Apparently the Tower now has queues stretching several times round the block so it could be rather a scrum. Have you ever taken a trip down the Thames to Greenwich and made a visit to the Royal Observatory and the old Royal Naval College? The last time I went many years ago the river was still lined with the various London Docks now all replaced with fancy apartments. It can get very nippy on the water but being from Iceland you will be well prepared. I know my US relations arrive in England wearing nothing warmer than light-weight poplin rain coats and wonder at the cold . . .and that's in the Summer

I just finished A Man Called Ove. For the first half, I just wasn't sure about it. Sometimes a day would go by and I wouldn't pick it up. A supreme curmudgeon who is bound to commit suicide surrounded by a cast of madcap neighbors?!! I might have set it aside if I'd had something else to read at that very moment. I'm glad I stuck with it. The writing is really good and I love stories of ordinary people where small gestures and actions can change them and others around them. I had a good little cry at the end. Next up: Song of Achilles.

I havent kept up with this thread so not sure if any of these have been mentioned in recent months. I have had a pretty eh reading year with mostly 3-star books and DNFs ... but things have turned around this month so i thought I'd share my 4-star reads and two potential 5-star books*! * I am fairly stingy with 5-star ratings. For me to rate a book 5 stars, it needs to not only be well written and engaging but it needs to change me in some way ... it may just stick with me for a long time or it may change my thinking, perspective or reading tastes. The God in the Woods - Liz Moore's recent release. This is very different than her other books but I liked it.. it is a slow, multilayered mystery set in a summer camp in the 70s. It is dark and slow paced ... I could have enjoyed a slightly faster pace but this kind of story needs to unfold slowly.. it isnt going to be a "page turner' pace. FWIW most of my reader friends liked this-- some more than me-- but also, a few DNF'd it as "boring and slow". 4 stars and definitely a good book for a book club imo. The Hunter - Tana French's sequel to The Searcher (which I recommend reading first) is also a slow-paced dark mystery set in the same irish town and with many of the same characters as The Searcher. I gave them both 4 stars but I much preferred The Hunter .. Tana French continues the development of the main characters -- as well as the interpersonal dynamics of the characters and of the small irish community. I highly recommend this to all who love Tana French but do note that is is much darker and more emotionally complex than the Dublin Murder Squad series! 4.25 stars and an excellent sequel to The Searcher! James by Percival Everett ... I have been eager to get to this and finally started it last night. I am not very far but already I am loving it. Perhaps premature but it feels like a 5-star contender! It is clever and beautifully written and I can't wait to get back to it later today! I would think this would be an excellent book club option. The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan - is a series of journal entries and sketches that chronicle Amy Tan's escape, self healing and evolution with her life changing experience with bird watching and nature journaling. I will be reading this slowly but I have paged through the sketches and am so very enamored with it. I have purchased special editions for 3 family members and my bff. I expect this to be a book I cherish!