My book group thanks all of you who recommended the Girl with 7 Names. Everyone liked it and it led to a lot of good discussion. So thanks!

I'm engrossed in Such a Fun Age and agreeing with this Goodreads assessment below. About 3/4 finished and it's definitely held my attention!

On the surface this excellent debut novel from Kiley Reid is a fun account of a young woman finding her feet and standing up for herself but it cleverly goes much deeper than that to highlight issues around racism, feminism and privilege.

I'm enjoying "Bertie, the Complete Prince of Wales Mysteries", a collection of 3 books by Peter Lovesey that feature the Prince of Wales acting as a detective. Carefully researched Victorian times make the stories seem correct if not entirely plausible (I doubt Bertie was actually involved in murder mysteries but suspend disbelief for a good story). The dialog is breezy, the future king of England comes off as privileged and full of himself, of course, but self-aware enough to not be a total jerk. A decent plot moves the story along. I'll look for more by this author.

After watching the show "Miranda" which I love....... I bought her book "Is it just me" by Miranda Hart. I just started it so I can't tell you much.

Just finished The Story of Arthur Truluv" and mostly liked it. Sort of felt like an Anne Tyler book with each character quirkier than the next. I think the quirks stretched just a little too thin, but still an enjoyable and well-written book.

Then it was onto "Dear Mrs. Bird" . I was underwhelmed by this one. For so much of the book it felt like someone plopped Bridget Jones in 1940's England. Some bits did make me laugh out loud, but not a book I would enthusiastically recommend. And it's a shame too, the author had a great nugget of an idea, but I don't think she fleshed it out enough.

I've got "The Weight of Ink" on my nightstand and "The Girl with Seven Names" is awaiting pick up at my local library.

I loved Bel Canto.

Our library book group met on Thursday to discuss Where the Crawdads Sing. It was a lively discussion and all appreciated the authors ability. It is her first fiction, having written nonfiction up to that point. Great book. Highly recommended.

That book was part of Reese Witherspoon's book thing. I looked at her list and went to the library. I completed The Cactus by Sarah Haywood. The missus told me that Haywood patterned the protagonist after me. I was not amused by that assessment after I read the book.

Now, I have begun our library book group edition for February: The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes. I am about half done. I have to put it down on an irregular basis as things are going on that work into my mind of events from my own family.

I am scheduled to have right shoulder surgery on Thursday. That will mean using a sling for a few weeks. I don't know how that will affect my day-to-day routine. I do know that it will cut into my gardening. Rats!

Just finished "Henry, Himself" by Stewart O'Nan and it is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read.

Anyone who just might happen to be in the Spring Hill, Florida area on February 20, you are welcome to join our book discussion. Right now, I am the only male (and the others don't bow down to me), but all are welcome. Let me know, I'll even fix lunch first. The meeting will be at 2:00 p.m.

I recently finished listening to Henry, Himself by Stewart O'Nan and enjoyed it very much. It was nice to listen to the thoughts of a decent person with an ordinary life with ordinary occurrences. Now for something completely different, my current audiobook is World War Z : The Complete Edition : An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks.

Best wishes on he surgery Jim! Hope you're better quickly!

Just started Genome by A.G. Riddle.

I'm reading the preamble & prologue to The Last Lion I, first installment of Wm Manchester's trilogy biography of Winston Churchill. Trying to decide if I want to commit to starting the book now or saving it for April when I'm going to be gone for three weeks and will have a lot of empty time to fill.

I finished Victoria The Queen ; thanks for the recommendations here. I did find some of the details to be a bit more than what I would prefer, but I just glossed over those . I am talking more about the state conflicts. I did really appreciate the discussion of what life was really like then.

I just started My Sister the Serial Killer and am totally enjoying that one! I know, sounds a bit off to say enjoy but it is well done. I am only about 1/4 into it but it's a good one.

Has anyone else read Anonymous Girl? It isn't the kind of book I usually read. The writing is not something to behold, but I must admit, it sure gallops along!

I have just finished reading Henry, Himself as well. It took me a bit to figure out what the book was about but once I figured that out I really got wrapped up in it. It reminded me a little of the book Olive Kitteridge (Pulitzer Prize) by Elizabeth Strout which I really loved.

I highly recommend both books but I wouldn't read them back to back.

Has anyone read Emily, Alone and should I read it?

@jojoco - I read Dear, Mrs. Bird and you pegged it really well re: plopping Bridget Jones into 1940's London. What I liked about the book was her tenacity in going after what she wanted - perhaps a little too hard.

I’m reading Elin Hillenbrand “Summer if 69”, which I would categorize as a beach read. I waited 6 months for It, so I was doing lots of beach reading when I requested it back in July.. Nantucket Is the setting for most books by this author and this book is historical fiction with a time frame that I am quite familiar with (moon landing, feminisism, Kennedy’s, Woodstock.) The author visited the bookstore near our vacation house but the lines were too long for me.

Thank you to all who recommended “The Huntress” by Kate Quinn. I’m really enjoying it so far. Also have Dear Mrs. Bird because it was recommended here. Both are books from my local library vs ebooks. I am really enjoying holding a book in my hands fir a change.

I've got "Emily, Alone" on the way so will be starting it soon.

Right now I'm reading Writing My Wrongs and so far it's very compelling.

I'm reading Olive, Again - a follow-up to Olive Kittteridge. I'm really enjoying it and am amazed how effortless the writing is in creating this entertaining read. I am contrasting the writing with a second audiobook I'm listening to when not in World War Z - Hearts of Resistance by Sorava M. Lane. So far, Lane's book is a bit of a "cut and paste" effort with many cliched phrases that have appeared over and over in other books. I am hoping that this story of French Resistance will intensify after it develops and the writing become more original. Otherwise, I will stay with World War Z!

@stacey - I just put Olive, Again on hold. Thanks for mentioning it.

ETA - Stupid question here, is the book World War Z about the zombie apocalypse? I'm not particularly interested in zombies so is there any point in checking it out.

Yes, World War Z is about the zombie apocalypse. In fact, the subtitle is: An Oral HIstory of the Zombie War. I'm normally not a big fan of this type of literature either, but was looking for an available audiobook. From what I've listened to so far, it's not too bad.

I don't understand the appeal of zombies.

I just finished Writing My Wrongs and it was a good book...I'd give it 3+ stars. A memoir, it's a quick and compelling read about his life growing up in Detroit, leaving home at 14, dealing drugs, leading to him committing murder at 19 and his story of redemption through his 19-year incarceration including over 4 years in solitary. A book group might find good discussion it as it is eye opening about life in crime-ridden neighborhoods, the role drugs and dealers play, and life behind bars.

Next up, I believe based on recommendations here, Red Notice.

I know it's been discussed, and I just got around to Demi Moore's memoir. I'm enjoying it although as is often the case I can't always square the celebrity's recollections with what I have previously 'known' about their public persona.

I always regarded her as a powerhouse and very strong woman; she was of course at one time one of the top actresses in the world and I recall reading about her insistence on salary parity, etc.

It's surprising to read how she struggled with so much crippling anxiety and low self esteem. Then again this is her telling her side of the story; I suppose ex husbands and Hollywood executives might have somewhat different recollections!

Then too it is so wrenching and depressing what lousy parents can do to a child's psyche, and the lasting damage bad parenting leaves. Again, this is her perspective but my god the things she experienced with and because of her mother and father's neglect and emotional abusive patterns. I do recall that she cut ties with her mother for many years. Haven't gotten to a section that the photos indicate covers her decision to take care of mom when she was terminally ill but the grace and strength of character in that decision certainly seems clear.

UPDATE: I finished the book last night and I can see why Ashton Kutcher wasn't too happy with his ex-wife's version of their marriage! Also, there clearly are/were some MAJOR issues she chose not to disclose that caused her family to sever all contact with Demi for several years. I suspect it must have been related to her addiction/alcoholism and the fallout but what a sad irony; someone whose mother was so awful and who writes repeatedly how important being a good mother was to her ends up doing some of the same things and having her own daughters take an extended break from her.

Up next is Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng. I haven't read her debut bestseller, Everything I Never Told You.

I'm nearing the end of The Warlow Experiment, Alix Nathan. I'm devouring it. 5 Stars. I'll be looking for her prior novel, The Flight of Sarah Battle. Hilary Mantel likes this author -- should give you a clue, although this isn't a 20-pound volume like Mantel's historical novels. (I adored Wolf Hall.)

I just finished Before We Were Yours, and I concur with @nutsaboutplants. The chapters told by Rill/May were gripping and heart-wrenching, but Avery's felt contrived and shallow. In fact, I could have done without Avery altogether (and Trent's cute as a button son).

I know it was important to tell the story of the abuses of the Tennessee Children's Home Society, but I would have enjoyed a story just about the river gypsies living in their shantyboats.

I guess overall I'd give it a 3+. It was okay.

Change that...I'm putting Red Notice aside as the book group book is a long one so I've started that and already am finding it most interesting. The Body Keeps the Score...written by a psychiatrist about the physical and mental effects of trauma on the body and his work with people suffering from things such as PTSD, child abuse, etc.

I loved Red Notice. It is riveting. Fascinating insights into Putin's Russia.

Got a new book on CD from the library the other day. I listened to almost one cd and had to stop. Worse book I've ever read. The Golem of Paris by Jonathan Kellerman. It's so confusing and just awful. I am taking it back to the library for something else this weekend.

I finished My Sister The Serial Killer which was way more enjoyable than one would expect. It was a very engaging read , but I would say at the end, I am not sure what to make of it.

I just started The Address By Fiona Davis, and this is my first time using libby on my chromebook. For whatever reason, the library does not have this book on kindle so I am trying this out. I truly just started the book but it seems fascinating- historical fiction about the Dakota (the amazing building off Central Park West- a la John and yoko and Rosemary's baby).

I’m about to start The Overstory for next month’s book club. Totally unsure what I’m in for...

About to begin reading the Overstory for my Book club next month. I’m unsure what I’m in for...

Overstory is long, but I thought it was so different and truly excellent.

salonva, yeah, that's how I felt about My Sister the Serial Killer. It was an easy, speedy read, and I found the story told from her point of view very refreshing. But it was weird too.

I'm reading Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, by Nobel award winning Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk. I'm almost halfway through it now. My next book will probably be Lady in the Lake, for my book club.

I just started reading The Deception of Livvy Higgs by Donna Morrissey. I'm enjoying it.

I’m currently reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger; such beautiful prose that I’m glad to be reading this one on my kindle as I’ve highlighted several passages that struck a chord with me. It was published back in 2001 and won a few awards at the time but I only heard of it a year or so ago. One of my goals this year is to start reading some of the many books I’ve downloaded but never read.

I just finished listening the audiobook to Someone by Alice McDermott. As one reviewer put it, a book “about nothing and everything.” A “quiet” novel about an ordinary girl growing up in Brooklyn in the 40s, that brings us along with her as she remembers all the moments of her life that impact the trajectory of her life. Though I’ve heard of this author, this is the first of her many novels that I have read.

I’m now listening to I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh, mystery/suspense. It opens with the young son of the main character being killed in a hit and run accident. It’s pretty engrossing.

I have just added Someone and Peace Like a River to my want to read on Goodreads. Thank you- @4kids4us they sound wonderful. (still very much enjoying The Address)

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle. Compelled to know the ending, it caused me to stay up way beyond my normal bedtime last night. The book is described as a mystery/suspense/psychological thriller – none of which would have appealed to me. I politely started it, however, at my sister’s urging. She was sure I would like it, and she was right. Now I’m open to books in the genre and will start with others by this author.

Since all is not what it seems, Dear Wife would make for a good book club discussion; it also involves domestic violence.

I've left behind both the zombies and World War II in audiobooks. They weren't books that I was interested in continuing. I use audiobooks mainly as entertainment while I'm doing my walks, and when I am too absorbed in a book to notice the tedium of walking, I know I have a winner. I am alternating between two really good ones right now. One is from the library, A Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates about the loss of her husband. Really good and a subject I fear I may have to face myself one day.

A second one, this from Audible.com, seems excellent as well. It is narrated by an American man who sets out to cross Antarctica alone, on foot and with no support. The Impossible First by Colin O'Brady. By coincidence, a man from the U.K. is also doing this trek and he changes his initial plan to walk almost the same route as O'Brady. The American feels intimidated by the brash, confident and experienced Britisher but the text hints that it will be O'Brady who wins the "race."

Working from Reese Witherspoon's book list, I just completed This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Interesting plot to the point of being somewhat weird. Read a summary before you elect to read it.

This afternoon, I picked up one that the missus bought (and read) many years ago. The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan (1995). I don't know why I never read it, but a garage sale in late March will have this and many others on the table.

I am keyboarding with only my left hand due to having rotator cuff surgery on Thursday. No usual outside stuff for several weeks means a lot more reading for a while. Surgery was on my dominant side, and now brushing teeth, feeding myself and other things is awkward. A big sling makes it too uncomfortable in bed, so all sleeping is now in the living room recliner!

Hang tough, Jim and sending wishes for fast healing!

Has anyone mentioned The Woman in the Windowby A.J. Finn? I searched the forum before posting, but it's not turning up. I can hardly believe this one hasn't been discussed here. Several people at my book club meetings have been raving about it, although it's not been on our reading list. I decided what the heck, I'd start it, and I cannot put it down. It absolutely has me on the edge of my seat, and is very well written -- the kind of story that just draws you in from the very beginning, with bizarre happenings that leave one guessing and wondering. I can't wait to see how this plays out, and hope I won't be disappointed at the end.

I also just learned that the author is a young man, which surprised me, because of the depth of emotion he gives to his female character. Besides that, he's rather adorable.

Loved The Woman in the Window! Such an exciting mystery. I’m excited that it’s being made into a movie.

I forced myself to finish Little Fires Everywhere. The entire plot was transparent a few pages in. Too bad, as there was good character development., and I'm completely on board with the belief that a child belongs with its own family of origin if that's at all possible. The story was unpleasantly counter-culture preachy when it never needed to be that.

Yes! I can't wait to see TWITW as a movie, as I'm sure it will be VERY suspenseful! The book certainly is! I understand that Amy Adams and Julianne Moore will be in the film.

Not that it should change your enjoyment of the book, but there was a bit of controversy last year about the author, whose real name is Dan Mallory. IIRC there were accusations, and later confessions, of many lies told about his life and family.

chisue, I somewhat enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere, until the ending. And that negated the book for me.

Yes I enjoyed the read for Little Fires Everywhere but also felt that the ending just kind of fell flat. It was a good ride but the end did not live up to the ride.

I just finished The Address by Fiona Davis. I really liked this book so much. I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads. ( I wish they had half stars because I would have given 4.5.)

It was a very well done historical fiction which also wove in more current times. It had some bit of the very predictable cliches but so well done that I was able to go long with it. As I mentioned upthread, this is about THE DAKOTA and the NY history and references were really fitting. I guess it helped that I had a friend who lived a block away in the more current story.

This was for book club and I think it will be a good discussion, but honestly nothing so intense that you NEED to discuss.