Another book club member reading “Braiding Sweetgrass”. I’m not that into it yet. I loved Maggie O’Farrell’s “I am, I am, I am”-so good. Also, I recently reread (for the gazillionth time) my all-time favorite book by New Yorker writer Julie Hecht, “Do the Windows Open?” (1997). It’s a collection of hilarious linked short stories “documenting the mania of the modern day in devastating detail”; although presented as fiction, I assume the pieces are autobiographical (if they are not, she is even more of a genius than I think!). I seem to read it every year, and LOVE it more every time I read it. “As funny, compelling, and rewarding as any reader could wish” says one reviewer. If you enjoy laughing out loud, I recommend it highly.

I finished The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage and thought it was an excellent book. It was a book club selection and honestly thought about skipping it just from the title.

The library had it available on kindle so I decided to try it. It had me hooked from the very beginning. I had no idea what to expect or what it was about, but it reminded me a bit of This Tender Land or Virgil Wander. The writing was somewhat similar and the overall feel (as well as the old West) had that.

It was beautifully written and the story itself was so well crafted. The characters really drew me in,but were multifaceted and I was never too sure what I expected them to do ( full of nuances least to me) .

I think it will make for an excellent discussion ( we meet next week) . I would rate it 4.5 stars.

I don't often read the bits about the author but in this case , I read all of it that was included in the book and would like to read some of his other work. Very interesting and impressive life.

Salvona, thanks for the recommendation; I’d like to read it. I hope you’ve seen the film, it is incredible- one of the best.

Salonva, thanks for the recommendation.

I don't often read the bits about the author

I do if I can. I need to know what the author looks like and where they live.

I just finished Flight by Lynn Steger Strong. Four stars -exactly the type of novel I gravitate toward. The plot spins around the small, domestic tension of everyday life. In this story, an extended family is coming together to celebrate their first Christmas since the death of a beloved matriarch. Forty-something adults dealing with all the things you do at that age, young children in the mix, career strife, secrets.... I thought it was a great, quick read.

I am not a movie watcher but will try to find Power of the Dog since so many of you have praised it. Very rarely do I care to see a movie of a book I read but maybe that's just my quirk and I may be missing out.

I just started A Thousand Acres which was suggested on another forum. I don't recall ever hearing of it, but it has thousands of reviews and won several awards. Funny- when I just now went to link it, I see it also was made into a movie.

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

I'm only at about 15% (kindle). The first maybe5 to 10% I was having a hard time with it and almost bailed, but then it turned and I am avidly reading it.

salonva, in the latter case the book, which is essentially a retelling of King Lear, is far better than the movie. Jane Smiley is a brilliant writer.

Last night I finished Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson. 3 stars (generous). I loved all her earlier books, but this one, I just don't know. It was kind of slow getting going, and then it picked up around the middle and I had good hopes for it. Some of the writing is very good, although she does that thing of joining multiple sentences with just a comma.

I really hoped to see the various threads of one big story pulled together and resolved at the end. Nope. Not happy with some of the endings, if you can even call them that. It was like she looked at the clock and realized she had to finish the book in under an hour. Maybe she'll come back with a follow-up, e.g., Life After Life + A God in Ruins, and give those endings another go.

LOVE Jane Smiley. I liked the movie of A Thousand Acres, but the book is -- as usual -- better.

I've read 90% of Dan Fesperman's The Letter Writer and thinking 3.5 - 4 Stars.

I should have added that I'm also reading To Kill a Mockingbird (which is always a favorite of mine) and Johnny Tremain, because I've just assigned both to students I tutor. I've re-read TKAM a number of times, so no surprises there, but I haven't read Johnny Tremain for probably forty years, and I'd forgotten how outstanding it is. Historical fiction, young adult, set just before and during the American Revolutionary War. I've taught students of all ages, and I think we miss the mark by not including more narrative, even though we always have to help them separate the historical from the fiction.

Lately, I've been reading some Lisa Jewell books. Currently reading The Night She Disappeared . I have about 1/4 of the book left and I'd give it a 4.5.

I just finished A Marriage Portrait and loved it. i find her writing wonderful, and she has the ability to place me in her settings, seeing and feeling all the nuances. I also loved Hamnet which I read awhile back. Since I’ve so enjoyed both books I picked up The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox. This may well start a binge reading of her books!

I am reading The Whalebone Theatre. I am not sure where I heard about this, but DD read it and liked it. I have a thing for WWI England, and that is the setting. I'll keep you posted, as I m not 100% sure about it yet.

The Last Think You Surrender by Leonard Pitts, Jr. Just finished it and thought it was excellent. WWII historical fiction. 5+

Has anyone with breast cancer read Fellowship Point? I’m very early in the book and really enjoying it, so I decided to order it as a gift for two different friends. Last night I realized one of the main characters has breast cancer that may not have a good outcome.. I didn’t make the connection before, but realized that both these friends have had breast cancer. One is a long time survivor, the other newly diagnosed but with a great prognosis. Now I’m thinking this book might be too close to home. What say you?

I’m not familiar with the book, but unless your friend is unusuallly stoical the subject may indeed hit too close to home.

Many years ago one of my brothers was on a ship in the Great Lakes and I sent him the book about the Edmund Fitzgerald. He may not have enjoyed it; he will tease me about it now.

I just finished The Whalebone Theatre. The second half is set in WW2 England. I liked parts of the first half better than others, but I liked the second half very much.

I'm about halfway through The Power of the Dog. It is very good so far.

I tried watching the movie when it came out, but there was a scene with Phil and a horse and I bailed then and there.

Thank you @lisaam. I canceled my order of the books and will look for something else for my friends.

Not breast cancer here but blood -- and unlike many breast cancers, without a cure. Even if mine was breast cancer, it wouldn't put me off Fellowship Point. The type of cancer or cancer itself is of no importance to the story; the author just needed the character to realize that her life was ending -- no more time to debate choices.

Thanks, chisue. I don't think it would be an issue for me and maybe not for my friends, but since I don't yet know how it's handled in the book, it just seems a little insensitive. One friend is a 10+ year survivor and the other is newly diagnosed and waiting to hear treatment options (if required). Hers was found early and the lumpectomy likely removed it all. I have a copy of the book, so when I'm finished I can offer it to them if they want to read it. I'll make a different gift choice.

I finished Hester. Maybe 3.5 stars? I found it to be a bit overly repetitive and a bit pedantic at times, but then I would be carried into the vivid description of pre-Civil War Salem life. I read one review that thought it was "anti-man" and I didn't find that. All in all, I enjoyed it. I think it could be a good book club discussion starter, with many themes to choose from. I would guess it would draw a variety of like/meh/dislike responses.

I just finished Cormac McCarthy's The Passenger. An odd but hypnotic book; its sequel, Stella Maris, will be published in a few weeks. I'm not a fan of McCarthy's early works, but consider The Road to be a masterpiece, and the only time I've ever cried when reading a book.

The Passenger alternates chapters between a man and his brilliant sister, who years ago had killed herself after suffering from schizophrenia. Her chapters consist of her hallucinations, which are tough to get through. His chapters, which make up more of the book, are wonderful travelogues of the west (the character's last name is Western), and fascinating conversations with his friends. Not an easy read by any means, but I was swept along.

Currently reading all the M.C.Beaton Agatha Raisin mysteries. Each book is not that long, so I dont think there is enough in one for a book club. I saw the Agatha Raisin show on Acorn, before I read the books. Good stories, and Agatha has lots of quirks, like most people.

I finished A Thousand Acres and I think it's a lot to absorb. It certainly was not a sleepy, dull book. The first part of it, though, did seem that way but things changed and so much happens.

I enjoyed reading about the daily life ( farm life, family drama) quite a bit. Once things started to "happen", they happened so quickly that as a reader, I am trying to make sense of how things happened. Clearly I'm trying very hard to not give away much.

I know the book was a Pulitzer winner and while I thought it was a very well written and engrossing read, I'm not sure I thought it was that outstanding.

I would give it a 4 star, and I do think it would make for a great book club book.

I liked The Power of the Dog. 4+ stars. As always, I appreciate the discussion and recommendation in this thread.

I started watching the movie last year and couldn't get past a certain scene. So I had no idea what the story was about. There were several times I thought it was going in a couple of directions, and I was wrong. I didn't see the ending coming at all. I'm glad it played out as it did. :)

The writing was really sublime. I ached for the people Phil was so mean to.

I liked The Whalebone Theatre, but it wasn't life-altering.

"the only time I've ever cried when reading a book"

You reminded me of an early memory. I cried my eyes out as a kid reading Charlotte's Web.

The group has voted and here is our book club reading list for 2023, with page length and goodreads ratings:

JANUARY

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocum (345 p.) - 4.17

FEBRUARY

Old Filth by Jane Gardam (290 p.) - 3.94

MARCH

Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings by Chrysta Bilton (288p.) - 4.11

APRIL

The Good Lord Bird by James McBride (417 p.) - 3.9

MAY

The Sanitorium by Sarah Pearse (400 p.)

JUNE

Finding Me by Viola Davis (304 p.) - 4.59

JULY

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (400 p.) - 4.38

AUGUST

The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson (336 p.) - 4.25

SEPTEMBER

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (560 p.) - 4.43

OCTOBER

The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy (385 p.) - 3.77

NOVEMBER

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie 'Farrell (355 p.) - 4.23

DECEMBER

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng (335 p.) - 4.0

Thank you, Annie. I always enjoy browsing through other book groups' reading lists.

Yes- thank you for posting the list.

In one of my book clubs, we each present 2 choices to be voted on. Each month, whoever suggested the books is the one leading it and researching. All of the book clubs do read a variety , mostly fiction but not exclusively. This one is a little bit "lighter" so I;m not sure what to suggest. I had done Hamnet with them last year, and while they liked it, they didn't see to love it the way I did and so many (from my OTHER book clubs ) did.

I may come back and ask for guidane on some suggestions I am thinking of if that's ok.

I am going to my book club today (different one) to discuss The Power of the Dog.

After I finished The Power of the Dog, I started Dial A for Aunty which is very light, silly , fluff. It's a very good balance to some of the heavier reading I've been doing but I would not have it as a book club. pick.

It's not unusual for me to cry when I'm reading a book. Same as for movies, news stories, music, real life. And it often happens when I least expect it. I know for sure that whenever I read the last few lines in A Gentleman in Moscow, I will burst into tears.

Bunny -- Are we related? (Re: Tears.)

I think I've read my last Jeffrey Archer, an oldie from 1996, The Fourth Estate. Archer often provides childnoods of his protagonists before following them into the world of higher economics. Here we meet two unlikeable boys from different levels of society who grow up to challenge one another in the expanding world of media. The story is set 1923 - 1991. It's formulaic Archer. Entertaining. 3.5 Stars

DH brought me an Elizabeth George tome, Something to Hide (Jan. 2022). I'm p. 166 of 691 of this Lynley novel -- although he and the wacky Sgt. Havers don't debut until p. 126. First, we have to meet part of London's Nigerian population, some of whose cultural beliefs and practices regarding women are at the center of the mystery. It hasn't 'hooked' me...yet.

I am reading Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri. It's a very short book (160 pages) and is less of a novel than a collection or observations /short stories/vignettes.

The vast majority of them I loved, some were just blah but overall it's a very good read. I'm not quite done with it but I would recommend it.

Socks, thanks to your recommendation, I'm reading The Last Thing You Surrender. I'm just halfway through, but it's very well written. Very hard to read in places, but something I need to read.

I wanted to read the latest book by Emily St. John Mandel but all the libary colies were out so I picked up The Glass Hotel. I am enjoying it very much. Its about a young woman getting through life bartending and eventually marries a wealthy guy who is running a Ponzi scheme. Much more to the story than that! i recommend it.

Just finished Sue Klebold’s A Mother’s Reckoning. Unfortunately this is still a timely subject, especially in Virginia this month.

A lot to consider, discuss, and debate. Well written, not sensational at all. She did not see this coming from her son, but one of her take-aways is that mass murder can be a means for suicide. We seem to be witnessing that over and again.

I've finished The Bookseller, Mark Pryor's first novel. It introduces chief of security for the US Embassy in Paris, Hugo Marston. Hugo became popular enough for Pryor to write seven more mysteries featuring the same man. I wonder what prompted a man from Hertfordshire to move to Austin, Texas and write mysteries. 3 Stars for this one.

On the shelf is one I heard about here, Have You Seen Luis Velez?, Catherine Ryan Hyde. I also have Natasha Pulley's The Watchmaker of Filagree Street.

Yes, Have You Seen Luis Velez? was a 2022 book club read for me. Very different and most did enjoy it.

I finished Whereabouts and just started my first Lisa Scottoline book, Eternal. It's apparently very popular because the wait for kindle is like 30 weeks and I need it read for end of December. I decided to try the large print and it's going well. I'm only at the very beginning, but I think it's going to be really good. I started reading this morning and couldn't put it down.

For that book club we are to offer 2 or 3 books for next year, and we vote on each person's offering ( so each person gets one book for the club to read). I have read so many good ones that I had a hard time picking. For this club, I selected

Mary Coin

Leonard and Hungry Paul

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy.

We won't vote until January.

New here! Re: Braiding Sweetgrass, I did not like reading this book and just skimmed the end. Later I listened to the audio version and absolutely loved it! I also enjoyed Krista Tippett's interview with the author.

I got about half way through Braiding Sweetgrass, went to renew but had to return it. I found it a difficult read in that the pacing was so slow...I can see where one might enjoy the language and mulling over what she was saying, but for me, it was like when I took Tai Chi. Rather than doing these slow thoughtful movements, I wanted to put on some upbeat music and make it happen. Interesting that you found it better to listen to, Lynn...maybe I should try that sometime. We'll be discussing it at next week's book group meeting.

Perusing this thread again, I've added Do the Windows Open to my ever increasing want to read list, thank you China.

Going to look up Braiding Sweetgrass, though it doesn't sound like it's gone over too well on the forum. I never heard of it so I'm curious.

The strange way ebooks work at the library, even though when I checked yesterday and was still a long way from getting Eternal on kindle ( like 12 weeks) - I got an email that it became available for me. So happy as I really prefer that. Now I can continue with it. Great book ( at 17%).

Salvona, I’m excited by the idea that you * might* read my favorite book:). I’m slogging through “Braiding Sweetgrass” for my book group and am just not loving it. I even borrowed the “young adult” version to see if it was more engaging and it is, a bit, because there are more illustrations, but it still feels like homework.

I haven't posted in a while. I've read a hodgepodge of books lately. None of them that fantastic, but mostly entertaining.

This one though, was disappointing, Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain. Early in the pandemic, I read her previous book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. As an introvert myself, this book was so enlightening, and gave me such a different perspective about people like me and how society, employers/bosses, teachers, etc make assumptions about introverts. It was fantastic. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about Bittersweet. Very disjointed, repetitive, only a few tidbits of interesting info. 2 stars

Northern Spy by Flynn Berry. A fast-paced, enjoyable thriller set in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately a few very big holes/flaws in the story line left me feeling a bit annoyed - reading some reviews after I finished the book, I see I'm not the only one who was dismayed the flaws made it past the editor. 3 stars

The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva. Not my typical genre but I helped me pass the time on daily walk. Good narration. 3 stars

A Map for the Missing by Belinda Huijuan Tang. It dragged a bit at times, but an overall good read. For a debut novel, the writing was quite good. 3.5-4 stars.

Weeks ago, I borrowed a book that my county library system does not own, The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson. My library borrowed it from another county on my behalf. Since I mostly read on my Kindle these days, I just kept forgetting to start this one as it got hidden under some magazines. I got a notice it had reached its renewal limit and is due back tomorrow, so I started it in earnest yesterday. I really like her writing style, reminds me of William Kent Krueger - it's a coming of age novel in a small town in Canada. I managed to make it through a third of the book yesterday and hoping to finish another third today.

ooh I knew I recognized the name Mary Lawson and I just looked it up-she wrote Crow Lake which I very much enjoyed. Thanks for mentioning The Other Side of the Bridge.

Since Mary Lawson's name came up, I read her book, A Town Called Solace, and really enjoyed it. It wouldn't normally be something I'd choose, so I can't remember why I did, but I'm going to check out some of her other titles - thanks

I started Marmee but am finding it slow going. A little unctuous for my current mood, I'm afraid.

@salonva I have not read Crow Lake, but I did read A Town Called Solace about a year ago, which I also liked. I read somewhere that one of the main characters in The Other Side of the Bridge was also a minor character in Crow Lake. I would also like to read Crow Lake at some point. Unfortunately my library only has her latest book so I have to special request her previous novels.

In anticipation of going to the opera to see The Hours, based on the book by Michael Cunningham, I re-read the novel. What a wonderful book. I think I enjoyed it more the second time.

I'm just doing a little bump in hopes Annie will start a December thread. :)

Thanks for the reminder Bunny!

Link to December 2022