I think this is my end-of-series O'Nan: Emily, Alone. I haven't liked Emily much throughout, and now I especially disllike the parts of her that I recognize in myself! I, too, would check the kleenex boxes and rotate the nearly empty box to my bedside, where I can take care of replacing it. Too awful, right! OCD? It is surprising how well O'Nan knows his characters, including old ladies. 4 Stars for the author. 2 stars for the topic.

Just finished Daytripper by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá. Part of the reading challenge I'm doing includes a graphic novel, so I thought I'd try this. I found it interesting and strange. Not a genre I usually read, and as it was written by Brazilians, as I have found in the past, the cultural differences lead me to struggle to relate. But it was an interesting premise. Certainly not for book group.

About to finish Here One Moment by Australian writer Liane Moriarty. This is her latest. It's very suitable for a book club I should think. Good fun and at the same time thought provoking.

I've already read and liked most of her novels, so I'm always on the lookout for her latest. My favourite is still The Husband's Secret, though.

Finished Diamond Eye. Loved it! This one would be great for a book club, it's based on real life, and they're actually pictures all over the Internet to go with it. I understood why the author did what she did, but I was disappointed in one thing. It's the only thing I change about the book, but I don't think you can. Not going to mention, it would be a spoiler.

I finished Lessons in Chemistry. Meh. Will do the watch party, and see if it's better. I tend to have my own actors in mind whenever I'm reading it. And Brie Larson is not who I picked. I did pick the guy who does the voice of Wheatley in Portal (he fits Calvin's description so well, and it helps that he played a scientist on Big Bang Theory). I think my choices would be better.

Currently reading The Women. So far, pretty predictable. We'll see

Anna Karenina is delicious. You never know what to expect with a translated work. Not that I know any Russian. My Oxford Edition had a cheat sheet of names, which I photocopied so that I could refer to it without flipping pages. Thank you, Annie for the heads-up. I hope you are feeling well.

Just finished The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Woolrich. Really good murder mystery from 1940 which was turned into a movie. Nice plot twist at the end. Woolrich had more novels turn into movies than Raymond Chandler or Dashielle Hammett. Nice piece of work there. Not for book group, but a 3++ star read...went down easily.

Next up BETTY by Tiffany McDaniel

Re-reading a book I enjoyed the first time around, Sailing to Sarantium by Cab=nadian writer Guy Gavriel Kay. I like it just as much this time around.

He has a new book coming out this spring, so I am getting myself into the mood to enter his world. He writes not-quite-historical novels with a slight fantasy twist.

I'm wrapping up my three-novel Edith Wharton doorstop of a book with The House of Mirth. Another pathetic female struggles to remain in 'her' society -- to which her beauty so clearly *entitles* her -- lacking only a fortune. I'm interested that this story of desperate self-delusion was published in 1905, the same year my very self-made DM was born. Our aging girl, Lily Bart, (29) can't keep losing $300 in an evening playing bridge at a country weekend -- where she might find the husband/fortune she desperately requires.. (The amount astounds me.)

Jonathan Franzen's introdution to the collection is a free mini-course on Wharton.

Wharton is one of my favorite writers, and The House of Mirth is my favorite of her novels. I am always amazed at how she defied societal norms, in her books and in real life. If you ever have the opportunity, visit her country house, The Mount, which is in Lenox, Ma. I have not, but DD1 made a pilgrimage there.

Just finished The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. I really enjoyed it and the ending had me on the edge of my seat. Would definitely recommend for a book club.

Now I'm reading The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. So far, it's an interesting read, as I just started it. Looking forward to see how things unfold.

Currently reading Ask Not, The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed by Maureen Callahan. This expose details the Kennedy men and their scandals and the women who blindly (my words) supported them. Kennedy curse or entitlement, this book lays it all out.

Orchidrain, we read The Rose Code by Kate Quinn for book group awhile back and enjoyed it. I have on my list to read her new one The Diamond Eye which is also historical fiction.

Just finished BETTY by Tiffany McDaniel. It's rare I give a book a 5 star, but this one deserves it. It would be great for book group...so much to discuss....so many issues and experiences in her story, made more interesting as it was interwoven with the teachings from her father who was Cherokee, and the impact that had on her life.

Next up a graphic novel, V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Not normally my style, but it fits the reading challenge category of a book I can finish quickly, and from the reviews I've read, the theme would be timely.

ETA: Just started V for Vendetta which was first published in 1982. Talk about timely! It's about a future where a fash-ist state has taken over in Britain and an avenger super-hero type fights back. I couldn't believe it on page 10 when the propaganda channel reports a govt minister saying, "...It is the duty of every man in this country to seize the initiative and make Britain great again." Wow!!

Finished V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Meh. It didn't meet my high hopes for it. And it's a style that's not my favorite. Even as a kid, I never read comic books.

Next up, to fit the category of a book that was banned, I'm reading Holes by Louis Sachar.

Just flew through Holes by Louis Sachar. Really good book 4 stars. It's for young adults so probably not as good for book group. And need I say it deserved no ban???

Next up, Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck which a number of you have recommended here recently. It will slot nicely into a book you never read in school.

All my kids were assigned Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny in high school. Excellent book.

I am readingTokyo Ueno Station, by Korean-Japanese author Yu Miri. I chose it because I was on a bicycle and we stopped at a used book store. I didn't want anything heavy or big since it would have to go in a basket, LOL. I have just started

mtnrd, should be required reading for all high schoolers...and adults too! My nonfiction book group will be reading On Freedom by Timothy Snyder next.

I suffered through Grapes of Wrath in high school and reread it recently. I was seeing an opera based on it, and I felt I should. What a revelation! The words are pure poetry, particularly the chapter where the car salesman is doing his spiel. You will be amazed. Sometimes it pays to be old.

@Annie Deighnaugh I read Betty several years ago and loved it. Definitely not an easy read - tho I thought it was engrossing, I found myself taking more breaks than usual b/c the trauma experienced was so heartbreaking.

I just finished The Magnificent Ruins by Nayantara Roy. Excellent writing, dysfunctional family drama mostly set in India, full of flawed characters. It would definitely make for good book club discussion due to the many issues the family deals with. 3.5 stars.

Not sure how this book, Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy, ended up on my radar but it was my first read of 2025 and absolutely delightful. Very quick read as it is less than 300 pages, it is a heartwarming story about a lonely elderly woman who is "ready to die" until a discarded pet mouse provides unsuspecting friendship. It's a bit fantastical, but its message was a great way to start the new year. 4 stars.

I'm currently reading As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh, a novel set amidst the Syrian Revolution about 15 years ago. Not far enough in to have an opinion, but so far, it's good.

I'm reading Niall Williams' Four Letters of Love. I really loved his History of the Rain and This is Happiness, and this is one of his earlier novels. Beautiful Irish prose, and while there are tragedies in the plots, the underlying feeling in his novels is a deep love and affection for the country and its people. They're a soothing antidote to current events.

I bailed on The Demon of Unrest. I'm a big fan of Erik Larson, but this was so slow-moving with all the tiny details, and I just had to keep driving myself to pick it back up. At 500+ pages, I just didn't have the desire.

Well, I've been reading and reading and reading- 11/22/63 and enjoying it quite a bit. I "only" have about 5 and half more hours to go.

It's so good, but I'm getting a bit antsy to get to completion.

I've newly found my DM's copy of Black Beauty In Words of One Syllable, copyright 1905, by Mrs. J. C. Gorham. A back page advertises Burt's Series of One-Syllable Books, 14 books at 65 cents each. I hadn't realized that the story, by Anna Sewell, a Quaker, was first published in 1877. She barely lived to see it published, but it resulted as she had hoped, in better treatment for animals.

I had put down and recently picked back up: All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren about a corrupt, womanizing Governor of Louisiana (fashioned after Huey Long). The story is told by a world-weary journalist who goes along for the ride but (I think) comes to his senses. The writing is mesmerizing, the sense of menace and idle character assassination and lies is—well, familiar. So glad I renewed my vow to read it.

Well this morning I finished (!!!) 11/2/63.

. It was so interesting and so so well done. There is so much to it that it's hard to digest it all. It re-introduced me to my fascination about the assassination and the time period. There was so much that, as I read it, triggered a vague recall of a name or incident.

I 've noticed that it's not unusual for me to have trouble remembering characters or events while I read books ( my issue) so this one was a bit more ofof a challenge for me.

I think it would be great for a book club because there's so much to discuss and rediscover. I strongly doubt my book club would agree to it though.

I give it 4.5 stars and I will absolutely be looking for a nice short book next. :)

salonva, we did read 11/22/63 by Stephen King for book group and there was a lot to discuss. Most said it was not the type they'd usually read, they were glad it wasn't as scary as a usual King book, but most felt it could've been cut by 100 pages without losing anything.

Salonva - Glad you finished 11/22/63. Thanks for your review.

Finished Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I give it 3 stars. It was well written, interesting juxtaposition of chapters that continued the Joad family story and those with background or others' points if view. But very depressing and disheartening.

Next up, to fit the category for a play, August: Osage County by Tracy Letts.

Annie, a great play! You will love it.

faftris, you were right. What a great play! August: Osage County by Tracy Letts. 4 star for sure. I'll be sure to look for it on TV.

Next up, to fulfill the short story category, I'll delve into The Best Stories by Phyllis Bottome. From the 1960s, I had to purchase the book from a dealer on line. It includes an introduction by Daphne DuMaurier. I ran into Phyllis Bottome through film noir where a number of her stories were turned into movies. Looking forward to it!

I have tried and tried to get people to read 11/22/63 with me, and no one will. Maybe we could discuss it online sometime? I still haven't finished it, but I could pick up the pace.

I am so glad you liked it. I saw the Broadway production, and I loved it. I am always happy to "meet" a person who reads plays--one of my favorite genres. DD1 says I shouldn't, that plays are meant to be heard. Like I care.

I usually read for relaxation & sometimes mindless entertainment. These days I deliberately eschew books in the political genre - books of & about political fiction, political events, systems and theories. But, while roaming the shelves of newly acquired books at my library, I spotted Bill Adair’s book ”BEYOND THE BIG LIE” . Bill Adair is the creator of PolitiFact & co-founder of the International Fact-Checking Network. I’ve just read the Introduction, Prologue and chapter 1 & am finding it very readable & interesting. The book isn’t too long - 218 pages on the topic with additional 54 pages for Author’s Note, Acknowledgments, Sources & end notes. This book caught my interest because of recent news about several large organizations announcing their discontinuation of fact checking. That process, stopped at any level of public discourse and in any media is extremely alarming to me. My impression of this book thus far is that it should be interesting to many across the political divide; it’s not bashing a specific side of the political, media and journalism coins but talks about all of it.

KW, it's on my to read list. Availability is still an issue at the local libraries, so hopefully before too long it will be available.

Annie, I’ll try to remember to report back on my opinion on readability when I’ve completed the book. We can compare when you get it. Another subject - how are you progressing in your healing journey?

Kathy

Thanks KW, coming along, see Dr today and get xray to see how implant is doing.

I just finished The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. I liked it. I was a teen/young adult when the AIDS crisis started, but I was far removed from it personally. This book was very thought-provoking and enlightening.

I just finished Now or Never by Janet Evanovich, the latest in the Stephanie Plum series. Definitely fun quick read, I gave it 3 stars. While it solved the last book's cliff hanger, it wasn't as detailed or exciting as past books as far as her adventures. Not for book group. It fulfilled the category of a book about a love triangle.

Next up is Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler for the category "By a New Author".

In between I'm reading a few more Best Short Stories by Phyllis Bottome. So far they have been incredible. But I'm not one to read them all at once and like a break to savor them in between.

Rob, I don't know how much I retain after reading a book, but I'd be happy to "discuss" 11/22/63 if anyone else is interested.

I too thought I had read Grapes of Wrath in high school but really didn't remember it too well so I did read it a few months ago. I adored it and I am certain that I never read it before. Loved it.

So after 11/22/63 I was determined to find something not so involved and certainly a lot shorter- I am about halfway through Still Life with Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen. I am enjoying it so far. It's a good one to read after such a lengthy on.

Just finished Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler. Meh 3 stars. I think it's targeted for a younger audience than I. But it was easy enough to get through.

Next up Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway to fulfill the "least want to read" book. Mainly because it's very short, I read it in high school and didn't like it which turned me off to Hemingway. I'll be curious to see if it sits better now that I've aged.

I'm late to Steinbeck. I read East of Eden for the first time a few years ago and loved it so much. Then Grapes of Wrath and I loved that too. Yeah, it was a depressing time, but the beauty of the writing, oh my.

Finished The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. I'd read it in high school and didn't like it at all. But this time around, it wasn't so bad. But thankfully it was short! 3 star.

It makes me so happy when peopke read the classics. Age does bring understanding and enjoyment that 14 year old kids just can’t muster

Next up: The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann Grau to fit the Pulitzer Prize winner category.

A Little Help Please.

DH can't read for long, so has taken to audiobooks for novels. Do you have favorite 'wells' to find these? Our library offers Libby and Hoopla -- maybe there are other good sources? He likes 'slice of life', mysteries, detective stories. Thank you!

Recent authors:

Michael Connelly

Stewart O'Nan

Ruth Rendell

Ann Patchett

I've enjoyed David Rosenfelt's mysteries with character Andy Carpenter, a defense attorney. They are fairly lighthearted as mysteries go, and often feature dogs. Audiobook choice isn't great with our Libby and Hoopla, so I sometimes use Audible.com.

Edited to add: The books are best read in order, to see changes and developments in the main characters. However, they are entertaining regardless and one that I especially enjoyed is Dog Day Afternoon.

I finished Still Life with Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. It was a very lovely escape and after reading a few "heavies" as well as lengthy, this was perfect.

I give it 4 stars.

I've never read anything else by her and I will look for more.

Thanks, stacey. Sounds right up his alley.

Beginning in the mid-'80s, Anna Quindlen had a column in the NYTimes called 'Life in the 30s'. It was beautifully written and coincided with my 30s, so I really loved it. Her novels have some of that flavor. Now off to see if I can find those columns....