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anniedeighnaugh

What are you reading? February 2025 Edition

18 days ago
last modified: 5 days ago

What are you reading?

As always, it helps to bold the titles, rate the books 1-5 stars, and let us know if you think it would be good for a book group. Also if you could include the author it would be helpful as there are more than a few books with the same or similar titles.

Link to January 2025 Edition


Comments (73)

  • 13 days ago

    For a really fine novel about women, nurses, in war, Thomas Keneally's Daughters of Mars is powerful, unforgettable and magnificently written. Two Australian sisters in WWI. It makes Hannah's book with its pedestrian prose and conventional characters shrink to nothing.

    Keneally is known for Schindler's List, but many feel Daughters of Mars is his best book.

  • 13 days ago

    I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons” Peter S. Beagle

    I’ve just completed this book. Not my usual genre but the cute title & great cover caught my eye on the library shelf. Peter Beagle is the author of ”The Last Unicorn” which was made into a movie. I neither read that book or saw the movie but had heard of them. This new book is on the fiction shelves which it certainly is but it is a fantasy & a middle school age category I think. When I looked it up the age range was 3 years & older but I cannot imagine reading this as a story to any 3 year old I’ve known. I had read the entire Harry Potter series as they were published so I thought I’d try this one as it seemed filled with fantasy & magic & it is. The writing is very good & the characters are great models for good character traits. The princess is strong, pleasantly assertive & makes good personal life choices. I found this book to be entertaining and a great escape from our world. I do think this would be a fun read & entertaining discussion for a book group. A definite change from the deep & serious.

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  • 12 days ago

    Are you making a joke?

  • 12 days ago
    last modified: 12 days ago

    I’m not. Is there an expectation of a type of read that’s proper to share? I find it enlightening to be aware of the kinds of books available for today’s younger children as well as our young adults. Light years difference from what my generation had.

    ETA: The book I’d read before this was Bill Adair’s ”Beyond The Big Lie”. I needed a happier book.

  • 12 days ago

    sorry, not you @KW PNW Z8

  • 12 days ago

    I guess I missed whatever transpired. Fantasy is not my genre but from your review, I'm going to add Dragons to my ever expanding to be read list. I only read one Harry Potter book which I absolutely loved.

    I just started The Safekeep which is holding my interest, but the tension is really there. I do like to learn from my reading but I lean heavily towards diversion and pleasurable escapes so I suspect I;ll need something light after this one.

  • 12 days ago

    mtnrd, to whom are you referring?

  • 12 days ago

    You may want to google your cartoon; it’s infamous.😳

  • 12 days ago

    I'm sorry to be so dense, but I have no idea what you are talking about...contact me privately if you need to be less obtuse...

  • 12 days ago

    I liked The Safekeep, and I may be dense, but I did not foresee the ending . DD1 couldn't get into it. To each their own. Remote Sympathy is getting more disturbing with every chapter, but I am determined to finish. I just was notified that Daughter of Mars is waiting for me. Thank you for the rec.

  • 12 days ago

    mtn, I had skimmed over the cartoon originally, but just took a closer look....

  • 12 days ago

    Apparently what mtnrd is talking about is the cartoon in the OP became an internet meme because if you look at it with the mind of an 11-yr old boy, you might see something else happening to the gentleman that involves a woman, not a book. I didn't see it and apologize to anyone who might be unable to not see it now.

  • 12 days ago

    Thank you Annie for providing the info. No apologies necessary! Seems I don’t have the mind - or imagination - of a young boy. IMO that’s quite a stretch & happy to have missed that. 😉

  • 12 days ago
    last modified: 11 days ago

    I am reading and loving a book called A Manual For Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. It's a collection of short stories based on the author's own challenging life growing up in poor western mining towns and being widowed with 4 children and few prospects. So much heart and such brilliant observations of the mundane, written in gorgeous, crisp prose. Some of the stories are only a couple of pages, so it's easy to pick up and put down, but also hard to put down. I found the book by accident, misspelling the name of someone else, and ran across her story My Jockey on the internet. Absolute five stars!

  • 12 days ago

    Just finished Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg to fill the category of a book based solely on its cover. Well, I gave it a 2 star. He's written a lot for TV shows and it shows...I felt very much like I would after watching a Barnaby Jones. Adequate to keep your interest up for a little while, but not much more and rather predictable without the meat of a good plot twist.


    Next up is My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman. It's to fill the category of a book that was translated. Since I enjoyed his A Man Called Ove and Beartown, I thought I'd give it a try.


    I'm now 29 books into the 42 book challenge (40 categories, but one is trilogy). The challenge ends on 3/15, so maybe I'll make it? Time will tell!

  • 12 days ago

    Annie - I loved that Fredrik Backman book! I highly recommend all of his books. And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer is a must read. It is a hard subject - living with dementia & knowing it - but the way the ending is written is a bit of surprise.

  • 12 days ago

    Jupidupi, I read A Manual for Cleaning Ladies a few years ago- excellent. There’s a story in the book about her experiences when she worked in the Pediatric Surgery Department at Children’s Hospital Oakland, physicians I worked closely with for many years. I recognized all the surgeons she wrote about- a stellar group of professionals who I greatly respect.

  • 11 days ago
    last modified: 10 days ago

    I also loved A Manual for Cleaning Ladies but it was one of a series of book club recommendations that the rest of the group *hated* LOL

    Unfortunately for me, the other ladies have gravitated to a pretty standard mix of Lisa See/Kristin Hannah 'screenplay books' as my daughter refers to them: very formulaic stories about some historical period or specific group of women that just aren't my reading preference.

    Anyway, I'm on a mini Grady Hendrix run. Thoroughly engrossed in his latest Witchcraft for Wayward Girls which is a searing novel about unwed mothers in one of those infamous 'homes' for such in 1970. I also was gobsmacked by the first of his books that I read, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. His books combine horror/occult themes with strong, vivid characters especially his women. I highly recommend both books. Though I generally don't seek out that genre he's a helluva writer.

    I'm interested in someone mentioning book themes or settings or eras they don't/won't read.

    My own extremely personal list includes one most seem to love-I don't ever want to read another WWII book about a plucky woman living in X country who secretly does Y to help win the war.

    And my shut-the-book-immediately plot is anything with a child being abused or hurt deliberately. I won't read that in fiction; there is enough misery in the real world for too many children and it's just getting worse every day right now.

  • 10 days ago

    Just finished My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman for the book that was translated category. What a sweet and interesting story about a young girl and her relationship with her Grandmother and the things she learns about her as she goes on adventures that are admixed with the fairy tales her Grandmother told her. 4 star and good for book group. I've read 3 of his books now and they are all terrific.


    Next up is Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy for the book about animals category.

  • 10 days ago

    I just finished Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy. 3+ stars, short, sweet little book, not for book group...maybe for happy reads.


    After 2 sweet ones, I'm digging into a thriller: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. This I'm putting in the broad category: a novel.

  • 9 days ago

    Doh!! I start reading The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides and realize I've read it before. Checked Goodreads. Yep, there it is! What an airhead!!


    So now, I'm changing it to Weep No More My Lady by Mary Higgins Clark for the category of a book your parents love. In fact I'm pretty sure this book was Mom's.

  • 9 days ago

    Remote Sympathy was disturbing, terribly sad, beautifully written and worth looking at, if you have the stamina to read about concentration camps. Be forewarned, you will cry.

  • 8 days ago
    last modified: 8 days ago

    I finished The Safekeep , and I truly don't know what I think of it. It captured my interest in the beginning and then I struggled to keep with it because it was just so I don't know, tense, unpleasant? It's not a big book at all, but not an easy read.

    I did stick with it and the revelation of the story behind Eva (to me anyway--trying not to do a spoiler) was very well woven. It was definiely a very different book, and I guess I keep trying to decide what I would rate it.

    It would make for good discussion, but there was too much heaviness or unsettling feeling , that has me thinking it is 'probably worth the read, but not "enjoyable".

    ?

  • 8 days ago

    The mention of Silent Patient above reminded me of a recent experience I had with The English Patient.

    I suspect many of you enjoy "literature" more than I. I read fiction to be entertained by the story, not for character development, the psychology of interactions, language use, allegory or other factors that so many like.

    In the space of one week, two different people strongly recommended I read The English Patient. I started it and in 30 minutes had reached my limit for toleration of flowery language and called it quits. It seemed too full of excessive metaphors, similes, and the like. Almost as if it had been written by a student in a high school creative writing class.

    Have any of read it and enjoyed it?

  • 8 days ago
    last modified: 8 days ago

    The Time Keepers by Allyson Richman published 2024

    I just finished this & did enjoy this fast read. The life stories of 5 very different people are interwoven in a natural & believable way. It’s a story of surviving grief and of love and caring. I’ve added a pic of the first paragraph of author’s note which descibes the tone of the story better than I can. Though the Vietnam War is an integral part of the story this isn’t a story about that war.



  • 8 days ago

    Elmer - I saw the Oscar winning movie made from the book in 1996 - had to look up the date. But, based on book topic I wouldn’t read it now.

  • 8 days ago

    salonva, I, too, never use the word "enjoyed" for books about the Holocaust. But I did APPRECIATE The Safekeep.

  • 7 days ago

    Finishing Michael Connelly's The Waiting. Connelly never disappoints. Detective/Crime novels. Harry Bosch is in this one also. IYKYK. If you like a continuing character you will love these. 30 something novels with him in it. Not necessarily a good club book. Traveling thru an airport recently, saw lots of people carrying that book.

  • 7 days ago

    I read The English Patient when it came out, and was very confused by the timeline, although I did love his use of language. I then saw the movie, which I (unlike many people) adored. Having now understood the timeline of the story, I went back and reread the book, which now made much more sense, and found it very enjoyable.

  • 7 days ago
    last modified: yesterday

    I finished Weep No More My Lady by Mary Higgins Clark. As expected. If you've read one, you've read them all. Still they are fun, entertaining, great summer reads, and I especially enjoy the "travelog" aspect as they each take place in a different location...this one in Carmel by the sea. 3 star because of formulaic plot and definitely not for book group.

    Next up for the category "book that takes place during a holiday" I'll be reading Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot's Christmas.

    This is a milestone as it means only 10 more books to go to complete the challenge by the 3/15 deadline. Yay!

  • 5 days ago

    Just finished Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot's Christmas. Typical Christie mystery with the last minute surprise reveals, and I didn't guess the murderer. Not for book group but 4 stars for what it is.


    Next up, Sleeping with the Enemy by Nancy Price for the category of book turned into a movie.

  • 4 days ago

    I'm almost finihed with James, which is thoroughly delightful. I didn't know what to expect,as I heard it highly praised but you know how that sometimes goes. I also was not sure if I read Huck. I think I did, but not sure as it would have been a while ago. I had reserved it a long while ago and just got it on overdrive

    Anyway, I don't think you need to have read it though it probably enhances the enjoyment if you are familiar.

    It's srprisingly a quick read, and it just flies. Plenty of humor as well. Such a nice surprise.

  • 4 days ago

    I finished Sleeping with the Enemy by Nancy Price. I'm sure I saw the movie, but don't really remember it. The book was good, kept me rapt. I give it 4 stars, but would've really preferred a more sinister ending...I guess I watch too much film noir! Probably not for book group...


    Next up is The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery for the category classic romance. Should be another quick read. Only 8 more books to go before 3/15/25 when the challenge ends.

  • 4 days ago

    Annie - are you eating your meals with a book propped in front of you? 😉

  • 3 days ago
    last modified: 3 days ago

    Hahah! KW, I'm doing a reading challenge with a local library. Read books in 40 categories between Dec 15 and Mar 15...and one of those categories is trilogy so it's actually 42 books. I've read 34 so far. Of course there's a reason why I chose Sonnets from the Portuguese and Old Man and the Sea and 2 graphic novels! Now is not the time for Russian authors!! I've done reading challenges before, but not with this time constraint...it's usually over a year. I find the challenges fun, esp selecting which books for which categories. But it's also been a great occupation for me while I recuperate from hip replacement.

    I'm most thankful for our library system. The catalogs of many libraries are on line and searchable from across the state. If you are looking for a book and your library doesn't have it, you can put it on hold and they will get it for you and have it delivered to your local library where you can also return it. So I'm able to retrieve books from all over. The triliogy I've chosen is an old one so each book is actually coming from a different library. So far, I've only bought one book for this challenge...and it was a fairly obscure one from the 60s, and one I really wanted to read.

  • 3 days ago

    My library, as of yesterday, is updating their computer system and I will not be able to place a hold for a whole month! Their catalogue will not be updated either. I feel as if the rug has been pulled out from under me. Happy for them; sad for me.

  • 3 days ago

    Annie, I was aware of the reading challenge end date but wasn’t sure when you started it other than it seemed timed to your hip replacement. I’ve enjoyed readng your progress posts and it did occur to me that you are either a true speed reader or, that your nose is tucked into a book while doing anything else that has you standing / sitting in one place for a page or two. I’m guilty of doing that when at an especially important reveal point in a great mystery. Our local library system is like yours - searchable across the county at least but I know they have a search function for more obscure books that extends beyond the county. Our libraries are a treasure in our country. In this age of electronic devices it gives me so much pleasure to see so many library patrons with children in tow & both carrying huge bags full of books either coming or going from our library! My DH makes good use of our library’s DVD movie selections too - great for both binge watching old series from PBS and movies that we missed years ago. Our library system also offers electronic versions of books that can be checked out online & read with ereaders & audio books for listening if one cannot physically read. Something for everyone!

    faftris - you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms for sure! I remember when the branch of our library we patronize was closed for extended time for interior renovations so no pickups or even drop off / returns allowed at that one location for a couple weeks. Their shelves were really bare because so many had checked out massive numbers of books ahead of time to get them through the closure. The books could be returned to any location but of course the reason people use specific branches is due to the location convenience. I remember that their electronic external book return drop slots opened ahead of the physical opening of the branch. All those books needed reshelving!

  • 3 days ago

    KW, I am a spoiled brat for sure. I volunteer at my library every week, and I do shelving. I love it; it clears my mind, and I love to see what others are reading. Sometimes it's a favorite of mine. Sometimes it's sad--like someone taking out a whole bunch of books about breast cancer. I have a feeling that my library is going to need me a lot in the next month, since those out-of-building books won't be going back to their home libraries,. More in-house books will need reshelving. Challenge accepted!

  • 3 days ago

    faftris - a volunteer gig at your library?! Be still my heart! What fun that would be. I never thought of that as a volunteer opp & I wonder if my local library offers that. I’m inclined to think not. But, I bet you get a preview of the new books library purchases!

  • 3 days ago

    I just happened into it, and they truly have a need for free labor! I wish I had known about it a long time ago. I try to go once a week, and always in the morning, because that's Toddler Story Hour. They run, they fall, they cry, they get up, they run.... It's a hoot. Ask your library about it. I bet they would love to have you.

  • 2 days ago

    Another shout out to great libraries. Ours has expanded what I call 'community building' events and themes. There's a push to get library cards into more hands, too.

    faftris -- I love to see kids going home with their arms full of books, and a caring adult beside them. (Sometimes even a dad, and sometimes Grandpa.)

    I'm loving Still LIfe, Sarah Winman. 4+ Stars at the midpoint. Has anyone read her? Maybe Tin Man?

  • 2 days ago

    I finished The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery...the woman who wrote Anne of Green Gables. 4 star. What a delightful book! I read it for the classic romance novel. No idea why it's listed as Young Adult when it really isn't. A lovely tale, so well described that you feel as if you are living what she sees as she's telling her story. If your book group would want to discuss a classic story, this would be a good one. First published in 1901, but the language is most readable...not like some earlier novels with the dense language of the era.


    Not sure what's up next. I have a few more categories to fill and am waiting for the arrival of a few books I've ordered.....

  • 2 days ago

    Still Life was wonderful.

    When I am shelving at my library, I am always happy to see how many YA books go out and come back. Granted, the titles don't thrill me, but at least the kids are reading books, not hunched over scrolling their "devices". I do have a problem with some graphic novels, though, a personal prejudice. I realize that it is a genre unto itself, and I respect that. But I am not sure why Jane Eyre and The Great Gatsby needed to be re-imagined. I'm okay with original graphics, like Fun Home and Maus.

  • 2 days ago

    faftris - I think I agree with you about ”I am not sure why Jane Eyre and The Great Gatsby needed to be re-imagined.” While considering that I wondered if a point in favor might be that at least with this new presentation of some of the old classics, more YA’s will at least become familiar with the stories and might remember that & want to read the real thing later in their life. One can hope, yes?

  • 2 days ago

    I have to confess to reading "Classics Illustrated" comic books as a child. Shame on me!

  • 2 days ago

    Picked the next book for the category: a book I own but haven't read: The Friendly Road by David Grayson. His books are like mental vacations, happy reads, so I'll be happy to go along with him.

  • 2 days ago

    Our junior collage has a reading challenge in the form of Bingo. So like Annie, I'm reading a lot, but I'm not nearly as fast as she is! There are only 24 categories, thank goodness. Currently I'm reading Tom Sawyer (a classic) followed by Huck Finn (a banned book). Since it's been probably 65 years since I've read either, I'm enjoying catching up with the boys. My favorite so far is The Frozen River (a new to me author). A Girl from the Grand Hotel won't fit in any space I have left, but since it's next month's book group book, I'd better get going on it.

  • yesterday

    Just finished The Friendly Road by David Grayson. What a delightful book. Sweet, thoughtful, with some interesting insights (lessons?). 4 star, but not sure for book group as I found it rather introspective....something to digest on my own rather than airing.


    Next up is The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George for book group as I await the arrival of the few books I've left to read for the challenge. This one will fit the general "novel" category.

  • 6 hours ago
    last modified: 6 hours ago

    I finished Still Life and now must return to reality, away from Sarah Winman's beautifully developed characters in a combination of intersecting stories, ranging from London to Florence, through most of the early 20th century. I readily ignored impossibilities in favor of being carried along.

    For an abrupt change, I have two Keigo Higashima murders waiting: The Final Curtain and Salvation of a Saint.