Books #15 Reading Chats!

[twilightgarden]

A lot of the female authors I like have already been mentioned but thought I would add Clare Mackintosh to the list. I’m a big fan of her books and she can write more than just a thriller.

 

[Just here to say]

I finished the Housemaid last night and gave it.... 2 stars

The book picked up only about 70% in, but all the way through it was written like someone speaking. Meaning the writing was quite bad, perhaps this is why so many people prefer it and can read very quickly, but for me it was tedious to "listen to".

I'd definitely prefer this on audiobook instead of reading as I read whole sentences, but you really don't need to here

Spoiler: Thoughts with spoilers

Nina's character at the start was so ridiciolous that I knew straight away something is up with her. The author went overboard, the same kind of crap continued for half of the book. I don't think there were twists and turns all the time at all...

Once the explanation hit at 70%, when voice changed to Nina and then changed back to Millie locked in the attic it was as if the author hit copy and paste on them. Two characters melted into one voice and I doubt it was made intentionally. I think the author struggled to really make these two characters vivid. They both behaved very similarly in the attic and if N had the spray then she'd use it in the same way.

Balancing 3 books on your belly hurts? I can't imagine it being worse then plucking out 100 hairs with roots. Andrew couldn't think of anything more interesting I guess he lost his form for sure.

The end was..... No.

By now we have watched enough of crime shows and docs that it was obvious his locking in the attic comes from his mother being a total bi*ch. It was the most "be shocked!!" ending but I was left looking like .

And Enzo rejected Nina to go f around with Millie? Hypocrite are there no women around his area?

However... I read all of it, which I can't say for a lot of the books. I'm a serial DNFer so this was good going. I liked how the style changed through Nina's chapters and these are the once I binged. They were interesting in set up and story continuation. I definitely cringed a few times at some of the attic shenanigans.

Sorry Housemaid lovers! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the book but I need to realise that these books are not for me

 

[queenamber]

Women's Prize Longlist is being unveiled at 6pm! More books for the TBR

 

[ordinaryjelly]

Does anyone read Ann Cleeves books? If yes, do you recommend as I have been gifted a few.

Read Sheila O Flanagan's He's Got to Go yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Haven't read an Irish author in ages and used to devour them when I was younger.

Which Ann Clever books have you been given?

They are mostly in series. I have been enjoying her Vera Stanhope series - the first book there is The Crow Trap (this series was also made into a tv show, I haven't seen it but it is supposed to be a good adaptation)
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I've bought myself a reading journal to log books read, reviews etc. Does anyone else do this? I thought it would be quite fun to look back on at the end of the year

Yes.

I always treat myself to a customised Liv B journal.

https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODc3NzUyMDg0NzExMjQ1?story_media_id=2893922526441658973_45476935478&igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

[Pinkii]

I love physical books, the smell, the feel, and the browsing book shops and buying of it, but lately (getting old) it really hurts my hands and neck when i try to read a physical book no matter what position i read in

Although with kindle i read so much more as I take it everywhere with me And whip it out so for that alone I love it.

 

[Smca53]

Has anyone ever read the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French? I want to love it but found it hard to get into the first book. I've DNF'd it twice!

Oh I really liked this series, I’ve rated them all 4/5 by the looks of it the format is that a side character from each book is then the main character in the next book in the series. So I quite liked getting to ‘know’ a new character that has previously played a small role. I also liked the stories. I remember not being overly impressed with the ending of the first book, but other than that I liked them

 

[Katykatykaty]

I've just started Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and so far I'm hooked. It's amazing!

I think I need to go back reread it. I absolutely devoured it when I first read it about 5 years ago but can’t remember much about it now bar the fact I loved it.

I’ve started Lucinda Berry’s latest release Off The Deep End and I’m inhaling it. I always love her books so hopefully this is more of the same.

 

[Carapop]

For fans of Jennette McCurdy’s memoir, she’s on Glennon’s latest podcast. Excerpt here:

 

[Carapop]

 

[Marylou]

I finished Her Deadly Promise by Carla Kovach last night and it's the 2nd 5* book this year for me. This was book 12 in the Gina Harte series and was only published in December 2022 so I have to wait ages for the next instalment. Epic reads for anyone who enjoys a good thriller/detective series.

 

[twilightgarden]

@cherrymoon My Paperwhite came this afternoon! Can’t wait to finish work so I can play with it.

I have a beautiful leather cover I got when I got my first Kindle. I mistakenly thought it would fit my Paperwhite but it’s slightly too big and doesn’t fit .
Does anyone have any recommendations for a nice cover for a Paperwhite please? I like the ones that fold over like a book.
Thanks book pals

 

[Libbylulu]

Started reading The Flatshare (need something light after Babel!) but the voice of Leon is quite off putting - it’s the way he’s narrating his parts. It’s like he can’t finish a full sentence.

I couldn’t finish it, I found the whole thing tedious unfortunately

 

[Katykatykaty]

I’ve started Queenie on audiobook from Borrowbox - it’s not something I’d normally pick but I’m enjoying it. I needed a Q for my A-Z challenge and this is ticking the box.

 

[vanilla cupcakes]

I thought the same about Kindle Unlimited. I bought 6 months which runs out at the end of June and will be cancelling before then. I can’t justify almost £10 a month for it

 

[Mooordgirl]

Some one here recommended the family at number 12 - just finished reading it - great book! Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[aidil]

Dammit you’ve influenced me to buy Becoming despite my TBR pile already looking like it’s about to topple over

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

I have bought Cleopatra and Frankenstein. It was on my wishlist so its an allowable buy!

Regarding book length, anything more than 400 pages usually makes me pause for thought.

It really depends on the book which is a shame as there are probably loads of good long books out there that I dont give a chance and loads of crap 300 page books Ive read

Books that drag can put me into a slump, I fear Betty is doing this after a really good January.

 

[LaBlonde]

I don’t have any plans for the weekend so I’m having a chilled one and going to spend the time reading, I can’t wait

the perfect weekend! i will be doing the same - just started the birdcage by eve chase, which i’m already intrigued by, so will probably spend my weekend with that, tea and reduced valentine’s day chocolates

i also read small pleasures by claire chambers this week (after owning it for a long while!) and i can’t think of the last time that the final chapter of a book made me so mad! such a beautiful read and then - bam! second only to the mill on the floss for the most bamworthy final chapters ever, i was so cross

 

[twilightgarden]

The last few days I’ve been too tired to read after work and it’s making me so sad. It’s like I’m addicted to it and need to read every day haha. I have a few things on this weekend but hoping to be able to squeeze in some reading time.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Unpopular opinion probably but I just finished A Man Called Ove and was pretty underwhelmed. It was a sweet story but I found it quite slow and not very compelling. The only other Backman I've read is Anxious People, which I enjoyed but didn't love. It feels like there is a lot of hype around Backman but I'm a bit disappointed so far.

Also recently finished Girlfriends by Holly Bourne which I really enjoyed. Such an interesting exploration of female friendships and expectations on women. Very compelling.

I havent read A Man Called Ove yet and I am a Backman stan. I love his stuff. I was actually going to suggest it for March book club with it being on a 99p offer this month.

His writing style is definitely unique and I think youl either love it or be turned off by it. I can completely understand why people do not like his books despite me being his biggest fan. I totally get it.

Ive seen some of the quotes from Ove and my heart is broken and I havent even read them.

I have Girlfriends on my wishlist!

Ha Ha (the brother, not laughing at what you posted).

You clearly see his childhood has a huge impact on his themes - teenager in Glasgow in the 90s, being gay, Mother lost to addiction at 16 - these would have been huge in his formative years. I think this really helps make his books come to life as they feel almost like they're autobiographical.

I'd love to see something more light-hearted and fun though. Whatever he does, I'm sure he'll do it justice.

I suspect or have read it somewhere that Shuggie is somewhat autobiographical. Its fiction but written from a lot of lived experiences. Is Shuggie some of a young Douglas Stuart? I believe so.

Young Mungo to a certain extent too perhaps.

Shuggie is probably one of my favourite fictional characters ever. He has a special place in my heart.

Im excited to see what he does next. I was born in a town near Glasgow with an Industrial heart that was absolutely decimated by Thatcher. I have such a special bond with these books. So I wouldnt be too sad if he did do more of the same.
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i wonder what his next novel will be about! he’s stuck to very clear themes (like you say) in very similar surroundings but i know that he lives a very artistic life in new york now. i wonder if he’ll branch out next and “leave” glasgow or stick to the similar trends.

i like what you say about love! one of the loveliest story strands in mungo for me was the love between siblings, in very different ways, and in particular the link between mungo and his brother (whose name i have forgotten!) the sibling relationship in shuggie was interesting to me too, again with an older sister and brother. i suppose it’s about how “messy” love can be sometimes, or the cases when it’s hard to show it for whatever reason.

The overarching theme for me was love. Agnes, problems could somewhat be attributed to the love she craved? Her parents did not seem to care or love her, her romantic relationships did not pan out.

She loved Shuggie, Shuggie loved her. Love is messy.

In Young Mungo again like you say love is again a very obvious theme for me. James' love for his pigeons. To me it was such a tender and lovely relationship and the dread I felt in my stomach from the beginning about that storyline. I knew it would not end well.

I absolutely adored both of these books. I think I might need to re-read.