Books #21 Reading Chats.

[Caffeine Fiend]

It just annoys me that Rooney has become the standard to which all new female writers are compared.

I agree it's extremely unfair.

Whilst we are complaining. Quite sick of celebrities 'writing' a book with a ghost writer

 

[slugella]

i have a framed print of this next to my main bookcases

Omg me too!!
This one (its by HellsBellesArt on etsy) -

 

[LaBlonde]

Im exactly the same with the exception of Richard Osman and Graham Norton! I think because I can totally imagine both of them actually sitting down and writing they feel authentic, others - Anton du Beke being a great example - feel like an attempt to make a quick buck based on their names.

graham norton’s writing style is instantly recognisable as him imo. his books aren’t amazing, but they’re witty and warm as you would expect!

i can’t really think of a celebrity author who i’ve genuinely enjoyed though. i mostly avoid them as i don’t trust them

 

[SaintLeo]

My August reads. Back Trouble was a rollover - started in July finished in August. Quite a high total for me but had 2 weeks holiday with lots of reading time, plus there’s some big chunky books in there so probably would have been even higher if I hadn’t taken those on.

I know she gets mixed reviews here but I think Emily Henry was my favourite of all these. Very predictable and a bit sickly in places but that’s what I was expecting from it so I didn’t mind! Kicking off September with Mad Honey so hoping the good reading spell carries on.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Oh man I did that earlier this year with my kindle. A lot of non fiction self help stuff gone. And what I imagine were Amazon first reads cos no idea why I’d have paid for them. I’ve not touched my kindle books since I’ve gotten netgalley as I’m under pressure to keep my review score high. And yet I still check every daily deal 🫠

Yes Im finding myself still checking the daily deals and scrolling borrow box several times a week and checking out every audible sale. Its fear of missing out with me. I have hundreds of books to choose from but what if I miss one.

I really need to stop, for now anyway as Im getting to the point I have probably 2 good reading years worth on my TBR, could be 3 years if I didnt read as much and that is just silly.

 

[LaBlonde]

And they can be decorative. My friend organises her books by spine colour and it looks great.
Me? I can’t be bothered

i did this on the bookcase in my guest bedroom the room is blue so all my blue-green spined books are in there. it looks amazing (if i do say so myself!) but it took forever.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Thanks @Pinkii for the clarification on points.

Went with the 2 Strike books I dont have, youve all inspired me to get caught up. The 3rd Knockmount book (Ive actually ordered the first 2 Ive read on KU from amazon as they were cheap and theyl look nice together on my book shelf) and a signed copy of Funny Story!

Basically 20% off with the double points.

 

[vanilla cupcakes]

No I think the main one was ‘Playground’ but I’ve heard there’s been drama on book tok?!

ah yeah I’ve seen that on tiktok but haven’t read it! sorry if I’ve totally changed the subject

but yeah, Hailey Hughes (a booktuber) put one of Matt Shaws (an extreme horror author) books in her worst books of the year, rated it 1 star and then he dedicated a book to her calling her a trout and likening her to a nazi. from what I’ve seen since him and other extreme horror authors appear insecure, misogynistic and just so incapable of taking any criticism. I feel like a lot of it is for the shock factor/a weird kind of gratification and I do worry about how far it could go tbh. that author has a few that have been banned off Amazon and the only way you can buy them is through his personal Etsy account

 

[smellsofbiscuits]

Japanese word of the day!View attachment 2427441

How dare you post this personal attack.

 

[JombleWomble]

My current read is 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Anyone read this? The first book of hers that I read was ‘Picture Perfect’ and then ‘Plain Truth’. I loved them! I finished ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ at the start of the year and was completely taken aback by the ending!

I used to love Jodi Picoult books but haven't read any for years. Thank you for reminding me about her! 19 Minutes was one of my favourites.

Hi everyone! I only just realised that tattle had a book thread. I'm a big reader so excited to join you all.

Has anyone else read Tell Me An Ending by Jo Harkin? I finished it a few weeks ago and have been desperate to find someone to discuss it with

 

[griftalo]

I’m new to the book chat, I used to read around three novels a week years ago (no television or social life), but it really fell by the wayside after getting into a relationship, having two more kids and tv. I’m trying to get back into it. I was reading bits of ebooks via my phone last year and managed to finish around three I don’t really get along with audio books, I tend to just tune them out after about five minutes.

I’m trying to make time for paper books this year. So far this year I have read: Girl in Pieces, We were liars, My year of rest and relaxation, and I’m onto The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker now. Has anyone read it? It’s about a town hit by a mysterious sleeping sickness.
Someone mentioned bookbub for free ebooks, I second that, the kobo website has free ones on there too.

Is anyone else here reading to kids? My younger ones are at the stage of mainly liking chapter books now over picture books. We have enjoyed the entirety of Polly and wolf series, Teddy Robinson and The worst witch recently, and would love some other suggestions.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

I have a book buying problem
14 unread books on my shelf and what did I do yesterday? Buy two more I needed a dopamine rush I think

This is definitely me and Ive actually been close to a Waterstones quite a few times in the past few weeks and stopped myself going in.

I had The List in my hand in Asda and I put it down too. I'm reading Bellies in hardback but also have Yellowface, Death of A Book Seller, Girls Of Summer, The Happy Couple and Ginger and Me in hardback to read all of which I paid full price (at Waterstones pounds) for. I am neurodiverse so can be impulsive and do get buyers regret fairly often. I also have the urge to own everything or all of the set of something. Or everything required for a new hobby.

I have a whole home gym that I bought when all I actually use is the treadmill. I dont like bikes but own not one, not two, but three gym bikes

Also here I am over explaining myself and telling my when it was just books.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Wooo!

I remember a couple of years back, seeing how others were reading 50+ books a year and wondering how on earth they did it.

Look at me now!

View attachment 2410135

Ive had periods in my life where Ive been able to read loads and times when I havent and Ive barely read at all but making it a habit definitely helps.

Well done, 100 books by now is a huge achievement.

 

[Carapop]

So I finished Wellness last night. At 650ish pages it’s longest book I’ve read in a while and I was nervous starting it! It was sublime until a rather meh ending. But I’m not sure what ending would have satisfied me. I certainly don’t regret the time spent reading it. The man can write.

 

[SaintLeo]

I never look at the page numbers but seem to naturally pick books between 300-499.

The only 2 books I've read this year over 500 were A Little Life and Betty.

I’ve been challenging myself to read longer books this year and StoryGraph has helped a bit with the way it shows you the number of pages read each month as well as finished books. Definitely shows that just because I’m finishing fewer books I’m not actually reading less.

Its needed at the moment as I’m working my way through The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir, which I’m enjoying but it’s not a fast read and it’s 700-ish pages!

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

If you, like me, love Fredrick Backman, you should follow him on Instagram, he's quite funny.

 

[Carapop]

I can't stand books that are all writing and vibes and no plot, so Beautiful World was a real chore for me. Normal People, I got the hype, it had actual characters and a storyline, but Beautiful World was just a few hundred pages of an author congratulating themselves on how writerly they are.

Amazing critique. Can I steal that for my next relevant netgalley review?

 

[Carapop]

What a gorgeous idea and generous community!

 

[daisynoon]

Apparently it's National Book Lovers Day!

I also tend to juggle a few books - I have at least one on audio, one ebook. I also start a lot of books and then put them down if they don't grab me. I'm a pretty quick reader (but my retention is so bad, I should really write down reviews rather than just rating on goodreads - at least the latter makes sure I don't do accidental rereads!)

 

[LaBlonde]

further in my works romance novel month (which i’m really enjoying) - now reading part of your world by abby jimenez, which i am liking a lot. it’s my first one of her books and everyone in it is so likeable, it’s very sweet.

(it’s another small town one though need to branch out into the big city for my next one)