Books #29

[ScoutFinch]

Just started The Most Fun We Ever Had, consider me influenced

 

[LaBlonde]

I recently read Matthew Perry's book Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. Absolutely shocked that his people and/or friends allowed this book to be published and see the light of day.
He is an absolute knob. According to him, he is the funniest person in the world and nobody else knows comedy like him and his mates. He is a perpetual victim and a narcissist. Also near the end of the book he was basically shilling for a wife but very specific criteria like he's some sort of prize.
After reading the book I'm surprised that there were people who liked him and were willing to date him

it was a difficult read but i honestly almost respected him for just completely showing his real self like that. whether it was intentional or not, i feel like i finished that book knowing exactly who he was which isn’t always the case with celebrity memoirs.

i did feel sad for him in places. nothing in his life was ever enough for him (including his own self) and he didn’t seem to have any real idea on how to break out of that cycle. he also came across as really jealous of chandler imo (as chandler was him, except with the friends, family, life he felt he deserved).

 

[StephenTJackson]

So, I've had a hell of a double points weekend. Tried to order on Friday and thought I would use my existing plus balance.

Then my bank wouldn't let me verify it was me trying to spend my money, so my order didn't go through. But it deducted my Plus Balance.

Has taken until now with emailing support to get my balance restored and I can finally make my order just in time to still get double points.

Fair play to Waterstones, their customer service is really good and easy to deal with in my experience.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

I feel like all I’ve seen are rave reviews of Hello Beautiful! I struggled getting through it so reassuring to hear there are people who felt the same.

I loved it. One of my favourite reads this year but definitely not one for people who want fast paced, a vigorous plot or a clear storyline throughout.
---
Klaxon. Klaxon. Klaxon. Look what appeared for me today.

Usually says 'not eligble'

 

[cill2019]

I’m nearly finished listening to Prisoner of Azkaban and I’ve just checked Libby to see where I am in the queue for Goblet of Fire ….. 33rd

 

[ToolaRoola]

I've just seen that Storygraph are going to start doing monthly wrap up graphics!

This makes me so happy

 

[Brightlycolouredbowels]

Ah now I have a dilemma - I really want to read it and 99p is obviously a great price BUT I’m drawn to the hardback.. 🫣

Do what I do, buy both as you’re only paying 99p more than if you were buying the hardback on its own. Admire the beauty of the hardback and put it in pride of place on your bookshelf where it can stay pristine whilst reading the kindle version because it’s far easier to read something that weighs less, can’t be scuffed and is more portable.

 

[Chocolategoggler]

Since joining the library and this thread I have taken note of recommendations and read a far wider range of books. Some that will stay in my heart forever....
So having recently finished what has been described to me as a fantasy book, and then finally getting my hands on this intriguing book....we'll all I can say is yes, I too have fallen in love with this book and its characters. If you want my opinion for nothing I think it should be made into a film.
I'd rather watch this than all the usual bilge served up at the cinema.....and it's something the world needs to watch with the state the world is in.
As I would self describe myself as a bit of a soft ha'porth I might unfortunately embarrass whoever I went to see this at the cinema with if they made a film of it, as I did find myself sobbing at some points in the book but also laughing at others.
I only know that when I hear the song Somewhere Beyond The Sea next there might be the suspicious glint of a tear in my eye.
ETA forgot to mention it was The House In The Cerulean Sea.

 

[LaBlonde]

a solid five stars from me to the will of the many - thanks again to @StephenTJackson and this thread for mentioning it as i would literally have never read it otherwise. what an amazing read, with some absolutely outstanding twists and world-building. i got so attached to everyone in it even though one of them broke my HEART i need the next one in the series asap!

 

[CommentBelow]

Not sure if mentioned before as I miss a lot on the threads (oops!!) but just saw there’s an adaptation of Queenie on Channel 4 this month!

I was just coming to post this -

Eleanor Burgess Tapped To Pen Feature Adaptation Of Lisa Jewell’s Thriller ‘None Of This Is True’ For Netflix

Lisa Jewell's bestseller 'None of This Is True' is in feature development at Netflix, with Molly Sims and Modern Magic attached to produce.

deadline.com

 

[cherrymoon]

Finished Dracula (finally), god that was a slog. Now onto dr Jekyll and mr Hyde. I’m determined to get through all these books that have been on my kindle for years

 

[Katykatykaty]

How was Signal Moon? I love Kate Quinn but haven't heard of that one before!

I read it in 2022 and really enjoyed it, was a really interesting concept. It’s only around 50 pages so it’s a super quick read. It’s currently on KU if you have that?
---
Only 2 completed books for me this month, Not in a slump but I’ve just been more interested in Animal Crossing, watching grainy livestreams of Taylor Swift and making sure to compete the Mastermind game for it. It also hasn’t helped that the two books I did finish felt like uphill battles to get through.

My Husband - Maud Ventura - a generous
The Housemaid is Watching - Freida McFadden -

I’m 62% of my way through my reread of John Marrs’ The Passengers and loving it just as much second time round.

 

[Katykatykaty]

Going on holiday next month and forget planning outfits, I’m planning my books. A week in the sun - do you take all beachy reads/books with a summer setting or do you just opt for ones you know will hook you and can spend all day reading. This is also my first holiday with a kindle so I’m excited to not have to limit myself to save the weight of my case (plus my books on holiday always seem to get wrecked from the heat, suncream, water etc)

I go for a mix too. I can assume I know what I’ll fancy but when I finish one (particularly when reading for long lengths of time on holiday) I often change my mind on what I’d thought initially. But I do like a really grippy thriller in the sun, makes it seem less scary!

 

[LaBlonde]

Of course - there are some indie Kindle Unlimited authors who have a huge output (and of course fanfic authors who definitely don't use ghost writers).

I also kind of love an author with a solid brand, and that sounds like what McFadden has. Sometimes you just need to know what you're getting with a book.

the way fanfic authors will drop like 125k of the greatest slow burn mutual pining ever and be like “lol wrote this on my lunch break!” will forever blow my mind

and same. i get the counterargument that it becomes formulaic but i can’t deny the branding. i feel people really come down on female authors for it too (says me, one of coho’s greatest haters ) i think people should read what they like and what works for them, and that extends to writers writing what they like and what works for them too. possible plagiarism aside though as i know that’s the other mcfadden critique!

 

[Chocolategoggler]

Five books completed in June here, but alongside those I’ve also finally followed through on my threats to give Les Miserable another go and am actually quite enjoying it this time! (I know @LaBlonde will approve!) It does feel slow going in places even when skimming parts, so planning to read in sections and take breaks to mix it up with something lighter which means this one is probably going to be with me for a while! I’m determined to finish it this time though!

Either side of Les Mis I finished -

Midnights Children by Salaman Rushdie - left over from May and had to fight to finish. Felt overly long and wordy, the sort of book people rave about to sound intellectual when really it’s just a bit rubbish!

One True Loves by TJR - needed something light after Midnights Children. Not one of my fave TJR books, fairly predictable but not a bad read.

The List by Yomi Adegoke - like many people here this one fell a bit flat for me. Good premise not executed very well. Meh!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - Love love loved this! And probably wouldn’t have picked it up if it hadn’t been for recommendations here so thanks book friends! Beautiful book, one that will stay with me.

The Body In The Library by Agatha Christie - good fast read, standard Christie!

I can't wait for Remarkably Bright Creatures - I'm 4th in the queue at the library for it!
I've heard so much about it on here

 

[coconochanel]

Reading took a bit of a back seat the last week…. Found out my Dad has cancer honestly couldn’t concentrate on anything at all. But speaking to them both today it’s sounding positive and I’ve managed to sit for a bit and read.
Started Flawless and I am loving it, don’t know why I kept putting it off and still working through my other love Harry Potter on audio

Sorry to hear about your dad, sending best wishes.

 

[StephenTJackson]

a solid five stars from me to the will of the many - thanks again to @StephenTJackson and this thread for mentioning it as i would literally have never read it otherwise. what an amazing read, with some absolutely outstanding twists and world-building. i got so attached to everyone in it even though one of them broke my HEART i need the next one in the series asap!

Yes! I'm so glad you loved it! I don't even need to ask who broke your heart - I know!

The wait for the next book is insane. Like I want it so much. I can't remember properly, but I must've been this hyped for Harry Potter books as a kid, and I haven't felt this way about waiting for a sequel book since Harry Potter.

 

[LaBlonde]

finished godkiller by hannah kaner and it was so close to a five stars from me but some of the plot choices made me knock it to maybe more a 4.5. the world building was amazing and it did make me want to immediately read the sequel (if only for more elo because )

now reading rootbound by tarah dewitt for some outside in the sun light romance and it’s basically what happens when a potentially decent book gets a bad editor (the mistakes!) or when you do grumpy x sunshine but make grumpy TOO grumpy (a trope that drives me crazy). it is passing the time though

 

[ToolaRoola]

I got a £35 Amazon voucher this morning so was excited to spend it on deals. But, I own or have read the majority I would want so not buying anything.

I might use my voucher for a Kindle stand and clicker. The idea of not having to hold it in bed is very appealing!

 

[SaintLeo]

i had no right to be reading forever as young as i did like virginia andrews, who was absolutely WILD and had quite the impact on preteen me.

i have never read a jackie collins but always feel like i should!

I’d be interested to know how Jackie Collins books have aged. I’ve been slowly re-reading Jilly Cooper books over the last couple of years and they’re definitely of their time. Still good fun though!

Maybe in 100 years time people will be talking about whether they’re Cooper or Collins, a bit like the Austen or Brontë chat up thread?!