Books #30

[glubby]

I usually read in silence. I can read with a bit of background noise but it takes me a while to get focused and stop being distracted. If I have music on I keep stopping and going ooh I love this song! And losing my place in my book

Re. Loop earplugs I got the ‘quiet’ ones for sleeping as I have very noisy seagulls and crows near my house that wake me up in the early hours. I find them very comfortable even when sleeping on my side, and although they block out a lot of noise they still let in a tiny bit of sound (which is a plus for me because I’m paranoid about sleeping through a smoke alarm or other emergency)

To get back on the topic of books… I read ‘My Husband’ and ‘The Rachel Incident’ over the weekend. My Husband was pretty good but I found it quite slow to get into (the focus on very mundane minute details of a relationship was kind of the whole point so I can’t fault it for that, but it still made it drag in parts) I found myself going “wow what an absolute psycho” every time I put the book down so it succeeded in its aim. And I LOVED the Rachel Incident and finished it in a single day, I loved the 2010s nostalgia and found the story really interesting and (not exactly a spoiler but don’t want to risk it lol) thought it had a good ending (i.e wasn’t one of those annoying endings that leaves you hanging with tons of unanswered questions) so thanks to those who recommended it in this thread

 

[emmer_moans]

Little book rant: when books don't have a proper divide/ new page for a new chapter. It hurts my very soul when the chapters are just separated by a couple of lines of space or an asterisk. I need chapters to be on a new page.

Yesterday I was reading a book on my Kindle that is just a massive book of paragraphs with no chapter divides. And today I've started a paperback where ok, the new chapters are actually on a new page and start a third of the way down, but has no chapter titles, numbers, or symbols or quotes or anything. It just looks strange and makes me 'tut'

Give me a new page and at least a number, a title, a drawing, a symbol or quote or something.

*steps off 1st World Problem Soapbox*

 

[Pinkii]

I’m also a big Loops lover! I have the experience ones for gigs, the theatre and cinema etc and engage ones for just general life. I use the experience ones much more than the engage ones but I intend to start using the engage ones more to stop me getting so wound up with the husband and child.

I don’t go out much, but seeing the reviews, alot of people said the engage ones are also suitable for cinema.

I definitely need it for the children, the constant screeching really puts me on edge and I instantly feel like i go into fight or flight mode and become an angry parent.

 

[Brightlycolouredbowels]

I have had the Loop Experience Pro for over a year now, brilliant for loud theatre, cinema, rugby and football matches and the stupidly loud gym classes!

I can read in silence when the other half is asleep but prefer noise so often have the tv on in the background and can read on public transport fine. I am also a psychopath who reads whilst brushing my teeth, walking round the house and on the treadmill and stair master at the gym, whilst stretching, blowdrying hair, getting dressed, on the way from the house to the car etc etc
---

Recently finished:
The Mercy Chair by M.W. Craven
The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchinson

Really enjoyed them both, The Butterfly Garden was a very twisted story but it kept me hooked

I was recommended The Butterfly Garden by a friend and read all 4 of The Collectors books last year. I didn’t think they were as good as she did but very readable.

 

[ordinaryjelly]

Calling all romance lovers.

I have a friend whose birthday is coming up. She loves a romance with a crying sad ending/middle. Ideally a 2 or 3 book series.

Hey book choices couldn't be further away than what I read.

Help me out?!

Please.

 

[LaBlonde]

Calling all romance lovers.

I have a friend whose birthday is coming up. She loves a romance with a crying sad ending/middle Ideally a 2 or 3 book series.

Hey book choices couldn't be further away than what I read.

Help me out?!

Please.

my rec for these type of thing is always the bronze horseman trilogy by paullina simons (hope i’ve spelt that right). the first one in particular is the best historical romance she will ever read!

 

[ordinaryjelly]

my rec for these type of thing is always the bronze horseman trilogy by paullina simons (hope i’ve spelt that right). the first one in particular is the best historical romance she will ever read!

Thank you!

Wow, that first book is chunky, 912 pages! I will never hear from her for a weekend.

 

[mindlessness]

@ordinaryjelly Another rec - Rebecca Yarros of Fourth Wing fame writes contemporary romances that are real tear-jerkers! They're not in a series though. I know everytime I pick one up I will have a little sob

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

The Summer Series by Elizabeth O Roark may suit @ordinaryjelly

The works had them in their 3 for £6 deal.

 

[ordinaryjelly]

I knew I could rely on you all!

 

[StrawberryBanana90]

Ah I've just finished Sandwich by Catherine Newman and I'm a bit disappointed! I feel like the blurb alludes to it being more light-hearted than it actually was. It's not the summer/beach read it appears to be.

I also feel like the writing is trying to be intellectual but it comes across and clunky and I have to re-read sentences just to understand what she's trying to put across. I never read we all want impossible things so maybe this is just her style.

Spoiler: Sandwich Spoilers

Maybe I struggled to get into it because I can't relate to having such an open family. Like yes, my mum is menopausal but she doesn't strip off and announce to the room she's having a hot flash constantly

 

[Katykatykaty]

My July round up - 3 x five stars (How To Kill A Guy…, The Passengers and Animal Kingdom), 3 x four stars and 1 x 3 star (The Next Mrs Parrish).
I’ll hopefully be able to add What Lies Between Us - John Marrs to the list too as I’m about two hours off finishing the audiobook.

 

[tarahalls]

Ah I've just finished Sandwich by Catherine Newman and I'm a bit disappointed! I feel like the blurb alludes to it being more light-hearted than it actually was. It's not the summer/beach read it appears to be.

I also feel like the writing is trying to be intellectual but it comes across and clunky and I have to re-read sentences just to understand what she's trying to put across. I never read we all want impossible things so maybe this is just her style.

Spoiler: Sandwich Spoilers

Maybe I struggled to get into it because I can't relate to having such an open family. Like yes, my mum is menopausal but she doesn't strip off and announce to the room she's having a hot flash constantly

I very much disliked that book! Didn’t understand the hype at all & thought it was cringingly cliched

 

[123lee]

I finished Iron Flame last night . . . I’m not ok! Also I need to next one to hurry up and be released as I need more

Also I’m really getting into fantasy this year - I’ve never been much of a fan until this series and ACOTAR.

 

[LaBlonde]

my july reads (as i’m unlikely to get another one before the month ends).

these ranged from wonderful to wanting to erase it from my memory:

fourth wing - rebecca yarros
long island - colm tobin
my dark romeo - people who should never write again
blue sisters - coco mellors
the stolen hours - karen swann
you belong with me - mhairi mcfarlane
tom lake - anne patchett

now onto my august challenge of only reading the random romances i keep buying in the works!

 

[Albrouze]

To get back on the topic of books… I read ‘My Husband’ and ‘The Rachel Incident’ over the weekend. My Husband was pretty good but I found it quite slow to get into (the focus on very mundane minute details of a relationship was kind of the whole point so I can’t fault it for that, but it still made it drag in parts) I found myself going “wow what an absolute psycho” every time I put the book down so it succeeded in its aim. And I LOVED the Rachel Incident and finished it in a single day, I loved the 2010s nostalgia and found the story really interesting and (not exactly a spoiler but don’t want to risk it lol)so thanks to those who recommended it in this thread

I'm packing for a trip and just packed The Rachel Incident. Looking forward to reading it now! We may have issues with our passports. So hopefully the trip goes ahead and I get to read it

my rec for these type of thing is always the bronze horseman trilogy by paullina simons (hope i’ve spelt that right). the first one in particular is the best historical romance she will ever read!

I read the first one years ago. It was called Tatiana in French, but I think it's the same book. Loved it so much. It may have been my age when I read it, but even now I remember all my emotions while reading it. Nowadays I would be put off by the historical romance label on it

Ah I've just finished Sandwich by Catherine Newman and I'm a bit disappointed! I feel like the blurb alludes to it being more light-hearted than it actually was. It's not the summer/beach read it appears to be.

I also feel like the writing is trying to be intellectual but it comes across and clunky and I have to re-read sentences just to understand what she's trying to put across. I never read we all want impossible things so maybe this is just her style.

Oh no! I've ordered that book from the library. I really liked her other book about the hospice. I even subscribed to her Substack for a while after reading it, but then found the author too much.

I've just started Happiness Falls and really like it so far.

 

[Hannahebee]

My July Reads:

Someone Else's Baby 8/10
The Kiss 7/10
Titanic Death on the Water 6/10
Gracie's Secret 5/10
Dolphin in the Deep 6/10
The Vanishing of Dr Winter 5/10
The Copperettes at War 6/10

 

[emerald]

Animal Ark. What a throwback.

 

[Hannahebee]

Animal Ark. What a throwback.

Here are all the Animal Ark books that I have on my bookshelf.

 

[tam]

Loved animal ark!