Books #32

[biscuitthief]

September has been a bit meh for me.

The Crow Trap, Missing, Hysteria and The Teacher were all and I gave Saving Noah

I'm currently reading Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier which is a book I have been meaning to read for years. I'm only 60 pages in as it is one of those books I want to savour.

 

[Mamacita]

I finished In Memoriam last night. I loved it one of those books I wanted to read but didn't want it to end as I knew I would miss it!

@LaBlonde this is another one of my favourites this year I read based on your comment, I think we have quite similar taste. Any other favourites this year by any chance?

 

[Marylou]

Late with my September reads. I read 13 in total which is great BT the majority were shyte.

 

[OhDearFords]

What do people on this thread mean when they say they had an 'arc' or a book?

Just finished Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - absolutely brilliant. Easy 5 stars

 

[LaBlonde]

in memoriam. i wept. put it back on my shelf, walked past it, almost started crying again. i don’t even know if i can call it an emotional knockout, more like it was being in some kind of fight with a book which knew all my greatest weaknesses somehow and exploited them. gorgeous. i will never read it again and yet will think of it often.

(also a great use of newspaper extracts. never have i read a book where someone’s surname by itself would make me )

 

[QueenBW]

Finished A Novel Love Story yesterday and maybe it's because I'm going through a rough patch but I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Is the magical realism a little half baked? Yes. But whatever. It was cozy and I needed that.

 

[Smca53]

I used to think plot mattered the most to me, but if I really like the characters, I could honestly read about them going about their day and doing chores or something

 

[inksmear]

Oooh I’m glad the SK chat has continued! I started it in the last thread. I normally dislike books with a lot of characters but he does make you care about them. It is very skilled. HOWEVER I have tried to read IT several times and I just can’t get into it.

Officially started the new Bella Mackie. Have a long train journey this evening so was hoping for some good interrupted hours of reading but unfortunately I’m sat immediately behind the Chattiest Man in the Whole World (official title) and he’s talking the ears off all the strangers around him loudly and it’s distracting me.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Also shout out to my boy Marcellus. What a character. I always find it very clever when an author can write an animal well.

I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures and I put it off for such a long time because I was like? An octopus? What? But trust me. Its a lovely little read.

 

[emmer_moans]

Reading Iron Flame now after finishing a couple of the books I was working on. Heard a lot about the last 10 pages being devastating and I hope it lives up to that promise.

1984 was rough towards the end because the torture scenes really got under my skin. I actually had to take a break and watch Modern Family to calm down Incredible and timeless though.

The Proof of My Innocence was very readable. I think you either love Jonathan Coe or hate him. Even when he gets a bit trite, it's still all part of the experience to me.

And, I'm gonna give audio books a real go instead of trying previews and thinking it's not for me. I know a couple of people who are total audio book converts so maybe I can be one of them. I chose Wheel of Time because I saw an IG reel about someone who listens to them over and over again as a comfort thing and I'm always up for some comfort (Toren and Serenity Wolf for anyone curious). I'll listen on my commute and report back.

@emerald I didn't like audiobooks but found I liked non-fiction on audio, then as time has gone on, I started getting used to fiction and it's been my most listened to format, I think 60% of my books this year have been audio.

I find the narrator's voice and delivery is make-or-break for me. As a result, I've found a few who I really like and I've ended up listening to books I would never have picked because I like the voice It's helped me meet my book target for the year. I'd say about 40% of my books this year have been audio. I've also learned that I can manage about 1hr30 before I need to take a break, even if I'm loving the book. I think with Audiobooks, you have to find the quirks that make it work for you, like how long to listen for, playback speed, voice, genre. Once you find your way, it can really be a gamechanger.

 

[nbt]

Plot is the most important thing to me. Unless the characters really draw me in, I need something to happen. However, if I really become invested in their lives, this can win me over.

The Most Fun We Ever Had really stuck with me because of the latter.

 

[StrawberryBanana90]

I've added Demon Copperhead and The Will of the Many to my reading list after seeing so many good reviews here! I'll be honest, I probably wouldn't look twice at them in a book shop but I trust all of your reviews

 

[Mamacita]

Not a great reading year, I’m really slow in finishing my Goodreads challenge. I’ve lost my mojo a few times this year and struggling to concentrate and get back in

Same, my target was 50 and I'm on 25 but it is what it is, other commitments are taking a priority though I could be reading more if only I wasn't so addicted to my phone

 

[HoGi]

I've had that feeling once whilst on holiday, which someone once described as the sun getting into your bones. It was October and idyllic on the beach for one day then the hurricane came

I have happiest horizontal and warm

On a sun lounger, in the bath, or in bed are my top 3.

 

[inksmear]

What do people on this thread mean when they say they had an 'arc' or a book?

Just finished Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - absolutely brilliant. Easy 5 stars

Advanced Reader Copy - usually before the book is ‘officially’ published. So people can review and promote the book before it’s released to general public.

 

[emmer_moans]

I've just ordered the new paperwhite kindle after to-ing and fro-ing and watching reviews I decided to stick with black and white for now, but I'm so excited to have a 7inch screen, better lighting, warm light, usb-c charging port etc. My current Kindle is about 9-10 years old and after seeing a friend using an 11th Gen paperwhite I realised my reading experience would be so much better with a warmer tone to the screen and crisper and larger screen My old one will be one I keep as spare. I've been reading a lot more this year so I've justified it. One day I may get colour but I can't afford it at the moment.

 

[Carapop]

I just started an ARC for the new Elizabeth Strout. I’d been sitting on it for ages not realising it’s the fifth year instalment of the Amgash series. Lucy is currently chatting to Olive K!

 

[Mamacita]

And me with Babel… and Priory of the Orange Tree.
I still feel like I read a different book to all the five star reviewers!

I am disappointed if someone doesn’t like Beartown but we don’t all read the same book etc etc (I know they’re wrong 🫢 joking joking I promise!).

Haha I better stay quiet then and not annoy two people in one day

But yeah while it'd be boring if we all liked the same things, I also get disappointed, if people don't like my favourites

 

[cherrymoon]

I’m 42, have the sense of humour of a teenage boy still, the knee joints of a 90 year old yet still ask my mum to make appointments for me

 

[Smca53]

Yeh of course!

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I thought my eyes were deceiving me and I was seeing a big penis with a Santa hat on so I went to google the book for a closer look and, yep it’s a big penis with a Santa hat on

Ho ho ho we love the festive season