November Reading Thread 📚

[Jalapeñomel]

Nov 4, 2024 11:33:37 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

I've been reading all the sookie stackhouse books the last couple weeks. On #10 now. Been great to listen to as I get things done around the house, but has stopped me from reading other books.

Book club is this week and its my turn to pick the book. This is a very casual reader group, and I'm stuck. Was thinking of going the Romantasy route with either Fourth Wing or ACOTAR, (no one has read either, I've read both), or Frozen River (but historical fiction isn't very popular).

I miss having a giant series to read. It was a super fun time to have them book after book, and then the tv show came out, and I loved that too (save for the last season).

[gerberdaisy]

Nov 5, 2024 19:02:33 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Nov 4, 2024 11:33:37 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

I've been reading all the sookie stackhouse books the last couple weeks. On #10 now. Been great to listen to as I get things done around the house, but has stopped me from reading other books.

Book club is this week and its my turn to pick the book. This is a very casual reader group, and I'm stuck. Was thinking of going the Romantasy route with either Fourth Wing or ACOTAR, (no one has read either, I've read both), or Frozen River (but historical fiction isn't very popular).

I miss having a giant series to read. It was a super fun time to have them book after book, and then the tv show came out, and I loved that too (save for the last season).

I love long series and need a next one to listen to if you have any good ones!

[meanie]

I just finished We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer, it's a thriller/horror book with some supernatural-esque themes. It was very good but ended abruptly.

[al dente]

I finished Sociopath by Patric Gagne. I did the audiobook and it's read by the author, and I did not like her. It's interesting though? She's a diagnosed sociopath and it's a memoir.

[rootbeerfloat]

Nov 5, 2024 19:24:28 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

Nov 5, 2024 19:02:33 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I miss having a giant series to read. It was a super fun time to have them book after book, and then the tv show came out, and I loved that too (save for the last season).

I love long series and need a next one to listen to if you have any good ones!

After Sookie, I found the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, which is ongoing and also has a spinoff series (Alpha & Omega).

I finished Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange yesterday. I didn't realize it was connected to his first book, There There; I probably would've appreciated it more if I remembered more about the characters.

I also read Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood. Her books are all same-story-different-font, and this is the fourth I've read, but I liked it best.

[lilac05]

I’ve been in a major reading slump. I usually read a lot of non-fiction, thought-provoking, and/or heavier stuff, but I just haven’t had the bandwidth for that most days lately.

I’m currently almost finished with The Small & The Mighty by Sharon McMahon. It’s really uniquely written and I’m really enjoying it. If you’re struggling with the results of the election, I highly recommend as it’s the stories of 12 ordinary people who just do the next needed thing and change the course of history in the process…and includes some great inspiration at the end.

I’d love book recs for light reads. (I’ve read lots of Elin Hildebrand and Taylor Jenkins Reid books.) I can’t get my brain to follow anything fantasy or science-fiction. I’m looking for plain, sweet stories that don’t require much thinking to follow and won’t cause me to start pondering deeper things. Preferably something a little older or not super popular so it’s available at the library or Libby/Hoopla.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Nov 9, 2024 1:49:44 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I’d love book recs for light reads. (I’ve read lots of Elin Hildebrand and Taylor Jenkins Reid books.) I can’t get my brain to follow anything fantasy or science-fiction. I’m looking for plain, sweet stories that don’t require much thinking to follow and won’t cause me to start pondering deeper things. Preferably something a little older or not super popular so it’s available at the library or Libby/Hoopla.

2 authors I go to for well-written women's fiction are Carley Fortune and Katherine Center.  Carley Fortune has a newer book out, but her older ones should be easier to get.  

[Jalapeñomel]

I’m reading the Five Year Lie, but I can only get it through Hoopla. And currently, Hoopla isn’t saving my place, just resumes at the top of a chapter. I’m so annoyed.

[isabel]

Nov 4, 2024 11:33:37 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

I've been reading all the sookie stackhouse books the last couple weeks. On #10 now. Been great to listen to as I get things done around the house, but has stopped me from reading other books.

Book club is this week and its my turn to pick the book. This is a very casual reader group, and I'm stuck. Was thinking of going the Romantasy route with either Fourth Wing or ACOTAR, (no one has read either, I've read both), or Frozen River (but historical fiction isn't very popular).

I’m not a big historical fiction reader, but I enjoyed The Frozen River, for what that’s worth.

[luckystar2]

Nov 9, 2024 8:17:42 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I’m reading the Five Year Loe, but I can only get it through Hoopla. And currently, Hoopla isn’t saving my place, just resumes at the top of a chapter. I’m so annoyed.

I’m reading this too. I’m struggling lately with being interested in reading at all so it’s taking me forever. I like it but not sure I love it.

[luckystar2]

Nov 9, 2024 1:49:44 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I’ve been in a major reading slump. I usually read a lot of non-fiction, thought-provoking, and/or heavier stuff, but I just haven’t had the bandwidth for that most days lately.

I’m currently almost finished with The Small & The Mighty by Sharon McMahon. It’s really uniquely written and I’m really enjoying it. If you’re struggling with the results of the election, I highly recommend as it’s the stories of 12 ordinary people who just do the next needed thing and change the course of history in the process…and includes some great inspiration at the end.

I’d love book recs for light reads. (I’ve read lots of Elin Hildebrand and Taylor Jenkins Reid books.) I can’t get my brain to follow anything fantasy or science-fiction. I’m looking for plain, sweet stories that don’t require much thinking to follow and won’t cause me to start pondering deeper things. Preferably something a little older or not super popular so it’s available at the library or Libby/Hoopla.

Nora Goes Off Script
The Rom-Commers
The True Love Experiment
The Unhoneymooners

If you’re in the mood for Christmas easy reads
The Christmas Wish
Faking it under the mistletoe
In a holidaze

[lilac05]

Nov 9, 2024 7:36:06 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Nov 9, 2024 1:49:44 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I’d love book recs for light reads. (I’ve read lots of Elin Hildebrand and Taylor Jenkins Reid books.) I can’t get my brain to follow anything fantasy or science-fiction. I’m looking for plain, sweet stories that don’t require much thinking to follow and won’t cause me to start pondering deeper things. Preferably something a little older or not super popular so it’s available at the library or Libby/Hoopla.

2 authors I go to for well-written women's fiction are Carley Fortune and Katherine Center.  Carley Fortune has a newer book out, but her older ones should be easier to get.  

I have read several of Katherine Center’s books and really enjoyed them. I’ll check out Carley Fortune!

[dcn]

Nov 9, 2024 1:49:44 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I’ve been in a major reading slump. I usually read a lot of non-fiction, thought-provoking, and/or heavier stuff, but I just haven’t had the bandwidth for that most days lately.

I’m currently almost finished with The Small & The Mighty by Sharon McMahon. It’s really uniquely written and I’m really enjoying it. If you’re struggling with the results of the election, I highly recommend as it’s the stories of 12 ordinary people who just do the next needed thing and change the course of history in the process…and includes some great inspiration at the end.

I’d love book recs for light reads. (I’ve read lots of Elin Hildebrand and Taylor Jenkins Reid books.) I can’t get my brain to follow anything fantasy or science-fiction. I’m looking for plain, sweet stories that don’t require much thinking to follow and won’t cause me to start pondering deeper things. Preferably something a little older or not super popular so it’s available at the library or Libby/Hoopla.

I really enjoyed The Guncle.

I’m listening to The Small and the Mighty now and agree it is a balm for after the election! I like how she tells stories as well.

[Jalapeñomel]

Nov 9, 2024 10:49:10 GMT -5 luckystar2 said:

Nov 9, 2024 8:17:42 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I’m reading the Five Year Loe, but I can only get it through Hoopla. And currently, Hoopla isn’t saving my place, just resumes at the top of a chapter. I’m so annoyed.

I’m reading this too. I’m struggling lately with being interested in reading at all so it’s taking me forever. I like it but not sure I love it.

It’s certainly an easy read, and I’m interested enough to keep reading, so I call that a win at this point! #LowBar

[fernweh]

I just finished Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz. It a memoir discussing her time in a cult. It was a very interesting read and very well written. I finished it in about 2 days.

[Jalapeñomel]

Are there decent books on Kindle Unlimited? I did a trial so I could get a free book, and I’m not sure if it’s worth the cost. I mostly read/popular new books, if that matters.

[gummybear]

Finished Nightwatching and I ended up enjoying it. I wish they had developed the antagonists character a bit more but the story much improved after the first half. I reallynthoyghtnin(and she) were going crazy by the end of the book!

[ZitchDog]

Nov 10, 2024 18:35:57 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Are there decent books on Kindle Unlimited? I did a trial so I could get a free book, and I’m not sure if it’s worth the cost. I mostly read/popular new books, if that matters.

A friend who is a former professor recommended a former student of hers who is now an author. Looks like 26 of her books are included in Kindle Unlimited (26 of them). We only recently talked about her, so I haven't checked her out yet myself: www.amazon.com/stores/Jess-Lourey/author/B001IODOR8?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

[luckystar2]

Nov 10, 2024 18:35:57 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Are there decent books on Kindle Unlimited? I did a trial so I could get a free book, and I’m not sure if it’s worth the cost. I mostly read/popular new books, if that matters.

Imo no. I like to read popular current books and I rarely see them on kindle unlimited. There is sometimes a thriller that’s not a mainstream super popular author that is on KU. Those ones tend to not be available at my libraries. So I will just do a month of KU if it’s a good deal or just buy the book. I’ve done a month here and there and I only find a few things I want. I use my libraries ebooks and have way more luck getting books I actually want to read there and not having to spend any money.

[Jalapeñomel]

Nov 10, 2024 20:00:03 GMT -5 luckystar2 said:

Nov 10, 2024 18:35:57 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Are there decent books on Kindle Unlimited? I did a trial so I could get a free book, and I’m not sure if it’s worth the cost. I mostly read/popular new books, if that matters.

Imo no. I like to read popular current books and I rarely see them on kindle unlimited. There is sometimes a thriller that’s not a mainstream super popular author that is on KU. Those ones tend to not be available at my libraries. So I will just do a month of KU if it’s a good deal or just buy the book. I’ve done a month here and there and I only find a few things I want. I use my libraries ebooks and have way more luck getting books I actually want to read there and not having to spend any money.

This is what I thought. I use a couple of libraries, but I buy books pretty frequently too. But I certainly don’t want KU AND have to buy a bunch of books too. 🧐

[RoxMonster]

I finished Every Moment Since. 4 ⭐️

I would say it’s more a drama/slow-burning mystery than thriller. A boy is abducted in the 80s and the book takes place in 2006 after a new development in the case and shifts POV between several characters. It focuses on the impact of the abduction on several family and community members. You do find out what happened/who is culpable.

[gerberdaisy]

Finished the Sookie Stackhouse series, really enjoyed it. I love easy series, and love vampires lol.

Read Behind Every Good Man, loved it. It about a woman in DC in the 1960's that leaves her cheating husband and becomes a campaign manager for her husband's rival. (I'm really bad at summarizing books) Have enjoyed all of Sara Goodman Cofino's books. For someone who is less known, and I believe all her books are on kindle unlimited, they have all been great.

I ended up picking Fourth Wing for book club, and reread it yesterday. Way less sex in it that I remember, I must be remembering the second book. I rarely reread books, but got so much more out of it the second time and will reread the next one before the third comes out.

[Jalapeñomel]

I picked up We Were Liars, after finishing The Happy Ever After Playlist. It's a pretty short audiobook, only 6 hours, and I didn't realize it is part of a series.

[eb777888]

I'm reading The Boyfriend. It is not good. I need to stop listening to my Thriller book groups. I feel like I don't love the ones they gush about.

Anyway, I have four books to complete for my yearly reading challenge. I'm a slow reader and this is a super busy time so I need to hustle!

[wildrice]

This is super random but I have read 4 different books recently that have a character named Sadie. I don't think I've ever met a Sadie IRL - well, I think I once knew a dog with that name. Is it becoming a popular name or is this just a weird coincidence?

In the last few weeks I've read:

- The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica (featuring main character Sadie) - 2 stars. It wasn't horrible but the twist wasn't believable. It's fine if you want an easy thriller.

-Hello Stranger by Katherine Center - (main character also Sadie) - 2 stars. Has anyone else read this one? Sadie deals with face blindness which I think was very exaggerated from what my understanding of the actual condition entails. The love triangle was also stupid and totally predictable, and Sadie was kind of an annoying character.

- Pack up the Moon by Kristan Higgins - This one was a little cheesy at times, but also sweet and really sad (it made me cry which is rare!). 4 stars.

- What have you Done by Shari Lapena (minor supporting character named Sadie) - Three stars. Decent thriller but don't read if you are deeply feeling the hurt of all of the things women have to deal with and be scared of. Basically girl gets murdered and there are multiple plausible people in her life who could have done it.

- Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate - (one of the character's mom was named Sadie) - four stars. This one was well written and researched historical fiction, but was a little slow and took me like 3 weeks to read.

ETA: I actually forgot, make that 5 Sadies! I am also currently reading Funny Story by Emily Henry, and the main character had a friend named Sadie. Seriously.

[wise_rita]

Finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride because it kept popping up here. I wasn't prepared for how sad it would make me! It didn't dwell on that stuff but it got me thinking about the terrible treatment of some people in history. It REALLY went to town on side stories that had nothing to do with anything, but I did enjoy it.

Just started The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer and it is very much my jam (WWII or more accurately immediately post-WWII historical fiction). I randomly picked it up from Libby, and I'm wondering if this is an author I should be reading more.

[stuffandthings]

Nov 14, 2024 16:11:20 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride because it kept popping up here. I wasn't prepared for how sad it would make me! It didn't dwell on that stuff but it got me thinking about the terrible treatment of some people in history. It REALLY went to town on side stories that had nothing to do with anything, but I did enjoy it.

Just started The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer and it is very much my jam (WWII or more accurately immediately post-WWII historical fiction). I randomly picked it up from Libby, and I'm wondering if this is an author I should be reading more.

I just finished this, too! It was slow to start but by the end I was riveted. I loved the dialogue--definitely my style of writing.

[Jalapeñomel]

wildrice I had the same thing but with characters named Zain…I don’t know any IRL either!

[litskispeciality]

I didn't read nearly enough on vacation, but I'm very close to matching last year's low reading total so fingers crossed.

Finally finished "The Perfect Couple"...ugh this book was waaay too long. Tempted to try the Netflix show but I've seen a lot of bad reviews.

Read/listened to "The Reapperence of Rachel Price" I don't know how to rate it. I think this was another book that was just too long. I'm glad I stuck around, but they could have cut out 27 of the "knot in her guts" and still told a story.

Currently chipping away at:

Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall - I hope this one picks up. I took it out of the library twice with high hopes, but so far about 70 pages in it's not grabbing me like I thought it would.

[madringal]

November
107. Hold My Girl ⭐️⭐️⭐️
108. The Plot* ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
109. The Fabric of Our Souls ⭐️
110. Here One Moment ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
111. The Answer is No ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
112. The Dream Daughter ⭐️⭐️⭐️
113. Finlay Donovan is Killing It ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
114. Wish You Were Here ⭐️⭐️

Currently reading The Broken Places, just meh so far.
Currently listening to The Boyfriend, and I really like it so far.