Books on the Nightstand discussion

I have too many books going. I did finish a book of poetry this week - "Late Wife" - I believe it won a Pulitzer. I could see why.

I'm working on "The Unfortunates" and "The Mirror Thief" for May's Booktopia. Plugging away at "War and Peace" and "Middlemarch" and "M.C. Higgins the Great". Listening to "Any Human Heart" which is really interesting, but not what I expected.

Linda wrote: "I have too many books going. I did finish a book of poetry this week - "Late Wife" - I believe it won a Pulitzer. I could see why.

I'm working on "The Unfortunates" and "The Mirror Thief" for May'..." I listened to Any Human Heart last summer in prep for Booktopia; it really took me a while to get into it, I think because of the asides and footnotes from the "curator." But I eventually got hooked. Hope you enjoy it!

I'm finishing up some March books that didn't get quite done (Uprooted and Alan Turing: The Enigma); reading Travels with Charley: In Search of America for a postal book club, 11/22/63 for an in person book club, and getting a start on Booktopia reading with The Muralist.

Started The Nest today, listening to The Magician King as well.

I just finished an a book I won, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper & I am starting Confess. Have not started one book for Booktopia though...

In the middle of Some Luck and The Story of a New Name.

Also reading The Iron King as part of the NOOK serial reads app.

Finished by Terry Hayes-- 3 Stars.

Equal parts exhilarating and sluggish. Had to rate it right in the middle.

My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just started Melanie Benjamin's Swans of New York. Off to a good start. Looks like a fun read.

Later....I'm confused about the title of this book...it should be Swans of Fifth Avenue but when I typed in the wrong title, Goodreads found it. Bizarre.

Another month, still too many books!

I've had to set Mr. Splitfoot aside to get going on Booktopia reads and to finish my current postal book selection.

I've listened to The Muralist and The Sunlit Night and enjoyed them both very much. I'll start Shelter on audio tomorrow, also for Booktopia.

I picked up a translated French novel while in Paris recently, called Guys Like Me, which is equal parts depressing and oddly compelling.

Much more I hope to get to this month, but life threatens to get in the way.

Finished All the Birds in the Skyand The Turner House last night. I am still listening to The Strangler Vine. I want to start a couple of more books, but I seem to be uncharacteristically indecisive.

I'm in the midst of Ghost Story... a departure from what I've been reading lately! Has a very male, 1980's vibe to it... jury is still out ;)

I picked up Jim Harrison's The Road Home which has been on my shelf for about 10 years. Fantastic Native American writer who died on March 26. Need to go back and read Dalva which I think was the book that immediately preceded this.

Robin , that's Ghost Story By Peter Straub ? If it is yes he's a male writer but it's a very scary story. Takes place in the very scary mountain area of New York State were I had just visited before I read it.

I read books #1 and #2 from Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy last week. I like to keep up with what my pre-teen son is reading and he'd heard about them from a friend. We are late to the fan club but I can understand why it still has such a following.
I'm now reading "Fall On Your Knees" by Anne MacDonald. So far i am enjoying it. It was an Oprah Book Club pick many moons ago, and I find that the books she chooses are hit and miss for me, but this one appears to be a hit. I read 9 books last month and I'm feeling borderline slumpy/burnt out, so I'm going to take my time with this one.

Gerald wrote: "Robin , that's Ghost Story By Peter Straub ? If it is yes he's a male writer but it's a very scary story. Takes place in the very scary mountain area of New York State were I had just visited befor..."

Hi Gerald! Yes, it's written by Peter Straub. I guess my comment about getting a male vibe is because the story focuses on a core group of men (which isn't a bad thing, just something I noticed). I picked it up after seeing it listed on several "scariest book" lists so I'm hoping it will deliver. :) I'm about a third of the way in now.

I am reading for my book group The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend really enjoying it since we had read such a sad book the previous month

I'm listening to in the car Station Eleven

Ande listening to on my phone The Swans of Fifth Avenue

Last night I started Everything I Never Told You and Feynman. Enjoying both so far.

Last night I started American Housewife: Stories, a collection of short stories.

The first story was only a few pages, and I loved the last paragraph: I see everyone out and face the cold hard truth that no one will ever load my dishwasher right. I scroll through iPhone photos and see that if I delete pictures of myself with a double chin, I will erase all proof of my glorious life. I fix myself a hot chocolate because it is a gateway drug to reading. I think I couldn't love my husband more, and then he vacuums all the glitter.

I just got an advance copy of Don DeLillo's new novel, Zero K and I started reading last night. I have never read him before and hopefully this novel will be a good introduction to his books.

I'm reading Americannah and A Song for Arbonne at the moment and I'll also be reading In the Woods this month.

I'm reading No Shred of Evidence and listening to The Potato Factory- great narration! Next I plan to read The Muralist.

I just finished Novy's Son: The Selfish Genius! It was a great book. I am beginning The Boy and the Bastard today!

I'm a big fan but I haven't heard great things about his latest. White Noise will always be my favorite. Please report back - I do hope Zero K is better than some reviewers are saying.

Marion wrote: "I just got an advance copy of Don DeLillo's new novel, Zero K and I started reading last night. I have never read him before and hopefully this novel will be a good introduction to ..."

Trying out The Bride's Farewell by Alma-laureate Meg Rosoff, and finishing Faraway Nearby by Rebbecca Solnit.

Sue wrote: "I'm a big fan but I haven't heard great things about his latest. White Noise will always be my favorite. Please report back - I do hope Zero K is better than some reviewers are saying...."

I will report back, Sue. I'm about 20% through so far and it's well written. Not quite sure what to make of it yet.

Just finishing up The Secrets of Nanreath Hall by Alix Rickloff. If you like historical fiction be on the lookout for this one. It comes out in a few months and is AMAZING. I'm milking the last few pages and then I have to make some tough decisions based on my TBR pile!

I'm about halfway through Handling Sin. It's really funny. If you like laugh out loud humorous stories with some fun commentary on our society, you'll like this. Long (656pgs.) but an engaging easy read.

Finished by Michael Crummey-- 4 Stars.

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Also finished by Carol Anshaw-- 3 Stars.

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Lincoln's Dreams and almost done with Princess Bride.

I'm not a reader of the horror genre, Robin, but I liked Ghost Story, as well as three of Peter Straub's earlier books that I wouldn't necessarily classify as horror: The Throat, Koko and Mystery.

More Than You Know by Beth Gutcheon

Reading The South by Colm Tóibín & plan on starting The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend

Finished in record speed by David Mitchell-- 4 Stars.

Spooky, monster twins, and interweaving stories that give you more information with every turn on the page.

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm currently reading

Karen wrote: "I'm currently reading "

and so am I. May not really help anyone in deciding to read this (will write a GR review when done) but I am loving Shelter.

how do I get my hands on the mirror thief? publication date isn't till mid may

Karen wrote: "how do I get my hands on the mirror thief? publication date isn't till mid may"

My guess, Karen, they may have copies that they have permission to sell early at Booktopia. Other than that, you can watch the giveaway section of GoodReads and/or Reader's Shelf Awareness newsletter.

thanks Linda!

I've found it completely riveting from beginning to (almost) end. My favorite of the Booktopia reads so far - I'm so glad the author was a last minute addition!

Carol wrote: "Karen wrote: "I'm currently reading "

and so am I. May not really help anyone in deciding to read this (will write a GR review when done) but I am loving [book:Shelter|..."

Denise wrote: "I'm not a reader of the horror genre, Robin, but I liked Ghost Story, as well as three of Peter Straub's earlier books that I wouldn't necessarily classify as horror: The Throat, Koko and Mystery."

I don't typically read horror either, Denise (although I love suspense and mystery) but I thoroughly enjoyed Ghost Story after I got into it! I'll look into the other books of his that you mentioned. :)

Sue wrote: "I've found it completely riveting from beginning to (almost) end. My favorite of the Booktopia reads so far - I'm so glad the author was a last minute addition!"

I've finished now and Shelter is my new favorite book of 2016. It is as Sue wrote, riveting. One of my GR friends says she has a hard time writing about or capturing the essence of a book she loved. I'd have to agree with this. I will write a review sometime soon but in the meantime, add this to your list. Those of us who will meet Jung Yun at Booktopia @Northshire Books, Vermont in May, are fortunate indeed.

I am so excited to meet her!

Carol wrote: "Sue wrote: "I've found it completely riveting from beginning to (almost) end. My favorite of the Booktopia reads so far - I'm so glad the author was a last minute addition!"

I've finished now and ..."

The Bell Jar! A classic that I would have probably put off reading for another 10 years had it not been on my 2016 reading challenge. Great book so far :)

Stepanie - I love your reading Barbie pic. I want a real one!

Stephanie wrote: "The Bell Jar! A classic that I would have probably put off reading for another 10 years had it not been on my 2016 reading challenge. Great book so far :)"

A third of the way through The Guest Room and loving it so far. Plot gets going right from the first page!

I have nearly finished The House at Riverton and the last third has suddenly got much more interesting.

Robin wrote: "I'm in the midst of Ghost Story... a departure from what I've been reading lately! Has a very male, 1980's vibe to it... jury is still out ;)"

I read Ghost Story as a teenager. I remember enjoying it but not that it was terribly scary. At the time I also enjoyed reading books by James Herbert.

I received an ARC of The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin so....I have set everything else aside to read this!

She Called Him Raymond

Esther wrote: "I have nearly finished The House at Riverton and the last third has suddenly got much more interesting.

House at Riverton is in my TBR stack (well, boxes). Based on your comment, I shall keep it in the queue.

Finished reading a paper book, .of course reading a paper book means reading it on the phone, on the tablet and paper. This is a great well written crime novel. This was also the last Travis Mcgee novel and the last novel by this author. A great book