All About Books discussion

Leslie wrote: "I have started my book from the recommendation swap - Between Shades of Gray, a YA historical fiction about a Lithuanian girl whose family is sent to Siberia by the Russians in 1941."

Good recommendation! I liked it a lot and hope you will enjoy it too.

Leslie wrote: "I have started my book from the recommendation swap - Between Shades of Gray, a YA historical fiction about a Lithuanian girl whose family is sent to Siberia by the Russians in 1941."

I loved that book. I would say it is about a young girl but it is not YA literature, such I classify as books beings written FOR kids. Two different things,

Chrissie wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I have started my book from the recommendation swap - Between Shades of Gray, a YA historical fiction about a Lithuanian girl whose family is sent to Siberia by the R..."

Good to know Chrissie!

Have begun The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf. Since his death more of his books have become available on audio.

I started Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri for my recommendation swap.

I just finished The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, and let me just say: it was incredible. I was fearful that I wouldn't enjoy it because it was a bit historical; the father, Ernt, is a WWII vet in the mid-1970's, and I tend to not enjoy historical fiction or war fiction all that much. However, the story followed the aftermath of the war, how being a POW affected Ernt and his family, and the terrible conflict of a family's love for one another. I really enjoyed this book, and would love to discuss it with others!

Another book I recently finished and fell in love with was The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. Really, a spectacular read.

I have started The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham. It has drawn me in immediately. I love how the author inserts himself into the novel and talks to us, his readers.

Does anyone know about engagement ring traditions during the Regency Era in England (early 1800’s)
I’m reading a book that has a woman flaunting her engagement ring- but that just doesn’t seem believable.
I’ve found a few references, but none particularly credible, that claim engagement rings were not common, although lovers sometimes exchanged posy rings.

I think it was post rings until the Victorian period. Not positive but seem to remember this from a book on diamonds I read.

Started Anna by Niccolò Ammaniti

Joan wrote: "Does anyone know about engagement ring traditions during the Regency Era in England (early 1800’s)
I’m reading a book that has a woman flaunting her engagement ring- but that just doesn’t seem beli..."

Engagement rings were not unknown during this period but not as common as they are now. A ring with precious stones (not necessarily diamonds) would be a status symbol, indicating the wealth of the man, so I can imagine that a woman who received on might very well flaunt it.

Death at the Bar by Ngaio Marsh and White is the Coldest Colour by John Nicholl

Thanks for the information Diane S and Leslie

I've started The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I have a feeling it's going to be a great book.

Having never readRichard Ford, I thought I would try Wildlife.

Chrissie wrote: "Having never readRichard Ford, I thought I would try Wildlife."

Hope you enjoy this, Chrissie. I have a copy of Canada but haven't read it yet. Richard Ford's name pops up in the threads often enough that my curiosity is peaked (but I don't seem to get to actually reading the books).

Petra wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Having never readRichard Ford, I thought I would try Wildlife."

Hope you enjoy this, Chrissie. I have a copy of Canada but haven't read..."

What you have is the one I really wanted to read by Ford.

Chrissie wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I have started my book from the recommendation swap - Between Shades of Gray, a YA historical fiction about a Lithuanian girl whose family is sent to Siberia by the R..."

Yes, I thought this was a good read, too.

Petra wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Having never readRichard Ford, I thought I would try Wildlife."

Hope you enjoy this, Chrissie. I have a copy of Canada but haven't read..."

I enjoyed Canada, found it quite absorbing.

Own Canada but haven't yet read.

Starting The Coal Tattoo by Silas House

I find it somewhat ironic that I am now reading a book about Estonia (Purge by Finnish author Sofi Oskanen), having just finished a book about Lithuanians deported by Stalin (Between Shades of Gray ). I haven't read many books about either country before if any!

I'm reading Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo.

Diane S ☔ wrote: "
Starting The Coal Tattoo by Silas House"

Oh why do you read that when his A Parchment of Leaves is so much better?

I'm reading Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning and I'm about to start reading my Recommendation Swap : Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

Manuel wrote: "I'm reading Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning and I'm about to start reading my Recommendation Swap : Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier."

I loved Rebecca! I hope you'll like it.

Chrissie wrote: "Diane S ☔ wrote: "
Starting The Coal Tattoo by Silas House"

Oh why do you read that when his A Parchment of Leaves is so much better?"

Will take your advice and start that one instead. Just borrowed it from Hoopla. Will continue with the other at a later date. Thanks, Chrissie.

Diane, you are welcome. Now I am nervous........what if you do not like it? I honestly believe that A Parchment of Leaves is much better and that is the one that has won lots of prizes so others must share my view.

Now I will try another new author for me: Penelope Lively. I will be reading How It All Began.

Chrissie, you are certainly starting to stretch your reading boundaries. I hope for lots of good reading ahead for you.

Bette, I am stretching b/c I am having a terrible time finding books, particularly non-fiction titles, on audio.I am super pissed off by the publication restrictions. I have said this so many times before.

I'm at the moment reading two book: one in "daylight" - The Underground Railroad - and one at night - The Mitford Murders - and, different as they are, I'm liking them both ...

The Hours. First I re-read Mrs. Dalloway, Very different to read at age 53 vs. age 37.

Next I intend to see the movie of "The Hours" again.

I have begun another by John O'Hara.
This time it will be Appointment in Samarra. I have given his BUtterfield 8 four stars so I had to read more of his books.

I have begun Where You Once Belonged, another by Kent Haruf.

Sandra wrote: "The Hours. First I re-read Mrs. Dalloway, Very different to read at age 53 vs. age 37.

Next I intend to see the movie of "The Hours" again."

Loved The Hours.

A Tale Dark & Grimm , the book recommended by Carrie, my swap partner, seems just right for this dark and stormy night - I hope the lights stay on.

Sandra wrote: "The Hours. First I re-read Mrs. Dalloway, Very different to read at age 53 vs. age 37.

Next I intend to see the movie of "The Hours" again."

I had a similar reaction rereading it at 56 - funny I don’t feel older but boy has my viewpoint changed.

I am reading our group fiction book, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, and a mystery, In the Bleak Midwinter, in audiobook.

I still haven't gotten back to either Infinite Jest or Purge but I started a book of humorous short stories, Improper Stories.

I am having trouble finding new books to read, so I am going back to authors I can trust. Will start Theatre by W. Somerset Maugham.

I had to take a break from fiction for a little while. I had a lot of non-fiction stuff to read for work. But somewhere along the line I got time to read Fingerpost and Johns Fall by Iain Pears. I also finished the Martians and I'm in the middle of Artemis by Weir. I thought the Martian was great, but Artemis is just so-so. I think he wrote the book before he wrote The Martians. My non-fiction reading included Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark. It's not science fiction exactly because it's not a novel. Brut it's about life with Artificial Intelligence. It's quite a read.

I have begunErnest J. Gaines's A Lesson Before Dying. It has grabbed me right away, but unfortunately it is very short!

Sigh, I am looking for some really, really good LONG books. Any suggestions? Many of you know what I like quite well.

While I'm waiting for Family Matters to be delivered (bought it only a few days ago), I decided to read Oceano by Francesco Vidotto.
There isn't an English edition. The book talks about an old man born in 1915 who talks about his hard life in a small town of the mountains in North Italy. It has high ratings nearly everywhere (here and on amazon) and the plot seemed interesting. Till now it's just ok.

I've started The Sense of an Ending.

Great book, Alice. His new novel, The Only Story, was published 29th Jan 2018. It is a must on my tbr.

Which is the one I am just starting, B. I love his writing too.

B the BookAddict wrote: "Great book, Alice. His new novel, The Only Story, was published 29th Jan 2018. It is a must on my tbr."

Good to know, Bette!

Chrissie wrote: "I have begunErnest J. Gaines's A Lesson Before Dying. It has grabbed me right away, but unfortunately it is very short!

Sigh, I am looking for some really, really good LO..."

I don't know if you have read this or if this is available to you but I think you might like The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning. It is historical fiction and nice and long :)

I've heard but have not yet read that The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors is supposed to be very good.

I'm reading Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family for our Classic Group Read.

The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family audiobook is a wonderful collection with excellent readings by famous actors. I’m enjoying it.

I'm re-trying Erasure by Percival Everett. I think I'm ready to read the book this time.