Looking for a good book to read? Me too! It's so exciting that we met each other here. This is going to work out just fine.
How's it goin' eh? (I couldn't resist)
Raise your hand if you like to read! Now take that hand and slap yourself in the butt because that's the last time you're going to have any feeling in it for the rest of the winter. The holidays are over, the house is cleaned up and it's January. Put your furry slippers on, the official month of slothing has begun.
It's time to revel in the fact that you have no lawn to cut, no garden to weed and no gutters to clean. Unless you're renovating your house or spending 5 nights a week taking tap dancing lessons, chances are you have time to whump your ass down on the couch and read.
I mean, I can't do that, I just fall asleep when I try to do that, which is why I only read before I'm going to bed. But YOU might have the rare talent of being able to open a book on the couch and read more than 3 sentences before waking in a pool of your own spittle. I do not have that talent.
Over the past few months I've made my way through a classic Agatha Christie novel, an adult fairy tale, a slavery novel and did NOT make it through an American classic, American Pastoral by Philip Roth.
Based on the description of American Pastoral, including the fact that it won the Pulitzer Prize, I thought I was going to really like it but within the first few pages I was drowning in a pool of my own spittle and I wasn't even asleep. I boredom drooled through the first chapter or so before I abandoned it. Life's too short for books you don't like.
The Agatha Christie classic, And Then There Were None (formerly named something I can't even type for fear Google will flag my site for racist language and also because ... well I just can't.) was good, but I wouldn't call it the greatest mystery of all time. Which incidentally is what it's considered. You can click here to read about it's original title on Wikipedia if you like.
I really liked the slavery novel The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead which also won the Pulitzer Prize. Unlike the Philip Roth novel, Whitehead pulled me into the story with his extraordinary writing as opposed to pushing me away from it. Whitehead's writing seemed effortless, Roth's seemed like he was doing everything he could to prove to me HE WAS A GOOD WRITER DAMMIT.
And My Mrs. Brown by former Vogue editor and society page columnist William Norwich is a quick, fairytale-esque book about a plain, older woman who decides to save up for a $7,000 dress. It's a really easy, silly read but is also enlightening.
So those are a few I've gone through recently. For January (the official month of slothing) I'm going to be cracking open these books. Or at least one of them ...
Good Books to Read
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson is a book I've been reading on and off for a couple of months. It isn't a novel so it's something I feel like I can pick up and put down. I put it down a LOT, not because it isn't great but because it's terrifying. Not voodoo, horror show terrifying, but HOLY CRAP terrifying. It's exactly what it sounds like. A short history of nearly everything, starting with how the universe was formed. If you ever want to sort of understand how inconceivably vast the universe is and how inconceivably insignificant WE are ... read about how the universe was formed.
Benediction by Kent Haruf is one I've been holding off on. It's the third and final book in a series of books by the late author. I know when I finish it, it will be done. Haruf's writing is poetic in the most subtle way. The first two books in the series are Plainsong and Eventide so look at those two first if you're thinking of reading the series. And you should.
Tin Man by Sarah Winman is going to be a complete surprise to me. Someone I follow on Instagram raved about it so I bought it immediately. I have ZERO idea what it's about. And I'm going to keep it that way because sometimes it's fun just to not have a clue. Unless you're performing surgery, in which case ... that's just irresponsible.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware is the third novel of hers I'll have read in the past year. It's your basic suspense novel but I like them. Ruth Ware novels that is, not necessarily suspense novels. I didn't like Gone Girl for example and I HATED The Girl on the Train.
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. I still don't know if I'll be able to read this. I bought Kitchen Confidential as a Christmas present for my mother 2 years ago intending to read it after she did. Before I got to it, Anthony Bourdain committed suicide and I couldn't bring myself to read it. I, like a lot of people really liked Anthony Bourdain and was hit hard by his suicide. Definitely harder than I should have been considering I've never met the man. For instance, at least once a week I mutter "You f*cking asshole" to him in my head for one reason or another. It may not be this month, but some time this year I will read this book because more than an interesting character, a good chef or irreverent tv personality - Anthony Bourdain was a truly exceptional writer.
Lay it on me! What are you reading right now? Give everyone the name and a short description of what kind of book it is in the comments and before you know it we'll all be slothing our way out of winter and into spring.
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KimS
I read these over Christmas break and enjoyed them all:
The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, and An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.
I love reading about what others are reading! LOVE to read!
KimS
Thanks for these recommendations—read them all, they were very good !
Michaele
Hung Over - one mans quest for the cure
If nothing else, the first chapter makes the whole book worthwhile.
SuzNKton
I downloaded most of the Canada Reads 2019 long list but know that I will lose interest soon. In real book terms, I have 419 by Will Ferguson waiting for me. This year is the first year that I am going to try to track what books I actually read during the year.
Mary
Allison Weir's books on Henry VIII's wives. I've read the ones on Katherine of Aragon and Anne Bolynn (spelling may be off). Also, I really enjoyed Resurrection Year. It was about getting over a major disappointment and moving on with life. I think the author's name is Sheldon Voysey.
Susan Bauer Gaina
I'm with you 100 percent on Anthony Bourdain. Except I read Kitchen Confidential years ago. My teenage son can't understand why I was and still am so upset about his death... by suicide. You effing a$$hole is right
Anyway, I loved the book, Circe, by Madeline Miller. The narration on the Audible version is divine.
ecoteri
Structures or Why Things Don't Fall down
Gordon, J E
just amazing. I read it years ago (and have just abehbooks.ca ordered it again) . My Dad was totally annoyed 30+ years ago when I first read it, because every paragraph had me saying "OH" or "HUM!!" o or well, exclaiming.
I don't have my dad anymore and I lost the books, so now you have reminded me - excellent books. I can't order my dad online (damn it all) but I can order these books.....
Why don't we fall through the floor (that is his other book).? good reading about weird stuff we don't usually understand.
GAH, you always send me onto the interwebnessnessness of things I love.
Laura
The Mrs. Brown book sounds almost exactly like the book and movie called “Mrs. ‘Arris Goes To Paris.” The movie stars Angela Landsbury. She’s an older woman who saves up to buy a Dior dress. I’ll have to see how different they are.
susan
The author is Paul Gallico and he was my absolute favourite for years. One of his first books was called Thomasina and if you enjoy Mrs Arris, read his others.
Karen
Yes, that book is referenced in the Mrs. Brown book. :) ~ karen!
Mandie Wood-Donaldson
I'm trying to get through Outlander. It's not boring at all. I'm addicted to the show! I'm just like you, I fall asleep after a couple of sentences. Lol I have NO idea how I was able to read when I was younger.. getting older really sucks!
Ps. I know I'm behind. Lol
Peter Oster
It's the alternative that REALLY sucks.
Michelle Abell
I love listening to the Outlander books...then you can knit or doing something else at the same time! Hearing Claire's voice is delightful.
Sandy
"Calypso" by David Sedaris (he's an awesome story teller), "The Bright Hour" by Nina Riggs, and "The Best of Us" by Joyce Maynard were my favorite memoir reads in 2018. If you enjoy Ruth Ware's work, you may also like Tana French's books. I actually prefer French's writing over Ware, but to each their own. French has written seven novels and I read all of them in 2018. Her first book titled "In the Woods," remains my favorite, but I liked them all well enough to keep reading.
As for Stephen King -- I have enjoyed a number of his books. I read "Sleeping Beauty" and "The Outsider" in 2018. I recall really liking "The Stand" which I read long ago, and "Duma Key." When I read Duma Key I didn't want to eat, sleep or go to work until I finished it. My mother also read it and devoured it just as I did, but a friend of mine didn't like it at all. Not surprised, cuz we don't have the same taste in books.
A book I love and give to people is "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin.
Happy Reading!
Sandy
Oops meant to type "Sleeping Beauties" (Stephen King). While I'm here correcting, let me add a few more books that I've read or re-read this past year (and very much enjoyed).
The Good Earth – Pearl Buck
The Sea-Wolf – Jack London
The Shell Seekers – Rosamunde Pilcher
Happier at Home -- Gretchen Rubin (her work is soooo readable)
How to be a Husband – Tim Dowling (funny memoir)
Starbucks Saved My Life – Michael Gates Gill (memoir)
Catherine Safer
The Good Earth. Yes! My mother and I were talking about it the other day. Haven't read it for decades. Must find it again.
Gigi
"Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" by Gail Honeyman is a book I picked up at my local library because it was featured for the monthly book club. It is an unconventional love story about an old-fashioned, rather dull and dowdy thirtyish woman on the spectrum (I assume) with a secretly horrific past, bumbling her way through life avoiding any and all annoyances except her cunning Mummy, and a tenacious, unhygienic IT guy from her office. A witty yet sad, strange little read that I'm thoroughly enjoying!
Totally off topic, but I dipped and painted 8 Amaryllis in wax after reading your tutorial and have had great success. Next year, I'll give them as gifts now that I know how splendid they turn out. NO mess, no fear of overwatering or underwatering, or getting enough light. The Amaryllis I grew the conventional way, this year only grew strap leaves, with no blossoming stalk. ACCK!! A total misfire and waste of space and energy. I also want to add that the first round of 4 I soaked & dipped in wax, bloomed a full week before the 4 that I painstakingly painted wax onto the bulb. Wax dipping is the way to go. Thanks again for the wonderful idea.
Karen
Good to know Gigi! I'm actually going to do a round that includes nutrients in the water to see if that helps them bloom even bigger and better. ~ karen!
Suel
I'm revisiting The First Man in Rome by the late Colleen McCullough. This novel and the follow-up novels set in the time of Gaius Julius Caesar are treasure troves of political intrigue, wars, and some really juicy scandals. Of course the stories are fiction, but each book has been judiciously researched by Ms. McCullough. They're full of rich details about the language, culture and the realities of life in the Roman world.
Martha Murphy
Loved The First Man in Rome! Probably out of print, but possibly available to download from your library?
Suel
I'm afraid all my books are bound and on the shelf. I'm pretty sure you can find the series on Amazon. I had these in paperback for years and finally decided to gift myself hardcover copies for Christmas one year. One is a first edition, but not signed...
Susan F
Above by Leah Bobet. Fantasy tale set in Toronto. Matthew, who is an artist and Teller of tales, is forced to flee his underground refuge after the shadows invade. The story is the attempt of the survivors who try to return. It deals with some big themes, but the characters feel real in their emotions and actions.
Cynthia
Don't really know where to start. There are sooo many really great writers. I read 1 or 2 books a week. Mostly read before bedtime. Before I had my Kindle, I had to make my own card catalog. Local library has a nice collection. I find an author I like then devour everything they write. Saying all that, I'm definitely NOT an intellectual, I like to be entertained but I do enjoy some historical and actual geography. Sorry I didn't adhere to the request.
Rebecca C. Hall
Hi Karen,
I'm reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and love it! It's for anyone who loves living a creative life (you!)
NinaMargo
YESSSSSS!
Mindy
This can't be right. First comment???
I have a long list of high hopes, but I've spent the last three days pouring through hand-me-down magazines in front of the woodstove. It has been fantastic.
Cathy Reeves
We’re wintering in Az ( my first retirement winter trip ) so between hikes and casino visits, I found a sweet Little Free Library in an even sweeter Garden Members Park. I also got my library Card the second day I was here. So, I found Barbara Kingsolver’s “Pigs In Heaven” in the LFL. Haven’t started it yet, but no sightseeing tomorrow so....
By the way, I too, hated Gone Girl (didn’t finish) and The Girl on the Train which I finished but hated. I tried to get through Death of Mrs Westaway both XL print and audio, but it just wore me out.
ecoteri
Pigs in heaven>. heaven. enjoy
Heather
Pigs in Heaven, The Bean Trees, and Animal Dreams...my three favorite Barbara Kingsolver books!
Ecoteri
YES Heather. Some bizarre Marie Kondo moment (which I don't actually have) seems to have removed these three delicious Barbara Kingsolver novels from my shelves.
Time to re-read them, they are just so lovely. I always am a fan of re-reading a feel-good novel, every couple of years.
Ann Roberts
You will love Pigs in Heaven. Any of Barbara Kingsolver's shorter books are delightful and so well written
Lisa
I loved Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible the best.
Alena
My favourite novel by Barbara Kingsolver was the one about the butterflies - I think it was called Flight Behaviour.
Jacki
Barbara Kingsolver - my favourite author!! I read Prodigal Summer every summer!
Debbie
She’s my all time fave author too, and Prodigal Summer is her best!
corbin sweeny
read Bryson's Lost in America- very funny, if you have lived or traveled the Midwest to any degree. And written before he was quite so full of himself. Dear fellow from Iowa, after all, good and bad.
Margo
Was this actually The Lost Continent? I can’t find the book you are referring to.
Karen
Bryson's The Lost Continent is probably the book she is referring to. He returns to the US after living in England and tours the midwest in his mother's car.
Lisa
I thought Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything was fascinating. Another of his books about small towns in America I couldn't finish.
Nadia
The Diviners by Margaret Laurence, a Canadian classic.. so far I’m drawn in & enjoying it.
Nadia
The Diviners by Margaret Laurence, a Canadian classic.. so far I’m drawn in & enjoying it. I also could not get through American Pastoral... sucked the enjoyment out of my reading time and gave up.
SuzNKton
Oh I love Margaret Laurence! "The Stone Angel" was the first novel that I read of hers(was assigned for grade 11) and it was the first time that a novel resonated deep in my soul.
Carswell
I had to read it for school as well - and contrary to most of my classmates I liked it.
I loved The Diviners.
Mike Flegle
I'm binge-reading books by Lynda Barry. Begining with 'What It Is.' Here's a review, copy-and-pasted from Amazon:
"Deliciously drawn (with fragments of collage worked into each page), insightful and bubbling with delight in the process of artistic creation. A+" -Salon
Stephanie
Just finished Calypso by David
Sedaris! Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult was heavy... but soooo great.
Meredith
Calypso was sooo good. I listen to David Sedaris books on audio because the way he reads them adds so much to his writing. I've listened to the entire book at least 3 times so far. The story "now we are five" breaks my heart. I read it multiple times when it appeared in the New Yorker and listened to it repeatedly on the audiobook.
Suzanne
Calypso by Sedaris is a fantastic book. The part about his aging father haunts me!
Dana
I've been so see Sedaris read twice - and he was trying out material for Calypso the first time. I love his humour.
Claire
EDUCATED one of best books I have read - an unbelievable memoir of a young girl raised by fundamentalists in Idaho.
WASHINGTON BLACK -Esi Edoygan - story of an eleven yr old slave and his journey to freedom
RED WORD - Sarah Henstra - timely novel of rape culture and what goes on campus particularly life at fraternities.