Welcome to Quick Lit, where we share short and sweet reviews of what we’ve been reading lately on the 15th of the month.
In a predictable but unwelcome turn of events, my short-lived book tour has not done great things for my reading life. When I’m on the road, I often spend my evenings meeting readers, which I love to do. But when I’m at home, I spend my evenings reading.
And I have to say the coronavirus has likewise not done great things for my reading life. I’ve been reading the news more than I’ve been reading novels. While this was necessary while we were making important decisions about my Don’t Overthink It book tour—which is now sadly, but necessarily, canceled for at least the rest of March—I’m now ready to take a deep breath and dig into some escapist fiction.
All that being said, I’ve read some wonderful books lately, and I hope you have, as well. Please tell us all about your recent reads in comments.
What I’ve been reading lately: the new and the notable
Bluebird, Bluebird (Highway 59 Book 1)
This Won’t End Well
We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life
Throw Like a Girl
What have YOU been reading lately? Tell us about your recent reads—or share the link to a blog or instagram post about them—in comments.
P.S. Get hooked on a new mystery series with these 10 addicting audiobooks, and a simple trick for your To Be Read list.
P.P.S. The beautiful bookstore in the photo above is R. J. Julia, where I kicked off my Don’t Overthink It book tour. Isn’t it beautiful? It was such a joy to finally get to visit a store I had long longed to see in person.
135 comments
I think This Won’t End Well and Throw Like A Girl sounds like the fun, entertaining reads I need to get me through the next few weeks of unexpected school closings. I’m so sorry you had to delay your tour!! What a bummer.
Here’s what I’ve been reading lately (it’s pretty heavy on the Middle Grade March vibes):
https://readeatrepeat.net/2020/03/15/books-in-progress-what-ive-been-reading-lately-march-2020/
For this month’s Quick Lit post, I’m sharing reviews of an eclectic assortment of books I’ve read recently including mystery, YA romance, a popular essay compilation, a graphic memoir, and a classic financial guide. My opinions were as diverse as the books themselves.
https://kendranicole.net/quick-lit-march-2020-reading-wrap-up-part-one/
I’m recommending a few great books, including reviews of two new March releases! https://neverenoughnovels.com/2020/03/09/march-2020-book-recommendations/
We are the Luckiest looks good. I love well-written memoir.
This month, I made a list of books to consider when we’re too busy to read, plus some tips on reading when we’re busy. Middle grade books, graphic novels and audio books are all good options when our schedule’s crazy.
https://purplecrayonyourworld.com/what-should-i-read-when-i-dont-have-time-to-read/
This past month I read a couple of books I really enjoyed and one dark Snow White retelling that I’m on the fence about.
Best wishes to everyone during this stressful time. Stay safe!
https://scifantasor.com/2020/03/15/quick-lit-4-what-ive-been-reading/
We Ride Upon Sticks
Quan Barry
I just picked that up at R. J. Julia!
I’m in the middle of Gone With the Wind right now- what a long book! But so worth it.
https://www.tbretc.com/etc/whatireadinfebruary2020
Gone with the Wind is one of my all-time favorites… Both the novel and the movie.
It is very long but you’ll never regret the time spent to read GWTW!!
The Count of Monte Cristo. Very good!! Just finished The Warmth of Other Suns, and Range by David Epstein. Also, rereading The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undsett is on my nightstand.
That’s my favourite of all time! I am thinking of re-reading it, although everytime I re-read it I’m nervous I won’t like it as much as I thought, ha!
Want to read This Won’t End Well. Really wanting to dive into happy books during this season. Here’s what I read in February. https://shannanenjoyslife.com/2020/03/13/quick-lit-next-page-please-february-2020/
Judt got done reading Susan Orlean’s non-fiction “A Library Book”, which my library considered popular history. It was very good, I can see why it’s popular, and is this a real genre? I want more books like this because this is my favorite type of book. I’m currently eyeballing another book to read soon called “Tomatoland” that sounds really good (also non fiction). Any other recs for gripping non fiction out there? Thanks!
I just finished The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal. Delightful, family story. I learned much about The making of a favorite beverage. Well done!
I grew up in Minnesota and listening to this on audio was so much fun. Made me miss home 😊
Kathy-
I’m in Rochester and I’m in a Plain Readers Book Club that focuses on Midwest books, with a Mn focus. This month we read Live Medicine by Louise Erdrich-the discussion was cancelled-) It might have been her debut novel (circa 1984). She has an amazing bookstore in Minneapolis.
Love Medicine
I just finished reading this, too. I currently live in Minnesota and have never had a drop of alcohol in my life and loved it all the same! I just adored the characters!
I’m visiting family in the UK, wondering if my flight back to Slovenia tomorrow will get cancelled last minute – but in the meantime, please hop on over to see my reads and the book wreath I made last month!
https://susandcook.blogspot.com/2020/03/quick-lit-march-2015.html
My favorite books so far in 2020 – The Weight is Ink, Mad Dash, and The Authenticity Project. Right now, I’m craving light, happy reads so switching gears a bit from what I was going to read next.
The Winter Soldier…unforgettable
I LOVE all of Rosemund Pilcher’s books and Winter Solstice was one of my favorites!
I was lucky to finally get Where the Crawdads Sing from Libby this week! It was a jump the line copy so I have to read it quickly but I’m loving it!!
I just finished listening to the audiobook of The Dutch House (narrated by Tom Hanks) by Ann Patchett. I really enjoyed this, it was my first novel by her.
I have been trying to work my way through the print version of The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern and recently decided to switch to audio as I loved The Night Circus in audio.
In print I just checked out The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. This will be a quick read, very much looking forward to it.
I also started listening the Anne of Green Gables again. My husband and I are taking a TV fast for Lent and the other night I was really missing Gilmore Girls, which is my go to for when I’m working on my embroidery. Thankfully some time with Anne Shirley and the Cuthberts gave me a very similar feeling of something comfortable and familiar.
Oooh, if that was your first Ann Patchett book, you might enjoy Bel Canto. It’s one of her earlier ones (2001). I loved it.
I agree… Bel Canto is my favorite of hers, too.
I just finished reading The Dutch House and can completely imagine Tom Hanks as the narrator. For some reason it took me a chapter or two to warm up to it but I ended up really liking it.
This Won’t End Well sounds great–I love books that manage to apply a light tone to heavy topics. One of my reads this month was also like that: https://www.mindjoggle.com/march-2020-book-reviews/
I’m envious that you always read such good stuff! The past couple months weren’t so successful for me. Ah well, I enjoy the conversation anyway! http://under-the-lintel.blogspot.com/2020/03/quick-lit.html
Mindy, sometimes that’s how it goes. I hope your near future holds plenty of good books!
They closed my library system for two weeks for Coronavirus, so I’m digging into my shelves and re-reading an old favorite:
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius- Dave Eggers.
And I pulled out a handful of books that I acquired a while ago, that have been lingering:
Thru-hiking Will Break Your Heart- Carrot Quinn
Liberty Crossing- Nevada Barr
It looks like my local indie bookstore is still open (The Ivy in Baltimore), so I’m going to see if I can call in an order and swing by to pick up some new books. I’ll miss browsing in the store, but hope that a quick pick up will limit contact and help support a local small business in these challenging times.
I am also a Baltimorean and sad about BCPL closing (although totally supportive of the decision). Luckily, I have a backlog of close to 20 library books so I suppose I should just read the ones I have rather than just keeping on requesting new ones. 🙂 Hope you enjoy your stack from The Ivy!
Just realized that EPFL could very easily be your library system instead. Did you know that there is a books by mail option for EPFL users who live within the city limits. Pretty cool!
Their online options should be available to you, that’s what my library system is doing. That’s the only way I get books anyway from there, so not much of a change for me.
Beware the Ides of March! But I’m all set….Currently I’m enjoying America for Beginners by Leah Franqui. It’s the Novel Neighbor (my local Indie 😍) Book Club March pick. Up next I have Writers & Lovers by Lily King and The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosen. Stay well, Friends!
I am in the middle of Writers and Lovers. So far, so good. I am also reading Saint X, which is excellently written!
I recently added Bluebird, Bluebird to my backlist TBR list!
My March Books to Read (and Skip)…it was massive month for new releases:
https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/march-2020-books-to-read-and-skip/
Throw like a girl sounds great! I read 22 books in February, some of them surprising good.
I just finished an older JD Robb In Death title (I’m trying to catch up on that series). And I pulled The Rules of Civility off my TBR stack to start today. I really enjoyed Towles’s A Gentleman in Moscow, so I have high hopes for today’s reading.
Rules of Civility is one of my very favorites. I love his writing. Be sure to go on line and read how he got the inspiration for this book
For some reason, all of a sudden I want to read classics, which has not been true for many years of my adult life! I’m finally reading Anne Bronte’s Agnes Grey, which has been on my Kindle in a collection of the Bronte sisters’ work for a long time. And I like it so far! I may just reread the other Bronte novels as well. I guess it’s like comfort food for the soul right now.
Oh Anne! My fingers are crossed that you will still make it to Chicago for your book tour! I was so anxious to see you in person!
Since we are homebound (due to the big C), I thought I would make a reading challenge for our family. Here is what we are reading today…
I’m re-reading A Gentleman from Moscow with my book club (love!) & A Perilous Undertaking on audio & Celine (audio in the car! ;))
My husband is reading: The Second Mountain & The Motive,
my 16 yr old son: Sleeping Giants,
& 13 yr old daughter: Failing Up
Enjoy this unique time at home with your family! Blessings!
Kristen
My husband is on book 2 of the Themis Files and devouring it!
Kristen, I sure hope we get to meet in Chicago! If not next month, then SOON.
I just finished the audio version of The Great Believers and loved it. It made me realize how little I know about the AIDS crisis. I was just a young teen when it all got started and it was the “gay disease” so I just didn’t pay much attention. I’m trying to put together a list of stuff to read and watch to give me a better understanding of what really happened. I also just finished We Are the Luckiest and really loved it. Ive read a few from the “Quit Lit” genre and really enjoy them. Most are well-written and they force you to be introspective about your own life/relationship with alcohol and addictive behaviors, which I think is a good thing for all of us!
I read Great Believers recently and loved it – there’s so much more to learn about that time of history.
The Great Believers was my favorite read from last year, although it’s a bit weird to think of the 1980’s as history, since I remember it so vividly. I’m glad others enjoyed it as well!
Throw Like a Girl sounds really good. I’ve had some Camille Pagan books on my kindle but haven’t read any yet – now might be the time – they sound like just what I need lately 🙂
Here’s what my family has been reading – some romance for me, The Themis Files for my husband, funny read alouds for my kids as well as graphic novels.
https://www.everyoneslibrarian.com/blog/quick-lit-recent-reads-for-march-2020
My mystery book group just read Bluebird, Bluebird. I loved it but many in the book had difficulty with it as they thought there were too many characters. Make a list if you need to because the plot brings all of the characters together in the end just like a well done braid. Stick with it – well worth the effort
Becky, thanks for sharing these tips!
Currently rereading East of Eden. I love to read this book slowly and absorb the language. Also reading The Librarian of Auschwitz.
I think East of Eden may be my all-time favourite book. ❤️
I agree, I think East of Eden is beautifully written. I love that book.
The first half of March has been less than stellar reading-wise, but I went to the library yesterday and stocked up on five books that I think will be much better. (So far, our library hasn’t closed, but our branch’s head librarian says they’ll know more this evening. I didn’t want to wake up tomorrow with no library access!!!!)
Just finished The Victorian and the Romantic, by Nell Stevens. It’s delightful–especially for anyone who loves 19th-century novels (especially by Elizabeth Gaskell) or is a recovering academic. It’s also just a lovely memoir. Also just finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and some books on my 2020 Reading Challenge: To Kill a Mockingbird (Classic I never read in school), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Book from decade I was born), A Novel Bookstore (Book in translation).
I’m reading a can’t put down book right now–American Dirt, an Oprah 2020 Book Club recommendation. A book which evidently has caused much controversy. I simply can’t stop reading–the writing is amazing, the setting in present day Mexico is close to home (I live in Arizona in winter) and Jeanine Cummins touches on so many hot button migrant, illegal immigration issues and the struggles. It’s an amazing book!
I felt the same way! Could NOT PUT IT DOWN! And loved every
page! Still thinking about it and finished it almost a month ago!
I’m reading that right now, too!! I didn’t realize it was controversial.
another book recommendation of Oprah that i just finished and loved loved loved: “the sun does shine”. About a man sent to death row( he was there for 30 years) for murders he did not do!!! Oh my… heartbreak. the legal system is not kind if you are poor, black, and male…
I just finished a couple of weeks ago and I could not put it down. It was a frightening look at why people take all the risks they do to immigrate illegally to the U.S. I had to find out if they made the journey safely!
I’m reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It’s about Dracula and some might not care for that, but it came highly recommended and I’m enjoying it so far. Just finished A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and thought that was fantastic! I’m listening to Still Life by Louise Penny as many of you have said audio is the way to go on her first novel. Stay well everyone in these uncertain times.
Agreed re: A Gentleman in Moscow!! Very well done.
I LOVED The Historian, and I don’t read horror or supernatural books. It wasn’t what I expected at all. After a friend heard me raving about it and all I learned, she offered to take me with her to Hungary in 2 weeks! Sadly, no passport and 3 children put the kibosh on that plan… but it was fun to visit it between the covers of the book.
Just this week I read Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson, a fun mystery book about books. Also read The Secret Guests by Benjamin Black, an escape into the time of World War II, the blitz, and the young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret. Set in the countryside of Ireland, it was interesting, fresh and engaging. Snagged both these books from the new book shelf at the library, before the social distancing set in.
I just finished Eight Perfect Murders as well!
I’ve discovered two fresh new authors in two of my favorite genres. Gwendolyn Harper’s trilogy Bloody Sunrise, Blood Moon and Bloody Sunset are zombie apocalypse romance novels that have unique author features. She lets her readers decide the race or ethnicity of the characters by not using descriptive narration forcing her vision of them. But by using fabulous dialogue. And although this is romance, she doesn’t use the typical romance template that reassures good outcomes. I was completely satisfied as a reader that her ending isn’t like all the others or her storyline.
The second new and refreshing author in my Vampire Slayer genre is Lauren Devora with her series Children of Lilith. I hear her third book is out sometime this year. Her characters are so unique in their personalities that they each could be the main character of a book. This choice to make them equals reenforces the storyline of vampire hunters depending on each other. She is also great at witty dialogue. The vergining love stories also add character depth. Her action scenes read like watching a movie.
Both authors are available as ebooks if getting out to buy is a problem.
With all the craziness in the world right now, I’ve been escaping to read–a lot! I’ve always been the type to read multiple books at once, but when I hit being in the middle of 11 books last month, I figured I’d better slow down and finish several, ha ha.
Some recent reads: Big Little Lies, Ordinary Grace, Summerlost, amid others…
https://www.toloveandtolearn.com/2020/03/10/loving-and-learning-lately-23/
With all of our ski resorts and all library’s closed I’ve decided to take this time to dive into some of my hefty tomes on my bookshelf.
1st up is A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I am on page 226 and can say this may be one of my top reads of 2020.
I think we may be looking at even more disruptions; my book shelves are full so I feel prepared. Stay safe by being smart and calm in these uncertain times.
A Little Life blew me away. You will think about it long after you turn the last page.
I just finished reading The Weight of Ink by Jessica Kadish and was blown away by it. Definitely a 5-star read! I was supposed to hear the author speak at a local literary league later this month and hope her appearance will be rescheduled.
I also just finished listening to the audiobook of Emma.
I bought The Weight of Ink after randomly attending a reading by the author. It reminds me a lot of Possession, another amazing read.
Yes, RJ Julia is a beautiful store! It’s my happy place. Enjoyed meeting you there.
The Giver of Stars is getting me thru!! Totally submersed!
Intrigued by This Won’t End Well, it sounds like a good one. I read two books in the past month and liked both of them! More details here:
https://mommablogsalot.com/2020/03/15/quick-lit-march-2020/
A friend recommended The Hearts of Men by Nickolas Butler and I loved it! I haven’t read many books lately told from a boy’s/man’s point of view which two of three parts of this warm-hearted story are. Goodreads readers also rave about the author’s first book Shotgun Lovesons, which I’ve added to my TBR.
I took a month off from reading but I am back. Here is what I read https://myviewofthehoneypot.blogspot.com/2020/03/what-i-read-march.html
This has me so excited to pick up This Won’t End Well! A fun escapist read that is easy to devour but still has some heft sounds like just what I need right now! I wrote all about what I read last month here:
http://www.anopenbookblog.com/what-i-read-february-2020/
Hope everyone is finding ways to stay healthy and peaceful!
All these books are new to me. I’m currently reading You Should Talk to Someone and A Spark of Light. Maybe during times of cancellation I will actually finish these soon!
I share here books I recommend plus I pose this question:
Should a book’s title match it’s content?
https://www.lisanotes.com/books-i-recommend-february-2020/
I’ve just finished “Nooks and Crannies” by Jessica Lawson this afternoon. I love a good middle grade mystery book, and it was the perfect read these anxiety-filled days.
To my surprise I managed to read four books this past month, despite living under the impression that I read a lot, but didn’t finish much. That’s what reading multiple books at a time does to me, ha!
I’ve been binging on Sheila Connolly’s a County Cork mysteries lately, and am starting her other series now in “Spacious Solitude” between walking with a friend and her dogs.
Loved Christina Baker Kline’s “the way life should be” she nailed life in Maine and included a lot of yummy recipes from her fictional Nonna.
But best of all has been Brian Doyle’s best brief essays, collected by friends into a single volume; One Long River of Song: Notes on Wonder. It is a delicious look at the everyday world around around us in a burbling exploration of what the English language can do in the soaring imagination of a gifted writer. A true treasure for these worrying times. Published Dec 2019.
On the theory that history will repeat itself if we don’t learn anything, I pulled down a good book from my shelf and am re-reading it–THE GREAT INFLUENZA by John M. Barry. It works for me because my mind is on these issues anyway! The story of the 1918-1919 pandemic is well told and put into context with all the other big things going on in the world at that time.
THAT sounds like a great read! I’ve been looking for something like that.
Cheryl, that book keeps coming up in conversation this week!
The Girl in the Blue Coat and The French Wedding.
I want to read The Love Story of Missy Carmichael this week.
Agreed
Agreed
Definitely enjoying this post even more this month! I have been reading Lauren Graham’s memoir Talking As Fast As I Can, which is a hilarious delight. And Wendell Berry’s Sabbath Poems (available on Hoopla for anyone who could use free/instant access!) Which are definitely calming my soul.
I did a Quick Lit post today to give people some good fiction ideas for this time of social distancing. The three novels I’ve read so far this year are The Difference (Marina Endicott), Five Wives (Joan Thomas), and The Gown (Jennifer Robson) — all Canadian novels and really good. (Lovers of The Crown will love The Gown! 🙂 )
https://prinsenhouse.blogspot.com/2020/03/quick-lit-three-good-novels-for-time-of.html
Thanks for sharing! I recently finished “The Last Lecture” and am listening to “The Starless Sea”! Happy reading, everyone!
https://incessantbookworm.com/2020/03/15/quick-lit-18-what-have-you-been-reading-lately/
I’m still on my Tolkien kick (real talk this will probably last all year with the amount of additional back story Christopher Tolkien compiled) and American history kick, but I also got the latest Pendergast book! Pendergast is hands-down my favorite literary detective, and the new book is inspired by the story of the feet washing up on Florida beaches.
https://eclecticandeccentric.wordpress.com/2020/03/15/quicklit-march-2020/
Since the February check-in, my best reads have been rereads of Star Trek novels from earlier in the decade. They are Watching the Clock (for time travel) and The Persistence of Memory (for android goodness).
Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler, who is a Nebula award winning African American dystopian science fiction writer. (whew, lots of adjectives there) Both were written in the 1990s and were recommended by my husband, who reads a lot of science fiction. Not my usual genre, but I am finding these books fascinating-especially with what is going on today.
I love your blog!! I also especially appreciate your “open book” “closed book” and “chaste” categorizing. For myself and young teen. We’ll definitely check out throw like a girl 🙂 Thank you for all your insightful book reviews.
I just finished listening to Little Fires Everywhere yesterday on CloudLibrary and Where the Crawdads Sing just before that. I’ve also been listening to Sense and Sensibility read by Rosamund Pike on Audible. I’ve read it before, but her narration is lovely.
I recently finished reading The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls. Now I’m reading The Orphan’s Tale which I’m really enjoying! Historical fiction is probably my favorite!
The Paper Magician is next for a book club I just joined.
I just read four books in 4 days: Jessica Simpson Memoir was quite good. Maybe you should talk to someone – also enjoyed. Summer of 69, and Flight Patterns. Both so enjoyable. I listen while I embroider.
I really enjoyed This Won’t End Well!! 😍👍 here’s my February Wrap up…
https://readingladies.com/2020/02/29/february-2020-reading-wrap-up/
Just finished listening to The Silent Patient and The Woman in the Window on Audiobooks. Both really good, but The Silent Patient completely had me thinking about it for days!
Here’s what I’ve been reading lately. It’s my wrap-up for February 2020:
https://thesimplyblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/09/a-look-back-at-february-2020-a-month-in-review/
Bluebird, Bluebird has been on my TBR for a while. This won’t End Well sounds intriguing and I love the title (because how often is that exclaimed). Here are my February books read: https://susanbowers.typepad.com/in_the_storm/2020/03/what-ive-been-reading-february-2020.html
I’ve got a variety of books on my list this month including one that I absolutely loved. http://www.sincerelystacie.com/2020/03/quick-lit-mini-reviews-of-some-recent-reads-march-edition/
📚Some of my favorite recent reads in “WHAT I READ THIS WINTER”:
https://laurathomasauthor.com/what-i-read-this-winter/
I really can’t stop recommending Becoming Mrs. Lewis…finished it recently and just really enjoyed it. Currently reading Beneath a Scarlet Sky and it is also a good “based on a true story” fiction choice.
The last couple weeks I have binged on all of Madeleine St John’s books (The Essence of the Thing, A Pure Clear Light, A Stairway to Paradise, and The Women in Black.) I wish there were more! I learned about her in the newsletter from one of my favorite bookstores, Arcadia Books in Spring Green, WI. She writes in short, snappy chapters and is able to convey such awareness about the nature of relationships. Also, read and enjoyed Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner (Set mainly during the WWII blitz of London)and Wives and Lovers by Lily King. At first I wasn’t sure if this was for me–I am over 70 and felt like I missed a number of contemporary references, but ultimately I liked the characters and read this as a novel of resurrection. One other novel to mention, and not just because I live in St Paul, MN and not far from the location of this novel: Swede Hollow by Ola Larsmo is about immigration in the early 1900’s. I learned a lot, but also ached with the struggles of the main characters. Well done.
Nancy, I just read The Women in Black myself this winter! It was my first Madeleine St John book.
My students talked me into giving Percy Jackson a try – and I am truly surprised at how much I love it! With schools and the library closed, I’m going to have to seen if one of my students can lend me the next five books in the series.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? was funny but melancholy, Kevin Kwan’s three Crazy Rich Asian satirical novels were entertaining, and The Gentleman From Moscow was beautifully written and demonstrated that joy can be created out of sadness and loss.
I agree Where’d You Go, Bernadette was so funny, I had the best time reading this lighthearted book. Truly laughed out loud by myself.
I just finished “Bluebird, Bluebird” too. Very good mystery! I could really identify with the racial ambivalence of the area, since I live along Highway 59 in Texas. I was so tickled when I read the name of my hometown as the ranger drives through it. I needed to tell somebody or write the author. Something! So I’m telling you. haha
Thanks to the consistent recs for Tana French on this site, I am reading The Witch Elm and so far it’s really good.
I made it to the library for a stock up during the week, and then found out they are canceling all events including book club, so that is disappointing but understandable.
For the next two weeks of forced downtime, my motto will be “so many books, so much time!”.
I’m sorry your tour was canceled but glad you’ll have some more reading time! I’ve read a wider variety of books recently than I usually do…but my reviews of some of them just couldn’t be short.
https://articles.earthlingshandbook.org/2020/03/11/book-reviews-all-over-the-place/
Attica Locke has long been on my TBR list and I’m always looking for audiobook recommendations!
February was a fun reading month. I finally wrapped up my 2019 Scandinavian Reading Challenge and got a good start on 2020 reading challenges.
http://www.avikinginla.com/2020/03/reading-lately-february-2020-scandireadingchallenge-update/
I am the first of 3 generations of Harry Potter fans. I just re-read all 7 books but this time I used a commentary along with them. “Repotting Harry Potter” by James W. Thomas, PhD is “A professor’s book-by-book guide for the serious re-reader.” I prepped for this little scholarly adventure by buying a boxed paperback set (I had re-read my hardcover editions for years)so that I could write discoveries and insights in the margins. It was fun but I abandoned the annotation after book two. In book three, I continued to read his outlined sections in the book then the commentary, going back and forth. Books four thru seven, I read the book then the complete commentary. AFter each book I watched the movie. Whoa, that was eye-opening! Anyway, I started in January and finished the end of February. I think the commentary could have been a little deeper but would be good for someone new to studying literature that way.
My reading life has suffered this month too. Last month I coincidentally read The Stand and Station Eleven 😬
http://www.allthebooksihaventread.com/blog-1/2020/3/5/march-show-us-your-books
OH WOW. That is incredible timing. Yikes!
Jill, have you ever read Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler? I know a lot of people recommend Kindred as the Butler read to try first. But, I think Parable of the Sower is just powerful and fits in line with The Stand and Station Eleven.
Almost Done with the last Harry Potter book after putting the series down for some time . At my daughters asking I picked it up again to finish . These are so much fun and I am so glad my daughter encouraged me . Almost done with the last book .
So sorry about your book tour 🙁 I’m hoping this social distancing will be helpful for reading, but keeping the kids away from too much tech while keeping them entertained might mitigate that… Alas, things for us could be so much worse. Here’s my February wrap up: http://www.bornandreadinchicago.com/2020/03/february-book-reviews.html
I finally read “My Antonia”, by Willa Cather and I was so disappointed! What is it I’m not getting?? Also, “The Beach House”, by Jane Green. I will NOT be reading any more Jane Green, suffice to say. But “Unequal Affections, A Pride and Prejudice Retelling” by Lara Ormiston—That was wonderful!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! A lot of these aren’t great, but I loved every minute of this one, and wish there was a sequel. And “Dear Edward” was good in a sort of “disaster movie” way–and depressing. Can’t even imagine being in that situation. I wonder how the author imagined it, since she got the idea of a sole survivor from a real life plane crash, and not her own experience.
I’m currently reading Paradise by Toni Morrison. Morrison makes you work as a reader (Gene Wolfe is the same way) and this one fits that bill. I can not say I love it…but Morrison writes beautifully and has some interesting characters in the all black town of Ruby, Oklahoma.
Hello!
I’m currently reading (audiobook) ‘Cutting for Stone’ by Abraham Verghese, and enjoying it, although the medical details are just a tad gory and graphic…. Also reading Ann Patchett’s ‘The Dutch House’, which is good but a bit too slow-paced for my tastes. Just finished ‘The Gown’ by Jennifer Robson. It was a bit predictable, but enjoyable, and the details about the embroidery on Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown were very interesting. Also just finished ‘Lethal White’ by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) and have loved this series because the characters are so well done.
On the top of my TBR mountain of books are ‘Winter Soldier’ and ‘What the Wind Knows’, and ‘The Most Fun We Ever Had.’
I don’t feel like I got through very many books in the past month but maybe that will change with all the inside time we are about to have! Did a run on my library before they closed for a month! Here’s my Quick Lit!
I recently finished Where the Crawdads Sing. I loved the story and all the naturalist back story. The Stationary Shop was awesome. I loved learning about Tehran. The love story within a love story was wonderful. I just finished The Flight Girls, a wonderful story about The Women Airforce Service Pilots. Currently reading My Life in France by Julia Child and The Grown Up’s Guide to Living in France because I might get to in the near future.
I am reading And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
I just finished Tana French’s The Witch Elm. That was a slog for me. But I finished!
Just finished The Mercies by Koran Millwood Hargrove – this book is SO good, best novel of 2020 for me so far. Highly recommended!!!
Reading the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross…just finished book 7. These books are such a fun read; so much so, I find myself laughing out loud quite often. Glad to have this lighthearted series during these unchartered times right now.
Adding “This Won’t End Well” to my TBR list 🙂
Stay healthy everyone!
Love Miss Julia…they are great as recordings too!
I recently finished The Shadow of the Wind, which was fantastic. Mysterious, a hint of fantasy, and a book about books. I’m currently reading A Higher Call, which is a riveting WWII true story and one that I’m going to pass along to my dad when I’m done because I think he’ll love it. Also reading The Call of the Wild/White Fang, which I’m liking more than I thought I would (but also how did this become a kid’s movie??).
Am reading American Dirt…the most terrifying first chapter of any book. Very unsettling look at what many people have to deal with in South and Central America. Beautifully written. Before that, read Mistress of the Ritz…Paris in WWII. Great story!
Thanks for the reminder about Bluebird, Bluebird. It’s set in the area where I grew up!
I’m late to the party this month, but better late than never! Please visit my Cozy Burrow to read about my favorite books in February and to see some peeks into my notebooks: https://katiegilley.com/2020/03/01/february-2020-highlights/
Currently I am reading the second installment of the Greg Iles Mississippi Burning trilogy called The Bone Tree. I am also reading your book, Don’t Overthink It, and Wheat Belly. I also have one I’m listening to while I do gardening and housework, while I’m walking the dog, and while I sew (unless I have some good Lifetime or Hallmark movies to watch).
I have to say, Throw Like a Girl sounds just about perfect right now. I like to read light & sweet romances when real life gets a little . . . what shall we call this time in history . . . rough.
I read a couple of Kasie West’s book this month, which also are light & sweet romances. http://www.thephilosopherswife.net/2020/03/our-library-bag-march-2020.html
Both my reading life and my blogging about reading life are struggling under the weight of this global crisis. I did manage to (finally!) share this list from 2019, 7 Literary Books Our Church Read Together in 2019: https://www.tamarahillmurphy.com/blogthissacramentallife/7-literary-books-our-church-read-together-in-2019-apostles-reads/2020/2/26
The post includes what we’re reading in 2020 and into 2021.
Peace of heart, mind, and body to you all, reading friends!
I loved This Won’t End Well!
Here’s my March reading wrap up….
https://readingladies.com/2020/03/31/march-2020-reading-wrap-up/
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