Your slow reads have taught me that I don’t need to zoom through my reads. Taking my time allows me to fit more in and has helped quiet my reader anxiety lol. Different days call for different books and it’s been the best change in my reading habit.
It’s so interesting and not what I expected at all. Those people are nuts lol but I’ve really been enjoying their personalities. I’m still early into it
Same! I thought it was going to be a love story a la Jane Eyre - I was NOT prepared for the level of Gothic insanity, but I'm enjoying it much more than I thought I would. The prose is a bit "purple" for my taste and sometimes it's hard to get on the right frame of mind, but once I get locked in it's a fun ride!
It's sooo good. I remember a blurber said it was the only 900 page book they were sorry to reach the end and not to have more...and when I reached the end I felt the same way. Time to read it again.
It is an absolutely wonderful book, and it truly captures the landscape of Texas, where I grew up. I read this initially in the 1980s and bought a copy recently to re-read when I finish the book I’m currently reading: Buckley—the Life and Revolution That Changed America, by Sam Tanenhaus
I've nearly finished re-reading WUTHERING HEIGHTS ahead of the controversial upcoming new film next month. Perfect stormy reading for a drab January.
I've been meaning to read Pym for ages so this might be the final prod I need to get started, because quiet dark humour and lives unlived are just things adore in books. Introspection wrapped up in quaintness; yes please!
Les Miserables slow read, but I am terrible at slow reads and have zoomed ahead because I do really enjoy immersing myself in the text.
I have two author completist goals - Laurie Colwin and Dorothy Dunnett's historical fiction, which is what came up when I googled "what do I read after Wolf Hall?" So I've read 2 DD books in the House of Niccolo series, and 3 Colwin novels.
I'm reading Les Miz too, just on my own. I'm a little over halfway through and have reached a point where the action is too intense to continue so I'm taking a break! Loving it tho. I also recently read A Tale of Two Cities and The Count of Monte Cristo, both also dealing with just-previous decades in France, so they made a kind of sequence.(I didn't plan that, just picked books I wanted to read.) Fascinating to see the way novelists portrayed these historical events.
I am a life-long Dunnett reader and fan. I am rereading Game of Kings for the 12th time +/-; there is an online book group-Outlander Book Club-that has a Dunnett forum. We have read the entire Lymond series, House of Niccolo and King Hereafter together. Still available if you are interested in reading the comments. Just search for Outlander Book Club and then look for the Dunnett forum.
Oh they are all so short and accessible (but beautifully written) so whatever is available on your library holds. W&N reissued these gorgeous new *editions.
Rebecca, I am a life-long Dunnett fan having read Game of Kings back in the late 1960s. There is a devoted following via the Outlander Book Club (OBC). We finally wrapped up the House of Niccolo last year having read the Lymond Chronicles and King Hereafter over the last 8 years! Check it out.
Drill down to the Dunnett Forum. There is also a classic read forum, book of the month forum, of course Outlander forum. Hope to see you there; we are a very fun group!!!
Simon, are you a member of the Dorothy Dunnett Society? I am working with 4 others to index the fabulous Whispering Gallery issues. Attended the DD Centenary in 2023 in Edinburgh. Keep pushing her novels!!!
I'm not. I haven't been organised enough – and I've never got around to subscribing to Whispering Gallery. I did have a chat with an agent at Curtis Brown late last year, and she said they are in charge of their estate – it they ever did anything to make anothet push for her books, I'd love to be involved. Jealous you attended the centenary!
I’m so glad to know this — I picked up a DD book from a Little Free Library simply because I love historical fiction. I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet but this motivates me to move it up in the order. 😍
Are you do Les Miserables by yourself, or in a slow read group. I’d like to do a slow read group read of it next year. I’ve got the Julie Rose translation and only made up to Fantine before work got in the way, several years ago.
As usual I have three going at once: HOMEGOING, by Yaa Gyasi, for book club; EIN NEUES LEBEN, by Regine Frei to improve my German; and THE CORRESPONDENT, by Virginia Evans because I was curious what all the fuss was about. It’s wonderful! For once the hype is warranted!
I am now around number 175 on my library's waitlist for The Correspondent. People with vastly different reading tastes like this book, so I am curious.
I love Yaa Gyasi, and thought her book, Transcendent Kingdom, was even better than Homegoing, but that might be because it spoke to me more on a personal level.
I also liked TRANSCENDENT KINGDOM even more than HOMEGOING, but in the years since reading each of them I have thought back to both on numerous occasions. They're both beautiful.
I'm #166 on our library waitlist! I'm waiting for the softcover/paperback version to come out. It will probably come out before the waitlist goes down. I've heard many good things about The Correspondent, and I usually like epistolary novels, so I'm hopeful for this one.
I read The Correspondent earlier this month for book club and agree on the wonderfulness. It was almost unanimously loved by the group...but one person loathed the main character.
The main character is really complicated! I loathed hee at times too. But this is how we humans are—complicated and horrible at times too. (In fact Sybil reminded me so much of the mom of one of my best friends that in spite of getting angry with her at times, I couldn’t really dislike her.)
How is the German book - I am always looking for interesting German books in German (although I have a shelf to plow through already). I’ve Kairos lined up for this year…
It is good—a really fun Krimi—but I’m not sure how available it would be. It was put out by a tiny publisher here in Bern, where I live, and other books by this author don’t seem to be available on Amazon.
I would love to hear what you think of Kairos! I think Jenny Erpenbeck is brilliant, but I have only ever read her in translation.
I read Heimsuchung it was brilliant! Super recommended, in original or translation. Not a big Krimi reader but will look this up bc it sounds like a rare one. I do love all the Babylon Berlin stuff and bought some books from the series - Berlin in 20s and 30s if past century is just such a perfect setting. The TV series is also one of the best ever!
This novel still haunts me. Hope you are enjoying it. I find it very hard to describe it. It’s one of those novels that is not that easy to talk about for some reason.
Hi. I’m only about 1/3 of the way through. I like it so far and am not sure where it will go next. I find it hard to believe it was written 30 years ago.
THE BROTHERS K, by David James Duncan. And of course the slow read I’m leading— MOBY-DICK by Herman Melville (click on my page to learn more!) and the monthly book chat I’m also leading: TILL WE HAVE FACES, by CS Lewis. All are welcome!
THE GREATEST SHORT STORIES OF LEO TOLSTOY...just excellent. "Master and Man" is considered his masterpiece, and having just finished it, I have to say that pound for pound, it is exceptional. The story takes place on the day after the feast of Saint Nicholas, so I'm going to have to exert utmost patience and wait to record it in December!
I'm also crawling along with WOLF HALL and have been loving every minute ;)
I also read THIS IS HAPPINESS recently, and loved it, and just started Williams' garden memoir with his wife, IN KILTUMPER, which is lovely winter reading.
1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin. Tells the story of the events leading up to the United States' stock market crash that triggered the Great Depression and the awfulness that followed across the world. It is eerily similar to the current moment with AI and tech investment.
Mine too. For a long time, I would say it was my absolute favorite book ever, but it's been awhile since I read it so I may have to pull it out again and re-assess. I love all the early John Irving books, but have trouble with his later ones.
MOVING TARGETS by Margaret Atwood. A collection of her essays and articles from late nineties to early 2000s including 9/11. It was like sitting in a masterclass on literature. She references so many different writers across the ages. I collected titles as I read and now have a whole reading list, I'll never get through it. I felt hopeful and energized by reading this. Which is saying something these days.... Also listening to her biography. "The Book of Lives.
GIOVANNI’S ROOM
WUTHERING HEIGHTS
THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD
PARADISE LOST
A LITTLE LIFE
😅😅
…and of course WAR AND PEACE
Your slow reads have taught me that I don’t need to zoom through my reads. Taking my time allows me to fit more in and has helped quiet my reader anxiety lol. Different days call for different books and it’s been the best change in my reading habit.
Love this so much!
Giovanni’s Room is a gem. I need to read it again.
It’s been such a great experience reading it.
I'm also reading Wuthering Heights right now - my first time! What do you think of it so far?
It’s so interesting and not what I expected at all. Those people are nuts lol but I’ve really been enjoying their personalities. I’m still early into it
Hahaha I know! I expected a beautiful Jane Austen like love story and boy was I wrong 😂😂😂
Same! I thought it was going to be a love story a la Jane Eyre - I was NOT prepared for the level of Gothic insanity, but I'm enjoying it much more than I thought I would. The prose is a bit "purple" for my taste and sometimes it's hard to get on the right frame of mind, but once I get locked in it's a fun ride!
love it 'Gothic Insanity!'
This is my fav book ever - hope you are enjoying it!
Absolutely - could not agree more. Used to be like tugging a rope with knots, now it’s like a zen experience.
Who knew all I had to do was give myself permission to read slower lol
EAST OF EDEN by John Steinbeck. Really enjoying the story.
Read that last year, great book
I've been slowly making my way through Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. I'm completely swept into this epic story of the American West. It's so good!
I'm reading Dracula right now and then when I'm done with that, I'll be picking up Lonesome Dove! I keep hearing good things.
It's sooo good. I remember a blurber said it was the only 900 page book they were sorry to reach the end and not to have more...and when I reached the end I felt the same way. Time to read it again.
Just reading that too Adrian. 👍🏻
I read Lonesome Dove last Summer. Named my new cat Jasper. Liked that character.😺
I read Lonesome Dove last year and loved it!
It is an absolutely wonderful book, and it truly captures the landscape of Texas, where I grew up. I read this initially in the 1980s and bought a copy recently to re-read when I finish the book I’m currently reading: Buckley—the Life and Revolution That Changed America, by Sam Tanenhaus
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus. I've laughed, cried and almost thrown the book at the wall in a rage. It's an emotional undertaking!
I've nearly finished re-reading WUTHERING HEIGHTS ahead of the controversial upcoming new film next month. Perfect stormy reading for a drab January.
I've been meaning to read Pym for ages so this might be the final prod I need to get started, because quiet dark humour and lives unlived are just things adore in books. Introspection wrapped up in quaintness; yes please!
Yes I'm not sure what I expected from Pym, but I was pleasantly surprised!
Ooh, I don't keep tabs on film news at all. Am now looking up this controversy.
Brace yourself!!
When I read Wuthering Heights I was kind of shocked that people see this as a love story! Lol They are all awfull! A book that really impacted me
Absolutely! An amazing book, but not a romance!
i know! i hate it is seen as a love story - so so much more- not saying love stories are wrong but its LOVE not love romance. if that makes sense!
I saw the trailer a couple of weeks ago and I must say it looks truly diabolical. But I'm not a lover of Wuthering Heights anyway.
Slow reads:
WAR & PEACE, Leo Tolstoy
WOLF HALL, Hilary Mantel (book simultaneously w audio version read by Ben Miles)
THE STAND uncut & complete, Stephen King (read the shorter version ages ago)
Faster reads:
THE NAMELESS LAND The Witch Roads II, Kate Elliott
And in December:
WUTHERING HEIGHTS, Emily Brontë (read with The Middling Place)
I’m also doing THE STAND slow read, together with WAR AND PEACE. My plan is to pick up WOLF HALL later in the year after I finish THE STAND.
Les Miserables slow read, but I am terrible at slow reads and have zoomed ahead because I do really enjoy immersing myself in the text.
I have two author completist goals - Laurie Colwin and Dorothy Dunnett's historical fiction, which is what came up when I googled "what do I read after Wolf Hall?" So I've read 2 DD books in the House of Niccolo series, and 3 Colwin novels.
I'm reading Les Miz too, just on my own. I'm a little over halfway through and have reached a point where the action is too intense to continue so I'm taking a break! Loving it tho. I also recently read A Tale of Two Cities and The Count of Monte Cristo, both also dealing with just-previous decades in France, so they made a kind of sequence.(I didn't plan that, just picked books I wanted to read.) Fascinating to see the way novelists portrayed these historical events.
I am a life-long Dunnett reader and fan. I am rereading Game of Kings for the 12th time +/-; there is an online book group-Outlander Book Club-that has a Dunnett forum. We have read the entire Lymond series, House of Niccolo and King Hereafter together. Still available if you are interested in reading the comments. Just search for Outlander Book Club and then look for the Dunnett forum.
12. Wow, I'm impresssed.
I've never read any Laurie Colwin, where should I start?
Homecooking - food, humour, family ...
Oh they are all so short and accessible (but beautifully written) so whatever is available on your library holds. W&N reissued these gorgeous new *editions.
Love the Lymond Chronicles! Enjoy!
Rebecca, I am a life-long Dunnett fan having read Game of Kings back in the late 1960s. There is a devoted following via the Outlander Book Club (OBC). We finally wrapped up the House of Niccolo last year having read the Lymond Chronicles and King Hereafter over the last 8 years! Check it out.
Ooh, I might have to reread them.
Ooh, I will!
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/outlanderbookclub/
Drill down to the Dunnett Forum. There is also a classic read forum, book of the month forum, of course Outlander forum. Hope to see you there; we are a very fun group!!!
They are so gorgeous? And no one I tell about them has heard of them? I keep asking older Scottish ladies, and nope...
I am a BIG Dorothy Dunnett fan! Read all her historical novels and I'm always pushing them on people who have never heard of her!
Simon, are you a member of the Dorothy Dunnett Society? I am working with 4 others to index the fabulous Whispering Gallery issues. Attended the DD Centenary in 2023 in Edinburgh. Keep pushing her novels!!!
I'm not. I haven't been organised enough – and I've never got around to subscribing to Whispering Gallery. I did have a chat with an agent at Curtis Brown late last year, and she said they are in charge of their estate – it they ever did anything to make anothet push for her books, I'd love to be involved. Jealous you attended the centenary!
I’m so glad to know this — I picked up a DD book from a Little Free Library simply because I love historical fiction. I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet but this motivates me to move it up in the order. 😍
I read the Dunnett books in the early 2000's and absolutely loved them.
Love Dunnett books - hugely entertaining!
Are you do Les Miserables by yourself, or in a slow read group. I’d like to do a slow read group read of it next year. I’ve got the Julie Rose translation and only made up to Fantine before work got in the way, several years ago.
I would join you in a slow read of Les Miserables.
@Jeremy Anderberg is doing one.
I'm reading Les Miserables too! Which slow read did you join?
IF ON A WINTER'S NIGHT A TRAVELER by Italo Calvino, DON QUIXOTE by Miguel de Cervantes and (starting tomorrow) VIGIL by George Saunders.
I recently bought the Calvino book, can't wait to get started
I SO loved ON A WINTERS NIGHT A TRAVELLER. The structure of the story is unique. So good to hear from someone else who likes that book.
One of my favourite books, definitely time for a reread
You just reminded me that I want to reread IF ON A WINTER NIGHT A TRAVELER. Love Calvino.
As usual I have three going at once: HOMEGOING, by Yaa Gyasi, for book club; EIN NEUES LEBEN, by Regine Frei to improve my German; and THE CORRESPONDENT, by Virginia Evans because I was curious what all the fuss was about. It’s wonderful! For once the hype is warranted!
I am now around number 175 on my library's waitlist for The Correspondent. People with vastly different reading tastes like this book, so I am curious.
I love Yaa Gyasi, and thought her book, Transcendent Kingdom, was even better than Homegoing, but that might be because it spoke to me more on a personal level.
I also liked TRANSCENDENT KINGDOM even more than HOMEGOING, but in the years since reading each of them I have thought back to both on numerous occasions. They're both beautiful.
I definitely want to read Transcendent Kingdom next!
Ha ha. I'm # 292. Never going to get it in time for book group so will have to buy it.
I'm #166 on our library waitlist! I'm waiting for the softcover/paperback version to come out. It will probably come out before the waitlist goes down. I've heard many good things about The Correspondent, and I usually like epistolary novels, so I'm hopeful for this one.
I always get nervous when a book is so acclaimed because I am afraid my expectations are too high.
I read The Correspondent earlier this month for book club and agree on the wonderfulness. It was almost unanimously loved by the group...but one person loathed the main character.
The main character is really complicated! I loathed hee at times too. But this is how we humans are—complicated and horrible at times too. (In fact Sybil reminded me so much of the mom of one of my best friends that in spite of getting angry with her at times, I couldn’t really dislike her.)
That is good to know about The Correspondent, I just put that on my to read list yesterday
We did Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom in the book group I lead here—smashing success!
How is the German book - I am always looking for interesting German books in German (although I have a shelf to plow through already). I’ve Kairos lined up for this year…
It is good—a really fun Krimi—but I’m not sure how available it would be. It was put out by a tiny publisher here in Bern, where I live, and other books by this author don’t seem to be available on Amazon.
I would love to hear what you think of Kairos! I think Jenny Erpenbeck is brilliant, but I have only ever read her in translation.
I read Heimsuchung it was brilliant! Super recommended, in original or translation. Not a big Krimi reader but will look this up bc it sounds like a rare one. I do love all the Babylon Berlin stuff and bought some books from the series - Berlin in 20s and 30s if past century is just such a perfect setting. The TV series is also one of the best ever!
I read all the Babylon Berlin books (in German) as soon as they came out and agree that they are truly excellent and also sobering.
Really enjoyed Homegoing
Me too! Our book club had a fantastic discussion of it too. It gives you a lot to think about.
I WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN MEN. - Jacqueline Harpman Post-apocalyptic novel about women held captive in an underground bunker/cage.
This novel still haunts me. Hope you are enjoying it. I find it very hard to describe it. It’s one of those novels that is not that easy to talk about for some reason.
My book club did this last year. A difficult read and I still think about it. Hope and humanity in it alongside the absolute horror.
I read that last year and agree with the other poster who said it haunts her!
I have seen this popping up as a rec all over the place. What did you think of it?
Hi. I’m only about 1/3 of the way through. I like it so far and am not sure where it will go next. I find it hard to believe it was written 30 years ago.
THE BROTHERS K, by David James Duncan. And of course the slow read I’m leading— MOBY-DICK by Herman Melville (click on my page to learn more!) and the monthly book chat I’m also leading: TILL WE HAVE FACES, by CS Lewis. All are welcome!
Excellent!
The Brothers K is one of my all time favorites. We actually named our first Child from one of the characters in the book, Everett :)
I'm looking forward to Moby-Dick!
Oh lucky you! I loved The Brothers K.
Moby-Dick = magnificent. James = amazing. The Brothers K by DJD = riveting. My own current list is below.
THE GREATEST SHORT STORIES OF LEO TOLSTOY...just excellent. "Master and Man" is considered his masterpiece, and having just finished it, I have to say that pound for pound, it is exceptional. The story takes place on the day after the feast of Saint Nicholas, so I'm going to have to exert utmost patience and wait to record it in December!
I'm also crawling along with WOLF HALL and have been loving every minute ;)
It's fantastic isn't it? I think George Saunders covers it in his book. The Death of Ivan Ilyich is also exceptional.
THIS IS HAPPINESS by Niall Williams
LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott
ANGER by Thich Nhat Hanh
I also read THIS IS HAPPINESS recently, and loved it, and just started Williams' garden memoir with his wife, IN KILTUMPER, which is lovely winter reading.
Thanks. Williams and Gardening ... must read.
Sounds amazing, Jennifer!
Oh, This is Happiness. My heart was full after reading that.
Went on to read THE YEAR OF THE CHILD. Another beautiful book.
Alana, I’ll pick that up too! Thank you.
Get your Kleenex! : )
OMG. Happy tears, I hope!
Happy and moved and joyful. Reading and crying is one of my hobbies.
Oh Alana, that’s sweet! Keep on being you.
1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin. Tells the story of the events leading up to the United States' stock market crash that triggered the Great Depression and the awfulness that followed across the world. It is eerily similar to the current moment with AI and tech investment.
This is on my to read list when it’s released in the UK 👍🏻
I'm new here and slow reading Midnight's Children and loving it. In January I finished:
FURIOUSLY HAPPY - Jenny Lawson
A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY - John Irving
THE WOMEN OF WITCH HILL - Kirsten Miller
EXPIRATION DATES - Rebecca Serle
A WITCH'S GUIDE TO MAGICAL INNKEEPING -Sangu Mandanna
GARDEN SPELLS - Sarah Addison Allen
84, CHARING CROSS ROAD - Helene Hanff
HAPPY ALL THE TIME - Laurie Colwin
Happy reading everyone!
A Prayer for Owen Meany is an absolute masterpiece!
I think a Prayer for Owen Meany is my favourite book. Certainly top 3.
Mine too. For a long time, I would say it was my absolute favorite book ever, but it's been awhile since I read it so I may have to pull it out again and re-assess. I love all the early John Irving books, but have trouble with his later ones.
We share similar tastes. I’ve read and loved several of these. Especially love John Irving. And the Garden Spells series is a fun sweet read. 👍
Oh, to have the joy of reading A Prayer for Owen Meany for the first time! I envy you. 😄
Fantastic. Welcome, Marnie! Glad you're enjoying it.
84, Charing Cross Road! I love that book. I've read it at least twice, and seen the movie. I'm due soon for a re-read.....
MOVING TARGETS by Margaret Atwood. A collection of her essays and articles from late nineties to early 2000s including 9/11. It was like sitting in a masterclass on literature. She references so many different writers across the ages. I collected titles as I read and now have a whole reading list, I'll never get through it. I felt hopeful and energized by reading this. Which is saying something these days.... Also listening to her biography. "The Book of Lives.