Welcome to Litsy!

The Crimson Petal and the White | Michel Faber

I feel like I‘ve got my reading mojo back and I‘m in the mood for a chunkster 🤍

julesG It's a really good book. 1w

AmyG @julesG is right....very good book. 1w

MrsMalaprop I liked this one too @julesG @AmyG 1w

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squirrelbrain I have this on my TBR shelf. I‘ve heard lots of good things about it. 1w

batsy I hope you enjoy it and that it restores your reading mojo! I found it totally absorbing 👍🏽 1w

Cathythoughts Oooh I loved this one 👍🏻❤️ 1w

LeahBergen What @Cathythoughts said! 1w

youneverarrived @julesG @AmyG @MrsMalaprop good to hear you all liked it! 🤍 1w

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain it‘s one of those I‘ve owned for years but always put off reading because of the length. Have to be in the right mood for a chunkster. 1w

youneverarrived Thanks @batsy 🤍 that‘s exactly what I was hoping for, an absorbing read. 1w

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen it must be a good one 🤍 1w

TheNeverendingTBR This is really good, I hope you enjoy it! 🙂 1d

youneverarrived @TheNeverendingTBR thank you, I‘m absolutely loving it! 24h

57 likes13 comments

Breasts and Eggs | Mieko Kawakami

so-so

This took me so long to finish, it‘s definitely a slow burner. There‘s some memorable scenes and interesting views on artificial insemination, motherhood, beauty standards and relationships. The two parts seem so separate, I liked them equally and as stand alones but they didn‘t quite make sense as a novel for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

EvieBee Great review, and it‘s a chunky book too! 2w

BarbaraBB I wanted to love this one but didn‘t as much as I hoped. 2w

Cathythoughts It is a slow burn .. I really liked it though 2w

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youneverarrived @EvieBee thank you, I didn‘t realise how long it was with reading it on kindle, I never look at page numbers on there! 2w

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB same, I was a bit disappointed. Expected to love it. 2w

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts I can see why you liked it. I thought I‘d enjoy it more than I did. 2w

vivastory I completely agree with your review. I think of this as linked novellas, rather than a novel 4d

youneverarrived @vivastory yeah that‘s what it felt like 4d

48 likes8 comments

Silence | Shusaku Endo

pick

The tone and the atmosphere of this book is so steady throughout, the bleakness permeates. I had no idea about how much Christians in Japan were persecuted. I‘m not religious but I could definitely sympathise with the protagonist - the author really puts you in his shoes. Poignant and immersive, I find myself still thinking about it even though I finished it weeks ago. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Liz_M Beautiful cover, too! 2mo

squirrelbrain Great review, Katie! 2mo

youneverarrived @Liz_M it is lovely 🤍 2mo

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youneverarrived @squirrelbrain thank you ♥️ 2mo

BarbaraBB Great review. Such a sad book about a subject I knew nothing about 2mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB thank you 🤍 glad I finally read it 2mo

vivastory I read this years ago &: I still think about it. Like you, I'm not religious. But I think that Endo's message of courage in the face of persecution was universal. I remember also liking the adaptation, which was very faithful. 2mo

youneverarrived @vivastory definitely a book that stays with you. This edition had an introduction by Scorsese and you could tell he had a real love for the book so I‘m not surprised to hear it‘s a faithful adaptation, I‘ll have to check it out. 2mo

Hamlet There‘s a Japanese film of this book by Masahiro Shinoda. It was released in 1971. 2mo

56 likes9 comments

The Slynx | Tatyana Tolstaya

6 #nyrbbookclub

quietjenn, GatheringBooks, sprainedbrain, catebutler, sisilia, KVanRead, daena, LeahBergen, Leftcoastzen, Reviewsbylola, emilyhaldi, mklong, Tanisha_A, readordierachel, merelybookish, saresmoore, batsy, vivastory, Billypar, BarbaraBB, Liz_M, arubabookwoman, sarahbarnes, Theaelizabet

merelybookish I don't read a lot of dystopian or post-apocalyptic books and I wondered if this one fits that genre. It felt to me like a fairy tale. The way the world was described in the beginning and then all the creatures. Maybe like an updated Gingerbread Man? 2mo

vivastory @merelybookish I like that! 2mo

vivastory To me this reads as post-apocalyptic rather than dystopian. I would say that post-apocalyptic is a sub-genre of dystopian, which makes sense for The Slynx & similar books as they inevitably portray the consequences of an absence of government or a repressive government as is the case of The Slynx. 2mo

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DrexEdit @merelybookish oooo! I hadn't thought of that but I like what your saying! 2mo

DrexEdit Agree with @vivastory post-apocalyptic seems to capture the feel of this book best for me. Funny you should mention We. I just got a copy of that from #netgalley and it's next on my list! It's going to be an autumn full of Russian dystopia for me. 😄 2mo

Liz_M I think this may be a literal post-apocalyptic (I assumed a nuclear event. didn't it refer to a blast? And the books were toxic for several hundred years, and the mutations....). But as it is set so far after the event, rather than the immediate aftermath, it does feel more like a fable. 2mo

vivastory @DrexEdit I read We over 4 years ago & will def be grabbing the Penguin Vitae edition next month. Looking forward to reading it again!
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/292313/we-by-yevgeny-zamyatin-translate... 2mo

vivastory @Liz_M I believe it's 200 yrs after the blast. I have seen some arguments online over how to categorize it. Some have even labeled it as fantasy. I agree with you, IMO it's post-apocalyptic with dystopian elements (edited) 2mo

DrexEdit @vivastory that's a beautiful edition! My #netgalley copy is from HarperCollins and has an introduction by Margaret Atwood that I'm interested to read, 2mo

vivastory @DrexEdit Nice! That sounds interesting. I'll look for your review. I remember enjoying it when I read it & appreciated the influence on Orwell & Huxley 2mo

Liz_M Admittedly I am too lazy to look up the definitions and distinctions between post-apocalyptic, dystopian, and fantasy 😇 do all this is off the cuff. 😁 2mo

youneverarrived @merelybookish yes, that‘s brilliant! I would never have thought of it but I can definitely see that. 2mo

Leftcoastzen I‘m always interested in how humans survive in post apocalyptic, the speculation of our survival skills kicking in , adaption forced upon them or sought out.I haven‘t read “We” though it‘s been on my radar for years . (edited) 2mo

vivastory @Leftcoastzen I think you'll like We I recall there being quite a bit to mull over in it. 2mo

BarbaraBB I‘m sorry I missed the book and the discussion, I was abroad and couldn‘t join. Thanks for hosting Katie and @vivastory ! 2mo

quietjenn I love the characterization @merelybookish makes. These aren't naturally my genres either and I definitely got those fairy tale and fable vibes. Post-apocalyptic does feel more accurate than dystopian. And I'm so curious imagining what a novel from Benedikt's mother might've looked like! 2mo

quietjenn And on the fairy tale to, I love that of all the things Benedikt reads, the one story that seems to stay with him and horrify him if the Gingerbread Man. 2mo

vivastory @BarbaraBB No worries! Safe travels, friend 🙂 2mo

vivastory @quietjenn @merelybookish He also repeatedly mentions Turgenev's Mumu. I haven't read the story, but I found this bit from the Wikipedia page interesting, “As an extremely influential work, which was taught in schools during the Soviet Regime, Mumu has had many adaptations. Several film and media adaptations have been created since its publication, as this work was extremely influential for many Russian-speaking children.“ It seems like (cont) 2mo

vivastory the Turgenev story might have a similar fable like aspect to it. 2mo

batsy @merelybookish I like that! Yes, kind of a post-apocalyptic fable. 2mo

sisilia @youneverarrived @vivastory Interesting questions! I will come back to these when I get to read the book 2mo

GatheringBooks @Liz_M definitely felt the grimm fairytale vibe here - the juniper tree type of fairytale with the darker underbelly. I also bought WE, so am looking forward to reading it. 2mo

32 likes23 comments

The Slynx | Tatyana Tolstaya

5 #nyrbbookclub

merelybookish This is where it felt beyond me. I figured it was trying to say something about society but...🤷 So interested to hear what others have to say. 😉 2mo

vivastory I think that it points out that reading does not automatically equate to improving empathy or consciousness of one's condition. Or, I should say that reading more doesn't improve empathy. There is the conversation between Benedikt & Nikita where Nikita keeps telling Benedkt to study his letters. It seems to me that he is telling Benedikt that what matters is not the quantity of what he reads, but the quality (I could be way off base 😅) 2mo

vivastory There's also the social commentary: beware of revolutions, the new leaders might be worse than the ones they are replacing. `This feels like an old lesson, but to be fair Tolstaya began writing this in '86 . 2mo

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DrexEdit @vivastory I was thinking along those same lines. 2mo

vivastory @DrexEdit I have read books that featured both themes, I'm hard pressed to think of many authors that did so as imaginatively as Tolstaya. 2mo

DrexEdit @vivastory agree! They are both big themes to tackle and I would also find it difficult to think of a writer who could manage both as well as Tolstaya did here. 2mo

Liz_M There is also some exploration of capitalism. On the one hand, allowing the people to catch their own mice and trade them is seen as a good thing. On the other hand once the main character succumbs to greed (for books) he turns into an oppressor. 2mo

vivastory @Liz_M This is a great point & one where I think that Tolstaya really portrayed post-Communism economics really well. 2mo

Liz_M @vivastory In addition to the quality over quantity, Nikita is dismayed because Benedikt's version of reading is just consumption. There is no engagement - no empathy or thinking, just reading for plot or escapism. 2mo

vivastory @Liz_M Engagement. I think that is the exact word. Both Nikita & Varvara talk to Benedikt about how meaningful their books are to them & it's because they have reflected on them on multiple levels & haven't just immediately moved onto the next one. Engaged. 100% 2mo

youneverarrived Keeping people down, telling them they will catch the Illness if they read (awaken), the whole power and glory of the people in power I thought were powerful statements on government. This is where I think a bit of knowledge on Russian history might have come in handy. 2mo

Leftcoastzen Like all these comments @vivastory to quote The Who Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. 2mo

quietjenn For me, the most salient points are about control of information - and what one does with information when one had it. And some cynicism about the nature of power and rule. Like, sure you think the new guy will be better - or that you would be different if you were in charge. But in reality, they/ you just get in there and immediately start changing names and issuing decrees ... 2mo

batsy I think the most profound one is like what @vivastory said—you can have access to information and art and culture, but what it does it mean if you don't know *how* to read? Literacy being more than just being able to read the words on a page. Taking things too literally and not being able to think or exercise one's imagination despite all of that reading. That's a bit scary to contemplate 😅 2mo

GatheringBooks I resonated with @youneverarrived here the most; it isn‘t just the mindless consumption of reading materials that stood out for me, but what reading per se stands for - the capacity to awaken consciousness and to some degree they demonstrated the inevitability of this with the farcical revolution of sorts. I felt the bold reference to fascism, tyranny of the mind, the brainwashing, and mindless obeisance to chest-thumping buffoons. 2mo

25 likes15 comments

The Slynx | Tatyana Tolstaya

4 #nyrbbookclub

merelybookish Yes, yes I was surprised to learn he had a tail! He seemed "normal" up till that. And then I felt sad when he described missing his tail. But I don't know what it meant or why it was important. 2mo

vivastory This was a reread for me & I couldn't believe that I had forgotten this aspect of the book! In some ways I can't help but wonder if his devouring of books isn't to compensate for losing his tail 2mo

DrexEdit Yes! I also didn't know why Nikita Ivanich wanted to cut it off! As consequences go, it didn't seem to be a bad one. I think that's where Benedikt stopped feeling like any other Golubchik, when he lost his tail 2mo

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sarahbarnes @vivastory @DrexEdit interesting points! At first I thought it would make him more worthy of Olenka, but then found out that wasn‘t necessary. 😂 I do wonder if it contributed to his becoming so consumed with consumption by the end. 2mo

vivastory @sarahbarnes @drexedit The whole plot point with Olenka & the Degenerator taking his job. So strange, yet also 😂 2mo

sarahbarnes @vivastory yes! 😂 That part of the story really bothered me though - the Degenrators. I assume they are people who had been forced into that role, either because of their Consequence or their standing. 2mo

vivastory @sarahbarnes Same here. Their Consequence didn't seem to be worse than anyone else's, but the dehumanization of them was based on a purely social construct. (edited) 2mo

Liz_M @DrexEdit I think Nikita saw the tail as evidence that the race, rather than progressing and maybe someday being really for the iron age (or his friends xerox), was actual devolving, regaining the tail that it took eons to evolve away from. But I'm still not sure how this fits the rest of the story. 🤷 2mo

DrexEdit @Liz_M 👍 2mo

quietjenn I was as surprised as he was to learn he had a Consequence and it made me sad that he/Nikita got rid of it. 2mo

batsy I was surprised! I think the effect was to cause a sense of alienation, like @DrexEdit mentions. He was, thus, paradoxically no longer like the others of his kind. 2mo

GatheringBooks I think I was so far removed from Benedikt that I felt neither surprise nor pity towards him with the tail revelation. All the characters felt unlikeable, except for perhaps the Oldener who can breathe fire, forgot his name, but yes, I think the appearance of the tail seemed to legitimize the baser urges he now feels entitled to indulge in. 2mo

25 likes12 comments

The Slynx | Tatyana Tolstaya

3 #nyrbbookclub

vivastory I think that it is beneficial, esp during the banter between the Oldeners. I don't know if it would ruin the reading experience to not have that knowledge though 2mo

DrexEdit I don't know much Russian history, but I think I got through the story without being too confused. It would certainly add some nuance to have that background though. 2mo

sarahbarnes I will admit that many times it felt like things were going over my head in the story, and I wonder if this is why. 2mo

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Liz_M I don't know if it is specifically Russian history that would be helpful. The author creates a complete world and it should stand on it's own. But I would be interested in understanding the context her world was created from or a reaction to. 2mo

youneverarrived @sarahbarnes I had the same thought. I think you can read and enjoy the book without that knowledge but it would probably be a richer read with it. 2mo

Leftcoastzen So many elements worked for me anyway , but I think there were many inside jokes about the Soviet years that flew over my head. 2mo

quietjenn Like @Leftcoastzen I feel like there were jokes and references that I didn't quite a get. A better knowledge of Russian history and culture would've enhanced my experience with the book. 2mo

batsy I think so, or rather it's more like how @Liz_M puts it. The world in the book is self-contained and obeys its own logic, but I felt like I was missing *something* in reference to the Oldeners, or even how his in-laws behaved. A part of me just kept thinking, "What am I not fully getting?" and that interfered with my enjoyment of the book. I think like @merelybookish mentioned by the time I got to the end I was skimming to make it end faster ? 2mo

GatheringBooks Love the thought of @Liz_M here about the book standing on its own with the world-building and vision of a mice-eating dystopian hunger-games-like future. Yet as what everyone noted, the book seemed like a political satire or commentary of sorts, with allusions that I am certain too miss, hence the nuances were not fully appreciated as they were. 2mo

22 likes9 comments

The Slynx | Tatyana Tolstaya

2 #nyrbbookclub

merelybookish Yeah, I'm not even sure what he becomes conscious of other than a desire to own and consume books. I was struck by how he had no desire to re-read the books. And there is no sense of the different qualities of books. They are all the same. He just wants more! 2mo

DrexEdit Benedikt may learn more about how the world works, but I wouldn't say he had his consciousness raised. He knows more but doesn't learn anything. He still has no empathy. 2mo

vivastory @merelybookish Agreed. I had posted a picture of this with Don Quixote, but I have to agree with a review I read that said that Benedikt's love of books is closer to Madame Bovary's than DQ's. I def. skipped over the catologue of books listed towards the middle of the book due to the indiscrimate nature that you mention 2mo

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sarahbarnes Agree @merelybookish - books only motivated in him a level of greed, a desire to own them all himself. And to look down on/hold power over others. 2mo

youneverarrived I agree with that. His consciousness might have been raised but to what extent really? It definitely didn‘t lead to freedom. Was anyone surprised by the ending? All their ‘knowledge‘ and all those books read and they (the father in law especially) just basically overturned Fyodor to rule in the same vein as him - all greed & power. (edited) 2mo

vivastory @youneverarrived I remember when I first read the book that I found the ending to both make sense, yet to be a bit wild. It heads off into this direction it sort of hints at in the beginning of the novel, I admired it for that. 2mo

Leftcoastzen Agree with @merelybookish and others he has a ravenous appetite for books but it seems like he‘s stuffing himself at a feast , he doesn‘t seem to have a ah ha moment , no conscience raising here. 2mo

quietjenn I agree with that and the observations others have made. He consumes, but there's no real understanding, just devouring. There's little meaning derived and no conscience raised. 2mo

batsy I agree! And felt a little jolt of terror at that need for consumption... A little bit like how we gorge ourselves on Netflix and books to shut out the (hellish) world out there? But no amount of reading/watching changes the material conditions of the world; it doesn't quite set us free. This bit hit close to home 😅 2mo

GatheringBooks @batsy I definitely hear you. Although I would hazard that our ravenous consumption of stories (be thru netflix or books) may be more a means of narrative escape, to slip into another world momentarily, taking us out of ourselves which can be both a gift and a curse; for the characters in the story, it seemed like mindless/thoughtless consumption for the sake of it, with neither rhyme nor reason. (edited) 2mo

GatheringBooks I recall reading something along the lines of: “A book is a mirror: If an ass peers into it, you can't expect an apostle to look out.” - as @youneverarrived @sarahbarnes @vivastory @drexedit noted here, this quote is spot on with Benedikt. 2mo

batsy @GatheringBooks That's the tough one, imo. The difference between escapism and unengaged consumption. I like that the book raises these questions even if I might not have fully cottoned on to what was going on! 2mo

Billypar @batsy I had the exact same thought about this hitting too close to home. I wasn't too far from having a "Oh my god... I'm Benedikt!" moment ? 2mo

batsy @Billypar Same! 😆 2mo

21 likes14 comments

The Slynx | Tatyana Tolstaya

1 #nyrbbookclub

LeahBergen I didn‘t get to this one this month but I‘m going to enjoy reading everyone‘s comments! 2mo

merelybookish Well, my tendency is to see things in terms of mental health so I started to see the slynx like depression, like an overwhelming oppressive hopelessness. But interested to hear how others thought of if! 2mo

DrexEdit Can I say both? From the descriptions I sort of pictured a cat-like predator. But there was definitely a mythic aspect. I'd have to go back and see specifically when the slynx was mentioned to get a better sense of that mythicness. 2mo

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vivastory @LeahBergen No worries! If you do, I'd love to hear your thoughts! 2mo

vivastory I agree with @merelybookish but I also noted that Benedikt hears the Slynx after eating a fireling, which made me wonder if it was possibly a side effect. 2mo

vivastory @DrexEdit This is is the sense of it that I had as well. 2mo

youneverarrived I took it at face value at first, thinking it was some sort of creature but the more I read on and ‘settled‘ into the story I viewed it the same way as @merelybookish. One review I read mentioned it being like an existential dread which made sense to me. 2mo

arubabookwoman I read this 10 yrs or so ago, and wanted to reread for this discussion since I didn't think I wld remember enough. Unfortunately my library didn't have it & I didn't want to purchase it again, so I didn't get to reread it. I will post my review from 10 yrs ago on the book page. 2mo

arubabookwoman As to the slynx, I do remember feeling like it was somewhat of a mythic monster being used to keep the people in control. 2mo

sarahbarnes @youneverarrived I like the existential dread theory. 2mo

sarahbarnes And it‘s interesting that he doesn‘t escape it despite all of his actions and decisions in the story. 2mo

Leftcoastzen I kept thinking an existential dread or some sort of mutated real creature.then bounced around idea of some sort of organized yet hidden control. (edited) 2mo

Liz_M I haven't finished the book and I suspect I shouldn't answer this question until I do.... But from the few mentions so far, I like the idea of it being a representation of existential dread. 2mo

vivastory I really like the idea of The Slynx being existential dread. I think it's a very powerful figure because of how mysterious it is. 2mo

quietjenn I feel like it's evolving and adaptable to the situation. Like originally it may have been an actual animal mutation, which became mythical to help control the population, but by the end it's psychological or something existential within everyone. 2mo

youneverarrived @quietjenn that‘s exactly how it felt. 2mo

batsy I did quite like the description of the Slynx; in a way it reminded me of the how Dan Simmons' constructed the monster in The Terror. I would have liked more of the dread/horror, but the book went in a more satiric direction. I do think that it stands for existential dread or despair like the others have said; the abyss made monstrous, in a way. 2mo

GatheringBooks I love the term “existential dread” - although it always just appeared like the bogeyman for me thruout, it wasn‘t developed enough to make me fully appreciate the existential aspect of it. More than anything, it felt like a means of controlling the population, a way of keeping them in line. 2mo

Billypar @merelybookish I finished this late, but I had the same thought about it being a particular kind of depression. "Overwhelming oppressive hopelessness" is a great way to describe. Someone who isn't happy no matter how many mice they catch. 2mo

18 likes19 comments

The Slynx | Tatyana Tolstaya

I‘m not sure if drinking beer while reading this is going to help or hinder me 😂 it‘s not like any other book I‘ve read before. I‘m still early on but hoping to get a good chunk read tonight. #nyrbbookclub

vivastory

squirrelbrain Sounds…..different! 😬 Might need something a bit stronger than beer! 🤣 2mo

merelybookish I'm about 1/3 in. And it's definitely out of my wheelhouse but I'm intrigued (and a bit creeped) by it. 2mo

vivastory It's a wild book! 2mo

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youneverarrived @squirrelbrain 😂😂 2mo

youneverarrived @merelybookish I feel the exact same. 2mo

youneverarrived @vivastory for sure! 2mo

47 likes6 comments

The End of the Road: A journey around Britain in search of the dead | Jack Cooke

pan

This could be better in print but the audio didn‘t work for me at all; the reader was really grating 😬 I love the concept (the author drives around in a hearse in search of certain cemeteries & tombstones) but I was bored for a lot of it. There‘s a mix of his travels, the people he meets, facts on burial sites and the people whose gravestones he visits. On paper it sounds good but it didn‘t translate well for me. ⭐️⭐️

youneverarrived #nonfiction2021 something about community - the parts I did like were when he mentioned about the people he met along the way who helped him in his search. (edited) 4mo

rockpools Oh how disappointing- it sounded like it could be an interesting one 😕 4mo

youneverarrived @rockpools I know 🙁 I think with audiobooks though the reader can really make or break it, so possibly better in print! 4mo

vivastory Just a heads-up, I messaged you on GR about the discussion 3mo

youneverarrived @vivastory just messaged you back 3mo

53 likes5 comments

Jamaica Inn | Daphne Du Maurier

so-so

This was a good in-between type of read for me. The storyline isn‘t overly riveting and the characters felt almost cliche but it is very atmospheric and suspenseful at times. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

58 likes

The Murderess | Alexandros Papadiamant?s

#nyrbbookclub choices for September 🖤

4mo

4mo

catebutler Great choices! My vote is for

4mo

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merelybookish Fun picks! I'm curious about Jean Stafford but am going against my usual taste and voting for

4mo

Leftcoastzen What great choices! They all look so good ! Shows our reading group & NYRB Classics good taste.

4mo

vivastory What @Leftcoastzen said 4mo

vivastory My vote is for

4mo

saresmoore Ooh, intriguing picks! I‘m torn! I will go with

4mo

quietjenn As is frequently the case, I'm finding it a difficult choice, so will default to the one already on my shelf

4mo

daena Wow. This is a hard one! I‘m going with

4mo

sisilia I vote for The Murderess 4mo

GatheringBooks Oh i already read the murderess - and i thought it was for this group! Must be another litsy group altogether. Thus, i vote for

4mo

Reviewsbylola Ooooh love your choices! Gonna go with The Murderess. 4mo

sprainedbrain I‘m going to vote for

4mo

Billypar Put me down for one slynx please 🙂

4mo

LeahBergen Ooo, good picks! I‘ve been curious about this one, so my vote goes to

4mo

mklong Fun picks! I‘m going with

4mo

Liz_M Tough choice, but I vote for

4mo

BarbaraBB I have already read The Murderess and am voting for

4mo

arubabookwoman I've read both The Slynx and The Murderess-both excellent-so I will vote for #BostonAdventure. 4mo

sarahbarnes Great choices! I‘ll vote for Boston Adventure. 4mo

vivastory Voting is still open @KVanRead @batsy @emilyhaldi @readordierachel @Tanisha_A @Theaelizabet 4mo

batsy Oh sorry, I missed this! Fascinating choices. I read The Murderess; it was intriguing and memorable. I'm gonna vote for The Slynx which has long been on my TBR

4mo

Tanisha_A Oooh! Super choices again! I am voting for

4mo

emilyhaldi Love these choices!! Sorry I‘m so late to the voting game, but just in case you‘re still counting votes… my pick is

4mo

vivastory Update: It is a very close vote. I am going to leave voting open for remaining members until tomorrow & then will declare the winner according to the tallies. 4mo

43 likes26 comments

Transcendent Kingdom | Yaa Gyasi

pick

A novel that oozes pain and sadness. The whole family feels it. It‘s not without love and hope though. It‘s about the choices we make, addiction, depression, how we cope with it and who is there to help, but so much more than that too. Beautifully told and I loved the way she wrote about religion and science. I could see parts of myself in Gifty. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mynameisacolour That cover 🤩 5mo

squirrelbrain Great review! 5mo

youneverarrived @Mynameisacolour it‘s lovely isn‘t it 💚 5mo

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youneverarrived @squirrelbrain thank you 🤗 5mo

Megabooks Fantastic review!! 💕💕 5mo

BarbaraBB Wonderful review. Glad you loved it! 5mo

youneverarrived @Megabooks thank you! 😘 it really hit me this one. 5mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB thank you! I liked her debut but loved this 🤍 5mo

BarbaraBB I felt the same! 5mo

BiblioLitten Beautiful cover and great review! ♥️ 2mo

youneverarrived @BiblioLitten thank you 😘 2mo

70 likes1 stack add11 comments

Jamaica Inn | Daphne Du Maurier

I‘m working my way through books I own and reserving newer books that I want to read at the library. It‘s really working for me 😀 (I think I‘ve got used to not buying books through all the lockdowns the past few times I‘ve been in a bookshop I‘ve came away empty handed 🤭). I chose this from my shelves the other night and enjoying the suspense of it!

rockpools I‘m impressed! Hope you‘re surviving/enjoying this silly weather Katie 😎 5mo

LeahBergen That teeny foot! ❤️❤️ 5mo

erzascarletbookgasm I liked it. Hope you‘ll enjoy. 5mo

See All 7 Comments

youneverarrived @rockpools I can‘t go out in it, too hot for me 🥵 hope you‘re well! 5mo

youneverarrived @LeahBergen ♥️♥️ 5mo

youneverarrived @erzascarletbookgasm that‘s good to know 😁 I‘m really liking it so far. 5mo

rockpools @youneverarrived I am thanks. It‘s blowing a gale here tonight- and it‘s still too hot. Weird!! 5mo

54 likes7 comments

The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel | Philippa Gregory

pick

This made me feel like I was right there in the royal court watching all the drama unfold. It‘s detailed and long but not overly so, it all felt necessary. I‘d love to know how much of it is based on fact though because Anne comes across as awful 😬 Mary was a pushover but her ideals and heart were in the right place 👇

youneverarrived The author pushes the point that being a woman was to have little to no autonomy and to live under men‘s rules. Nobody could be themselves at court though, it was all greed & power. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5mo

53 likes1 comment

My Year of Rest and Relaxation | Ottessa Moshfegh

pick

The whole book is written brilliantly but the ending is perfection. This would be a great book club read, lots to discuss! I thought I understood the book after the ending but reading reviews has me thinking maybe I got it wrong 🤔 but you know it‘s a good one when people take their own things/have different perspectives on it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Liz_M Oooh, this makes me want to read it sooner rather than later! 5mo

Cathythoughts Great review! I enjoyed this one 5mo

youneverarrived @Liz_M it‘s a good one! 5mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thank you ♥️ 5mo

73 likes2 stack adds4 comments

Girl A | Abigail Dean

so-so

A novel that deals with abuse, family relationships, memory, religion and living with trauma. It is well written and I liked how each of the characters dealt with things differently. I get why the slight twist at the end was in there but it didn‘t add anything for me 🤷‍♀️ A good read but one of those books that on reflection you see flaws. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alfoster I liked it too! 5mo

52 likes2 stack adds1 comment

The Cactus | Sarah Haywood

pick

A predictable, easy read that was perfect for reading on holiday with a glass of wine in hand. I do love a protagonist that finds joy later on in life. Her naivety about having a baby and the birth scene made me laugh. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BarbaraBB Have a great holiday 🍷 5mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB It was a couple of weeks ago I was on holiday, just got around to posting this now 🙈 thank you though! ♥️ (edited) 5mo

lazydaizee I enjoyed reading this book too. 5mo

48 likes3 comments

The Other Boleyn Girl: A Novel | Philippa Gregory

One of those books that‘s lingered on my shelf for years. Finally started it and I‘m loving it!

squirrelbrain I loved this one too! 5mo

Birdsong28 I have reread this book a few times and it just gets better on every read. 5mo

Cathythoughts Oh lovely.. I recently watched the movie .. I think I‘ll read it soon too 5mo

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain @Birdsong glad I‘ve finally picked it up ♥️ 5mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts I liked the film too ♥️ 5mo

50 likes1 stack add5 comments

Somebody I Used to Know | Wendy Mitchell

pick

Wendy is diagnosed with dementia at the age of 58 & her memoir is an inspiring read of how she lives with it. She finds ways to cope like setting reminders on her phone that tell her to eat etc, still travels around the country, speaks about dementia in conferences etc, and finds little wins like instead of reading novels, she reads short stories. I think this would be an uplifting read for anyone diagnosed with dementia. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

youneverarrived #nonfiction2021 something by someone who inspires you 6mo

squirrelbrain Great review - I‘ve been wanting to read this for a while. 6mo

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sounds really good! 6mo

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I think you would like it! I‘d definitely recommend the audio too 👍 6mo

58 likes1 stack add4 comments

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind | Yuval Harari

pick

I‘ve read some reviews that make valid points about this being written from a biased point of view but I loved reading it and I learned so much from it that I couldn‘t give it any less than five stars. Me and my other half had a few discussions stemming from it too which were interesting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#nonfiction2021 something about animals

Riveted_Reader_Melissa No matter how you feel when you finish it, it is an interesting read… lots to think about and discuss. 6mo

youneverarrived @Riveted_Reader_Melissa definitely got me thinking and talking! 6mo

53 likes3 stack adds2 comments

How to Do Nothing | Jenny Odell

Last day on holiday, getting a bit of reading in before heading to the beach. Just hope the weather cheers up soon ☀️

Cathythoughts I hope the weather gets better 🤞🏻☀️ 6mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thanks Cathy it did get a bit warmer 😁 6mo

DivineDiana Beautiful cover! 6mo

57 likes3 comments

squirrelbrain, kaysworld1

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read: (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) | Philippa Perry

I‘ve been wanting to read this book Helen 😁😁 and I love the notebook! 😍 thank you so much, it‘s much appreciated! 😘

Thank you Kay for the card 🤗😘

TrishB Sorry I‘ve missed it- have a lovely day 🎉🎉 6mo

Cathythoughts Happy Birthday 🥳❤️ 6mo

Libby1 Happy birthday! 😊 6mo

See All 14 Comments

squirrelbrain I hoped you hadn‘t read it already...! Have a fantastic day! 😘 6mo

batsy Happy birthday! Have a fabulous day 🎂💐💕 6mo

kaysworld1 Happy birthday 🎂🥳🎉🎈🎁🎊 6mo

youneverarrived @TrishB no worries, thank you 😘 6mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts @Libby1 @batsy @kaysworld1 thank you 😘😘 6mo

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain it‘s one I‘ve been meaning to buy! Thank you 😘😘 6mo

Caroline2 Happy birthday! 🥳 book is on its way. Sorry it‘s late!! 😘 6mo

youneverarrived @Caroline2 thank you so much! 😘😘 6mo

Caroline2 You‘re welcome! My Amazon account says it should have hopefully arrived. 👍 6mo

youneverarrived @Caroline2 I've just got back from my hols and it's here 😃 it sounds right up my street and the cover is beautiful, can't wait to read it. Thank you 😘 6mo

Caroline2 You‘re welcome. 😁 me and squirrel brain read it for a buddy read and we both really enjoyed it. 👍 6mo

52 likes14 comments

How to Do Nothing | Jenny Odell

The other half is looking after Alfie this morning so I can read in bed 🥰 and he made me a coffee.. the cup though 😂 (I‘m so sentimental I kept this cup from years ago)

JennyM Enjoy the time with your book and coffee 😘 6mo

LeahBergen Happy Birthday! ❤️📚❤️📚 6mo

rockpools How lovely! Happy Birthday Katie - have a wonderful day 😘 6mo

See All 17 Comments

youneverarrived @JennyM thanks Jenny 🤗 6mo

youneverarrived @LeahBergen thank you ❤️❤️❤️ 6mo

youneverarrived @rockpools thanks Rachel 😘 6mo

squirrelbrain Aw how lovely! 6mo

batsy How lovely! Perfect book to read in bed & I love everything about this pic 😍 6mo

Liz_M Happy Birthday! 🎂 📚 🌷 6mo

DaveGreen7777 Happy Birthday! 🥳🎂🎁🎉🎈 6mo

erzascarletbookgasm Happy birthday! Hope you‘re having a lovely day 🥳📚 6mo

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain it was 💕 he bought me a McDonald‘s brekkie after too so even better 😀 6mo

youneverarrived @batsy 🤍🤍🤍 6mo

youneverarrived @Liz_M @DaveGreen7777 @erzascarletbookgasm thank you so much 🥰🥰 6mo

squirrelbrain Even better! 🤣 6mo

JennyM And it‘s your birthday! Happiest of birthday, Katie. Hope you‘ve had a great day 😘🎉😘 6mo

youneverarrived @JennyM thank you 🥰🥰 6mo

52 likes17 comments

During the Reign of the Queen of Persia | Joan Chase

so-so

I liked this initially, then it got a bit monotonous but I enjoyed the last two chapters, once Aunt Elinor got involved, so I‘m glad I stuck with it. It‘s not the most riveting read but there‘s things to admire; the perspective of the girls as ‘we‘ is done really well, the feeling of being adolescent & looking in, the family dynamics & the different opinions that comes with that. Should make for a good discussion. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #nyrbbookclub

emilyhaldi, vivastory

squirrelbrain Great review! 6mo

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain thank you 😘 6mo

emilyhaldi I‘m not quite finished with this one yet but I think it‘s looking like a “so-so” for me as well 🙂 6mo

59 likes3 comments

During the Reign of the Queen of Persia | Joan Chase

I know I‘m not properly into a book when I put off reading it. This started off so good too. I‘ll keep persevering with it though - think it‘s just one of those where not much happens so you have to really get invested in the characters (but none of them are overly interesting to me 🙈) #nyrbbookclub

BarbaraBB I know what you mean 🤷🏻‍♀️ 6mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB shame as it sounded brill! 6mo

42 likes2 comments

The Extinction Trials | S.M. Wilson

so-so

I liked this for what it is; a young adult, dystopian book that takes you on an adventure where you don‘t have to think much, you just enjoy the read. I wouldn‘t rush to read the second in the series but if I was ever in the mood for this type of book I‘d read it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

48 likes

MY DARK VANESSA. | KATE ELIZABETH. RUSSELL

pick

Favourite book of the year so far. The abuse of power is clear to the reader but I loved the way the author portrayed the mixed feelings of Vanessa. It‘s a sad story but a compulsive read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

KarenUK One of my favorites last year too. So good. 7mo

youneverarrived @KarenUK it‘s brilliant! 👍 7mo

Cathythoughts That‘s a 5 star review ❤️👍🏻 It‘s on my kindle , must try it soon 7mo

Cathythoughts Lovely picture too 7mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thank you 🥰 let me know what you think when you get to it 7mo

68 likes5 comments

Right after the Weather | Carol Anshaw

so-so

One of those books you enjoy reading but is very middle of the road, nothing special. I liked the characters, the relationships between them and the way the author wrote about the aftermath of trauma. It did meander though and was a bit haphazard. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

52 likes

A Short History of England: The Glorious Story of a Rowdy Nation | Simon Jenkins

pick

I definitely wouldn‘t have bought this if I knew it‘s focus was on the political history of England 🙈 it‘s fact after fact so hard to take all the information in and I wouldn‘t have got through it in print, but I found it relaxing to listen to on my walks. It‘s very dry but informative and it‘s clearly thoroughly researched and thought out. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #nonfiction2021 (free space)

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Wow, that does sound like a lot! 7mo

rockpools Isn‘t it funny the things we find relaxing?! 7mo

youneverarrived @rockpools yeah, I think it was mostly his voice 😂 7mo

57 likes1 stack add3 comments

vivastory, arubabookwoman

Skylark | Dezso Kosztolanyi

pick

I loved the fact that this book focuses mainly on the parents experience while the daughter (Skylark) is away with family but somehow she‘s always in the back of your mind - how is she coping? Is she having a good time? - whilst also being immersed in the lives of the parents. The introduction mentions Chekov and I can definitely see a resemblance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #nyrbbookclub

LeahBergen I found myself wondering how she was doing as well. 😊 8mo

vivastory Great review! I agree that this is def one of those books where a character's absence is just as much a presence in the story. Looking forward to tomorrow's discussion! 8mo

vivastory Also, love the new profile pic! 7mo

65 likes3 comments

All That Remains: A Life in Death | Sue Black

pick

The author is a forensic anthropologist and this book is a memoir of sorts - there‘s bits of family history, cases she‘s worked on and all that her job entails. It‘s fascinating! And she has a refreshing take on how to deal with and talk about death. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#nonfiction2021 something by a woman

BarbaraBB That sounds fascinating 8mo

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That sounds very interesting, stacking! 6mo

68 likes1 stack add2 comments

Waterstones York | York, United Kingdom (Bookstore)

So good to be able to browse bookshops again ♥️

Cupcake12 I‘m going into Waterstones on my day off on Thursday! Did you get anything? 8mo

youneverarrived @Cupcake12 enjoy! I‘ve missed being able to just pop in and browse. I didn‘t buy anything for me just a book for my little boy. 8mo

Cathythoughts Oh how nice !! I can‘t wait 👍🏻❤️ 8mo

See All 18 Comments

batsy The best 💕 8mo

Liz_M Lovely! I like how there are so many books facing out on the shelves! (edited) 8mo

rockpools Wow. 8mo

BarbaraBB So glad that your bookstores are open again!! 8mo

JennyM ❤️❤️❤️ 8mo

marleed I can‘t wait to browse in stores! I just hit fully vaccinated and have no issue continuing to wear a mask. But the idea that I don‘t have to run in and out of a store for a necessity is the luxury I want right now. 8mo

Reggie Yayy!!! 8mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts when do they open in Ireland? 8mo

youneverarrived @batsy @rockpools @JennyM @Reggie ♥️♥️ 8mo

youneverarrived @Liz_M it does look good 😍 8mo

Cathythoughts I don‘t know ... we have no dates for reopening yet .. I‘m dying for a browse around a bookshop though 👍🏻❤️ 8mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB me too! I‘ve missed popping in whenever. Are they open where you are? 8mo

youneverarrived @marleed that‘s brill! It feels good to have the freedom to just look around a bookshop whenever you like. 8mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts hopefully it‘s soon ♥️ 8mo

BarbaraBB Yes they are, only by appointment until the 28th, them completely again 😅 8mo

67 likes18 comments

Any Human Heart | William Boyd

so-so

A novel you have to read to the end to fully appreciate. The novel spans Logan‘s whole life, written in diary format, and for the amount that he lives through it should make for a riveting read but I found the opposite, I never really felt inclined to pick it up. It wasn‘t awful but not memorable in any way. ⭐️⭐️

(Finished it a while ago just kept forgetting to post my review!)

rockpools, Oryx, scripturient, Caroline2, TrishB, jenniferw88, julesG, Leniverse, jhod, eraderneely, squirrelbrain

squirrelbrain At least you finished it! 🤪 8mo

Caroline2 Yeah. I know what you mean. I kept struggling through and didn‘t want to pick it up. I ended up bailing. 😆 8mo

BarbaraBB I had hoped this would be great. 8mo

See All 8 Comments

TrishB I bailed too. 8mo

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain yeah eventually 😂 8mo

youneverarrived @Caroline2 I don‘t blame you. It sounded so good too! 8mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB I was expecting to really enjoy it from the blurb but it was a bit of a disappointment. 8mo

youneverarrived @TrishB can‘t say I blame you 😆 8mo

62 likes8 comments

Good Evening Mrs. Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes | Mollie Panter-Downes, Gregory Lestage

bailed

I started this a while ago and have read a few of the stories but I don‘t think it‘s for me so I‘m bailing. If anybody is interested in reading it let me know and I‘ll happily pass it on ♥️

quietjenn I'm very curious about this! I'm sure I can find something on your tbr, of you wanted to swap. 8mo

BarbaraBB The cover is gorgeous though 😀 8mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB isn‘t it 😍 8mo

See All 6 Comments

Cathythoughts Yes ! Lovely cover ❤️ 8mo

quietjenn The book arrived today! Thanks so much. Hopefully it will work better for me. 7mo

youneverarrived @quietjenn oh that was quick! I‘m glad it arrived. Hope you enjoy it 💙 7mo

49 likes6 comments

All That Remains: A Life in Death | Sue Black

Car journeys are for reading 📖 finding this book so interesting!

Caroline2 Hmm, sounds like an interesting read. Defo different!!! 😆 8mo

veritysalter I found this book fascinating. 8mo

youneverarrived @Caroline2 I‘m fascinated by things like this 😆 8mo

See All 8 Comments

youneverarrived @veritysalter it really is! 8mo

Cathythoughts Sounds really good. I‘m putting in my audio stack 👍🏻 8mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts I think it‘ll be a good one on audio 😁 8mo

Moray_Reads Absolutely fascinating. If I could deal with the emotional trauma of the job, I'd have loved being a forensic anthropologist 8mo

youneverarrived @Moray_Reads same, such a fascinating job. 8mo

62 likes8 comments

The Hearing Trumpet | Leonora Carrington

so-so

One of the most strangest novels I‘ve ever read. Impossible to sum up. I have to admit it lost me more times than it had me gripped but I‘m glad I read the afterword as it did make me see the book in a better light, and made me appreciate the originality and ideas within it. #nyrbbookclub ⭐️⭐️

daena, vivastory

BarbaraBB I felt that way too after reading the afterword 8mo

vivastory Definitely one of the strangest I've read. Looking forward to your thoughts tomorrow. Hope your kiddo is doing well! 8mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB it definitely added to the novel. 8mo

See All 6 Comments

youneverarrived @vivastory I‘ll be there 😁 will make for a good discussion for sure. Thank you, he‘s 1 in a few days 🙊 hope you‘re well too! 8mo

Suet624 I loved it right up until the 15 pages or so. The afterword definitely helped me to see some of the ideas in a different light. 8mo

youneverarrived @Suet624 it lost me when the abbess started playing a big part in it. I loved the beginning. 8mo

70 likes6 comments

Any Human Heart | William Boyd

Let‘s see if I can get this finished tonight. I‘m at 85% and feel like I‘ve been reading it forever 😩 I don‘t hate it enough to bail but it somehow always feels like a chore to pick it up 🤷‍♀️

TheNeverendingTBR Got to love a funky styled can of IPA 🤤 9mo

BarbaraBB I don‘t have the patience anymore to continue books that take forever 🤷🏻‍♀️ (edited) 9mo

squirrelbrain That‘s a bit like I felt about it, although I did end up liking it overall. You can do this! 9mo

See All 8 Comments

rockpools Good luck! If it helps any, I think the last 15% dragged a LOT less than the rest of it... 9mo

youneverarrived @TheNeverendingTBR I love an IPA. Got a box of random ones delivered👌 9mo

youneverarrived @BarbaraBB I wish I could be more like that, it takes a lot for me to bail. 9mo

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain thanks Helen! I‘m determined to finish it. It‘s not a bad read is it, it‘s just not riveting in any way 😆 (edited) 9mo

youneverarrived @rockpools that‘s good to know! I fell asleep last night so didn‘t finish it but I‘ll get there 😆 9mo

62 likes8 comments

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous | Ocean Vuong

pick

Four stars because there‘s no denying it‘s beautifully written. For a novel that deals with tough issues like mental illness, addiction and feeling displaced I didn‘t want to stop reading it, and read parts over again. It‘s not without its faults though - I didn‘t connect to the characters much and as beautiful as the writing is there were times it had a feeling of try hard about it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cathythoughts Great review! 9mo

BarbaraBB What @Cathythoughts says. 9mo

AmyG I agree with what you wrote-great review. 9mo

See All 6 Comments

Liz_M Yes - beautiful, but distancing, prose! 9mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB @AmyG thank you 🤍 9mo

youneverarrived @Liz_M exactly that! 9mo

64 likes1 stack add6 comments

Heavy: An American Memoir | Kiese Laymon

pick

LOVE this book 🖤 it‘s written and read beautifully, poetically, honestly. I went on long walks with this one just so I could listen to it. I don‘t re-read often but I would listen to this again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Using for something by a POC #nonfiction2021

AmyG What a cutie! 9mo

squirrelbrain Such a cutie! 9mo

TrishB Awww 😊 9mo

See All 16 Comments

Cathythoughts Your little one looking great !! Happy days ❤️ 9mo

vivastory Adorable!! 9mo

JennyM I want to smoosh that beautiful face❤️❤️❤️ 9mo

LeahBergen Oh, that sweet face! 🥰 9mo

Reggie What a cutie! 9mo

batsy Oh, he is adorable ❤️ 9mo

andrew61 Very cute, lovely photo. 9mo

youneverarrived @AmyG @squirrelbrain @TrishB @vivastory @LeahBergen @Reggie @batsy @andrew61 aw thank you ♥️ 9mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts growing up quick! Best days of my life ♥️ 9mo

youneverarrived @JennyM I‘ll smoosh it for you 😘😘 9mo

readordierachel Awwww ❤ 9mo

BiblioLitten Hello there, cutie!! 🥰🥰😘 9mo

UwannaPublishme Awww! Adorable! 💕 9mo

70 likes1 stack add16 comments

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself | Michael Singer

so-so

There were parts of this that really clicked with me; I felt them and knew them. Then there were parts that felt like I was being told ‘if you only do this, life will be simple, it‘s not complicated‘ - in a repetitious format. A great read if you‘re looking for more awareness of how to not let things bother you etc. 👇

youneverarrived However, I think even if I‘d read this in my 20s I wouldn‘t have been able to take on board fully what it says - I learned a lot of this from life experience/relationships/maturity. - using for something about overcoming #nonfiction2021 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (edited) 9mo

54 likes1 comment

Left Bank: Art, Passion, and the Rebirth of Paris, 1940-50 | Agnes Poirier

pick

For the most part I really liked this. It was interesting to read about how Parisian artists dealt with the onset of war and the aftermath of it, and it was written in such a way it made you feel as though you were there. The last few chapters ran out of steam though and I was overwhelmed with names and anecdotes. I learned some things and enjoyed reading it but I was also glad I was done by the end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

youneverarrived Using this for something about the past/history #nonfiction2021 9mo

TheNeverendingTBR Sorry, I keep meaning to say....I got the book you sent! 😃 Thanks a lot, it was very kind of you! 💫 9mo

youneverarrived @TheNeverendingTBR no worries, I‘m glad you received it. Thanks for letting me know 🖤 9mo

emilyhaldi I‘ve had this on my shelf forever but never inclined to pick it up! Nice review 👍🏻 9mo

youneverarrived @emilyhaldi my other half chose this otherwise it would probably still be sitting there on my shelf too 🙈 a good read though! Thank you 😘 9mo

54 likes2 stack adds5 comments

A Month in the Country | J.L. Carr

pick

I read the majority of this Saturday night and what a lovely way to spend it. Summer in a little Yorkshire village back in 1920, unveiling a wall painting, talks with a fellow war veteran, the happiness that can follow great sadness and the passing of time that brings it. It says a lot about art and healing in an understated, compelling way. #nyrbbookclub ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

catebutler, vivastory

emilyhaldi Nice review ✨ 9mo

youneverarrived @emilyhaldi thank you! 💕 9mo

vivastory I love this pic. Great review, you really captured it well! 9mo

See All 8 Comments

merelybookish Healing! Such a good word for the book! 9mo

youneverarrived @vivastory thank you 😊 9mo

catebutler Such a lovely review and so well said! I think this one will stay with me for quite some time. 9mo

youneverarrived @merelybookish 🤍🤍 9mo

youneverarrived @catebutler thank you 🤍 same! I love books that are deceptively simple. 9mo

56 likes8 comments

Beartown: A Novel | Fredrik Backman

so-so

A novel that deals with important issues but on a mainstream level (reminded me a bit of Jodi Picoult books). I loved the beginning, the slow build up and getting to know the characters but the latter half didn‘t have the same impact on me. I was definitely just rushing through, & the end was too neatly wrapped up and put together for my taste. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

53 likes

Left Bank: Art, Passion, and the Rebirth of Paris, 1940-50 | Agnes Poirier

The type of book that deserves to be read with a glass of wine 🍷

I had a sort out of my books the other day and I have a bookcase full of unread books 🙈 (I know you all can probably relate 😂) so I‘m making it my mission this year to read mostly from my own shelves. I asked my other half to pick one at random and this is the one he chose 👌

Cathythoughts Enjoy 🍷 & 📚👌🏻 10mo

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thanking you 😘 hope you‘re well! 10mo

squirrelbrain Oh you‘ll love that - very Parisian! Can you drop me an email? My computer broke and I lost all of my email addresses.... 😠 I can let you know about the buddy read of Any Human Heart. If you email me your phone number too I can add you to the whatsapp group. 😘 10mo

See All 8 Comments

Tanisha_A Lovely! 😍 10mo

batsy This book sounds good! And perfect to pair with 🍷❣️ 10mo

youneverarrived @squirrelbrain technology 🙄 thanks Helen I‘ll email you now 😘 10mo

youneverarrived @Tanisha_A 💖 10mo

youneverarrived @batsy it‘s great so far! Had to be done 🍷🤍 10mo

58 likes2 stack adds8 comments