What Are You Reading Now?

[chrisrenrut]

Wellness didn’t disappoint and I’d love to discuss several of the book’s subplots and sidebars, including how we tend to overanalyze our parenting (author Hill cites many dozens of childrearing studies one of the key characters reads while trying to be a better parent to her troubled child); the other main character’s hilarious introduction to porn at the dawn of the internet age; a fascinating review of social media algorithms; how lousy parenting can cause so much pain many years later; and many more fascinating passages. Hill may overuse flashbacks and the back story device a bit, but it’s still fun to have a lot of “so that’s why he/she behaves that way” moments. A very attention-grabbing and moving read.

Just finished, and was actually caught off guard by the ending. I literally went back to see if I had inadvertently skipped a couple of chapters at the end. I ferlt
liek there was so much more that could have be explored, and I didn’t want it to end.

The chapter about the father’s beginning use of the internet and Facebook had me laughing out loud at Apollo burger at lunch one day. It hit pretty close to home with some of my family members. Especially entering full URL’s into search engines.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Wellness didn’t disappoint and I’d love to discuss several of the book’s subplots and sidebars, including how we tend to overanalyze our parenting (author Hill cites many dozens of childrearing studies one of the key characters reads while trying to be a better parent to her troubled child); the other main character’s hilarious introduction to porn at the dawn of the internet age; a fascinating review of social media algorithms; how lousy parenting can cause so much pain many years later; and many more fascinating passages. Hill may overuse flashbacks and the back story device a bit, but it’s still fun to have a lot of “so that’s why he/she behaves that way” moments. A very attention-grabbing and moving read.

[SteelBlue]

Norwegian author Jon Fosse won the Nobel in literature yesterday. Anyone read him?

[falafel]

If I recall correctly, the first book was the toughest with all the jumping sound and introducing characters.

Yeah, I'm still in the middle of the intros. Who's an alcoholic, who's divorced, who lost a subject she was following, what dingy lives they all live.

[Pelado]

If I recall correctly, the first book was the toughest with all the jumping sound and introducing characters.

Sound that jumps? Sounds bouncy.

[BigPiney]

Ha, I'm about an hour into the first book. The office description was a little painful. But I'm pushing through.

If I recall correctly, the first book was the toughest with all the jumping sound and introducing characters.

[falafel]

I assume you started with the first one? If so, I agree that it takes a while to get going. I started it, then paused for a couple of months before I restarted it. I've read them all now and liked them quite a bit, though there were some things that bugged me, such as:

The little ritual he had for the first four or five books of starting with a drawn out description of the offices from the point of view of a cat walking through the building or some such weirdness.

Do we really need a long scene or four each book where Catherine buys a bottle of wine and then stares at it to test herself? I get it, she's an alcoholic and it is hard. Ca we just stipulate that?

But yes, they are fun books, and I would give them another shot if I were you.

Ha, I'm about an hour into the first book. The office description was a little painful. But I'm pushing through.

[BigPiney]

Just finished this and it's probably my favorite in the series so far

Dang, I can't wait.

I am glad someone else reads those. They are so funny and I really enjoy them.

I finished the new Mick Herrron book yesterday. It was in the Slough House universe and gives good background on ancillary characters. Recommended if you have read all. The other novellas as well

[Clark Addison]

... Plus Ricard Osman's new book in the Thursday Murder Club series is coming out and that is my current favorite series. ...

Just finished this and it's probably my favorite in the series so far

[Clark Addison]

Hmm. I start Slow horse book and was bored an hour in. Does it get better?

I assume you started with the first one? If so, I agree that it takes a while to get going. I started it, then paused for a couple of months before I restarted it. I've read them all now and liked them quite a bit, though there were some things that bugged me, such as:

The little ritual he had for the first four or five books of starting with a drawn out description of the offices from the point of view of a cat walking through the building or some such weirdness.

Do we really need a long scene or four each book where Catherine buys a bottle of wine and then stares at it to test herself? I get it, she's an alcoholic and it is hard. Ca we just stipulate that?

But yes, they are fun books, and I would give them another shot if I were you.

[LiveCoug]

Hmm. I start Slow horse book and was bored an hour in. Does it get better?

Super pumped for Wellness and the new Kingsbridge (had no idea there was gonna be more!)

[falafel]

Kingsbridge, that is what is called. Man the evil characters in that series are so great. So hate-able.

For Herron I really recommend the Slough House series. Not sure if you have seen Slow Horses on Apple TV but it is really good. I think the book series is better. Jackson Lamb is even funnier in the books.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/101326-slough-house

lol, you are right, the bad guys are always 100% bad. They don't even love their mothers.

I haven't watched Slow Horses, but I'm aware of it. I will check it out. Thanks!

[BigPiney]

I didn't know there was a new Kingsbridge book! I'm excited.

I haven't read anything by Mick Herron. Do you have a recommendation?

Kingsbridge, that is what is called. Man the evil characters in that series are so great. So hate-able.

For Herron I really recommend the Slough House series. Not sure if you have seen Slow Horses on Apple TV but it is really good. I think the book series is better. Jackson Lamb is even funnier in the books.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/101326-slough-house

[falafel]

This is one of the books I have been really looking forward to this fall. Unfortunately I am about 3 months out with my library. In the meantime, the new Ken Follet (4th in the Knightsbridge) will be awesome. Plus Ricard Osman's new book in the Thursday Murder Club series is coming out and that is my current favorite series. Plus I just picked up the new book by Mick Herron. it is not in the Slow Horses series, but his books are great.

Going to be a good fall.

I just finished Time Shelter (winner of the International Booker) this morning as well as Old God's Time (longlisted for the Booker) this week. Both really interesting looks at memory dealing with aging and slipping memory. Both were very good.

I didn't know there was a new Kingsbridge book! I'm excited.

I haven't read anything by Mick Herron. Do you have a recommendation?

[BigPiney]

This is one of the books I have been really looking forward to this fall. Unfortunately I am about 3 months out with my library. In the meantime, the new Ken Follet (4th in the Knightsbridge) will be awesome. Plus Ricard Osman's new book in the Thursday Murder Club series is coming out and that is my current favorite series. Plus I just picked up the new book by Mick Herron. it is not in the Slow Horses series, but his books are great.

Going to be a good fall.

I just finished Time Shelter (winner of the International Booker) this morning as well as Old God's Time (longlisted for the Booker) this week. Both really interesting looks at memory dealing with aging and slipping memory. Both were very good.