Lonesome Dove!! I finally read this last year with a group & was delightfully surprised by how funny it was. I fell in love with the characters & truly didn’t want it to end.
I am currently reading LD slowly with a group and I am really enjoying it but boy, was I less than thrilled when I first heard a cowboy book was the group pick for the year.
Remarkably Bright Creatures. Toooooo many people had gushed about it for me to really believe the hype. I had a credit burning a hole in my pocket, so I listened to it and, well, it was wonderful and magical and I really did love it.
I had read Heroic Measures first (pretty sure this is one I learned of from y'all), and loved that, and it made me think I could handle the POV of an animal.
Deacon King Kong by James McBride. My book club chose it a few years ago and I had a hard time getting into the flow of story. Lots of seemingly unrelated plot lines and a big varied cast of characters wove together after several chapters and became a great read. Of course the writing by McBride was superb. I recently finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store also by McBride. Liked it but not as much as Deacon King Kong.
A Gentleman in Moscow. Honestly, if I hadn't heard you two talk about it, I'm certain I would never have read it! I finally got the audio, and OH, MY! What a book! I've since read The Lincoln Highway and Rules of Civility, and have a library hold on Table for Two!
YAY, you're on your way to being an Amor Towles completist! I was attracted to A Gentleman in Moscow because I can't resist a story set in a hotel, and then, of course, I got way more than that. My ugly secret is that I haven't read The Lincoln Highway because I'm not drawn to the plot synopsis — so tell me... should I read it? I loved Table for Two; I'm going to talk about it on our New York City episode.
Melissa, I didn’t think I’d like The Lincoln Highway but the characters and their relationships with each other are totally engrossing. Towles’s writing is so descriptive and the plot was full of surprises. I loved it and could hardly put it down! The plot summary I read did not do it justice. Go for it!
My copy of Table for Two just arrived today but I haven’t even gotten a chance to pick up any of his books yet! did you know there’s a new miniseries on Paramount+ starring Ewan McGregor for A Gentleman in Moscow?
The Lincoln Highway was my first Amor Towles novel. I loved it and couldn’t read it fast enough. I gave it to at least 4 friends and coincindentally, found mysel actually traveling on the Lincoln Highway just months after I read it. We were driving from Texas to Wyoming to attend my husbands 50th high school reunion in Laramie. I’ve recently finished A Gentleman in Moscow and will watch Netflix final episode tonight. These are very different novels in tone, LH is action packed, on the move plot between cars, trains, ever changing locations and fraught situations for the young brothers. A Gentleman is mostly one location with brief reminiscences to the Count’s aristocratic past contrasting to his confinement in the Metropol, both beautifully written making very clear Towles’ immense ability to let the tale inform his mood, pace. I’m looking forward to his first and most recent novels but will wait a while to savor each in good time.
I read Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer shortly after it was published, for reasons I can no longer remember. I'm generally not a nonfiction reader, especially not science-y topics. I was blown away by this book. The science was fascinating, the Indigenous wisdom was magical, and the author's personal story was compelling. I bought a copy (#hardcorelibrarygirlforever), gave copies to family and friends, and still tell anyone who comes around about how trees communicate with each other.
You know... people keep recommending this book to me, and I keep not reading it because... ??? I'm stubborn? I'm silly? Because I keep starting nonfiction books and not finishing them? This is quite an endorsement. Maybe it's time for me to give it a go? —Mel
It's the kind of book you can (maybe should?) read slowly over time. It took me way longer than it should have to realize that there are three parts - botany, folklore, and memoir and they alternate throughout the book LIKE.A.BRAID 🤯. The poetic language really pulled me in, but if you find it's not for you, please read the pecan grove section (it's an early chapter) so you can tell all your friends about it too.
"American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. I had no plans to read this book, ever, but I was going with a friend to hear him speak and she said this was her VERY FAVORITE BOOK IN THE WHOLE WORLD. So I said I'd read it. 522 pages worth of myth, gods, darker side of life, sacrifice, betrayal, love, survival, cons. The precarity of existence. I wrote in my journal -- "I hated this book and then I liked it. Now, I can't stop thinking about it."
Wow! What made you go from “I hate this” to “I can’t stop thinking about this”? We were ambivalent about this book, so would love to hear your thoughts!
Hmmm, I'm not sure I can articulate. I was probably reading it too fast since it was a promise that I wish I hadn't made. I remember not liking/caring about any of the characters. The existence the mythical gods was reduced to was seedy, marginal, brutal. Humans were marks. The new gods weren't any better. No heroes. I guess I saw little hope. I can't quite remember how the final confrontation played out, but I think it was convoluted and unexpected. It wasn't until the very end that I must have had some kind of reconciliation with the story.
As much as I’ve wanted to love Gaiman over the years, I just couldn’t make it happen. Until I read American Gods. I can’t even explain what it is that made it work for me but man, I love that book.
(Hoping to visit The House in the Rock sometime this year.)
That's so fun that American Gods grabbed you! The only Gaiman I've read in its entirety is Neverwhere, his novel set in an alternate version of London. I ended up really liking it, but it took me about 2/3 of the book to get really invested. I'm curious about how I'll feel reading Good Omens when I finally get to it because I love the show so much. —Mel
I actually love Gaiman - especially Neverwhere, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to read American Gods. Now that I see people who struggle with NG love it, I should really try it. And I just love the show Good Omens!
The Good Omens series has become my little hobby. Way, way down the rabbit hole of fan videos and being a David Tennant/Michael Sheen superfan. Basically, it's turned me into a teenager. No complaints. —Mel
Yeah, I think it’s the pacing of Gaiman’s writing that is difficult for me. But American Gods just kept moving steadily along. Plus, it’s a road trip and I’m always up for that!
There are probably a lot in this category, but I'm going to choose Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. I was an English major so I read a lot of Shakespeare, but I didn't really think a book about his family would be compelling. Boy was I wrong. This is one of my all-time favorite books. And Maggie O'Farrell is now one of my very favorite authors.
Hamnet is one of my favourite books of all time. The way she explores her characters' responses to their environments reminds me of removing layers from an onion. It's really remarkable.
I really enjoyed Hamnet also. I remember a lot of the story line which doesn't always happen for me. The writing was beautiful and descriptive without being boggy.
I have to admit that I was nervous about reading James by Percival Everett…. I had heard soooo much buzz leading up to the publication date and I was nervous that it wouldn’t live up to those high expectations… I ended up absolutely loving it though!
I was quite skeptical about Babel when I first heard about it because I don't read much fantasy, but then I just decided to take a chance and am so glad I did. It was the perfect mix of history, culture, academia, family and found family with characters I came to care about. I read it in one weekend and it's a big book. Loved it!
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I initially resisted reading it because of the length and the really hard topics. I had a love/hate relationship with this book all the way through…I had to break it into chunks and take breaks to allow my breaking heart to heal a little before continuing. But I’m so glad I read it!!! The grit and determination and hopeful spirit of the protagonist made this one a forever favorite!
The House on the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. I received an ARC from goodreads, and the only reason I gave it a try was because Liberty Hardy raved about it! I was hooked from the first chapter and spent an entire Sunday afternoon sitting on a bare mattress reading the book instead of making the bed:) He's now one of my go-to authors
People have told me many times that they think I would love this book. This is a very compelling sales pitch: 'I was hooked from the first chapter and spent an entire Sunday afternoon sitting on a bare mattress reading the book instead of making the bed.' Who doesn't love a book that pulls you in and won't let go? —Mel
Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo. This was a bedtime choice of my sons. As a mom of boys, I do get a little tired of all of the fart talk in the house, so this title made me think, yea, more fart jokes. But the writing was really good, the storyline was creative, and the characters were very clever. Nesbo writes a solid book, and the fart stuff all made sense within the context of the story. Heartwarmingly absurd.
Nesbo is an excellent writer at any level. The children's books aren't so murdery, although there may have been a few deaths here and there, possibly involving an alligator.....
My mom and I have an ongoing joke that I always procrastinate reading the books she gives me, even though I always enjoy every recommendation she’s ever given me. I don’t know why I do that…I guess the inner teenager in me is still convinced whatever she likes must be deeply uncool (even though she is objectively way cooler than I am). I think the most egregious example was when she gave me a Fiona Davis book to read and it sat on my shelf for YEARS. Once I finally got around to it, I loved it and have since bought every Davis book I can find. Sorry, mom!
How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis. I wasn't expecting much from this book because I don't really struggle with keeping my house in order, but I'd heard so many people rave about it, so I gave it a try.
This is my review-
"I would give this to every young/first-time mom if I could. I cried while reading, feeling so sad for my younger self and the internal battle I put myself through. I needed the grace that Davis allows. I needed to know that it was OK to just be subpar sometimes. I don't really struggle with keeping a tidy home but there is so much more to be learned, than how to keep your house clean. I will likely read it again in the near future".
I felt the same! I ended up not even loving the movie because I really enjoyed the book so much. I think it was my first travel memoir - I only read it in 2022!
Lonesome Dove!! I finally read this last year with a group & was delightfully surprised by how funny it was. I fell in love with the characters & truly didn’t want it to end.
I love that book! I'd recommend watching the adaptation with Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall; it actually does the book justice.
I am currently reading LD slowly with a group and I am really enjoying it but boy, was I less than thrilled when I first heard a cowboy book was the group pick for the year.
Remarkably Bright Creatures. Toooooo many people had gushed about it for me to really believe the hype. I had a credit burning a hole in my pocket, so I listened to it and, well, it was wonderful and magical and I really did love it.
I had read Heroic Measures first (pretty sure this is one I learned of from y'all), and loved that, and it made me think I could handle the POV of an animal.
I felt the same about Marcelus and boy was I surprised, I loved it and wish I could read it again for the first time.
Deacon King Kong by James McBride. My book club chose it a few years ago and I had a hard time getting into the flow of story. Lots of seemingly unrelated plot lines and a big varied cast of characters wove together after several chapters and became a great read. Of course the writing by McBride was superb. I recently finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store also by McBride. Liked it but not as much as Deacon King Kong.
A Gentleman in Moscow. Honestly, if I hadn't heard you two talk about it, I'm certain I would never have read it! I finally got the audio, and OH, MY! What a book! I've since read The Lincoln Highway and Rules of Civility, and have a library hold on Table for Two!
YAY, you're on your way to being an Amor Towles completist! I was attracted to A Gentleman in Moscow because I can't resist a story set in a hotel, and then, of course, I got way more than that. My ugly secret is that I haven't read The Lincoln Highway because I'm not drawn to the plot synopsis — so tell me... should I read it? I loved Table for Two; I'm going to talk about it on our New York City episode.
Listen to the audio version. It was great!
Anne, I agree!
Melissa, I didn’t think I’d like The Lincoln Highway but the characters and their relationships with each other are totally engrossing. Towles’s writing is so descriptive and the plot was full of surprises. I loved it and could hardly put it down! The plot summary I read did not do it justice. Go for it!
Thank you for the nudge!
My copy of Table for Two just arrived today but I haven’t even gotten a chance to pick up any of his books yet! did you know there’s a new miniseries on Paramount+ starring Ewan McGregor for A Gentleman in Moscow?
We’re watching it now… two episodes in. Really enjoying it so far.
The Lincoln Highway was my first Amor Towles novel. I loved it and couldn’t read it fast enough. I gave it to at least 4 friends and coincindentally, found mysel actually traveling on the Lincoln Highway just months after I read it. We were driving from Texas to Wyoming to attend my husbands 50th high school reunion in Laramie. I’ve recently finished A Gentleman in Moscow and will watch Netflix final episode tonight. These are very different novels in tone, LH is action packed, on the move plot between cars, trains, ever changing locations and fraught situations for the young brothers. A Gentleman is mostly one location with brief reminiscences to the Count’s aristocratic past contrasting to his confinement in the Metropol, both beautifully written making very clear Towles’ immense ability to let the tale inform his mood, pace. I’m looking forward to his first and most recent novels but will wait a while to savor each in good time.
This is a strong endorsement for The Lincoln Highway. Thank you!
I read Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer shortly after it was published, for reasons I can no longer remember. I'm generally not a nonfiction reader, especially not science-y topics. I was blown away by this book. The science was fascinating, the Indigenous wisdom was magical, and the author's personal story was compelling. I bought a copy (#hardcorelibrarygirlforever), gave copies to family and friends, and still tell anyone who comes around about how trees communicate with each other.
You know... people keep recommending this book to me, and I keep not reading it because... ??? I'm stubborn? I'm silly? Because I keep starting nonfiction books and not finishing them? This is quite an endorsement. Maybe it's time for me to give it a go? —Mel
It's the kind of book you can (maybe should?) read slowly over time. It took me way longer than it should have to realize that there are three parts - botany, folklore, and memoir and they alternate throughout the book LIKE.A.BRAID 🤯. The poetic language really pulled me in, but if you find it's not for you, please read the pecan grove section (it's an early chapter) so you can tell all your friends about it too.
Brilliant use of emoji. And now I'm even more interested because that is a cool concept, the braid thing. Thank you!
I feel like this book is like a philosophy for living and is a good one to own - I underlined tons and will revisit.
Loved it!
"American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. I had no plans to read this book, ever, but I was going with a friend to hear him speak and she said this was her VERY FAVORITE BOOK IN THE WHOLE WORLD. So I said I'd read it. 522 pages worth of myth, gods, darker side of life, sacrifice, betrayal, love, survival, cons. The precarity of existence. I wrote in my journal -- "I hated this book and then I liked it. Now, I can't stop thinking about it."
Wow! What made you go from “I hate this” to “I can’t stop thinking about this”? We were ambivalent about this book, so would love to hear your thoughts!
Hmmm, I'm not sure I can articulate. I was probably reading it too fast since it was a promise that I wish I hadn't made. I remember not liking/caring about any of the characters. The existence the mythical gods was reduced to was seedy, marginal, brutal. Humans were marks. The new gods weren't any better. No heroes. I guess I saw little hope. I can't quite remember how the final confrontation played out, but I think it was convoluted and unexpected. It wasn't until the very end that I must have had some kind of reconciliation with the story.
As much as I’ve wanted to love Gaiman over the years, I just couldn’t make it happen. Until I read American Gods. I can’t even explain what it is that made it work for me but man, I love that book.
(Hoping to visit The House in the Rock sometime this year.)
I’m so so on most of Gaiman’s books, but American Gods is also one of my all time favorite books!
That's so fun that American Gods grabbed you! The only Gaiman I've read in its entirety is Neverwhere, his novel set in an alternate version of London. I ended up really liking it, but it took me about 2/3 of the book to get really invested. I'm curious about how I'll feel reading Good Omens when I finally get to it because I love the show so much. —Mel
I actually love Gaiman - especially Neverwhere, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to read American Gods. Now that I see people who struggle with NG love it, I should really try it. And I just love the show Good Omens!
The Good Omens series has become my little hobby. Way, way down the rabbit hole of fan videos and being a David Tennant/Michael Sheen superfan. Basically, it's turned me into a teenager. No complaints. —Mel
Yeah, I think it’s the pacing of Gaiman’s writing that is difficult for me. But American Gods just kept moving steadily along. Plus, it’s a road trip and I’m always up for that!
That is an A+ journal entry. Love it! —Mel
There are probably a lot in this category, but I'm going to choose Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. I was an English major so I read a lot of Shakespeare, but I didn't really think a book about his family would be compelling. Boy was I wrong. This is one of my all-time favorite books. And Maggie O'Farrell is now one of my very favorite authors.
I can't wait to read this! -- Dave
Hamnet is one of my favourite books of all time. The way she explores her characters' responses to their environments reminds me of removing layers from an onion. It's really remarkable.
ooo yes, I enjoyed Hamnet so much more than I expected to
I really enjoyed Hamnet also. I remember a lot of the story line which doesn't always happen for me. The writing was beautiful and descriptive without being boggy.
One of my favorites
I have to admit that I was nervous about reading James by Percival Everett…. I had heard soooo much buzz leading up to the publication date and I was nervous that it wouldn’t live up to those high expectations… I ended up absolutely loving it though!
I’m in the middle of rereading Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn before diving into JAMES! I’m so glad you loved it!
I was quite skeptical about Babel when I first heard about it because I don't read much fantasy, but then I just decided to take a chance and am so glad I did. It was the perfect mix of history, culture, academia, family and found family with characters I came to care about. I read it in one weekend and it's a big book. Loved it!
It’s so good and it’s so impressive! It’s definitely not an easy read but it’s definitely a crowning achievement!
I keep meaning to read Babel because it sounds like just my thing. Found family + big book is like catnip for me.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I initially resisted reading it because of the length and the really hard topics. I had a love/hate relationship with this book all the way through…I had to break it into chunks and take breaks to allow my breaking heart to heal a little before continuing. But I’m so glad I read it!!! The grit and determination and hopeful spirit of the protagonist made this one a forever favorite!
Me too!!!!
The House on the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. I received an ARC from goodreads, and the only reason I gave it a try was because Liberty Hardy raved about it! I was hooked from the first chapter and spent an entire Sunday afternoon sitting on a bare mattress reading the book instead of making the bed:) He's now one of my go-to authors
People have told me many times that they think I would love this book. This is a very compelling sales pitch: 'I was hooked from the first chapter and spent an entire Sunday afternoon sitting on a bare mattress reading the book instead of making the bed.' Who doesn't love a book that pulls you in and won't let go? —Mel
When I started reading Piranesi by Susanna Clarke I was like, "What IS this?" Fast-forward to it being my most favorite book I have ever read.
I've had that in my hands and put it down... then picked it up and put it down. Perhaps I should reconsider and commit! —Mel
Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo. This was a bedtime choice of my sons. As a mom of boys, I do get a little tired of all of the fart talk in the house, so this title made me think, yea, more fart jokes. But the writing was really good, the storyline was creative, and the characters were very clever. Nesbo writes a solid book, and the fart stuff all made sense within the context of the story. Heartwarmingly absurd.
You taught me something new! I had no idea Jo Nesbo also wrote kids' books. How interesting... going to Google now. —Mel
Nesbo is an excellent writer at any level. The children's books aren't so murdery, although there may have been a few deaths here and there, possibly involving an alligator.....
Thank you for using the word 'murdery.'
I got a good chuckle from this comment 🤣
My mom and I have an ongoing joke that I always procrastinate reading the books she gives me, even though I always enjoy every recommendation she’s ever given me. I don’t know why I do that…I guess the inner teenager in me is still convinced whatever she likes must be deeply uncool (even though she is objectively way cooler than I am). I think the most egregious example was when she gave me a Fiona Davis book to read and it sat on my shelf for YEARS. Once I finally got around to it, I loved it and have since bought every Davis book I can find. Sorry, mom!
HA! I can also be very contrary about reading books other people pick out for me. My inner 12-year-old brat is strong ;-)
How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis. I wasn't expecting much from this book because I don't really struggle with keeping my house in order, but I'd heard so many people rave about it, so I gave it a try.
This is my review-
"I would give this to every young/first-time mom if I could. I cried while reading, feeling so sad for my younger self and the internal battle I put myself through. I needed the grace that Davis allows. I needed to know that it was OK to just be subpar sometimes. I don't really struggle with keeping a tidy home but there is so much more to be learned, than how to keep your house clean. I will likely read it again in the near future".
Huh. Maybe I should read that one! I often need to hug Past Me for the mean things I did to her.
It’s an old one but I resisted Eat Pray Love forever and then loved it!
I felt the same! I ended up not even loving the movie because I really enjoyed the book so much. I think it was my first travel memoir - I only read it in 2022!