Recently Read
Currently Reading
The Candy House (Scribner, April 5, 2022) by Jennifer Egan
My advance reading copy of The Candy House by Jennifer Egan from NetGalley started out as my morning reading after I finished Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison but as I’m getting closer to the end, I’ve been reading it at other times, too. It’s going to be on my Top Ten of 2022 (which I am resolved to actually get posted before the end of the year). If you liked A Visit from the Goon Squad, trust me – pull it out. You’re going to want to read it again right after you finish The Candy House; so, you might want to refresh your memory of it ahead of time.
The Roughest Draft (Jove, 2022) by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Another DNF! The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Brokais was an impulse loan from the library’s new books section. It looked like it had the potential to be another Beach Read or even No Words – an enjoyable rom-com with writers as the characters who at first believe they are in competition with each other, but belatedly realize they are actually in love with each other.
But after 30 pages, it’s going back to the library today to find a reader who will appreciate it. I found it not funny enough to carry what seemed like a standard friends to enemies to lovers story, and didn’t find the thoughts of either of the two writer characters worthy of the bestselling author status they are given by their authors.
News of the World (William Morrow, 2016) by Paulette Jiles
Exquisitely rendered and morally complex, News of the World is a brilliant work of historical fiction that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.
National Book Award Finalist—Fiction
I thought News of the World by Paulette Jiles was older than six years old when I picked it as our March book club book last fall. I’m not as behind as I thought! This is a short novel, written in a plain style, but with no wasted words. Lots to discuss in our book club meeting! (I listened to parts of it on audio, as well, and it’s very good as an audiobook, also.)
The main character of News of the World, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, played a minor part in Paulette Jiles’ earlier book, The Color of Lightning (2009), and a minor character in News of the World takes the starring role in her latest novel, Simon the Fiddler (William Morrow, 2020), which unfortunately came out at the start of the pandemic.
Currently Listening To
Henry, Himself (Harper, 2019) by Stewart O’Nan
read by Richmond Hoxie
Like Emily, Alone, O’Nan’s beloved portrait of Henry’s wife, Henry, Himself is a wry, warmhearted portrait of an American original – a man who believes he’s reached a dead end only to discover life is full of surprises. – from the Publisher
How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? (Hachette, 2018) by N.K. Jemisin
Three-time Hugo Award winner and NYT bestselling author N. K. Jemisin challenges and delights readers with thought-provoking narratives of destruction, rebirth, and redemption that sharply examine modern society in her first collection of short fiction, which includes never-before-seen stories.
“Marvelous and wide-ranging.” — Los Angeles Times “Gorgeous” — NPR Books
This post is linked up to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Check out the link-up party for more book lists!
Nice looking assortment of books. I had a DNF this week too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
What a good reading week you had!! I have not yet read A Visit from the Goon Squad, but it has been on my want-to-read list for years! And now she has another out – I better get to it.
We watched the move adaptation of News of the World (which was excellent), but I’d still like to read the book – enjoy your discussion!
And enjoy your book this week –
Sue
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