Books you've read in 2019

[Cerro de Casa]

I have consciously avoided this for years, partly because of the hype. But oh my God, where has this book been all my life? I'm about a third of the way into it and I can't even begin. Love it.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

This topic.

 

[Phoenix]

A mystery inside a crime novel or something. Currently reading the novel inside the novel.

 

[Cerro de Casa]

Can a moderator please change the title of this thread to 'Books you have read in 2019' - to keep on theme? Thanks!

 

[Cerro de Casa]

Well this was absolutely fantastic. Can't believe it took me so long to read it. Had it on my shelves for years. One of the best books I've ever read!

 

[Phoenix]

Onto my second book of 2019

Song of Achilles was great so I have high hopes

 

[Cerro de Casa]

Been on a reading binge, so here are the last books I've read:

Perfectly serviceable thriller but there were a few plot holes in there. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and as far as page turners go it did the job!

Thanks to @Beverley and @Mats for bringing this woman's work to my attention. My goodness, where has this Queen been all my life and how did it take me this long to discover her? This book was wonderful and I cannot wait to devour more of her work. I'm not a big short story person but this woman is in a different league.

I would describe myself as a casual McEwan fan. I've read Atonement and On Chesil Beach and enjoyed them both. I'd avoided this one for a long time but it's been on my list. Of course we all are familiar with the controversial premise. I actually enjoyed this and it may rekindle my McEwan interest. The Children Act and Amsterdam are now firmly on my list.

 

[Cerro de Casa]

This photo makes me happy on so many levels. I can't even.

Spoilered it as it is quite a large image!

Spoiler

 

[Cerro de Casa]

I’ll just continue talking to myself @Beverley and @Mats et al!

Anyway I have just started Pamuk’s My Name is Red. Loving it so far

 

[Mats]

well!

Circe looks interesting, I love mythology. do report back, Phee. I am currently reading some of the Icelandic sagas AND I'm back on Milkman, they took their fucking time. I've also started on Italo Calvino's If on a Winter's Night a Traveler (I absolutely love the title) but it's so meta it's hard for me to allocate the brain power it requires at the moment

 

[Cerro de Casa]

Oh you read multiple books at the same time? I can't!

 

[jyxz]

Currently reading this (and enjoying it) - it's like a car crash in slow motion, but actually has some well thought out valid points too.

 

[Beverley]

Tell me more please!

 

[Mats]

Oh you read multiple books at the same time? I can't!

yes, unless I am utterly engulfed I'll have two or three books on the bedside table

 

[Mats]

mind, some are of a more historical/factual character like the Icelandic sagas. they're just a pastime in-between

 

[Cerro de Casa]

Matsy I'm starting to struggle a bit with My Name is Red! It's wonderfully written and woven together but as a rule of thumb I don't 'do' historical fiction - even if the premise is intriguing as the Ottoman empire. I shall persevere of course. I will say though that Snow was far more accessible..

 

[Phoenix]

If you have an hour you should read this article about the writer of The Woman in the Window who’s a talented Mr. Ripley type

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/02/11/a-suspense-novelists-trail-of-deceptions

 

[Beverley]

I read it earlier; what a mindfuck! White mens really are the pits

 

[Phoenix]

I mean we all know that gay guy who lies through his teeth. I watched a few YouTube clips, what an absolute douche bag (in hindsight).

 

[Beverley]

there's something not quite right about him from the videos alone

 

[Phoenix]

Finished Circe which was great, my favorite book in a while. Everyone should read it.

Now back to proper fantasy with this monster

 

[Mats]

one thing that definitely helps give the fantasy genre a bad name in wider circles are the abysmal covers

 

[Mats]

I'm not getting any reading done at the moment

 

[jivafox]

Me neither. I’m waiting for a new one to be delivered so I don’t want to crack open a large one yet. I’ve been reading plays in the meantime.

 

[Cerro de Casa]

I'm over halfway through My Name Is Red now. It keeps getting better and better!

 

[Mats]

I'm over halfway through My Name Is Red now. It keeps getting better and better!

thrilled to hear it! once you get past the constant intertextuality it's a treat. get 'em, Shekure

 

[Mats]

@Phoenix , have you got your eyes on Black Leopard, Red Wolf?

 

[jivafox]

If you have an hour you should read this article about the writer of The Woman in the Window who’s a talented Mr. Ripley type

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/02/11/a-suspense-novelists-trail-of-deceptions

I’m reading this at the minute. So far it is identical to Girl On The Train. People sure love to buy the same book over and over don’t they?

Yes that is a self drag.

 

[Phoenix]

@Phoenix , have you got your eyes on Black Leopard, Red Wolf?

I do, but I’ll wait to see how it’s received.

 

[Phoenix]

I’m reading this at the minute. So far it is identical to Girl On The Train. People sure love to buy the same book over and over don’t they?

Yes that is a self drag.

I was not impressed with Girl on the Train and so I just dismissed his book. They’ll be a movie in order for Amy to lose some more awards next year.

 

[Mats]

I do, but I’ll wait to see how it’s received.

quite favourably on goodreads. haven’t read any proper reviews though, only just heard about it today

 

[Beverley]

The cover is amazing, and apparently movie rights have already been sold.

I'm reading some really lovely stuff lately. Will post soon.

 

[jivafox]

The cover is amazing, and apparently movie rights have already been sold.

My husband Michael B. Jordan is developing it.

 

[Beverley]

IKR! He better be naked for most of it, thanks!

 

[Dark Carnival]

I just started 1Q84. My colleague told me she didn't love it. I've only read Kafka by the Shore which I loved.

 

[Cerro de Casa]

I loved 1Q84 - one of my Murakami favourites!

 

[Shirley]

I read this. Gosh it was good.

 

[jyxz]

This was disturbing and emotional. I had no idea that the British used concentration camps in South Africa. Our nations history has some shocking truths, and yet we hold ourselves as moral and just.

Anyway - the book itself was amazing. Best thing I’ve read in ages.

The stunning and shocking debut novel from the award-winning author of Maggie & Me. Set in South Africa You Will Be Safe Here explores legacies of abuse, redemption and the strength of the human spirit

South Africa, 1901, the height of the second Boer War. Sarah van der Watt and her son are taken from their farm by force to Bloemfontein Concentration Camp where, the English promise: they will be safe.

Johannesburg, 2010. Sixteen-year-old outsider Willem just wants to be left alone with his books and his dog. Worried he's not turning out right, his ma and her boyfriend send him to New Dawn Safari Training Camp. Here they 'make men out of boys'. Guaranteed.

You Will Be Safe Here is a deeply moving novel of connected parts. Inspired by real events, it uncovers a hidden colonial history and present-day darkness while exploring our capacity for cruelty and kindness.

 

[Cerro de Casa]

I just finished this today and it was absolutely wonderful. I had a bit of a false start with it (confusion with narrators) but it unravelled itself into the modern epic that it is. Quite a few passages brought me to tears. Thoroughly recommended.

 

[Beverley]

YAY!

I think it's fucking blinding. An absolute game changer of a book for me.