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hermetic

(8,258 posts)
Sun Feb 9, 2020, 02:01 PM Feb 2020

What Fiction are you reading this week, February 9, 2020?

Awww, thanks for the hearts. I know some must have come from folks here since mostly no one else knows who I am. Love you guys!



I’m still reading and listening to the same books. I do expect to soon start reading a page-turning masterpiece of literary fiction--at once a powerful coming-of-age story, a mystery, and a tender, moving novel of family, history, and culture. IOW, The Round House by Louise Erdrich.

What books will you be checking out this week?


19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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What Fiction are you reading this week, February 9, 2020? (Original Post) hermetic Feb 2020 OP
Just finished The Address about the Dakota building in NYC. Very fluffy but enjoyable. Squinch Feb 2020 #1
A little taste of the Big Apple? hermetic Feb 2020 #2
I might pick it up, "Time and Again" made me interested in the Dakota More_Cowbell Feb 2020 #14
Still working my way through the Game of Thrones series padah513 Feb 2020 #3
Yeah, hermetic Feb 2020 #4
The Light In The Ruins by Chris Bohjalian Runningdawg Feb 2020 #5
Mmm, hermetic Feb 2020 #6
I have read a few of his books and enjoy his writing. Will have to put this one on my list. japple Feb 2020 #10
Greg Bear's "Darwin's Radio" SeattleVet Feb 2020 #7
That seems rather scary hermetic Feb 2020 #8
Everywhere You Don't Belong by Gabriel Bump pscot Feb 2020 #9
Russian Renaissance by Ian Kharitonov yellowdogintexas Feb 2020 #11
Sounds good hermetic Feb 2020 #19
Just read the last page of "One Good Deed" David Balducci Laura PourMeADrink Feb 2020 #12
Gosh, I had no idea hermetic Feb 2020 #18
Thanks for the weekly thread, hermetic. Hearts to you for keeping us japple Feb 2020 #13
Ha! Sounds like us. hermetic Feb 2020 #17
"Library of the Unwritten" by A.J. Hackwith (Amanda Hackwith) More_Cowbell Feb 2020 #15
I love the concept! hermetic Feb 2020 #16

hermetic

(8,258 posts)
2. A little taste of the Big Apple?
Sun Feb 9, 2020, 02:23 PM
Feb 2020

"With rich historical detail, nuanced characters, and gorgeous prose, Fiona Davis once again delivers a compulsively readable novel that peels back the layers of not only a famed institution, but the lives -- and lies -- of the beating hearts within."

It does sound enjoyable.

More_Cowbell

(2,190 posts)
14. I might pick it up, "Time and Again" made me interested in the Dakota
Tue Feb 11, 2020, 05:14 AM
Feb 2020

Even though it's not a huge part of the book.

padah513

(2,483 posts)
3. Still working my way through the Game of Thrones series
Sun Feb 9, 2020, 02:27 PM
Feb 2020

Currently on A Feast for Crows. I wish I had read the books first.

Runningdawg

(4,494 posts)
5. The Light In The Ruins by Chris Bohjalian
Sun Feb 9, 2020, 03:35 PM
Feb 2020

The book I read before this one The Night Strangers was also his. I had never read him before and was so impressed I immediately checked out another one of his books.

From the jacket on this one:
Hoping to safeguard themselves from the ravages of World War II within the walls of their ancient villa in Florence, the noble Rosati family become prisoners in their home when 18-year-old Cristina's courtship by a German lieutenant prompts the Nazis to take over the estate, a situation that leads to a serial murder investigation years later.

SeattleVet

(5,468 posts)
7. Greg Bear's "Darwin's Radio"
Sun Feb 9, 2020, 04:19 PM
Feb 2020

Almost done with it, and it was an award-winning worthwhile read that I somehow missed for the past 20 years. Lots of plot twists and reveals. The narrative seems to be a little disjointed at times, but it is covering a somewhat extended period of time and everything eventually ties together.


Plot summary (Wikipedia):

In the novel, a new form of endogenous retrovirus has emerged, SHEVA. It controls human evolution by rapidly evolving the next generation while it is in the womb, leading to speciation.

The novel follows several characters as the "plague" is discovered as well as the panicked reaction of the public and the US government to the disease.

hermetic

(8,258 posts)
8. That seems rather scary
Sun Feb 9, 2020, 04:42 PM
Feb 2020

In light of all that's happening now. "..a puzzle that will determine the future of the human race ... if a future exists at all." Yup.

pscot

(21,023 posts)
9. Everywhere You Don't Belong by Gabriel Bump
Sun Feb 9, 2020, 08:46 PM
Feb 2020

It's the coming of age story of a motherless black boy raised by his grandma in Chicago 40 years ago. Bump tells the story with a light touch. I'm giving it 3.5 stars now but a strong ending might raise that.

yellowdogintexas

(22,114 posts)
11. Russian Renaissance by Ian Kharitonov
Sun Feb 9, 2020, 10:09 PM
Feb 2020

Just beginning it. First in a series of 4 novels; involves geopolitical conflict, ancient secrets uncovered, KGB spymaster and so forth.

I never get tired of this genre

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
12. Just read the last page of "One Good Deed" David Balducci
Mon Feb 10, 2020, 01:17 AM
Feb 2020

It was an excellent mystery and for once didn't figure out the 'who did it' part half way through.

Set in the 40s...and such a break from today. Cellphone free!

Been reading his books for a very long time. Unlike other popular authors, he has really gotten better and to me is now a great author and story teller. Seems like forever since I had a book I couldn't put down.

hermetic

(8,258 posts)
18. Gosh, I had no idea
Tue Feb 11, 2020, 12:20 PM
Feb 2020

He was so prolific. Written over 40 books, albeit some for young readers. And evidently a decent guy. He and his wife started a foundation to encourage literacy, which we are so desperately in need of these days.

I love books with lots of plot twists so I will, for sure, look for this one at my library. Thanks.

japple

(9,772 posts)
13. Thanks for the weekly thread, hermetic. Hearts to you for keeping us
Mon Feb 10, 2020, 10:32 AM
Feb 2020

going.

I finished Lissa Evans' book Crooked Heart which I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend for anyone who likes dark humor. I can see why this book was longlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction (formerly known as the Orange Prize.)

I'm now reading Old Baggage by the same author.

From the Back Cover

1928. Matilda Simpkin is a woman with a thrilling past and an infuriatingly dull present. As a militant suffragette, she marched, smashed windows, heckled Winston Churchill, and was jailed five times. Now in middle age, the closest she gets to the excitement of her old life is the occasional lecture on the history of the movement, given to a lukewarm audience.

But after being shocked to discover that an old comrade has embraced Fascism, Mattie realizes that there is a new cause and a fresh generation to fight for. Thus, the Amazons are formed, a club that gives girls a place to exercise their bodies and minds, igniting a much-needed interest in the world around them. It’s a wild success until a new recruit sends Mattie’s past crashing into her present, and every principle she has ever stood for is threatened.

Old Baggage is a funny and bittersweet portrait of a woman who has never given up the fight and the young women who are just discovering it.


Hope everyone has a happy Valentine's Day on Friday.

hermetic

(8,258 posts)
17. Ha! Sounds like us.
Tue Feb 11, 2020, 12:14 PM
Feb 2020

Granted, I'm s bit past middle age but had sort of found myself in a similar state some years back. Thank goodness the Internet came along to get me back into the swing of things.

I will definitely have to get that one. Thanks.

More_Cowbell

(2,190 posts)
15. "Library of the Unwritten" by A.J. Hackwith (Amanda Hackwith)
Tue Feb 11, 2020, 05:23 AM
Feb 2020

I already returned it to the library, but here's the blurb from GoodReads:

"In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren't finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories."

I really liked it. It reminded me of the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde, as far as literary characters existing outside books.

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