We loved The Lincoln Highway, the best book I've read in a long time. I also enjoyed Who is Maud Dixon and now I'm going through past John Grisham's. Himself and I agree there's been a lot of DNFs ( did not finish). I want a good story, well told, and that's it. Grisham mostly hits it. I will read the new Elin Hilderbrand because she lets me remember days on Nantucket when we had an airplane and could go there for lunch. I read all of the Mick Herrons and we enjoy the TV show because of Gary Oldham. I loved the Adrian McGintys set in Belfast but not his new ones (of course we loved the ones he couldn't make a living on). I've loved memoirs but seem to have lost the taste for reading about people's wretched childhoods and addiction struggles. I picked up the one about The Lost Kitchen and it was DNF after the first chapter. Not her fault. I'm going to pick up the first Amor Towles at the library, that should do it for a day or two on the porch with Ramona listening to the frogs sing.
I've been doing a final edit of two of my stories. They're too long to market on their own -- 17,500 & 15,750. For now, I'm enjoying my accomplishments. Plus, I've got at least two other long stories to work on.
For an actual published book, I'm re-reading John Berendt's "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil."
My last book debuted in.. .April 2020. Pretty much tanked. No live events, bookstores closed etc etc. I feel like more people are listening to audiobooks these days and attention spans are limited.
Lockdown debut, and then there were the last six months with another family health crisis, two books in six weeks, and untold other things. No idea right now if anyone will ever buy my work again. Been reading a lot of Robert B. Parker because Spenser is comforting. I think the pandemic drove a lot of folks back to comfort reads, which is not great for new writers.
Reading a lot right now. It comes of being under the strictest lockdown ever (TM) with three kids. Got to escape the flat somehow. Currently reading historical cosies, non fiction about the middle ages, The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman, and the entire back catalogue of Diana Wynne Jones. (And Andy Stanton's Mr Gum books with my 6yo.) Definitely not touching anything even vaguely related to my real life.
It is harder for books to keep my interest. But I am always looking. I have been reading lots in my own genre (fantasy) to get the updated comps I need for the next voyage into the query trenches which as of late have become more treacherous than ever. Or so I have heard.
My preference for fun seems to lean toward mystery/thriller in the vein of Harlan Corben. Always looking for recommendations in both categories.
I am going into deep revisions after my first phase of beta reading for my latest tome. And shutting the world out. Just for a little bit.
I've just finished rereading some books from my childhood before donating them to a literacy program in Papua New Guinea. Next up, I've just loaded the first two books in Richard Osman's "The Thursday Murder Club" onto my kindle. They've had an amazing reception so I can't wait to read.
I don't think my reading has changed because of Covid, I read whatever I find is an interesting concept. I just finished reading Mitch Albom's latest novel, The Stranger in the Lifeboat and now I'm halfway through Michel Bussi's, J'ai dû Rêver Trop Fort.
Btw, it's nice seeing a few more posts here, Janet, but take all the time you need...we'll still be around.
12 comments:
We loved The Lincoln Highway, the best book I've read in a long time. I also enjoyed Who is Maud Dixon and now I'm going through past John Grisham's. Himself and I agree there's been a lot of DNFs ( did not finish). I want a good story, well told, and that's it. Grisham mostly hits it.
I will read the new Elin Hilderbrand because she lets me remember days on Nantucket when we had an airplane and could go there for lunch.
I read all of the Mick Herrons and we enjoy the TV show because of Gary Oldham. I loved the Adrian McGintys set in Belfast but not his new ones (of course we loved the ones he couldn't make a living on).
I've loved memoirs but seem to have lost the taste for reading about people's wretched childhoods and addiction struggles. I picked up the one about The Lost Kitchen and it was DNF after the first chapter. Not her fault.
I'm going to pick up the first Amor Towles at the library, that should do it for a day or two on the porch with Ramona listening to the frogs sing.
I've been doing a final edit of two of my stories. They're too long to market on their own -- 17,500 & 15,750. For now, I'm enjoying my accomplishments. Plus, I've got at least two other long stories to work on.
For an actual published book, I'm re-reading John Berendt's "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil."
I have been going through phases, depending on if I find hope somewhere.
Mainly it has dystopian escapism and mundane murder and mayhem.
I'm in the middle of a few books but none of them are grabbing me...time for another trip to the library.
On the bright side, I plucked a few basil leaves from my herb garden and am now having fresh bruschetta for lunch. Yum!
Good to hear from everyone. I hope the week looks up.
My last book debuted in..
.April 2020. Pretty much tanked. No live events, bookstores closed etc etc. I feel like more people are listening to audiobooks these days and attention spans are limited.
Lockdown debut, and then there were the last six months with another family health crisis, two books in six weeks, and untold other things. No idea right now if anyone will ever buy my work again. Been reading a lot of Robert B. Parker because Spenser is comforting. I think the pandemic drove a lot of folks back to comfort reads, which is not great for new writers.
Reading a lot right now. It comes of being under the strictest lockdown ever (TM) with three kids. Got to escape the flat somehow. Currently reading historical cosies, non fiction about the middle ages, The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman, and the entire back catalogue of Diana Wynne Jones. (And Andy Stanton's Mr Gum books with my 6yo.) Definitely not touching anything even vaguely related to my real life.
It is harder for books to keep my interest. But I am always looking. I have been reading lots in my own genre (fantasy) to get the updated comps I need for the next voyage into the query trenches which as of late have become more treacherous than ever. Or so I have heard.
My preference for fun seems to lean toward mystery/thriller in the vein of Harlan Corben. Always looking for recommendations in both categories.
I am going into deep revisions after my first phase of beta reading for my latest tome. And shutting the world out. Just for a little bit.
Every 5 or 6 books I try to read outside my genre, so I have picked up THE VANISHING HALF, and the story is intriguing enough to pull me in.
On the writing side, I'm trying my hand at short stories for a little while before going back to editing the novels.
Sorry to hear you've had a tough week, Janet.
I've just finished rereading some books from my childhood before donating them to a literacy program in Papua New Guinea. Next up, I've just loaded the first two books in Richard Osman's "The Thursday Murder Club" onto my kindle. They've had an amazing reception so I can't wait to read.
I don't think my reading has changed because of Covid, I read whatever I find is an interesting concept. I just finished reading Mitch Albom's latest novel, The Stranger in the Lifeboat and now I'm halfway through Michel Bussi's, J'ai dû Rêver Trop Fort.
Btw, it's nice seeing a few more posts here, Janet, but take all the time you need...we'll still be around.
I've recently read Remarkably Bright Creature by Shelby Van Pelt, The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi, and Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. Great reads.
John: I've also read The Vanishing Half. Fascinating story.
Post a Comment