It was fun to read this while in CA this week, even though I‘m closer to LA than Santa Cruz. Even so, there is something about the focus on bodies and beauty that feels amplified here in the perpetual sun and mild weather. I like how the book weaves together elements of feminism, sci-fi, thriller and Bildungsroman in subtle ways and leaves some things unanswered.

Book 6 for #TenBeforeTheEnd and another one I‘ve had on my shelf for at least a decade. It was interesting and a creative merging of two timelines and some magical realism, but I didn‘t love it. I realized this is by the author of a new book, which I do still want to read - The Most.

An appropriate title for this book I‘d say. A cast of unlikeable characters living sort of mundane lives, feeling unsatisfied for various reasons, and making poor decisions. I liked the fluid movement between points of view and the sheer bizarreness of people‘s thoughts and actions. A really weird book, but I think I liked it. 😆 And looks like it‘s on the TOB long list!

I‘d had this book on my shelf for years. I probably would‘ve enjoyed it more at another point in my life, when I was more into this type of writing. But, I appreciated the experimental nature of it nonetheless. Mostly I‘m glad that #TenBeforeTheEnd finally motivated me to get it off my shelf and read it. 😁

This was a light pick, but a fun listen for my daily commute and really fabulous audio. I didn‘t quite figure out the whole situation until the end, although at times things seemed a little too obvious along the way. Still entertaining.

I really liked this, but not as much as Elena Knows (hard to top). But this one has the same narrative style and it was often a page turner, although I did figure out the “twist” earlier on. Looking forward to reading more of her novels. Book 4 for #10BeforeTheEnd

Grief and disgust and fear over this week‘s events make it hard to write a review. But I will say that the art and beauty of fiction have been a comfort. I really enjoyed this book and Tokarczuk‘s spin on the story in The Magic Mountain. It was a relief to escape briefly into this world of mountain sanatoriums, and read her take on the power of nature, the ignorance of men, and the defiance of gender constructs.

Very excited about this library haul. 😁📚💪🏼

I found this galley proof of Hunter‘s first novel in the bargain carts at The Strand this summer. I loved The Harpy so it caught my eye. It‘s a slim, sparse account of a climate apocalypse that feels pretty realistic at this point, and the aftermath, told by the narrator who is a new mother. I liked it; a low pick.

A slightly bittersweet story of companionship and love. Written in the quirky, quiet style that I love about Japanese fiction. Great descriptions of food and lots of great non sequiturs and frank dialogue. And a lovely story as well. I really enjoyed it. Book 2 for #10BeforeTheEnd.

A fantastic book - right up there with A Secret History for me. I went in expecting a murder mystery, but really this is a story about childhood when the adults in your life are mostly failing you. Tartt captures the experience of being a child - outsized beliefs and feelings of having no control over what happens much of the time - brilliantly. I‘m counting this as my first book for #10BeforeTheEnd, which I just joined today. 😉

I decided this was the perfect season to finally pull this off my shelf and read it.🍂 I‘m loving it so far. The dog is not as convinced that reading is the best use of my time.

Another great book by Everett. I love how different each of his books are and how they always surprise me. In this one he weaves together three events happening in the past and present in such a creative way. The three timelines slowly converge in the book as the events converge in the main character‘s life. I‘m a big fan.

I am such a fan of Rooney‘s writing, and this book was as exquisite as anything she‘s written. Her ability to capture emotions and human imperfections and interactions on the page is just astounding. I was sad to leave these characters at the end of the book and they are going to stay with me for a long time.

This book is transcendently good. I can‘t put it down; I never want it to end. It‘s been very good company during my waiting around for ballet to end time this week. 📖

I really loved this book and Perrin‘s talent for slowly revealing a story and its characters layer by layer. There was no way for this to top Fresh Water for Flowers, but it was very very good.

Midway through this book it was whisked back to the library and I had to wait to get it back. I was happy to be immersed again in the woods of this story. I love the character of the woods and the house in it and the way its inhabitants‘ lives intertwine across generations. The audio version is particularly lovely and I‘m glad I went that route.

So excited! I‘ve been holding onto a B&N gift card for this. And there‘s a bonus short story included! 🎉

This book blew my mind! So incredibly good. ♥️ The unexpected turns, the almost unbearable tension at times, the sheer beauty of the story. I haven‘t read the full shortlist but would be very pleased to see this book take the prize.

My friend lent me this book and said I had to read it before going to Colorado peach country this weekend. I didn‘t love it, but I really enjoyed the way Read wrote about the land - tending it and living on it. It was interesting to read about this part of the history of the state as well. A light pick for me.

A great fall read - an often creepy collection of stories that raised the hair on the back of my neck more than once. Some really great stories in here (a few I didn‘t like quite as much). Overall I liked this collection more than her novel, Swamplandia, that I read years ago.

It‘s difficult to describe this incredible book. It defies everything; it is funny and heartbreaking; it is full of rage and hope. The characters and their stories sucked me in, told in brief snippets that made me laugh out loud or sit in silence in equal measure. This had been on my list for a long time and I‘m so glad I finally read it.

One of the more disturbing stories of a mother-daughter relationship I‘ve read, and an intense account of a woman‘s self-destruction. It was a bit too much for me at times, but I do admire Jelinek‘s bold approach. I‘d still like to see the film at some point.

Thank you so much for sending this book my way @AmyG ! I‘m very excited to read more by Waters since loving Fingersmith. I‘m so grateful to you for this gift! ♥️

Ali Smith is one of my absolute favorite writers and this book has so much of her signature brilliance. The word play and meandering monologues that suddenly reveal a key piece of information, characters to fall in love with, and bizarre events that are really about something much larger. The dinner party scene in the book is unforgettable.

Another stunning Brookner that left me in awe. Her storytelling and character development are truly impeccable. I wanted to shake both Fay and Julia throughout the book but I also understood them so deeply. What a writer. ♥️

A very good book that‘s been hard to review. Fiction that reads like a memoir and heavy subjects. But I did really enjoy it. The narrative style is matter of fact as Jessica recounts painful life experiences - as it seems a scientist would do. I think this is what makes the book so creatively interesting despite the tough subject matter.

I‘m so happy to have finally read this after years on my shelf. What a book - the layers of stories, the romance, the academic drama. The way Byatt wrote the artifacts of letters and poetry to create the characters is incredible. Thank you @Graywacke for hosting our buddy read!

It was an interesting experience to read this book while in bear country this weekend. I found it hard to put this one down once I started - I was mesmerized. I‘ll leave it there for now. 😁 Looking forward to hearing everyone‘s thoughts on this one! #CampLitsy

A meditation on being a woman, a wife to a husband, and on becoming a mother. Ravn doesn‘t hold back on the darkness and bleakness about the experience of motherhood and I loved it. Anna struggles to maintain herself, her identity, her career, her sanity. Written as a collection of journal entries, poems, excerpts from pamphlets and articles - I love the title of the book as it refers to Anna‘s work as a mother and a writer.

Heading home today from our NYC adventure. I‘m glad I have some good reading to entertain me on the flight. And relieved I got all my book purchases into my bags. 📚 📚 😮‍💨

I‘d still rate this a pick overall, but it fizzled out a bit and the ending really fell short for me. Looking forward to another #CampLitsy discussion!

Admittedly I don‘t ready many memoirs, but heard an interview of the author and was intrigued. The content at the beginning and towards the end were compelling and I learned quite a bit about the experience of sociopathy. The middle sections grated on me after awhile and the writing was pretty cliche at times.

Last week in NYC and I‘m flying through this #CampLitsy selection for next month. I‘m loving it and looking forward to the discussion!

Very fun and successful used book hunting with @merelybookish ! I‘m most excited about one of the Lennons - his first novel and a signed copy. 🤩

Another fantastic #CampLitsy selection! I will say that I didn‘t enjoy this one as much as the other Everett novels I‘ve read. But it was very good and his brilliance at subtle satire and storytelling comes through. I look forward to my next read of his!

Getting some reading time in a beautiful setting today while I wait for a glimpse of my partner in the Triple Bypass bike race in Colorado. I‘m glad to be the one sitting here reading. 😂

@Graywacke

I wanted to read this after enjoying House of Doors and I have to say this one blew me away. The layers of this story, the questions left unanswered, the complexities of the characters and their relationships to one another. I loved the switching back and forth in time as Yun Ling puts down the story of her past.

Used book finds (so far) at Strand Books. 📚

I read this in anticipation of reading the author‘s new book for #CampLitsy. I really loved the surprising and subtle ways the storylines connected in the book. The various stories weighed heavily on me for much of the time, but it was very good.

This won‘t be my last trip to this bookstore this summer! Amazing inventory in this small indie bookstore.

I can‘t believe I waited so long to read this book. It was phenomenal. So many twists and turns and as much as I tried to anticipate what would happen, it kept me guessing. So dark and so compelling. As a bonus, I really hoped for a certain ending and I got it. 😁

I liked this one very much. It spoke to my soul and I‘m looking forward to the #CampLitsy discussion in July!

Not the outcome I was hoping for the Tattered Cover Bookstore. 😔 Definitely feels like the end of an era.

I‘ve wanted to read this book for a long time, and listening to it on audio was a wonderful experience. Not surprisingly, Ishiguro expertly crafted this beautiful, devastating story, told with a level of restraint and stoicism that would be so true of the main character. I loved it.

I loved this #CampLitsy pick. What a beautiful story. Can‘t wait to discuss the second half. 🩵

Such a brutal, poignant portrait of grief. Grief due to loss, difficult relationships, mental illness. Very heavy but beautifully written. I loved the short vignettes that moved back and forth in time. The style felt like it mirrored the way the mind might process the grief in the story.

The most well-known bookstore where I live in Denver has had a tough past few years. Now it‘s in bankruptcy and up for auction. I really hope it can rise from the ashes with a new owner. I miss having a good bookstore here.

This was a mind-bending maze of a book, the story of the characters constantly evolving and turning back on itself. A fascinating approach to a story about trying to make a relationship work. I was sucked in and really enjoyed it, wanting to know what the next iteration of their story would be. I‘ll admit I‘m not sure what happened at the end, but a pick nonetheless.

I read this while I had it from the library. Looking forward to discussing it at #CampLitsy. A slow simmer of a book in true Japanese style. I will say I enjoyed the second half more than the first. Overall a pick. 🧈