26ish books 2025

@Breathmiller That's exactly how I felt about This Strange Eventful History. Forced myself to finish it, but really struggled through it.

This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
19 Apeirogon : a novel about Israel, Palestine and shared grief - Colum McCann.

These two books were my last two choices. They could be seen as written in the same vein, but what made me struggle and ultimately not finish in the first one is exactly what drew me in for the 2nd.

I found The Strange Eventful History disjointed and got bored. I didn't massively care about any of the characters.

But, if anything Apeirogon was even more disjointed but I was there with every line. This will be up there as one of my most well liked books of the year, I think. It feels very pertinant to whats going on all over the world right now. I highly recommend it.

I may go back to the Claire Messud one but its very long and I'm not sure I can face it.

No, I haven't heard anything other than it has been commissioned. I am considering listening to the audible series again while I wait.

@ExtraDisorganised
That sounds good. I’ve recently got into Audible on my dog walks and am getting through a lot more “books”.
Any idea when the next tv series of Slow Horses is out? I have withdrawal symptoms .

11. Afternoons With The Blinds Drawn by Brett Anderson.
Highfalutin.

@MonkeyTennis34 I listened to the whole Slough House series on audible in between S1/2 and 3/4 being screened and loved both, having seen the shows helped me visualise all the characters while I listened. I haven't tried actually reading them though.

Thanks @ExtraDisorganised I’m trying to find a book or two for DH for our holiday.
We both LOVE Slow Horses but when I bought him the book of the same title at Christmas, he was a bit underwhelmed as we’ve seen the same story on tv.
But The Secret Hours sounds perfect.

I know, and it is based on a true story!! Apparently there is another novel about the same person.

5: The Secret Hours by Mick Herron. This isn't one of the Slough House series but sits alongside it and some familiar characters are involved. I listened to the audio book and loved it, excellent narration and lots of twists and turns as usual. I missed a few details and might just have to listen again but that will be no hardship. The next Slough House book will be out in Sept.

Sorry, it's about what now?????

I will of course do a Google, but that lack of detail in your post has really tickled me!

I tried to read the Bee Sting but gave up when it got to the stream of consciousness bit..

4 where the crawdads sing by Delia Owens

Been meaning to read this for a while and finally got round to it. It did not disappoint. 4 out of 5

18. The Girl with the Louding Voice - Abe Dare

This was a remarkable book.

Welcome SnowFrogJelly

Hi could I join this thread.. I love reading but am quite slow so would like to fit more reading time into my day. Currently reading Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason which I’m enjoying

@Breathmillerand @OrangebadgerThanks both, I’ll put My Cousin Rachel on my list 😊

I read Girl with the Louding Voice earlier this year and really enjoyed it. The follow up is supposed to be good too.

@MargotMoon I loved My Cousin Rachel more than Rebecca so maybe try that? I did also love Rebecca, but it got pushed off the top spot of her novels.

I enjoyed Jamaica Inn but felt very underwhelmed and disappointed by Frenchmans Creek.

I read Rebecca last year for my classic and loved it so much I was also a bit worried about being disappointed with other works but I read My Cousin Rachel this year and enjoyed it almost as much.

8: Mary Toft or the Rabbit Queen by Dexter Palmer
This was a great read about a woman who gave birth to rabbits and the physicians who attended her.

@Breathmiller
Hmm that’s good to know..I’ve been considering the Ruth Jones for a holiday read.
The Girl with the Louding Voice is superb but definitely not a holiday read!

I finished 3 books in March:

(9) Jamaica Inn - Daphne du Maurier
I was underwhelmed by this. The only other DdM I’ve read is Rebecca so guess that’s a high bar. Not sure I’ll try any more of hers unless anyone has any strong recommendations.

(10) The Wonder of Stevie
This is a bit of a cheat as it’s more of a podcast - part of the Audible Originals series - so I got it for free when I blagged a couple of free months of Audible. I’ve decided that if it’s listed on the StoryGraph book app then I’m counting it. Anyway, this was wonderful. The story of Stevie’s 5 seminal albums that he released in the 70s, episode by episode. Included some amazing guests inc the Obamas and Stevie himself and was basically a huge love letter to the great man.

(11) All Fours - Miranda July
I mean, it’s completely ridiculous, self indulgent twaddle. But there are moments which pulled me up because they were so relatable, which gave me pause for thought - am I as big a twat as Miranda July?!? 🤔😱

I also did not finish the audiobook of The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux. I couldn’t get into it although I usually prefer non fiction on audio and really love travel writing.

10. Hagstone by Sinéad Gleeson. Loved this! It's going to take some beating and will stay with me I reckon. Set on a remote Irish island. Artist is asked by the women of a closed retreat to make a piece for them and gets sucked into their workings. Meanwhile the island has strange quirks and myths. Some gothic traits. I don't want to say too much and spoil it.
I would say if you like Barbara Comyns, female "outsiders", and We Have Always Lived In The Castle suspense vibes of "oh, it's gone a bit strange and uneasy / ok all normal again / what is actually going on here?" you should give this a go.

Not doing very well, daughter with lots of health needs and getting too distracted on my phone once she's in bed.
Just finished book 3.

3 The truth about melody browne lisa jewell really enjoyed this snd hoping it's gotten me back into things. Finished in under a week.
Just started never let me go whilst at an appointment today. Looking forward to continuing tonight

17 Sketches from the Periphery : A Novel - MP Summers.

Meh, didn't really enjoy this. But, I stuck with it.

Going to try The Girl with The Louding Voice next which is on offer at 99p on Kindle for anyone else who has it on their to buy list.