What are you currently reading, how do you feel about it, and what's next on the list?

[IceIceBabyBump]

Currently:
I'm currently about half way through "Enter Ghost" by Isabella Hammad.

Feeling:
I've been working my way through the six books shortlisted for the Women's Prize and this is the last one. It's probably bottom of my list of those books. I haven't at all clicked with the characters and I'm finding it quite boring to be honest.

Next:
I've just had my next stack of four books delivered and I think I'll try George Orwell's "1984" next. I'm excited.

Is it Isolation Island by Louise Minchin? I asked ChatGPT @Azuresky68

Just finished Murder in Constantinople by A.E. Goldin. Did enjoy it, was an easy and enjoyable read. I think this was his debut novel, I look forward to reading more of his works. Have now started Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle. Haven't read much so can't make any judgements yet.

I’m reading ‘A Fine Balance’ and it’s my 3rd time attempting to read it.

I feel like I’m about to give up, and it’s even an audiobook this time!! Im finding it so hard going (again).

This book has been raved about so much but I just am not taking to it. My sister told me only people with low self esteem persist with books they are not enjoying.

I feel like I’ll give it one more chapter and see if things improve….

Oh that rings a bell! Thanks for that. I asked ChatGPT but it didn't mention that one..how strange!

@Azuresky68 it came up on my second ask, I refined the terms

It took me a while to get into this book, but I did enjoy (not sure that's the right word) it. It is hard going because the content is hard. It's not a happy book.

I used to persevere with books I couldn't get on with as I didn't like to admit defeat (I tried A Prayer for Owen Meany about 50 times and just couldnt get past half way). Life is too short and there are too many other books, to read something you are not enjoying. Good luck if you are going to persevere!

Sorry, that was to @3luckystars . Not sure why it hasn't done the quote.

I went through a period several years ago where I just couldn't get into the books I was reading. Often these would be on the best seller lists or ''books you must read now''. I decided to change my approach and only read what I wanted and not what everyone else was. I found by doing this I slowly got back into reading and now I'm back to enjoying it.

It took me a bit of a while to get into.

I found the opening scenes on the train really weird and off-putting. But I persisted and it got really really good. It's one of the best books I've ever read - caveat that I like relentlessly depressing fiction 😂

Your sister's reflection is absolutely brilliant. I kind of agree - I think its people who don't value their time who carry on with books they're not enjoying.

The Thomas Harris book (Ceri Mora) was appalling. Avoid at all costs

I've just finished Circe by Madeline Miller on a recommendation from my partner. I don't normally enjoy books based on myths because they tend to be a bit 'this happened, then this happened, then this happened' in a way I find unsatisfying. I'd also read the Song of Achilles by the same author and found plight of the female characters sapped any enjoyment from the rest of the book. I really enjoyed Circe, though. My partner and I have agreed on becoming island witches brewing potions in the company of lions as a Plan B if our current jobs don't work out.

I'm now reading All Fours by Miranda July based on the buzz on here, which is pleasantly chaotic so far. I also picked up I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel, which is unpleasantly chaotic so far. I need to stop being tricked by little stickers about book awards on covers.

Has anyone else here read Andrew Vachss? I loved his early stuff and went to meet him at a book signing. I lost track of him a bit and then looked him up yesterday only to find that he died recently :(
I've just started his last Burke novel.

I've just had a big gap in reading because my elderly mum had an emergency admission into hospital and I couldn't read; too distracted and exhausted. However, she's finally back home and doing ok. Trying to get back into reading. Need to dent my humongous tbr pile and was messing around trying to choose.

But what did I do instead? Bought a couple more books. 🙄

In Cold Blood - such an amazing read. I had very strong images of all the people involved, and all the locations, when I was reading 20 or so years ago now. Saw the film too; they are not how imagined but it didn't matter.

Anyway, ds told me he was reading it the other day and I had to shut myself up from asking his impressions of it every 5 minutes! 😁

I think what drew me in was the fact that most of my experiences of the US had been New York, Los Angeles or lovely big house streets like in Home Alone etc, from film and tv before then. Nothing like the Clutter family's house.

Currently reading Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead. Absolutely brilliant. He’s one of those writers who can say so much about a character or situation but use words so sparingly to do so. I’ve read some people find his prose too difficult to follow but not the case for me. You do need to concentrate at times to fully follow what’s going on but he is a wonderful writer.

Next up is Butter. It’s been my ‘next book’ for months now but I keep getting sidetracked, usually by recommendations on here!

I just finished I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh as a sort of palate cleanser after Butter and Skippy Dies (Paul Mercer) and I really enjoyed it. It's a sort of twisty turny kind of crime thriller I think you'd say. It's her first novel and quite effective. Made me want to look out for more from her, definitely.

Next I've just started on something completely different, Precious Bane by Mary Webb. Someone I know was talking about it so fondly and it intrigued me. I can't resist a book recommendation and happened to see it almost immediately in the Oxfam shop so it seemed a sign that I should read it. I haven't got very far with it as I can see it's a book to read 'properly', ie taking in every word, as otherwise I just won't get anything from it. So far, I really love the writing and I'm very interested to know where it's going.

I'm just about to finish "Lady Tan's Circle of Women" by Lisa See. It's terrible but was assigned for book club. 🤣

Up next is "Dream Count" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. I'm very excited.

I am still trying to get into All The Colours Of The Dark but I’m struggling! I’d heard such fantastic reviews but I’m just finding it so dull!!!
Please someone tell me it gets better!

@rainbowstardrops
It does get better. You’ll grow to love the characters and the suspense element.
Persevere!

I really hope so! I’m about 1/4 of the way in at the moment but it’s like walking through treacle lol. I always struggle if I don’t get sucked in from the beginning though.

@ObtuseMoose, you said before that you didn’t finish All The Colours Of The Dark. Can I ask how far you got through before you gave up?
I hate giving up on a book but equally, I don’t like it when I feel that I have to plow on, instead of wanting to!

I'm heading into another Dorothy Dunnett. Race Of Scorpions. Still not entirely convinced by these.

My Kindle tells me I read 7%, I'm a ruthless dnf-er and know quickly if I'm not going to enjoy a book.

It really does. I was so ambivalent and then suddenly I was hooked! I listened on audiobook which might make the difference.

Oh ok, so not too much then.
I just hate leaving books once I’ve started them 😬

I’m going to stick with it and hope I get hooked!
I like a solid book in my hand. I think if I was just listening to it, my mind would wander to what I’m cooking for dinner, or what washing I need to put on tomorrow!!! 🤣