Reading Check-In

[@margot_polo]

I had a feeling ACOTAR wouldn’t be up your alley, Susan! I read it back in 2017 and found it totally meh, but I was intrigued enough to pick up the second book and I was hooked- haha! The found-family, and adventure kept me turning pages. Definitely escapist stuff. The romance definitely had my eyes rolling back in my head though. 😂

[@RoadReads]

So the second book hooked you??! Hmmmmm :)

[@blane1814]

Jennifer Brooks 🤧

[@RoadReads]

She is missed…so much.

[@Dinadoesyoga]

Our tastes sound similar, so I appreciate your honest reviews of these books. Have you read A Month in the Country by JL Carr? It's got the quiet, poignant vibe I think you're looking for. In January, I began the Kristin Lavransdatter saga, and I'm really enjoying it. Funny though, because it's set in Medieval Norway, it really has the estethic of a fantasy, but it's historical fiction.

[@Movingthebookmark]

Oh I have to agree, a Month in the Country is absolutely gorgeous.

[@RoadReads]

I’ll look into A Month…thank you for the recommendation!! 🤩

[@RoadReads]

Ok! Just got it from my library app!

[@Dinadoesyoga]

@RoadReads I hope it's just what you're looking for!

[@dianameister475]

I also loved A Month in the Country and then requested an inner-library loan for J.L. Carr’s biography. Also worth the read.

[@teritucciarelli4451]

Totally agree with you on ACOTAR- thought I was missing out and decided to try it...NOPE, rolling my eyes all over the place. Not for me, DNF'd. I rarely dnf because I know what I like but I guess I thought if so many like it, why not try? BIG mistake, HUGE lol! I am not a romance or fantasy girl either, however I did enjoy "The Ten Thousand Doors of January" and it has some fantasy elements. The writing is what won me over with that one, just gorgeous writing!

[@RoadReads]

It's sometimes difficult to resist the urge not to at least try reading these mega popular books, isn't it? I do have the Ten Thousand Doors on my TBR...maybe you suggested it to me before?

[@teritucciarelli4451]

Yes, I think I recommended it to you, but I have to give credit to the podcast, "Currently Reading" I believe that is where I first heard about it. 😊@@RoadReads

[@clarepotter7584]

I've just finished 'Brutus: the Noble Conspirator' by Kathryn Tempest. There were a couple of references to the the Brutus depicted in Shakespeare and Dante, which I thought was very Jenny. Off to read some fiction next.

[@RoadReads]

That does sound very Jenny!! Now go enjoy some fiction this weekend. :)

[@carriem1183]

Based upon what you said you were in the mood for, I would highly recommend checking out Remains of the Day (if you haven’t already read it).

[@RoadReads]

I have read it, but you are spot on with your recommendation! Such a strong, quiet, poignant book.

[@Novaturient_Liv]

Ah- an ACoTAR review I can trust. I am reading The Count of Monte Cristo right now. Slowly trekking along. Wishing you a better reading week!

[@RoadReads]

I think my ACofTAR opinion is in the minority. So maybe don't listen to me :) I'm kind of jealous if this is your first reading of The Count of Monte Cristo...I loved it so much after being fairly sure it wasn't going to be my kind of book.

[@amandarademaker7269]

I read Small Things like These by Claire Keegan in January and loved the writing. Need to check out Foster and her short story collection. I've never read a Sarah J. Maas or Alex Michaelides. I've heard the Crescent City series is really good! I'm currently reading Invisible by Paul Auster.

[@RoadReads]

Joni was recommending another Auster novel, Baumgartner. So sounds like I’m missing out.

[@shanroudebush9047]

I felt the same exact way about The Fury. Not for me.

[@RoadReads]

The Fury -- ugh. :)

[@julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641]

What a few challenging reads Susan! 😅

[@RoadReads]

Not my best week of reading, but onward and upward! Happy almost weekend, Julie!!

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Just reading Dune at the moment. I hope February is a good reading moth for you. Best wishes.

[@RoadReads]

Thank you! I hope Dune is going well for you!

[@verosnotebook]

So interesting. Want to try a Keegan, probably Foster. Have read Maas and didn’t like it, although I do like a romance from time to time, and there are some really good ones out there. Like in any genres 😊 Let me know if you ever want to try one.

[@RoadReads]

Foster is a great first Keegan read! I'll come to you if I'm in want of a romance rec. (....but it may be awhile. ;) )

[@ADuchessInside]

Oh my goodness, Danielle Steel! I read a lot of her books in my teens and 20s. I realized even at the time that they were terribly written, but somehow I didn't care. It was fun escapism and very of its time. I don't think I could get through one now either, though it might be amusing to try! I still really enjoy romance novels, but they have to be good ones. I'm pretty snobby about the ones I like. On another topic, have you read Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny? It was one of my favorites of last year and I have a feeling you might like it. Also, have you read any books by Laurie Colwin? Happy All the Time was a top read of last year for me too, and I just started another of her novels, A Big Storm Knocked it Over.

[@RoadReads]

Being a romance snob sounds a lot more healthy than my current attitude. So good for you! And THANK YOU for the recs!! I'll look into them!!

[@caraa188]

I'm on page 85 of The Secret History. I think I'm intimidated by the length of the book. Enjoying it so far though.

[@RoadReads]

Yay!!!!! Even if you enjoy it just half as much as me, that'll be great! :) You're right -- it's lengthy, but I devoured it both times.

[@jessicafoster8738]

What about Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry? I've been meaning to read that for ages and I get the feeling it's one of those quiet but profound books :)

[@RoadReads]

That's an excellent suggestion! Thank you!

[@caraa188]

Have you read the Maisie Dobbs series? You might enjoy them as a switch from what you've been reading lately.... thanks for your video!

[@RoadReads]

No I haven't...so THANK YOU for the rec! :)

[@KAZHE63]

I don’t read fantasy or romance, either! I picked a classic to enjoy in honor of Jennifer instead.

[@RoadReads]

I should have done that!

[@karenwetherald6086]

Good Morning, Susan. How much I laughed at your review of A Court Of Thorns and Roses.... I would have thrown the book across the room "His big strong muscles" UGH..... I am glad that you appreciate having read it though. I will not read it. I have started "A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth as a read along and a new book called Fourteen Days, about the pandemic and the characters meet and tell stories. Each story in the book is written by a different American or Canadian author. I really excited to finally tackle A Suitable Boy

[@RoadReads]

I hope you get lots of good reading in this weekend, Karen!! And thank you for understanding how I'd rather not stomach all that romancy-schmancy talk. :)

[@cathyg.9996]

I couldn’t agree more about The Maidens! I really disliked the writing, the plot and the dialogue. I DNF’d it and couldn’t believe it was the same author of The Silent Patient which I enjoyed. I’m not interested in reading The Fury because I have heard mostly negative reviews. Love your channel!

[@RoadReads]

Cathy, you’re wiser than me! I shouldn’t have given him another try after The Maidens. 🙃

[@joniheisenberg]

Susan based on your comments that you need a simple,quiet story, I really think the timing for “Baumgartner” is perfect. ❤

[@RoadReads]

I'm on the library waiting list for it! :)

[@deborahmink5159]

Susan, have you read any Marilyn Robinson?

[@RoadReads]

Only Housekeeping, which I quite enjoyed.

[@deborahmink5159]

@@RoadReads I think you might like the Gilead collection.

[@RoadReads]

@deborahmink5159 from what I know of it, you’re probably right!

[@nonisnest9718]

I also am not a fan of Michaelides. Didn’t really like The Silent Patient but went on to read The Maidens which I hated. Won’t be reading the third one. I was a big fan of Kathleen Woodwiss romances in my 20s. Don’t think I could read one now. 🤣

[@RoadReads]

Woodwiss. Steele. Ah, our youth. 😉

[@Angela-it2tb]

I was completely disappointed in the Fury! 😢 Ok now you hsve to do a vlog where you attempt to read a Daneille Steel😂😂😂

[@RoadReads]

Oh my gosh...a Danielle Steele vlog would be a train wreck!!! :) :) :) So I should do that, right? ;)

[@Angela-it2tb]

@@RoadReadsabsolutely!😊

[@Movingthebookmark]

Cleanse your pallet and then return to Anne Rice later, I think you may actually like her! But I know how it is, we gotta go with our moods sometimes or we'll end up in a slump. I couldn't get through Maas but like you, I'm glad I at least gave it a chance and can have an opinion. It proves also what a diverse and well read reader Jenny was. She had such a rich reading life!

[@RoadReads]

Jenny read so diversely! Which I loved. And while it took some mental effort for little ol' me to make it through ACofTandR, I'm happy to have read it. My mom (who passed in 2013) loved fantasy (she read a lot like Jenny), so I had that to keep me going with it too. :) Happy almost weekend!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Hahaha, Susan! I guess I’m indeed a bit more of a romantic than you. And then, you already have a man with muscles while I don’t anymore 😂. But I get you, you’re wise to not read anymore Maas. That said, my next read will be the follow up on A Court of 🌹and 🔼. On my brand new Kindle Oasis! Yes, my Kindle love is still strong, so much so that I upgraded 🥳

[@RoadReads]

Ah, Leo! You know I respect your taste (so much!), but I think my tolerance for romance is just extremely low. :) Your brand new Kindle Oasis???? Leo, who are you? ;) Good for you!

[@marianamasbooks]

I haven't heard anyone talk positively about The Fury! I don't think you're alone on that one. Haha mmm, I don't think ACOTAR was a great romance for you to start with! I'll give it a think to see if I can come up with a better recommendation for you... I've never read ACOTAR. On one hand I think I'd love it, but on the other, I don't like that very quintessential 2000's YA voice... it's a bit... immature for me. So idk if I'd like it. Maybe some day I'll try it. In terms of fantasy, I much prefer classic fantasy! Or older published. 2000, 90's and before.

[@RoadReads]

Oh I would have thought you’d read ACOTAR. Shows what i know. Happy weekend!! 🩵

[@marianamasbooks]

@@RoadReads Haha well, it does sound like something I would have read! I’m surprised I haven’t read it either 😂 I tend to stay away from a certain type of YA (which is why I haven’t read Fourth Wing either. Which might be adult that feels YA? I’m not sure.). It very well may be snobbery on my part 😂 maybe I’ll eventually pick them up and get obsessed haha. Anyway, on to other reads in the meantime 🤓 Happy Sunday! 🥳

[@EntertheBook]

Behind on videos but enjoyed your reviews. No interest in The Fury after reading the Maidens. I have an unpopular opinion that I dislike Maas. Don’t let it stop you from other good fantasy. Though if you struggle with the Hobbit… 😬🤣

[@RoadReads]

Skipping The Fury-great idea! Wish I had done the same. 😂 I don’t know about me and fantasy. I’m kind of thinking it’s just a waste for me. But f you think of a sure-fire rec for me, please let me know!

[@gleannemarie]

ACOTAR was terrible. I found the writing poor and the story very much like those high school romances that were popular when I was in junior high.... LOL! I know I'm putting my life on the line with this review - my cousin and I have argued about this regularly... I'm ok with being unpopular! LOL!

[@RoadReads]

😂😂