Paul’s review of 2025 on Goodreads > Likes and Comments
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Hmm - Fay Weldon - The Loves and Lives of a She-Devil - it was a Big hit in the 80s - plus TV series. And now no-one reads her ...
Georges Simenon - just been scanning Vinted to see if I can find any non-Maigrets - so taking note of The Flemish House - JL Carr - I didn't like his Month in the Country
And just ordered by first Jeeves and Wooster. Salinger - must have read about 4x - so interested to see the overlaps.
I do like these end of year reviews - everyone comments on their absolute favourites - so it's really very interesting which books stand out in people's memories - and if that means they are really good ?
Lisa wrote: ""And if I begin reading a book and feel that it doesn't deserve that sort of attention, I'll set it aside."
I'm cheering you on! I started doing that more this year, and I feel lighter for it. Che..."
Thanks, Lisa. I hope that it will make me feel lighter too.
"Hmm - Fay Weldon - The Loves and Lives of a She-Devil - it was a Big hit in the 80s - plus TV series. And now no-one reads her ...
Georges Simenon - just been scanning Vinted to see if I can find any non-Maigrets - so taking note of The Flemish House - JL Carr - I didn't like his Month in the Country
And just ordered by first Jeeves and Wooster. Salinger - must have read about 4x - so interested to see the overlaps.
I do like these end of year reviews - everyone comments on their absolute favourites - so it's really very interesting which books stand out in people's memories - and if that means they are really good ?"
Laura, I've given up trying to figure out if other people's year end favorites will work for me. I just enjoy reading about their responses to what they've read.
The only book on your list that I've read is The Catcher in the Rye, a book in my all-time Top Ten (and me, a pumpernickel guy!).
Did you actually read it for the first time just now? It's a high school reading staple.
Ken wrote: "The only book on your list that I've read is The Catcher in the Rye, a book in my all-time Top Ten (and me, a pumpernickel guy!).
Did you actually read it for the first time just now? It's a high ..."
Ken, I read it when I was 16 - many years ago - and my take this time was obviously very different from what I recall from back then.
Life and Lobes of a Sehe Devil was very funny, I thought.
My own reading year was up and down. Like you, I gave 5 stars to the year anyway, because of the lively community found here on GR. I hope the New Year is kind to you!
Sounds like a pretty good reading year to me, Paul! Here's to a fantabulous 2026. Whether you stick to your goals or not, the important thing is to read a couple of good book to fuel the desire to discover more. Cheers!
Lyn wrote: "Life and Lobes of a Sehe Devil was very funny, I thought."
I want to read more Fay Weldon, Lyn. I'll keep that one on mind. Thanks!
Ulysse wrote: "Sounds like a pretty good reading year to me, Paul! Here's to a fantabulous 2026. Whether you stick to your goals or not, the important thing is to read a couple of good book to fuel the desire to ..."
Thanks for your good words, Ulysse. I'm usually disappointed when I see my reading year, but I always end up remembering some good books I read and things aren't as dire as I thought.
You did find some good ones in 2025. I hope you are successful finding good ones in 2026.
Pam wrote: "You did find some good ones in 2025. I hope you are successful finding good ones in 2026."
Thanks, Pam. And the same wishes to you for 2026!
Paul, you've reminded me of a stray thought in one of David Markson's books of stray thoughts: 'I wonder what the last book I read will be?'
I wonder about that too but I'm in no hurry to (not) find out:-)
But I agree wholeheartedly that time is too precious to waste on not so precious books!
Holly R W wrote: "My own reading year was up and down. Like you, I gave 5 stars to the year anyway, because of the lively community found here on GR. I hope the New Year is kind to you!"
I agree, Holly. The community here is as important as the reading.
And best wishes to you for a great 2026!
Fionnuala wrote: "Paul, you've reminded me of a stray thought in one of David Markson's books of stray thoughts: 'I wonder what the last book I read will be?'
I wonder about that too but I'm in no hurry to (not) fi..."
Fionnuala, I hope that reading your reviews has finally taught me not to waste precious time on undeserving books.
How true that the exchange with GR friends is definitely 5-star worthy! Thank you, Paul, for visiting my reviews ever so often. May 2026 be another rewarding reading year for you.
And thank you, Laysee, for visiting my reviews. I hope that 2026 will be your best ever reading year.
I'm glad you read more gems than you first remembered.
I'm not sure about reading each book as if it's my last, but I see your intention.
As for putting a book aside if it doesn't work for you: absolutely. I was raised to think it a heinous failing, but life's too short to waste time on books one doesn't enjoy when the TBR is temptingly tall.
HNY, Paul.
Cecily wrote: "I'm glad you read more gems than you first remembered.
I'm not sure about reading each book as if it's my last, but I see your intention.
As for putting a book aside if it doesn't work for you: ..."
Reading each book as if it's my last - Knowing myself, I may not do that. But it's a positive thing to have good intentions.
Like you, I was raised to always finish reading a book, Cecily, But when your TBR is as long (or high, as you put it) as mine, I'm not wasting any more time on books that don't deserve it.
And Happy New Year to you and yours!
I was glad you read Reznikoff's "By The Waters of Manhattan", Paul Would love to see a review or to know your thoughts on the book.
robin wrote: "I was glad you read Reznikoff's "By The Waters of Manhattan", Paul Would love to see a review or to know your thoughts on the book."
I didn't get around to writing a review, Robin. Perhaps I'll get back to it and write one.
Paul, I am glad you changed your mind - both on writing a review of your reading 2025 and how you eventually came to look at it more favorably. Re-reading your delightful review of Fay Weldon's epistolary essay book, I look forward to treat myself on it too (it's on Internet Archive). Here's to a happy 2026, filled with wonderful books and bookish exchanges!
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Hmm - Fay Weldon - The Loves and Lives of a She-Devil - it was a Big hit in the 80s - plus TV series. And now no-one reads her ...Georges Simenon - just been scanning Vinted to see if I can find any non-Maigrets - so taking note of The Flemish House - JL Carr - I didn't like his Month in the Country
And just ordered by first Jeeves and Wooster. Salinger - must have read about 4x - so interested to see the overlaps.
I do like these end of year reviews - everyone comments on their absolute favourites - so it's really very interesting which books stand out in people's memories - and if that means they are really good ?
Lisa wrote: ""And if I begin reading a book and feel that it doesn't deserve that sort of attention, I'll set it aside."I'm cheering you on! I started doing that more this year, and I feel lighter for it. Che..."
Thanks, Lisa. I hope that it will make me feel lighter too.
"Hmm - Fay Weldon - The Loves and Lives of a She-Devil - it was a Big hit in the 80s - plus TV series. And now no-one reads her ...Georges Simenon - just been scanning Vinted to see if I can find any non-Maigrets - so taking note of The Flemish House - JL Carr - I didn't like his Month in the Country
And just ordered by first Jeeves and Wooster. Salinger - must have read about 4x - so interested to see the overlaps.
I do like these end of year reviews - everyone comments on their absolute favourites - so it's really very interesting which books stand out in people's memories - and if that means they are really good ?"
Laura, I've given up trying to figure out if other people's year end favorites will work for me. I just enjoy reading about their responses to what they've read.
The only book on your list that I've read is The Catcher in the Rye, a book in my all-time Top Ten (and me, a pumpernickel guy!).Did you actually read it for the first time just now? It's a high school reading staple.
Ken wrote: "The only book on your list that I've read is The Catcher in the Rye, a book in my all-time Top Ten (and me, a pumpernickel guy!).Did you actually read it for the first time just now? It's a high ..."
Ken, I read it when I was 16 - many years ago - and my take this time was obviously very different from what I recall from back then.
Life and Lobes of a Sehe Devil was very funny, I thought.
My own reading year was up and down. Like you, I gave 5 stars to the year anyway, because of the lively community found here on GR. I hope the New Year is kind to you!
Sounds like a pretty good reading year to me, Paul! Here's to a fantabulous 2026. Whether you stick to your goals or not, the important thing is to read a couple of good book to fuel the desire to discover more. Cheers!
Lyn wrote: "Life and Lobes of a Sehe Devil was very funny, I thought."I want to read more Fay Weldon, Lyn. I'll keep that one on mind. Thanks!
Ulysse wrote: "Sounds like a pretty good reading year to me, Paul! Here's to a fantabulous 2026. Whether you stick to your goals or not, the important thing is to read a couple of good book to fuel the desire to ..."Thanks for your good words, Ulysse. I'm usually disappointed when I see my reading year, but I always end up remembering some good books I read and things aren't as dire as I thought.
You did find some good ones in 2025. I hope you are successful finding good ones in 2026.
Pam wrote: "You did find some good ones in 2025. I hope you are successful finding good ones in 2026."Thanks, Pam. And the same wishes to you for 2026!
Paul, you've reminded me of a stray thought in one of David Markson's books of stray thoughts: 'I wonder what the last book I read will be?' I wonder about that too but I'm in no hurry to (not) find out:-)
But I agree wholeheartedly that time is too precious to waste on not so precious books!
Holly R W wrote: "My own reading year was up and down. Like you, I gave 5 stars to the year anyway, because of the lively community found here on GR. I hope the New Year is kind to you!"I agree, Holly. The community here is as important as the reading.
And best wishes to you for a great 2026!
Fionnuala wrote: "Paul, you've reminded me of a stray thought in one of David Markson's books of stray thoughts: 'I wonder what the last book I read will be?' I wonder about that too but I'm in no hurry to (not) fi..."
Fionnuala, I hope that reading your reviews has finally taught me not to waste precious time on undeserving books.
How true that the exchange with GR friends is definitely 5-star worthy! Thank you, Paul, for visiting my reviews ever so often. May 2026 be another rewarding reading year for you.
And thank you, Laysee, for visiting my reviews. I hope that 2026 will be your best ever reading year.
I'm glad you read more gems than you first remembered. I'm not sure about reading each book as if it's my last, but I see your intention.
As for putting a book aside if it doesn't work for you: absolutely. I was raised to think it a heinous failing, but life's too short to waste time on books one doesn't enjoy when the TBR is temptingly tall.
HNY, Paul.
Cecily wrote: "I'm glad you read more gems than you first remembered. I'm not sure about reading each book as if it's my last, but I see your intention.
As for putting a book aside if it doesn't work for you: ..."
Reading each book as if it's my last - Knowing myself, I may not do that. But it's a positive thing to have good intentions.
Like you, I was raised to always finish reading a book, Cecily, But when your TBR is as long (or high, as you put it) as mine, I'm not wasting any more time on books that don't deserve it.
And Happy New Year to you and yours!
I was glad you read Reznikoff's "By The Waters of Manhattan", Paul Would love to see a review or to know your thoughts on the book.
robin wrote: "I was glad you read Reznikoff's "By The Waters of Manhattan", Paul Would love to see a review or to know your thoughts on the book."I didn't get around to writing a review, Robin. Perhaps I'll get back to it and write one.
Paul, I am glad you changed your mind - both on writing a review of your reading 2025 and how you eventually came to look at it more favorably. Re-reading your delightful review of Fay Weldon's epistolary essay book, I look forward to treat myself on it too (it's on Internet Archive). Here's to a happy 2026, filled with wonderful books and bookish exchanges!
I'm cheering you on! I started doing that more this year, and I feel lighter for it. Cheers to the gems you found this year.