Minnesota Readers discussion

Running with Scissors
This book has been on my TBR (To Be Read) list for yeaaaaars, so I'll be starting this one tonight. I'm hoping I find it more interesting than The Bone Clocks, which I just finished today. What is everyone else currently reading and would you recommend it based on what you've read so far?

First Comes Love by Emily Giffin. It's an easy read about family and friendship. It was hard to put down at first, but the middle is kind of dragging. Hope it picks up!

Well, I finished Running with Scissors and I have to say, it was not at all what I expected. I knew this had been made into a comedy movie, so I was thinking this book was going to be funny! This was not the case. (view spoiler)[ Instead, it was a horribly depressing memoir about 11 year old Augusten growing up with a mother who suffered from some sort of psychotic disease. His mother clearly does not want her son around, so he is essentially left to be raised by her psychiatrist Dr. Finch. Augusten lives with Dr. Finch's family where his children are allowed to make their own rules, or, according to Augusten, run with scissors. They wreak havoc on the household and both Dr. Finch and his wife refuse to take responsibility for the children and the state of their dilapidated home crawling with cockroaches. After 7ish years, Augusten's mother finally sees something wrong with Dr. Finch's medical practice, and encourages Augusten to cut all ties with the Finch family. Augusten follows his mother's advice, moves out, and attends community college. Dr. Finch loses his medical license and Augusten grows up to be a writer (and then writes this memoir using his notes from his journals at the time). (hide spoiler)]

I'll be starting Between the World and Me soon to fulfill my National Book Award Winner requirement for the 2016 PopSugar Reading Challenge!

I just finished reading The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. It was a very quick read since I was on the beach/airplane. Definitely recommend it. I am currently reading Life After Life by Kate Atkinson for another book club. I've been "trying" to read it for more than a month but am only a few chapters in. - Julie Fleming

Julie wrote: "I just finished reading The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. It was a very quick read since I was on the beach/airplane. Definitely recommend it. I am currently reading Life After Life by Kate Atk..."

The Couple Next Door is on my To Read list! Glad to hear you recommend it! I read Life After Life maybe 2 years ago or so? I remember liking the premise but at times it is definitely a slower moving book. It gets better towards the middle, though! There is also a sequel of sorts called A God in Ruins about Ursula's brother which I have not yet read. Let me know what you think when you get through LAL!

I finished Between the World and Me, which is written in the form of a letter to the author's son about racism in America. I really enjoyed the conversational nature of the book, as well as the perspective given by Ta-Nehisi Coates. While I don't agree with everything Coates had to say (he made many generalizations), his thoughts were important to read and ponder. I would recommend it!

I'm moving on to Fahrenheit 451 to meet the "Book you haven't read since high school" requirement for PopSugar challenge. It's a classic!!

I finished Fahrenheit 451 today and I'm guessing pretty much everyone has read this already, so no review here. Of course I recommend it!! I picked up Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica at the library and I'm hoping this will be a good read around Halloween :) I'll be counting this book as the "First book you see in the library/bookstore/online" for the PopSugar challenge... since when I log in to the library website, it's the only book that was on my hold list for at least the last 6 months. I know, I know, it's a stretch, haha!

Do any of you listen to audiobooks? I started a job where I have to drive a lot. I finish a lot of books by listening while I drive. I really like the Kindle Wispersync. When I'm not driving I can read and then seamlessly go into the audio. It's pretty neat. :)

Alex wrote: "Do any of you listen to audiobooks? I started a job where I have to drive a lot. I finish a lot of books by listening while I drive. I really like the Kindle Wispersync. When I'm not driving I can ..."

I occasionally do audiobooks, but at times I tune out the story if I get distracted with something else! I generally will read and listen to music (classical if the book I'm reading is a challenge). I haven't tried Whispersync - is it similar to Audible? Are you reading/listening to anything good now?

Kate wrote: "Alex wrote: "Do any of you listen to audiobooks? I started a job where I have to drive a lot. I finish a lot of books by listening while I drive. I really like the Kindle Wispersync. When I'm not d..."

Wispersync is the kindle ebook and Audible combined. It will actually play the audio and highlight the words as you follow along if you like that. I do a lot of driving so I'm able to get through a lot more books if I listen. For me I stay more focused when I'm listening. I'm distracted much easier when I read.
Right now, I just started Slaughterhouse Five. I really just look for anything that's cheap on Amazon. If you have Kindle Unlimited you can get a lot of "free" books and sometimes it will come with free or super discounted Audible books. You might say I haven't really chosen much of what I'm reading right now. I'm just going a slightly more frugal route.

Alex wrote: "Kate wrote: "Alex wrote: "Do any of you listen to audiobooks? I started a job where I have to drive a lot. I finish a lot of books by listening while I drive. I really like the Kindle Wispersync. W..."

I understand trying to be frugal about books - it is not easy lol! I am trying to get through some of the books that I purchased awhile ago and haven't gotten around to reading them. A bookshelf clean up!

Hello! I just found this group. I'm doing a re-read of Lord of the Rings because I'm going through some tough times right now, and am currently on Two Towers :)

Just saw these posts! It's good to see what others are reading and their opinions of those books. I am currently reading The Elf Queen of Shannara by Terry Brooks. It is the 3rd book of 4 in the Heritage of Shannara series. It is book 8 of the 33 total book he has written about Shannara. I am working through all of them in Terry Brooks' suggested reading order I found on Goodreads.com. The books are pretty good so far in my opinion.

Just saw these posts! It's good to see what others are reading and their opinions of those books. I am currently reading The Elf Queen of Shannara by Terry Brooks. It is the 3rd book of 4 in the Heritage of Shannara series. It is book 8 of the 33 total book he has written about Shannara. I am working through all of them in Terry Brooks' suggested reading order I found on Goodreads.com. The books are pretty good so far in my opinion.

Tim wrote: "Just saw these posts! It's good to see what others are reading and their opinions of those books. I am currently reading The Elf Queen of Shannara by Terry Brooks. It is the 3rd book of 4 in the He..."

Hi, Tim! Is this series fantasy? I want to say I've read one of Brooks' novels before but that was quite awhile ago! I don't know if I could undertake a series with 33 novels before I really clean up my TBR list :)

Chris wrote: "Hello! I just found this group. I'm doing a re-read of Lord of the Rings because I'm going through some tough times right now, and am currently on Two Towers :)"

Hey, Chris! Gotta love LOTR! Always a great reread!

Just finished Nineteen Minutes, which I loved. Now starting 'A Man Called Ove' with a book club we just started at work, so far it's funny and reminds me of a few grumpy old men I know.

Currently reading a few books right now!
American Gods for a monthly group read
It Ends with Us for a Twin TBR challenge
The Atlantis Gene for fun (maybe popsugar)
The Sisterhood for fun
Children of Eden for fun

Sorry if it seems weird to be reading 5 books at once. I change books quite often. Kind of like deciding to watch a variety of shows rather than binge watch the same show for too long. This happens especially if I am reading a long book. Like American Gods. I take breaks which consists of reading other books.

Denise wrote: "Currently reading a few books right now!
American Gods for a monthly group read
It Ends with Us for a Twin TBR challenge
The Atlantis Gene for fun ..."

I'm the same way!

I usually have two books going at the same time.

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

ARC from netgalley.com Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs

Just starting by William Kent Krueger

just finishing up by Erika Raskin

And by Gregg Hurwitz I just read that Bradley Cooper will be Evan Smoaks in the movie

I am currently taking part in the Bookerthon, reading all books longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2017. I've already read

Lincoln in the Bardo
Autumn
History of Wolves
4 3 2 1
Swing Time
Solar Bones
Exit West and
Home Fire.

I am currently finishing Days Without End, next will be Reservoir 13!

just started reading &


Still Reading


Finished:

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

The Booker longlist!!

Two books, each for a local book club.

James, what do you think about History of Wolves? I read it last year.

Meike wrote: "The Booker longlist!!"

What book is this? Can you link it?

Karen wrote: "James, what do you think about History of Wolves? I read it last year."

Just picked it up last night from our meeting, haven't opened it. I was a little uncertain if I would enjoy it. Now, I am hopeful from what the other members raved about the story. We will see next month.

Just finished: and I would highly recommend. Great author/storyteller and compelling book. Sad but compelling.

I have Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI in my TBR.

Karen wrote: "Meike wrote: "The Booker longlist!!"

What book is this? Can you link it?"

I was wondering also. It is a long list of books that are up for a prize in Britain. The longlist now, a shortlist (winner?) is named in September. Here they are:


Sorry Meike if I stole your thunder. I was looking it up for myself and saw someone else was also interested.

Interesting. Thanks James

Karen wrote: "Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry"

I just finished, 5 stars!!

I just finished Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace

Those books were my childhood favorites.

Guys, the Twin Cities are rocking the National Book Awards!

Jos Charles' "feeld," published by Milkweed Editions, Justin Phillip Reed's "Indecency," published by Coffee House Press, and "Eye Level," by Jenny Xie, published by Graywolf Press, are all in contention for the poetry prize.

St. Paul writer Bryan Bliss is on the Young People's Literature list for "We'll Fly Away."

Jamel Brinkley's "A Lucky Man" is longlisted in the fiction category.

How cool is that!?

Very cool. 😎😎

I just finished Esther by Rebecca Kanner.

Not my favorite book about Queen Esther.

I am currently reading Winter Loon by Susan Bernhard. Coming of age story set in rural Minnesota. The characters are less than loveable with hard pasts and bleak futures. Good story.

The Minnesota Stories of Sinclair Lewis
Was wondering if this group is still active. I am in a small book club and this is our book for the month. It appears to be a collection of short stories.

Not sure if this group is still active but I am currently personally reading “A History of Wild Places.” I’m about 30% of the way through the book and honestly it’s just now starting to reel me in. It’s taking longer than I’d like to get through because i’m honestly not overwhelmed with it but I also want to finish it. I’m also just starting “Reckless Girls” with a friend, reading a few chapters a day and it’s already peaked my interest and I’m only on chapter 3. Feel free to add me on here or find me on Instagram or tiktok @hint.of.Rose where I update more about my TBRs and current reads. You all can also feel free to add me as a friend on here as well :]

I just finished

Im currently reading The Secret Magdalene. If anyone in the twin cities is into weird fiction, post modern and modern stuff, or anything else really, you should add me. Looking for friends who read in the area :)

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse

It is the One Book One Minnesota pick

https://sppl.org/onebook/