Ellsworth Public Library discussion

Hello fellow readers!

Welcome to our new group! I thought we could start things off by sharing what we're currently reading. I've just started Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan. It's a juvenile fiction book about a girl who "spend[s] a lot of time looking up." Sloan's Counting by Sevens (for the same age group) was very good, so I'm optimistic about this one.

What are you reading now?

1421 about Chinese world exploration per European "discoveries." Interesting.
This group is a great idea bye!

That sounds like a good read :) Thanks for joining the group!

Ok, so I'm knee deep in books right now lol

Just finished "American Eclipse" by David Baron this morning, and I couldn't love it more. It was a hard one to turn back in. If anyone wants a non spoiler review, let me know.

So now I am split between two books simultaneously. "The Nix" by Nathan Hill, which I have down about 50 out of 600+ pages. And "Touch" by Courtney Maum (thanks Abby), considering I'm 1/3 through it since this morning, I'd say I'm liking it quite well.

Hi Carol,

Wow, you do have a lot of books in play!

Glad to hear you're enjoying "Touch." I've noticed a lot of "technology dystopias" lately, which is an interesting trend. If you haven't already read "The Circle" by Dave Eggers, I would highly recommend it. Similar themes, but more of a thriller.

I'll be sure to check it out. Just finished Touch this morning and dropped it back off.

I really enjoyed it. I think sometimes it's hard to get a nice balance when things have a satirical nature, but she pulled it off. While there's definitely some rather "Coen-esque" images (umm Roman in that suit!! Lol) she didn't get too heavy handed.

I still cared about her character and was invested in the outcome. Nice read 👍🏻

Started both "The Martain" by Andy Weir (Allegra's recommendation) and a graphic novel this morning.

Have a good one! Back to it....

Read on :)

Just found this and thought you might appreciate it:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/05/bo...

I'm currently listening to Barbarian Days by William Finnegan. It's a fascinating look at surfing culture in the 60s in Hawaii.

How's "Barbarian Days" coming?

Finished "The Martian" last night and really loved it!

Read "Drama" by Raina Telgemeier this morning (It was a quick graphic novel). Starting "All the Birds in the Sky" right now.

Hi Carol!

"Barbarian Days" is really interesting, although I don't have any knowledge of surfing, so I'm definitely adding to my vocabulary!

I'm so glad you enjoyed The Martian...I need to move that one up in my TBR pile.

I love everything by Raina Telgemeier and "Drama" is one of my favorites by her. I haven't heard of "All the Birds in the Sky"...let us know what you think!

I should be able to finish "Short" tonight, and then will either pick up "Mrs. Fletcher" by Tom Perrotta or "The Door to January" by Gillian French for my next good read :)

Ok so I just looked up those two books, they both sound great, but man are they night and day! lol I guess you'll have to let your mood dictate your choice.

I'm about 100 pages into "All the Birds in the Sky". It reminds me of "Night Circus" (which I'm a big fan of) but not in a knock off kinda way. So far, so good.

Ooh, I'll have to add "All the Birds in the Sky" to my endless list :)

You're right, they are very different books! I went with "The Door To January" and it's a real pageturner!

Just finished "Lips Touch Three Times" by Laini Taylor. Pretty neat, 3 short stories, new fables I'd call them, with illustrations at the beginnings of each.

And read the first two vol of "Planetary"

Up next...
Picking up "Beartown" by Fredrik Backman today! Woot woot and will move on to vol 3 of "Planetary"

(I usually read novels when I can during the early morning/day and do graphic novels if my eyes are tired at night)

How was "The Door to January"?

I enjoyed All the Birds in the Sky as well. It reminded me a bit of The Magicians by Lev Grossman, which I also enjoyed.

I read the Planetary books. I enjoyed them as well, but was happy to have a husband who is more well-versed in the DC universe than I am so he could point out some references I would have missed.

Right now, I'm reading Stilletto by Daniel O'Malley. It's a great summer read - smart but fun. It's the sequel to The Rook which is about a secret British organization that deals with supernatural threats. If you were every a Buffy fan, this would be a good choice for you.

I'm also reading A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz to my seven year old sons. We are having a good time with this book. It's a great take on classic fairy tales, and it's made us laugh out loud several times already.

I just finished listening to the fourth of the Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante, The Story of the Lost Child. The library has them on CD. The first book, My Brilliant Friend, had a damaged disc and I hope you can replace it. These books are well written, well translated, and well read. An engaging series about the friendship and lives of two women who were born and lived much of their lives in Naples. Well worth a listen or a read. Now I'm on to Glass Houses, the newest by Louise Penny. I just love this series!

Carol wrote: "Just finished "Lips Touch Three Times" by Laini Taylor. Pretty neat, 3 short stories, new fables I'd call them, with illustrations at the beginnings of each.

And read the first two vol of "Planeta..."

"The Door to January" is really good--still have a little bit to go as I got caught up in other books. I love Laini Taylor's fantasy series--have you read Daughter of Smoke and Bone?

Charlene wrote: "I just finished listening to the fourth of the Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante, The Story of the Lost Child. The library has them on CD. The first book, My Brilliant Friend, had a damaged disc ..."

Charlene, thanks for letting us know about the disc. We'll certainly try to replace it! I'm glad you're enjoying the new Louise Penny :)

I just finished Don't Let Go by Harlan Coben. A real page turner. Next: Exposed by Lisa Scottoline.

I read What She Ate. Food history and very interesting, entertaining!

Cynthia wrote: "I read What She Ate. Food history and very interesting, entertaining!"
I've heard this one is really good! Sorry for my late reply and thanks for sharing :)

I'm currently working through Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children's Literature as an Adult by Bruce Handy. It's informative and well-written, a great read that gives historical context and background to some of the most iconic children's books.

I just finished Commonwealth and am now reading Salvage The Bones.

I thought Inwould read Salvage The Bones before reading Sing Unburied Sing. Ward is an interesting author with a very original voice.

Cynthia wrote: "I just finished Commonwealth and am now reading Salvage The Bones.

I thought Inwould read Salvage The Bones before reading Sing Unburied Sing. Ward is an interesting author with a very original v..."

I saw "Sing Unburied Sing" on one of the "Best of the Year" lists. I'll have to check it out. I'm currently about 3/4 of the way through North Haven by Sarah Moriarty. It's set in Maine, and the author does a good job of capturing the essence of island life in the summer.

I currently reading South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby. Almost done. Pretty decent novel about life at the Pole. Looking forward to getting the new biography of Grant. I think I’m next on the list!

Hiya folks, sorry it’s been a while. It’s a combination of life being crazy and this app slipping my mind from time to time.

Currently reading “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate and so far, it’s definitely living up to the hype.

Please tell me someone here has read “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro! I read it a couple of weeks ago, and man oh man is it sticking with me! I don’t think I’ll ever forget that one.