The Readers discussion

Drum roll please. If you haven't listened to Episode 184 yet, you might want to check it out. We announced the short/medium/long list for the The Readers Summer Read. Here is the list, what do you all think?

The Woman on the Stairs by Bernard Schlink
Mend The Living/The Heart by Maylis de Kerangal
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
All That Man Is by David Szalay
The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Girls Burn Brighter by Shoba Rao
This Must Be The Place by Maggie O’Farrell

Thomas wrote: "Drum roll please. If you haven't listened to Episode 184 yet, you might want to check it out. We announced the short/medium/long list for the The Readers Summer Read. Here is the list, what do you ..."

Nice list! Of the few I have already read, I liked them.

If you are taking votes, I vote for Hot Milk. I wanted you two to pick Swimming Home from her last summer and you didn't. I want to read Deborah Levy but apparently feel I am only able if The Readers make me. :D

Great list! There are several that I am planning to get to in 2018. My vote is Pachinko by Min Lee.

Just finished for my book club. Its a long story but was good. I was told before we picked it that we should have some tissues near by. I was also told the same thing at the cashiers desk at the bookstore too. I thought the humor helped it from being too sad

I am just reading Pachinko and would love to discuss it with you all, but The Heart's Invisible Furies is also on my reading list for this year and it looks a good book for a discussion.

I've heard such amazing things about Pachinko - that gets my vote!

I've read Pachinko, The Heart's Invisible Furies, & Commonwealth....all were good. I'm with Ruthiella....I'd like to read Hot Milk because I missed it when it was all the buzz.

Good list guys! My vote is split between Commonwealth and Hot Milk as they are both writers I have wanted to read but needed this nudge for. Also easily available in paperback, of reasonable length and not too grim in the subject matter department. Spare me from carrying a hardback across the beach or resorting to the Kindle app on my tablet, while wearing my suncream off from sobbing into a tissue.

I would love to read This Must Be The Place by Maggie O'Farrell but all the others sound like great picks too!

A fantastic list! They all sound like great reads but Hot Milk is the most intriguing to me.

I think Pachinko is too long especially if either of you doesn't hook into it, you might really struggle to get to a discussion by the winter. (wink wink)

I loved Hot Milk, it's super summery, and short. The Boyne is really good and a quick read considering its length.

I've wanted to read Commonwealth, I'm not super thrilled about All That Man Is, but the others I haven't read and would be open to.

I loved The Hearts Invisible Furies. The audio version is a great way to experience this book. Pachinko is good but not as gripping as The Hearts...Commonwealth is good but again not as good as The Hearts.

I’d vote for Hot Milk or Commonwealth. I especially want to read Hot Milk!

I'll throw in a vote for Hot Milk. It's been languishing in the TBR for a longtime and this will give me the nudge I need to read this (go course, I said that about The Sympathizer last year...)

This must be the Place is good and will incite a good discussion, but I would prefer to take on Pachinko

I'm reading Pachinko right now and it's really good, but it is long. I vote for it, or for This Must Be the Place.

I vote for (1) Boyne and (2) O'Farrell.

The O’Farrell was great. I think you should choose that even though I’ve already read it!

Lalala I have requested four of these from the library. Anyone else want to read ALL of them? *grin*

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Lalala I have requested four of these from the library. Anyone else want to read ALL of them? *grin*"

YES! :D

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Lalala I have requested four of these from the library. Anyone else want to read ALL of them? *grin*"

My downfall....I want to read all of everything....which makes for a lot of library books being returned unread.

Hot Milk is the one that stands out for me because I liked Swimming Home so much. But they all sound good!

I've heard so many positive things about O'Farrell's writing. I'd be most interested in reading this one.

I almost feel like I shouldn't vote since I most likely can't come, but I will be listening no matter what you read. That said, I've read Commonwealth and This Must Be the Place and enjoyed them both. I'm really curious to read Pachinko, but probably won't pick it up on my own without a little push. Y'all reading it would give me that push. That said, I'm very sympathetic to those not wanting a long book to read, so I'm content whichever way you land.

Maylis de Kerangal is an author I’ve been wanting to read for a number of years. She has my vote.

My vote is for Heart's Invisible Furies. I am #5 on the hold list for the audio version at my library. I have read Pachinko and Commonwealth and loved them both. I have not read any Maggie O'Farrell and will read that next. Thanks for the heads up on Hot Milk...that sounds good, too.

The Heart's Invisible Furies is my choice.

We recorded yesterday morning and chose the summer read! I think you have to wait until mid May to find out. Maybe I will ask Simon if we can spread the news sooner.

so not fair

I'm looking forward to hearing what you chose. My vote would have been for Pachinko - it was one of my favorite books I read last year, and the only one I read that made me cry.

I am one of the few people who did not love The Heart's Invisible Furies. I absolutely loved the ending but I was so frustrated by the middle of the book, which I found cliched and predictable, and I almost didn't even finish it.

I'm withdrawing my vote for Hot Milk. I convinced myself that I didn't have to wait for the Summer Read and went ahead on my own.....very disappointed.

Janet wrote: "I'm withdrawing my vote for Hot Milk. I convinced myself that I didn't have to wait for the Summer Read and went ahead on my own.....very disappointed."

Ruh roh! Now I MUST read it! I counted the votes here and I think that if we are going by popular vote The Heart's Invisible Furies won.

Ruthiella wrote: "Janet wrote: "I'm withdrawing my vote for Hot Milk. I convinced myself that I didn't have to wait for the Summer Read and went ahead on my own.....very disappointed."

Ruh roh! Now I MUST read it! ..."

I'm the same way....negative reviews make me want to read the book more!

Ruthiella wrote: "...I think that if we are going by popular vote..."

Now Ruthiella, if only the popular vote always won...

Thomas wrote: "Ruthiella wrote: "...I think that if we are going by popular vote..."

Now Ruthiella, if only the popular vote always won..."

True but a benign dictatorship would take the views of the masses into account :0)

Esther wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Ruthiella wrote: "...I think that if we are going by popular vote..."

Now Ruthiella, if only the popular vote always won..."

True but a benign dictatorship would take the views of ..."

LOL, I have no illusions as to who has the ultimate say in what will be read!

Maylis de Kerangal / The Heart is kind of a perfect book discussion book. Vividly told, short, and with plenty to get passionate about, on either the positive or negative side, depending on how it hits you.

Lark wrote: "Maylis de Kerangal / The Heart is kind of a perfect book discussion book. Vividly told, short, and with plenty to get passionate about, on either the positive or negative side, depe..."

Also two main characters are Simon and Thomas. I mean.....

I started The Heart and it is sooooo good and I got sidetracked with other reads and would love to get back to it. But, Commonwealth looks great too. It is on my shelf just waiting !

Dawn

I'm waiting with "bated breath"! When do we learn of the summer selection?

Carol, it is killing me to keep the secret. I think the episode should be up soon.

I hope it’s The Heart’s Invisible Furies 😊

Hint: Female author.

Thomas wrote: "Hint: Female author."

Oh thank goodness because I was not feeling the Schlink, and felt like bailing. Now I can!

I should also say that there is a little part of me that feels like I forgot who we chose. I'm looking forward to the next episode so I can be reminded. But I am 99% sure we chose one of the female authors.

Que sera, sera....it will be fun to read together again whatever it is. I think I was up for any of the female suggestions. But I was up for John Boyne too.

I couldn't wait and started the Boyne. Do not regret my decision for a moment.

Thomas, another hint?

come on hint

Hey....a female author? I just listened to 21 hours of The Heart's Invisible Furies. The Irish accent was all Lucky Charms.