The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club discussion

Welcome one and all.

In the words of C.S. Lewis, “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”


Don’t be shy, go ahead and let us know what you’re currently reading- it does not have to be the book club selections. Goodreads links are welcome, but titles are authors' names will do.

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This thread will be updated each month with a new quote to launch a new discussion. All previous comments will remain for posterity.

I'm currently reading:
In Darkness: The Vampire https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
and
Spiral of Hooves https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... (book club quarterly selection and Horse Crazy theme).
I'm hoping to add at least one more title before the end of the month.

I’m currently reading Spare by Prince Harry: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

And

I just started The Orc from the Office by Kate Prior: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
This one was a free download on Amazon when I got it. It looks silly but fun.

I just started The Orc from the Office by Kate Prior: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6......"

Sometimes the silly reads are the best.

For the month's theme, I tried "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell. It didn't go well because of my own triggers. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I do recommend it, though, for those who don't have my triggers (in review).

I've also finished "How to Survive Load Shedding" by J.B. Meyer. It's a timely read for anyone living in a country with rolling blackouts. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm currently reading the Something Dark and Holy series by Emily A. Duncan. https://www.goodreads.com/series/2306...

I finished Miracles by C.S. Lewis (for a group of students I'm teaching), read Princess of Secrets by AG Marshal (a retelling of the Frog Prince story that was light and fun to read), and I'm working through a stack of library reads including: Herbarium by Barbara M. Thiers, Elements of Fiction by Walter Mosley, and Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins. I'm also attempting to keep up with a group rereading Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. My reading shelves are full and this makes me happy.

Ronel wrote: "For the month's theme, I tried "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell. It didn't go well because of my own triggers. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

I'm sorry Black Beauty was triggering for you. Glad How to Survive Load Shedding was good for you. Hope the Something Dark and Holy Series ends up being good.

Tyrean wrote: "I finished Miracles by C.S. Lewis (for a group of students I'm teaching), read Princess of Secrets by AG Marshal (a retelling of the Frog Prince story that was light and fun to read), and I'm worki..."

Wow! You have quite an impressive current reading list.

I just finished STAY AWAKE by Megan Goldin. I really enjoyed it!. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also just finished ALASKA TWILIGHT by Colleen Coble. I didn't enjoy it so much and won't be posting a review. (I can't bring myself to post mediocre or bad reviews.)

Next on my list is MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE by Marguerite Henry for the March "Horse Crazy" theme. It was one of my favorites as a child, and I'm looking forward to re-reading (hoping I love it as much now as I did all those years ago).

I also have ALL HE HAS LEFT by Chad Zunker in my Kindle. It was a free Amazon Prime read, and I can't even remember what the genre is. :-)

Leah wrote: "I just finished STAY AWAKE by Megan Goldin. I really enjoyed it!. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also just finished ALASKA TWILIGHT by Colleen Coble. I didn't e..."

That's cool that you are re-reading a childhood favorite for the Horse Crazy challenge.
I totally get that writing bad reviews is tough. I try to be as honest as I can without being hateful and hurtful.

I guess knowing how difficult it can be to make a story come together at all, much less well, I don't feel right leaving negative remarks about another author's efforts. But you're right, there are ways to share your thoughts in a way that might help other readers. For example, one of the things I didn't like about that book could be something others look for.

I’m reading Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. It is a luscious Dickensian type novel which is taking me a long time to read because I’m a slow reader. I know some reviews I’ve read complain about there being no central main character. But I think they’re wrong. The River Thymes is the central character. All the people in the story are fabulous supporting actors.

Bish wrote: "I’m reading Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. It is a luscious Dickensian type novel which is taking me a long time to read because I’m a slow reader. I know some reviews I’ve read complain a..."

I love the idea of the MC being an object or place. Sounds like an interesting read.

Leah wrote: "I guess knowing how difficult it can be to make a story come together at all, much less well, I don't feel right leaving negative remarks about another author's efforts. But you're right, there are..."

Exactly. I always try to point out that just because I don't like something doesn't mean someone else won't.

Toi wrote: "Leah wrote: "I guess knowing how difficult it can be to make a story come together at all, much less well, I don't feel right leaving negative remarks about another author's efforts. But you're rig..."

I have even read reviews where what the reviewer *liked* tells me I won't like the book! Some things are very individual. But I also tend not to write reviews of books I don't like. For one thing, if I really dislike it I probably didn't finish it!

I have been on a re-reading binge, something I do when I need comfort. I think the only new read I've finished this month is Terry Pratchett's Nation. I'm also moving slowly through The Bears Ears: A Human History of America's Most Endangered Wilderness, and just remembered I downloaded The Stranger Times and read the first chapter but got distracted. I'll get Spiral of Hooves and probably read it next month--that's when I'm reading books I own, as I'll be away from the library.

I finished my March "horse-themed" book, Misty of Chincoteague, and loved it!

Leah wrote: "I finished my March "horse-themed" book, Misty of Chincoteague, and loved it!

Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Glad you enjoyed your book. I'll check out your review.

Leah wrote: "I finished my March "horse-themed" book, Misty of Chincoteague, and loved it!

Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

For some reason, the link isn't taking me to your review.

Toi wrote: "Ronel wrote: "For the month's theme, I tried "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell. It didn't go well because of my own triggers. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Thanks, Toi.
I finished the Something Dark and Holy trilogy and loved it. For me, it's one of those trilogies that make you want to be a better writer :-)

I read The Scorpio Races for this month's theme. Review will be up soon.

And I'm now reading Ashlords and Bloodsworn by Scott Reintgen that promises to be good, also for this month's theme. https://www.goodreads.com/series/2468...

Toi wrote: "Leah wrote: "I finished my March "horse-themed" book, Misty of Chincoteague, and loved it!

Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

For some reason, the link isn't taki..."

I'm so sorry, Toi. The review has disappeared, and I don't know why. Very strange. Thank you for trying!

I'm reading BACK TO THE GARDEN by Laurie R. King (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...) and it is wonderful! I'd forgotten just how good her mysteries are.

I'm not familiar with her work but just borrowed one of her stand-alone novels from my library. I'm looking forward to reading it!

I just started Femina by Janina Ramirez. We'll see how it goes. It's another long book, almost 450 pages. I really have to breathe into those as I'm a slow reader and I am very picky (particularly now that I'm "older") about what I'm going to spend my time on.

Janet wrote: "I'm reading BACK TO THE GARDEN by Laurie R. King (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...) and it is wonderful! I'd forgotten just how good her mysteries are."

Sounds like fun read. Glad you're enjoying it.

Bish wrote: "I just started Femina by Janina Ramirez. We'll see how it goes. It's another long book, almost 450 pages. I really have to breathe into those as I'm a slow reader and I am very picky (particularly ..."

This book sounds fascinating. Nice find. Hope it turns out to be worth the page count.

Toi wrote: "Bish wrote: "I just started Femina by Janina Ramirez. We'll see how it goes. It's another long book, almost 450 pages. I really have to breathe into those as I'm a slow reader and I am very picky (..."

So far I'm enjoying it. Lots of history, which I love.

I was sick for a week and a half, so I did a lot of reading recently.
The Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen, a YA Dark Fantasy read that's hitting the bestseller charts for good reasons;
The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ellis, a wildly imaginative retelling of Alice in Wonderland with a high stakes competition, a futuristic, dystopian style world, and a thought-provoking dilemma;
The Diseased Ones and the Unseen Ones, both by Danielle Harrington, YA dystopian adventures with superpowers;
Dear Kerri by Danielle Keil, a contemporary YA romance;
and The Blue Bar by Damyanti Biswas, a terrifying thriller.
What's next... well, my TBR shelf and my library books shelf both need some love...

I'm currently reading Lulu's Library - Complete Collection: 30+ Stories for Children- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... It's harder to get through than I had imagined.
I just finished The Invisible Library and will read more in the series. Haven't written my review yet.

Tyrean wrote: "I was sick for a week and a half, so I did a lot of reading recently.
The Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen, a YA Dark Fantasy read that's hitting the bestseller charts for good reasons;
The Wond..."

Wow, you've been busy considering you were sick. Hope you are feeling better. I have a few of these on my TBR but who knows when I'll get to them?

I'm reading Another Day #1, The Brides of Maracoor by Gregory Maguire- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... It's a spin-off from the Wicked series. So far so good, but it's a long book and I just got started.

I'm reading VERITY by Colleen Hoover, and wow. Now I understand why there was such a long wait list at the library. I'm about halfway through but trying to make it last!

Toi wrote: "Tyrean wrote: "I was sick for a week and a half, so I did a lot of reading recently.
The Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen, a YA Dark Fantasy read that's hitting the bestseller charts for good re..."

I read a lot when I'm sick. It takes my mind off of it, at least when I'm awake.

Leah wrote: "I'm reading VERITY by Colleen Hoover, and wow. Now I understand why there was such a long wait list at the library. I'm about halfway through but trying to make it last!"

It's on my TBR -- will move it up the list as you enjoy it so much :-)

Ronel wrote: "Leah wrote: "I'm reading VERITY by Colleen Hoover, and wow. Now I understand why there was such a long wait list at the library. I'm about halfway through but trying to make it last!"

It's on my TBR -- will move it up the list as you enjoy it so much..."

Ronel, I finished it the next day. The story gets darker as it progresses and left me feeling quite a bit unsettled and a little depressed! However, I couldn't stop reading and enjoyed the writing immensely.

I'm currently reading THREE books, unheard of for me.
Femina by Janina Ramírez non-fiction about the unsung women of the Middle Ages.

Fish in a Tree by Janina Ramírez middle grade fiction about a girl with dyslexia (some of which I can relate to as I am dyslexic, though mildly so compared to Ally.)

AND I'm listening to
Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan. EVERYone should read this book!

I'm currently reading Brides of Maracoor, the first in a spin-off from the Wicked Series. I also plan to read Razor Valentine as one of the quarterly selections and the monthly challenge of New Orleans. I also plan to try some new titles just for fun. We'll see what happens.

I've just finished Nature Beyond Solitude: Notes from the Field . I'm also reading . Brain candy is mostly re-reads, the most candy-like of brain candy.

currently reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austen! i made it a goal to read all of her books and this is the last one on the list. love her works but they are slow compared to my regular reads, so i'm ready to move on :)

I'm reading Encore in Death by J.D. Robb in print and The Haunting of Brynne Wilder by Wendy Webb on my Kindle.

I saw the mention of New Orleans books.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Water's Blood by Elaine Calloway

I read and reviewed this a few years ago. It takes place there. ❤

I'm reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Leah wrote: "Ronel wrote: "Leah wrote: "I'm reading VERITY by Colleen Hoover, and wow. Now I understand why there was such a long wait list at the library. I'm about halfway through but trying to make it last!"..."

Good to know!

J. wrote: "I saw the mention of New Orleans books.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Water's Blood by Elaine Calloway

I read and reviewed this a few years ago. It takes place there. ❤"

Thanks for the recommendation!

So many awesome books, everyone!

So not technically in New Orleans, The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton is in a fantasy/dystopian world set in Orléans where people are born gray and Belles control beauty. I'm starting this series today and have high hopes for it -- Holly Black recommended it on BookBub and it won a Goodreads choice Award. https://www.goodreads.com/series/2054...

Just about to finish High Risks: Stories of Pregnancy and the Unexpected by Chavi Eve Karkowsky. It's excellent.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Wow, you guys are all reading some cool books. I've been in a slump but I have plans to get out of it soon.

I just finished THE REPLACEMENT WIFE by Darby Kane and really enjoyed it.

Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

(Hopefully I grabbed the correct link this time.)

Hello! I love all the book ideas I'm getting from all of you!

I've not read too many books this month since I've just started getting my own book out into the wild.

I have just finished a couple of romance novels that I loved:

The Date Mistake by Joelle Lynne (I love fake dating romances!)

The Healer by Courtney W Dixon


And I've just started reading The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. I'm hardly into it, but it's already an excellent read. A coworker started reading it so we're reading it together.

Really enjoying Lands of Lost Borders: Out of Bounds on the Silk Road (plus: gorgeous cover: ). But I had to return the audiobook and get the ebook--I detested the way the reader seemed to put emphasis in all the wrong places and give a sort of dying fall to every phrase. Ugh.

That is a really interesting comment about audio narration. I had to listen to a sample on Audible...great description of the "dying fall"!