All About Books discussion

Please discuss our winner here.
If you wish to discuss possible spoilers, please do so here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I read this book a year ago, and was quite surprised at how much I liked it. The only other thing I had read from Patchett is The Dutch House, which I kind of hated. But these essays really resonated. I liked it so much I bought a copy for my wife (though our tastes generally don’t overlap much), and she also really enjoyed it.

I'll start it soon!

Is anyone reading this book? I’m new here, so I just wanted to see if I could post my thoughts about these essays here, or should I post in the other spoilers thread for the book? I guess if you haven’t read it, everything could be a spoiler, lol. Please let me know where to post. Thanks!

Cheryl wrote: "Is anyone reading this book? I’m new here, so I just wanted to see if I could post my thoughts about these essays here, or should I post in the other spoilers thread for the book? I guess if you ha..."

I'd put it in the other thread if you're unsure. I'm hoping to get to it after my current book.

I am reading it and try to finish it in time. I am enjoying the writing, the descriptions are more like fiction, so that helps as I am not good at reading non fiction.
This year I will try to read more non fiction.

Nidhi wrote: "I am reading it and try to finish it in time. I am enjoying the writing, the descriptions are more like fiction, so that helps as I am not good at reading non fiction.
This year I will try to read ..."

Nidhi, I posted some thoughts about what I read in the Spoiler thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I’m not good at reading non-fiction either. I try to get out of my comfort zone and read different types of books. I have been pleasantly surprised by liking books I’d never thought I’d like.

I think you are doing right by posting on spoilers thread, it's good to know what you think of each chapter, like we do for short story collections.
My cultural background is very different from that of the author's, in a way it makes reading adventurous for me.

Nidhi wrote: " My cultural background is very different from that of the author's, in a way it makes reading adventurous for me. "

Nidhi,

That's a great observservation about differences in cultures. I never thought about that. What country do you live in and what are some cultural differences you found in the essays?

I live in India. Here girls can't enjoy like author and her roommate do in Paris. I myself was brought up in absolute social security, learnt to make decisions only after marriage.

I just finished the book. I liked the essays alot. Some I related to more than others, but all were well-written. Like Nidhi said, the descriptions are more like fiction so the essays were anything but dry and unemotional. The author put alot of feeling into them.

I liked reading the essays dealing with writing - the author's formal training at college, the people who influenced and inspired her, how she writes, and her love for books in general. It introduced me to a whole other world I knew little about.

So, I am glad I read this book. I probably would not have read it if it wasn't a group read here. Thank you to those who voted for it!

Just got my copy on audible.

Alannah wrote: "Just got my copy on audible."

It would definitely be a great audiobook. Enjoy!

Started this last night, I'm finding it very easy to get through.

Alannah wrote: "Started this last night, I'm finding it very easy to get through."

I could see that it would make a good audiobook. The writing style is very conversational, like a friend telling you what’s going on in their life.

I'm about to start it, tomorrow I hope!!!

Ok I'm done!
I usually do not particularly like non fiction, but I have to say that this partucilar colelction of essays caught me full, I sort of felt it was me talking - or at least she was expressing some of my inner feelings.
And I didn't know that Tom Hanks had writtern a book! I'll have to look for it!

This one qute I've loved:
"I’ve often wondered why the people who seem most certain of the existence of God are the ones who want to keep the respirator plugged in.
Time was, we thought that triumph meant beating recurrent pancreatic cancer. We weren’t looking for remission but a full-on cure. Later, we thought that triumph would be hanging on a few more years. But on this day we know that triumph is making it to the beach. Sooki has accomplished this singular act of heroism, and we are overjoyed" This is how I want to die: in front of the sea; the Mediterranean, not the ocean for me thanks. Still, in front of MY sea

Here my review, if you're interested! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

LauraT wrote: "Ok I'm done!
I usually do not particularly like non fiction, but I have to say that this partucilar colelction of essays caught me full, I sort of felt it was me talking - or at least she was expre..."

LauraT,

There were alot of great insights in the book, especially about death and dying. The book seemed very personal, like the author was talking to a friend. I’m glad I read it.

Cheryl wrote: "LauraTThere were alot of great insights in the book, especially about death and dying. The book seemed very personal, like the author was talking to a friend. I’m glad I read it."

That's it! They do not look like "essays", but personal insights. Especially on life and death

I finished this last night, will share my thoughts on the spoilers thread.