Weekly Reading Round-Up

After a couple of books which I did not like at all (no names named), I took refuge in an old favorite: Georgette Heyer’s The Nonesuch. Her prose and her characterizations are both such a joy.

What have you been reading this week?

24 Comments

  1. DJL on May 19, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    Finished up A Court of Wings&Ruin by Sarah J. Maas, #3 in her “Court” series, which was *amazing.* Now have the (delightful) problem of what to read next. Am on a fantasy kick currently and have identified multiple marvelous-sounding candidates: Poison Study? The Bear and the Nightingale? The Curse of Chalion? In the Forests of Serre? We shall see 🙂

    • Lauren on May 19, 2017 at 5:01 pm

      A strong vote for “The Curse of Chalion”! Love love love that book.

      • DJL on May 19, 2017 at 5:50 pm

        “Chalion” it shall be! A Willig recommendation cannot be ignored 🙂

    • Lauren on May 19, 2017 at 5:03 pm

      I’ve never read any Maas– where would be a good place to start?

      • DJL on May 19, 2017 at 5:35 pm

        Maas’ “Court” series is (I think) phenomenal. A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first book; to be honest, I read it when it first came out in 2015 and was on the fence about continuing the series, but on a friend’s recommendation picked up #2 Mist&Fury recently and just *inhaled* it (#3 Wings&Ruin just came out 2 weeks ago–ditto the inhaling). In hindsight, I think it’s best to consider the 3 currently published volumes as one *long* book, they fit together that seamlessly, and as an ensemble are just about perfection.

        • Tara on May 20, 2017 at 6:11 am

          The trilogy is amazing! The characters are beautiful, vulnerable, gritty, and powerful. And, the world itself is a lush escape.

    • Tara on May 20, 2017 at 6:18 am

      Have you ever read Libba Bray’s trilogy that starts with A Great and Terrible Beauty? Those books might be up your alley.

      • DJL on May 22, 2017 at 11:46 am

        I’ve never heard of Great & Terrible Beauty, but quick Google search indicates this too must be added to the TBR list!

  2. Diane (bookchickdi) on May 19, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    I read the new Dorothea Benton Frank’s Same Beach, Next Year because it’s 90 degrees outside, and Jenni L.Walsh’s Becoming Bonnie, a novel about the early years of Bonnie Parker before she robbed banks with Clyde. Both were good.

    • Lauren on May 19, 2017 at 5:01 pm

      I enjoyed “Becoming Bonnie”, too– so interesting to see the other side of the story.

  3. Laura on May 19, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    Almost done with Laini Taylor’s Strange the Dreamer. Loving it but not as much as Daughter of Smoke and Bones (which is one of my favorite reading experiences of ALL time). I will be needing something new to read very soon.

  4. Sheila on May 19, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    I read Two Good Dogs, a sequel tp Susan Wilson’s terrific One Good Dog. not as intense, but still very good.

    Also finished up the Flavia De Luce series, hoping for another.

    I am also really enjoying Ashley Gardner’s Captain Lacey.

    Lauren, without naming names of course, it would be fun to know what makes you not like a book.

    • Beverly Fontaine on May 19, 2017 at 6:25 pm

      Captain Lacey – what a dreamboat! I’m kind of in love with him and Sebastian St Cyr.

  5. Dianna on May 19, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    On a nostalgia kick I just ordered a set of 24 old Georgette Heyer books on e-bay. She was the first regency romance author I ever read. Mary Stewart was the first romance/suspense author for me. Lauren I enjoy all your recommendations (and of course all of your books…still miss our Pink Carnation family!).

  6. Karlene on May 19, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    I’m enjoying Dangerous to Know by Renee Patrick. And Georgette Heyer is always my go to for the books I never grow tired of (The Grand Sophy, Cotillion, April Lady, Frederica, The Unknown Ajax, The Reluctant Widow, Bath Tangle, The Masqueraders, Faro’s Daughter, The Corinthian, etc.)

  7. Beverly Fontaine on May 19, 2017 at 6:24 pm

    I just finished my annual re-read of Jane Eyre. It never gets old. Georgette Heyer is my main “go-to” if I need cheering up. I’ve also delved back into Diana Gabaldon’s most recent Outlander book, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. I started it when I was post-surgery and it was so heavy I just couldn’t hold it. It’s taken me months to get back to it, but it is a great story.

  8. Miss Eliza on May 19, 2017 at 6:55 pm

    Not much time this week so still re-reading Mansfield Park (and loving it!)

  9. Cecile on May 19, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    Fatal Pursuit by Martin Walker. I like the Bruno, Chief of police series. It helps me keep up my high school French!

  10. Catherine Ristola Bass on May 19, 2017 at 9:17 pm

    The Family Gene by Joselin Linder, about her family’s genetic variant disease. very good.

  11. Lara Naregatsian on May 19, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    Catching up on my Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear! Just finished Journey to Munich – so good!

  12. Céline on May 20, 2017 at 8:41 am

    I just turned the last page of Fairy Godmothers Inc., by Jenniffer Wardell, and it was fantastic!!! It takes place in a workld where fairy godmothers are hired to ensure HEAs, where magic spell and frog kissing are common. It’s hilarious, it’s adorable, it’s romantic and it’s absolutely irresistible! I loved every word!!
    Now, I’m off to Sophie Kinsella’s latest, My (not so) perfect life. I love her books!

  13. Bekah on May 20, 2017 at 11:18 am

    I’m in the same boat Lauren! The last 3 books I read all fell kinda flat for me (I won’t name titles either). So I need a reading pick-me-up. I just started The Illusionists Apprentice and so far I’m intrigued.

  14. Betty Strohecker on May 20, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Am about to finish Susanna Kearsley’s Season of Storms. I love Kearsley!

    Also just began the latest Sebastian St. Cyr, Where the Dead Lie. It is very compelling, but rather dark and gruesome.

  15. Yvette R on May 24, 2017 at 11:53 am

    A little late to contribute, but I just finished Will Thomas’ To Kingdom Come. It was great! It is the second book in his Barker and Llewelyn series that begins with Some Danger Involved. They are both great mysteries set in the 1880’s, and I will be reading the next book (there are 8 so far) as soon as I get it. They are both gritty and funny, and very well researched.

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