It's absolutely becoming one of my favourite series. The writing is so sharp and witty with some real stand out lines of prose as well. It's got everything. Great characters, great humour and thrilling plots.
This is up next for Apple TV + adaptation and I hope it’s a banger season. This book really did rule and reminded me nobody is safe. Even though these are the schlup spies, they’re playing a dangerous game in a big, bad world.
Right? Interestingly, I happened to switch to the Tom Hanks narration for a middle chapter, and I lost that gentle, thoughtful tone. I went back to the paperback. I think even the minor characters will stick with me.
Team of Rivals from your Big Read book club was not only my favorite read in July but also an all time favorite! I also finished the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, which was sad to finish but an excellent series. It follows Maisie, a British woman, from just before WWI through to the finish of WWII.
I finished my first ever reading of East of Eden by Steinbeck this month. It is an easy 5 star rating and immediately launched to my shortlist of all-time favorites. Very great chance it will be my favorite of 2024 overall as well. Lee, Adam, and Samuel Hamilton are each among my favorite literary characters I've had the pleasure to read about.
The last remaining "major" Steinbeck that I haven't read now is Grapes of Wrath. I'm going to take some time to try to catch up on a yearlong read along of War and Peace before going into that one though.
"North Woods" by Daniel Mason was my top read in July. It could be described as the history of an area and its people as told through the stories of the inhabitants of a house in western Mass.
Second best was "Standing by the Wall" by Mick Herron, a series of 5 Slow Horses short stories. Like Chris and Kyle I enjoy the Slow Horses series and it has become my favorite series ever since the Shardlake series by CJ Sansom ended.
Currently reading "The Bright Sword" by Lev Grossman, a retelling of the Arthurian legend and the Knights of the Round Table. It has definite possibilities.
"Howl's Moving Castle" by Diana Wynne Jones, published in 1986 (and reprinted since then). The first of 3 books she wrote for pre-teens. This is the only book I read in July other than my own writings (a time issue). An anime style film was made of it. Totally distorted the story, which is very well structured although it bogs down a little about halfway through. Has me wanting to read the other 2 books. I saw a typo here and there, but not like today's books. The writing was clean and entertaining, important factors, considering the intended audience.
A World of Curiosities seems interesting! I had two favorite reads this July. Letters to a Young Poet by Rilke and Sea of Transfer by Emily St. John Mandel
Amazing. I can’t read them fast enough, but at the same time I want to linger in the world with the characters and the unknowns that are fun to theorize about. I have experienced a Sanderlanche and it was thrilling!
I loathe romance books and roll my eyes at their cover blurbs. What is the point of reading a book when you already know how it will end? Well, this month I was proven wrong. I had a goal to try a romance this year, so I picked The Switch by Beth O'Leary. It. Was
Fabulous. I loved it!!! I'm feeling quite sheepish for eschewing romances all this time. Apparently, there's one for everyone. Even cynics like me. 🤷🏼♀️😁
But I also need to put a plug in for my friend Stan's new book Have We Lost Our Minds? It's a philosophical case for dualism (humans are embodied souls, not just bodies/brains), and I think it's a well-crafted argument.
Spook Street by Mick Herron for me hands down. Book 4 in the Slow Horses series and probably my favourite one. Could not put it down.
Still haven't taken the dive myself...
You have a whole heap of fun to come then!
I love this series!
It's absolutely becoming one of my favourite series. The writing is so sharp and witty with some real stand out lines of prose as well. It's got everything. Great characters, great humour and thrilling plots.
Gotta love the Jackson Lamb character.
Probably one of the great characters of recent times.
This is up next for Apple TV + adaptation and I hope it’s a banger season. This book really did rule and reminded me nobody is safe. Even though these are the schlup spies, they’re playing a dangerous game in a big, bad world.
Completely agree! I said the same thing to my wife. I reckon this could be the best season yet.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. So good
Great book! The tone and feel of that one have really stuck with me.
Right? Interestingly, I happened to switch to the Tom Hanks narration for a middle chapter, and I lost that gentle, thoughtful tone. I went back to the paperback. I think even the minor characters will stick with me.
Team of Rivals from your Big Read book club was not only my favorite read in July but also an all time favorite! I also finished the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, which was sad to finish but an excellent series. It follows Maisie, a British woman, from just before WWI through to the finish of WWII.
So glad you enjoyed Team of Rivals so much! I've seen Winspear at the library plenty of times, but have never grabbed one.
July was Lord of the Rings month for me so read The Fellowship of the ring, The Two Towers and Return of the King. Forgotten how much I enjoyed these!
They are just the best, aren't they?
I finished my first ever reading of East of Eden by Steinbeck this month. It is an easy 5 star rating and immediately launched to my shortlist of all-time favorites. Very great chance it will be my favorite of 2024 overall as well. Lee, Adam, and Samuel Hamilton are each among my favorite literary characters I've had the pleasure to read about.
The last remaining "major" Steinbeck that I haven't read now is Grapes of Wrath. I'm going to take some time to try to catch up on a yearlong read along of War and Peace before going into that one though.
An all-time favorite of mine, for sure!
"North Woods" by Daniel Mason was my top read in July. It could be described as the history of an area and its people as told through the stories of the inhabitants of a house in western Mass.
Second best was "Standing by the Wall" by Mick Herron, a series of 5 Slow Horses short stories. Like Chris and Kyle I enjoy the Slow Horses series and it has become my favorite series ever since the Shardlake series by CJ Sansom ended.
Currently reading "The Bright Sword" by Lev Grossman, a retelling of the Arthurian legend and the Knights of the Round Table. It has definite possibilities.
Glad to hear you enjoyed North Woods! I have a copy waiting for me.
The God of the Woods. It’s the perfect summer read!
"Howl's Moving Castle" by Diana Wynne Jones, published in 1986 (and reprinted since then). The first of 3 books she wrote for pre-teens. This is the only book I read in July other than my own writings (a time issue). An anime style film was made of it. Totally distorted the story, which is very well structured although it bogs down a little about halfway through. Has me wanting to read the other 2 books. I saw a typo here and there, but not like today's books. The writing was clean and entertaining, important factors, considering the intended audience.
The Heart in Winter, Kevin Barry's new novel A gripping story told with incredible prose.
I enjoyed his Night Boat to Tangier, and have had Heart in Winter on my TBR
A World of Curiosities seems interesting! I had two favorite reads this July. Letters to a Young Poet by Rilke and Sea of Transfer by Emily St. John Mandel
I just grabbed Letters to a Young Poet myself. I know it's more common for folks to read in their twenties, but I'm looking forward to reading it.
ah I didn’t know that! I’m 33 and I still got a lot from it, writer or not.
Sea of Tranquility*
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson because that’s all I read 😂
What did ya think?
Amazing. I can’t read them fast enough, but at the same time I want to linger in the world with the characters and the unknowns that are fun to theorize about. I have experienced a Sanderlanche and it was thrilling!
I loathe romance books and roll my eyes at their cover blurbs. What is the point of reading a book when you already know how it will end? Well, this month I was proven wrong. I had a goal to try a romance this year, so I picked The Switch by Beth O'Leary. It. Was
Fabulous. I loved it!!! I'm feeling quite sheepish for eschewing romances all this time. Apparently, there's one for everyone. Even cynics like me. 🤷🏼♀️😁
How fun! What a great discovery for ya!
Easily Mikita Brottman's Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida — https://amzn.to/4c3aSVP
Spicy and scintillating, it's fun sprint of read!
Nice! I'll check it out.
Mick Herron, all of the Slow Horses series.
Nice! Lots of Mick Herron fans in the comments!
Yes let’s go!!
Team of Rivals was the standout for me.
But I also need to put a plug in for my friend Stan's new book Have We Lost Our Minds? It's a philosophical case for dualism (humans are embodied souls, not just bodies/brains), and I think it's a well-crafted argument.
Diary of a Bookseller