What are you reading in 2023?

[KayLR]

"Other Birds," by Sarah Addison Allen. Haven't decided whether I like it yet or not. It's a bit mystical. But I like the off-kilter characters.

Forcing myself off my Elizabeth Berg jag.

[rosarugosa]

I haven't updated on this thread since August, so playing catch-up:
The Narcissism of Small Differences by Michael Zadoorian - OK story about a couple and their struggles. There were some good lines but nothing to rave about.
Missoula by Jon Krakauer - (NF) - really good if disturbing read about the prevalence of rape on college campuses and the lack of support for the victims from the justice system.
Swamp Story by Dave Barry - a silly romp in the swamp if you will by one of my favorite humor writers. I wasn't crazy about it.
Fairy Tale by Stephen King - if you like SK, you would probably like it. I enjoyed it, although it was a bit long.
I'll be Seeing You by Elizabeth Berg (NF) - I've read and enjoyed a lot of her fiction. This was a really good memoir about her aging parents, Dad with Alzheimer's, and the family's efforts to support them through their declining years.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah - good read about a family who moves from the dust bowl to CA during the Great Depression. Very reminiscent of The Grapes of Wrath.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese - I didn't love this one as much as I hoped. I really like the beginning and I did love the ending, but that leaves about 400 pages in the middle that felt like a slog at times. It got rave reviews though, so not everyone feels the same.
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain - this author is beloved by many on my FB book group, but I was not totally wowed. The characters were a little two-dimensional, and there was a lot of repetition. On the plus side, there was time-travel (which I love) and a few cool little plot surprises at the end that were enjoyable.
The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni - a good read about a man drafted to Vietnam at 18, who tells his stories to a young HS grad he works construction with in 1979. The chapters alternate between the vet's coming of age in Vietnam in 1968 and the coming of age of the 1979 graduate. I really liked the structure and how it contrasts those two very different life's experiences.
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx - I bumped into this by accident at the library. It's a short story that for some reason was bound as a stand-alone book. Being probably one of the only people in the country who hasn't seen the movie, I read and really liked the story (although a very sad one). I think she is one of my favorite writers.
The Cellar by Minette Walters - I think this was classified as horror, about a young girl enslaved by a family, and then the tables get turned and she had her revenge. I thought it was a waste of time and I would not recommend. At least it was short.

[iris lilies]

Annie Proulx’ book was termed a “novella” when it was issued separate from the book of short stories where it originally appeared.

Brokeback Mountain is in my top 5 favorite films of all times.

[iris lilies]

I set out to read 12 books this year, yes the entire year. Not a very ambitious program! But my count is 14 so far. So at least I met that goal.

[Yppej]

I like Krakauer.

Am now reading Straw Dogs of the Universe a novel about Chinese immigrants to the US.

[rosarugosa]

Jeppy: Krakauer is one of my favorite non-fiction writers. Into Thin Air is probably my favorite NF book of all time.
IL: I was at Savers with my sister on Sunday, and I picked up a copy of the movie. I hope I like it as much as you did. I was pleasantly surprised that my husband read it too. He isn't much of a reader anymore, and I think a lot of straight guys would shy away from it. Now if I can get him to watch the movie with me.
I'm at 50 books so far. Last year, I made it to 68, so it doesn't look like I'll even come close this year. I guess it's OK since I've only added 46 books to my TBR list this year. I like to feel like I'm gaining ground, lol, although it's silly because I don't really expect or even hope to ever say, "there now, I've read all the good books and now I am ready to die."

[iris lilies]

Jeppy: Krakauer is one of my favorite non-fiction writers. Into Thin Air is probably my favorite NF book of all time.
IL: I was at Savers with my sister on Sunday, and I picked up a copy of the movie. I hope I like it as much as you did. I was pleasantly surprised that my husband read it too. He isn't much of a reader anymore, and I think a lot of straight guys would shy away from it. Now if I can get him to watch the movie with me.
I'm at 50 books so far. Last year, I made it to 68, so it doesn't look like I'll even come close this year. I guess it's OK since I've only added 46 books to my TBR list this year. I like to feel like I'm gaining ground, lol, although it's silly because I don't really expect or even hope to ever say, "there now, I've read all the good books and now I am ready to die."

Omg the final scene with the shirt is so so sad.

[catherine]

Jeppy: Krakauer is one of my favorite non-fiction writers. Into Thin Air is probably my favorite NF book of all time.
IL: I was at Savers with my sister on Sunday, and I picked up a copy of the movie. I hope I like it as much as you did. I was pleasantly surprised that my husband read it too. He isn't much of a reader anymore, and I think a lot of straight guys would shy away from it. Now if I can get him to watch the movie with me.
I'm at 50 books so far. Last year, I made it to 68, so it doesn't look like I'll even come close this year. I guess it's OK since I've only added 46 books to my TBR list this year. I like to feel like I'm gaining ground, lol, although it's silly because I don't really expect or even hope to ever say, "there now, I've read all the good books and now I am ready to die."

Three responses to this:
1. Krakauer is awesome. I read Into Thin Air and Into the Woods, and both affected me deeply.
2. Why would straight guys shy away from Into Thin Air?
3. "I don't really expect or even hope to ever say, 'there now, I've read all the good books and now I am ready to die.'" If you were at that point, what books would be on your list?

So far, my top-of-mind responses would be:
Grapes of Wrath
Gone with the Wind
The Invisible Man
Seven Habits of Highly Influential People
Walden
The Good Life
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
We Were the Mulvaneys
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Diary of Anne Frank
Endgame I and II
The Bible

I'm sure this is not a comprehensive list.

[iris lilies]

I like Krakauer and have read both of those books. I still dip into lore about Chris McCandless and theories about his death including now one about some sort of bacteria in the food he ate? Or some such thing. They have removed the bus from the site where he died because it was such a pilgrimage point and people were causing problems for the flora and fauna there.

[catherine]

I like Krakauer and have read both of those books. I still dip into lore about Chris McCandless and theories about his death including now one about some sort of bacteria in the food he ate? Or some such thing. They have removed the bus from the site where he died because it was such a pilgrimage point and people were causing problems for the flora and fauna there.

Yes, I heard about all that. He would/could have died from anything at that point--starvation, inadvertent poisoning, bacterial infections--anything. It was a great book and also a very good movie.