The Dutch House is my favorite Ann Patchett novel. I loved everything about it, including the cover. The Astral Library is currently sitting on my Libby holds list. I've heard several reviews similar to yours, which has made me a little hesitant to pick it up. The premise still really intrigues me, though. My favorite reads in June were The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett and The Kennedys and the Windsors by Caroline Hallemann.
Keep The Astral Library on your holds, and I actually think you specifically will love it. Without giving anything away, it pays close attention to the clothing and style of each era and book Alix moves through, so the fashion detail alone is worth the read for you. Also, I'm patiently waiting on The Calamity Club on audio from my library. I've heard it's outstanding in that format, so knowing you loved it makes me even more impatient. Dutch House and that gorgeous cover is a great shout too. Considering reading Tom Lake next as there’s still quite a wait for Whistler.
Thank you for the recommendation of The Astral Library. I'll definitely give it a chance when my hold comes in! I listened to The Calamity Club on audio and completely agree with what you heard: the narration transformed the entire story. I know I'm biased, but I'd absolutely recommend experiencing it that way. I'm also waiting for Whistler, but I've never gotten around to Tom Lake, despite owning both the physical book and the audiobook. If you decide to pick it up soon, I'd love to hear what you think.
Okay, this settles it. Tom Lake is next. And now I'm invested in which format you finally reach for, because Meryl Streep narrates the audio and after what we just said about The Calamity Club, that feels like it matters. What if we both read it before Whistler comes in and compare notes? Gives us something to do while we wait out our hold lists.
I would genuinely love to do a buddy read! My only problem is that I'm currently juggling far too many books. Can we take a rain check? I have a feeling Tom Lake deserves my full attention, and I'd love to compare notes when I finally get to it.
She really is, isn't she? Whenever I find someone who agrees, I have to ask if they've got a male narrator equivalent, because I don't have one yet and I'm still searching for mine. Any recommendations?
Totally makes sense. I almost DNF'd it myself, the pace really tested me. What kept me going was pure loyalty to Kate Quinn, because I love so much of her other writing that I wanted to see it through. I wasn't sorry I finished, but I'll admit I was ready to move on to my next book the second I turned the last page. So no judgment here on the DNF.
June was a big one: 7 books, 12 Google holes, 4 essays brewing, and 3 reading trees quietly growing. The stat that still gets me is 12 searches from just 7 books, apparently I can't read a page without needing to know more. Loving the book talk in here already. If you read any of these in June, tell me your take, and if you didn't, which one's landing on your list?
I love the concept of a reading tree! I've never thought about it in those terms, but books do branch one to the other, don't they? How fun to think about what leads to the next and the next, etc.
The Dutch House is my favorite Ann Patchett novel. I loved everything about it, including the cover. The Astral Library is currently sitting on my Libby holds list. I've heard several reviews similar to yours, which has made me a little hesitant to pick it up. The premise still really intrigues me, though. My favorite reads in June were The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett and The Kennedys and the Windsors by Caroline Hallemann.
Keep The Astral Library on your holds, and I actually think you specifically will love it. Without giving anything away, it pays close attention to the clothing and style of each era and book Alix moves through, so the fashion detail alone is worth the read for you. Also, I'm patiently waiting on The Calamity Club on audio from my library. I've heard it's outstanding in that format, so knowing you loved it makes me even more impatient. Dutch House and that gorgeous cover is a great shout too. Considering reading Tom Lake next as there’s still quite a wait for Whistler.
Thank you for the recommendation of The Astral Library. I'll definitely give it a chance when my hold comes in! I listened to The Calamity Club on audio and completely agree with what you heard: the narration transformed the entire story. I know I'm biased, but I'd absolutely recommend experiencing it that way. I'm also waiting for Whistler, but I've never gotten around to Tom Lake, despite owning both the physical book and the audiobook. If you decide to pick it up soon, I'd love to hear what you think.
Okay, this settles it. Tom Lake is next. And now I'm invested in which format you finally reach for, because Meryl Streep narrates the audio and after what we just said about The Calamity Club, that feels like it matters. What if we both read it before Whistler comes in and compare notes? Gives us something to do while we wait out our hold lists.
I would genuinely love to do a buddy read! My only problem is that I'm currently juggling far too many books. Can we take a rain check? I have a feeling Tom Lake deserves my full attention, and I'd love to compare notes when I finally get to it.
Rain check absolutely granted. Come find me when you get to it and we'll swap notes.
Thank you, Charlie!
Also Julia whelan is seriously the best
She really is, isn't she? Whenever I find someone who agrees, I have to ask if they've got a male narrator equivalent, because I don't have one yet and I'm still searching for mine. Any recommendations?
The astral library was a dnf for me unfortunately. The pace was too slow for me to keep going
Totally makes sense. I almost DNF'd it myself, the pace really tested me. What kept me going was pure loyalty to Kate Quinn, because I love so much of her other writing that I wanted to see it through. I wasn't sorry I finished, but I'll admit I was ready to move on to my next book the second I turned the last page. So no judgment here on the DNF.
June was a big one: 7 books, 12 Google holes, 4 essays brewing, and 3 reading trees quietly growing. The stat that still gets me is 12 searches from just 7 books, apparently I can't read a page without needing to know more. Loving the book talk in here already. If you read any of these in June, tell me your take, and if you didn't, which one's landing on your list?
I love the concept of a reading tree! I've never thought about it in those terms, but books do branch one to the other, don't they? How fun to think about what leads to the next and the next, etc.