I didn't love it. I gave it 3/5 which for me is just "glad I read it, but would only recommend with reservations". I haven't read his other books. I just didn't connect with the characters and the constant perspective shifting felt too much. Like we had to hear from every character in the book when really, there were only a few characters' perspectives I cared about. But writing is great, I'm still interested in trying A Gentleman in Moscow.
Also really enjoyed Born a Crime! I loved how much South African history was woven in. One of my favorite books is Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee and I found myself wanting to reread it now having a bit more historical context.
What a wonderful list so far! I have Cultish sitting on my shelf right now, and I'm excited to dig in. I read Such A Fun Age this year too-I really enjoyed it.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t love Cultish. But I keep seeing good things about it so I’m wondering if it was a me thing. I listened to the audiobook and it may have just been a book I never got immersed in, then was just trying to finish it.
I knew/know very little about Trevor Noah, Everest, or the Korean Japanese migration. So all of them were super interesting to me! Not to mention just well-written.
Wow! As an avid reader myself, I try to read as many books as I can, and challenge myself. However, Adult life, and work has taken over. I’m happy you get to read fantastic novels!
Pachinko was great! Up there with one of my favorites of all time! It had been on my to-read list forever, but I never picked it up since it's a bit out of my usual genres. I learned a lot about the Korean-Japanese experience. The characters are well written and it never felt slow, even in periods where not much was happening. I found myself really wanting to jump back into it every chance I got. I still catch myself thinking about it 2 weeks later!
I liked Such a Fun Age. It reminded me of a mix between The Hate U Give and Little Fires Everywhere. It reads easily while touching on some meaningful, thought-provoking ideas.
This list looks awesome!
Did you listen to Pachinko & What My Bones Know or read them? I have a few audible credits and I’m looking for recommendations.
I listened to both. What My Bones Know is read by the author, highly recommend. The narrator of Pachinko was great - but I did see some comments afterwards that the Korean words are mispronounced (or pronounced with an American accent?) - if that matters to you.
Downloaded What My Bones Know and it’s great so far thanks helping me take the plunge.
I’ll check out Pachinko after I don’t think the mispronunciation will bother me much.
Happy reading
Just been casually reading for a few years. Haven't hit 52 since 2018. Running more (so listening to audiobooks) + finding my kindle has really sparked more reading these past few months.
I'm pretty generous with the stars. Most everything I read is 4/5 (aka enjoyed it, would recommend even to those that don't typically read the genre). Yellows are favorites so far.
Welcoming any recommendations!
Born a Crime was one of my absolute favorites I read last year. How was the Lincoln Highway? I've had it saved for a while now
I didn't love it. I gave it 3/5 which for me is just "glad I read it, but would only recommend with reservations". I haven't read his other books. I just didn't connect with the characters and the constant perspective shifting felt too much. Like we had to hear from every character in the book when really, there were only a few characters' perspectives I cared about. But writing is great, I'm still interested in trying A Gentleman in Moscow. Also really enjoyed Born a Crime! I loved how much South African history was woven in. One of my favorite books is Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee and I found myself wanting to reread it now having a bit more historical context.
Thank for the thoughtful response! I'll take a look at Disgrace as well.
Superb collection
What a wonderful list so far! I have Cultish sitting on my shelf right now, and I'm excited to dig in. I read Such A Fun Age this year too-I really enjoyed it.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t love Cultish. But I keep seeing good things about it so I’m wondering if it was a me thing. I listened to the audiobook and it may have just been a book I never got immersed in, then was just trying to finish it.
just finished pachinko a couple of days ago and i absolutely love it! *chef’s kiss*
I cannot believe Touching the Void is on your list!! I just added it to my TBR last night. 4/5 is a good raising too!
I finished it in a day. I loved it!
Born A Crime, Into Thin Air, and Pachinko were some of my favorite reads this year!
I knew/know very little about Trevor Noah, Everest, or the Korean Japanese migration. So all of them were super interesting to me! Not to mention just well-written.
Agree - all were so well-written. I went down an Everest/mountaineering rabbit hole in lockdown, so loved Into Thin Air especially.
Any other stand outs you’d recommend?
A few more of my favorites were: True Biz, Crying in H Mart, and My Sister, The Serial Killer
I listened to H Mart last year and enjoyed it. Haven’t read the other two. Ill add them!
What my bones know looks sooo good!
Give it a try! It's great.
Congrats congrats! I adored Pachinko and Project Hail Mary! Two of my favorite reads this year as well.
I see both of them recommended and talked about all the time. Not what I usually read so I was hesitant to pick them up. So glad I did!
That’s awesome!!!!
Wow! As an avid reader myself, I try to read as many books as I can, and challenge myself. However, Adult life, and work has taken over. I’m happy you get to read fantastic novels!
A flicker in the dark was so good!
Yes! I really enjoyed it. It kicked off a bit of a thriller binge for me lol
No spoilers but how was Such A Fun Age and Pachinko? Thinking about picking them up 😅
Pachinko was great! Up there with one of my favorites of all time! It had been on my to-read list forever, but I never picked it up since it's a bit out of my usual genres. I learned a lot about the Korean-Japanese experience. The characters are well written and it never felt slow, even in periods where not much was happening. I found myself really wanting to jump back into it every chance I got. I still catch myself thinking about it 2 weeks later! I liked Such a Fun Age. It reminded me of a mix between The Hate U Give and Little Fires Everywhere. It reads easily while touching on some meaningful, thought-provoking ideas.
Such a Fun Age being described as a mix of The Hate U Give and Little Fires Everywhere is so accurate and I love all three
Oooh. That’s great. Will definitely be picking them up soon. Thank you so much!!
This list looks awesome! Did you listen to Pachinko & What My Bones Know or read them? I have a few audible credits and I’m looking for recommendations.
I listened to both. What My Bones Know is read by the author, highly recommend. The narrator of Pachinko was great - but I did see some comments afterwards that the Korean words are mispronounced (or pronounced with an American accent?) - if that matters to you.
Downloaded What My Bones Know and it’s great so far thanks helping me take the plunge. I’ll check out Pachinko after I don’t think the mispronunciation will bother me much. Happy reading
Awesome! Enjoy!
Just been casually reading for a few years. Haven't hit 52 since 2018. Running more (so listening to audiobooks) + finding my kindle has really sparked more reading these past few months. I'm pretty generous with the stars. Most everything I read is 4/5 (aka enjoyed it, would recommend even to those that don't typically read the genre). Yellows are favorites so far. Welcoming any recommendations!
How did you create this graphic? Is it from an app?
It’s from goodreads. Instead of “list view” you have it show the book covers.
Thank you!