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CJ | A Well-Read Tart's avatar

I've started reading outside my usual genres, and I'm really enjoying it! I recently read a space horror book, which I loved and felt so unique to me. I also read a thriller that was a police procedural, and tonight I started a collection of short stories that are so powerful and amazing. Exploring new genres can be daunting, but sometimes the results are worth it!

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Emily Male's avatar

That is amazing - I think it is the best fun, and I love trying new and different genres and discovering new stories. I think getting back into reading older, I feel freer somehow to just explore and try all sorts out. I still don’t think I know my favourite genre yet!!!

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Julia Skinner's avatar

I really like the idea of books around the house I presume you have more than one on the go.

I’m trying to break away from crime

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Emily Male's avatar

I really enjoying trying out new genres. Do you ever browse at your local library? That may be a good way to try a different genre.

I tend to only read one fiction and one non fiction at any one time. I can't focus on more than that. I do dip into short stories before bed, or poetry. I have a basket of books beside the bed, and I try to fill that with colelctions or poetry books so I can dip in and out.

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Helen Poore's avatar

I loved reading Hamnet and then went to see it on stage in London which was fabulous. If you want more historical fiction then Tracy Chevalier is a good start. She writes about a wide range of periods and places but they are always terrific reads.

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Emily Male's avatar

Oh thank you so much Helen! I really appreciate recommendations - I will search some of Tracy Chevalier's work.

I believe they are making a movie version of Hamnet - so I can really looking forward to that, now I have read the book! So glad you enjoyed your theatre visit.

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Debbie Meredith's avatar

Love reading your Book Lovers Chat Emily. Yes to an eighth day! 😁

Billy Summers sounds like an interesting book. I've not read any of Stephen King's yet, but watched a few of his films.

I keep a TBR list as well. The list currently it stands at 40 for this year and it keeps growing. Yikes! 😄

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Emily Male's avatar

The eighth day ... Is the way forward isn't it ? 😅 Billy Summers was very good... The Shining is a good entry point to Stephen King too ... Though I'm still very much a beginner to his work! (This is my 3rd book)

I love having a big TBR list ... Makes me feel sure I won't forget anything, and so long as you remain flexible and don't let it pin you down, I think it's wonderful to have an Impossibly long list 📖📚🙂

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Lara's avatar

Hello Emily!

I'm really interested in reading This is How You Lose the Time War and Billy Summers. Don't know why I always thought as Stephen King as horror fiction, instead he has other titles that might be interested to me, thank you 😊

I'm in a bit of a reading slump at the moment. Agatha Christie's book always help me with this so I will chose another one of hers.

I stopped making tbr piles and set reading goals because they are overwhelming to me. I keep thinking about the next book and don't focus properly on what I am reading and get anxiety that I have to read all the books 😅 this year I keep it simple, one book at a time. Let's see if it works!

Have a lovely Sunday! ☀️

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Emily Male's avatar

I sooooo recommend This Is How You Lose The Time War ! It's so unique ... I am looking forward to reading it again already, and I rarely feel like that so soon after finishing a book.

Do you know I've never read an Agatha Christie book?! 🙈 I should add one to my TBR list ! Do you have a favourite?

One book at a time is perfect... Relish in the present moment. 💕

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Lara's avatar

The murder of Roger Ackroyd, and then there were none, murder on the orient express, the ABC murder.. I have to say that it is difficult to choose. There are so many! I love both Poirot and Miss Marple but I loved too the series of Tommy and Tappence (a married couple with a past in spionage)

I really love them all 😅

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Emily Male's avatar

I am going to pop to the library the week, and take a look at what they have. Thank you for the inspiration Lara.

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Lara's avatar

Can't wait to read what you choose!

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Emily Male's avatar

I will definitely let you know Lara!

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Lara's avatar

Oh and I would like to know what you think of weyward, I must be one of the few that abandoned it 🙈 maybe it wasn't the right time when I picked it

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Emily Male's avatar

Oh, I'll be sure to let you know. It's my current read 📖📚

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Victoria's avatar

Great recommendations and some to add to my list! ☺️ I loved Hamnet when I read it; so emotional and the writing is just wonderful.

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Emily Male's avatar

Hamnet was so enjoyable, but yes, a very emotional read ! I'm looking forward to reading more Historical Fiction this year.

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Cheryl Kaye's avatar

It is completely unlike things I would usually read but I loved Weyward. Is it weird to say I am excited for you getting to read it?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. :)

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Emily Male's avatar

Oh I'm a couple of chapters in ... 📖 I will most certainly report back Cheryl! What are you reading at the moment?

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Cheryl Kaye's avatar

I currently have 4 on the go:

Way of the Fearless Writer (Beth Kempton)

Scottish Folk & Fairy Tales (J.K. Jackson)

Braiding Sweetgrass (Robin Wall Kimmerer)

Crone of the Arcane Cinders (Iris Beaglehole)

I like to mix it up, and read different things at different times. Fiction is usually evening/bedtime reading. ☺️

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Emily Male's avatar

What a great selection Cheryl. Way of the Fearless Writer is on my list too. Your other books are new to me, and I have noted them all down to explore! Happy reading!

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Cheryl Kaye's avatar

How are you getting on with Weyward?

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Emily Male's avatar

I'm about 25% of the way through - I am really enjoying it, I can barely put it down. I've also been listening to the audiobook on walks.

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Cheryl Kaye's avatar

If you like cosy, easy to read witchy mysteries, the Iris Beaglehole Myrtlewood series (and offshoots) are good. They are lovely easy reads. I'm really enjoying Braiding Sweetgrass but it is quite a hard going one, fascinating but takes a lot of brainpower. If you don't have (or haven't already read) Kokoro by Beth Kempton, I would also recommend that, I got a lot out of that book. ☺️

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Emily Male's avatar

I have Kokoro ! I'm not sure when I will start it - but I am really looking forward to it. I love Beth so much. I have heard of Braiding Sweetgrass, it sounds really interesting.

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Cheryl Kaye's avatar

I bought a copy of Kokoro for a friend, she recently mentioned it was next on her to read list......but her mum is very ill in hospital so I had to warn her she might want to save it to read another time.

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Hayley's avatar

I finally got around to reading Raynor Winns final book 'Landlines'. I loved it so much.

And also 'things a bright girl can do'. Also loved that!

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Hayley's avatar

An 8th day in the week devoted to reading! How amazing would that be 🤩

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