I never got around to posting mid-year reading reflections this year, but I've seen this reading questionnaire circulating online and thought I'd do that instead. Let me know if you decide to play along!
1. Best book so far in 2026? Whistler by Ann Patchett
2. Favorite Sequel of the 1st half of 2026? The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume 8 by Beth Brower
3. A new release that you are excited for but haven’t read yet? Kin by Tayari Jones
4. Most anticipated release of the second half of 2026? The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw
5. Biggest (reading) disappointment so far? Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer (set aside at 20%, probably a case of bad timing)
6. Biggest (reading) surprise so far? The Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen
7. Who is your favorite new-to-you or debut author this year? Allegra Goodman (This is Not About Us)
8. Your favorite character so far this year? Eddie Triplett (Whistler)
9. A book that made you cry? none so far this year
10. A book that made you happy? Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
11. What is the most beautiful book cover you have bought this year? Whistler by Ann Patchett
12. What book(s) do you want to read by the end of the year? Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the annotated edition this time
Oh I like this. Good Answers. And Tayari Jones's Kin ... is a good one! Who can forget Eddie Triplett, lol. A kind bloke. And the story within about Whistler, the horse.
ReplyDeleteSusan - I started Kin and am hooked already! It's reminding me a little of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, but we'll see if that holds. Eddie Triplett is such a memorable character. Ann Patchett is just so good!
DeleteFun post! I'm so glad Whistler is such a winner with so many readers. I ordered a copy and it arrived today. And, yes. Dolly All the Time is such a happy book. Lots of romantic tropes, but I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteLes - I'm glad you're enjoying Dolly All the Time. I could have listed it as a book that surprised me, too, since romance is not a go-to genre for me and it was such a great audio!
DeleteBest book so far for me this year is Maggie O'Farrell's Land, which also made me cry (that hardly ever happens--I need more visual cues to tear up, but she pulled it off). Favorite character, Artie Dam from Elizabeth Strout's latest. Book that made me happy, and a completely unexpected book for me to like, was Sky Daddy. It's been a great reading year so far, hope it continues!
ReplyDeleteAmy - I'm seeing so many glowing reviews of Land. I thought I would catch up on O'Farrell's backlist first, but may not be able to resist it much longer! I had a hard time choosing between Artie Dam and Eddie Triplett for favorite character. Need to look into Sky Daddy...
DeleteGreat answers! I definitely need to move Whistler up on my TBR. I may have to borrow this one because I have no idea what my answers would be!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I think you would enjoy Whistler... and would enjoy seeing your answers to this questionnaire!
DeleteOk. I am glad to hear you DNF'd Villa Coco as I just gave up on it. My in-person book group chose it because one of our members really liked it. I just couldn't do it and gave up at about the half-way point.
ReplyDeleteHelen - I put Villa Coco aside around 20%. I wasn't connecting at all with the main character and found the rest of it a bit silly. It may have been my mood or just bad timing, but I doubt I'll pick it up again later.
DeleteI liked this, JoAnn! And I'm planning on reading Whistler for our afternoon book group's Ann Patchett month in November. Hearing such good things about it! Plus, I also intend to try Dolly All The Time. Sounds like a fun book and romance does still suit me from time to time. Will keep in mind that the audio is very good. Hope you guys have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteKay - I hope you enjoy Whistler when you get to it. Seems like Ann Patchett is a win for me every time! I'm still surprised by how much I enjoyed Dolly All the Time and will turn to Annabel Monaghan the next time I'm in the mood for a romance... maybe next summer!
DeleteFun questionnaire! I may play along. If so I’ll let you know.
ReplyDeleteOlivia - Oh, that would be fun... let me know!
DeleteAlways good to take stock of the year in progress, especially with such good prompts. I am a third into Whistler and know it will make my best book of the year list. I can barely put it down to do other stuff.
ReplyDeleteJaneGS - Glad you are enjoying Whistler! I read it in print and m already planning an audio reread.
Delete