Little over half way through.... hoping to see what all the hype is about soon....

I recently started a new role at my library. This came highly recommended for some background reading!

Maybe this wasn't the best audiobook to listen to on my commute to work. I feel like I'm going to randomly start sobbing.

First book of the new year! Decided to revisit a classic.

Far and away the best thing I read during the course of 2016.

Great overview of the pandemic. Well written and engaging.

Fascinating insight into life at the imperial court of a retired emperor during the Kamakura period. Nijo was an amazing woman.

Well-written, well-researched, and absolutely fascinating intertwined stories of the World's Fair and H.H. Holmes. Read if you have an interest in the end of the nineteenth century, architecture, and/or great figures from Chicago's history. My only complaint is that I felt like that the story and grisly details of Holmes' murders isn't presented as compellingly as the story of the World's Fair.

No. Eleanor was very difficult for me to relate to. I had a hard time sympathizing with her; she came across as very selfish. The minor characters, however, were interesting (and more sympathetic) and they kept me going. Ultimately, I think this just wasn't my type of book.

Dark, uncompromising, great world-building... I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and can't wait till I get my hands on the sequels.

Interesting concept, Talis was the best part. The diverse cast of characters, LGBTQ+ love interest, cool vision of the future. That being said, it's surprisingly a slow-build. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Eleanor Flood is the most tedious character I've ever read. I wish I'd set this down and never picked it up. She's selfish, nasty, sarcastic without charm, and honestly just so oblivious and ungrateful it's painful. I suppose my anger at the dreadfulness of Eleanor yet continued reading is a testament to Maria Semple's skill. But good lord this is the most frustrating book.

I deserve a medal for not putting this down. Absolutely the worst thing I've ever read and I still have a small chunk left.

So trite I want to SCREAM.

I'm sorry, but the only character I can relate to is Talis.

GORGEOUS. This was so tastefully and subtly written. This type of work could have easily gone awry, but Atkinson handled the weaving of lives incredibly well. The historical setting was riveting, the characters were all so well done, and the references to other literary works were enhancing rather than contrived. I'm so in love with this book, will definitely give it multiple reads!

Ursula's love of Donne gives me life.

I'm listening to this book on audio. It is so gorgeous, so poignant, and so finely crafted I want everyone to go read it now.

Fast-paced, well-rounded characters, and (coming from a poor community) an interesting yet believable premise. The ending left a few things unexplored that I really felt would have made this a more complete novel. Still, I enjoyed it.

Very believable characters. The realness of the characters sometimes was painful, as they were really quite mean. Though I'd hoped for a slightly different ending, I'm glad the story went the way it did.

This came in the mail today! I'm in a state of pure bliss.

The setting of the novel was amazing. I really felt transported to turn of the century France. The touches of occultism and the world of painting were fascinating and made this a more memorable read. I really enjoyed the references and parallels to popular gothic novels of the time. I became frustrated with Sandrine occasionally but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel.

The more I read, the more disappointed and disgusted I am with Sandrine's family in France, especially grandma.

I'm really enjoying the atmosphere of this novel so far. The influence of the gothic has really grabbed me.

I'm really enjoying the atmosphere of this novel so far. The influence of the gothic has really grabbed me.

Listening to Requiem during my morning commute. I loved Lena in the previous books but.... The only reason I keep reading is Hana.

Listening to Requiem during my morning commute. I loved Lena in the previous books but.... The only reason I keep reading is Hana.

Getting an early start on the readings I have to do for the coming semester! This history is very comprehensive.