Alice McDermott, Someone

Alice McDermott, Someone. It took me about eight chapters to confirm that, no I had not actually read this particular book before, because I kept thinking 'Oh god, not this book again'.

Karen Joy Fowler, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

Karen Joy Fowler, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. Gave this book to my mother based entirely on the title. Not what I expected, but funny. And timely, as my youngest has a non-human primate obsession at the moment.

Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot

Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot. Thin. Stupid.

Robin Sloane, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

Robin Sloane, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. This is a cute little silly story. At first you think is is going to descend into a lugubrious "one big misunderstanding" sort of book, but it stays light and funny. And for what it's worth, it is infinitely better that The Circle (which tried to be a funny satire of current technological and social trends and failed dreadfully - Mr. Penumbra has some of the same topical Google-ly stuff, also a little ridiculous, but without the strident whining and bitterness).

More scifi and fantasy

Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter, The Long Earth, The Long War, and The Long Mars. These are good, although there are some problematic aspects that would take me a long and careful post to explain. But the Long Earth idea is compelling and fruitful.

George R.R. Martin (and others), Dangerous Women (anthology): some good, some great, and some terrible stories.

Lev Grossman, The Magician's land. OK, this is actually really fun.

Haruki Murakami, The Elephant Vanishes

Haruki Murakami, The Elephant Vanishes. I love these lonely and strange short stories.

Gary Shteyngart, Little Failure

Gary Shteyngart, Little Failure. I love, love, Gary Shteyngart. I would forgive him anything, even Super Sad True Love Story, after Absurdistan, but no forgiveness is needed. This memoir is wonderful, funny, bitter, angry, and kind. I shrieked and snorted on the bus while reading, apologies to fellow commuters, and aren't you glad I usually bike. I have a dear friend who emigrated from the USSR in the late 80s as well, and so many of her reminisces, particularly food related ones, make so much more sense to me now. Beet everything, dill and salt sandwiches? Of course.

Martha Grimes, some older Jury/Plant mysteries

Martha Grimes, The Man with a Load of Mischief, Jerusalem Inn, I am the Only Running Footman. Grimes back when her RJ series was good. Man with a Load more so, Footman less so. Love Melrose, love Wiggins, love her comic relief - so much better than forced sadness. Although to be fair, when she tries, Grimes hits the melancholic notes with the best (The End of the Pier, Hotel Paradise).