Susan – Thanks for directing me back here to your review. Nickel Boys is certainly the most important novel I’ve read this year. I’m still marveling at the twist at the and and Whitehead’s skill as a novelist… love the way this was structured! I’ve not read his earlier work, but will need to now. Where shall I start?

Hi Ti, I will have to check out Obama’s playlist. His summer reading list is very good. I still need to read the Underground Railroad sometime. The Nickel Boys is quite harsh a story but worth knowing.

Hi Jane: thanks for your comments, all good. I will see if The Goldfinch will ever end … but I’m just reading it every once in awhile — mixed in with other things — so I’m liking it so far. I’m in the Las Vegas section now and perhaps it won’t come out of there, alive. 🙂 I hope to go back and read The Underground Railroad — which sounds like a must. And The Bluest Eye is pretty dark/sad but it’s been a long time since I read it. I’d like to read more of her works too.

I love Obama’s reading list—I find it more along my taste lines than that of Bill Gates 🙂

I have only read Beloved but I’m going back to the beginning and plan to read The Bluest Eye before end of year.

I have mixed feelings about The Goldfinch—I listened to it, and literally thought it might never end. I remember feeling that the Las Vegas section was a black hole in which I was trapped, but I ended up liking the book. Not sure I would ever reread it, and I’m not sure I’m that interested in the movie.

Hi JoAnn: I always wanted to read The Leavers so I’ll look for your review. I didn’t realize you were going to be moving this summer. Are you really moving from NY to FLA full time? I’ll stop by your site to see what’s happening! Thanks for the word about nationals — i’ll need it.

I haven’t been around much this summer as we are in the process of moving. Our NY home sold quickly, now we are trying to figure out what we really need to bring to FL. Good luck at nationals!

Yeah Diane, it is not the happiest of stories but it does seem worth knowing and it’s well done. I’ll be interested to hear what you think.

I’m glad you liked Trust Exercise; the author was likely a bit beyond me what she was up to, & the relationships in the book a bit harsh but she’s a good writer for sure. The Nickel Boys story is grim but well done too. I’d like to read The Warmth of Other Suns. It probably would blow my mind.

Hi Deb, I agree what you’re saying about our past & present president. It’s like night & day – no comparison. As for the Nickel Boys, it’s great that you are hearing Colson Whitehead speak. If you read it before he comes, it’ll be even better when he comes.