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Favourite read? The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I really want to cheat on this question and name one or two more, but I won't. Favourite author? Kristin Hannah Most read author? It is a three way tie with two books apiece: Diana Gabaldon, Laini Taylor, and Kristin Hannah Favourite book cover? Book you abandoned (if there was more than one, the one you read least of)? Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler Book that most disappointed you? This is a tie between Voyager by Diana Gabaldon and Uprooted by Naomi Novik Funniest book? Life and Other Near Death Experiences by Camille Pagan Favourite literary character? Scorpius Malfoy - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Favourite children's book? The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier Favourite classic? The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck Favourite non-fiction book? A Mother's Reckoning:Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold Favourite biography? Didn't read any Favourite collection of short stories? Didn't read any Favourite poetry collection? Didn't read any Favourite illustrated book? My Friend Dahmer by Derk Backderf (graphic novel) Favourite publisher? No clue Favourite audiobook? Where'd You Go Bernadette? by Marie Semple Favourite re-read? Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

The Nightingale is also one of my favorites this year. I want to read everything of hers.

Thanks. I have been pretty pleased with most of my reads lately.

#37 The Couple Next Door by Shari Lepena - This was a fast paced suspense that kept me turning the pages. A lot of twists and turns that surprised me. Apparently this author normally writes literary fiction and this was her first suspense, so bravo for her. (4/5) #38 Roll Them Bones by David Niall Wilson - This was a spooky, but fairly safe Halloween novella that I read to get me in the mood...for Halloween. I thought it was reminiscent of old scary short stories that are told around campfires, but in novella length (3/5) #39 American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis - I'm so glad I finally read this novel. I'm a fan of the movie and think it made me appreciate the book even more. This is a brilliant satire that is definitely the most graphic novel I've ever read. I don't think I could really recommend it to everyone, just certain readers. I literally read sections with my head slightly turned and my eyes almost close because it was so gruesome. But if you are a certain reader that's used to horror, then go for it. (4/5) #40 The Last Star by Rick Yancey - I really looked forward to this last book of the trilogy and I wasn't disappointed. I thought it was fast paced and gripping. There were some things that I wished would have been done differently, but I understand them. Overall, an enjoyable book and great trilogy. (4/5)

#29 The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart by Mathais Malzieu - Lovely fairy tale like story (4/5) #30 I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid -Wow! I devoured this book. This is the kind of twisty, mind altering book that you can't really say a whole lot about without revealing too much. I lost sleep over this book, and I can't stop thinking about it. Definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year. (5/5) #31 There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake - Interesting YA, but a bit predictable. I think it could have worked better if the Dreaming chapters were edited down a bit. A fun read overall. (3/5) #32 Little Girls by Ronald Malfi -I tore through this creepy, gothic novel. Very atmospheric with the perfect amount of shock, awe, and eww. Perfect way for me to get a head start on spooky reads for the season. (4/5) #33 Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh - Not a whole lot happens until the end, but it doesn't really need too because it's enough to learn about odd Eileen. It was deliciously dark and weird. I think it's up for the Man Booker Prize. #34 The Cloud of Unknowing by Thomas Cook - I was pleasantly surprised by this psychological mystery. (4/5) #35 The Widow by Fiona Barton (3/5) #36 The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman- I realize this is an unpopular opinion, but I was disappointed by this novel. After so much praise I expected to love it or at least really like it. Sadly, I thought it was just okay. The story was pretty melodramatic and emotionally manipulative, and the writing was mediocre. Basically it was as if Nicholas Sparks and Hallmark Movies had an Australian love child. The book does bring up some interesting subjects to discuss though, which is the only thing that saves it for me. I'm not saying it was horrible, just not my cup of tea.(2/5)

I haven't been on here in awhile and I desperately need to update my list from summer until now. Some have reviews, others not. #21 A Mother's Reckoning:Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold -An utterly brave and insightful memoir. Sue Klebold doesn't shy away from the truth of the destruction her son, Dylan, did, and that is why it is a very courageous book. I think all parents should read this, even though as a parent it scared the "you know what" out me. All proceeds go to charity, but I truly believe she deserves some profit. (5/5) #22 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah -The Nightingale is a heartbreaking and also uplifting story about two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, living in Nazi occupied France during WWII. Each sister struggles and battles against the enemy in their own way. But this novel is so much more than that, it is epic. I heard about this book everywhere and finally decided to see what all the fuss was about, and I'm so happy I did. This beautiful story actually made me cry, which I never do when reading, especially toward the end. If you plan on reading this, move to the top of your to read pile and grab a box of tissues. You won't regret it.(5/5) #23 Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen -I enjoyed the magic and whimsy in the lives of the characters at Lost Lake. Everything about this made it a perfect book to read in the summer, while sitting on the porch drinking an ice tea. This wasn't my favorite from Allen, though I did like it. However, her storytelling will always keep me coming back for more (3/5) #24 Sinful Cinderella by Anita Valle - I'm a fan of fractured fairy tales, and this bite sized novella really delivered. I thought it was entertaining and had a pretty clever twist as well. I definitely would like to read more by Valle. (4/5) #25 The Girls by Emma Cline - I enjoyed this book, and was leery of the hype. I think it was mislabeled as a thriller though. I thought it was literary fiction that dealt with a dark subject. The writing is gorgeous and worth a read if you can put expectations behind you. (4/5) #26 Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flag -I absolutely adore the movie, so I finally read the novel. Even though I thought it was quite different, I still really enjoyed it. It's a wonderful summer read, though it spans all seasons. It also includes recipes of the food mentioned in the novel. (4/5) #27 The Fireman by Joe Hill- I've debated on how to rate this novel for a couple of days now, but the more I think about it the more I like it. There were parts that dragged a bit and needed editing down, but at the same time the story and most of the characters were brilliant. I thought the symptoms of the apocalyptic virus were really unique, and the hostility from the uninfected people reflects the world's past and present in a lot of ways. I'm already wanting another Joe Hill novel! (4/5) #28 The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian -I really enjoyed the book. I loved the pace and seeing how each character was affected by what happened at the bachelor party. I actually enjoyed how it made me a bit uncomfortable, but wasn't too over the top. I truly felt like a fly on the wall, and not a whole lot of writers can achieve that. I'm definitely going to read more by Bohjalian. (4/5)

My goal is 40 for the year and I've read 22 so far. According to Goodreads I'm 2 books ahead of schedule. The Best with 5/5 Rating: My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf (graphic memoir) The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormeir (YA) Bird Box by Josh Malerman (horror) The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (Fantasy/Horror) A Mother's Reckoning:Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold (memoir) Honorable Mention The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (4/5) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (4/5) Books That Disappointed Me Me Before You by Jojo Moyes -(2/5) Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann (2/5)

Yes, I'm referring to places like Goodreads. I suppose I could add a shelf named audiobooks. But I haven't added them on my reading log on this site either. I usually end up not finishing most of them before my library loan ends anyways, and I don't add unfinished books anymore.

After tons and tons of searching I think I may have found the title I've been looking for. I think it might be Wish You Well by David Baldacci. I found it by doing an advanced search on amazon that I didn't even know existed. The plot sounds a lot like it and I looked it up on Wikipedia for spoilers so I could be sure, and the thing I remember happening does happen. It is set in Virginia and there is drama over a coal and gas company trying to buy the grandma's land. For some reason I'm still not %100 convinced, more like %99. I didn't remember the parents dying in a car crash at the beginning that sets everything in motion or anything like that. But the fact that it was written by David Baldacci would explain my remembering it being written by a popular author. Now I know why I kept getting it mixed up with A Painted House because they were both published the same year (2001) and both by authors that usually write crime/suspense type stuff.

Very good point. It all boils down to an individual's perception of what reading is. I enjoy audiobooks, books, movies, podcasts, etc, but I enjoy and consider them as separate medias. I really try my very best to not compare one to the other (very hard, especially when a movie just botched a favorite book). I guess that's why I feel that reading is reading, listening is listening, watching is watching. As much as I love to read books I hate that I can't read while doing dishes, gardening, etc. I like audiobooks, but I can't see how characters names are spelled or see the format, and sometimes don't like the narrator. They present opposite problems and opposite solutions from one another, so that's why I can personally keep them separate in my mind.

That is why I like them when I do work around the house, like painting or landscaping, etc. It makes the task seem less tedious.

Very true. We do have to process the language, probably on the same side of the brain (don't remember from college, but I assume so). Like I said at the beginning, I would never try to intentionally offend you or anyone else on here. My question is to find out if readers count them as reading or not, not whether one is better than the other. I like audiobooks, and listen to them often. I just answered my question with my own personal opinion, which is what I want to hear from everyone else. Whether I agree or not doesn't matter to me. I simply find it an interesting topic for discussion is all, and am curious to see how the majority of people respond.

Yes, exactly! I think I do have a little guilt from listening to our June book selection on audio instead of reading it. The whole point of my book group is to get people to read and read something good that they may have not read otherwise. I probably won't do that again, for my own piece of mind. Now, if I could just get my co-admin to stop mentioning them in posts.

Disclaimer: In no way is this thread meant to offend anyone or attack anyone's personal preferences. This topic recently came onto my radar when my friend was telling me all of the books she's been going through this summer, but then told me they were all audiobooks. My same friend and I started a Facebook book club a few months ago, and last month's book that was selected was a bit more difficult to get. I ended up having to listen to it on audio while I painted some rooms, which I really enjoyed. The thing is I feel weird about counting it as a book "read" and didn't even add it to Goodreads or here. My question is: Do you count listening to audiobooks as books you've read or not? I have listened to some entertaining books on audio in the past, but have only ever completed three of them. I never added them as "read" anywhere. I personally feel like I'm cheating myself to count them toward the amount I've read, especially if I have a goal set. I sort of equate it to listening to the radio serial shows back in the '40s and '50s or listening to a podcast. I do think that audiobooks are a great way to stay entertained while doing a tedious task though. I'm curious to know what other readers have to say about the subject.

Peacefield, the first book I thought of when you mentioned traveling into a painting was Rose Madder by Stephen King. Have you read it? It isn't really horror or scary at all, more of a fantasy/suspense novel. I agree that we need more books that use paintings as a portal. Dtrpath, I also love books set in bookstores or anything related to a bookstore. Have you read The Book of Speculation? One of the main characters runs a bookstore and it's about a mysterious book and also some old tarot cards. It's fabulous.