Reading Check-In || A NEW Favorite Read!!

Thank you so much for stopping by! In today's reading check-in, I'll share my new favorite read of 2024, and while I can only say it is my favorite read so far, I wouldn't be shocked if it remains my favorite read of the year when all is said and done.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy reading,
Susan at Road Reads

[dharashah]

I share your love for East of Eden. It’s one of those books where you want to climb on the highest mountain and shout out to everyone to read it. I read it for the third time earlier this year and still can’t get enough of it! Such a talented writer Steinbeck was!
If you haven’t, you could also read ‘Of Mice and Men’. It’s a novella and will leave you heartbroken.

[Readlive]

I'm so glad to hear how much you loved East of Eden. I've read it years ago at a time that I wasn't even fluent in English yet, and It is still one of my very favorite books and I have been wanting to reread it. I absolutely love this book. "Timsel" 😊

[NanKF]

Anna Quindlen is one of my favorite authors. I have read most of her books and, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with any of her fiction or nonfiction. That said, I highly recommend her first novel, One True Thing, which is semi-autobiographical. It was also a good movie with Meryl Streep, William Hurt, and Renee Zellweger.
I need to read East of Eden, and more Steinbeck in general. Your enthusiasm is contagious!

[PoiemaLee]

I love your enthusiasm for East of Eden! I remember reading it and loving it when I was in highschool l-o-n-g ago. It might be time for a reread. Oh, and I read Travels with Charley last year and LOVED it, too!

[betsymaher]

Have you ever read The Dollmaker by Harriet Arnow? It's one of my favorites and a "meaty" book that packs a wallop. I wasn't crazy about the ending but it's a book where I felt I was living the story with the author. Another one like that is Anya by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer - another one of my favorites.

[teritucciarelli]

Okay, well looks like I have my next TBR! 😊 Right after I finish the Ferrante novels. I'm ready for a classic again! Love your enthusiasm and I also love a rich novel. Excited to dive into East of Eden. It has been on my summer list but I just haven't got to it yet, mostly because after reading My Brilliant Friend I had to keep going with that series!

[qotzoev]

We saw Anna Quindlen in person at Parnassus Books in Nashville. She was very entertaining. My favorite of her books is still Black and Blue

[LauraRodriguez-Peace]

Thanks, Susan. 📚
Loved “East of Eden”.
I read it many years ago in school, revisited it a few years ago, and loved it even more. 🙂
I usually read three or four books weekly, but have been doing lots of gardening while enjoying some old faves on Audiobooks during the day, this week, and have been happily glued to C-Span each evening💙
(Feeling empowered, feeling joyful, feeling hopeful, feeling inspired and feeling optimistic! 🇺🇸)

[daria_sfl]

Hi, Susan! I've just read "East of Eden" this June. It was really fantastic, I enjoyed reading it. I just couldn't put the book aside. I read it in Kindle, but I think that I am going to buy the paper book as well. I love Steinbeck's writing so much. And now I also read Steinbeck's Journal, combining it with Paul Murray's "The Bee Sting". "The Bee Sting" is fantastic.

[dianameister]

OMG I’ve so grateful for your review of East of Eden. I’ve read a few Steinbeck; which I liked - but I wasn’t sure I wanted to tackle E of E, but it is now top on my to be read list. Thanks mucho!

[cathyg.]

Great review Susan! I’m a huge fan of Steinbeck. He was such a brilliant writer! I love your description of his writing. Travels With Charley is in one of my TBR piles and I also recently bought John Steinbeck, Writer a biography which is 1184 pages which I’m anxious to read. I also loved The Wayward Bus which is my favorite Steinbeck novel. Your excitement about East of Eden makes me want to read it again! ❤

[jimwalsh]

Thank you so much for your videos! Your review of the Kobo Libra Colour is the best. I just started reading more Steinbeck (moon is down) and fully hooked! My HS films teacher has us analyze East of Eden with James Dean and it was wild. The book seems intimidating but willing to try based on your recommendation! Keep them coming please!

[starlasell]

❤📚📚❤️ Okay, due for a reread! I read in my twenties and remember loving it.
Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen was good.

[karenwetherald]

Oh boy do I have some catching up to do... I have picked up Sandwich and Sharkheart, and after watching you speak so passionately about East of Eden, how can I not get it too !!! I've started a short story collection called Furies, stories of the wicked, wild and untamed by a collection of women authors. It is an amazing start (I'm only on the third story though). I look forward to hearing your adventures down Steinbecks' rabbit hole

[Leoslittlebooklife]

The Grapes of Wrath was the first Steinbeck I read and I loved it. Then I read East of Eden and it blew me away! Just give Wrath another try! 🙏🏻🤞🏻

[amandarademaker]

Thanks for the book recommendations. I've only read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and that packed a punch.

[alissajoelle]

I’m not a classics reader but your enthusiasm has piqued my curiosity!

[sandrahollins]

I recently read EoE with a small group on Voxer, who completely overwhelmed me with their knowledge of biblical references. I am not religious and have only a passing knowledge of the story of Cain and Abel. This did not distract from my enjoyment of the book at all, but it clearly enhanced that of my fellow readers. It is a truly epic, family saga of a novel and outdid my expectations! Shortly before that I had read Grapes of Wrath, and it blew me away. I wonder what it is about the book that you did not like? Steinbeck inserts his voice into the narrative, that could be a little jarring, but gave insight into the politics of the country that allowed and encouraged the unforgivable situation the people found themselves in. He was clearly very angry about that. Mrs Joad will live with me forever. If you try to read it again, you may have to look for 2 books to remove from your top 10!

[margot_polo]

I read East of Eden last year and I’ve been tempted to reread already. I love it.
I read Grapes of Wrath this year and it blew my mind in the end. I prefer EOE over GOW, but I bet you’d appreciate GOW better on a second read, especially given your clear appreciation for Steinbeck’s writing.

[clarepotter]

I had to study 'Of Mice and Men' at school, it's the only Steinbeck I have read. Your review is encouraging me to read some more of his work.