I agree w your Trespasses comments! It was nice enough but I also wanted more drama, and frankly expected more drama. I thought it was, on all counts, average (that’s not a slight - plot was simple, characters were simple, prose was simple etc).
I also neurotically plan what I read in lists on my notes for the upcoming month, so I feel at home reading about how you approach that! I’m barely a mood reader and absolutely a planned reader always! The desire to get the genre and book length balance right each month is soooo real so, I see you girl!
Also really enjoyed the brief but insightful format of your Qs w Tembe - the book sounds great!
yeah the more I think about trespases, the more average I realize it is lol. I think I enjoyed how quiet the book was, you know? that bumped it up a bit for me for sure. im so happy I'm not the only one. I think its juts so fun! planning out your reading experience that way. also something about the process makes it so I get to read everyday, which ultimately makes me happy. im glad you enjoy the Q&A. it was so fun!
i love how you spoke about the rituals of being a person who reads alongside actual reading, like that’s such a beautiful aspect of owning the media you enjoy, being able to make a whole occasion of it all! also, i felt the exact same way about beartown when i was trying to review it and figure out what it is exactly about his writing that i didn’t enjoy, a very circular self important type of narration. love you and your newsletter!
thank God I'm not crazy. on both counts! I love making an occasion out of reading, and Backman's writing really isn't for me. "circular self important type of narration" is a great way of putting it
Thank you SO MUCH for your take on Fredrik Backman, and specifically Beartown. It felt like self-celebrating, unacknowledged and self-oblivious toxic masculinity to me. Coupled with his egotistical writing style, it’s one of the few books about which I cannot help but feel viscerally negative. When Anxious People came out and caught such buzz, I read it, not noticing it was the same author as Beartown. Same turn-offs.
On a happier note, I’m thrilled for you that you have White Oleander to look forward to. What a beautiful book!
I thought for sure I was going to get dragged becasue of my take on Backman. He just rubs me really wrong. I saw the trailer for the movie a while ago and when I found it it was a book, I knew I had to have it!
i love structured reading!!!!! i read the safekeep as part of my recurring “read the booker longlist project” and thought it was so much fun!!!! i hope u like it
So happy to hear someone else isn’t a fan of Backman’s writing. I tried to read Anxious People a couple years ago and couldn’t understand what everyone loved so much about it.
I also have The God of the Woods, Evenings & Weekends, and the Safekeep on my TBR and have heard excellent things about all.
And YAY I’ve been meaning to read The Interestings forever so I’m excited to have a reason to prioritize it.
so many people in the comments saying they dont like Backman's writing as well! So we're not alone. Lmk when you read any of those books and what you think. Also, read The Interestings along with us!
loved everything about this, particularly your thoughts on Just Kids. I had the exact same feelings but lacked the cohesiveness in my thoughts that you have. <3
Ack just saw the Goodreads description for Trespasses and looks like there’s a word for word copying of the text here without quotations or attribution. Former lawyer here (and this is definitely not legal advice) but I’d be careful with that. It’s your newsletter of course, do what you will, but as a reader I’d appreciate quotation marks if you’re going to copy text from another publication. I’m a fan of yours, just want you to be able to keep doing this without getting into any hot water.
hi Noor! Thanks for the call out. I usually do this for my articles but didnt think it mattered since it was goodreads. clearly not a trained lawyer or journalist. I'll take not for next time :)
the idea of counting up read vs unread books in my personal library terrifies me you are so brave...!!! i one day hope to also have the problem of reading too much. v inspirational
This is such a deliciously nerdy post and I LOVE IT. I'm also so honoured that you loved Book Chat, it still runs but on my Substack just not, sadly, every month - and you've reminded me, I need to get on with the next episode!!
May I add "Fashion on Television" by Helen Warner (2014) which I just finished and loved, so will you...keep reading and your business / cultural & mind blowing newsletter "as seen on" remains ace 🤓😍📚🔖💯
The Wind Up Bird Chronicles! When my dad recommended it to me, he made it sound like it was a historical fiction set in Manchuria. It’s decidedly not that, but still an interesting read!
Love the Storygraph shoutout! I agree 1000%. It's so interesting to learn how other people read. I am a mood reader but I appreciate the insight into your more structured reading process and rituals! <3
I agree w your Trespasses comments! It was nice enough but I also wanted more drama, and frankly expected more drama. I thought it was, on all counts, average (that’s not a slight - plot was simple, characters were simple, prose was simple etc).
I also neurotically plan what I read in lists on my notes for the upcoming month, so I feel at home reading about how you approach that! I’m barely a mood reader and absolutely a planned reader always! The desire to get the genre and book length balance right each month is soooo real so, I see you girl!
Also really enjoyed the brief but insightful format of your Qs w Tembe - the book sounds great!
yeah the more I think about trespases, the more average I realize it is lol. I think I enjoyed how quiet the book was, you know? that bumped it up a bit for me for sure. im so happy I'm not the only one. I think its juts so fun! planning out your reading experience that way. also something about the process makes it so I get to read everyday, which ultimately makes me happy. im glad you enjoy the Q&A. it was so fun!
i love how you spoke about the rituals of being a person who reads alongside actual reading, like that’s such a beautiful aspect of owning the media you enjoy, being able to make a whole occasion of it all! also, i felt the exact same way about beartown when i was trying to review it and figure out what it is exactly about his writing that i didn’t enjoy, a very circular self important type of narration. love you and your newsletter!
thank God I'm not crazy. on both counts! I love making an occasion out of reading, and Backman's writing really isn't for me. "circular self important type of narration" is a great way of putting it
Thank you SO MUCH for your take on Fredrik Backman, and specifically Beartown. It felt like self-celebrating, unacknowledged and self-oblivious toxic masculinity to me. Coupled with his egotistical writing style, it’s one of the few books about which I cannot help but feel viscerally negative. When Anxious People came out and caught such buzz, I read it, not noticing it was the same author as Beartown. Same turn-offs.
On a happier note, I’m thrilled for you that you have White Oleander to look forward to. What a beautiful book!
I thought for sure I was going to get dragged becasue of my take on Backman. He just rubs me really wrong. I saw the trailer for the movie a while ago and when I found it it was a book, I knew I had to have it!
i love structured reading!!!!! i read the safekeep as part of my recurring “read the booker longlist project” and thought it was so much fun!!!! i hope u like it
I'm so glad I got safekeeping. I've heard such great things about it! I know it'll take me forever to get to it though lol
Appreciated you sharing how your book choices has shifted.
thank you. when I look at the books I read two years ago, I'm like wow would never right now
So happy to hear someone else isn’t a fan of Backman’s writing. I tried to read Anxious People a couple years ago and couldn’t understand what everyone loved so much about it.
I also have The God of the Woods, Evenings & Weekends, and the Safekeep on my TBR and have heard excellent things about all.
And YAY I’ve been meaning to read The Interestings forever so I’m excited to have a reason to prioritize it.
so many people in the comments saying they dont like Backman's writing as well! So we're not alone. Lmk when you read any of those books and what you think. Also, read The Interestings along with us!
loved everything about this, particularly your thoughts on Just Kids. I had the exact same feelings but lacked the cohesiveness in my thoughts that you have. <3
teehee we're always syncheddd
Ack just saw the Goodreads description for Trespasses and looks like there’s a word for word copying of the text here without quotations or attribution. Former lawyer here (and this is definitely not legal advice) but I’d be careful with that. It’s your newsletter of course, do what you will, but as a reader I’d appreciate quotation marks if you’re going to copy text from another publication. I’m a fan of yours, just want you to be able to keep doing this without getting into any hot water.
hi Noor! Thanks for the call out. I usually do this for my articles but didnt think it mattered since it was goodreads. clearly not a trained lawyer or journalist. I'll take not for next time :)
the idea of counting up read vs unread books in my personal library terrifies me you are so brave...!!! i one day hope to also have the problem of reading too much. v inspirational
I'm only half brave because I'll truly never reveal that list to anyone.
This is such a deliciously nerdy post and I LOVE IT. I'm also so honoured that you loved Book Chat, it still runs but on my Substack just not, sadly, every month - and you've reminded me, I need to get on with the next episode!!
this made me happy. and one day is on my reading list for this month too!
I am inspired!!! How do you make time to read all these books (even 10 is a lot?) 😇
that's my next post, but TLDR, I read 100 to 150 page a day
May I add "Fashion on Television" by Helen Warner (2014) which I just finished and loved, so will you...keep reading and your business / cultural & mind blowing newsletter "as seen on" remains ace 🤓😍📚🔖💯
The Wind Up Bird Chronicles! When my dad recommended it to me, he made it sound like it was a historical fiction set in Manchuria. It’s decidedly not that, but still an interesting read!
Love the Storygraph shoutout! I agree 1000%. It's so interesting to learn how other people read. I am a mood reader but I appreciate the insight into your more structured reading process and rituals! <3
Loved this, thank you for sharing! Gonna go read If an Egyptian cannot speak English and Martyr! <3
thank you for having me!!! also loved this recap so much, can't wait for the next one.