Now I know where my sudden interest in reading Rebecca came from… all you, Natalie! I started it on Friday and I am enjoying it so far. I picked up a copy of a thriller called The Fiction Writer at the same time… it is about a novelist who wrote a retelling of Rebecca that flopped. Then she gets hired by a rich man with a dead wife to ghost write his grandmother’s story— which he claims Du Maurier stole for Rebecca. It is as ridiculous as it sounds but for some reason I have yet to throw it across the room. Sometimes I need to read junk to truly appreciate great literature.
I love junk - how would we know what was good if we didn't have junk to compare it to?? I haven't heard of that thriller but it sounds like the perfect easy read when your brain is tired
I was planning on reading Calculation as soon as I get back from this (never ending 🤪) trip but then you said Orbital and you know how I feel about Orbital so I feel more trepidation, haha.
ok but actually this makes me think you have to read it because maybe you will LOVE Calculation because it at least has some plot... you never know!! Maybe get it from the library first 😂
I don’t know— I like the concept and I picked it up to read the first bit at the bookstore, but I put it right back down. I can’t say I hated it because I have to get through at least 50 pages of something before I can hate. But I couldn’t imagine reading it, based on the first few pages.
I'm so behind but UGH I CANT WAIT TO READ CALCULATION OF VOLUME! Both your & books on GIFs reviews have got me soooo excited! Also really needed to get into more Du Maurier – have only read Rebecca but need to get off the beaten path. Great stuff as usual. Thanks for the shoutout, as always, it means the world coming from you!
I also have not read White is for Witching and it is still on my shelves. I also also have Intimacies in my backlog, too. We could always buddy read For The Content™️.
I read about Oyeyemi in another book. A character was reading her book so that got me interested in her. But I forgot the title and don’t know where to start with her. But let me know if you found a better one to start with her works!
I felt so similarly about Long Bright River! It's hard to find books that are so difficult to put down, but so well written at the same time. If you have any similar recs, I'd love to hear them :)
It's so true - there are so many "thrillers" out there that just do not live up to the hype. I also love Karin Slaughter novels (especially Pretty Girls, although that book is DARK beware, or The Silent Wife), The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup, or The Likeness by Tana French
I really liked What Is Not Yours is Not Yours by Oyeyemi! An eerie and exquisite short story collection. I've had mixed experiences with her novels but they're always an interesting time.
You made me really excited to finally read Daphne de Maurier. I have wanted to read Rebecca for the longest time AND I have been wanting to begin reading short stories… maybe I pick up this collection instead.
Re: On the calculation of Volume, are you going to be reading the next book?
if you had asked me the day I finished volume I, I would have said hell no. But after writing this review I know in my heart I have to see the series through. This is going to be a long wait in purgatory for this crap to be over... 😂
I had similar thoughts about Greenwood! Really loved the writing, the concept, the way the story was told. I found it deeply moving and yes, at times, frustrating! I found the ending to be particularly unsatisfying, but overall it was one of my favourite reads of 2024.
i just finished stag dance by torrey peters, an excellent short story collection that 100% fits all five of these requirements, imo!! also, long time las cultch fan. the gabby windey interview had me laffin’
Ok really interesting On Calculation of Vol thoughts - I eagerly await you to read mine now so we can talk about it. I think the fear of erasure is what I connected most with (you'll understand what I mean once you've read mine). I am interested to hear you compare it to Orbital tho! It makes me MORE interested in reading it than I initally was?
I'm so glad I didn't read yours first because it really would have tainted me. Brilliant job as always, our reviews were so different but we are mostly on the same wavelength. This is so much fun we all read this unknowingly together 😂 I want you to read Orbital but I have a nagging suspicion you won't be impressed and it might break my heart lol
I need to ream d more Liz Moore!
i agree!
Omg I didn’t realize I spelled everything horribly wrong
well i knew what you meant lol
Welp, Long Bright River just jumped from “want” to “need”. Sorry, wallet.
accept my deepest condolences!
Now I know where my sudden interest in reading Rebecca came from… all you, Natalie! I started it on Friday and I am enjoying it so far. I picked up a copy of a thriller called The Fiction Writer at the same time… it is about a novelist who wrote a retelling of Rebecca that flopped. Then she gets hired by a rich man with a dead wife to ghost write his grandmother’s story— which he claims Du Maurier stole for Rebecca. It is as ridiculous as it sounds but for some reason I have yet to throw it across the room. Sometimes I need to read junk to truly appreciate great literature.
I love junk - how would we know what was good if we didn't have junk to compare it to?? I haven't heard of that thriller but it sounds like the perfect easy read when your brain is tired
I was planning on reading Calculation as soon as I get back from this (never ending 🤪) trip but then you said Orbital and you know how I feel about Orbital so I feel more trepidation, haha.
I am going to read it in a week or two, MJ. Be my buddy? I could not with Orbital…
Did you hate Orbital??? 🥲 it’s a weird one so you either love or hate right
ok but actually this makes me think you have to read it because maybe you will LOVE Calculation because it at least has some plot... you never know!! Maybe get it from the library first 😂
I don’t know— I like the concept and I picked it up to read the first bit at the bookstore, but I put it right back down. I can’t say I hated it because I have to get through at least 50 pages of something before I can hate. But I couldn’t imagine reading it, based on the first few pages.
I'm so behind but UGH I CANT WAIT TO READ CALCULATION OF VOLUME! Both your & books on GIFs reviews have got me soooo excited! Also really needed to get into more Du Maurier – have only read Rebecca but need to get off the beaten path. Great stuff as usual. Thanks for the shoutout, as always, it means the world coming from you!
I’m behind all the time every day so do not fret. I’m STILL thinking about the last story in the du Maurier collection it was that good
I also have not read White is for Witching and it is still on my shelves. I also also have Intimacies in my backlog, too. We could always buddy read For The Content™️.
Anything for The Content!! I would love to - anytime May or later I'm game !
Yassss let’s do it! I’m fine with anytime in May or beyond, you let me know what works for you!
I read about Oyeyemi in another book. A character was reading her book so that got me interested in her. But I forgot the title and don’t know where to start with her. But let me know if you found a better one to start with her works!
that is super interesting she was mentioned in another book! So far this is my only one but I may try another...
I felt so similarly about Long Bright River! It's hard to find books that are so difficult to put down, but so well written at the same time. If you have any similar recs, I'd love to hear them :)
It's so true - there are so many "thrillers" out there that just do not live up to the hype. I also love Karin Slaughter novels (especially Pretty Girls, although that book is DARK beware, or The Silent Wife), The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup, or The Likeness by Tana French
Oh AND! If you haven’t watched the show, Big Little Lies the book is phenomenal
I enjoyed your thoughts on Greenwood!
thanks Renee :)
I really liked What Is Not Yours is Not Yours by Oyeyemi! An eerie and exquisite short story collection. I've had mixed experiences with her novels but they're always an interesting time.
Exactly how I feel about her! I will have to check out that collection since I am now apparently a short story girlie
You made me really excited to finally read Daphne de Maurier. I have wanted to read Rebecca for the longest time AND I have been wanting to begin reading short stories… maybe I pick up this collection instead.
Re: On the calculation of Volume, are you going to be reading the next book?
if you had asked me the day I finished volume I, I would have said hell no. But after writing this review I know in my heart I have to see the series through. This is going to be a long wait in purgatory for this crap to be over... 😂
Ok, now I have to add Greenwood to my TBR list and DAMN YOU ONCE AGAIN, Natalie M.! 😆
Totally, 1000% agree with you on short stories, and also on your list of what they must be like in order to keep my attention.
EJ’s audiobook post was like reading the insides of my own brain. Just cannot do them, and she told me exactly why.
Your TBR is your friend not your foe its ok!!!! You would like Greenwood
EJ really just let us all admit how much we hate audiobooks - godbless her for that!
I had similar thoughts about Greenwood! Really loved the writing, the concept, the way the story was told. I found it deeply moving and yes, at times, frustrating! I found the ending to be particularly unsatisfying, but overall it was one of my favourite reads of 2024.
the ending was so unsatisfying right??? I'm so glad you said that I totally agree. Yet I loved it all the same
i just finished stag dance by torrey peters, an excellent short story collection that 100% fits all five of these requirements, imo!! also, long time las cultch fan. the gabby windey interview had me laffin’
GABBY!! Why is she everywhere and an absolute icon rn. So funny and honest its really lovely.
Ok really interesting On Calculation of Vol thoughts - I eagerly await you to read mine now so we can talk about it. I think the fear of erasure is what I connected most with (you'll understand what I mean once you've read mine). I am interested to hear you compare it to Orbital tho! It makes me MORE interested in reading it than I initally was?
I'm so glad I didn't read yours first because it really would have tainted me. Brilliant job as always, our reviews were so different but we are mostly on the same wavelength. This is so much fun we all read this unknowingly together 😂 I want you to read Orbital but I have a nagging suspicion you won't be impressed and it might break my heart lol
Loved it.
🙏