Valley Of The Dolls is juicy. I'm looking at the copy on the bookshelf in my bedroom and wondering if I should give it a re-read. I'm actually reading The Secret History right meow. The characters are interesting and I love that I don't love most of them. I like unlikeable characters in the novels that I read. It makes conflict so interesting.
Liv Tyler's sweater/plaid miniskirt /boot combo in Empire Records haunts me to this day. So good. I bet they had so much fun filming that movie. Dazed and Confused and Clueless are also some 90's favs.
This convinced me to read Mrs. Dalloway which has been on my TBR for a long long time.
I read The Secret History in 2022, and found it intriguing - but it's definitely not a book that stayed with me forever! I liked your question -- how far are we all really from giving into base desires? I suppose I'm not really sure how to relate to a book when the characters are so deeply unlikeable (even if that is the point). Another example of this for me was My Year of Rest and Relaxation, which perhaps touches on similar themes (and in general is woman vs the void).
I’ve heard many people say the secret history characters were unlikeable but I found them so intriguing! Perhaps that’s the difference 🙂 I also thought Year of Rest was interesting and good but not enjoyable. Mrs Dalloway is a tough read but worth it I think
I actually think of Mrs Dalloway quite a lot too, but perhaps more the scene of Septimus in the park. I also think of other Woolf novels a lot too. I'm glad it's not just me...
Thanks for such a fun read and also for the lit hub list. Just finished a Salter—thoroughly enjoyed it. I am an older guy and younger readers may find him dated. I do think the writing I is quite wonderful though. And John Williams’ novel Stoner is one of my Roman Empire novels. The end is incredible. His other two novels are also amazingly well-written and provide an education in the realities of the old West and the Roman Empire.
I've only read 18/75 books! A couple more on my TBR I might actually get around to this year. I think The Secret History is also one of my Roman Empire Books. I've thought a bout it A LOT in the year since I've read it. I really want to read A Sport and a Pastime by James Salter. I haven't read any of the underrated authors which surprised me. I also really enjoyed that article about the Stanley cups and sexism. I know this isn't the point of the article but I do also own a Stanley but I think the flip straw tumbler is superior. My husband works in outdoor retail so we frequently get freebies on that sort of thing and I feel less bad about our cup collection.
Going to have to add Salter to my list too - someone very literary that I follow on bookstagram posts alot about him. So confession I also own the flip straw bottle too - fits in the cupholder AND doesn't leak. There are good reasons to love stanley that have nothing to do with trying to be cool :o lol
Omg I’ve always intended to read the Valley of the Dolls! *adds to basket immediately before I forget* because if it’s a RE book for you, boy do I need to get it! In Natalie I trust 🙏
I have also only read 2 on that lit hub list. Way to go us! Fav teen movie I’d have to say 10 Things I Hate About You. Never fails to satisfy me.
ahhh now its my turn to add to cart! I think I also could have added The Passage Trilogy to this article but it was already getting too long. I will have to check that one out, I love a good world buidling situation. and 10 things I hate about you is ::Chefs kiss::
You haven’t read them?!!? Omg Natalie you must get round to it asap. The best world building I have ever ever read - absolutely sensational. I recommend the trilogy all the time to my IRL reading friends and every single one has loved it so much. Therefore I believe you will love it too!
Intrigue I’ve never heard of the passage trilogy!! That’s valid - I think if I actually sat down to write about my Roman Empire books I’d end up with about 20... there’s too many good ones!
I’ve read 10% of only one book of only one of those LitHub writers (Gayl Jones; did not like) but I have Percival Everett’s Trees on my TBR shelf.
Have you seen the SNL skit about guys thinking about the Roman Empire? It’s fucking hilarious.
I just started Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey. Down with the exhaustion caused by our capitalist overlords! I’m also (still) reading Possession on my Kindle at night. I read like four pages a night so you’ll finish The Stand and then probably lap me again before I finish it 😆
Honestly (honestly) these kittens have been waking me up at FIVE IN THE MORNING and not letting me truly get back to sleep so I have been maybe getting through four page as well at night before I pass out sitting up. I have a holiday Monday that I am going to use to get through another 25% of this book or else every update from here until next January will be about The Stand. BRB going to Youtube SNL Roman Empire...
These are top tier books!! (I truly thought I had but actually haven’t read Valley of the Dolls so it’s up soon but I trust you wholeheartedly that it will be good so I’m so excited) Also I’m going to have to do a re-read of The Secret History I miss reading that book
Ugh, the Secret History!! If you do find something that compares, please let us know!!
I have not yet seen Empire Records, but I am currently working on a Letterboxd Challenge that has it on it! I am excited to watch.
Its so much fun, even if its new to you (sometimes older movies are only good in retrospect because of the nostalgia factor). I hope you love it!
Valley Of The Dolls is juicy. I'm looking at the copy on the bookshelf in my bedroom and wondering if I should give it a re-read. I'm actually reading The Secret History right meow. The characters are interesting and I love that I don't love most of them. I like unlikeable characters in the novels that I read. It makes conflict so interesting.
Liv Tyler's sweater/plaid miniskirt /boot combo in Empire Records haunts me to this day. So good. I bet they had so much fun filming that movie. Dazed and Confused and Clueless are also some 90's favs.
Forever in love with spotted kitten tummies!!! 😍
I think I'm going to have to be Liv Tyler in Empire Records for Halloween now. Such great 90s movie choices!!
And I agree - weird strange unlikeable characters can be the most interesting!
Love this topic! My Roman Empire books are Ella Minnow Pea, the Thirteenth Tale, and The Beauty Myth!
Ah the Thirteenth Tale has been on my kindle for a while!! These sound like great choices
This convinced me to read Mrs. Dalloway which has been on my TBR for a long long time.
I read The Secret History in 2022, and found it intriguing - but it's definitely not a book that stayed with me forever! I liked your question -- how far are we all really from giving into base desires? I suppose I'm not really sure how to relate to a book when the characters are so deeply unlikeable (even if that is the point). Another example of this for me was My Year of Rest and Relaxation, which perhaps touches on similar themes (and in general is woman vs the void).
I’ve heard many people say the secret history characters were unlikeable but I found them so intriguing! Perhaps that’s the difference 🙂 I also thought Year of Rest was interesting and good but not enjoyable. Mrs Dalloway is a tough read but worth it I think
Interesting post!
I actually think of Mrs Dalloway quite a lot too, but perhaps more the scene of Septimus in the park. I also think of other Woolf novels a lot too. I'm glad it's not just me...
They are something that sticks with you right! I too am glad I am not alone
Thanks for such a fun read and also for the lit hub list. Just finished a Salter—thoroughly enjoyed it. I am an older guy and younger readers may find him dated. I do think the writing I is quite wonderful though. And John Williams’ novel Stoner is one of my Roman Empire novels. The end is incredible. His other two novels are also amazingly well-written and provide an education in the realities of the old West and the Roman Empire.
Sometimes “dated” is refreshing. Stoner has been on many lists lately it’s a sign
I've only read 18/75 books! A couple more on my TBR I might actually get around to this year. I think The Secret History is also one of my Roman Empire Books. I've thought a bout it A LOT in the year since I've read it. I really want to read A Sport and a Pastime by James Salter. I haven't read any of the underrated authors which surprised me. I also really enjoyed that article about the Stanley cups and sexism. I know this isn't the point of the article but I do also own a Stanley but I think the flip straw tumbler is superior. My husband works in outdoor retail so we frequently get freebies on that sort of thing and I feel less bad about our cup collection.
Going to have to add Salter to my list too - someone very literary that I follow on bookstagram posts alot about him. So confession I also own the flip straw bottle too - fits in the cupholder AND doesn't leak. There are good reasons to love stanley that have nothing to do with trying to be cool :o lol
Omg I’ve always intended to read the Valley of the Dolls! *adds to basket immediately before I forget* because if it’s a RE book for you, boy do I need to get it! In Natalie I trust 🙏
I have also only read 2 on that lit hub list. Way to go us! Fav teen movie I’d have to say 10 Things I Hate About You. Never fails to satisfy me.
Forgot to write my Roman Empire books. I’d say Octavia Butler’s Dawn trilogy. I think about that trilogy every fucking day.
ahhh now its my turn to add to cart! I think I also could have added The Passage Trilogy to this article but it was already getting too long. I will have to check that one out, I love a good world buidling situation. and 10 things I hate about you is ::Chefs kiss::
You haven’t read them?!!? Omg Natalie you must get round to it asap. The best world building I have ever ever read - absolutely sensational. I recommend the trilogy all the time to my IRL reading friends and every single one has loved it so much. Therefore I believe you will love it too!
Intrigue I’ve never heard of the passage trilogy!! That’s valid - I think if I actually sat down to write about my Roman Empire books I’d end up with about 20... there’s too many good ones!
I’ve read 10% of only one book of only one of those LitHub writers (Gayl Jones; did not like) but I have Percival Everett’s Trees on my TBR shelf.
Have you seen the SNL skit about guys thinking about the Roman Empire? It’s fucking hilarious.
I just started Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey. Down with the exhaustion caused by our capitalist overlords! I’m also (still) reading Possession on my Kindle at night. I read like four pages a night so you’ll finish The Stand and then probably lap me again before I finish it 😆
Honestly (honestly) these kittens have been waking me up at FIVE IN THE MORNING and not letting me truly get back to sleep so I have been maybe getting through four page as well at night before I pass out sitting up. I have a holiday Monday that I am going to use to get through another 25% of this book or else every update from here until next January will be about The Stand. BRB going to Youtube SNL Roman Empire...
Ugh, those kittens better grow out of that shit right quick! Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/P2nWlXlcO5I?feature=shared
These are top tier books!! (I truly thought I had but actually haven’t read Valley of the Dolls so it’s up soon but I trust you wholeheartedly that it will be good so I’m so excited) Also I’m going to have to do a re-read of The Secret History I miss reading that book
The Valley of the Dolls is salacious and entertaining. Perhaps not great literature but then again who gets to decide that???