Happy New Year and thanks for another engaging issue. Enjoyed the click-thru New Yorker piece on literary and genre— I missed it earlier. Got to agree it’s not dissing to genre/commercial to say it’s not the same as literary fiction. Mostly a debate to give culture critics—god bless them—something to write about. For years I have been trying to remember a writer/novel I had a vague memory of reading 30-40 years ago. I recently clicked thru on Literary Hub and there was my answer: James Salter’s All That Is. I’m half way through a reread. It’s wonderful. Definitely literary fiction.
Wow I must read Our Share of the Night now! You’ve made it very appealing, A Little Life / King cross over sounds right up my street! One of my book new years res is to read East of Eden and some other classics tucked away on my shelf like Master and Margarita ! I buy some many new books that feel like shiny new toys on my shelf that they often overshadow the books I already have! I’ve got some specific locations I want to read more translated lit from too. Will share more in my 2023 best books post sometime next month 😉
Congratulations on a great reading year! I’ve read 107 books this year which feels insane. My goal was 50 so feeling thrilled about how I exceeded that goal haha! And I feel very warm & fuzzy about starting my newsletter and it leading me to meeting you! 🫶 it has grown my love for books even more - which I wasn’t sure was possible!
I am SO excited to read Our Share of Night now that you’ve compared it to House of Leaves (which I just finished) and Shirley Jackson (who I absolutely love) so thank you for the wonderful review!!
I wait to make resolutions until New Years Eve because I waffle back and forth until then. It will probably be something health related this year! But I already have several book resolutions including: read a Brandon Sanderson novel, read more books by BIPOC authors, and finish some incomplete series! Can’t wait to keep reading you in the new year! Cheers!
I love these book resolutions!! I should have added that I do have one book resolution, and it’s to finish a couple books on my “pause” list (East of Eden and The Little Friend mostly).
Completing a master's degree is a HUGE deal and I'm so glad your friends celebrated you!! You had quite the busy 2023 and I'm grateful you shared it with us. Yes to more cat pictures!!!! They are LIVING!!! Their little baby bodies splayed out on the sofa and over each other made me lol. Kittens make everything better. So glad you are enjoying The Stand. It makes me want to re-read it!
I watch The Family Stone every year at Christmas (and sometimes not at Christmas) and cry at all the same parts. I can't believe people don't like that movie. It's fucking cozy.
One of my 2024 resolutions is to finish more house projects and purge things I don't need/use. Also...more reading. Happy New Year, Natalie!! 🥂✨
Happy New Year and thanks for another engaging issue. Enjoyed the click-thru New Yorker piece on literary and genre— I missed it earlier. Got to agree it’s not dissing to genre/commercial to say it’s not the same as literary fiction. Mostly a debate to give culture critics—god bless them—something to write about. For years I have been trying to remember a writer/novel I had a vague memory of reading 30-40 years ago. I recently clicked thru on Literary Hub and there was my answer: James Salter’s All That Is. I’m half way through a reread. It’s wonderful. Definitely literary fiction.
Great point about the literary critics! They do seem to care the most. Also I purchased Amulet and The Savage Detectives at your recommendation! 😃
I love how you acknowledge your cringe re “problematic parents” reads and then pivot to watching Hell Camp. Hmmmm...
Happy New Year - your recommendations came into play in our NCal gift exchanges this season. Keep em coming!
What can I say, I'm always on theme lol. and I love that!! Very much. See you in the new year hopefully :)
Wow I must read Our Share of the Night now! You’ve made it very appealing, A Little Life / King cross over sounds right up my street! One of my book new years res is to read East of Eden and some other classics tucked away on my shelf like Master and Margarita ! I buy some many new books that feel like shiny new toys on my shelf that they often overshadow the books I already have! I’ve got some specific locations I want to read more translated lit from too. Will share more in my 2023 best books post sometime next month 😉
Congratulations on a great reading year! I’ve read 107 books this year which feels insane. My goal was 50 so feeling thrilled about how I exceeded that goal haha! And I feel very warm & fuzzy about starting my newsletter and it leading me to meeting you! 🫶 it has grown my love for books even more - which I wasn’t sure was possible!
I also want to finish East of Eden! That will be a good discussion 😃107 is such an accomplishment!! And same I very much agree ☺️
I am SO excited to read Our Share of Night now that you’ve compared it to House of Leaves (which I just finished) and Shirley Jackson (who I absolutely love) so thank you for the wonderful review!!
I think you will deeply appreciate this one ☺️
I wait to make resolutions until New Years Eve because I waffle back and forth until then. It will probably be something health related this year! But I already have several book resolutions including: read a Brandon Sanderson novel, read more books by BIPOC authors, and finish some incomplete series! Can’t wait to keep reading you in the new year! Cheers!
I love these book resolutions!! I should have added that I do have one book resolution, and it’s to finish a couple books on my “pause” list (East of Eden and The Little Friend mostly).
Completing a master's degree is a HUGE deal and I'm so glad your friends celebrated you!! You had quite the busy 2023 and I'm grateful you shared it with us. Yes to more cat pictures!!!! They are LIVING!!! Their little baby bodies splayed out on the sofa and over each other made me lol. Kittens make everything better. So glad you are enjoying The Stand. It makes me want to re-read it!
I watch The Family Stone every year at Christmas (and sometimes not at Christmas) and cry at all the same parts. I can't believe people don't like that movie. It's fucking cozy.
One of my 2024 resolutions is to finish more house projects and purge things I don't need/use. Also...more reading. Happy New Year, Natalie!! 🥂✨