I'm a San Francisco native but I still have such a soft spot for a LA book! Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra was one of my favorite books of 2022, if you like Hollywood stories.
Thanks for another fun read. My two favorite LA books, both by James Ellroy, Black Dahlia and the Big Nowhere. Chandler LA noir is deep dusk, Ellroy noir is beyond midnight.
Peanut 😻❤️ I loved this road trip, Natalie! I’d add Open Throat by Henry Hoke to the LA book list. LA and it’s residents perceived by a mountain lion who lives in its hills. So, so good.
I love this. I think because I'm all the way down the bottom of Australia and I've rarely travelled, I constantly dream about visiting places in Europe and America. So I end up living vicariously through my favourite books -- especially if they're set in places like England, France or New York. Maybe because I've never been they seem so magical and beautiful and incredible from afar!
I can't wait to hear what your thoughts are on Rachel Cusk. I haven't read any of her books, but I'm very fascinated by them.
Alien is one of Baldy’s favorite movies. Our office (his movie poster room) has several from the Alien films. He even met Sigourney and got her to sign a copy of Alien the book, and there’s a pic of him asking her to sign it in our office too. So meta! Oh and our feral garage kitty is named Ripley. She had a sister Jonesy but she took off years ago 😕.
Love me some John Irving books because they’re set in New England. Not sure I’ve ever read a book set in L.A. 🤯
Currently reading two: Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah and a psychology book called No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz. I don’t think Hannah is such a great writer, but the story is compelling. The Schwartz book is for a course I’m taking and it’s very good. It’s about how we all have these “parts” in us that developed when we were children to protect our little fragile selves but that might be getting in our way as adults. Fascinating stuff.
I fully agree with Hannah I cannot get past her writing style - i am sure if I could the story would be compelling. Love John Irving - I look for the Hotel New Hampshire every time I'm in the used bookstore because of your rec! All they have is Peggy Sneed though lol.
Cannot wait to hear your thoughts on East of Eden. I've never read it but very curious.
I was born and raised in Topeka and The Topeka School by Ben Lerner is set in the time that we were in high school. Such a mind trip. He is 4 years older than me but he would come back for the summers and we would all hang (he's friends/grew up with my high school bf and his brothers-so I always heard news of him). He's great and we're all so proud.
Just Googled the Topeka School even though it sounded vaguely familiar and this sounds incredibly good and right up my alley. I love when the art becomes personal like that - its how we feel about No Doubt and Lit being from our OC neighborhood :)
I enjoy a good LA book even if it only convinces me I should never live in LA. I’d rec both Vagablonde by Anna Dorn and Milkfed by Melissa Broder—I loved both the LA and burned-out-millennial vibes, plus great queer narrators.
I have zero desire to live in LA, the books purge me of that desire. Love a burned out millennial vibe, I have Milkfed on my shelf and I just never seem to get to it
FWIW only I listened to Milkfed on audio, which I basically never do for novels, and thought it was great on audio. Maybe worth trying if you can’t seem to get to it on the shelf!
I'm a San Francisco native but I still have such a soft spot for a LA book! Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra was one of my favorite books of 2022, if you like Hollywood stories.
SF is also a great book setting with the hills and the history. I love Hollywood stories will check that one out!
I love books with strong settings, and LA sounds like a great one for some summer reading. Thanks for sharing such good quotes!
thank you for reading! LA is the perfect wild and wacky setting for summer i think
Thanks for another fun read. My two favorite LA books, both by James Ellroy, Black Dahlia and the Big Nowhere. Chandler LA noir is deep dusk, Ellroy noir is beyond midnight.
ahh love Ellroy too but I was having trouble finding a sufficient LA quote for this adventure. I have been meaning to read American Tabloid for ages
Peanut 😻❤️ I loved this road trip, Natalie! I’d add Open Throat by Henry Hoke to the LA book list. LA and it’s residents perceived by a mountain lion who lives in its hills. So, so good.
I have heard so many good things about that book but the premise has turned me off I have to admit. maybe i need to let that bias go!
I love this. I think because I'm all the way down the bottom of Australia and I've rarely travelled, I constantly dream about visiting places in Europe and America. So I end up living vicariously through my favourite books -- especially if they're set in places like England, France or New York. Maybe because I've never been they seem so magical and beautiful and incredible from afar!
I can't wait to hear what your thoughts are on Rachel Cusk. I haven't read any of her books, but I'm very fascinated by them.
I feel a kinship with Australia that we are very similar in culture! I would love to visit France, I should absolutely look up some set there.
And I will definitely report back on Cusk!
Alien is one of Baldy’s favorite movies. Our office (his movie poster room) has several from the Alien films. He even met Sigourney and got her to sign a copy of Alien the book, and there’s a pic of him asking her to sign it in our office too. So meta! Oh and our feral garage kitty is named Ripley. She had a sister Jonesy but she took off years ago 😕.
Love me some John Irving books because they’re set in New England. Not sure I’ve ever read a book set in L.A. 🤯
Currently reading two: Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah and a psychology book called No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz. I don’t think Hannah is such a great writer, but the story is compelling. The Schwartz book is for a course I’m taking and it’s very good. It’s about how we all have these “parts” in us that developed when we were children to protect our little fragile selves but that might be getting in our way as adults. Fascinating stuff.
Oh and Peanut looks like a sweet girl 🥹. I’m sure you miss her a ton.
And yes - it’s hot AF here and I have not stepped outside since Monday 🥵
We do every day but I'm thankful I took WAY too many pictures :)
I fully agree with Hannah I cannot get past her writing style - i am sure if I could the story would be compelling. Love John Irving - I look for the Hotel New Hampshire every time I'm in the used bookstore because of your rec! All they have is Peggy Sneed though lol.
Baldy has amazing taste!!!
Alien forever!!!
Sending love to you and Peanut ❤️🔥
Cannot wait to hear your thoughts on East of Eden. I've never read it but very curious.
I was born and raised in Topeka and The Topeka School by Ben Lerner is set in the time that we were in high school. Such a mind trip. He is 4 years older than me but he would come back for the summers and we would all hang (he's friends/grew up with my high school bf and his brothers-so I always heard news of him). He's great and we're all so proud.
I will have plenty of them thats for sure!
Just Googled the Topeka School even though it sounded vaguely familiar and this sounds incredibly good and right up my alley. I love when the art becomes personal like that - its how we feel about No Doubt and Lit being from our OC neighborhood :)
I loved the way you formatted this Natalie!!! I once again am reminded that I need to read Eve Babitz…
shes just so unique and compelling!!! and thank you :)
I enjoy a good LA book even if it only convinces me I should never live in LA. I’d rec both Vagablonde by Anna Dorn and Milkfed by Melissa Broder—I loved both the LA and burned-out-millennial vibes, plus great queer narrators.
I have zero desire to live in LA, the books purge me of that desire. Love a burned out millennial vibe, I have Milkfed on my shelf and I just never seem to get to it
FWIW only I listened to Milkfed on audio, which I basically never do for novels, and thought it was great on audio. Maybe worth trying if you can’t seem to get to it on the shelf!
A Wild and Heavenly Place, set in Seattle :)
that sounds wild and heavenly ! :)