Natalie, not sure if you’ve read Klara and the Sun yet by Ishiguro? The narrator’s voice is like that of Piranesi which made me thought “I think Natalie would like this” because I remember we both love Piranesi. Such a random comment I know but idk maybe you can add this is your rabbit hole things 😅
I LOVE your 2025 plan. YES, DRAG ME DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE OF YOUR OBSESSIONS, PLEASE!!!!
I'm still reading Middlemarch, and I find myself putting it down to pick up other books 😬 The sentences are meaty and fun, but it's the story itself that I'm not hooked on. It is a a tad boring for my taste. I also like it darker, and something about the characters (right now) just isn't doing it for me. I did my yearly re-watch of The Age Of Innocence the other night and felt inspired to finally read the book. From the moment I read the first page, it was like a breath of cool air after being suffocated in a hot room. It's a short read, so I'll finish it this weekend. After that, I'm determined to read In Search Of Lost Time or Anna Karenina. I need some dark, aching romance in my life this winter.
DARK ACHING ROMANCE! I am so into that. And I fully agree with being appreciative of something good but if it's missing that dark edge I often find it boring too. The Age of Innocence has that edge of taboo and despair that scratches the itch, hope you love the book even after the movie - read Haley's analysis and I am sure you will love it even more
Btw, Tolstoy has been on my TBR list for decades so when I saw Henry Eliot at Read the Classics is doing a read-along of Anna Karenina I jumped on it. I’m loving it!
I now just set my Goodreads goal to a low number that I always hit because I don't like the arbitrary number goal but I do like being able to see what I've read this year at the click of a button. I support taking the pressure off something that should just be enjoyable!
I purposefully ignored All Fours. I’m a 39 year old woman going on my second year of my first marriage hoping to have a child in the next five years and I just can’t see how the sausage is made before I sit down to eat it, ya know???
You are a kick-ass reader and reviewer to do what you did in 2024. Wow!
So if you want perhaps the ultimate rabbit hole into darkness—I’m real darkness inspired by actual events, not made-up horror—dive into Bolano’s 2666. I can’t put it as well as the pro critics. “There is something secret, horrible and cosmic afoot,” one said. “ Yeah, I’ll say! The Slate reviewer: “It demands from the reader a kind of abject submission—to its willful strangeness, it’s insistent grimness, it’s occasional tedium—that only the greatest books dare to ask for or deserve.” Bolano followed no rules—the ultimate outsider to the literary world—and this is writing at its purest, his first draft to paper in his race against death. Pardon my getting carried away, but I felt like I was drinking potions the whole time I was reading this book.
SOLD!!!! I have Bolano on my shelf thanks to you, and they stare at me in judgement every time I fail to choose one but that’s ok this is the year! You said start with Amulet before, but if I was to pick either The Savage Detectives or 2666 would you go with 2666?
Savage Detectives is more fun and lighter, so you may want to start with that. Would hate for you to never know that part of him. On the other hand, for a reader as sophisticated as you, who also likes dark, you could jump right to his ultimate work. I think 2666 is more suited to our times.
For Norwegian, try Siri Pettersen for outstanding Norwegian fantasy. Her books have (finally) been translated to English, and I'm so glad she can reach a wider audience. Her first trilogy - the Raven Rings (https://www.siripettersen.com/the-raven-rings) - is completed. Her second - Vardari (https://www.siripettersen.com/vardari) - has two books released.
I find Norwegian fantasy to be abysmal, but Siri has convinced me otherwise. The only caveat is that I read the books in Norwegian, so I don't know how good the translations are. I'd still recommend reading them.
Anne Holt also does solid crime, and since you like Jo Nesbø you might like her as well.
Thank you!!!!! This is an awesome suggestion. I don’t have any Nordic fantasy in the mix and I wouldn’t have associated them with it to begin with. I love that you are reading in the original language - I will report back on how it goes in English. 🖤
I love your reading strategy pivot for 2025. I’m excited for the rest of us to go on that trip with you.
My 2025 strategy is to just read more. Like, try to do so every day. I have a “day” book, which is usually heavier/sloggier content, and a “night” book, always on Kindle so I can read in the dark with gentle backlighting and be lulled to sleep. These are generally lighter reads. This mix has been working for me. I’m still focused on working through my TBR shelf, but I’m flexible enough that every now and then a book looks so inviting to me that it jumps the queue. The books that have been there for 3-4 years are like WTF, man! But I make the rules.
The poor old timers on the shelves 🤭 we will get there at the right time! I have been trying to do the same with the day night combo because reading about murder before bed is rough but then I find I only get through a few pages of the night book before passing out and I’m making no progress (tried this with the fantasy series I mentioned in my other comment!). Gotta love the kindle for reading in bed it’s a game changer
That is definitely an issue. Tom Lake was good for the nighttime purpose (except eww - I hated that she went to the rehab center and let him mindlessly peg her in the bathroom). I got another Ann Patchett on BookBub so I can mostly enjoy my lull to sleep book.
Currently reading Cue the Sun! (on Kindle). A fun, well-written history of reality TV. I’m enjoying it very much.
I just finished Ordinary Monsters by JM Miro. Not sure where it fits or if at all in your world but still wondering if you ever read it? If so what did you think? It was a random grab in this cute little bookstore I passed in Manasquan NJ. I don’t know what it was that drew me to this book or what hooked me so hard but I almost didn’t put it down at all until I finished it. I never blazed through a book of this size this quickly.
I loved Ordinary Monsters!!! I think it’s so underrated. The world building is a little clumsy but I was so taken with the story it didn’t matter much. I have the second installment but I’ve forgotten so much about the first that I just keep rereading the first chapter and then getting confused.
Cool! I didn't know anything about the author before I bought it so I wasn't sure if this was a low brow piece of work or not but I really really liked it. I feel the same way too. The world building was a bit clumsy but the story was damn good I hardly payed it any mind. I also feel like if Miro had built the world more thoroughly it would made an already hefty book even bigger. I could easily see it adding another 150 pages to the book had he been more descriptive. I started "Bringer of Dust" the day after I finished "Ordinary Monsters" because I need to know where this story goes. Have you got any recommendations to other books that are similar? I seem to be really into these kinds of stories rn. Not sure why but I'm clearly having a moment.
Omg I feel that Storygraph mood chart deep in my soul. And I thought mine was depressing! Best cover for me was Ashes & Stones by Allyson Shaw. It was a journey through the history of and monuments to Scottish witches, and while I did want more from the book itself, the cover was gorgeous.
Natalie, not sure if you’ve read Klara and the Sun yet by Ishiguro? The narrator’s voice is like that of Piranesi which made me thought “I think Natalie would like this” because I remember we both love Piranesi. Such a random comment I know but idk maybe you can add this is your rabbit hole things 😅
Ahh I haven’t!! Ok but the Piranesi comparison just moved it WAY up
yeyyy. and it’s also speculative fiction and lit fic
That kitty baby face!! 😂😍
I LOVE your 2025 plan. YES, DRAG ME DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE OF YOUR OBSESSIONS, PLEASE!!!!
I'm still reading Middlemarch, and I find myself putting it down to pick up other books 😬 The sentences are meaty and fun, but it's the story itself that I'm not hooked on. It is a a tad boring for my taste. I also like it darker, and something about the characters (right now) just isn't doing it for me. I did my yearly re-watch of The Age Of Innocence the other night and felt inspired to finally read the book. From the moment I read the first page, it was like a breath of cool air after being suffocated in a hot room. It's a short read, so I'll finish it this weekend. After that, I'm determined to read In Search Of Lost Time or Anna Karenina. I need some dark, aching romance in my life this winter.
DARK ACHING ROMANCE! I am so into that. And I fully agree with being appreciative of something good but if it's missing that dark edge I often find it boring too. The Age of Innocence has that edge of taboo and despair that scratches the itch, hope you love the book even after the movie - read Haley's analysis and I am sure you will love it even more
Btw, Tolstoy has been on my TBR list for decades so when I saw Henry Eliot at Read the Classics is doing a read-along of Anna Karenina I jumped on it. I’m loving it!
I read AK in college but I know I certainly did not fully understand or appreciate it. That needs to be a reread for me
Love that! It always feels great when you finally make it to a book you’ve been meaning to read for years!
I now just set my Goodreads goal to a low number that I always hit because I don't like the arbitrary number goal but I do like being able to see what I've read this year at the click of a button. I support taking the pressure off something that should just be enjoyable!
Exactly!!! I’m tired of GR telling me I’m behind 🙄
Thanks for the mention!
Dude Jawbones most unsettling is on point - that one freaked me outttt
it was REAL freaky!!
Damn cute kittie. How did you miss ALL FOURS?? https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/miranda-julys-all-fours
I purposefully ignored All Fours. I’m a 39 year old woman going on my second year of my first marriage hoping to have a child in the next five years and I just can’t see how the sausage is made before I sit down to eat it, ya know???
Love the book awards, love the ambition for 2025 and LOVE the cat's face xxx
its all about the cats face 😸
My cover of 2024 was definitely Starter Villain by John Scalzi. It's violent, hilarious and full of cats!
just googled that and its amazing lol
You are a kick-ass reader and reviewer to do what you did in 2024. Wow!
So if you want perhaps the ultimate rabbit hole into darkness—I’m real darkness inspired by actual events, not made-up horror—dive into Bolano’s 2666. I can’t put it as well as the pro critics. “There is something secret, horrible and cosmic afoot,” one said. “ Yeah, I’ll say! The Slate reviewer: “It demands from the reader a kind of abject submission—to its willful strangeness, it’s insistent grimness, it’s occasional tedium—that only the greatest books dare to ask for or deserve.” Bolano followed no rules—the ultimate outsider to the literary world—and this is writing at its purest, his first draft to paper in his race against death. Pardon my getting carried away, but I felt like I was drinking potions the whole time I was reading this book.
SOLD!!!! I have Bolano on my shelf thanks to you, and they stare at me in judgement every time I fail to choose one but that’s ok this is the year! You said start with Amulet before, but if I was to pick either The Savage Detectives or 2666 would you go with 2666?
Savage Detectives is more fun and lighter, so you may want to start with that. Would hate for you to never know that part of him. On the other hand, for a reader as sophisticated as you, who also likes dark, you could jump right to his ultimate work. I think 2666 is more suited to our times.
For Norwegian, try Siri Pettersen for outstanding Norwegian fantasy. Her books have (finally) been translated to English, and I'm so glad she can reach a wider audience. Her first trilogy - the Raven Rings (https://www.siripettersen.com/the-raven-rings) - is completed. Her second - Vardari (https://www.siripettersen.com/vardari) - has two books released.
I find Norwegian fantasy to be abysmal, but Siri has convinced me otherwise. The only caveat is that I read the books in Norwegian, so I don't know how good the translations are. I'd still recommend reading them.
Anne Holt also does solid crime, and since you like Jo Nesbø you might like her as well.
Thank you!!!!! This is an awesome suggestion. I don’t have any Nordic fantasy in the mix and I wouldn’t have associated them with it to begin with. I love that you are reading in the original language - I will report back on how it goes in English. 🖤
I love your reading strategy pivot for 2025. I’m excited for the rest of us to go on that trip with you.
My 2025 strategy is to just read more. Like, try to do so every day. I have a “day” book, which is usually heavier/sloggier content, and a “night” book, always on Kindle so I can read in the dark with gentle backlighting and be lulled to sleep. These are generally lighter reads. This mix has been working for me. I’m still focused on working through my TBR shelf, but I’m flexible enough that every now and then a book looks so inviting to me that it jumps the queue. The books that have been there for 3-4 years are like WTF, man! But I make the rules.
That kitty is pure gorgeosity! 😻
The poor old timers on the shelves 🤭 we will get there at the right time! I have been trying to do the same with the day night combo because reading about murder before bed is rough but then I find I only get through a few pages of the night book before passing out and I’m making no progress (tried this with the fantasy series I mentioned in my other comment!). Gotta love the kindle for reading in bed it’s a game changer
That is definitely an issue. Tom Lake was good for the nighttime purpose (except eww - I hated that she went to the rehab center and let him mindlessly peg her in the bathroom). I got another Ann Patchett on BookBub so I can mostly enjoy my lull to sleep book.
Currently reading Cue the Sun! (on Kindle). A fun, well-written history of reality TV. I’m enjoying it very much.
I’ve had that on my general backlist I love a good pop culture moment! And lol at the rehab 😂
You’ll definitely appreciate the quality of the writing. For a topic so silly, she really elevates it.
I just finished Ordinary Monsters by JM Miro. Not sure where it fits or if at all in your world but still wondering if you ever read it? If so what did you think? It was a random grab in this cute little bookstore I passed in Manasquan NJ. I don’t know what it was that drew me to this book or what hooked me so hard but I almost didn’t put it down at all until I finished it. I never blazed through a book of this size this quickly.
I loved Ordinary Monsters!!! I think it’s so underrated. The world building is a little clumsy but I was so taken with the story it didn’t matter much. I have the second installment but I’ve forgotten so much about the first that I just keep rereading the first chapter and then getting confused.
Cool! I didn't know anything about the author before I bought it so I wasn't sure if this was a low brow piece of work or not but I really really liked it. I feel the same way too. The world building was a bit clumsy but the story was damn good I hardly payed it any mind. I also feel like if Miro had built the world more thoroughly it would made an already hefty book even bigger. I could easily see it adding another 150 pages to the book had he been more descriptive. I started "Bringer of Dust" the day after I finished "Ordinary Monsters" because I need to know where this story goes. Have you got any recommendations to other books that are similar? I seem to be really into these kinds of stories rn. Not sure why but I'm clearly having a moment.
Omg I feel that Storygraph mood chart deep in my soul. And I thought mine was depressing! Best cover for me was Ashes & Stones by Allyson Shaw. It was a journey through the history of and monuments to Scottish witches, and while I did want more from the book itself, the cover was gorgeous.
Gotta love when the cover art is better than the story - at least you can look at it all the time!
Definitely - cannot overestimate the importance of having pretty things surrounding you.
Thank you for mentioning EC!
Your mood map is absolutely amazing. I thought I had dark taste but you even beat out me lol
I was honestly a bit shocked lol
cackling at the lowest StoryGraph mood map in the world
I mean it is a centimeter away from a flat line 😂