I recently finished Mongrel by Hanako Footman. It’s the kind of quietly devastating story that sneaks up on you, in very lyrical prose. I took a little while to get in to the rhythm of the writing, but once I did I couldn’t put it down.
I’m currently reading East West Street: on Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity by Phillips Sands. Relevant to our times for many reasons, and also well written (I heard the author interviewed and he’s incredibly eloquent {makes sense as a human rights barrister!}, so I guess it’s no surprise his writing is too).
Some other recent reads I loved were Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton and Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar. Both astonishing (in different ways) storytelling.
Oh, thanks so much for chiming in and sharing these titles! East West Street has been added to my list, I was looking for a new nonfiction. I hadn’t heard of Mongrel either, it looks really good. x
Currently re-reading The Burglary and it is incredible. I feel like it should be required reading for Americans. Non-fiction, but reads like a fascinating story and (sadly) many parallels to today.
Of Mice and Men is so good. I cried at the end. I just found the Pearl at the thrift shop yesterday so I plan to read that one soon. I heard the Pearl makes you cry too.
I'm reading Anna Karenina and really enjoying it. I am loving your book suggestions lately, really great selection and introducing me to so many new authors and styles that I enjoy. I just put 'The Disappearing Act' on my wish list for our little local bookstore.
I also just got a few new books that I haven't started yet. The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen (your recommendation?) and Are You Mad At Me? by Meg Josephson. I really enjoyed hearing here talk about the book on the Pulling the Thread podcast.
So happy you are reading Anna Karenina. I couldn’t believe how much I loved it, for some reason I went into it feeling like it might feel fussy or long or old fashioned, but it really flew by and I became so invested. A masterpiece!
The Copenhagen Trilogy was incredible! I read it a while back and it was incredible. I’m excited for you to read it, let me know when you finish what you thought. Olga Ravn wrote an article in The Paris Review that you can find online called “The Image of the Doll: Tove Ditlevsen’s Worn-Out Language” that I enjoyed reading for a little more context after the book.
Are You Mad At Me? sounds great, I’ve added that podcast episode to my list. Thank you! x
Wow, Solito looks great, thanks for sharing. I read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow years back, what a wild ride and a book that consistently comes up on people's lists even years later!
I just tore through “yesteryear” - more commercial fiction than I usually read but so fun and so smart. Reminded me of how it felt to read “gone girl” when it came out — like “oh! We’ve never seen such a fresh and twisty and current book!”
I feel like this one is getting sooo much buzz right now! Good to know you enjoyed it. Same, commercial fiction is not usually what I gravitate towards, but sometimes there is one that I really love and feels like you said fun and right and perfect for the moment we live in. Thanks for recommending, I'm going to place a hold for this one at the library.
Magda Szabo, Abigail. Thank you for is rec! Completely taken and transported by the novel. Also, Cara Wall, The Dearly Beloved. Incredible dance between the four main characters.
I recently finished Mongrel by Hanako Footman. It’s the kind of quietly devastating story that sneaks up on you, in very lyrical prose. I took a little while to get in to the rhythm of the writing, but once I did I couldn’t put it down.
I’m currently reading East West Street: on Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity by Phillips Sands. Relevant to our times for many reasons, and also well written (I heard the author interviewed and he’s incredibly eloquent {makes sense as a human rights barrister!}, so I guess it’s no surprise his writing is too).
Some other recent reads I loved were Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton and Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar. Both astonishing (in different ways) storytelling.
Oh, thanks so much for chiming in and sharing these titles! East West Street has been added to my list, I was looking for a new nonfiction. I hadn’t heard of Mongrel either, it looks really good. x
Currently re-reading The Burglary and it is incredible. I feel like it should be required reading for Americans. Non-fiction, but reads like a fascinating story and (sadly) many parallels to today.
Some all time favs:
Just Kids by Patti Smith
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Tracks by Robyn Davidson
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre
The Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami
And for fun, Arsene Lupin by Maurice Leblanc
Plus MANY herbalism books :)
Of Mice and Men is so good. I cried at the end. I just found the Pearl at the thrift shop yesterday so I plan to read that one soon. I heard the Pearl makes you cry too.
I'm reading Anna Karenina and really enjoying it. I am loving your book suggestions lately, really great selection and introducing me to so many new authors and styles that I enjoy. I just put 'The Disappearing Act' on my wish list for our little local bookstore.
I also just got a few new books that I haven't started yet. The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen (your recommendation?) and Are You Mad At Me? by Meg Josephson. I really enjoyed hearing here talk about the book on the Pulling the Thread podcast.
So happy you are reading Anna Karenina. I couldn’t believe how much I loved it, for some reason I went into it feeling like it might feel fussy or long or old fashioned, but it really flew by and I became so invested. A masterpiece!
The Copenhagen Trilogy was incredible! I read it a while back and it was incredible. I’m excited for you to read it, let me know when you finish what you thought. Olga Ravn wrote an article in The Paris Review that you can find online called “The Image of the Doll: Tove Ditlevsen’s Worn-Out Language” that I enjoyed reading for a little more context after the book.
Are You Mad At Me? sounds great, I’ve added that podcast episode to my list. Thank you! x
recently read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Solito - would recommend both!
I second tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow! I think about this book a LOT
Wow, Solito looks great, thanks for sharing. I read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow years back, what a wild ride and a book that consistently comes up on people's lists even years later!
I just tore through “yesteryear” - more commercial fiction than I usually read but so fun and so smart. Reminded me of how it felt to read “gone girl” when it came out — like “oh! We’ve never seen such a fresh and twisty and current book!”
I feel like this one is getting sooo much buzz right now! Good to know you enjoyed it. Same, commercial fiction is not usually what I gravitate towards, but sometimes there is one that I really love and feels like you said fun and right and perfect for the moment we live in. Thanks for recommending, I'm going to place a hold for this one at the library.
Magda Szabo, Abigail. Thank you for is rec! Completely taken and transported by the novel. Also, Cara Wall, The Dearly Beloved. Incredible dance between the four main characters.
Aw, yay! I'm so happy you are enjoying Abigail, what a treat that novel is. So glad a friend introduced me to Magda Szabò last year.
Thank you for the recommendation, I hadn't heard of The Dearly Beloved! It sounds like such an interesting story. x