Thank you Madeline! I’ve not heard of Arlington Park - I’ve just had a look and interestingly many aspects do sound similar to Outline! Outline doesn’t have much characterisation so hopefully you’ll be okay! I also think you’d really enjoy those two books - I look forward to hearing what you think one day! 🩷
This is a great roundup, thank you Martha! I loved Tove Jansson's The Summer Book when I read it a few years ago and agree that it is a quiet read. I have tried Outline by Rachel Cusk a couple of times now, and I just...can't get into it, somehow. I really want to like her work, so your review has convinced me to give her another try! :)
Thank you Kate! The Summer Book is absolutely a quiet read - sweet though! Unlike what I normally read so it was good to spend some time with something different. Do let me know when you give Outline another try! While I did love it, I can also appreciate how some might find the style a challenge. :)
I will absolutely read The Summer Book. I need somewhat quiet after going THROUGH it this past month. I had a very close relationship with one of my grandmothers and your write up made me miss her so much, so this book sounds just like what the doctor ordered for me.
Owh Petya this is such a sweet comment - I’m so pleased my review made you miss her! I never had a grandparent relationship, so to hear this is really nice! I really hope you enjoy it - it is absolutely a lovely gentle read that I am sure you’d enjoy!
I’m really excited to READ Transit! It is lovely to hear how you think it’s even better than Outline - I’m intrigued to see how it can even get better?!?
What a month! I’m so, so happy to see Augustown and to read how much you appreciated it. I’m hoping to read Jazz this year (🤞🏾) so I’ll no doubt be returning to your reflections on it once I have!
Thank you Tasnim!! Augustown was such a wonderful read, I appreciated it more than words can describe! I really look forward to hearing what you think of Jazz when you get round to it. I wanted to like it so much and felt pretty defeated that I didn’t love it! As I said in my review, many parts were great, and her writing is always exceptional, but I just found the narrative a challenge. When I asked on notes, several others said they had similar feelings, which made me feel a bit better about my own reflections!
I read Beloved by Toni Morrison. I know it’s such a loved book but I couldn’t love it. It was beautifully written but maybe not my type of book. When I reread it again in the future maybe I will feel differently. Are you planning to read more Morrison? I am planning to read The Bluest Eye soon.
It’s so interesting to hear you struggled with Beloved Jam, especially because I liked it so much! Was it your first Morrison? I think her writing is definitely a style that takes time to get used to. I loved the timeline jump in Beloved - of knowing something terrible had happened but having to keep reading to find out!! Yes I am absolutely planning more Morrison soon - I’ve read Sula also. As I said in the review I am thinking of The Bluest Eye or Song of Solomon next! Perhaps we could read Bluest Eye around the same time!
I think you’d reeeeeallllly like the new Olga! I’d also love for you to read it asap so we can talk about lots of parts of the plot I can’t discuss at the risk of ruining it 😂 it was very impressive. A good spooky read!
I know right? The unicorn line really got me too when I read it the first time. I hope you enjoy reading it! I look forward to hearing what you think x
As always, excellent recommendations! You always seem to pick books that act as mirrors to specific issues and agendas that shape our everyday - perhaps that could be a theme for a future month??
Yeah would you like to proofread that theme??!?!?!?! Perhaps I could read 20 books that month just to make it extra long for you!!!! I think you'd love that
I’m proud of you for being honest about Jazz it can be so disconcerting when you don’t like something deemed good or classic by the literary community! I’ve only read Morrisons The Bluest Eye and loved it.
An arc of the emporium!!!!! We’ve really made it now. She’s an offbeat writer that’s for sure. I wanted to read this up but after your review maybe I’ll let it simmer for a bit since there’s SO much else I’d rather read like Cusk. I feel more prepared now to tackle Outline with this primer.
So many good books here to keep on my radar though what a huge reading month.
Thank you friend 🥺 It is sooo hard to be honest about a book that is a classic and everyone else loves! That review took me ages because I kept contradicting myself and saying things like 'but its Morrison and she IS a good writer and I did like bits but also maybe I didn't like it...' because it felt so hard to find that voice! 'Jazz' has absolutely not stopped me from wanting to read all of Morrisons work, if anything it has given me more encouragement to seek out the work of hers I love! The Bluest Eye is absolutely on the list.
Tokarczuk is an off beat writer for SURE. I always feel like her writing is less what is on the page but more the way it makes you think for weeks and months to come. I do think you would enjoy 'The Empusium' - it is atmospheric, moody and full of dread which I know you love. It was hard to review because the book is really all about some revelations that I just could not talk about without ruining it! I thought the book was exceptional re the idea and the way she goes about writing it. Paraphrasing ALL of that work from other sexist writers and making it flawlessly her own is/was so impressive to read. I cannot imagine the work that took. But yeah in an effort of honesty, there were times I was not fully captivated in the build up. I would read it again though! She is a master on the page in so many ways, but 'ease' of reading is not her jam.
I am excited for you to read Cusk!!! And I am feeling nice and smug that you feel prepared to tackle Outline now from this review - I think (hope) if you go into it with the understanding it is split into these deeply introspective and ruminating conversations about what people think about their lives/relationships/careers, you are able to enjoy it more. The plot is almost you trying to figure out who the protagonist by how she engages with others. There is lots to figure out, in a nice fun way.
As always, my favorite time of the month!!! Saving so many of these, and now am definitely going to tap into Outline, which has been staring at me for months. Also super curious about Lacuna, seems like there might be some Biography of X vibes happening? You tell me!
Thank you always for the love Tembe! Can’t wait for you to tap into Outline - I really enjoyed it! And Lacuna was great I loved it - I’ve never read Biography of X but I want to so bad (and soon) so the fact you think they sound so similar encouraging! Lacuna ended up being something so much more than I expected, the ease of Kingsolver’s writing is really impressive. I really really enjoyed the experience of reading it and would honestly recommend. It was very clever, subtle and interesting.
yet another brilliant roundup! I just read Tokarczuk’s Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead this month & really looking forward to reading The Empusium, especially after your review!!
Thank you Hannah!! Did you enjoy Drive Your Plow?? I would definitely recommend The Empusium - if you read it anytime soon pls let me know because I just am desperate to talk about some of the plot points with someone who’s read it!!!!
I didn’t love Drive Your Plow but I think I wasn’t in the right mood for it, I did enjoy the writing though, and I think I’ll like The Empusium more since there’s more horror elements. but i’ll try to get my hands on it soon so we can chat!!
Interesting, DYP is definitely dense (as is all her writing tbh) but I’m glad you enjoyed the writing! The Empusium is v atmospheric (rather than outright scary) but the horror is definitely there and if I hadn’t been sent an ARC I would’ve so saved the read for October!! Reading about autumnal mist and gothic architecture in the August sun did not feel right.. would love to chat about it whenever you read it xx
As a Rachel Cusk devotee, I am so relieved that you liked Outline. I know she's absolutely not everyone's taste but I just find her so lovably odd. I can't help myself.
I am so intrigued by so many of these but definitely picking up The Summer Book. I am craving quiet.
I loooved Outline!!! I can see why people don’t like her - but I loved it! I really enjoy an introspective novel that delves into why people are the way they are. I loved the glimpses into people’s lives! I’m really excited for Transit. Hopefully I’ll read it before the year is over!
I look forward to you picking up The Summer Book - it is absolutely, very quiet xx
I loved Tokarczuk's Flights but it took me several months to get through of picking it up and putting back down, so now I'm looking forward to The Empusium. I know she's worth the effort (though I'm too intimidated by The Boos of Jacob to try). I was SECONDS away from googling what that meant when I read your comment not to - intriguing.
Glad to see you liked Outline! Personally, it was my favourite of the trilogy. The books are quite different in tone, from what I recall.
RE: Morrisson, 'Song of Solomon' is the book that made me get an English degree. It is a true masterpiece!
I have heard so many mixed feelings about Flights I am so interested to hear you loved it! I am also so intimidated by The Book of Jacob but I WANT to read it? I’m conflicted. Part of me wants to give it a go and another part of me is fearful it might be so hard because she isn’t a writer of ‘ease’, her work requires a lot of focus I think? I’m glad you didn’t Google what it meant haha - I think it gives too much away!
I loved Outline! I’m really interested to read the rest of the trilogy and see how they compare. A friend of mine also says Outline is the best and that Transit is depressing so we shall see! (She did suggest that Transit was more depressing bc it was set in London instead of Greece)
Okay I love to hear this about ‘Song of Solomon’!! I absolutely intend to read it soon - I trust your judgement that it is a masterpiece!
Flights also requires some focus, mainly because it's vibe-y vignettes more than a plot, and is *so* different than Plow Bones etc that I feel like it's easy to love that and be baffled by Flights!!
Transit is both set in London and it's more grounded (we get more of Faye, more of her life) which changes the tone quite a lot.
Thank you Madeline! I’ve not heard of Arlington Park - I’ve just had a look and interestingly many aspects do sound similar to Outline! Outline doesn’t have much characterisation so hopefully you’ll be okay! I also think you’d really enjoy those two books - I look forward to hearing what you think one day! 🩷
This is a great roundup, thank you Martha! I loved Tove Jansson's The Summer Book when I read it a few years ago and agree that it is a quiet read. I have tried Outline by Rachel Cusk a couple of times now, and I just...can't get into it, somehow. I really want to like her work, so your review has convinced me to give her another try! :)
Thank you Kate! The Summer Book is absolutely a quiet read - sweet though! Unlike what I normally read so it was good to spend some time with something different. Do let me know when you give Outline another try! While I did love it, I can also appreciate how some might find the style a challenge. :)
I will absolutely read The Summer Book. I need somewhat quiet after going THROUGH it this past month. I had a very close relationship with one of my grandmothers and your write up made me miss her so much, so this book sounds just like what the doctor ordered for me.
Owh Petya this is such a sweet comment - I’m so pleased my review made you miss her! I never had a grandparent relationship, so to hear this is really nice! I really hope you enjoy it - it is absolutely a lovely gentle read that I am sure you’d enjoy!
Really excited to hear what you think about Transit :) Outline was amazing, somehow I think Transit is even stronger...
I’m really excited to READ Transit! It is lovely to hear how you think it’s even better than Outline - I’m intrigued to see how it can even get better?!?
You make me wish I could get through books faster! My two year old has learned to say "mommy, no book. play" very well.
Haha what a clever two year old!!! I’m sorry you can’t get through books faster now - it’ll pass!
What a month! I’m so, so happy to see Augustown and to read how much you appreciated it. I’m hoping to read Jazz this year (🤞🏾) so I’ll no doubt be returning to your reflections on it once I have!
Thank you Tasnim!! Augustown was such a wonderful read, I appreciated it more than words can describe! I really look forward to hearing what you think of Jazz when you get round to it. I wanted to like it so much and felt pretty defeated that I didn’t love it! As I said in my review, many parts were great, and her writing is always exceptional, but I just found the narrative a challenge. When I asked on notes, several others said they had similar feelings, which made me feel a bit better about my own reflections!
Oh I’ve been thinking of picking up The Simple Art Of Killing A Woman! It sounds so good!
I’d definitely encourage you to pick it up!! It was easy and fun, as well as gruesome. The ayahuasca chapters in particular are pretty entertaining!!
Thank you!
Thank you for reading Micheal!
I read Beloved by Toni Morrison. I know it’s such a loved book but I couldn’t love it. It was beautifully written but maybe not my type of book. When I reread it again in the future maybe I will feel differently. Are you planning to read more Morrison? I am planning to read The Bluest Eye soon.
It’s so interesting to hear you struggled with Beloved Jam, especially because I liked it so much! Was it your first Morrison? I think her writing is definitely a style that takes time to get used to. I loved the timeline jump in Beloved - of knowing something terrible had happened but having to keep reading to find out!! Yes I am absolutely planning more Morrison soon - I’ve read Sula also. As I said in the review I am thinking of The Bluest Eye or Song of Solomon next! Perhaps we could read Bluest Eye around the same time!
Yes, my first Morrison! and yes definitely maybe sometime early next year. lol that’s soon for me
Olga!! On my list patiently waiting 🥰
I think you’d reeeeeallllly like the new Olga! I’d also love for you to read it asap so we can talk about lots of parts of the plot I can’t discuss at the risk of ruining it 😂 it was very impressive. A good spooky read!
😂
The 2nd excerpt from The Simple Art of Killing a Woman gutted me. I'm going to have to pick that up.
I know right? The unicorn line really got me too when I read it the first time. I hope you enjoy reading it! I look forward to hearing what you think x
As always, excellent recommendations! You always seem to pick books that act as mirrors to specific issues and agendas that shape our everyday - perhaps that could be a theme for a future month??
Yeah would you like to proofread that theme??!?!?!?! Perhaps I could read 20 books that month just to make it extra long for you!!!! I think you'd love that
I’m proud of you for being honest about Jazz it can be so disconcerting when you don’t like something deemed good or classic by the literary community! I’ve only read Morrisons The Bluest Eye and loved it.
An arc of the emporium!!!!! We’ve really made it now. She’s an offbeat writer that’s for sure. I wanted to read this up but after your review maybe I’ll let it simmer for a bit since there’s SO much else I’d rather read like Cusk. I feel more prepared now to tackle Outline with this primer.
So many good books here to keep on my radar though what a huge reading month.
Thank you friend 🥺 It is sooo hard to be honest about a book that is a classic and everyone else loves! That review took me ages because I kept contradicting myself and saying things like 'but its Morrison and she IS a good writer and I did like bits but also maybe I didn't like it...' because it felt so hard to find that voice! 'Jazz' has absolutely not stopped me from wanting to read all of Morrisons work, if anything it has given me more encouragement to seek out the work of hers I love! The Bluest Eye is absolutely on the list.
Tokarczuk is an off beat writer for SURE. I always feel like her writing is less what is on the page but more the way it makes you think for weeks and months to come. I do think you would enjoy 'The Empusium' - it is atmospheric, moody and full of dread which I know you love. It was hard to review because the book is really all about some revelations that I just could not talk about without ruining it! I thought the book was exceptional re the idea and the way she goes about writing it. Paraphrasing ALL of that work from other sexist writers and making it flawlessly her own is/was so impressive to read. I cannot imagine the work that took. But yeah in an effort of honesty, there were times I was not fully captivated in the build up. I would read it again though! She is a master on the page in so many ways, but 'ease' of reading is not her jam.
I am excited for you to read Cusk!!! And I am feeling nice and smug that you feel prepared to tackle Outline now from this review - I think (hope) if you go into it with the understanding it is split into these deeply introspective and ruminating conversations about what people think about their lives/relationships/careers, you are able to enjoy it more. The plot is almost you trying to figure out who the protagonist by how she engages with others. There is lots to figure out, in a nice fun way.
As always, my favorite time of the month!!! Saving so many of these, and now am definitely going to tap into Outline, which has been staring at me for months. Also super curious about Lacuna, seems like there might be some Biography of X vibes happening? You tell me!
Thank you always for the love Tembe! Can’t wait for you to tap into Outline - I really enjoyed it! And Lacuna was great I loved it - I’ve never read Biography of X but I want to so bad (and soon) so the fact you think they sound so similar encouraging! Lacuna ended up being something so much more than I expected, the ease of Kingsolver’s writing is really impressive. I really really enjoyed the experience of reading it and would honestly recommend. It was very clever, subtle and interesting.
yet another brilliant roundup! I just read Tokarczuk’s Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead this month & really looking forward to reading The Empusium, especially after your review!!
Drive your plow is on my TBR, too.
You will love Petya!
Thank you Hannah!! Did you enjoy Drive Your Plow?? I would definitely recommend The Empusium - if you read it anytime soon pls let me know because I just am desperate to talk about some of the plot points with someone who’s read it!!!!
I didn’t love Drive Your Plow but I think I wasn’t in the right mood for it, I did enjoy the writing though, and I think I’ll like The Empusium more since there’s more horror elements. but i’ll try to get my hands on it soon so we can chat!!
Interesting, DYP is definitely dense (as is all her writing tbh) but I’m glad you enjoyed the writing! The Empusium is v atmospheric (rather than outright scary) but the horror is definitely there and if I hadn’t been sent an ARC I would’ve so saved the read for October!! Reading about autumnal mist and gothic architecture in the August sun did not feel right.. would love to chat about it whenever you read it xx
As a Rachel Cusk devotee, I am so relieved that you liked Outline. I know she's absolutely not everyone's taste but I just find her so lovably odd. I can't help myself.
I am so intrigued by so many of these but definitely picking up The Summer Book. I am craving quiet.
I loooved Outline!!! I can see why people don’t like her - but I loved it! I really enjoy an introspective novel that delves into why people are the way they are. I loved the glimpses into people’s lives! I’m really excited for Transit. Hopefully I’ll read it before the year is over!
I look forward to you picking up The Summer Book - it is absolutely, very quiet xx
I loved Tokarczuk's Flights but it took me several months to get through of picking it up and putting back down, so now I'm looking forward to The Empusium. I know she's worth the effort (though I'm too intimidated by The Boos of Jacob to try). I was SECONDS away from googling what that meant when I read your comment not to - intriguing.
Glad to see you liked Outline! Personally, it was my favourite of the trilogy. The books are quite different in tone, from what I recall.
RE: Morrisson, 'Song of Solomon' is the book that made me get an English degree. It is a true masterpiece!
I have heard so many mixed feelings about Flights I am so interested to hear you loved it! I am also so intimidated by The Book of Jacob but I WANT to read it? I’m conflicted. Part of me wants to give it a go and another part of me is fearful it might be so hard because she isn’t a writer of ‘ease’, her work requires a lot of focus I think? I’m glad you didn’t Google what it meant haha - I think it gives too much away!
I loved Outline! I’m really interested to read the rest of the trilogy and see how they compare. A friend of mine also says Outline is the best and that Transit is depressing so we shall see! (She did suggest that Transit was more depressing bc it was set in London instead of Greece)
Okay I love to hear this about ‘Song of Solomon’!! I absolutely intend to read it soon - I trust your judgement that it is a masterpiece!
Flights also requires some focus, mainly because it's vibe-y vignettes more than a plot, and is *so* different than Plow Bones etc that I feel like it's easy to love that and be baffled by Flights!!
Transit is both set in London and it's more grounded (we get more of Faye, more of her life) which changes the tone quite a lot.
I see okay - vibey vignettes can be hard to gel with sometimes - it sounds so different to DYP!
Okay I am interested in the vibe and tone change for Transit and also to build more on the vague understanding I have of Faye.