Of course I will!! I’m really intrigued by it. My friend said it was very thought provoking in a really interesting way! Once I’ve finished it I’ll come back to this comment and give you the low down 💖
Yes it was SO good! I think I need to go back and edit this post and include it in my favourites at the end because the more I think about it the more I love it. Unsure what came over me to try and force only 1 monthly favourite. The writing was just sensational! I think you’d really love it.
I’m excited! One of my book intentions this year is to read more translated works because I have always really enjoyed the ones I read. I’ll be looking to your blog for recommendations!
Oh Laleh you’re right place !!! I love this for you - a wonderful book intention to work on! I can’t wait to see what you choose to read. Hopefully this newsletter will be able to help you a lot with it. My new year intention is to read more translated lit from specific continents to help broaden my range! I’ve noticed I definitely have
my favourite geographic zones I go to for my translated reads (South America for example) and I’d like to make an effort to mix it up a bit more!
Lākīrīboto’s cover is STUNNING and I’ve been thinking of picking it up for that reason alone but knowing that you enjoyed it has definitely made the book less of a want and more of a NEED! I’ll definitely be adding it to my TBR.
I KNOW the cover is absolutely gorgeous - it pays to judge a book by its cover sometimes as the content is just as stunning! Haha I’m thrilled it’s gone from a want to a NEED! It was a really good book I think you’d love it. I loved how many genres they packed in, it was such a ride!
Of all these I’ve only heard of Small Worlds. I’d love to know where you find new books to read, it’s so diverse. Land of Ash and Snow sounds amazing, even for someone who is picky about historical fiction!! Looking forward to whatever 2024 has in store for you Martha!!
Natalie! I think you’d enjoy Land of Snow and Ashes! It’s very thriller esc which I know you love - it could be the perfect historical fiction/thriller blend for you! The Enontekiö timeline is very eerie & thriller as the village is being creepy and secretive and you don’t know what’s going on and then the Inari timeline is more ‘historical’ as we are learning about what her husband did in the war. But the vibes are still creepy I have to be honest. The dual timeline means I think both the genres stay quite ‘fresh’ (lol I can’t think of a better word).
Okay re finding books. Land of Snow and Ashes and Every Drop I got from my local bookshop which have wonderfully unique selection (I want to befriend their buyer) but they don’t have a website (sad). BUT another bookshop I visit very frequently in London is called ‘Daunt Books’ and they basically specialise in translated fic they stock so much. So I love going in blind there and choosing whatever jumps out at me. I end up spending hours in there. They DO have a website so maybe you could access it all the way in California for some book inspiration? You can search ‘Translated Books’ and a good 200ish results come up of some books they stock! Equally they have so many non translated but just as unique & unheard of books there too. I love this shop so much. I would like to marry Mr Daunt. Have a look around the website and let me know if you find anything exciting! I hope that helps xxx
I love this! We have zero independent bookstores near me (only used bookstores which are wonderful but not the same!) so I rarely get the joy of discovering less popular titles. I bet I could search bookshop.org for translated lit as well. Its just never the same as browsing actual shelves, is it? :)
That’s sad - independent book stores are the best for finding less popular titles. We didn’t have one near me until recently and it now can’t imagine life without it. I agree that used book stores are a different type of enjoyable! I agree it isn’t the same as the real shelves :( nothing better than being able to touch the actual book! Maybe you’ll have to open up your own independent book store where you live, the only solution!
Super in love with many new introductions on this list. In particular, I really want to read 'Small Worlds' (and Open Water, still!) and I'm now adding the last book you read, '‘Every Drop Is a Man’s Nightmare’ to my list too! I love short stories and these sound perfect for what I enjoy.
Yess Open Water & Small Worlds are a must! Btw I wouldn’t read them super close together as they do share a couple similarities. Honestly I’ve never read an author like Nelson he is beyond talented with his writing.
Oh wonderful, Every Drop was fantastic! I actually am trying to work on my own personal short stories aversion. I often resist picking up short stories and I have no idea why! I think I just really enjoy sinking my teeth into a ‘long’ story. I think it’s because they can vary in consistency but Every Drop was so well done it’s definitely made me want to read more short stories.
& I know exactly what you mean about consistency and short stories. It can be hard to feel connected and excited about a collection when you're not always as invested or pulled by every story. I also recommend James Baldwin's 'Going To Meet The Man' collection of short stories if you haven't read them already. This was, of course, a brilliant compilation and didn't disappoint prose. I think it really solidified my love for short story collections. Also, Shani Akilah has a collection coming out this year called 'For Such A Time As This' which is another short story collection I'm excited for!
Yes I completely agree! I have actually never read ‘Going To Meet The Man’! I have always intended too but have never got round to it. I also want to get round to reading ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ this year too. I’ll prioritise it as my next short story collection - thank you so much for recommending & reminding me! I just looked up Shani Akilah’s upcoming collection and it looks great! How exciting, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for it.
🫶🥹🫶 hmm - if you like reading authors work in chronology Open Water first! But if you want to go based on me (kicks feet giggiling) I’d save the best till last and go Small Worlds then Open Water! Let me know what you choose 💖
Thank you!! That means a lot 💜💜 no way that is SO cool!! Unsurprised to hear she is so kind & brilliant irl, that’s exactly how she comes across! Next time you see her tell her what a wonderful writer she is xxx and that her debut absolutely slayed - one of the best short story collections I’ve ever read it was so strong. There’s a ‘We love Megan’ fan club over here!
I love to hear it Souhaila! Open Water was so wonderful - I can’t wait for you to dive into Small Worlds! Once you’ve read it I’d love to hear what you thought!
Oh let me know if you love The Colony please! 🎉
Of course I will!! I’m really intrigued by it. My friend said it was very thought provoking in a really interesting way! Once I’ve finished it I’ll come back to this comment and give you the low down 💖
December Breeze sounds amazing, adding that to my list!
Yes it was SO good! I think I need to go back and edit this post and include it in my favourites at the end because the more I think about it the more I love it. Unsure what came over me to try and force only 1 monthly favourite. The writing was just sensational! I think you’d really love it.
I’m excited! One of my book intentions this year is to read more translated works because I have always really enjoyed the ones I read. I’ll be looking to your blog for recommendations!
Oh Laleh you’re right place !!! I love this for you - a wonderful book intention to work on! I can’t wait to see what you choose to read. Hopefully this newsletter will be able to help you a lot with it. My new year intention is to read more translated lit from specific continents to help broaden my range! I’ve noticed I definitely have
my favourite geographic zones I go to for my translated reads (South America for example) and I’d like to make an effort to mix it up a bit more!
Lākīrīboto’s cover is STUNNING and I’ve been thinking of picking it up for that reason alone but knowing that you enjoyed it has definitely made the book less of a want and more of a NEED! I’ll definitely be adding it to my TBR.
I KNOW the cover is absolutely gorgeous - it pays to judge a book by its cover sometimes as the content is just as stunning! Haha I’m thrilled it’s gone from a want to a NEED! It was a really good book I think you’d love it. I loved how many genres they packed in, it was such a ride!
Of all these I’ve only heard of Small Worlds. I’d love to know where you find new books to read, it’s so diverse. Land of Ash and Snow sounds amazing, even for someone who is picky about historical fiction!! Looking forward to whatever 2024 has in store for you Martha!!
Natalie! I think you’d enjoy Land of Snow and Ashes! It’s very thriller esc which I know you love - it could be the perfect historical fiction/thriller blend for you! The Enontekiö timeline is very eerie & thriller as the village is being creepy and secretive and you don’t know what’s going on and then the Inari timeline is more ‘historical’ as we are learning about what her husband did in the war. But the vibes are still creepy I have to be honest. The dual timeline means I think both the genres stay quite ‘fresh’ (lol I can’t think of a better word).
Okay re finding books. Land of Snow and Ashes and Every Drop I got from my local bookshop which have wonderfully unique selection (I want to befriend their buyer) but they don’t have a website (sad). BUT another bookshop I visit very frequently in London is called ‘Daunt Books’ and they basically specialise in translated fic they stock so much. So I love going in blind there and choosing whatever jumps out at me. I end up spending hours in there. They DO have a website so maybe you could access it all the way in California for some book inspiration? You can search ‘Translated Books’ and a good 200ish results come up of some books they stock! Equally they have so many non translated but just as unique & unheard of books there too. I love this shop so much. I would like to marry Mr Daunt. Have a look around the website and let me know if you find anything exciting! I hope that helps xxx
https://dauntbooks.co.uk - I hope that link works!
https://www.europaeditions.co.uk/catalogue/search I’d also recommend this publisher too! You can search for books by country. Every book I’ve read from Europa (so far) has been excellent.
I love this! We have zero independent bookstores near me (only used bookstores which are wonderful but not the same!) so I rarely get the joy of discovering less popular titles. I bet I could search bookshop.org for translated lit as well. Its just never the same as browsing actual shelves, is it? :)
That’s sad - independent book stores are the best for finding less popular titles. We didn’t have one near me until recently and it now can’t imagine life without it. I agree that used book stores are a different type of enjoyable! I agree it isn’t the same as the real shelves :( nothing better than being able to touch the actual book! Maybe you’ll have to open up your own independent book store where you live, the only solution!
There are incredible recommendations, just started reading Small Worlds based on your recommendation; thank you.
Thank you Pách! So pleased to hear you’re reading Small Worlds - I’d love to hear what you thought of it once you’re finished!
Will do, it’s really good so far.
Super in love with many new introductions on this list. In particular, I really want to read 'Small Worlds' (and Open Water, still!) and I'm now adding the last book you read, '‘Every Drop Is a Man’s Nightmare’ to my list too! I love short stories and these sound perfect for what I enjoy.
Yess Open Water & Small Worlds are a must! Btw I wouldn’t read them super close together as they do share a couple similarities. Honestly I’ve never read an author like Nelson he is beyond talented with his writing.
Oh wonderful, Every Drop was fantastic! I actually am trying to work on my own personal short stories aversion. I often resist picking up short stories and I have no idea why! I think I just really enjoy sinking my teeth into a ‘long’ story. I think it’s because they can vary in consistency but Every Drop was so well done it’s definitely made me want to read more short stories.
OK perfect, thanks so much for the heads up!
& I know exactly what you mean about consistency and short stories. It can be hard to feel connected and excited about a collection when you're not always as invested or pulled by every story. I also recommend James Baldwin's 'Going To Meet The Man' collection of short stories if you haven't read them already. This was, of course, a brilliant compilation and didn't disappoint prose. I think it really solidified my love for short story collections. Also, Shani Akilah has a collection coming out this year called 'For Such A Time As This' which is another short story collection I'm excited for!
Yes I completely agree! I have actually never read ‘Going To Meet The Man’! I have always intended too but have never got round to it. I also want to get round to reading ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ this year too. I’ll prioritise it as my next short story collection - thank you so much for recommending & reminding me! I just looked up Shani Akilah’s upcoming collection and it looks great! How exciting, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for it.
excited for you!!
I'm so glad to hear you loved Small Worlds, Martha! I also loved Open Water and have been anticipating reading his follow up ◡̈
Open Water was just divine. Do it!! You won’t regret it x
Brilliant and inspiring as always!! ✨ Should one read open water or small worlds first?
🫶🥹🫶 hmm - if you like reading authors work in chronology Open Water first! But if you want to go based on me (kicks feet giggiling) I’d save the best till last and go Small Worlds then Open Water! Let me know what you choose 💖
Love your newsletter!! Also omg I love Megan Kakimoto!! She’s my good friend from college!! She’s amazing!! Such a kind and brilliant human 💜✨
Thank you!! That means a lot 💜💜 no way that is SO cool!! Unsurprised to hear she is so kind & brilliant irl, that’s exactly how she comes across! Next time you see her tell her what a wonderful writer she is xxx and that her debut absolutely slayed - one of the best short story collections I’ve ever read it was so strong. There’s a ‘We love Megan’ fan club over here!
Small worlds is on my TBR list, I love Open Water so much and you got me excited about Small Worlds
I love to hear it Souhaila! Open Water was so wonderful - I can’t wait for you to dive into Small Worlds! Once you’ve read it I’d love to hear what you thought!