ok mind reader how did you know I just bought independent people??? If only I had waited a few days to take your advice to borrow 💔 I’m intrigued by the rest and I wanna read a book w u!!!!
also astrology definitely did this to us, someone tell me which planet is responsible (not ready to accept the echo chamber)
no way!!! I can't wait to hear what you think of it! I liked it but at times it was so dense I thought I might loose my mind. It felt reductive to try buy/borrow/bust it bc the novel is just so complex, it tackles a lot, and in many ways I admired it a lot. But I would be lying if I didn't say I was sooo elated when I was finished!
i wanna read a book with you too! message me and lets see if we have any aligned books on our shelves. someone get in an astrologer to tell us what planet is responsible for this!!!! (we are totally all in the same echo chamber lmao)
as always, its the details for me! I dont know how you got through a book like independent people, but all power to you. it's so funny that we read two "cold" books together this month lol. definitely more a fan of Capote than Ozlu. and I am still undecided about getting afterlight, I fear. what was your runner up fave read of the month? (because I already know what your fave was)
Two cold books to reflect the coldness of Germany & UK this month haha. That winter feeling is obviously in our bones!! I think I liked Capote and Özlü equally in their craft, but specifically in those two books I would rec Cold Nights more. But I want to read more Capote, particularly some fiction of his bc I think it will be wild (in a good way). Annie John was deffo my runner up - I think you'll really love it. I respect the Afterlight undecidedness even though I loved it.
I think you'd love Cold Nights of Childhood Nic!!! It has prose that I can literally hear you commenting on (in a good way). The writing was really something.
I am very curious to see if we are just in an echo chamber too lol (I fear we might be... I actually didn't set the goal of reading less but maybe I am just being influenced by the newsletters I admire & read!!)
Loved reading Annie John with you TOO! Thank god we're reading something again together this month bc it was so much fun. Ps thank you <3 Flattered that you view the gab to essay pipeline as cool!
you ARE doing well Daphne!! I just meant, in the last few months I have read 5-7 books on average, which is a lot less than my normal average which is about 9! I guess life my reading life has entered a new (slower?) season. What was your favourite book from January? I am curious about those 5!
Ah thank you. I loved The Mirror and the palette by Jennifer Higgie. It’s about women in art over the last 500 years. They’ve barely been documented or their lives spoken about. They fought for recognition and entry into art academies, it was exccellent. I’m also reading Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano at the moment and I CANNOT put it down it’s so good. Hoping to read some Joan Didion and more Annie Ernaux this year. X
Electric is THE word for Kincaid! When I saw Annie John was YA too I thought 'oh maybe this won't be as good?' (my own snobbery) but boy was I wrong!!! I loved it so much, such a joy to read! Thank you for these 2 recs - they both look amazing. I feel like I always see Small Place when people are discussing Kincaid recs, so I appreciate some different ones! Cannot wait to read more of her.
JK’s garden writing is so good! Was thrilled they re-issued it this summer. Good redesign of the cover. I loved this part from it: “I shall never have the garden I have in mind, but that for me is the joy of it. Certain things can never be realized and so all the more reason to attempt them. A garden, no matter how good it is, must never completely satisfy. The world as we know it, after all, began in a very good garden, a completely satisfying garden.. Paradise- but after a while the owner and the occupants wanted more.”
For me though, at least this January, I’ve been reading more. I read 7 books (my average is only 4 books) plus already 400 pages into the mammoth of Don Quixote. Idk what’s up lol but I did have a lot of doctor’s appointment waiting time so.. I’ve read a lot of people talking about reading less too.
I noticed your average had increased when I saw your January Reads come into my inbox!!! (excited to read it today) 7 books and 400 pages into Don Quixote is v impressive well done you. Reading just changes so much based on so many factors doesn't it?! Reading in the doctors waiting room is always a win. I think everyone on substack might just be stuck in the same echo chamber with this reading less business hahaha - I have no such goals, but I did set my goodreads challenge to only 1 this year! because I just wanted to not know how much I was reading (like I have done past 5 years) and just read. It'll be a surprise at the end of the year to learn what that total was!
thanks for noticing, Martha! and thanks in advance for reading. Do you always set your reading goals to 1? That’s like an antithesis of everyone’s ambitious reading goals 😂 I like it though. To be surprised at the end of the year.
No this is the first year I have set my goal to 1!! Trying something new in not inherently knowing the numerical number of books I have read - looking forward to being (somewhat) surprised
*nervous gulp* i would be interested if you agreed or not!!! it has been many years since I read the bell jar, but I just preferred the narrative voice and overall vibe of cold night!
I look forward to hearing what you think of afterlight! and extra pleased it is available to be placed on hold!! every translated book I read now I'm thinking, can Laurel get hold of this I hope so??!!
omg was aggressively scrolling to read if you found Independent People to be as hard to get through as I did! the descriptions... im bummed I couldn't get through it because I liked the idea of it haha!
omg don't get it twitsed mal - I found the whole reading experience painful! it took me 4 weeks to get through it and I almost gave up a couple times. the descriptions were so intense - but I guess a couple weeks since finishing I have forgotten the pain of reading a little bit and am looking at the story more objectively about what Laxness wanted to achieve! I'm not sure I would recommend it to many people (if anyone lol) and I completely understand why you couldn't get through it. When his 'daughter' became more of the focus of the novel I felt a vibe shift that helped w the reading process. He has written lots of other books so maybe they will be less painful? Or at least shorter?! The story was so miserable though - I enjoy misery but I have never read misery like that haha.
The main problem with reading your posts is that I already have a lot of books I want to read. Now I have to add Annie John, Cold Nights of Childhood, Independent People, and probably Afterlight to my list. Poor me. In Cold Blood is already on my maybe someday list. And Lexicon of Affinities is on my shelf, but I have plenty of other previous Charco books I plan to read before it, mostly for the reasons you mention.
Instead I read The National Telepathy, their other release this month, and it was delightfully bizarre (and terribly racist, as intended). If part of the reason to read translated literature is to read books outside of the zeitgeist, then boy did it do the trick. It's short and I think I need to read it again to make sure I understand especially the last quarter, but I loved the experimental structure and narrative.
I also read Precious Bane by Mary Webb, and I would rate it a borrow. It was a great look into the almost medieval lifestyle of country people in the early-19th century English countryside, as written about a century later, told from the POV of an exceptional, underestimated woman.
It might not count as me having read it yet, but I'm 2/3 of the way through True History of the Kelly Gang and it is fantastic. Excellent voice and style, interesting insight into the social dynamics of early white settlement in Australia, and best of all it's a ripping good story. Poignant, funny, and full of plot.
I'm sure if you wrote a newsletter yourself Geoff I would feel the exact same way! My sincerest of apologies for adding to the books you want to read. In Cold Blood was definitely very interesting - not for the plot but for what he did! I spent a lot of time after I finished it watching interviews and googling Capote - he was even invited to their execution which I just can't imagine how that was for him after getting so close to them over so many years. I'd be interested to hear what you think of Lexicon of Affinities - one that is best to dip in and out of, rather than read consistently I think.
The National Telepathy is my next read!!!! I'm super excited to rad it & to hear that you enjoyed it so much too. I too crave to be reading things out of the zeitgeist, so I'm thrilled for us both it is doing that trick.
I am very intrigued by Precious Bane by Mary Webb? Even if its a borrow! I am VERY interested through in True History of the Kelly Gang - I did several Australian social history modules for my history degree and I found it all deeply fascinating. I will definitely be adding it to the list, I love poignant and full of plot novels - thank you for the recommendation!
My impression is that Lexicon would be more enticing if Ida Vitale was an author I loved going into it, instead of being the first of her works I'll have read. As for National Telepathy, I hope you find it as surprising and ridiculous as I did. It sounds like your academic history will give you more context for True History of the Kelly Gang than I had. Good luck with your reading this month!
I would be inclined to agree with you! I wish I knew a bit more about her going in, I think it would have all resonated a lot more. I look forward to NT being surprising AND ridiculous - what a brilliant combination. I will try and get a second hand copy of True History of the Kelly Gang - I'll let you know if I do! Good luck with your reading this month too Geoff - I can't wait to hear about what you read in February in a few weeks time!
I like how you describe Independent People as miserable but you liked it lol. Reading Knausgaard right now and there is a bit of the miserable in him too, but I am addicted.
I read In Cold Blood a long time ago and didn't get it, I bet I would feel differently about it now. Glad you found it worthwhile.
I am definitely trying to read less this year. I paid attention to what I found important last year, and I realized I would rather read one deep thought about a book than 10 superficial ones so here we are, going deep!
It was truly so miserable. I liked what he was trying to convey with the story, I admired how fucking miserable he managed to make it all haha. I am unsurprised Knausgaard is a bit miserable too!
In Cold Blood I think, while I enjoyed, i found so much more fascinating from a technical perspective - why he wrote it, how he went about doing it, it is so fascinating.
I love, and am soooo ready, for the Natalie McGlocklin deep dives of 2025. If January is anything to go by, we are in for an absolute treat!!! I think there is always a part of my brain that wants to deep dive but it is combatted by the equally weighted part of my brain that is obsessed with variety. Unsure how I will balance it this year, if ever, but it is a hard task trying to remain true to yourself so I applaud you for it!
Martha I can never describe how comforting I find it to be able to sink into one of your newsletters- I really do just love the way you write about books, and the books you choose to read and write about! All through elementary school, we were encouraged to set "reading goals" and assigned book reports and given comprehension quizzes, but my classmates and I were always allowed to choose the books we wanted to read from the library, given they were at our individual "reading levels"; when I entered middle school, Kincaid's Annie John was the first book I was ever assigned to read and write a critical essay on, and I remember it really, really moving me, even if I wasn't yet quite old enough to totally grasp or appreciate it. Your newsletter's convincing me it's time for a reread. I've also had friends read her novel 'Lucy' recently, and they've really loved it--wondering whether you have any more Kincaid lined up on your tbr?
Ahhh Regan this comment really and truly made my day - thank you so much for saying that <3 I am honoured to be providing such comfort through how I write about books - truly.
I loved this glimpse into little Regan!! I can only imagine reading Annie John at such a critical time in your own trajectory of growing up would have been so moving - I definitely cosign a reread! I'd love to hear a reflection on how your relationship to reading it/interpreting it changed. This is another recommendation of 'Lucy' in the comments so I think it might have to be next on my list -- I was thinking of reading 'Small Place' next, slightly unimaginatively, because it is just the Kincaid I see everywhere, so automatically assumed it would be where I go next. But I think your comment, and someone else's endorsing 'Lucy', makes me think I will divert. 'Lucy' sounds in many ways a maturing of some of the themes of Annie John and I am really into the idea of seeing those develop more on the page!
Only in our warped book-nerd world do 7 books constitute a slow month. Martha! Give yourself some grace. This is a LOT of reading! Especially when some of it sounds like it was pretty challenging.
I also find formally experimental works difficult to read but also willing to admit that "enjoyment" is not always the most important measure of a book. Lexicon of Affinities reminds me of Maggie Nelson's Bluets and I am so intrigued!
I am definitely adding the Tezer Ozlu book to my TBR, I just read Aysegul Savas's piece on her for Lit Hub and that just feels like kismet!
Haha our warped book-nerd world has a lot to answer for for our relationship with reading! Thank you for injecting your (very reasonable) wisdom. I think I meant it in the sense that the month felt like an eternity, so it is shocking I didn't read 50 books because time moved *that* slowly?!? If that makes sense haha. Some of it was pretty challenging - I do have to acknowledge that.
Yes the line between experimental format and enjoyment is one that often comes to head. Enjoyment is definitely not always the most important measure - I definitely admired Lexicon a hell of a lot more than I enjoyed it. And thats ok! I'm intrigued it is so similar to Bluets - I will have to read because as I said, I was impressed!
I think you'd really like Özlü's work - it's definitely kismet! I can foresee you particularly like the fraught relationship she has to where she is from and the nature of a country so steeped in its past.
So glad you loved Annie John, not that I doubted you would! I really enjoy Kincaid’s writing and Annie John is one of my favourites. Cold Nights of Childhood is one I hadn’t seen before but I love the sound of it so thank you for sharing!
Annie John was so wonderfully good!! Which other Kincaid's have you read? Cold Nights of Childhood was really interesting - one I would revisit again. It went by in such a whirlwind (intended) I feel like there was a lot of beauty in there I might have missed the first time!
I’ve read Lucy and A Small Place and would highly recommend both! Also, I found a copy of Afterlight yesterday and after reading your glowing review of it I was absolutely thrilled.It was also on clearance so it was obviously meant to be!
Such an interesting selection of books! I really need to get my hands on some Kincaid. I've been meaning to read her for ages. I think she was also an avid gardener, which makes me even more interested in her treatment of nature in her written work. I've heard really good things about A Small Place!
Thanks Paula! Kincaid is great - I am definitely looking to read a lot more of her since Annie John. I have also heard she is an avid gardener and writes a lot about it, which I do love.
ok mind reader how did you know I just bought independent people??? If only I had waited a few days to take your advice to borrow 💔 I’m intrigued by the rest and I wanna read a book w u!!!!
also astrology definitely did this to us, someone tell me which planet is responsible (not ready to accept the echo chamber)
no way!!! I can't wait to hear what you think of it! I liked it but at times it was so dense I thought I might loose my mind. It felt reductive to try buy/borrow/bust it bc the novel is just so complex, it tackles a lot, and in many ways I admired it a lot. But I would be lying if I didn't say I was sooo elated when I was finished!
i wanna read a book with you too! message me and lets see if we have any aligned books on our shelves. someone get in an astrologer to tell us what planet is responsible for this!!!! (we are totally all in the same echo chamber lmao)
as always, its the details for me! I dont know how you got through a book like independent people, but all power to you. it's so funny that we read two "cold" books together this month lol. definitely more a fan of Capote than Ozlu. and I am still undecided about getting afterlight, I fear. what was your runner up fave read of the month? (because I already know what your fave was)
Two cold books to reflect the coldness of Germany & UK this month haha. That winter feeling is obviously in our bones!! I think I liked Capote and Özlü equally in their craft, but specifically in those two books I would rec Cold Nights more. But I want to read more Capote, particularly some fiction of his bc I think it will be wild (in a good way). Annie John was deffo my runner up - I think you'll really love it. I respect the Afterlight undecidedness even though I loved it.
haha! oh my gosh, my exact thoughts Ochuko!
Ok Cold Nights of Childhood is calling my name!!!!
I am very curious to see if everyone is attempting to read less or if we are just in an echo chamber.
Loved reading Annie John with you! So cool to see you go from gabbing in the DMs to full essay by the end of the month. Brilliant as always!
I think you'd love Cold Nights of Childhood Nic!!! It has prose that I can literally hear you commenting on (in a good way). The writing was really something.
I am very curious to see if we are just in an echo chamber too lol (I fear we might be... I actually didn't set the goal of reading less but maybe I am just being influenced by the newsletters I admire & read!!)
Loved reading Annie John with you TOO! Thank god we're reading something again together this month bc it was so much fun. Ps thank you <3 Flattered that you view the gab to essay pipeline as cool!
I thought I was doing well having read the best part of five books!
you ARE doing well Daphne!! I just meant, in the last few months I have read 5-7 books on average, which is a lot less than my normal average which is about 9! I guess life my reading life has entered a new (slower?) season. What was your favourite book from January? I am curious about those 5!
Ah thank you. I loved The Mirror and the palette by Jennifer Higgie. It’s about women in art over the last 500 years. They’ve barely been documented or their lives spoken about. They fought for recognition and entry into art academies, it was exccellent. I’m also reading Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano at the moment and I CANNOT put it down it’s so good. Hoping to read some Joan Didion and more Annie Ernaux this year. X
Me too! I finished today the 5th.
!! a cause for celebration - well done.
Kincaid is ELECTRIC!!! I also loved Lucy + Autobiography of My Mother. Her nature // garden writing is amazing too!!!
Electric is THE word for Kincaid! When I saw Annie John was YA too I thought 'oh maybe this won't be as good?' (my own snobbery) but boy was I wrong!!! I loved it so much, such a joy to read! Thank you for these 2 recs - they both look amazing. I feel like I always see Small Place when people are discussing Kincaid recs, so I appreciate some different ones! Cannot wait to read more of her.
Thank you for the Kincaid recs!!!
JK’s garden writing is so good! Was thrilled they re-issued it this summer. Good redesign of the cover. I loved this part from it: “I shall never have the garden I have in mind, but that for me is the joy of it. Certain things can never be realized and so all the more reason to attempt them. A garden, no matter how good it is, must never completely satisfy. The world as we know it, after all, began in a very good garden, a completely satisfying garden.. Paradise- but after a while the owner and the occupants wanted more.”
I can’t wait to read Afterlight. Thank you for the recommendation! 📖💐
I can't wait to hear what you think - I thought it was a brilliant brilliant book. The flower on the cover art is very you too Zio!!
For me though, at least this January, I’ve been reading more. I read 7 books (my average is only 4 books) plus already 400 pages into the mammoth of Don Quixote. Idk what’s up lol but I did have a lot of doctor’s appointment waiting time so.. I’ve read a lot of people talking about reading less too.
I noticed your average had increased when I saw your January Reads come into my inbox!!! (excited to read it today) 7 books and 400 pages into Don Quixote is v impressive well done you. Reading just changes so much based on so many factors doesn't it?! Reading in the doctors waiting room is always a win. I think everyone on substack might just be stuck in the same echo chamber with this reading less business hahaha - I have no such goals, but I did set my goodreads challenge to only 1 this year! because I just wanted to not know how much I was reading (like I have done past 5 years) and just read. It'll be a surprise at the end of the year to learn what that total was!
thanks for noticing, Martha! and thanks in advance for reading. Do you always set your reading goals to 1? That’s like an antithesis of everyone’s ambitious reading goals 😂 I like it though. To be surprised at the end of the year.
No this is the first year I have set my goal to 1!! Trying something new in not inherently knowing the numerical number of books I have read - looking forward to being (somewhat) surprised
“better than the bell jar,” well okay
definitely adding afterlight to my hold list!
*nervous gulp* i would be interested if you agreed or not!!! it has been many years since I read the bell jar, but I just preferred the narrative voice and overall vibe of cold night!
I look forward to hearing what you think of afterlight! and extra pleased it is available to be placed on hold!! every translated book I read now I'm thinking, can Laurel get hold of this I hope so??!!
omg was aggressively scrolling to read if you found Independent People to be as hard to get through as I did! the descriptions... im bummed I couldn't get through it because I liked the idea of it haha!
omg don't get it twitsed mal - I found the whole reading experience painful! it took me 4 weeks to get through it and I almost gave up a couple times. the descriptions were so intense - but I guess a couple weeks since finishing I have forgotten the pain of reading a little bit and am looking at the story more objectively about what Laxness wanted to achieve! I'm not sure I would recommend it to many people (if anyone lol) and I completely understand why you couldn't get through it. When his 'daughter' became more of the focus of the novel I felt a vibe shift that helped w the reading process. He has written lots of other books so maybe they will be less painful? Or at least shorter?! The story was so miserable though - I enjoy misery but I have never read misery like that haha.
The main problem with reading your posts is that I already have a lot of books I want to read. Now I have to add Annie John, Cold Nights of Childhood, Independent People, and probably Afterlight to my list. Poor me. In Cold Blood is already on my maybe someday list. And Lexicon of Affinities is on my shelf, but I have plenty of other previous Charco books I plan to read before it, mostly for the reasons you mention.
Instead I read The National Telepathy, their other release this month, and it was delightfully bizarre (and terribly racist, as intended). If part of the reason to read translated literature is to read books outside of the zeitgeist, then boy did it do the trick. It's short and I think I need to read it again to make sure I understand especially the last quarter, but I loved the experimental structure and narrative.
I also read Precious Bane by Mary Webb, and I would rate it a borrow. It was a great look into the almost medieval lifestyle of country people in the early-19th century English countryside, as written about a century later, told from the POV of an exceptional, underestimated woman.
It might not count as me having read it yet, but I'm 2/3 of the way through True History of the Kelly Gang and it is fantastic. Excellent voice and style, interesting insight into the social dynamics of early white settlement in Australia, and best of all it's a ripping good story. Poignant, funny, and full of plot.
I'm sure if you wrote a newsletter yourself Geoff I would feel the exact same way! My sincerest of apologies for adding to the books you want to read. In Cold Blood was definitely very interesting - not for the plot but for what he did! I spent a lot of time after I finished it watching interviews and googling Capote - he was even invited to their execution which I just can't imagine how that was for him after getting so close to them over so many years. I'd be interested to hear what you think of Lexicon of Affinities - one that is best to dip in and out of, rather than read consistently I think.
The National Telepathy is my next read!!!! I'm super excited to rad it & to hear that you enjoyed it so much too. I too crave to be reading things out of the zeitgeist, so I'm thrilled for us both it is doing that trick.
I am very intrigued by Precious Bane by Mary Webb? Even if its a borrow! I am VERY interested through in True History of the Kelly Gang - I did several Australian social history modules for my history degree and I found it all deeply fascinating. I will definitely be adding it to the list, I love poignant and full of plot novels - thank you for the recommendation!
My impression is that Lexicon would be more enticing if Ida Vitale was an author I loved going into it, instead of being the first of her works I'll have read. As for National Telepathy, I hope you find it as surprising and ridiculous as I did. It sounds like your academic history will give you more context for True History of the Kelly Gang than I had. Good luck with your reading this month!
I would be inclined to agree with you! I wish I knew a bit more about her going in, I think it would have all resonated a lot more. I look forward to NT being surprising AND ridiculous - what a brilliant combination. I will try and get a second hand copy of True History of the Kelly Gang - I'll let you know if I do! Good luck with your reading this month too Geoff - I can't wait to hear about what you read in February in a few weeks time!
I like how you describe Independent People as miserable but you liked it lol. Reading Knausgaard right now and there is a bit of the miserable in him too, but I am addicted.
I read In Cold Blood a long time ago and didn't get it, I bet I would feel differently about it now. Glad you found it worthwhile.
I am definitely trying to read less this year. I paid attention to what I found important last year, and I realized I would rather read one deep thought about a book than 10 superficial ones so here we are, going deep!
It was truly so miserable. I liked what he was trying to convey with the story, I admired how fucking miserable he managed to make it all haha. I am unsurprised Knausgaard is a bit miserable too!
In Cold Blood I think, while I enjoyed, i found so much more fascinating from a technical perspective - why he wrote it, how he went about doing it, it is so fascinating.
I love, and am soooo ready, for the Natalie McGlocklin deep dives of 2025. If January is anything to go by, we are in for an absolute treat!!! I think there is always a part of my brain that wants to deep dive but it is combatted by the equally weighted part of my brain that is obsessed with variety. Unsure how I will balance it this year, if ever, but it is a hard task trying to remain true to yourself so I applaud you for it!
Martha I can never describe how comforting I find it to be able to sink into one of your newsletters- I really do just love the way you write about books, and the books you choose to read and write about! All through elementary school, we were encouraged to set "reading goals" and assigned book reports and given comprehension quizzes, but my classmates and I were always allowed to choose the books we wanted to read from the library, given they were at our individual "reading levels"; when I entered middle school, Kincaid's Annie John was the first book I was ever assigned to read and write a critical essay on, and I remember it really, really moving me, even if I wasn't yet quite old enough to totally grasp or appreciate it. Your newsletter's convincing me it's time for a reread. I've also had friends read her novel 'Lucy' recently, and they've really loved it--wondering whether you have any more Kincaid lined up on your tbr?
Ahhh Regan this comment really and truly made my day - thank you so much for saying that <3 I am honoured to be providing such comfort through how I write about books - truly.
I loved this glimpse into little Regan!! I can only imagine reading Annie John at such a critical time in your own trajectory of growing up would have been so moving - I definitely cosign a reread! I'd love to hear a reflection on how your relationship to reading it/interpreting it changed. This is another recommendation of 'Lucy' in the comments so I think it might have to be next on my list -- I was thinking of reading 'Small Place' next, slightly unimaginatively, because it is just the Kincaid I see everywhere, so automatically assumed it would be where I go next. But I think your comment, and someone else's endorsing 'Lucy', makes me think I will divert. 'Lucy' sounds in many ways a maturing of some of the themes of Annie John and I am really into the idea of seeing those develop more on the page!
Only in our warped book-nerd world do 7 books constitute a slow month. Martha! Give yourself some grace. This is a LOT of reading! Especially when some of it sounds like it was pretty challenging.
I also find formally experimental works difficult to read but also willing to admit that "enjoyment" is not always the most important measure of a book. Lexicon of Affinities reminds me of Maggie Nelson's Bluets and I am so intrigued!
I am definitely adding the Tezer Ozlu book to my TBR, I just read Aysegul Savas's piece on her for Lit Hub and that just feels like kismet!
Haha our warped book-nerd world has a lot to answer for for our relationship with reading! Thank you for injecting your (very reasonable) wisdom. I think I meant it in the sense that the month felt like an eternity, so it is shocking I didn't read 50 books because time moved *that* slowly?!? If that makes sense haha. Some of it was pretty challenging - I do have to acknowledge that.
Yes the line between experimental format and enjoyment is one that often comes to head. Enjoyment is definitely not always the most important measure - I definitely admired Lexicon a hell of a lot more than I enjoyed it. And thats ok! I'm intrigued it is so similar to Bluets - I will have to read because as I said, I was impressed!
I think you'd really like Özlü's work - it's definitely kismet! I can foresee you particularly like the fraught relationship she has to where she is from and the nature of a country so steeped in its past.
So glad you loved Annie John, not that I doubted you would! I really enjoy Kincaid’s writing and Annie John is one of my favourites. Cold Nights of Childhood is one I hadn’t seen before but I love the sound of it so thank you for sharing!
Annie John was so wonderfully good!! Which other Kincaid's have you read? Cold Nights of Childhood was really interesting - one I would revisit again. It went by in such a whirlwind (intended) I feel like there was a lot of beauty in there I might have missed the first time!
I’ve read Lucy and A Small Place and would highly recommend both! Also, I found a copy of Afterlight yesterday and after reading your glowing review of it I was absolutely thrilled.It was also on clearance so it was obviously meant to be!
Omg totally meant to be! I'm really excited to hear what you think xox
Really enjoyed reading your review of Afterlight, I'm going to see if I can get ahold of a copy.
Thank you Renee! I hope you manage to get ahold of a copy🤞
Such an interesting selection of books! I really need to get my hands on some Kincaid. I've been meaning to read her for ages. I think she was also an avid gardener, which makes me even more interested in her treatment of nature in her written work. I've heard really good things about A Small Place!
Thanks Paula! Kincaid is great - I am definitely looking to read a lot more of her since Annie John. I have also heard she is an avid gardener and writes a lot about it, which I do love.
Looking forward to read your thoughts on any future Kincaid you pick up!