Madeline you excitement for my newsletter never gets old I LOVE it. Thank you so much always for being so enthusiastic, I appreciate you 🥹
Because you love a weird book I think you could be really down for Cousins! And again, as an emerging Rooney fan I think you’d love The Details too! I love you wanting to challenge yourself in a new way w The Twilight Zone!! I think it would be a good way to dip your toe in - the pacing of the book is really good, you constantly want to know what’s happening next, so I think it had the thrust to help you try something new! I’ll look forward to you (maybe) picking it up!
I can’t wait to see my August Reads too (bc I haven’t written any reviews yet lol. A long week ahead 🤣)
Haha thank you Micheal - consider yourself spoiled! Lmk which ones you do - if I had to try and recommend you one I think you’d like, I’d suggest ‘Land of Snow and Ashes’!
It IS stunning isn’t it?! I’d never heard of it before, but when I was in the bookshop last year I was drawn to it based on the cover alone! Weird should be in everyone’s wheelhouse imo - I think you’d really enjoy it - especially some of the convos around disability and autonomy!
wonderful list & really enjoy the format as well. i *loved* the details, have will & testament out again from the library, and just finished a different claudia piñeiro novel. will have to read her more straightforward crime novels next (started with 'a little luck' - great quick read)!
Thank you Laurel! I also appreciate you saying you enjoyed the format bc I did have an identity crisis before posting that I was deviating from my usual format and maybe it wouldn’t be enjoyed (lol. tragic. I’m over it now x)
I looooved the details so much!! It was SO good? I shed a tear when I read the end! I really look forward to hearing what you think of Will & Testament, I couldn’t believe how much I loved it. I love A Little Luck - did you enjoy it?! Piñeiro is the master of quiet crime novels. I’d recommend Elena Knows too!
I just loved and admired the writing in The Details, so many brilliant descriptions and moments.
I did enjoy A Little Luck - I had just finished a big wild ride of a book (All Fours) so it was the perfect antidote to read something comparatively straightforward and economical. I thought it was well paced, building the tension and then revealing at the right time.
Yes the writing was spectacular - I loved learning about the protagonist through her stories about others so much. I’m glad you enjoyed A Little Luck - absolutely it has perfect pace and tension build I agree. Also - how was All Fours?! I’m seeing it everywhere - should I read it? Is it good? Tell me all
I’m editing down about 1500 words of a post just talking about All Fours - suffice to say, I recommend it, maybe on slightly less effusive terms than some. But it’s a total riot with a LOT to say and feel about it. I’m not normally this on the zeitgeist (my library is too slow) but it was a book club choice!
Thanks for this list! Looking forward to get to know a lot of these authors.
The ones I do know are somehow only the Scandinavians: I really liked Will and Testament (although as much as I liked that one, I haven‘t been able to finish her other novels). The Details is sitting on my bookshelf after picking it up on a whim in Stockholm, so thanks for the push to crack it open :)
I’m so interested to hear you haven’t been able to finish Hjorth’s other novels - which ones have you tried to read? I haven’t read any others from her yet but have just ordered ‘Long Live the Post Horn!’. W&T was so so good. Yes crack open The Details & lmk what you think of it when you’ve read it, I’d love to know your thoughts!! xx
The biggest difference was that W&T was emotionally complex and the characters were infuriating; I could totally envision them in a family dynamic. Whereas in the Long Live the Post Horn (it’s been a while tho) and House in Norway, it‘s all a lot drier. More recently I was reading the latter, and it was kind of interesting to see this artist‘s life through her eyes, and while she has strong opinions, the focus seems to be on those opinions rather than emotions and how they connect with her wider world. Wasn’t connecting with it at that moment, but maybe I will try again. Interested to see what you think about the Post Horn one! x
Really interesting reflections Katie thank you for sharing! I will keep them in mind for when I get round to LLPH. I do really love emotionally complex books; so if that is unique to W&T and not to her writing style as a whole I’d be really interested to see how it differs (and apprehensive I’d like it so much). Have you read Is Mother Dead? X
Haha I love the enthusiasm Zio - thank you! Every book deserves to be screenshotted. I hope you enjoy whichever books you choose to read! I’m glad to hear you also loved ‘The Twilight Zone’ - I have wanted to read ‘Voyager’ by Fernández ever since I finished! Hoping to get to it before the year ends xx
I love to hear that you’re so intrigued Soph! 3 great choices - and yes the December Breeze cover is gorgeous. Thank you for reading! Lmk where you start with reading more translated - I think it can feel more intimidating than it is. I often always recommend Japanese translated (there’s none on this list but lots on my map and on the internet) to those who never read translated. There is SO much Japanese translated around, it’s v popular and incredibly well translated. I think it’s an easy place to dip your toes in, it’s how I did 4 years ago!
I’d recommend ‘Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982’ or ‘The Memory Police’ (which are both written by women). If you think you’d enjoy Murakami, I’d recommend ‘Norwegian Wood’ as a nice place to start. If you don’t want to go Japanese, I’d also recommend ‘The Mad Women’s Ball’ by Victoria Mas (translated from French) as a fun place to start. It’s a slim novel about women who have been deemed as mad by society & live in asylum (but ofc they’re not really mad). It’s based on a true story and it’s very interesting. Ok that’s enough recs - I think overall all those books are v approachable. I hope one interests you! Xx
YAY!! I'm sooo pleased to hear you loved it - as I was certain you would! Slay! I look forward to your review. I think you'd really like both, esp The Details!! xx
Madeline you excitement for my newsletter never gets old I LOVE it. Thank you so much always for being so enthusiastic, I appreciate you 🥹
Because you love a weird book I think you could be really down for Cousins! And again, as an emerging Rooney fan I think you’d love The Details too! I love you wanting to challenge yourself in a new way w The Twilight Zone!! I think it would be a good way to dip your toe in - the pacing of the book is really good, you constantly want to know what’s happening next, so I think it had the thrust to help you try something new! I’ll look forward to you (maybe) picking it up!
I can’t wait to see my August Reads too (bc I haven’t written any reviews yet lol. A long week ahead 🤣)
Thank you Martha! Can’t wait to read some of these gems!
My pleasure Carrie! Lmk which ones you’ve picked whenever you get the chance to read some! I think you’d really enjoy ‘The Twilight Zone’ xx
you're spoiling us!! But seriously, great list, I'm excited to check some of these out :)
Haha thank you Micheal - consider yourself spoiled! Lmk which ones you do - if I had to try and recommend you one I think you’d like, I’d suggest ‘Land of Snow and Ashes’!
Or ‘The Twilight Zone’!!
ooooh two personalized recommendations, now i feel special. I'm adding them to my list, and i'll let you know what i think :)
The cover of cousins is stunning, but also your review of it sounds great, weird is in my wheelhouse
It IS stunning isn’t it?! I’d never heard of it before, but when I was in the bookshop last year I was drawn to it based on the cover alone! Weird should be in everyone’s wheelhouse imo - I think you’d really enjoy it - especially some of the convos around disability and autonomy!
Gorgeous list! 😎 So many intriguing books, my tbr is getting longer and longer 😂
Thank you Nicole!!! Which are you most interested in? Sorry not sorry about making the tbr longer 😉🩷
December Breeze, The Details, Abyss and Cousins have captured my attention 😎 Oh, don't be sorry, it's inescapable 😂
Oh great choices!! All 4 of those books are so good! I hope you enjoy - lmk what you think when you get the opportunity to read them! Xx
wonderful list & really enjoy the format as well. i *loved* the details, have will & testament out again from the library, and just finished a different claudia piñeiro novel. will have to read her more straightforward crime novels next (started with 'a little luck' - great quick read)!
Thank you Laurel! I also appreciate you saying you enjoyed the format bc I did have an identity crisis before posting that I was deviating from my usual format and maybe it wouldn’t be enjoyed (lol. tragic. I’m over it now x)
I looooved the details so much!! It was SO good? I shed a tear when I read the end! I really look forward to hearing what you think of Will & Testament, I couldn’t believe how much I loved it. I love A Little Luck - did you enjoy it?! Piñeiro is the master of quiet crime novels. I’d recommend Elena Knows too!
I just loved and admired the writing in The Details, so many brilliant descriptions and moments.
I did enjoy A Little Luck - I had just finished a big wild ride of a book (All Fours) so it was the perfect antidote to read something comparatively straightforward and economical. I thought it was well paced, building the tension and then revealing at the right time.
Yes the writing was spectacular - I loved learning about the protagonist through her stories about others so much. I’m glad you enjoyed A Little Luck - absolutely it has perfect pace and tension build I agree. Also - how was All Fours?! I’m seeing it everywhere - should I read it? Is it good? Tell me all
I’m editing down about 1500 words of a post just talking about All Fours - suffice to say, I recommend it, maybe on slightly less effusive terms than some. But it’s a total riot with a LOT to say and feel about it. I’m not normally this on the zeitgeist (my library is too slow) but it was a book club choice!
Oh I can't wait for the post!!! I look forward to reading about all you have to say - haha yes this is very on the zeitgeist of you!!!
Thank you, Martha! Going on a big trip and just added 5 of these titles to my Kindle <3
My pleasure Kells - have a wonderful trip!! I hope you enjoy the books - lmk what you thought of them when you’ve read them <3
Thank you for this! I am putting The Details, which sounds intriguing, straight onto my list, and I have ordered Will and Testament 😀
Thank you for reading and enjoying Kate! Those are two excellent choices - I can’t wait to hear what you think of Will and Testament! 😁
Thanks for this list! Looking forward to get to know a lot of these authors.
The ones I do know are somehow only the Scandinavians: I really liked Will and Testament (although as much as I liked that one, I haven‘t been able to finish her other novels). The Details is sitting on my bookshelf after picking it up on a whim in Stockholm, so thanks for the push to crack it open :)
I’m so interested to hear you haven’t been able to finish Hjorth’s other novels - which ones have you tried to read? I haven’t read any others from her yet but have just ordered ‘Long Live the Post Horn!’. W&T was so so good. Yes crack open The Details & lmk what you think of it when you’ve read it, I’d love to know your thoughts!! xx
The biggest difference was that W&T was emotionally complex and the characters were infuriating; I could totally envision them in a family dynamic. Whereas in the Long Live the Post Horn (it’s been a while tho) and House in Norway, it‘s all a lot drier. More recently I was reading the latter, and it was kind of interesting to see this artist‘s life through her eyes, and while she has strong opinions, the focus seems to be on those opinions rather than emotions and how they connect with her wider world. Wasn’t connecting with it at that moment, but maybe I will try again. Interested to see what you think about the Post Horn one! x
Really interesting reflections Katie thank you for sharing! I will keep them in mind for when I get round to LLPH. I do really love emotionally complex books; so if that is unique to W&T and not to her writing style as a whole I’d be really interested to see how it differs (and apprehensive I’d like it so much). Have you read Is Mother Dead? X
No, I haven‘t yet read Is Mother Dead, although its premise looks more promising in terms of emotional complexity! x
I just screenshotted everything (except The Twilight Zone since I already read & enjoyed it)! Thank you for such a great list! 📚✨
Haha I love the enthusiasm Zio - thank you! Every book deserves to be screenshotted. I hope you enjoy whichever books you choose to read! I’m glad to hear you also loved ‘The Twilight Zone’ - I have wanted to read ‘Voyager’ by Fernández ever since I finished! Hoping to get to it before the year ends xx
What an awesome list! I can't wait to read The Details and Abyss. From your description it sounds like I should eat those up.
Thank you Aurelie! I absolutely hope you DO eat them up (and then after eating them up letting me know what you thought of them bc I’d love to know!)
Oh these are all so intriguing! Particularly interested in Boulder and Time of the Flies, and I love the December Breeze cover.
Thank you so much for sharing these recommendations! I really need to read more translated works.
I love to hear that you’re so intrigued Soph! 3 great choices - and yes the December Breeze cover is gorgeous. Thank you for reading! Lmk where you start with reading more translated - I think it can feel more intimidating than it is. I often always recommend Japanese translated (there’s none on this list but lots on my map and on the internet) to those who never read translated. There is SO much Japanese translated around, it’s v popular and incredibly well translated. I think it’s an easy place to dip your toes in, it’s how I did 4 years ago!
I’d recommend ‘Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982’ or ‘The Memory Police’ (which are both written by women). If you think you’d enjoy Murakami, I’d recommend ‘Norwegian Wood’ as a nice place to start. If you don’t want to go Japanese, I’d also recommend ‘The Mad Women’s Ball’ by Victoria Mas (translated from French) as a fun place to start. It’s a slim novel about women who have been deemed as mad by society & live in asylum (but ofc they’re not really mad). It’s based on a true story and it’s very interesting. Ok that’s enough recs - I think overall all those books are v approachable. I hope one interests you! Xx
Oh thank you so much these are AMAZING! I’ve actually read two Japanese-translated books lately including one by a woman (Butter by Asako Yuzuki).
Will definitely try and pick up a copy of The Mad Women’s Ball too! That sounds really good.
I’ve been waiting for this one!!! added so many to my list thank you for the recs!
Thank you Hannah!!! I look forward to hearing your thoughts whenever you get the opportunity to read some! Xxx
What a great post! Will & Testament added to my tbr 🔥
Thank you Nicole! And as it should be ❤️🔥
I always love your recommendations! Thank you!
ps. how is it already almost time for August reading wrap ups?
Thank you for the love Isabel - I appreciate it! And I KNOW idk where the hell August has gone 🥲
So many great recs!! I just read Boulder this month and loved it.
You’ve put Will and Testament and The Details right at the top of my list!
YAY!! I'm sooo pleased to hear you loved it - as I was certain you would! Slay! I look forward to your review. I think you'd really like both, esp The Details!! xx
The Details is one of those books I've been eyeing, but I needed an endorsement to actually pick up!
I am endorsing you - do it!