Hillary, enjoyed your post and it was just as I was starting This Tender Land by Krueger, which on the second page also references The Count of Monte Cristo. Looking forward to more posting.
Interesting that you mentioned that reading with purpose is an occupational hazard that has crowded out serendipity. Recently, I have found that the opposite is true for me.
Last year, I was pretty much able to stick to my reading resolution of concentrating on books I already own. I thought I'd carry that over to this year, but during my copious volunteer hours at the Book Depot, things keep crossing my path that I just *have* to have! I seem to be opening all bookish writing with: "I spotted this at Book Depot and it looked interesting."
Anyway, most of my reading seems to be "just because." I tend to avoid lists, and many recommendations strike me as the literary equivalent of "eat your broccoli." (And I actually *like* broccoli!) The link you shared about "black authors are not your medicine" comes close to that sentiment and was interesting to read. (The links you provide are always helpful!)
Anyway, my reading is eclectic, as you know. This week alone, I finished an audiobook of horror short stories by an old master of the genre, Richard Matheson. I also read a truly serendipitous Book Depot discovery called "Hope Never Dies" (2018) in which Obama and Biden become private-eye action heroes! I just started a history of the rise and fall of a movie studio (book) and a mystery by a favorite author, Anthony Horowitz (audiobook).
Congrats on your new-look blog/enewsletter! I like this format, especially for the ability to comment right at the end. -- Diane
I was at work the other day and picked up a book called "Fox 8" by George Saunders literally because it was short and had a fox on the cover. I read it in one sitting and loved it, and almost cried because it was such a fresh way to talk about environmentalism and the human condition in a way we don't see often in adult fiction. Highly recommend!
Last month I read "Lady Romeo" by Tana Wojczuk because it was a brand new biography about a female Shakespearean actress I had NEVER heard of that was mentioned in another book. As a women who has a degree in theatre, I was shocked that such an influential woman had never been discussed in any history class I'd taken in college, and now I can't stop talking about her. Sometimes knee-jerk book decisions are just what I need.
Just finished reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. It was well worth the read; the prose was lush, and story poignant. O'Farrell imagines the death of Shakespeare's son from bubonic plague and the effect it had on his and his wife's marriage and his play writing.
Hillary, maybe you’re the perfect person to ask for advice.
Guess what happened to me during the pandemic? I lost the concentration to read. Since Al is immunocompromised, I was in a constant state of elevated stress and except for some work, I spent hours streaming and binging TV shows. I’m reentering the world gradually- I think I have Covid PTSD - but still not reading.
I know you’re a book lover not a shrink but thought you may have come across this with someone else.
Hillary, enjoyed your post and it was just as I was starting This Tender Land by Krueger, which on the second page also references The Count of Monte Cristo. Looking forward to more posting.
Interesting that you mentioned that reading with purpose is an occupational hazard that has crowded out serendipity. Recently, I have found that the opposite is true for me.
Last year, I was pretty much able to stick to my reading resolution of concentrating on books I already own. I thought I'd carry that over to this year, but during my copious volunteer hours at the Book Depot, things keep crossing my path that I just *have* to have! I seem to be opening all bookish writing with: "I spotted this at Book Depot and it looked interesting."
Anyway, most of my reading seems to be "just because." I tend to avoid lists, and many recommendations strike me as the literary equivalent of "eat your broccoli." (And I actually *like* broccoli!) The link you shared about "black authors are not your medicine" comes close to that sentiment and was interesting to read. (The links you provide are always helpful!)
Anyway, my reading is eclectic, as you know. This week alone, I finished an audiobook of horror short stories by an old master of the genre, Richard Matheson. I also read a truly serendipitous Book Depot discovery called "Hope Never Dies" (2018) in which Obama and Biden become private-eye action heroes! I just started a history of the rise and fall of a movie studio (book) and a mystery by a favorite author, Anthony Horowitz (audiobook).
Congrats on your new-look blog/enewsletter! I like this format, especially for the ability to comment right at the end. -- Diane
I was at work the other day and picked up a book called "Fox 8" by George Saunders literally because it was short and had a fox on the cover. I read it in one sitting and loved it, and almost cried because it was such a fresh way to talk about environmentalism and the human condition in a way we don't see often in adult fiction. Highly recommend!
Last month I read "Lady Romeo" by Tana Wojczuk because it was a brand new biography about a female Shakespearean actress I had NEVER heard of that was mentioned in another book. As a women who has a degree in theatre, I was shocked that such an influential woman had never been discussed in any history class I'd taken in college, and now I can't stop talking about her. Sometimes knee-jerk book decisions are just what I need.
Just finished reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. It was well worth the read; the prose was lush, and story poignant. O'Farrell imagines the death of Shakespeare's son from bubonic plague and the effect it had on his and his wife's marriage and his play writing.
Hillary, maybe you’re the perfect person to ask for advice.
Guess what happened to me during the pandemic? I lost the concentration to read. Since Al is immunocompromised, I was in a constant state of elevated stress and except for some work, I spent hours streaming and binging TV shows. I’m reentering the world gradually- I think I have Covid PTSD - but still not reading.
I know you’re a book lover not a shrink but thought you may have come across this with someone else.
Hope spring is lovely in Ohio!