After taking a few weeks off in June, I found that I was simply…not reading the various articles and essays about publishing that I come across daily, and often writing about here.
I recently finished Learning by Courtney Bush and really enjoyed it - I know you don’t always love contemporary literary fiction but I had a blast reading this one. I’m currently reading The Housewives Underground by Kaitlyn Tiffany, a nonfiction book about the role of women in popularizing the various conspiracies surrounding the JFK assassination. Slower going for me but still interesting.
I simply could not believe it how incredible it was while I read it, and I gulped it down in a fever dream. I am very angry people hadn't been insisting I read it all this time!!!
In the forthcoming biography, Hermione Lee quotes Brookner as saying that writing LOOK AT ME made her ill. Which is precisely how I feel when I read it. Her best novel, IMO.
I read it b/c of your newsletter (and also Hermione Lee's Guardian best novels list) so this is now a big ouroborus. Then I started Strangers and was like--I will die if I keep reading this. So I decided to reread Custom of the Country.
very gratifying that my ongoing campaign to foment the Brookneraissance is succeeding. She is difficult to binge, though. My #2 favorite is VISITORS should you find yourself feeling *too* happy at some point...
I recently finished Learning by Courtney Bush and really enjoyed it - I know you don’t always love contemporary literary fiction but I had a blast reading this one. I’m currently reading The Housewives Underground by Kaitlyn Tiffany, a nonfiction book about the role of women in popularizing the various conspiracies surrounding the JFK assassination. Slower going for me but still interesting.
I’m reading TRANSIT OF VENUS too! I’ve only had it my shelf for 30 years…I guess I’m finally ready?
I simply could not believe it how incredible it was while I read it, and I gulped it down in a fever dream. I am very angry people hadn't been insisting I read it all this time!!!
In the forthcoming biography, Hermione Lee quotes Brookner as saying that writing LOOK AT ME made her ill. Which is precisely how I feel when I read it. Her best novel, IMO.
I read it b/c of your newsletter (and also Hermione Lee's Guardian best novels list) so this is now a big ouroborus. Then I started Strangers and was like--I will die if I keep reading this. So I decided to reread Custom of the Country.
very gratifying that my ongoing campaign to foment the Brookneraissance is succeeding. She is difficult to binge, though. My #2 favorite is VISITORS should you find yourself feeling *too* happy at some point...
important to have downers ready at hand
Transit of Venus!! <3
all the hearts!