A classic revisited and a perplexing work of true crime
Plus the podcast and TV show making me smile and exercising our attention
I haven’t been reading much other than Literary Society selections this week, but I do have a couple of books to share with you today. As a programming note, I’ll be taking the next two Sundays off while I’m traveling. Wednesday and Friday newsletters will continue, and I’ll be back on Sunday, July 5th—hopefully with quite a few books to review.
On that note, I’m still collecting suggestions for newsletter topics. If you have anything you’d like me to cover or types of books you’d like me to recommend, please let me know here.
This week in books.
This week I read…
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. I was looking at a UK map ahead of our trip and noticed that where we’re staying in Cornwall is very close to Plymouth. Of course that instantly brought to mind Edward Ferrars and Lucy Steele, so I looked at the Jane Austen Society of North America’s Sense and Sensibility map and realized that several of our trip destinations are near S&S settings. I decided to listen to this book again on audio as part of my evening wind down, and it was just as lovely as always. Perhaps because of the similarity of title, I think some Austen readers are disappointed not to love Sense and Sensibility as much as Pride and Prejudice, and it’s true that S&S doesn’t have as much satire or humor or even romance. We don’t get to see the characters’ feelings develop and evolve as clearly, which makes it perhaps less swoonworthy than some of her other books. But I just love the characters so much. Elinor’s quiet heartache becomes more visceral to me with each read, and Lucy’s devious mind games feel more and more diabolical. I also enjoy the direct consideration in this book of “second attachments.” It’s a romance about romance—what it means to fall in and out of love and how our previous relationships impact the next. While this isn’t my favorite Austen novel, I think it can be a good one to start with and it helps that it’s quite short! Bookshop | Libro.fm
Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers by Caroline Fraser. I listened to this book on audio and while I was compelled by the story and impressed with the writing, I’m not really sure what to make of it. In this venture, the Pulitzer-winning author looks at the proliferation of serial killers in the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s and 80s. The bulk of the book follows Ted Bundy and it definitely felt as if Fraser was writing for people who are already familiar with Bundy’s crimes—I am not, and I was a bit lost. Interspersed with Bundy’s story, Fraser tells us about other serial killers who prowled the same area around the same time, as well as her own tumultuous childhood, the industries polluting the air, the precarious infrastructure of these cities, and the fault lines beneath the community. Fraser does put forward a theory as to why these violent crimes peaked at this time. I found her theory compelling and convincing, but I never totally understood what she was doing stylistically. The thematic threads between serial killers and all of the other elements she brings in were there, but I could never fully connect them to her argument. I’d love to talk to anyone else who’s read this and I will also be reexamining
’s Nonfiction Taxonomy to try to figure out exactly what Fraser was doing here. Bookshop | Libro.fm
Now I’m reading…
I’m reading and loving Helen DeWitt’s The Last Samurai. I’m also listening to Joyce Carol Oates’ newest Fox. The audio is excellent and she is, as always, an incredible writer and storyteller, but the graphic subject matter is unbelievably challenging to read. I’m persevering for now, but I’m also asking myself if this is a story that needs to be told again.
New on my TBR…
One Day I’ll Grow Up and be a Beautiful Woman by Abi Maxwell has been read and loved by many readers I trust. I’m hoping to pick up the audiobook soon.
The Weekly Dispatch.
I am obsessed with the new “lore” episodes my favorite figure skating podcast, The Runthrough, has been putting out. The are going back in skating history detailing all the rivalries, drama, and characters that have shaped the skating world as it exists to day. It’s the perfect way to dive deep into skating legends during the off season and in the lead up to this Olympic season. As a former skater, it’s also a ton of fun to hear the names of people I shared locker rooms with, went on dates with, and spent some of my most formative teen years with. That was all a lifetime ago, but listening to the season-by-season deep dives brings it back.
Top Chef!! I loved this season and am so happy with the outcome. That’s all I’ll say.
Link Roundup.
This Jason Reynolds interview is a delight. (NPR)
The Women’s Prize for Fiction and Nonfiction were announced. (Women’s Prize)
The Best Books of 2025, so far. (Barnes and Noble)
How I’m fixing my broken attention span. (Vulture)
Fiction books that will redirect your attention. (Atlantic)
June’s best speculative fiction. (Wash Post)
The most anticipated queer books of summer 2025. (Electric Lit)
For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. I love hearing from you!
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Happy reading!
Sara
Reading Murderland and I COMPLETELY agree. I love Fraser’s writing style, but I’m not sure I see what she’s doing on a macro level. Oh man, I would loveeeee to hear stories about your interactions with the skaters you grew up with! I am also obsessed with the lore episodes. Adam is SUCH a good storyteller!
Sense and Sensibility was my introduction to Austen and holds a special place in my heart. I also don't consider it my favorite, but every time I revisit it I wonder why. I also recently listened to the audio version, while reading along with the annotated version. It was a fun way to read it.