Conquering the tome of tomes
Plus more best-of lists and writers on their favorite summer books
Hey readers!
This week was a really tough one but one silver lining was finishing the tome I’ve been hauling around all month. It was a wonderful reading experience that really made me slow down and think deeply in the best way, but I’m glad to be done. It’s freeing to set it aside and now I just need to decide what I’m going to read next.
This week in books.
This week I read…
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. I did it! I read this 1300 page book. Again! And this time I loved it all the more. I can’t begin even begin to offer a one paragraph review of this epic after recording recaps and discussions for Novel Pairings. This is a sprawling story with a wide cast of characters who come together and fall apart, hurting each other, hunting each other, and healing each other. On this reading, I was blown away by just how strong the plot is and how expertly Hugo moves readers through it. Yes, there are a lot of tangents and sections that make a lot of readers stall out, but Hugo is a masterful plotter using cliff-hangers, alternating focal points, and flashbacks to create a tense, heart-pounding rhythm to this tome. Interspersed amongst this high stakes plot are history lessons, philosophical thought-experiments, rich character development, complicated villains, and epic romance. This book made me deeply sad for the plight of the characters. It included uncomfortably relevant political insight and earnest portrayals of human pain. It also allowed me to think deeply about what it means to be human and what we owe each other. It’s truly a fantastic book and I’m so glad I took the time to really sink into it this summer. It you’re interested in this book, you can find our recaps series on the Novel Pairings Classics Club where we’re doing our best to make this intimidating novel readable, relevant, and fun. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Now I’m reading…
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman (out 7/16). I haven’t been able to pick up dense, emotional fiction while finishing up Les Mis, but fluff hasn’t been working for me either. Grossman’s take on Arthurian fantasy has been the perfect solution—it’s familiar, magical, and transporting, but like all of his books it’s also dark and funny. I’m listening to the audio and absolutely loving it. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Colored Television by Danzy Senna. This year I’ve fallen in love with Danzy Senna’s writing and this new book is fantastic! Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
New on my TBR…
Sandwich by Catherine Newman. I didn’t love Newman’s last book so I hadn’t been planning to read this one, but I’ve heard so many great things that I think I need to at least try it. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Links I love.
Writers on the best books to read this summer. (The Guardian)
All the bookish television and movies to stream in July. (Lit Hub)
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is awesome. (The Guardian)
I just learned about the Love is Blind lawsuits and I’m fascinated. (NPR)
This is one of my most anticipated reads of July, especially after this review. (NYT gift link)
A few of Vulture’s best books of the year (so far) made it onto my list too. (Vulture)
End notes.
This week in views, listens, eats, and moments of joy.
I’ve been trying to get out for a walk most days and I’m reminded again how much movement helps my mood.
My new Papier planners came! I’m still on an academic planner schedule so I got my new one for August along with my favorite daily layout.
I’m watching Americas Sweethearts. It’s fascinating and slightly horrifying, and I can’t look away.
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Happy reading!
Sara
Thanks for sharing the link to the Love is Blind story! It is fascinating and it reminds me a lot of The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore, which I recently read. The book is a very captivating story about the dark side of being on a reality dating show. It is kind of like The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun, but less romantic and more cynical.
I love your thoughts on Les Mis. I’ve never read it fully (I think I stalled out in the sewer talk) but always loved the musical. We listened to it on a long drive with kids and explained the story this weekend and I loved thinking about it. I recently read How To Read a Book by Monica Wood and loved it. It has some of the same themes of redemption and forgiveness in a very different package and I think it might be an interesting companion read. Or at least a warm story that isn’t fluffy for the times we need those.