Finding the right books at the right time
Plus even more best of the year lists, and mysteries and romance to curl up with
Hey, readers!
I didn’t read much this week, but I had great success with two books I’d been nervous to read. Both are very much in my wheelhouse, but I don’t think I would have loved either quite as much if I hadn’t just read To the Lighthouse. After reading and discussing Woolf, I was primed and eager for more rich texts jostling against the constraints of what a novel should be. I was okay with uncertainty in my reading. And I was eager to situate myself in prose that takes language seriously.
As someone who reads a lot of books, I know well how much timing can impact a reading experience. I sometimes wonder about books I may have loved that met me at the wrong moment, and I’m so thankful that these two books found me at exactly the right time.
This week in books.
This week I read…
The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nuñez. I actually DNF’d this book in October, but after a trusted source gave it a rave review and compared it to To the Lighthouse, I knew I had to try again. My first attempt was reading it on the page, and my struggle was not understanding what Nuñez was trying to accomplish with her structure. The first part of the book includes some truly lovely commentary on books, writing, and the nature of loneliness, but I struggled feeling like Nuñez would have been able to more effectively accomplish her aims in essays rather than burying them in a (mostly) plotless novel. For my second read, I tried the audio version, and what a world of difference that made!! Narrator Hillary Huber brings the voice and the narrative to life in a way that really helped me appreciate the book for what it is. It’s definitely a no plot, all vibes type of novel, but it’s also charming, funny, and challenging in the very best way. I adored this one and am so glad I gave it a second chance. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein. This is a very hard book to describe and even harder to pitch to someone. What finally convinced me to pick it up is hearing multiple readers say they wanted to turn back and start again as soon as they finished. It’s not twisty, but the slow revelation of what Bernstein is doing both narratively and thematically requires close attention and leads to some genuinely mind blowing moments in the text. The story itself follows a woman who moves in with her brother to help keep his house and faces ostracization and discrimination from the close community he lives among. From the first pages, you know that something has “happened,” which makes it easy to keep turning the pages, even though this is certainly not a plot-driven novel. Mostly, I was stunned by Bernstein’s writing and the way she adeptly moved between prose styles and implemented a variety of syntactical maneuvers to achieve her thematic aims. If you love to read for the writing itself and are looking for a book that will surprise you in a very different way, I highly recommend this Booker shortlisted title. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Now I’m reading…
Eve by Cat Bohannon. I will finish this before the end of the year, I’m just savoring it! Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett. I was craving something light and magical, so I finally picked up a book that’s been on my TBR all year. I’m halfway through this story on audio, and it is utterly delightful! If you love folklore and fairytales, but are looking for something different (it’s not a retelling and it’s tonally playful), give this one a shot! Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
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Links I love.
It’s best of the year list season. Here’s what we got this week:
Discussing the state of book criticism with Traci Thomas of The Stacks Podcast is now one of my 2023 highlights.
Did you love Yellowface this year? Here are even more books about author hoaxes.
9 unputdownable mysteries, old and new.
And four steamy new romance novels.
End notes.
This week in views, listens, eats, and moments of joy.
Meeting our new baby niece! Louise was smitten.
Browsing the tiny and wonderful Corner Bookstore and getting to eavesdrop on their fantastic staff offering gift recommendations to patrons.
I have been devouring episodes of Novel Tea. These bookworms bring so much nuance and fun to their bookish conversations.
Putting up our Christmas tree. Like so many of us I just love the addition of lights to my home this time of year.
And planning for our annual Hanukkah party. I love the party itself but I think my favorite part is the latke trial run(s) in the week leading up to it.
Jenni’s Boozy Eggnog Ice Cream. It is unbelievably good.
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Happy reading!
Sara
I think about this a lot... finding the right book at the right time. It’s ok to put a book down, and try again later. I went to The Corner Bookstore last night for the first time! Loved.