Yes, same - less Bookstagram and more being drawn to works (which have ended up being blacklist)! Your superlatives also show how outstanding the book club picks were first quarter - these are so many of my favorite books so far this year, as well. Snow Country and We Do Not Part and Glorious Exploits and the accomplishment of finishing Brief History...! I've loved this range.
Yes! I also think the way I read for book club leads to better reading experiences. Taking my time and discussing almost always makes me like a book more!
OH wild dark shore as the buzzy book club pick, REALLY hope I can try and make it to one of those although I don’t wanna be a downer about it (but probably will be 😂)
Backlist is definitely making me happy this year, - I did adore Stag Dance though. I’m planning on reading Audition this weekend and hoping that will also be a win for me. Tbh a lot of the other new releases I’m excited about this year are books in translation - there’s some good stuff coming (hopefully.)
Looking back, there's a lot I've read so far this year that I haven't been impressed with or have been ambivalent about, but the books I've liked I've REALLY liked, so it still feels like a good reading quarter.
My standouts include Human Acts by Han Kang (my first HK and really looking forward to reading more), Enlightenment by Sarah Perry, My Friends by Hisham Matar, Almond by Sohn Won-Pyung, and Orbital by Samantha Harvey.
I also finished up the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy, which was fabulous! These are great, underrated classics.
Nonfiction seems to be leaving a bigger impression on me as far as new releases go. I may need to lean into that and perhaps backlist for fiction. I personally think you’re just fine skipping Broken Country.
We have the same two first quarter faves! (We Do Not Part and Stag Dance), though I read WDNP in Dec so it won't show up in my Q1 list. This makes me so curious about Paradise Lost! But backlist is 100% ruling this year, I'm loving it all.
Based on your feelings about WILD DARK SHORE, I can confirm you are completely safe skipping on BROKEN COUNTRY. I personally didn't get what all the fuss was about... It went a bridge too far in the melodrama for me.
It’s through McNally Jackson! I’m not sure how often they offer it but they have quite a few virtual classes! NYRB and Center for Fiction also do virtual courses!
I’m reading Rejection right now and wondering if I’ll finish. Something about it is not quite compelling to me. Wondering about your reasons for dislike?
I reviewed it awhile back if you want my full thoughts but I just found it so depressing! I wasn’t able to access the dark humor that other readers found. But I think he’s an incredible writer!
What is the difference between best fiction and best novel?
Also, I affirm your choice not to read Broken Country. Although propulsive, it's a "kitchen sink" book with tons of drama and emotional manipulation reminiscent of Kristin Hannah's novels.
I've only read 6 books, so 2 a month, which is a terrible terrible result. But I'm being made redundant and still have a very busy full time job (ironically) but all my waking hours have been occupied by the job search (sigh). However, the highlight (of those 6 books) was Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor.
Yes, same - less Bookstagram and more being drawn to works (which have ended up being blacklist)! Your superlatives also show how outstanding the book club picks were first quarter - these are so many of my favorite books so far this year, as well. Snow Country and We Do Not Part and Glorious Exploits and the accomplishment of finishing Brief History...! I've loved this range.
Yes! I also think the way I read for book club leads to better reading experiences. Taking my time and discussing almost always makes me like a book more!
OH wild dark shore as the buzzy book club pick, REALLY hope I can try and make it to one of those although I don’t wanna be a downer about it (but probably will be 😂)
Backlist is definitely making me happy this year, - I did adore Stag Dance though. I’m planning on reading Audition this weekend and hoping that will also be a win for me. Tbh a lot of the other new releases I’m excited about this year are books in translation - there’s some good stuff coming (hopefully.)
We are so in sync! I hope you can make it!
Oh my gosh, the March Gradness bracket is SO fun!
Looking back, there's a lot I've read so far this year that I haven't been impressed with or have been ambivalent about, but the books I've liked I've REALLY liked, so it still feels like a good reading quarter.
My standouts include Human Acts by Han Kang (my first HK and really looking forward to reading more), Enlightenment by Sarah Perry, My Friends by Hisham Matar, Almond by Sohn Won-Pyung, and Orbital by Samantha Harvey.
I also finished up the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy, which was fabulous! These are great, underrated classics.
These superlatives are hilarious and I’m stealing a few 😃
Please do!!
When does the Summer Reading Guide come out? Already can’t wait!☀️☀️☀️
June 1st!
Yay!!! Can’t wait 😊
Nonfiction seems to be leaving a bigger impression on me as far as new releases go. I may need to lean into that and perhaps backlist for fiction. I personally think you’re just fine skipping Broken Country.
We have the same two first quarter faves! (We Do Not Part and Stag Dance), though I read WDNP in Dec so it won't show up in my Q1 list. This makes me so curious about Paradise Lost! But backlist is 100% ruling this year, I'm loving it all.
Based on your feelings about WILD DARK SHORE, I can confirm you are completely safe skipping on BROKEN COUNTRY. I personally didn't get what all the fuss was about... It went a bridge too far in the melodrama for me.
I am so curious about your course covering Paradise Lost. Do you mind sharing more information ?
It’s through McNally Jackson! I’m not sure how often they offer it but they have quite a few virtual classes! NYRB and Center for Fiction also do virtual courses!
I’m reading Rejection right now and wondering if I’ll finish. Something about it is not quite compelling to me. Wondering about your reasons for dislike?
I reviewed it awhile back if you want my full thoughts but I just found it so depressing! I wasn’t able to access the dark humor that other readers found. But I think he’s an incredible writer!
What is the difference between best fiction and best novel?
Also, I affirm your choice not to read Broken Country. Although propulsive, it's a "kitchen sink" book with tons of drama and emotional manipulation reminiscent of Kristin Hannah's novels.
STAG DANCE is a collection of stories
OHHH, got it! :) Thanks!
Was wondering the same re fiction v novel!
Loveeee this superlatives format. So creative and fun!
I've only read 6 books, so 2 a month, which is a terrible terrible result. But I'm being made redundant and still have a very busy full time job (ironically) but all my waking hours have been occupied by the job search (sigh). However, the highlight (of those 6 books) was Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor.
Hmm... My favorites reads so far this year:
The Q by Beth Brower
Louisa May Alcott's Journals
Marmee by Sarah Miller
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga