Gothic novels, horror folktales, and a few quirky characters
Hi, readers!
Yesterday I led a virtual college essay writing workshop in partnership with Aspen Words. While I have worked with hundreds of students on their college essays and currently serve as an essay coach for SheCan Global, I’d never led a workshop in this particular format, let alone virtually. I was so nervous. I was worried my teaching skills had atrophied. I was worried not a single student would participate. I was worried I’d rush through my plans and have an awkward post-workshop lag time. I was just plain worried.
And then I hopped on the call with a wonderful colleague from Aspen Words and ten inquisitive teenagers, and I had so much fun. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy working with teens. These kids were vulnerable, passionate, and curious, and I felt honored to have the opportunity to help them on their college admissions journey.
This workshop was also my second reminder this week that it’s good to try new things. Last Sunday I also hosted my first virtual book club for my Patreon community. I really had no idea what to expect in terms of turnout or participation. But what I learned is that those are silly things to stress about when it comes to book people. Book people truly are the best people and we had an in-depth, highly entertaining, totally on topic discussion of Zadie Smith’s On Beauty. I couldn’t have hoped for a more supportive and engaged community of bookworms over on Patreon and I’m already planning more events that get us all chatting books together.
Both of these events got me out of my comfort zone and reminded me that now is the time to take risks and experiment with how I share my passions. And I have a few exciting things in the works that I can’t wait to share with you all soon. Until then, let’s get some great books into your hands.
This week in books.
This week Michelle read…
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. Wow, I loved this book! This is the first Fredrik Backman novel I’ve read and now I want to read all of his other works. Anxious People is about a group of prospective home buyers who are touring an apartment. As they’re looking around, a bank robber runs in with a pistol and takes them all hostage. We learn about the lives of the bank robber, the prospective buyers, and the police officers who are working on the case. Backman’s writing is funny, nostalgic, and descriptive as he weaves together all of the characters’ varying stories in this part-mystery, part-humorous novel. Amazon | Bookshop
Now Michelle is reading…
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata. This one just came out and I’m really looking forward to diving in. This summer I read one of Murata’s other novels, Convenience Store Woman, and really enjoyed it. I love the way Murata develops her characters and her novels are always relatively short, so they’re great for a quick read. In Earthlings, the main character Natsuki sounds a lot like Keiko from Convenience Store Woman because she feels like an outsider among her family and peers. One summer, Natsuki’s cousin confides in her that he is actually an alien and that he has been waiting for a spaceship to take him back to his home planet. Natsuki begins to wonder if she is an alien too and discovers an inner power of her own. Amazon | Bookshop
Three Gothic books to read after watching The Haunting of Bly Manor.
I am not a fan of horror shows. Last night my husband and I watched the preview for The Haunting of Bly Manor, and, as he explained it, this is the season where we *think* we want to watch prestige horror, but we know we’re ultimately too scared. Netflix’s newest spooky show is based on the Henry James novella The Turn of the Screw, but like they did with The Haunting of Hill House, the team takes a lot of liberties with the story. Of course, any show based on a classic novel piques my interest, because while I’m terrified of most horror, I love a good Gothic novel. Today I’m sharing three of my favorite books set in Gothic manors for you to read after, or perhaps instead of, binging Bly Manor.
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. For a crumbling manor, a devastated aristocracy, an unreliable narrator, and a touch of something supernatural. Amazon | Bookshop
The Darkling Bride by Laura Andersen. To escape to the library of an Irish castle with a handsome lord and a centuries-old family secret. Amazon | Bookshop
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. For an uncanny tale about missing twins and missing stories. Amazon | Bookshop
Bookish reading.
I am very into the 2020 National Book Award finalists.
Still looking for new releases to add to your October TBR? Read it Forward has you covered.
Phoebe of the blog Read & Wright started a new series of book lists sharing reads that transport you around the globe. This weekend she share 22 books that take you to NYC.
While I doubt I’ll be reading any of the books on this list, I really enjoyed learning more about the roots of folk horror.
I adore Louise Glück’s poetry and am so excited that she won the 2020 Nobel Prize for Literature.
Oh my gosh! Laura Esquivel is continuing the story of Like Water for Chocolate, and we’re getting a musical version.
If you’ve gotten crafty during quarantine or are looking for ways to personalize your home library, check out these adorable bookish stamps.
Novel Pairings.
This Tuesday, we’re releasing our fall Short Story Club episode on Carmen Maria Machado’s “Horror Story.” It’s a tiny story—only two pages—and while it’s definitely creepy, both Chelsey and I could handle it without terrified our scaredy-cat selves. In our discussion, we also get into horror as a genre and talk about why it exists and how it’s evolved. There’s still plenty of time to read the story before Tuesday, or join us without having read and enjoy a rich conversation about genre.
End notes.
Watching: The Vow. This is HBO’s documentary about the NXIVM cult. It’s disturbing and not particularly well-done, but it’s super addictive and gossipy, which is all I want from my TV viewing at the moment.
Listening: Home Cooking. This delightful podcast is hosting by Samin Nosrat and Hrishikesh Hirway. They take listener questions about ingredients and cooking dilemmas, solve recipe mysteries, and share the meals they’ve been loving lately.
Making: My plan to vote! Colorado uses an all mail-in ballot system so I received my ballot in the mail (unsolicited!) this week. I’m so grateful to live in a state that makes voting so easy, and I’m looking forward to casting my ballot this week.
Loving: My new Merrell clogs. I wear them everywhere and they are warm and comfortable and cozy.
Readers, I hope you get to take a risk or try something new this week. For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. Michelle and I love hearing from you!
And if you enjoyed today’s newsletter, please forward it to a book-loving friend. That’s a great way to spread bookish cheer and support the newsletter!
Happy reading!
Sara
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