A slow reading week filled with lush books

Plus NPR's best books of the year so far and the worst dads in literature

This has been a big travel week for me which means I haven’t finished a single book. My husband and I spent a few days in Aspen—our first trip away from the kiddo in her entire 2.5 years of life! We got home and the next day flew to D.C. to visit family, which has been heavy on fun (and a bit of illness) and light on reading time. I’m also in an audiobook slump and spending more time listening to silly podcasts rather than trying to force my way out of it. But in spite of not finishing any books, I’ve been loving what I’m reading and enjoying taking it a little more slowly. Sometimes that’s exactly what it takes for me to get back into a groove and find books I love.

This week in books.

I didn’t finish any books this week, but I’m in the middle of some really good ones.

Now I’m reading…

• Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. I’m about 150 pages into this and, like with all Rooney books, I’m finding myself mesmerized by the quiet yet relatable human sadness, as well as the way she develops character so simply and easily. Every other chapter is written largely in sentence fragments and I don’t love that. I know it’s purposeful, but I’m finding it very difficult to settle into the style and I can’t yet identify the purpose which leaves me feeling frustrated. We’ll see how things develop! Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm

• The Coin by Yasmin Zaher. If you love Ottessa Moshfegh you need this book. The story of a Palestinian American woman living in NYC is messy and unhinged in the best ways. I can’t look away! Amazon | Bookshop

• Bear by Julia Phillips. I adored Phillips’ debut Disappearing Earth and have been eagerly awaiting a follow up. This book follows two sisters living on a Pacific Northwest island, taking care of their mother, and trying to make ends meet. Then one of them sees a bear swimming in the ocean and it changes things for everyone. I’m not far enough in to know what I think about the story itself, but the fairytale epigraph primed me to love this and I think I will. Amazon | Bookshop

• Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. I’m halfway through this beast of a book and really loving it. Unsurprisingly I’m getting much more out of it on this reading experience than I did at thirteen or when I was rushing through the abridged version for my sophomore’s assigned summer reading. If you’ve ever wanted to read this classic, you should join us over in the Novel Pairings Classics Club! We have tons of content and events to make your reading experience seamless and satisfying. Amazon

New on my TBR…

• Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. I found this while browsing Explore Books in Aspen and it sounds fantastic. I might try to save it for 2025 PSRG sampling, but I’m not sure I can wait! Amazon | Bookshop

• The Hunters by Claire Messud. Messud has a much more extensive backlist than I realized, and I’m excited to read this pairing of two novellas. Amazon | Bookshop

Links I love.

I loved this book and was thrilled to see this rave review. (NYT gift link)

Do authors really need to spend their own money to make a book successful? (Lit Hub)

Authors Kiese Laymon and Deesha Philyaw are starting a podcast focused on essays and journalism, and I can’t wait!

35 books by Black women you need on your shelves. (Marie Claire)

We’re getting a movie version of the best book of the year so far and the author is writing the script! (Variety)

The Folger Library is reopening in DC this weekend. I was lucky enough to get to do some studying there during grad school and think that it’s so cool the public will finally get to see their extensive collection. (Washington Post)

3 indie books that celebrate Pride.

The best fiction and nonfiction of the year according to the NPR book critics. (NPR)

American Psycho and the rise of capitalist horror—so fascinating! (Crime Reads)

The worst dads in all of literature. (Lit Hub)

End notes.

This week in views, listens, eats, and moments of joy.

• We went on our first little trip without Louise and everyone did much better than expected!

• Traci Thomas
  ’ interview with Akwaeke Emezi is fantastic.

• I had never spent so much on a pair of denim shorts but I think these were worth it. Every year I try to find shorts I like and every year I end up buying multiple pairs that I only kind of like. These are the perfect length and a good wash. Plus I like the cut off without the roll up. I haven’t worn another pair of shorts since I got them.

• This recipe was delicious and super simple.

• I always love Annie Jones’ Off the Shelf episodes of From the Front Porch and this one was particularly fun.

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Happy reading!

Sara