James is mine too! I have really felt like I’ve been missing out while hearing everyone rave about it. And my library hold for it is coming in soon so it’s time!
I’m really hoping to read Martyr by Kaveh Akbar before the end of the year. So many friends have recommended it to me and I suspect I’ll love it but have kept passing it over!
I want to at least attempt James - I have owned it since publication day and haven’t cracked it yet. I think I’m intimidated? I want to at least give it a shot so I can either fall in love and devour it, or realize it’s not for me and pass my copy on.
I bet you won’t find it difficult once you jump in. Sometimes prize-winning books feel inaccessible (to me), but I’ve found this year’s crop to be more easily readable than some! I hope you like it.
I’m hoping to spend November and December working my way through a bigger book I’ve always wanted to read instead of worrying about reaching my reading goal with a bunch of smaller books I’ve just not been drawn to. I tell myself every year not to set a reading goal but I always do and I never reach it 🤦🏻♀️ I really want to read Lonesome Dove and The Eye of the World, so I’m hoping to read one of those!
I’ve stopped setting an x amount reading goal (it’s honestly freeing). Instead I’ve set a goal to read one nonfiction book a month (usually my bedtime book).
You will love My Friends!!! I’m going to say it here so I’ll stick to it- The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. I so often have backlist books I want to read but don’t because I get caught up in new releases. I’ve read quite a few books this year set in the 80s and 90s that discuss the AIDS epidemic and it’s time I read this one!!!
I've been meaning to read this for literal YEARS. I've had the hardcover copy since it came out, and every year I tell myself "this is the year I finally read it!" and then don't. I think I'm afraid it won't live up to the hype?
I really want to read All Fours by Miranda July. This books seems to be polarizing and I'm curious where I'll fall. I usually don't get caught up in the buzz of new releases but I'm so curious about this one!
I read half before it published and then put it down, but after all the buzz I want to finish it! Sometimes I think reading in a vacuum can do a disservice to a reading experience. Reading in community, or just after there are reviews and interviews to enhance the reading, can add so much to how I feel about a book, even if the book ends up not being for me.
I can't seem to quit focusing on new releases so the one I have my eye on is the annotated version of Bel Canto by Ann Patchett that will be out Nov 5.
I'm struggling to read as much as normal because I'm back to full-time teaching (8th grade English), so I keep buying books and they stack up all over my house and stay unread. I read plenty, just not as much as I'd like. So my one book will be the new Sally Rooney. I'm dying to get to it but also staying in a "fall vibes" moment with current reads.
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews. I bought it in June because I just had to read it immediately…and it’s been staring at me from my book cart ever since. 😄
I want to read one of these three : pachinko, vanity fair, or the luminaries. I was excited about all of them an bought them at the end of 2023 my hope is at least one will be read over the rest on the year.
I love the idea of “10 before the end“, but I knew last year that was entirely too much pressure and unrealistic for me so I decided to try “five before the finale”. It actually really helped me prioritize books that I really wanted to get to! Ironically, if I had to choose one today, it would be one that didn’t initially go on my list this year! After hearing an interview with him on a podcast recently, my number one priority is going to be Stanley Tucci’s new book, What I Ate in One Year. Coming from a food culture (Southern), and having lost several people I loved dearly over the last five years, the way he writes about food, community, and connection is very meaningful to me, not to mention he makes me laugh. So I’m really looking forward to that one coming in from an audio hold soon!
My ONE would be The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
So good!!
Me too!!
I absolutely raced through this despite the size. Not my usual type of read so I was really surprised that I enjoyed it so much.
I think I have to go with North Woods by Daniel Mason.
Such a fantastic book!
Oh my gosh this is a good contender for me.
My absolute favorite book of last year!
I'm reading this now and am obsessed! Such a marvel of a book. ♥️
One of my favorites of last year! We'll have to discuss when you finish :)
I want to finally read James by Percival Everett before the year ends!
James is mine too! I have really felt like I’ve been missing out while hearing everyone rave about it. And my library hold for it is coming in soon so it’s time!
This is mine, too! Fortunately, it's the next book we are reading for the Governerds book club, so I have outside pressure to finally get it in!
James is mine too! I've been having such FOMO with all the awards buzz, and have been meaning to read it for months now.
hello fellow Governerd who hasn't read James yet. I feel like we should be friends.
Definitely! Hi, friend!
Nothing like a book club for that extrinsic motivation! Hopefully we both love it 😊
Hi, Laura! 😁
Well hey there, local friend! :)
I’m really hoping to read Martyr by Kaveh Akbar before the end of the year. So many friends have recommended it to me and I suspect I’ll love it but have kept passing it over!
It is incredible. Enjoy!
Michelle, Martyr is mine too. Do you want to read it together?
I would love that, Petya! I’ll send you a message 😊
Me too!!
So good!
This is the other one I'm dying to get to!
I want to at least attempt James - I have owned it since publication day and haven’t cracked it yet. I think I’m intimidated? I want to at least give it a shot so I can either fall in love and devour it, or realize it’s not for me and pass my copy on.
Love this! I don’t know if it will be for you but don’t be intimidated! I found it very plotty and readable!
Thank you, Sara!! I hope the vacation in Crested Butte has been wonderful ~ it looks gorgeous!
Agree!
I bet you won’t find it difficult once you jump in. Sometimes prize-winning books feel inaccessible (to me), but I’ve found this year’s crop to be more easily readable than some! I hope you like it.
Thanks so much for this encouragement ❤️
This is mine, too! Potential buddy read?
Love that idea! Let me know when you want to start!
Would sometime in November work?
For sure! Obviously I’m not in a hurry given that I waited this long 😆
I wasn't sure what I would think of it either so I went with audio and ended up loving it
It wasn't for me, but I did find it super accessible
I’m hoping to spend November and December working my way through a bigger book I’ve always wanted to read instead of worrying about reaching my reading goal with a bunch of smaller books I’ve just not been drawn to. I tell myself every year not to set a reading goal but I always do and I never reach it 🤦🏻♀️ I really want to read Lonesome Dove and The Eye of the World, so I’m hoping to read one of those!
I’ve stopped setting an x amount reading goal (it’s honestly freeing). Instead I’ve set a goal to read one nonfiction book a month (usually my bedtime book).
So smart!
That’s why I set my reading goal astoundingly low so I reach it early in the year and everything else is just extra!
I love this plan! I haven’t read EYE OF THE WORLD but LONESOME DOVE is phenomenal
Lonesome Dove is worth it!
I love this idea!!!!
You will love My Friends!!! I’m going to say it here so I’ll stick to it- The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. I so often have backlist books I want to read but don’t because I get caught up in new releases. I’ve read quite a few books this year set in the 80s and 90s that discuss the AIDS epidemic and it’s time I read this one!!!
I've been meaning to read this for literal YEARS. I've had the hardcover copy since it came out, and every year I tell myself "this is the year I finally read it!" and then don't. I think I'm afraid it won't live up to the hype?
Wellness by Nathan Hill! Exactly the kind of tangent-y, chunky book I think I'll love.
Yessss! I love that one!
Tangent-y is such a great description. I loved it!
It's so great!
This is the one I’d like to get to!
I read it about a year ago and *still* think of it often. Such a good one!
This is one I purchased and still haven't read yet either.
I really want to read All Fours by Miranda July. This books seems to be polarizing and I'm curious where I'll fall. I usually don't get caught up in the buzz of new releases but I'm so curious about this one!
Yes! It’s fun to weigh in on the divisive books!
I read half before it published and then put it down, but after all the buzz I want to finish it! Sometimes I think reading in a vacuum can do a disservice to a reading experience. Reading in community, or just after there are reviews and interviews to enhance the reading, can add so much to how I feel about a book, even if the book ends up not being for me.
Me too! And I’ve been staring at it on my shelf for months!
I can't seem to quit focusing on new releases so the one I have my eye on is the annotated version of Bel Canto by Ann Patchett that will be out Nov 5.
Ooo great pick!!
I preordered that! I haven't read Bel Canto and thought this could be a fun way to finally do it.
I'm struggling to read as much as normal because I'm back to full-time teaching (8th grade English), so I keep buying books and they stack up all over my house and stay unread. I read plenty, just not as much as I'd like. So my one book will be the new Sally Rooney. I'm dying to get to it but also staying in a "fall vibes" moment with current reads.
That’s totally understandable! I hope you love INTERMEZZO
I expect to love it, as I've loved all her others. Beautiful World is my favorite.
Burgess Boys so I can read the new Elizabeth Strout book.
Great idea!
I’m going to read Burgess Boys very soon.
I just finished this one a few weeks ago, and for the same reason. It was great on audio if that would push you to get through it!
Thanks for the suggestion!
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews. I bought it in June because I just had to read it immediately…and it’s been staring at me from my book cart ever since. 😄
I love Miriam Toews!
I’m hoping to sink into the Historian and finally accomplish it this year.
This is a great time of year for that!
I’m doing that now at Sara’s recommendation and oh boy it’s a singular wonderful experience !
I want to read one of these three : pachinko, vanity fair, or the luminaries. I was excited about all of them an bought them at the end of 2023 my hope is at least one will be read over the rest on the year.
I love this goal, Jamie. And you can’t go wrong with those picks!
I love the idea of “10 before the end“, but I knew last year that was entirely too much pressure and unrealistic for me so I decided to try “five before the finale”. It actually really helped me prioritize books that I really wanted to get to! Ironically, if I had to choose one today, it would be one that didn’t initially go on my list this year! After hearing an interview with him on a podcast recently, my number one priority is going to be Stanley Tucci’s new book, What I Ate in One Year. Coming from a food culture (Southern), and having lost several people I loved dearly over the last five years, the way he writes about food, community, and connection is very meaningful to me, not to mention he makes me laugh. So I’m really looking forward to that one coming in from an audio hold soon!