The FictionMatters Accessories for Readers gift guide
Plus three books about loss, the best bookish quiz, and more end-of-year lists
Hey, readers!
I read so much this week and it felt incredible. Somehow I ended up reading three books about grief, and each resonated with me in a different way. Today I’m sharing reviews for those three books along with some bookish links and a (non-book) gift guide for the readers in your life!
This week in books.
This week I read…
The Long Answer by Anna Hogeland. This book is a force and I absolutely loved it. I’m going to say to start with that there are lots of trigger warnings for this book. If you find it difficult to read about pregnancy loss, unplanned pregnancies, or pregnancy complications, do not pick this up right now. Yet while these topics are challenging and this book will not be right for everyone, the way Anna explores such brutal and personal experiences is compassionate, tender, and thought-provoking. The overarching story is about a writer named Anna who, early in her own pregnancy, reconnects with her somewhat distant sister. Her sister Margot has a young toddler and has recently lost a pregnancy, and she’s struggling to connect with her closest mom friend, Elizabeth. As Anna becomes more invested in Margot and Elizabeth’s stories, she also begins to converse with other women around their experiences of pregnancy, motherhood, and loss. And when complications arise in Anna’s own pregnancy, her experience is shaped by her understanding of those women’s stories. This book is both radically straightforward and emotionally complex. I adored the way Anna—the author and character—writes about the stories we tell ourselves about other mothers and how these personal journeys influence our understanding of motherhood in general. This is very much a story about grief and hope, and I felt both of those emotions to my core as I was reading. I’m so glad this book exists. For me personally, while these experiences of loss are difficult to encounter, they also helped me feel connected and seen in a remarkably powerful way. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett. This quirky book was a delight! There is a lot going on in this novel, but boiled down to its most basic plot it’s about a young woman who returns home to help care for her dying father. This description can’t do the book justice because it also features goofy ghosts, a Russian fox, healing powers, the opioid crisis, a whip-smart group of fifth graders, and Titanic the musical. It’s very funny, but also very heartfelt—a rare feat for any book. Mostly I loved the narration of the novel as told through the collective voice of the ghosts in the town cemetery who offered readers a charming and hilarious omniscient presence, as well as pearls of wisdom about life and death. While I really did enjoy this book, I also found it to be a tad overstuffed and definitely too long. I think I would have liked it even more if one or two quirks were cut in favor of a tighter story overall. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman. I’ve been reading rave reviews about this novel all over bookstagram and I decided to try it on audio. I think it might have been a mistake to read it after The Long Answer and Unlikely Animals, because while it contained similarities to both, it didn’t work as well for me as either. This is a story about Ash and Edi—lifelong best friends who have faced everything together. Now Edi is in the final stages of ovarian cancer and enters a hospice facility near Ash’s home in Massachussets. Because Edi’s husband and son are in Brooklyn, Ash becomes Edi’s primary caretaker and visitor and the story explores the nearly unbearable feeling of slowly losing your best friend. My primary struggle with this book was that while there were moments of heartbreaking candor, ultimately Ash became something of a caricature for me while Edi remained largely unknowable. Perhaps that was Newman’s intention, but to me the characterization and narrative style made the book lack the specificity needed to make it truly poignant. I do know, however, that Newman wrote this story based on personal experience and that readers who’ve experienced caring for loved ones in a hospice setting have really connected with this book, so I would certainly encourage anyone to pick this book up. While it wasn’t a home run for me, I’m certainly glad I read it. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Now I’m reading…
Very Cold People by Sarah Manguso. I must have seriously skimmed the description of this book before deciding to read it because it is nothing like what I expected. I thought I was getting into story about a toxic wealthy community, when in fact this is a novel about the impacts of poverty and the hardships of girlhood. Once I settled in, I started to find this book beautiful, though bleak. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
If you are an international reader or just prefer UK covers, you can also order books through my Blackwell’s affiliate page!
The FictionMatters Gift Guide: Accessories for Readers
I’m not sharing a huge gift guide this year, but I’ll be sharing some favorite things and items on my own holiday wishlist over the next few Sundays. This week it’s my favorite reading accessories, and next week I’ll be sharing some highly giftable books.
Reading accessories like book tabs or book darts make great stocking stuffers. As does a set of the perfect annotating pencils (my favorites are the Aretza #2s). Book people can be rather particular about their journals, but you can’t go wrong with something as pretty as this embroidered style or something classic like a Leuchtturm.
We can’t always read in an optimal cozy environment, but it’s a joy when we can. A decadent blanket like one from Barefoot Dreams or this fun Anthropologie throw. I also really like this soft cardigan with big pockets to fit a bookmark or a snack.
These socks are another great stocking stuffer—cute and cozy and very affordable. If you’re looking for something more, L.L. Bean slippers are a great way to keep toes toasty.
For the reader on the go, I recommend Calpak’s Luka belt bag, which is big enough to fit a Kindle. AirPod Pros are the ultimate gift for the audiobook lover in your life. As is, of course, a credit bundle from Libro.fm (I love gifting this because the gifter gets to support the independent bookstore of their choice!).
If you want a sweet gift for a homebody reader, pairing a lovely mug with a delicious beverage is a great way to go. Add these library card coasters for an adorable themed gift set.
Bookmarks are always a great gift for a reader. There are tons of options on Etsy. I’m partial to these rather ornate corner markers that can also help hold your book open while you read.
I know many readers love candles. Book themed ones are always a big hit, as are these decadent sets from Otherland (my favorite scent is the Cardamom Milk!). I also love supporting my friends at Old Pine Candle Company—Sweater Weather and Mountain Man are my favorite scents.
Finally, the big item on my wishlist this year is a Little Free Library. This would be quite an over-the-top gift, but what bookworm doesn’t want to play librarian and help cull their book collection as well.
Links I love.
A small donation to n+1 literary magazine will unlock the most amazing bookish quiz and grant you 10 personalized book recommendations. So worth it!
Maureen Corrigan and I share a few favorite books of the year—no surprise there.
The New York Times has a great guide of books to gift this season.
Anna Hogeland (author of The Long Answer) on the gifts of procrastination.
The Guardian’s best books of the year lists are up and they include some great under the radar gems.
End notes.
Three things making me happy this week:
Setting up our Christmas tree. Louise helped by choosing ornaments and even as someone who isn’t that into the holiday season, this new development completely melted me.
Best books of the year lists. I love them all! Ones I align with, ones I totally disagree with. Ones from publications, ones from hobby readers. I can’t get enough!
Bingley’s progress around the house. Bingley had a rough transition to our new home, but he’s made exponential progress this week, even going up and down the stairs totally independently.
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Happy reading!
Sara