Three great books with classic flair
Plus more best books of the year and deals that support indie bookstores
Hey, readers!
Happy belated Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate. I’ve had a lovely week with family in Washington, D.C. and was grateful for some time off to unwind and catch my breath. Working for myself gives me incredible flexibility, but it also means I rarely take a real break. I tend to save up that downtime and the good will of my readers for when I really need it, like this past week when I was both sick and traveling. But I think in the new year, I may try to factor in a couple of planned breaks for myself. While I find that my creativity surges when I deeply engaged in my work, I also know that breaks are the time when some of my more original and exciting ideas tend to bubble up to the surface.
For the moment though, we’re back to business as usual with some books to share, links I love, and what’s bringing me joy. I’m also gearing up for a series of best of the year posts coming throughout December, so if there are any particular superlatives you’d like me to highlight as 2023 draws to a close, be sure to comment here or email me at fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com.
This week in books.
This week I read…
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee. This was the FictionMatters Book Club selection for November and it was surprisingly polarizing! A lot of our discussion so far has concerned the length and the protagonist, but I can’t wait to dive into the structure, style, and theme of this one with the Patreon crew. I’m going to hold back my thoughts since I haven’t yet shared and unpacked with my Book Club, but I will say that if you love Victorian novels, you may find a lot to like in this contemporary riff on the tomes of that time period. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. This was a reread for a Novel Pairings episode, and oh my goodness I loved every second of it. It’s a slow, rambling classic where nothing happens yet everything happens, and it reminded me of what I love about reading. We’ll be discussing this novel in detail on Tuesday’s episode of the show, so make sure you’re subscribed to hear it as soon as it drops. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Gentleman Jim by Mimi Mathews. I’ll have to look back at my reading records to see if this is true, but I’m pretty sure this is the first romance novel I’ve read this year. It was delightful!! This was recommended by my friend and romance reader extraordinaire
who described Mathews’ romances as “perfectly proper” historical romance. The way she described the setup of this particular novel sounded so fun—revenge, disguise, lost love—that I needed to pick it up right away. I had so much fun reading this book from the soon-worthy moments to the period details to the mystery at the heart. It’s closed door so if you like romance without a lot of steam or are looking for a Count of Monte Cristo-esque plot with an empowered heroine, you might enjoy this one as well. Amazon | Bookshop
Now I’m reading…
Eve by Cat Bohannon. I’m still making my way through this one. It’s not even that long, but I find that I love having it as something to pop in my earbuds when I don’t have enough time to immerse myself in a novel but don’t want to listen to a podcast by. Amazon | Bookshop
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein. I’d wanted to finish this before the Booker winner is announced (today!) but that didn’t happen. I’m loving the writing and am prepared to be confused but still enjoy myself. 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!
Links I love.
It’s best of the year list season. Here’s what we got this week:
NPR Books We Love (formerly the Book Concierge)
Bookshop.org is offering 15% with code Holiday23 plus free shipping through Monday. This is a great opportunity to support independent bookstores and stock up on holiday gifts!
We All Love Anne of Green Gables. What About Emily of New Moon?
All the changes in the All the Light We Cannot See adaptation.
Libro.fm is having an incredible audiobook sale right now.
The Hunger Games prequel may be the best film yet.
End notes.
This week in views, listens, eats, and moments of joy.
Seeing Louise with her extended family is always wonderful.
I’ve found a sense of peace with not finishing some of the 2023 books I had hoped to get to and have been enjoying slowly savoring some backlist.
I really enjoyed this season of The Crown—and, of course, reading all about what is fact and what is drama.
A fascinating Planet Money conversation about why some of the best books in recent years have been all about money.
We’ve needed serving dishes for awhile so I purchased these during all the sales this week.
These were my other Black Friday purchase. I’ve been looking for some new fall shoes because I currently exclusively wear my Blundstones—they’re perfect I just want something else in the rotation.
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Happy reading!
Sara
Sara, Cat Bohannon was delightful in person and listening to her discuss her book was a hoot. There is nothing quite as awesome as a really smart woman who is also a confident, consummate communicator!
I may not read all my intended books this year, but I've also read some great oldies..."Heartburn" by Nora Ephron (so much wicked fun), "Snow Falling on Cedars" by David Guterson (what an engrossing story), and "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison (somehow I had never read Morrison). I am happy to have taken a step away from the most recents.