Traveling the world through books
Plus a few newsletter changes, a beloved book I didn't finish, and more summer reading lists
Hi, readers!
First of all, thank you to everyone who took the time to answer my survey questions from last week. Your responses were incredibly helpful to me as I work to make this newsletter the best it can possibly be. I’ll be incorporating lots of your suggestions in the coming weeks, but here are some changes you’ll be seeing starting today:
Recommendations based on mood. On Instagram, I love offering book recommendations based on mood or sharing books that are similar to people’s well-loved prior reads, but I honestly never thought to do that here until so many of you suggested it! If you have requests for reading moods or prior reads you’d like me to use as inspiration for that section, tell me here. I’ll keep a list and share recommendations based on your asks.
No more Hard Sell. This was the section readers said they’re most likely to skip, and honestly it takes me a while to write it each week. Instead, I’ll offer a top pick in the “Mood Reads” section.
Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. While my inclination is to support indie bookstores right now, I recognize that Bookshop is pricey and international shipping is hard to come by. I’ll offer links to both sites from now on.
I also asked on the survey whether readers would be willing to pay a small monthly fee for this newsletter. Responses to this were very mixed! As of right now, I’m not planning to set up a paid newsletter. However, when my fall teaching semester begins in August I may consider setting up a paid component of my newsletter to compensate myself for the time it takes to put together each week. But, I will always offer a free version of the weekly newsletter. And if you’re still interested in offering feedback, the survey will remain open!
This week in books.
This week I read…
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. (Out in the U.S. July 21st) I absolutely adored this book. O’Farrell is an author beloved by many (her novel This Must be the Place shows up on a lot of trusted readers’ all-time favorites lists) but this is the first of her works I’ve read. The book is named for Shakespeare’s son who died when he was 11, only 3 or so years before Shakespeare wrote Hamlet. The novel begins with an epigraph from Stephen Greenblatt that tells readers that during the Renaissance Hamnet and Hamlet were considered the same name (Renaissance spelling and pronunciation were wild apparently!), but this first mention of Hamlet is the only indication we get of Shakespeare’s fame for the majority of the book. In fact, O’Farrell never even names William Shakespeare in her novel. Instead, this is a book about Shakespeare’s family: the figures who have been relegated to the footnotes of this great man’s history. And what Hamnet does so beautifully is give life and complexity and purpose and conviction to those people who Shakespeare loved. This book made me cry because it was just so beautiful, and reminded me that even the smallest lives are rich and meaningful. Preorder on Amazon | Preorder on Bookshop | Purchase from Blackwells
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. This is a book that pits a group of southern mothers and housewives against a slick-talking, child eating vampire. It’s also a book about patriarchy, privilege, apathy, and gaslighting. I’d been seeing rave reviews for this snarky horror novel and I decided to give it a shot on audio because the exceptional Bahni Turpin narrates it. Then, when I was about 30% I started seeing more mixed reviews. Many reviewers love the way this book depicts its Southern housewives characters and many more love the commentary the novel offers on “guilty pleasure” reading genres. But other reviewers have taken issue with the depiction of race, racism, and white saviorism in the book—and I can definitely see where those observations are coming from. I’m not an avid horror genre reader, but from teaching Frankenstein for many years, I know that the best horror fiction are the works that use the supernatural to allegorically critique contemporary societal issues. I think Southern Book Club’s Guide does a fantastic job at turning the patriarchy into a monster, and I wholeheartedly enjoyed that element of the book. The other issue it seemingly tries to tackle, white apathy, is not nearly as prominent or as biting as it should be because ultimately the story still belongs to the white heroine. This part left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I think if you want a snarky and compelling read (albeit with a lot of gore and gratuitous sexual violence) and can keep a critical lens on, this one could still be worth picking up, but it’s not a must-read and it’s certainly not right for every reader. Amazon | Bookshop
A Burning by Megha Majumdar. (Out June 2nd) Set in India after a terrorist attack, this book follows three unforgettable characters and the way their lives intertwine. Jivan is a young woman from an impoverished family whose life is upended when she posts a government critique on Facebook; Lovely is a hijra (hijra is a catchall term used in India for eunochs, intersex, and transgender people) who dreams of becoming a Bollyhood star; and PT Sir is an athletics teacher at a girls school who stumbles upon an interest in politics. This is described as a literary thriller, and I do think that fits. It starts with a threat to a main character and the whole book contains a sense of impending dread. Short chapters with lots of cliffhangers make this a great summer read for anyone who wants the tone and pace of a thriller, but also wants a little more substance. But this isn’t a “fun” read. It’s dark and sad and tackles issues like religious intolerance and government corruption. I also think Majumdar’s writing is wonderful and the voice she gives to each of her characters is remarkable. Preorder on Amazon | Preorder on Bookshop
And now I’m reading…
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. (Out May 26) I downloaded this is a Libro.fm Advanced Listening Copy and I’m really enjoying it. It’s a sweet and smart story about a group of readers in Chawton (Jane Austen’s village) who bond over their love for Austen’s novels. I’m loving all the discussion of Austen, but my favorite parts are the descriptions of Chawton. I had the opportunity to visit the village a few years ago and this book is allowing me to relive the magic of that trip. Preorder on Amazon | Preorder on Bookshop
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. I remember reading the Hunger Games trilogy after I graduated from college and just absolutely falling in love with reading again. As an English major, I’d read a lot, but almost forgotten the joy of reading a book I couldn’t put down. I haven’t reread the series since, but I’m very excited for the new prequel. I know a lot of readers aren’t eager to read a book about young President Snow, but I really appreciate a good villain backstory so I’m excited to see what Collins has in store for us. Amazon | Bookshop
Me absolutely nerding out at Jane Austen’s house in Chawton.
And I didn’t finish…
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Towles’ writing is stunning, but I found that the Count, who’s supposed to be charming, just didn’t win me over. I might try picking this up again because so many people I know have loved it, but it just didn’t hold my attention. Amazon | Bookshop
Mood reads: 12 transporting books for when you’re experiencing wanderlust.
Top Pick: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. For an epic adventure that will take you from Barbados to the arctic and many places in between. Amazon | Bookshop
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. For a love story that traverses between Lagos, London, and the US. Amazon | Bookshop
Austenland by Shannon Hale. For every Austen fan’s dream trip. Amazon | Bookshop
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. To visit Cinque Terra in old Hollywood style. Amazon | Bookshop
The Darkling Bride by Laura Anderson. For a mysterious adventure in an Irish castle. Amazon
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips. For an in depth exploration of the women of the Kamchatka peninsula. Amazon | Bookshop
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. For a trip to Mexico that will delight the senses. Amazon | Bookshop
Out East by John Glynn. To summer in the Hamptons with a rowdy but sweet group of twenty-somethings. Amazon | Bookshop
The Summer Sail by Wendy Francis. To cruise to Bermuda with a delightful group of friends. Amazon | Bookshop
The Vacationers by Emma Straub. To unearth family secrets on the island of Mallorca. Amazon | Bookshop
The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles by Katherine Pancol. To walk the streets of Paris and journey to a Kenyan crocodile farm. Amazon | Bookshop
You, Me, Everything by Catherine Isaac. For a heartwarming family story set in the French countryside. Amazon | Bookshop
Bookish reading.
The New York Times released their summer reading guide and it’s so good! I love that it includes a wide range of categories and genres (like cooking, travel, and sports) that don’t show up on other lists.
BuzzFeed’s list of unputdownable summer reading is also really original! I added a few books I’d never heard of before to my own reading list.
Oprah Magazine asked some wonderful authors for their best book recommendations for social distance reading and their suggestions are everything.
It’s hard to find literary fiction books with happy endings so I truly appreciate this BookRiot list. Based on what I’ve read, I’d call some of these more bittersweet than happy, but I’ll still be bookmarking this list for when I need a guaranteed non-tragedy.
Looking for another star-studded read aloud? The delightful, Oscar-winning Taika Waititi is gathering his Hollywood friends to bring James and the Giant Peach to our computer screens.
You all know I loved Big Summer and Jennifer Weiner’s essay about representations of bodies in women’s fiction is the perfect companion.
Louise Penny’s beloved Inspector Gamache series is heading (back) to the small screen.
Shakespeare’s Globe released video of The Winter’s Tale. I can’t wait to watch!
End notes.
Watching: What We Do in the Shadows (the TV show, but you should 100% watch the movie if you haven’t) and Center Stage (which is my favorite dance movie and is now available on Netflix)
Listening: Dana Schwartz’s historical royals podcast Noble Blood
Making: these quick pickled cucumbers (next time I’ll be adding the jalapeño) and another embroidery pattern from Hoffelt and Hooper
Following: @bowtiesandbooks
That’s all for this holiday weekend, readers! I hope you’ve found a book that will transport you somewhere far away now that travel is nearly impossible.
As always, please feel free to email me with recommendations, questions, and suggestions. I love hearing from you!
Happy reading!
Sara
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