Two epic, expansive, well-told stories
Plus classics on audio and the most influential children's lit of all time
Hey, readers!
We are full steam ahead in getting our house reading to put on the market. Prepping for staging plus the return of Novel Parings podcast plus reading for my fall reading guide plus a baby who’s decided to go on a nap strike all have me feel a little loopy, but we’re doing our best.
This week on Instagram, I shared a picture of my overflowing shelves and asked if anyone could guess what our stager suggested doing with them for showings. A lot of people guessed leaving them empty or organizing them with a just a couple knickknacks and maybe a stack of books or too. Those were great ideas and that’s absolutely what I thought she’d suggest as well. But she actually wants me to keep the shelves full (although decidedly not overflowing!) but turning all of the books spine in! I was completely shocked, and I have to admit I’d be pretty horrified if I walked into someone’s house and discovered that’s how they actually store their books. But I am kind of curious to see what that’s going to look like, and, of course, I’ll be sure to share pictures!
This week in books.
This week I read…
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Well, I finished. Will I ever be the same again? Have I found a new book for my unofficial top 10 list? Probably no and probably yes. I read this after we selected it as our Big Book of Summer for Novel Pairings, and I don’t want to say too much because I’m really looking forward to discussing it with Chelsey for our episode dropping August 30th. But I will say that I loved it. This book—this massive Western classic about a bunch of men on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana—reminded me of why I love reading so much. It’s a character-driven saga filled with a cast who feels so real, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget them if I wanted to. I know this is going to sounds strange, but if you love classics like Emma, Middlemarch, or Great Expectations, you should pick up Lonesome Dove. And if you don’t love classics but love modern sagas like The Son, A Little Life, or Outlander, you should also pick this up. It’s gorgeously written, utterly riveting, and completely character-driven. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra. Okay, I actually read this a couple weeks ago. But I’ve gotten a few requests to share my thoughts here, and I’m really glad to do so because, readers, I adored this book. I’ve read one other work by Marra (The Tsar of Love and Techno) so I was very eager to pick up his newest novel, and it did not disappoint. This chunky novel is a compulsively readable story filled with rich historical detail and thoughtful commentary. The book opens on Artie and Maria, a movie executive and his right-hand woman trying to keep the flailing Mercury Pictures International afloat as the world descends into World War II. Marra takes us from Mussolini’s Italy to 1940s Hollywood with a tightly interconnected core cast of flawed, but lovable characters. This isn’t an “issues book” but through the rich tapestry of the story Marra offers commentary on propaganda, American identity, and the mid-century immigrant experience. The writing absolutely sparkles with wit and detail, cementing Marra as one of my favorite writers working today. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
I checked out a few additional titles for my fall guide, but I’m keeping them under wraps for now.
Now I’m reading…
Where the Wild Ladies Are by Aoko Matsuda. The FictionMatters Book Club wanted to read a book together for Women in Translation month, and this was my selection. I’m finding it hard to settle into, but I think it’s going to be worth the effort! Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Booth by Karen Joy Fowler. I wanted to try to do some of the Booker books on audio and I’ve heard this is a good one in that format. So far, I’m really enjoying this unique style of historical fiction! Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
More fall releases for my fall reading guide!
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.
The attack on Salman Rushdie is terrifying and sad. Read up on why his work has been so controversial over the last two decades.
11 books recommended by NYT this week.
17 books to empower women readers.
The Tell Me Lies trailer released this week. I went to the same college as the author of the novel the show is based on and I am…apprehensive about seeing our school brought to the small screen.
The 30 most influential children’s books of all time.
This article from Vulture was a nice succinct summary of the Penguin Random House / Simon and Schuster antitrust trial.
Great versions of classics on audio.
End notes.
As I watch less TV and struggle to find new podcasts, it’s gotten harder to fill specific categories each week so I’m mixing up my “End notes.” I hope you enjoy it!
Five things making me happy this week:
This conversation about social media on Pantsuit Politics perfectly encapsulates how I’m feeling about Instagram right now and explains why I’m so glad I launched this newsletter.
Novel Pairings. We’re starting to record for our upcoming fall season and it feels wonderful to be back at the mic with Chelsey.
Watching Lou pick up some sign language. We didn’t start implementing any signing until the last few weeks, and I’m blown away by how quickly she’s started experimenting with it. We have the My First Signs book that came in a Lovevery play kit but there are plenty of others out there.
What We Do in the Shadows. It’s the funniest show on TV, and the only thing I’m watching with any regularity these days. I look forward to it every week.
The Madewell pre-fall sale. I’m really looking forward to cooler weather and the clothing that brings. Here’s what I’ve got my eye on.
1. Central Shirt | 2. Flutter Sleeve Wrap Top | 3. Transport Accordion Crossbody | 4. Lusterweave Button-Front Mini Dress | 5. Pull-On Relaxed Jeans | 6. Lakeline Popover Top | 7. Whisper Cotton Rib Crewneck | 8. Kickoff Trainer Sneakers in Pink Nubuck | 9. Collarless Central Shirt | 10. The Perfect Vintage Jean in Lunar Wash
Love getting the FictionMatters newsletter in your inbox every week?
Support my work, keep the newsletter running, and get bonus monthly emails by becoming a paying subscriber!
Readers, I hope your TBR is stocked for the last month of summer reading! For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. I love hearing from you!
If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, please forward it to a book-loving friend. That’s a great way to spread bookish cheer and support the newsletter!
Happy reading!
Sara
LONESOME DOVE 😍😭 “Will I ever be the same again? Have I found a new book for my unofficial top 10 list? Probably no and probably yes.” 🙋🏻♀️ OMG me too. I’m also reading Booth this week, and looking forward to chatting about it! 💛
PS: that green dress from Madewell was already in my cart and I’m just treating myself this afternoon 😂
This week’s episode of What We Do in the Shadows is one of the funniest and best things I’ve seen all year!