Lord of the Rings re-read. Currently in book two and realised I‘m here for Treebeard. His choice quotes, IMHO
„I am not going to tell you my name, not yet at any rate. For one thing it would take a long while: my name is growing all the time, and I've lived a very long, long time; so my name is like a story. Real names tell you the story of the things they belong to.“
And
„…the smell of the air! I used to spend a week just breathing.“
I just finished Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin and Notes to Self by Emily Pine. For non fiction/self help I am reading The five things we cannot change by David Richo.
David Richo is so fantastic- I loved that book. I've got Notes to Self in my giant teetering pile, and can't wait to get to it. I've been eyeing Scaffolding as well - what did you think?
I liked Scaffolding, especially as I am a Francophile and love Rohmer movies. But also, I found beautiful parallels to Annie Ernaux and Colombe Schneck’s books (some of which Elkin translated). And there was something also linking this to another recent read- All Fours by Miranda July. I just love how women write these days and the insights we get in to the female psyche, in so many ways it is a great time to be a woman (and I am not minimizing the violence and hatred against women and - Scaffolding actually has that as subtle leitmotiv- there is just now such a wonderful abundance of good women writers being published).
I am adoring women's writing these days. You have definitely convinced me! I've got Ernaux on the nightstand, too. (Picture my nightstand as the size of a New York City avenue block and that almost captures the volume of books I want to read at all times.) So much to read!
I loved Notes to Self. Read it two years ago and went back to it just recently. I love the honesty and nuance with which she tackles challenging relationships. Going to go look for Scaffolding now!
I am working my way through Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. The subtitle of this non-fiction book is - Four weeks to embrace your limitations and make time for what counts. He is also the author of Four Thousand Weeks. This book has been illuminating.
This is not fiction exclusive! This sounds excellent. I've been reading more nonfiction this year, which I've really enjoyed. Thank you for sharing this.
The last comfort/inspiration book I read is Matt Haig’s The Life Impossible. For easy comfort I usually browse romance and YA—some authors I’ve read multiples: Talia Hibbert, Beth O’Leary, Erica Bauermeister, Natalia Sylvester. Some other books that jump out for me: The Time-Traveler’s Wife, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Before the Coffee gets Cold, The House on the Cerulean Sea, Parakeet. Also anything by Ali Smith. I’ll take a well-written memoir—especially if it has funny moments— Hungry Heart by Jennifer Weiner is one of them.
Also lurking for other ideas. Currently slogging through multiple NF books … will need to slide into a novel soon! 📚
I love this collection of comfort reads! I have been in need of gentle reads this year. Recent favourites include This is Happiness by Niall Williams, Where to Begin by Cleo Wade, 52 Things to Look Forward To by Sophie Blackall, and Darling by India Knight.
Lord of the Rings re-read. Currently in book two and realised I‘m here for Treebeard. His choice quotes, IMHO
„I am not going to tell you my name, not yet at any rate. For one thing it would take a long while: my name is growing all the time, and I've lived a very long, long time; so my name is like a story. Real names tell you the story of the things they belong to.“
And
„…the smell of the air! I used to spend a week just breathing.“
That last line is gorgeous. Love!
This Laurie Colwin re-issue. Look how cute the cover is! https://uk.bookshop.org/a/153/9781474615990
I discovered Laurie Colwin last year through her food writing. Such a gem.
I've got to get on this one!
Omg I keep seeing those covers and drooling!
I'm pulling out my copy of Moominvalley in November for good measure!
Such a great call!!
Tove Jansson is always here for us 😍
I love her.
We're deep in Famous Five land as a family holiday might now. My little one is addicted. Also venturing into Peter Brown's Wild Robot.
How sweet- I ended up getting a copy of Mr. Tiger Goes Wild on your recommendation. Love me some Peter Brown!
I'm going to do a reading of that. It's so poingent.
I just finished Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin and Notes to Self by Emily Pine. For non fiction/self help I am reading The five things we cannot change by David Richo.
David Richo is so fantastic- I loved that book. I've got Notes to Self in my giant teetering pile, and can't wait to get to it. I've been eyeing Scaffolding as well - what did you think?
I liked Scaffolding, especially as I am a Francophile and love Rohmer movies. But also, I found beautiful parallels to Annie Ernaux and Colombe Schneck’s books (some of which Elkin translated). And there was something also linking this to another recent read- All Fours by Miranda July. I just love how women write these days and the insights we get in to the female psyche, in so many ways it is a great time to be a woman (and I am not minimizing the violence and hatred against women and - Scaffolding actually has that as subtle leitmotiv- there is just now such a wonderful abundance of good women writers being published).
I am adoring women's writing these days. You have definitely convinced me! I've got Ernaux on the nightstand, too. (Picture my nightstand as the size of a New York City avenue block and that almost captures the volume of books I want to read at all times.) So much to read!
I loved Notes to Self. Read it two years ago and went back to it just recently. I love the honesty and nuance with which she tackles challenging relationships. Going to go look for Scaffolding now!
🥳🥳
I am working my way through Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. The subtitle of this non-fiction book is - Four weeks to embrace your limitations and make time for what counts. He is also the author of Four Thousand Weeks. This book has been illuminating.
I just finished that one last month — loved 4000 Weeks as well. So glad you’re enjoying it. What’s been your favorite discovery?
'Your Soul Had a Dream, Your Life was It by Rebecca Campbell - obsessed.
Oooh - this sounds juicy!
I'm reading How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy. He's so cheerful and encouraging. Not fiction, but very uplifting 🎸
This is not fiction exclusive! This sounds excellent. I've been reading more nonfiction this year, which I've really enjoyed. Thank you for sharing this.
40 Rules Of Love by Elif Shafak
She's so wonderful. Are you loving it?
Absolutely
Yay!
The Silence Factory by Bridget Collins - The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis
Lovely- thanks for sharing these!
Table for Two by Amor Towles, short stories set in New York and Los Angeles. Not as gripping as his novels but I would recommend it.
Sometimes a short story is just the ticket. I read Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King about this time last year and it was exactly what I needed.
The extraordinary life of Sam Hell.
Finished it in one day.
The Women by Kristin Hannah about the women in Vietnam.
Anything from Fredrick Backman 😍
Great ones! I love a book you read in a day. Such a treat.
The last comfort/inspiration book I read is Matt Haig’s The Life Impossible. For easy comfort I usually browse romance and YA—some authors I’ve read multiples: Talia Hibbert, Beth O’Leary, Erica Bauermeister, Natalia Sylvester. Some other books that jump out for me: The Time-Traveler’s Wife, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Before the Coffee gets Cold, The House on the Cerulean Sea, Parakeet. Also anything by Ali Smith. I’ll take a well-written memoir—especially if it has funny moments— Hungry Heart by Jennifer Weiner is one of them.
Also lurking for other ideas. Currently slogging through multiple NF books … will need to slide into a novel soon! 📚
House in the Cerulean Sea! 💯So good! We are all slogging together. We‘ll read our way to recovery and resistance. 💪
I love this collection of comfort reads! I have been in need of gentle reads this year. Recent favourites include This is Happiness by Niall Williams, Where to Begin by Cleo Wade, 52 Things to Look Forward To by Sophie Blackall, and Darling by India Knight.
I’ve got this one up next on audio. So excited!