What was your favorite book you read this summer? I’ll start: My favorite—far and away, not even close—was ‘The Transit of Venus’ by Shirley Hazzard. It had a riveting story and the writing was spectacular.
I have been very curious about The Transit of Venus since I read your review! This is super cheesy but I just finished “Nine Perfect Strangers” by Liane Moriarty because I’d started watching the show on Hulu and was impatient to find out what happens. It was corny as all get out but I zipped through it. I just started “Severence” by Ling Ma.
Ha! That's funny about 'Nine Perfect Strangers,' but I'm going to do the same thing for 'Dune' so who am I to judge?! I am interested to hear what you think of 'Severence.' I've heard good things, but have not read it yet. Also would be very interested to hear what you think of Venus!
"Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness" was a great non-fiction read. "Breast and Eggs" is the best fiction read of the summer!
'Belly of the Beast' sounds like a fascinating and intense book! It reminds me that I need to get more nonfiction onto the newsletter mix. Also, 'Breasts and Eggs' has been on my list for a while. I will read just about anything Europa Editions publishes!
It was intense but surprisingly accessible and with a great bibliography to dig deeper! I found "Good Talk" amazing and that was among your nonfiction suggestions, so I absolutely approve this resolution :)
I loved “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead” so much! The plot captured me from the very beginning, and the gorgeous writing made me feel like I was on the mountainside with the characters.
Yes! That's so true! I'm so glad you enjoyed that book. I really liked it, too. It's not very often that a story lives up to such an unusual and arresting title!
I've been meaning to review an Ann Patchett book for a while now. Would you recommend starting with this book? Also the Autobiography book sounds really interesting and intense. Will check it out!
I think her two newer novels are much better than her older ones. Truth and Beauty is older but I loved it, and Autobiography is some of the best writing I’ve seen from the perspective of a Kid/teen.
I've had Book One on my shelf for years, but haven't gotten to it yet. I did enjoy 'A Time For Everything,' and have always meant to return to his work. Maybe in 2022!
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu (translated by Ken Liu). Science fiction based on some real physics. Also a good dose of history and politics. Some parts feel dull but overall a book with imaginative setting and plot.
I have heard good things about The Three-Body Problem and had made a deal a few years ago to borrow it from a friend. I need to see if that deal still stands!
I finally broke down and read Wolf Hall, and really dug it. I also listened to Rebecca on a solo road trip, thanks to your rec, and it was an engrossing, creepy companion.
Oh! Who did the Rebecca reading? Was it anyone famous? I'm glad you liked Wolf Hall. I ended up liking that book, too, but it took me a while to get into it. It was a slog, but rewarding in the end!
OK, I’m a few weeks late to this, but I wanted to chime in and say I read a great beach read this summer: “The Plot” by Jean Hanff Korelitz, which was a light, fun, page-turner/thriller with themes that will appeal to book lovers. I also really enjoyed “Lake Success” by Gary Shteyngart, wherein he made me care about a clueless super-wealthy hedge fund manager. I recently read that Shteyngart was a consultant for the TV show “Succession,” which makes a lot of sense after reading “Lake Success.”
With these threads there's no such thing as late! I read Shteyngart's Super Sad True Love Story and thought it was fine. Haven't been motivated to return to his work, but I know he is beloved by many so I will eventually. I haven't read a thriller in a while so I will check out The Plot!
I have been very curious about The Transit of Venus since I read your review! This is super cheesy but I just finished “Nine Perfect Strangers” by Liane Moriarty because I’d started watching the show on Hulu and was impatient to find out what happens. It was corny as all get out but I zipped through it. I just started “Severence” by Ling Ma.
Ha! That's funny about 'Nine Perfect Strangers,' but I'm going to do the same thing for 'Dune' so who am I to judge?! I am interested to hear what you think of 'Severence.' I've heard good things, but have not read it yet. Also would be very interested to hear what you think of Venus!
yes so far I like this book a lot. I think I will get through it quickly… THE SPICE!! If you guys go see Dune in the theater can I go with you?!?
Yes! For sure!
I loved "Severance"! I got it as "book blind date" from Reading Women (here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ReadingWomen) which made it even nicer!
That blind date thing is such a cool idea! Thanks for the link!
Purchased “Afterparties” by Anthony Veasna So last weekend and love the stories in it so far. Such a shame that he died so young.
I'm excited to read that when you're done with it!
"Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness" was a great non-fiction read. "Breast and Eggs" is the best fiction read of the summer!
'Belly of the Beast' sounds like a fascinating and intense book! It reminds me that I need to get more nonfiction onto the newsletter mix. Also, 'Breasts and Eggs' has been on my list for a while. I will read just about anything Europa Editions publishes!
It was intense but surprisingly accessible and with a great bibliography to dig deeper! I found "Good Talk" amazing and that was among your nonfiction suggestions, so I absolutely approve this resolution :)
I'm so glad you enjoyed 'Good Talk'! I hope to find something comparably good soon!
I loved “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead” so much! The plot captured me from the very beginning, and the gorgeous writing made me feel like I was on the mountainside with the characters.
Yes! That's so true! I'm so glad you enjoyed that book. I really liked it, too. It's not very often that a story lives up to such an unusual and arresting title!
Autobiography of a Face + Truth and Beauty combo
I've been meaning to review an Ann Patchett book for a while now. Would you recommend starting with this book? Also the Autobiography book sounds really interesting and intense. Will check it out!
I think her two newer novels are much better than her older ones. Truth and Beauty is older but I loved it, and Autobiography is some of the best writing I’ve seen from the perspective of a Kid/teen.
My Struggle - Book One, Karl Ove Knausgard
I've had Book One on my shelf for years, but haven't gotten to it yet. I did enjoy 'A Time For Everything,' and have always meant to return to his work. Maybe in 2022!
Go ahead, you'll not regret. I already have number two waiting on my shelf.
Detransition, Baby was a great new release and I’m excited to revisit A Sport and a Pastime, a summer reread fave!
I've heard good thing about Detransition Baby, so that's on my list. The Salter novel is new to me. I'll have to check it out!
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu (translated by Ken Liu). Science fiction based on some real physics. Also a good dose of history and politics. Some parts feel dull but overall a book with imaginative setting and plot.
I have heard good things about The Three-Body Problem and had made a deal a few years ago to borrow it from a friend. I need to see if that deal still stands!
I finally broke down and read Wolf Hall, and really dug it. I also listened to Rebecca on a solo road trip, thanks to your rec, and it was an engrossing, creepy companion.
Oh! Who did the Rebecca reading? Was it anyone famous? I'm glad you liked Wolf Hall. I ended up liking that book, too, but it took me a while to get into it. It was a slog, but rewarding in the end!
OK, I’m a few weeks late to this, but I wanted to chime in and say I read a great beach read this summer: “The Plot” by Jean Hanff Korelitz, which was a light, fun, page-turner/thriller with themes that will appeal to book lovers. I also really enjoyed “Lake Success” by Gary Shteyngart, wherein he made me care about a clueless super-wealthy hedge fund manager. I recently read that Shteyngart was a consultant for the TV show “Succession,” which makes a lot of sense after reading “Lake Success.”
With these threads there's no such thing as late! I read Shteyngart's Super Sad True Love Story and thought it was fine. Haven't been motivated to return to his work, but I know he is beloved by many so I will eventually. I haven't read a thriller in a while so I will check out The Plot!