28 Comments

Oh bummer. I was waiting for this post with bated breath. I read The Water Statues a year or two ago and had since then harbored hope that someone would come along and tell me what it was I had read... Now that hope is extinguished: your gifs and the disappeared notes mirror my own experience which, I guess, is like a "water statue" if I may use the title despite my incurable incomprehension of the work. Like you, I really enjoyed Sweet Days of Discipline. As for Water Statues... that's it, I give up. But now I know to look for that Iris Murdoch novel! Thanks!

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I hope there is someone out there who can explain that book to us. I really wanted to like it and tried hard to understand it. Oh well. I hope you find the Murdoch novel and enjoy it!

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Sep 1Liked by Books on GIF

It is nice to hear you enjoyed Mammoth as well Mike! I need to read Permafrost now to round out the trilogy - but I am not sure anything could top Boulder...

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I agree, Martha. I don't think anything could beat Boulder. So good! I also need to read Permafrost. It's on my pile, but I have no idea when I'll schedule it. Maybe around the new year?

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Sep 1Liked by Books on GIF

It was just so so good. And perhaps I’ll see you there re Permafrost!!! Could be a fun buddy read seeing as we’re Baltasar experts now 😉

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Yes! Let’s do it!

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Wait, so Mammoth is part of a trilogy?! All the cool girls write them?! Rachel Cusk, Constance Debré, Baltasar? Who else? 🧐

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Sep 3Liked by Books on GIF

Haha it IS! Cool girls write trilogies you heard it here first x

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I am sooo intrigued by the water statues….tempted by the challenge. Hmmmmm

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Go for it! Then tell me what it’s about! 😂

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Sep 1Liked by Books on GIF

Great reviews, but only Iris peaks my interest. BUT, I have the 25th anniversary edition of The House on Mango Street. Need to finish my book club book this afternoon and then will read House to see if we agree in 2 weeks! Happy Labor Day to you and Donna.

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I’m excited to see if we agree, Kate! Hope you’re having a great weekend!

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Sep 2Liked by Books on GIF

Perfect hat!

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Thanks! I love it so much!

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So excited to read your thoughts on The House on Mango Street!! I DNFed in when going through a reading slump in 2023 but I've been dying to pick it up again!

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Thanks, Rosamelia! I think I read it back in high school or something like that, but I have no memory of it. I'm excited to read it again for the first time lol!

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Menand is a psychopath! Thank you for sharing that thoughtful response to that article just found someone new to subscribe to

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Lol, I just remembered that I have one of his books, which I read a million years ago, and maybe it's time to donate it or otherwise unload it. Glad you enjoyed the link and that you subscribed! That's great!

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Sep 3Liked by Books on GIF

Love the idea that the New Yorker website was like, "No, no, don't put yourself through this article." Thank you for sharing! 💛

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Lol! I'm kinda glad the site blocked me from reading it. Thanks for the terrific rebuttal!

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I LOVED BOULDER and now cannot wait to read the rest of Baltasar's work!!!

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Boulder was so good! I really love her work and want to read all of it. Can't wait to read Permafrost soon!

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OMG coffee through the nose as I got to your review of the Jaeggy book.

I am definitely adding Baltasar to the top of my TBR! Sounds right up my alley.

Also, not to sound like Amazon... BUT... if you liked Mammoth, I think you would really love the Constance Debré trilogy. I just read Playboy and LOVED IT and I'm about to pick up the second one - Love Me Tender. I think the third one is not out yet in the States. But it's sexy as hell and just a super cool reflection on marriage, infidelity, privilege... I highly, highly recommend it.

THANK YOU for sharing The Joan Didion Group Project. I am so curious where we end up with it!

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P.S. I love Womb House Books and have the Rachel Cusk hat. The looks I get. 💅

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I am obsessed with Womb House and I love my hat! At first it was kinda weird feeling people looking at it. Now I don't care lol!

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Ha! Glad you linked the reviews. I hope you read Mammoth and enjoy it. Also be sure to read Boulder, if you haven't. An amazing novel! I was looking at Playboy recently at the bookstore and it looked interesting. I will take a closer look, for sure. Good luck with Joan!

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Now I really want to read “The Italian Girl!” And hear Donna read tomorrow night!!

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Yes! So excited for that!!

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