i’m currently reading real americans by rachel khong, such beautiful prose and so engrossing! i think you’d love it, pandora! it recently came out in paperback here in the us!
I've been reading Middlemarch since January, like you with Tolstoy I've been pleasantly surprised by it but I constantly suffer from the anxiety thinking of all the other books I could be reading!
Did I hear you ask for recommendations!? Well ! I'm currently reading Show don't tell by Curtis Sittenfeld; also Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck. Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhurst is a book I can't stop thinking about, and Katherine Arden's In the Warm Hands of Ghosts was just perfect.
Yes please, always here 4 those! I have written about M+M and Curtis S on here (great minds, lol), the title of the Martha Beck makes me… anxious, haven’t heard of the ghostly one—thank you, Ruth, will check out!
Yes, there is something very anxiety inducing when reading about anxiety! Another completely random book I picked up last weekend and couldn't resist was Dom Joly's conspiracy theorists. Who knew he was a writer (hated that show he did) but I am a sucker for a conspiracy theory!
I like it! I like short stories in general, and these are very atmospheric. I'm about 4 chapters in and it's my first time reading her work. They're smart, and satisfying I would say.
But then the one I wanted to read would always be the load baring book! Actually I recon I would feel that way even with the table just to be difficult….
The book that stayed the longest with me and had me pause it sometime as my emotions were so intense was “Shuggie Bain”, but I’m sure you have read it already. Right, Pandora?
Always have two different books of differing genres on the go. Currently reading So Thrilled For You which is great and definitely to your point, an easy ‘beachy read’, alongside The Alchemist.
The Rest is Entertainment - Richard and Miranda did an excellent episode on short fiction books hence the prompt to finally read The Alchemist! Excellent pod episode if you haven’t listened already.
All of these sound delicious! Adding all to the TBR pile. I will say Lucky Night sounds exceptionally intriguing - Like a grown up Green Dot! Because you were pleasantly surprised by how much you liked Wuthering Heights the second time round, I am going to recommend Pride & Prejudice or Emma. I am dipping back into classics between new released and I'm really enjoying it. I have also just bought Coloured Television by Danzy Senna - haven't read it yet but it sounds very good!
You know what, I liked P&P when I read it. I studied it at school and found Mr and Mrs Bennett entertaining. But it's been a long time. I will def be re-reading as one of my best friends is adapting it for Netflix so I want to bone up before that comes out!
I absolutely love your recommendations. I've added 'All the other mothers hate me' and 'Lucky Night' to my basket. I'm currently reading 'How to end a story - collected diaries' by Helen Garner. It has totally engrossed me, and it's a book I feel I will come back to again and again. I enjoy being inside her mind. I recently finished 'The Wedding People' for book club, and what an uplifting read. Also 'Fundamentally' stand up comic funny on a very serious subject. Thank you for all the deep reading you do, so we get to read great reads ❤️
Oooh I am so pleased to hear this. I have the Garner one on my bedside table (in my fireplace) - I was bummed to really *not* love Monkey Grip, as I know she's a literary titan and national treasure in Oz, so I will def give the diaries a ago
Me being confused because the 8th May 2025 has not yet been (I feel like I need to read some Garner I like, before reading this. I’m hopeful her diaries will be the thing, and then I can go back and appreciate this!)
I was confused by the date too. It must be something to do with the print edition. I think you're right and maybe after her diaries, this will be for you. I haven't read 'Monkey Grip' but I enjoyed 'The Children's Bach'
Currently reading Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood. I am enjoying it, but it is a bit unsettling in a creeping, haunting sort of way. Don’t recommend for people with rodent anxieties!
I’ve heard this one is amazing! I think the strange name made me put the proof in another pile and now annoyingly I can’t locate it. Will scour out a second hand one (noted on the anxiety)
I just finished Dust Child by Nguyen Phan Que Mai and Class by Stephanie Land in quick succession. The books couldn't be more different, but I found myself googling so many things after. I love a book that has me yearning to learn more.
You know I love these posts. super excited for moderation and Lucky Night. I love a good literary affair.
Start with America Is Not The Heart!
i’m currently reading real americans by rachel khong, such beautiful prose and so engrossing! i think you’d love it, pandora! it recently came out in paperback here in the us!
I heard of this one! Thank you will source :)
I've been reading Middlemarch since January, like you with Tolstoy I've been pleasantly surprised by it but I constantly suffer from the anxiety thinking of all the other books I could be reading!
Did I hear you ask for recommendations!? Well ! I'm currently reading Show don't tell by Curtis Sittenfeld; also Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck. Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhurst is a book I can't stop thinking about, and Katherine Arden's In the Warm Hands of Ghosts was just perfect.
Yes please, always here 4 those! I have written about M+M and Curtis S on here (great minds, lol), the title of the Martha Beck makes me… anxious, haven’t heard of the ghostly one—thank you, Ruth, will check out!
Yes, there is something very anxiety inducing when reading about anxiety! Another completely random book I picked up last weekend and couldn't resist was Dom Joly's conspiracy theorists. Who knew he was a writer (hated that show he did) but I am a sucker for a conspiracy theory!
Oooh! How are you enjoying Show Don't Tell? I passed on it on my last book shop trip but could easily be persuaded to go back lol
LOVED
I like it! I like short stories in general, and these are very atmospheric. I'm about 4 chapters in and it's my first time reading her work. They're smart, and satisfying I would say.
Every time you post I seem to buy 8 more books and my husband has now noticed that I need a new bookshelf….😂
Ditto. My bedside table is out of control!!
I now keep my 'bedside table books' in the empty fireplace (60 books)
But then the one I wanted to read would always be the load baring book! Actually I recon I would feel that way even with the table just to be difficult….
Considering using books as bedside table and removing table? Would make space for more books…..
Why not just use books as house
For the record I just bought another bookcase I am going to somehow need to HIDE FROM MY HUSBAND
Have you read girls kirsty capes? One of the best books I’ve read in ages and feels very PS
I LOVED her debut. Will check this one out, I have it but have not yet cracked the spine so thank you for the nudge
I’ll be getting her debut from the library next week now.
The book that stayed the longest with me and had me pause it sometime as my emotions were so intense was “Shuggie Bain”, but I’m sure you have read it already. Right, Pandora?
Always have two different books of differing genres on the go. Currently reading So Thrilled For You which is great and definitely to your point, an easy ‘beachy read’, alongside The Alchemist.
The Rest is Entertainment - Richard and Miranda did an excellent episode on short fiction books hence the prompt to finally read The Alchemist! Excellent pod episode if you haven’t listened already.
I love that pod! Thanks for the tip
I loved ‘America is Not the Heart’ so much I nearly called my baby daughter Geronima!
Looking forward to Moderation although it sounds a bit techy.
Oh I love that you loved it too (that would have also been a cool name.) I think that book is criminally under-read
All of these sound delicious! Adding all to the TBR pile. I will say Lucky Night sounds exceptionally intriguing - Like a grown up Green Dot! Because you were pleasantly surprised by how much you liked Wuthering Heights the second time round, I am going to recommend Pride & Prejudice or Emma. I am dipping back into classics between new released and I'm really enjoying it. I have also just bought Coloured Television by Danzy Senna - haven't read it yet but it sounds very good!
You know what, I liked P&P when I read it. I studied it at school and found Mr and Mrs Bennett entertaining. But it's been a long time. I will def be re-reading as one of my best friends is adapting it for Netflix so I want to bone up before that comes out!
I absolutely love your recommendations. I've added 'All the other mothers hate me' and 'Lucky Night' to my basket. I'm currently reading 'How to end a story - collected diaries' by Helen Garner. It has totally engrossed me, and it's a book I feel I will come back to again and again. I enjoy being inside her mind. I recently finished 'The Wedding People' for book club, and what an uplifting read. Also 'Fundamentally' stand up comic funny on a very serious subject. Thank you for all the deep reading you do, so we get to read great reads ❤️
Oooh I am so pleased to hear this. I have the Garner one on my bedside table (in my fireplace) - I was bummed to really *not* love Monkey Grip, as I know she's a literary titan and national treasure in Oz, so I will def give the diaries a ago
https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v47/n08/anne-enright/i-stab-and-stab
Me being confused because the 8th May 2025 has not yet been (I feel like I need to read some Garner I like, before reading this. I’m hopeful her diaries will be the thing, and then I can go back and appreciate this!)
I was confused by the date too. It must be something to do with the print edition. I think you're right and maybe after her diaries, this will be for you. I haven't read 'Monkey Grip' but I enjoyed 'The Children's Bach'
Found this lovely article today and worth reading
I’ve (literally) just finished The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley on a flight home and I really enjoyed it.
Excited for these books. Also, Levin's farm for one million hours is exactly why I have stalled out on Anna Karenina for months...
I try not to skim books generally but I am absolutely giving myself permish to skim agriculture
Currently reading Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood. I am enjoying it, but it is a bit unsettling in a creeping, haunting sort of way. Don’t recommend for people with rodent anxieties!
I’ve heard this one is amazing! I think the strange name made me put the proof in another pile and now annoyingly I can’t locate it. Will scour out a second hand one (noted on the anxiety)
I just finished Dust Child by Nguyen Phan Que Mai and Class by Stephanie Land in quick succession. The books couldn't be more different, but I found myself googling so many things after. I love a book that has me yearning to learn more.
I haven’t heard of either of these, so thank you!
Adding America is the Heart to my TBR! Thank you. Realized I head her book of essays a while ago but didn’t know about the novels