I'm several months behind on the two year long DickensAlong that Katie Lumsden (of Books and Things on YouTube) has been running, so I am doing a Dickens Dash, finishing off Our Mutual Friend and The Mystery of Edwin Drood before the end of the year, so that I can start Simon Haisell's Wolf Crawl (and the slow read of War and Peace - thanks ADHD) on January 1st. I'm fine. This is fine.
This year I took a shot at Simon’s W&P slow read, and I did great until about June. So I’ll tackle the 2nd half starting in January and it is what it is. “Dickens Dash” has a good ring to it, and I’m rooting for you!
We all need to have those books queued up for a cozy break. I finally read an Emily Henry for the same reason this week and am now afraid I’ll finish everything she’s written by new years and then there won’t be any more. Ahhh!
I'm reading Real Americans. Hope to finish by tomorrow and then find a new one! We have the Icelandic book flood in my house so Christmas eve is for reading in front of the fire. Hopefully, some snow too
Audiobooks have won the race recently because I can do something mindless and it’s much harder to put the book down at the end of a chapter. I just finished listening to Writers and Lovers—I have the physical book and it’s been on my tbr for years. I almost DNFed it but then I got into it, eagerly waiting for the end to see how the author pulled it off.
I’m in the early middle of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and I’d rather savor it (on real paper) than rush to finish it.
I'm drawing close to the end of the 722 page FAYNE by Canadian novelist Ann-Marie MacDonald and looking forward to the next one on the list, GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead.
Yes, FAYNE was quite good. It is a saga along the lines of a Bronte epic. I wasn't sure it was for me at first but it grew on me like ... I won't say what to avoid a spoiler! Have you read it?
After a Freida McFadden binge (The Housemaid; The Housemaid is Watching; The Housemaid’s Wedding; The Coworker) I read Jews in the Garden by Judy Rakowsky. A powerful read about a Holocaust survivor who returns to Poland in search of a family member and the unexpected truths uncovered. I needed some thing much lighter after such a deep topic, and being a New England I wanted a summer beach read escape. So naturally, I turned to Elin Hilderbrand: Winter in Paradise; What Happens in Paradise; Troubles in Paradise; and Nantucket Nights.
Great lineup! I tend to swing between deep/intense/emotional reads and lighter ones. I went from Woman in the Polar Night to Book Lovers last week and I found it an excellent pairing.
I am currently reading Bird by Bid by Anne Lamott. Its a book which describes her life as an Author, what you possibly might write about - and how. As english isnt my mothertongue and I do not use it too often (I live in Sweden) I really like the way the book is written, but I wonder how much will stay with me and form knowledge? There must be an almost intuitively translation in my brain if I am going to be able to enjoy the advice she gives!?
Anyway, its still beautiful to hear the english languagemelody while reading...
I commend you for reading in English! I read in German, but usually as a challenge and to increase my vocabulary. (It also tires my brain out faster in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep 😆)
Bird by Bird is such a good one. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it. Lamott’s advice definitely made a strong impression on me early in my writing life. I think
of “shitty first drafts” alllll the time. I am sure it’s sinking in more than you realize. 🥰
What a coinsidence that you met up with this book, too! I agree that you probably know some of the advice already, still its instructive in a fun and special way of its own.
I'm hoping to finish Written by Bec Evans and Chris Smith (also on Substack https://breakthroughsandblocks.substack.com/) and for a wintery fiction read, about to dive into The Snow Ball by Brigid Brophy ❄️
In an old cozy Christmas tradition of mine (when back home where my parents live) I'm revisiting some of my old Agatha Christie copies, specifically Three Act Tradegy. It's the perfect time of the year for murder mysteries!
...Bird by bird!
I'm several months behind on the two year long DickensAlong that Katie Lumsden (of Books and Things on YouTube) has been running, so I am doing a Dickens Dash, finishing off Our Mutual Friend and The Mystery of Edwin Drood before the end of the year, so that I can start Simon Haisell's Wolf Crawl (and the slow read of War and Peace - thanks ADHD) on January 1st. I'm fine. This is fine.
This year I took a shot at Simon’s W&P slow read, and I did great until about June. So I’ll tackle the 2nd half starting in January and it is what it is. “Dickens Dash” has a good ring to it, and I’m rooting for you!
Thank you! I’m almost halfway through Our Mutual Friend so I can do this. It’s not like I have anything else to do at this time of year! 😅
Reading half of War and Peace is still an achievement. Good luck with the second half!
Agreed — Dickens dash sounds like running a 5k in period dress and I actually quite love it. 🤣
I have multiple Nora Robert’s books going- one audio and one physical. It helps with checking out and relaxing while not having to think too hard.
We all need to have those books queued up for a cozy break. I finally read an Emily Henry for the same reason this week and am now afraid I’ll finish everything she’s written by new years and then there won’t be any more. Ahhh!
I'm reading Real Americans. Hope to finish by tomorrow and then find a new one! We have the Icelandic book flood in my house so Christmas eve is for reading in front of the fire. Hopefully, some snow too
Best tradition ever! We will likely do the same. 🥰
Squeezing in is right! I’m trying to make my reading goal of 40 books and am currently on #35. This is the plan (hope?) -
The List - 35
Harlem Shuffle - 36
The Star Side of Bird Hill - 37
The Book of Night Women - 38
Let Me Liberate You - 39
The Book of Delights - 40
You’ve got this!!
I’m reading Foundation and Earth, capping off a year where I read every book in Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Universe
Wow! Hows does it feel?
All the festive vibes🎄. holiday romance books in my TBR ♥️and a Christmas movie marathon 🍿. I just love reading at this time of year!
SAME. I go into reading hyperdrive. I had a couple train rides this week and read two books and finished a third I was partway through for ages. Bliss
Audiobooks have won the race recently because I can do something mindless and it’s much harder to put the book down at the end of a chapter. I just finished listening to Writers and Lovers—I have the physical book and it’s been on my tbr for years. I almost DNFed it but then I got into it, eagerly waiting for the end to see how the author pulled it off.
I’m in the early middle of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and I’d rather savor it (on real paper) than rush to finish it.
I love both of these — I can definitely see wanting to read Vuong on paper. 💗
I'm drawing close to the end of the 722 page FAYNE by Canadian novelist Ann-Marie MacDonald and looking forward to the next one on the list, GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead.
Oooh - right down to the wire! Have you enjoyed Fayne?
Yes, FAYNE was quite good. It is a saga along the lines of a Bronte epic. I wasn't sure it was for me at first but it grew on me like ... I won't say what to avoid a spoiler! Have you read it?
I haven’t yet… but I do enjoy a Brontë feeling! I’ll
add it to my terrifying #tbr
Maiden to Mother
After a Freida McFadden binge (The Housemaid; The Housemaid is Watching; The Housemaid’s Wedding; The Coworker) I read Jews in the Garden by Judy Rakowsky. A powerful read about a Holocaust survivor who returns to Poland in search of a family member and the unexpected truths uncovered. I needed some thing much lighter after such a deep topic, and being a New England I wanted a summer beach read escape. So naturally, I turned to Elin Hilderbrand: Winter in Paradise; What Happens in Paradise; Troubles in Paradise; and Nantucket Nights.
Great lineup! I tend to swing between deep/intense/emotional reads and lighter ones. I went from Woman in the Polar Night to Book Lovers last week and I found it an excellent pairing.
Well, I’m glad I’m in good company!
I am currently reading Bird by Bid by Anne Lamott. Its a book which describes her life as an Author, what you possibly might write about - and how. As english isnt my mothertongue and I do not use it too often (I live in Sweden) I really like the way the book is written, but I wonder how much will stay with me and form knowledge? There must be an almost intuitively translation in my brain if I am going to be able to enjoy the advice she gives!?
Anyway, its still beautiful to hear the english languagemelody while reading...
I commend you for reading in English! I read in German, but usually as a challenge and to increase my vocabulary. (It also tires my brain out faster in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep 😆)
Bird by Bird is such a good one. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it. Lamott’s advice definitely made a strong impression on me early in my writing life. I think
of “shitty first drafts” alllll the time. I am sure it’s sinking in more than you realize. 🥰
What a coinsidence that you met up with this book, too! I agree that you probably know some of the advice already, still its instructive in a fun and special way of its own.
Good luck with your german reading, too!
It’s a classic! One of my favorites. Enjoy and thanks for the well-wishes with German. It will be a lifelong effort, I expect. 🤪
I'm hoping to finish Written by Bec Evans and Chris Smith (also on Substack https://breakthroughsandblocks.substack.com/) and for a wintery fiction read, about to dive into The Snow Ball by Brigid Brophy ❄️
Oooh- great choices!
Thanks Caroline! ☺️
In an old cozy Christmas tradition of mine (when back home where my parents live) I'm revisiting some of my old Agatha Christie copies, specifically Three Act Tradegy. It's the perfect time of the year for murder mysteries!
Totally agree! I really love a wintry murder read over Christmas. 🎄
Sister Snake & House of Doors with Orbital downloaded
I loved Orbital. Hope you do, too!
I'm sure I will! Forgot to list "The Fox Wife" by Yangzse Choo.
I read House of Doors earlier this year and quite enjoyed it. Have you gotten around to it yet?
I LOVED it!!