Would recommend The Sea, The Sea by Murdoch. It was my favorite book of the year in 2024. I just purchased The Black Prince another Murdoch. I loved The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. I read it over 7 years ago and have never forgotten it. I have often thought of a re-read. Cousin Rachael is so so good. My recommendation--Australia--would be the Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott, also a favorite. Not that you need any more recommendations. Thanks for a video that made my morning.
Ah, thank you! I will look at that Murdoch too. It’s funny, Angela , the Booktuber I mentioned, also had a Robbie Arnott on her list! Thanks so much for the recommendations!
Rachel will not disappoint‼️ H is also quite lovely. I’ve been trying to get my hands on Graft but sometimes Australia publications are hard to find in the U S.😢
Hi Renee! Great recs as always - thank you ❤ David Mitchell is one of my favorite authors - I love his intense world-building. If you read his interviews, he does this cool thing of taking a minor (often very minor) character from a previous novel and turns them into the main character of a later novel. "A Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" is one of his more conventionally linear narratives but it is a fascinating time in Japanese history, given the country was closed off to outsiders. I have not read enough of Stefan Zweig but I know he influenced Wes Anderson in The Grand Budapest Hotel, I don't know if you've seen that film. Adding to my tbr 🫶 Ocean Vuong also has poetry books, if you're interested, as well as lots of compelling interviews. Look forward to hearing about your Han Kang journey ❤
I was just checking to see if I had missed a recent post from you, and lo and behold, the notification for this video popped up!! Looking forward to this new content from you!
I hope you enjoy The Bell! I think we already briefly talked about it in the comments on the last video, but it was one of the highlights of 2024 for me. I've also been meaning to check out The White Book! I read The Vegetarian years ago, and I want to try another Han Kang.
happy new year, renee :) i have been hearing so much about stefan zweig, definitely have to pick up something by him soon!! also loved hearing you talk about your love for mascots lol
Mascots forever! Do you have any faves? Don’t you love it when you land on an author with a back list? Although Zweig’s is small. Doesn’t matter - I’ll take it. Happy New Year!
Irish Murdoch has always been a wall I come up against, but this year I will try. I'm also going to read The Waves by Virginia Wolff. Would thoroughly recommend H is for Hawk, tender, but a hard read. One of my best books of last year was Don't Move by Margaret Mazzantini - what an amazing writer. Thanks for all your chats - I do enjoy them.
Wonderful update!! I've noticed NYRB often doesn't put the translator on the cover if there is an introduction by another writer, especially if its a pretty well known writer doing the intro. I assume it's because they are dedicated to that title box on the front, which wouldn't fit both the translator and the intro author. I find it frustrating!!
I’ve just bought a used copy of H is for Hawk, and I can highly recommend Melissa Harrison’s All Among the Barley for a nature fiction novel that has a strong character element that is very compelling. It’s from the perspective of a woman recalling a significant period of her life when she was fourteen, but it’s set to the backdrop of rural farming life, and explores women in society at the time (not in an ideological/preachy way), and the tension between protecting traditions and rural way of life, while also moving with the changing times.
Hi, I was happy to see your update! I’ve gone down the same path, watching Booktube top 10s, worst 5, best 12, etc. Some were intriguing and I’ve added a few to my ‘for later’ list at the library. I read H is for Haw a few years ago with my book club, it was interesting but I found it very slow. I wonder what you thought about To the Lighthouse? I read it recently, and I really enjoyed it, but I think had I read it even 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have at all enjoyed it at all! Funny how our tastes change as we age. Good to chat with you…
Jennie, I agree. I loved the pace of To The Lighthouse and was just more interested in Woolf’s writing style and how each character’s interior life was on the page!
Hi. I can vouch for The Bell. I thought it was so weird and funny; I wonder how her contemporary audience received it? The Helen McDonald is actually a memoir about her own father and training a hawk as she deals with her grief. I thought it was quite strong. If you do get to Bleak House, I hope you enjoy it. The morning reading is a good strategy.
Oh maybe you were the one who mentioned it. I’m going to order it from the library and give it a try. Thanks! And thanks for the clarification on H is for Hawk, very interesting!
I have a friend in London who is a member of the Andrew Trollope Society - we talked about my beginning a series and she recommends BarChester (for me) she also mentioned it is on Netflix or one of them and I could start there - but I like to read the book first = I picked up a 600pager(was surprised at length) Lorna Doone--=- Henry James this past fall, I did the Turn of the Screw - right now am reading, a short but good one, Irish writer - short listed Booker, “The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor” =
Virginia , it’s funny …I almost picked up that Trevor book at the library this wk. I do want to try it. Keep me posted! Oh boy do you have some fun in store if you try the Trollope series. That series starts with The Warden which is still one of my favorites!
I've had a copy of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet on my shelf for over a decade. I've never read any David Mitchell and I somehow always look at that book on my shelf and am somewhat intimidated. I was thinking about the book H is for Hawk recently when I saw the Amy Tan bird book(not the same kind of book but still) at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago. Given the subject matter is centered on grief I never know when is a good time to start a book like that... That book and When Women are Birds and also The End of Your Life Book Club are some other memoirs I've wanted to read for years but again - grief and all that comes with it reminds me of a very hard time in my life where grief hit me multiple times in one year and it was one of the worst times of my life. I know such is life but its rough. I was considering reading the book Wintering by Katherine May as it sounded more gentle for this time of year. Thanks for the bookish update! :)
Thanks for sharing. I know what you mean about certain subjects in books. I associate Wintering with 2020 since I had the book and began reading it that year. I enjoyed it.
Im so glad to know that. I bet if I went back and read Great Expectations, it would be fun to experience it again. It was a book we had to read in Junior High.
I read Ocean Vuong's 'On Earth we are Briefly...' I have mixed feelings about it, it had me on edge, a stressful read. I wonder if I would prefer his poetry, as the writing is beautifully poetic.
A number of years ago I worked with a woman who was a pierogi; I think she was Hannah. I never got a picture with her when she was in costume, though...
Confusion sounds *so* good. It has gone on the endlessly growing list 🙌
Hi, Ben. Right? This is why I have the giant white board! I’m eager to get to another Zweig…
i never thought i’d head someone talk about the pittsburgh pirates pierogis on booktube 😭
Check that off the list! 👏👏👏😆.
Would recommend The Sea, The Sea by Murdoch. It was my favorite book of the year in 2024. I just purchased The Black Prince another Murdoch. I loved The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. I read it over 7 years ago and have never forgotten it. I have often thought of a re-read. Cousin Rachael is so so good. My recommendation--Australia--would be the Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott, also a favorite. Not that you need any more recommendations. Thanks for a video that made my morning.
Ah, thank you! I will look at that Murdoch too. It’s funny, Angela , the Booktuber I mentioned, also had a Robbie Arnott on her list! Thanks so much for the recommendations!
to more Baldwin and Hayes!!! would love to do some this year. sounds like your reading is going well so far in the new year!
Yes!! Lots of books I picked up and didn’t finish too. But to me, that’s a good thing also!
Rachel will not disappoint‼️
H is also quite lovely.
I’ve been trying to get my hands on Graft but sometimes Australia publications are hard to find in the U S.😢
Oooh I started it last night and….its off to the races with that one! On Graft….i have a feeling that’ll be a challenge. Fingers crossed!
Hi Renee! Great recs as always - thank you ❤
David Mitchell is one of my favorite authors - I love his intense world-building. If you read his interviews, he does this cool thing of taking a minor (often very minor) character from a previous novel and turns them into the main character of a later novel. "A Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" is one of his more conventionally linear narratives but it is a fascinating time in Japanese history, given the country was closed off to outsiders.
I have not read enough of Stefan Zweig but I know he influenced Wes Anderson in The Grand Budapest Hotel, I don't know if you've seen that film. Adding to my tbr 🫶
Ocean Vuong also has poetry books, if you're interested, as well as lots of compelling interviews.
Look forward to hearing about your Han Kang journey ❤
I’m intrigued even more now! Oh that’s right…I had heard that about Wes Anderson…I’m a big fan. Im eager to get to another Zweig!
I was just checking to see if I had missed a recent post from you, and lo and behold, the notification for this video popped up!! Looking forward to this new content from you!
Lynn, thanks so much for being here. I appreciate it! I’m about to make another one this wk. Lots to share!
I hope you enjoy The Bell! I think we already briefly talked about it in the comments on the last video, but it was one of the highlights of 2024 for me. I've also been meaning to check out The White Book! I read The Vegetarian years ago, and I want to try another Han Kang.
Oh yes, Andries, we did! The White Book has been a really good warm up for me into Han Kang’s work. It is like a book of prose really - vignettes.
happy new year, renee :) i have been hearing so much about stefan zweig, definitely have to pick up something by him soon!! also loved hearing you talk about your love for mascots lol
Mascots forever! Do you have any faves? Don’t you love it when you land on an author with a back list? Although Zweig’s is small. Doesn’t matter - I’ll take it. Happy New Year!
Irish Murdoch has always been a wall I come up against, but this year I will try. I'm also going to read The Waves by Virginia Wolff. Would thoroughly recommend H is for Hawk, tender, but a hard read. One of my best books of last year was Don't Move by Margaret Mazzantini - what an amazing writer. Thanks for all your chats - I do enjoy them.
Agreed! I too will try. She was such a favorite of mine in the 90s. Oooh I’d love to hear about your experience with The Waves!
I read The Sea the Sea last year and really liked it. I have The Bell and The Black Prince. I am planning to try one of those this year.
Oh good feedback. Thanks!
Wonderful update!! I've noticed NYRB often doesn't put the translator on the cover if there is an introduction by another writer, especially if its a pretty well known writer doing the intro. I assume it's because they are dedicated to that title box on the front, which wouldn't fit both the translator and the intro author. I find it frustrating!!
Oh that’s a good point! We love NYRB though in spite of that! Thanks for watching!
I’ve just bought a used copy of H is for Hawk, and I can highly recommend Melissa Harrison’s All Among the Barley for a nature fiction novel that has a strong character element that is very compelling. It’s from the perspective of a woman recalling a significant period of her life when she was fourteen, but it’s set to the backdrop of rural farming life, and explores women in society at the time (not in an ideological/preachy way), and the tension between protecting traditions and rural way of life, while also moving with the changing times.
I really appreciate the recommendations. Thanks!
Hi, I was happy to see your update! I’ve gone down the same path, watching Booktube top 10s, worst 5, best 12, etc. Some were intriguing and I’ve added a few to my ‘for later’ list at the library. I read H is for Haw a few years ago with my book club, it was interesting but I found it very slow. I wonder what you thought about To the Lighthouse? I read it recently, and I really enjoyed it, but I think had I read it even 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have at all enjoyed it at all! Funny how our tastes change as we age. Good to chat with you…
Jennie, I agree. I loved the pace of To The Lighthouse and was just more interested in Woolf’s writing style and how each character’s interior life was on the page!
❤📚📚❤️
H is for Hawk, and My Cousin Rachel are both great reads.
Enjoy.
Thanks for the feedback. I’m loving My Cousin Rachel. How gothic! It’s a page turner alright.
@thelefthandedreader6632 Yay! It is, for sure.
Hi. I can vouch for The Bell. I thought it was so weird and funny; I wonder how her contemporary audience received it?
The Helen McDonald is actually a memoir about her own father and training a hawk as she deals with her grief. I thought it was quite strong.
If you do get to Bleak House, I hope you enjoy it. The morning reading is a good strategy.
Oh maybe you were the one who mentioned it. I’m going to order it from the library and give it a try. Thanks! And thanks for the clarification on H is for Hawk, very interesting!
I have a friend in London who is a member of the Andrew Trollope Society - we talked about my beginning a series and she recommends BarChester (for me) she also mentioned it is on Netflix or one of them and I could start there - but I like to read the book first = I picked up a 600pager(was surprised at length) Lorna Doone--=-
Henry James this past fall, I did the Turn of the Screw - right now am reading, a short but good one, Irish writer - short listed Booker, “The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor” =
Meant to mention I am a Boston all the way sports girl, but I would be with the “Pierogi group with my Polish blood”
Virginia , it’s funny …I almost picked up that Trevor book at the library this wk. I do want to try it. Keep me posted! Oh boy do you have some fun in store if you try the Trollope series. That series starts with The Warden which is still one of my favorites!
Yay, you’re in both camps!
I've had a copy of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet on my shelf for over a decade. I've never read any David Mitchell and I somehow always look at that book on my shelf and am somewhat intimidated.
I was thinking about the book H is for Hawk recently when I saw the Amy Tan bird book(not the same kind of book but still) at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago. Given the subject matter is centered on grief I never know when is a good time to start a book like that... That book and When Women are Birds and also The End of Your Life Book Club are some other memoirs I've wanted to read for years but again - grief and all that comes with it reminds me of a very hard time in my life where grief hit me multiple times in one year and it was one of the worst times of my life. I know such is life but its rough. I was considering reading the book Wintering by Katherine May as it sounded more gentle for this time of year.
Thanks for the bookish update! :)
Thanks for sharing. I know what you mean about certain subjects in books. I associate Wintering with 2020 since I had the book and began reading it that year. I enjoyed it.
Hi Renee, I think that I read on Goodreads that Ocean Vuong has a new book coming out this year.
I see that too! Have you read On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous?
Am interested to hear what you think of The White Book😊
I am well into it now and am glad I began with it. Thoughts to come!
A Thousand Autumns actually sounds rather intriguing! Speaking of Dickens, I just finished Great Expectations, quite entertaining. The characters!
Im so glad to know that. I bet if I went back and read Great Expectations, it would be fun to experience it again. It was a book we had to read in Junior High.
N.GALILEA is a great author to check out ~ inspiring books
I don’t know that name at all. I’d be glad to take a look!
Zweig is an exceptional writer: his Beware of Pity (some translations have a variant title) is one of the most powerful novels I have read.
That’s amazing. The power that books can have is so so interesting. Thanks so much for sharing this!
I read Ocean Vuong's 'On Earth we are Briefly...' I have mixed feelings about it, it had me on edge, a stressful read. I wonder if I would prefer his poetry, as the writing is beautifully poetic.
I know what you mean about books that can make one feel that way!
A number of years ago I worked with a woman who was a pierogi; I think she was Hannah. I never got a picture with her when she was in costume, though...
Your comment warms my heart 🥰