Hello Shelley, I just discovered your podcast and enjoyed listening to your account there. You mentioned that "You Dreamed of Empires" had a dreamy, hallucinatory quality. I haven't read it but it brought to mind another book I haven't yet read, Peter Watson's "The Great Divide: Nature and Human Nature in the Old World and the New" (Harper 2012),, where he notes the much wider presence of hallucinogenic plants in the new world, compared to the old. Don't know if that might have shaped the novelist's approach, but I found that fascinating.
I'm just waiting for Steve to tell me what to read. I usually choose one of his literary picks to read before the year ends, and keep all the other ones for posterity. What would we all do without that man?
I really enjoyed this video and loved 🥰 how honest you were about each of the books 📚 five 5️⃣ stars prayers and blessings for you and your family love ❤️ your Aussie family friend John xxx
I just noticed your Shirley Temple doll on the shelf. How special that you have one. I grew up watching all her movies. Is that a doll from your childhood or did you buy it as an adult?
You are not alone! I read July's The First Bad Man and I was extremely underwhelmed. The absurdism is just not for me. Don't feel like you have to read it if it doesn't speak to you! I also agree that I'm saturated with WWII books and if I'm going to read something about that time period I want something with a new angle.
Cold Crematorium is an amazing read. it is riveting. Anyone interested in a highly readable Holocaust experience should read it. It is very well translated and does not get bogged down in politics. It is just a very human first person account of what it was like to be in a Nazi run labor camp.
I am not a fan of memoirs, although I sometimes really enjoy historical biographies. I loved James and You Dreamed of Empires, so I was thrilled when they picked Enrigue's book. Dreamed of Empires is not for everyone, but it was so funny and a unique take on colonialism. All Fours is on a lot of lists but I have no urge to read it. Martyr is on my TBR. Overall, I was okay with the fiction picks.
It’s interesting to consider the different types of books that we enjoy. I'm glad you enjoyed Enrigue's book. I'm still wondering if I ought to pick it up or not.
I thought the list was very disappointing, except for James which was worth a top rating. Since I lived through the Reagan era I have no interest in reading anything about him. I'm reading Challenger by Adam Higginbotham. Pretty good so far.
Merry Christmas ❄️
Happy holidays!
Hello Shelley, I just discovered your podcast and enjoyed listening to your account there. You mentioned that "You Dreamed of Empires" had a dreamy, hallucinatory quality. I haven't read it but it brought to mind another book I haven't yet read, Peter Watson's "The Great Divide: Nature and Human Nature in the Old World and the New" (Harper 2012),, where he notes the much wider presence of hallucinogenic plants in the new world, compared to the old. Don't know if that might have shaped the novelist's approach, but I found that fascinating.
Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate you.
I'm just waiting for Steve to tell me what to read. I usually choose one of his literary picks to read before the year ends, and keep all the other ones for posterity. What would we all do without that man?
Seriously! If he tells me the Miranda July is the best, I’m buying it tomorrow. 😂😂
I really enjoyed this video and loved 🥰 how honest you were about each of the books 📚 five 5️⃣ stars prayers and blessings for you and your family love ❤️ your Aussie family friend John xxx
That's so kind of you, John! 💖
@ no worries 😉
I just noticed your Shirley Temple doll on the shelf. How special that you have one. I grew up watching all her movies. Is that a doll from your childhood or did you buy it as an adult?
Shirley is a doll from my childhood. My parents recently curried it to me. :)
@@Shellyish 🥰
You are not alone! I read July's The First Bad Man and I was extremely underwhelmed. The absurdism is just not for me. Don't feel like you have to read it if it doesn't speak to you! I also agree that I'm saturated with WWII books and if I'm going to read something about that time period I want something with a new angle.
I’m glad that I’m not alone!!
If you want a book about the leading up to the WWII era in Germany, read "In The Garden of Beasts" .
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll look into it.
Cold Crematorium is an amazing read. it is riveting. Anyone interested in a highly readable Holocaust experience should read it. It is very well translated and does not get bogged down in politics. It is just a very human first person account of what it was like to be in a Nazi run labor camp.
Oh! Thanks for letting me know!!!
I am not a fan of memoirs, although I sometimes really enjoy historical biographies. I loved James and You Dreamed of Empires, so I was thrilled when they picked Enrigue's book. Dreamed of Empires is not for everyone, but it was so funny and a unique take on colonialism. All Fours is on a lot of lists but I have no urge to read it. Martyr is on my TBR. Overall, I was okay with the fiction picks.
It’s interesting to consider the different types of books that we enjoy. I'm glad you enjoyed Enrigue's book. I'm still wondering if I ought to pick it up or not.
Hmmm… 🤔 Nothing calling me. TBR is safe!! 😆
That’s a good way of looking it at!!!
I thought the list was very disappointing, except for James which was worth a top rating. Since I lived through the Reagan era I have no interest in reading anything about him. I'm reading Challenger by Adam Higginbotham. Pretty good so far.
Yes! James was worth a top rating for sure!!
I plan on reading All Fours so I’ll let you know how it is so you don’t have to read it. 😂
I appreciate you looking out!!
I started Martyr and couldn't stand it. It's following around an addict while he searches for the meaning of life. Boring as hell.
I agree.
I’m officially skipping it!
The quality of the expressive vocabulary supports the research that reading books doesn’t enrich your vocabulary.
Thanks for sharing.