April was busy and I didn’t read as much on spring break as I had hoped. I marked several books off my year-long reading plan, not because I’d read them but because I decided I no longer wanted to. That is what I’m finding with my A.I. mapped reading calendar. It forces me to make a call. Instead of punting into eternity, the book is on the list for this month. If I don’t want to make the time for it right now, I must not want to read it that badly.
Either way the TBR stack I started with at the beginning of the year is getting smaller. Now, my new TBR stack is growing but that’s Rebecca Romney’s fault (see below!).
Before we dive in to April, May means we are pivoting from Giant to Ragtime in the America 250 Book Club! Doctorow's novel is a kaleidoscopic whirl through the early 20th century, and we're reading it just in time for the Broadway revival in NYC! In fact, a group of us are heading to NYC May 29–31 to see Ragtime together, walk through the Tenement Museum, and spend an afternoon at the Morgan Library. It’s not too late to join for the very best kind of bookish weekend. Either way, come read with us! (And if you're new here, now is a perfect moment to jump in — Ragtime is its own complete experience, no Giant required.)
This is Happiness by Niall Williams
Neighbours, as Jesus knew, can be a not insignificant challenge to anyone’s Christianity.
The April selection for Well-Read Mom AND Stephen Colbert’s Book Club, this novel is an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT. It is the story of the fictional Faha, Ireland, as it finally receives electricity in the mid-20th century as well as the coming-of-age story of Noel Crowe. As most Irish fiction can be, it is funny and warm and heartbreaking and incredibly wise. I loved just about every character in this novel and was so sad when it was over. If you love stories about place and the passage of time, then take a trip directly to Faha.
And, if you want to know more about this particular time in Ireland, I highly recommend We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland by Fintan O’Toole.
Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend by Rebecca Romney
It is as if there were a quota for female fiction writers, preferably no more than one per century or at most per half-century. We have one already in Austen, the position is filled.
Rebecca Romney is a rare book dealer (dream job!) who goes on a quest to build a collection of the women writers Jane Austen read, loved, and was influenced by. Over the course of long chapters, you learn about these writers, you learn about Austen, you learn about literature and how the canon shifts and changes over time, and you learn about publishing and editions and book collecting.
This book is absolutely fascinating, but it is also deeply touching and affecting. I found myself tearing up about what might have been for some of these women and how important it is for one person to stand up and say, “No, this text is worth the reading.”
Did this book absolutely BLOW. UP. my TBR list? Yes. But does that suddenly seem like an honor instead of a chore? Also, yes. Frances Burney, here I come!
Famesick: A Memoir by Lena Dunham
Those first experiences of creative acceptance are unparalleled, because you don’t know enough to worry.
My devotion to Lena Dunham is well-documented. I believe the first season of Girls to be an almost perfect piece of pop culture. I think she is brilliant and funny and one of the best writers out there. Having her bring all that brilliance to one of my most favorite topics - fame? Couldn’t click pre-order fast enough.
Lena did not disappoint. She brings her unsparing honesty to not only her experience with fame but her struggle with chronic illness. Now, I understand some people do not love Lena Dunham as much as I do. I get it. However, I would like to say that there are perhaps other recent biographic efforts that deserve a smidge more ire and criticism. I thought her memoir was great and, if she wants to write her third in another 20 years, I’ll be reading that as well.
The Stand by Stephen King
We’ll have to stand watch for him.
I did it! I finished The Stand, all 1200+ pages of it! Laura Tremaine and I started Slow Read: The Stand early so I am now finished before our book club members. It is not too late for you to join if you’re interested. Simply pick up this satisfying odyssey and start with episode one of our podcast. Our final episodes, where I share my full and complete take on this novel, will premiere in June!
What I Didn’t Finish
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
I wanted to like this novel, particularly since it fit with the Irish literature theme I had going this month. However, I got about 20% in and couldn’t get any further. I didn’t particularly care for any of the characters and I certainly didn’t care what happened to them.
Secure Love: Create a Relationship That Lasts a Lifetime by Julie Menanno
Another month, another nonfiction book I waited for months to get from Libby that I then didn’t read much past Chapter 1!
What did you read in April?
Yesteryear is the only book I read this month that I want to talk about and I’m dying for you to read it because it seems like one of those you, in particular, will have *THOUGHTS* about. And you might hate it, which I would also enjoy.
I loved This is Happiness, too! And strongly recommend Time of the Child to be read during Advent. 👶