Thank you so much for featuring For the Love of Mark Twain! I had the most delightful conversation with a writer from Paducah Life Magazine, and it was so much fun talking Kentucky with her ❤️.
A couple of weeks ago on the podcast, you mentioned the value of reading classics. I wanted to say that the Timothy West readings of Anthony Trollope novels on Audible are some of my favorites. I slowly worked my way through the Chronicles of Barsetshire over several summers, and they were so charming and cozy. Definitely recommend!
The best things I read this month were "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara and "I was Anastasia" by Ariel Lawhon. I completely disagree about "Everything is Tuberculosis." I thought he took a subject that could be dry and unenticing and made it read more like a novel. I loved it. 5 stars.
I was glad to read your positive review of the Louis L'Amour book. My FIL just gave L'Amour's novel The Lonely Men for my 12-year-old to try and I was nervous about the portrayal of Native Americans, etc. Your review makes me want to try it too!
Very excited that you recommended Elizabeth Oldfield during the time of your trip. Her work is now really shaping me. I'm excited to check out the book.
I read John Green's Tuberculosis book with my 14-year-old (she devours non-fiction medical books), and she loved it. It was great to read with that age because we were able to discuss how he laid out his argument and various persuasive strategies he used. Also, she feels 'in' when vaccine discussions are in the news.
For November, I was very slow reading...
The Fraud by Zadie Smith (one of the few authors I've read completely)
The War of the World's by Wells
Blood, Butter, and Bones- autobiography by Gabrielle Hamilton, and last book to meet my reading goal (book about a restaurant or chef)
Finally finished The Power Broker! (Puffs chest) I started unsure what the fuss was about but within a few chapters I was committed. Like your McKinsey book I struggled in the middle when, at the height of his powers, reading about the destruction was tough. But once the journalists start figuring him out and taking him down I was back in the game! For anyone who is reading this or considering it, check out the 99% Invisible podcast series where they did a year-long read along. The podcast eps are crazy long too, but make sure you get to the special guest interviews— so good!
I read two novels: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan and What We Can Know by Ian McEwan. I recommend both but deeply loved the McEwan novel. I also read Bonnie Tsui's On Muscle which was such a creative, immersive delight about the benefits of building strength and also, kind of everything else? I loved it! And finally, I'm nearly finished with Robert J. Morgan's The Strength You Need about the great strength passages in the Bible. If you love gaining richer insight into familiar biblical texts, you will want to read it! I have added Fully Alive to my hold list at the library.
Here is my question about The Stand because you’ve convinced me on the slow read (just finished Habits of the Heart!) and I’m super tempted to hang out with you and Laura Tremaine for this. But I am a giant weenie and don’t do horror. I’ve never read a word by Stephen King. Honestly, how scary/gory is it? Will I be able to sleep??
Have you read “The Favorites”? I feel like I saw it and “Broken Country” on all of the lists this year. I didn’t love “Broken Country”, but I am devouring “The Favorites”! A re-telling of Wuthering Heights using ice dancing?! Sign me up!!
Sarah, next year can I request that we get a heads up when the dog dies in a book? That ruined Hondo for me but otherwise I liked it. I’m thinking westerns are not the genre for me. 😊
I have to recommend Connective Tissue by Eleanor Thom. This is a loosely based on Thom’s family background. Her protagonist, Helen, is in hospital in Scotland, 35 weeks pregnant with complications. She starts to have vivid dreams about her granny, who died when she was 4 and she can’t remember much about her. How did her German Granny end up in rural Scotland, married into a Traveller family? Helen starts to investigate and ofc, the truth is utterly heartbreaking.
I got this book from the library, but have bought it for my Mum’s birthday as I’m sure she’ll love it too.
Thank you so much for featuring For the Love of Mark Twain! I had the most delightful conversation with a writer from Paducah Life Magazine, and it was so much fun talking Kentucky with her ❤️.
A couple of weeks ago on the podcast, you mentioned the value of reading classics. I wanted to say that the Timothy West readings of Anthony Trollope novels on Audible are some of my favorites. I slowly worked my way through the Chronicles of Barsetshire over several summers, and they were so charming and cozy. Definitely recommend!
Oh yay! I'm so glad that worked out. I called Darlene the second the book showed up and said she needed to interview you for the magazine!
The best things I read this month were "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara and "I was Anastasia" by Ariel Lawhon. I completely disagree about "Everything is Tuberculosis." I thought he took a subject that could be dry and unenticing and made it read more like a novel. I loved it. 5 stars.
I was glad to read your positive review of the Louis L'Amour book. My FIL just gave L'Amour's novel The Lonely Men for my 12-year-old to try and I was nervous about the portrayal of Native Americans, etc. Your review makes me want to try it too!
Very excited that you recommended Elizabeth Oldfield during the time of your trip. Her work is now really shaping me. I'm excited to check out the book.
I read John Green's Tuberculosis book with my 14-year-old (she devours non-fiction medical books), and she loved it. It was great to read with that age because we were able to discuss how he laid out his argument and various persuasive strategies he used. Also, she feels 'in' when vaccine discussions are in the news.
For November, I was very slow reading...
The Fraud by Zadie Smith (one of the few authors I've read completely)
The War of the World's by Wells
Blood, Butter, and Bones- autobiography by Gabrielle Hamilton, and last book to meet my reading goal (book about a restaurant or chef)
The Fraud is SO GOOD
Finally finished The Power Broker! (Puffs chest) I started unsure what the fuss was about but within a few chapters I was committed. Like your McKinsey book I struggled in the middle when, at the height of his powers, reading about the destruction was tough. But once the journalists start figuring him out and taking him down I was back in the game! For anyone who is reading this or considering it, check out the 99% Invisible podcast series where they did a year-long read along. The podcast eps are crazy long too, but make sure you get to the special guest interviews— so good!
Oh, and I also read Emily Henry for relief!
You should be proud ...it's on my list! My husband read it a couple of years ago and keeps insisting I read it
Believe him— it’s remarkably good!
I read two novels: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan and What We Can Know by Ian McEwan. I recommend both but deeply loved the McEwan novel. I also read Bonnie Tsui's On Muscle which was such a creative, immersive delight about the benefits of building strength and also, kind of everything else? I loved it! And finally, I'm nearly finished with Robert J. Morgan's The Strength You Need about the great strength passages in the Bible. If you love gaining richer insight into familiar biblical texts, you will want to read it! I have added Fully Alive to my hold list at the library.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Here is my question about The Stand because you’ve convinced me on the slow read (just finished Habits of the Heart!) and I’m super tempted to hang out with you and Laura Tremaine for this. But I am a giant weenie and don’t do horror. I’ve never read a word by Stephen King. Honestly, how scary/gory is it? Will I be able to sleep??
It's about a pandemic story so not a lot of scary/gore ... so far at least! Laura says it's more about the battle between good and evil
I would love to win a copy of the book Fully Alive!
Have you read “The Favorites”? I feel like I saw it and “Broken Country” on all of the lists this year. I didn’t love “Broken Country”, but I am devouring “The Favorites”! A re-telling of Wuthering Heights using ice dancing?! Sign me up!!
Sarah, next year can I request that we get a heads up when the dog dies in a book? That ruined Hondo for me but otherwise I liked it. I’m thinking westerns are not the genre for me. 😊
I have to recommend Connective Tissue by Eleanor Thom. This is a loosely based on Thom’s family background. Her protagonist, Helen, is in hospital in Scotland, 35 weeks pregnant with complications. She starts to have vivid dreams about her granny, who died when she was 4 and she can’t remember much about her. How did her German Granny end up in rural Scotland, married into a Traveller family? Helen starts to investigate and ofc, the truth is utterly heartbreaking.
I got this book from the library, but have bought it for my Mum’s birthday as I’m sure she’ll love it too.