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Turtle Diary | Russell Hoban

Question 5 of 6 #nyrbbookclub

@vivastory @BarbaraBB @catebutler @Liz_M @sprainedbrain @KVanRead @LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @daena @arubabookwoman @emilyhaldi @quietjenn @mklong @youneverarrived @Reviewsbylola @batsy @Tanisha_A @Theaelizabet @Billypar @merelybookish @saresmoore @sarahbarnes @GatheringBooks

vivastory I do agree with this. I am at the same age as one of the characters in TD, so I think that it has something special to say for people at a certain time in their lives. But it doesn't read as a mid-life crisis novel, either. One of the fascinating aspects of TD is how it tackles themes (environmental disaster, romance, mid-life uncertainty) without becoming exclusively one of those type of novels. It's broader than that. 3y

DrexEdit In places it started to remind me of Barbara Pym's Quarter in Autumn which I found very bleak for a "middle-age" novel. But this one always pulled back to a place of hope or at least possibilities. Middle-age seems to be where things settle in for a lifetime, or everything changes! 3y

vivastory @DrexEdit I have been meaning to read Pym for awhile now. 3y

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DrexEdit @vivastory I didn't warm to the Quartet, but the writing was lovely and many people here have assured me not all her novels are as bleak. I intend to give her another try. 3y

vivastory @DrexEdit Thanks for the tip. I will keep it in mind. 3y

quietjenn Yes, and I think being squarely middle age at the moment definitely impacts how I've reacted to the novel and makes certain aspects of it resonate in a way they wouldn't have otherwise. 3y

arubabookwoman I didn't think it was so much a novel of middle-age as a novel for anyone who one day looks around and asks, "Is this all there is?" @DrexEdit & @vivastory Quartet in Autumn is Pym's darkest novel (& my favorite of the 5 or 6 I've read). I also think it's more a novel of old age rather than middle-age. But what is age? When I turned 70 I suddenly realized I could no longer call myself middle-aged any more. 3y

Liz_M I also not so sure this is a novel of middle-age as it is a great novel for a subset of single middle-aged people and those that seem to have drifted into a life of subsistence rather than fullness. It is more hopeful than many of the “spinster lit“ novels we've read the past few years but more melancholy than some of the more family/relationship focused novels we've read. 3y

BarbaraBB @arubabookwoman Exactly, the “is this all there is” theme is of all ages I think. Also I‘m not sure what age is meant with middle-aged, it‘s more a state of mind I think. Both William and Naera seemed older to me than I am myself though they are younger. Not sure what I want to say but the world middle-aged always confuses me because I don‘t know what it implies. 3y

vivastory @arubabookwoman @drexedit It sounds fascinating. I have been meaning to read it for awhile & I am going to move it up my TBR especially after the endorsements. I just ordered it. 3y

vivastory @Liz_M Very well stated. There was a recent thread on NYRB challenging someone to name a heartwarming story that they have published. Needless to say, it was tough. (edited) 3y

Leftcoastzen I think as many of you do there are stages in life where you get stuck, where you think life is going in a positive direction that will hold then it stops , the “is that all there is” type moment . It tends to be in midlife , but it can be earlier or later. 3y

vivastory @Leftcoastzen I think this is a great point. I also think that there can be events extraneous as to if an individual is truly “mid-life“ that can precipitate reevaluations. I can imagine that the events of the past 2 years have had such an effect. 3y

batsy I agree that it's more a state of mind novel than anything else, and will speak to anyone dealing with these questions in their mind, but because I've "recently" entered my 40s and feeling pretty blah about life and society's expectations, the bit about it being a middle-aged novel really spoke to me, too. 3y

GatheringBooks Loved reading the musings about what constitutes middle age: is it when you reach 40? 50? The book seems to suggest 40ish. While I did appreciate the subtlety in the language and the carefully executed turns of phrases and the surprise suicide towards the end which pulled the rug from under my feet as a reader, I felt a tad impatient with it, the slowness felt laborious to me which is probably is how it should be, but I suspect it may 👇🏼 3y

GatheringBooks (Cont) Simply be where I am at in my life. While I recognize the allegorical nature of the turtle dilemma and all that it signifies, I did not feel as emotionally invested as I probably needed to be for the novel to work for me. Again I blame it on my inattentiveness and the crazy million and one things I am currently doing. (edited) 3y

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Turtle Diary | Russell Hoban

Question 4 of 6 #nyrbbookclub

@vivastory @BarbaraBB @catebutler @Liz_M @sprainedbrain @KVanRead @LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @daena @arubabookwoman @emilyhaldi @quietjenn @mklong @youneverarrived @Reviewsbylola @batsy @Tanisha_A @Theaelizabet @Billypar @merelybookish @saresmoore @sarahbarnes @GatheringBooks

vivastory I found it very intriguing that there seemed to be elements of himself in both characters. I was reminded a bit of Jansson's Fair Play. I read in a review online that Turtle Diary was Hoban's first adult novel, which I also find interesting. Especially reading Neara's passages about writing children's books & her struggles. 3y

readordierachel It's interesting to know, but it doesn't change the way I interpret the novel. Writers often use their own life for inspiration. Write what you know and all that. It did make me wonder how many of the interactions in the novel may have happened to him personally. The new age rebirthing scene for instance 3y

DrexEdit Yeah, I don't think it did. I did find it interesting that the guy that wrote this also wrote Bread and Jam for Francis, but I didn't really see a connection except in a superficial way. 3y

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arubabookwoman I was aware that he was a children's book writer (with his wife), having read many of those children's books to my own kids. I also knew that he and his wife divorced shortly after they moved to London. Didn't know about the advertising work. But these biagraphical aspects he incorporated into the novel didn't bother me. 3y

arubabookwoman I did enjoy reading about how Neara created her work for children and how seriously she took her animal characters. There is a similar respect for the characters in Hoban's children's books I'm glad to say, so probably a lot of that came from his own life and work. 3y

Liz_M I was also going to use the write what you know adage. I struggle with how much to consider the author in how I think about a work. On one hand, the book should stand on it's own, but on the other hand I value "own voices" works. 3y

quietjenn Not particularly, although I suspect that if I were to go back and read the Frances books now, it might make me view them a little differently (and I can't even imagine what I might think if I ever get around to reading Ridley Walker). 3y

quietjenn @readordierachel Oh yes! I so want to know what reality that was based on! Every now and then there would be a moment in the book where I was very strongly reminded that we were in the 1970s! 3y

vivastory @quietjenn I had to bail on Riddley Walker after a couple of pages. I am going to give it another shot, but I think it's one where I'll have to read it out loud for the first few pages to get into the swing of the lingo 3y

quietjenn @vivastory I've never actually attempted it, although I know people who adore it. I think I'm a bit intimidated by it! 3y

readordierachel @arubabookwoman I really enjoyed that aspect too, how seriously she took her children's books. The thoughts about madame beetle and such were very engaging 3y

readordierachel @quietjenn @vivastory I was thinking about picking up Riddley, but I read some reviews that said it was pretty inaccessible so I'm intimidated as well 3y

readordierachel @quietjenn Yes, so 70s! 3y

BarbaraBB I didn‘t know the author wrote children‘s books as well and worked in advertising. So it didn‘t bother me but now that I know I recognize a bit of the copywriter in the book - especially in the humorous parts. 3y

merelybookish I did find it kind of fascinating to think about as Bread and Jam for Frances is a pretty classic work of children's lit. Plus, I studied children's lit so Neaera's somewhat jaundiced views on it were interesting to me. I read/heard on a podcast (can't remember where) that Hoban considered himself an under-appreciated author. I suspect he blamed that somewhat on being perceived as a writer for children. 3y

Leftcoastzen I was going to try Riddley too but a guy I knew who was a pretentious twit was really into it so I said nope . 😂Maybe someday. 3y

vivastory @merelybookish I remember James Mustich cited Mouse & His Child as one of his favorite books in an interview. I always meant to read it. 3y

vivastory @Leftcoastzen It's interesting how the audience of a work can shape our expectations of it. I avoided Baudelaire like the plague for YEARS because of goth kids I knew in HS. 😂 3y

Leftcoastzen @vivastory that‘s funny ! 3y

batsy It didn't particularly change how I saw the novel, but it was intriguing to learn the details of his real life because like @vivastory says it's cool to see that he sort of put himself in both characters. I thought Neaera was a particularly intriguing female character and unique; her voice really came through strongly and it was distinctive. I've also not read his Frances children's books (or anything else by him) and I feel like I must fix that! 3y

readordierachel @batsy Totally agree about Neara's voice. She was so sharp and well drawn. I enjoyed being in her head. 3y

GatheringBooks I have read a few of Russell Hoban‘s children‘s books which is why I was entertained by the supposed “biographical” elements of the narrative, which I could extrapolate from Neaera‘s musings which was aptly described by @merelybookish as “jaundiced” - not surprised at all that Hoban thought of himself as underappreciated, if this story is to go by, he strikes me as a cantankerous old man if he resembles William G (which I predict he does). 3y

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Turtle Diary | Russell Hoban

Question 3 of 6 #nyrbbookclub

@vivastory @BarbaraBB @catebutler @Liz_M @sprainedbrain @KVanRead @LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @daena @arubabookwoman @emilyhaldi @quietjenn @mklong @youneverarrived @Reviewsbylola @batsy @Tanisha_A @Theaelizabet @Billypar @merelybookish @saresmoore @sarahbarnes @GatheringBooks

vivastory I loved the structure of the novel. As I mentioned in a post about the book I can have difficulty immersing myself in a work if there is little dialogue, but am able to latch on if there are observations by interesting characters. The alternating POV of 2 very interesting & flawed characters kept me engaged. 3y

readordierachel I loved the structure as well @vivastory Greag point about the observations making up for the lack of dialogue. Their entries aren't just navel gazing. They are both constantly examining the world around them, even if it's just inside their own flats. And their thoughts are allowed to spin out, bouncing around to different topics, like real people's do. So even tho we're so close to them and their idiosyncrasies, there's something universal 3y

readordierachel *Great 3y

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vivastory @readordierachel I loved how their thoughts would move from topic to topic. I think it would have been easy for Hoban to have made it a dense, & somewhat dull, book about ideas. But I found it very lively because of their thoughts. As you point out. 3y

readordierachel @vivastory Yes, lively is a good way to describe it! 3y

DrexEdit @readordierachel what a terrific way to put it! Yes! 💯% agree! 3y

arubabookwoman I liked the structure & it worked for me, & I loved the coincidences in their experiences and similarities in their thoughts both before and after they connected. (The dead cat at the end both saw for example (ugh)). As I noted before, I sometimes had difficulty telling their voices apart. Whether this was intentional on Hoban's part--I.e. their characters are so similar--or just because the writing style didn't change between them, I'm not sure. 3y

quietjenn I really enjoyed the structure. The way their thoughts flowed seemed very realistic to me and I especially loved the bits where they would find themselves touching on the same ideas or objects, each from their own perspective. 3y

vivastory @quietjenn I also really liked reading their perspective on the same idea/object. I thought that was interesting. 3y

Liz_M Like @quietjenn and @arubabookwoman I also enjoyed the deliberate mirroring between the alternating chapters, especially in the beginning before they meet when one character seems to glimpse the other. It was an effective way to create a narrative drive. (edited) 3y

readordierachel @Liz_M Yes, good point. That tension while we're waiting for their stories to converge is important 3y

BarbaraBB Agree with you @Liz_M , very effective. I also enjoyed how little we learned about their lives up until now. We know the facts, not the impact, not the drama. Thar really stood out for me. 3y

batsy I loved the structure and he used it so well; getting to the end of the book allowed me to appreciate just how well. Like you say Rachel he did so much within the form, so it wasn't just them navel gazing. Initially I had a hard time getting into the book because I was reading it in bits and pieces, and I almost bailed at the start. But when their paths crossed with the turtles the structure of the book clicked into place for me. 3y

GatheringBooks Loved hearing about your thoughts which are starkly different from mine; the alternating pov didn‘t particularly work for me mainly because I found it challenging to distinguish between the two voices. I had to go back time and again to determine whose voice am I reading - because I couldn‘t tell them apart especially in the first half of the novel. I realize though that this may be deliberate to demonstrate the parallels across the two characters 3y

GatheringBooks It could also be that my attention wasn‘t fully there while reading, hence the difficulty in differentiating across the two characters. 🥲😅 - it is tough being immersed in both their minds, so joyless. 😭😭😭 3y

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Turtle Diary | Russell Hoban

Question 2 of 6 #nyrbbookclub

@vivastory @BarbaraBB @catebutler @Liz_M @sprainedbrain @KVanRead @LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @daena @arubabookwoman @emilyhaldi @quietjenn @mklong @youneverarrived @Reviewsbylola @batsy @Tanisha_A @Theaelizabet @Billypar @merelybookish @saresmoore @sarahbarnes @GatheringBooks

vivastory I do think that William G has also experienced a change but it will take longer to develop & is outside of the bounds of the narrative. I loved to see the hints that he was changing as a person at the very end when he visited Neaera. 3y

readordierachel I agree @vivastory that he is developing more slowly. He did seem to be somewhat less melancholy by the end. I hesitate to say hopeful. Perhaps a little more resigned, but not in a sad way. He's not as explicitly self-reflective as Neaera, so it can't be as neatly measured. 3y

DrexEdit See, now you're making me rethink my answer to the previous question. So Neaera ended up opening up to the possibility of an intimate relationship for herself, I think William did change enough to re-engage with everyday people and social relationships. 3y

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vivastory @DrexEdit @readordierachel I think that William did mature in the sense that he ended a relationship that wasn't making him happy, but I think he is having difficulty in defining what will. I think he is looking for a sort of long-term guarantee, whereas Neaera has accepted that there is no such thing as the guarantees he is looking for & has instead decided to accept what she has in the moment. 3y

DrexEdit @vivastory 👍 3y

arubabookwoman Yes William has changed. In his last entry he says nothing is different or better, but "I didn't mind being alive at the moment." He may have been changed more by Miss Neap's suicide than by the release of the turtles. 3y

vivastory @arubabookwoman Good point about Ms. Neap's suicide & I think that is a good illustration of we are all minor characters in other people's stories. He was caught up in his own personal issues that he didn't notice that of his neighbors. 3y

quietjenn I agree with @arubabookwoman - I think that the experience with the turtles did work on William, but it was really Miss Neap's suicide - and his interactions with his landlady/fellow lodges both in discovering it and being together afterwards - that really marks it. I think they both learned to “only connect“ but what connection looks like is different. 3y

Liz_M @arubabookwoman I think the lines before the two you quote is the difference “And I could imagine good times why I don't know.“ It is his reaction to the connection he made to his neighbors in remembering Ms Neap. 3y

BarbaraBB I too think that Ms Neap‘s suicide in the end has the biggest impact on William - and how it connected him to his neighbors. He suddenly remembered being connected I think - something he didn‘t really do with Neaera. 3y

readordierachel @arubabookwoman Yes, great observation. He seemed to be floundering still after the turtles, and coming together with his neighbors after Miss Neap produced more of a change 3y

readordierachel @BarbaraBB I agree. Even though their stories intertwined and they had a common goal and some interactions, they didn't "connect" that much as you say. I'd have thought they would be bonded after the experience, but they weren't 3y

BarbaraBB I loved that they didn‘t really bond. It makes the story so realistic. They are both finding their way towards an happy ending but no cliché‘s here! 3y

Leftcoastzen I think they both opened up from the experience. I remember William confronting Mr.Sandor about the cooker!Despite the fight they end up finding out a bit about each other.Remember at the beginning, Williams dad was a suicide, though they said it was an accident.Miss Neaps suicide makes him think a bit about boarding house neighbors being an accidental family in a way. 3y

vivastory @Leftcoastzen I completely forgot about Williams' father. That is definitely an important detail in the context of what happens later w/ Ms. Neaps!! 3y

batsy I agree about Ms. Neap's suicide being a turning point for William and there was that subtle change—he seemed more willing to take on whatever life has in store for him by the time we got to the end, or maybe that was my hopeful reading! But I think the experience with the turtles and the moments with Naera sort of laid the groundwork for that subtle shift in him too, if that makes sense. 3y

GatheringBooks I think I like the fact that this aspect of the story has been left for the reader to envision/imagine; which is a testament to the author‘s craftsmanship and restraint in the storytelling. More could have been said or extrapolated, but no, it is left hanging - just like most of life is, in truth. But agreed with everyone‘s thoughts about the pivotal point of Miss Neap‘s suicide, that elevated the narrative for me into something more profound. 3y

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Turtle Diary | Russell Hoban

Question 1 of 6 #nyrbbookclub

@vivastory @BarbaraBB @catebutler @Liz_M @sprainedbrain @KVanRead @LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @daena @arubabookwoman @emilyhaldi @quietjenn @mklong @youneverarrived @Reviewsbylola @batsy @Tanisha_A @Theaelizabet @Billypar @merelybookish @saresmoore @sarahbarnes @GatheringBooks

readordierachel Because we start and end with William G.'s entries and it felt like we got more of his backstory, I think the book leans into him just a little bit more. Even though Neaera H. does have equal weight in my mind. 3y

vivastory This was one of my favorite lines in the book. I think that William G. is a minor character in Neaera's story, but she seems to be more of a presence in his life. What is interesting to me is how Hoban managed to give both characters an equal say in the narrative. 3y

vivastory @readordierachel That is a good point about it opening & ending with William G's perspective. 3y

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readordierachel @vivastory I really like your take that she is more of a presence in his life. She undergoes more of a change in my mind, has more of a trajectory 3y

merelybookish Oh, I thought they were both minor characters in the turtle's story. Also that we are minor characters in multiple stories. 3y

readordierachel @merelybookish Oh interesting! I love that idea. And that makes a lot of sense 3y

vivastory @merelybookish That's a great idea! 3y

DrexEdit I think we learned more about William Gs story, but Neara seemed to show more growth as a character to me, so I'm sightly leaning towards he's a minor character. Although for a minor character he's got a ton of influence. 3y

arubabookwoman William was a minor character in Neara's story, but only because she (a writer no less) chose to make him a minor character. Weren't we all kind of expecting Neara & William to end up together? Their thoughts, actions, experiences were constantly mirroring, echoing, repeating each other's. They were so alike I often got their entries mixed up. (edited) 3y

vivastory @arubabookwoman I was expecting them to get together. I was relieved that they didn't though. There was that wonderful line in I believe William's diary where he said something to the effect of he doesn't want to be with her because it'd be like being with himself. I thought that was really telling. 3y

quietjenn For me, they have equal weight. Their stories parallel each other, although sometimes intersecting so it's a very wonky, zig-zag graph. And, I think it can all be true. We are the central character of our own story, but we are also a minor (and, for a handful, major) characters in the story of others. 3y

readordierachel @arubabookwoman @vivastory Great points about the way they mirrored each other and that line about them being so alike. That's why she was so worried about him, I think, when she saw that image in her mind of the shark. She recognized something in him 3y

youneverarrived Oh I didn‘t realise the discussion was this weekend 🙁 I‘ve only just started reading it but I‘ll catch up with comments when I‘m finished. 3y

readordierachel @quietjenn So well put! Absolutely agree. 3y

readordierachel @youneverarrived No worries. Look forward to your thoughts! 3y

vivastory @youneverarrived No worries! Please chime in if you can. I always enjoy hearing your thoughts. 👏 3y

Liz_M I thought William and Neaera were minor character's in each other's stories. William seemed to have a sharper interest in Neaera, but not as lasting while Neaera had a milder interest in William, but more drawn out. And while their stories have nearly equal weight (and pages), I actually thought I got to know more about Neaera than William. 3y

BarbaraBB @arubabookwoman I like what you say about them being so alike! I mixed them up too but I‘m hindsight I feel like it was more William‘s story than Naera‘s. Probably because we start and end with him indeed @readordierachel and because he makes Naera more important than she makes him. 3y

Leftcoastzen Agree with so many thoughts here . I‘m glad the author didn‘t go in the direction of William & Neaera becoming romantically linked.I also think both characters living a somewhat solitary existence gave the more time to ruminate on the turtle situation.I kind of give their stories equal weight . Now & then they were so alike I had to go back to the start of entry because I could get them mixed up occasionally. 3y

batsy I love that they were both kind of minor characters in each other's stories, but I think the kind of effect they had on each other was major. That I think seems to the key juxtaposition that the novel was trying to show—we seem to be ships passing in the night, but unknown to ourselves the minor characters have left certain impressions. 3y

GatheringBooks @merelybookish i love this idea! Of course, it‘s the turtle‘s story! 🐢🐢🐢💕💕💕i agree with most of the ideas shared here - i thought the stories have equal weight, and reminded me of the saying that we are the central characters in our own lives - everyone else is a minor/side character. 3y

LeahBergen @readordierachel @vivastory I didn‘t read this one this month as I had tried it years ago and didn‘t get on with it. As usual, everyone‘s thoughtful commentary on here has me rethinking my choice! 3y

vivastory @LeahBergen If it makes a difference it's a quick read! If you change your mind & DO decide to read please don't hesitate to chime in with your thoughts. I'd love to hear what you make of it! 3y

LeahBergen @vivastory Thanks! I most certainly will. 3y

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How Long 'til Black Future Month?: Stories | N K Jemisin

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Great collection. So much imagination. Such varied worlds and ideas. In the awesome foreword, Jemisin talks about using short stories to explore ideas, to see if they will work in longer fiction. The stories that birthed The City We Became and The Broken Earth trilogy are included. It was cool to see what those developed from. My favorite story in the bunch was "Sinners, Saints, Dragons, and Haints, in the City Under the Still Waters" (just ?).

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Assembly | Natasha Brown

Drizzly day, so I made carrot cake while listening to the tagged book. #audiobaking

I was inspired by @Lindy and picked up a copy of Baking With Dorie. This is the carrot muffins recipe with a few modifications. Couldn't find my muffin pan, so here we are.

vivastory Looks delicious! I love carrot cake! 3y

Libby1 I loved this book. 3y

readordierachel @vivastory It turned out really yummy! Different from other ones I've had. Ginger-y 3y

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readordierachel @Libby1 I am really enjoying it so far! The writing is fantastic 3y

SilversReviews YUM….that looks delicious!! 3y

readordierachel @SilversReviews It was! 😊 3y

EvieBee Looks so yumm! 3y

batsy That looks really comforting and yummy! 3y

Lindy Hooray! 🥕🧡 Wishing you many happy baking days with Dorie. 😁 3y

readordierachel @EvieBee @batsy It was very warm and delicious 😋 3y

readordierachel @Lindy Thank you for introducing me to her! 💕 3y

SilversReviews @readordierachel 😊 3y

63 likes12 comments

Turtle Diary | Russell Hoban

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A lovely read. Full of animal facts, strange & poignant interactions, & musings on what it means to be alive. It never went where I expected it to. One of the feats of this novel is that it manages to be both exuberant and bleak at the same time, never leaning too hard into either, which made it feel very true to life. A book I will reread, as I think it's the kind of book that can meet you differently at different points in your life. Loved it.

readordierachel @vivastory #nyrbbookclub 3y

vivastory Wonderful review! I can imagine revisiting it as well. 3y

Leftcoastzen Love your review! I‘m still reading it. 3y

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batsy So elegantly summed up! Exuberant and bleak perfectly captures it. 3y

readordierachel @vivastory @Leftcoastzen @batsy Thanks! I am looking forward to the discussion! Such an interesting book 3y

merelybookish Well said! I also expect to reread this book! 3y

Centique And that‘s a gorgeous blanket (I think?) in the background. Is that hand-made? 3y

readordierachel @merelybookish It‘s such a good one! I think it will be lovely to reread it 3y

readordierachel @Centique It‘s a rug actually! I found it at a local supermarket of all places. I like how colorful it is :) 3y

Centique @readordierachel wonderful colours, that was a great find! 3y

72 likes10 comments

Turtle Diary | Russell Hoban

"I live alone, wear odds and ends, I have resisted vegetarianism and I don't keep cats."

This is off to a fantastic start. I'm only 15 pages in, and I've already underlined several passages.

vivastory I'm looking forward to reading it! 3y

BarbaraBB Me too! 3y

BiblioLitten Sounds good! 3y

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readordierachel @vivastory @BarbaraBB I'm looking forward to the discussion! 3y

readordierachel @BiblioLitten it is so far! 3y

batsy That's a great line! 3y

youneverarrived Great line! I‘m looking forward to it. 3y

readordierachel @batsy @youneverarrived There have been lots of little gems so far! 3y

rubyslippersreads This sounds interesting (although of course my cats object to the part about not keeping cats 😸). 3y

readordierachel @rubyslippersreads Yes, nothing wrong with keeping cats! 3y

vivastory I see you're reading the Jemisin story collection. Are you liking it? 3y

readordierachel @vivastory I am! It's interesting and very varied. Not like any other collection I've read. She talks in the intro about using short stories to try out new worlds/ideas, and you can see that for sure. A lot of them feel like the beginning of something larger 3y

readordierachel @vivastory (I had to pause on Turtle Diary, but I'm going to finish it up in the new few days) 3y

vivastory @readordierachel That sounds wonderful! I know that The City We Became started out as a story. It's been years since I've read Jemisin & lately I have been itching to dive back in. No worries on the Hoban. I probably won't finish until Sunday/Monday. 👍 3y

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Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein | Linda Bailey

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"Here is Mary. She's a dreamer. The kind of girl who wanders alone, who stares at clouds, who imagines things that never were..."

A bio of Mary Shelley and the birth of her famous novel, in the form of a picture book! The art is absolutely gorgeous. The writing is quite lovely and poetic. Highly recommend for Mary Shelley fans of any age.

BiblioLitten Yes! 🙌🏼 3y

Cathythoughts Looks good 👍❤️ 3y

EvieBee Wow! Looks gorgeous! 3y

readordierachel @BiblioLitten @Cathythoughts @EvieBee It‘s really a lovely book 3y

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Katalin Street | Magda Szabo

This weekend, I've been reading the two pictured books, and a couple of stories by Rebecca Roanhorse for class. All good! #weekendreading

readordierachel @Addison_Reads 3y

vivastory I hope you are enjoying the Szabo 👍 3y

Addison_Reads Thanks for sharing. 💚 Happy Reading! 3y

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readordierachel @vivastory I am! I read The Door and remember liking it, but it was a while ago. This is making me want to revisit it. 3y

readordierachel @Addison_Reads 🤗 3y

sarahbarnes I read Black Sun by Roanhorse and liked it. And I‘m really liking Katalin Street so far, too. I liked The Door a lot as well. 3y

readordierachel @sarahbarnes I just picked up a copy of Black Sun not too long ago. Looking forward to it! 3y

56 likes7 comments

Wide Sargasso Sea | Jean Ryhs

Some good finds at the thrift shop today 📚🎉

vivastory Dig the cover of the Sargasso 3y

readordierachel @vivastory It‘s great, isn't it? 3y

CarolynM Very good finds👏👏 3y

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youneverarrived Beautiful covers 😍 3y

merelybookish Oh Rhys! Have you read Wide Sargasso Sea? I read it eons ago but it left an impression! 3y

Suet624 That cover of Lahiri‘s book would be a wonderful painting on my wall. 3y

readordierachel @CarolynM It was a lucky day! 3y

readordierachel @youneverarrived I agree 😍 3y

readordierachel @merelybookish yes, same! I read it in college and have often thought of it. So I took it as a sign that I should reread it :) 3y

readordierachel @Suet624 it It's striking, isn‘t it? Would make a lovely artwork! 3y

EvieBee Oh, nice! 3y

readordierachel @EvieBee 😁 3y

BiblioLitten The book by Rhys is on my TBR. Love the cover too♥️ 3y

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What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky: Stories | Lesley Nneka Arimah

Was assigned this story in a class I'm taking: https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/skinned

It imagines a society where "unclaimed" women are required to be naked. It's very good and worth reading ?? Lots to think about. It's not in Litsy, so I'm tagging her book of short stories, which I read a few years ago and highly recommend!

BarbaraBB Thanks for sharing. That sounds great. 3y

60 likes1 comment

Cultish: The Secret Language You Didn't Know You Were Using | Amanda Montell

pick

Fascinating and accessible. Montell examines the language and tactics used by scary religious cults, fitness "cults," and MLMs. Obviously, not all "cults" are created equal (Crossfit is not Jonestown). I appreciated that Montell took a compassionate view of the how and why people are drawn to certain groups. Very timely, and it weirdly made me feel a little better about the world, though I'm not sure I can pinpoint exactly why.

82 likes1 stack add

Are Prisons Obsolete? | Angela Y. Davis

pick

Davis packs a lot into just 115 pages. An overview of the history of the prison system in the U.S, evidence and discussion of the way incarcerated people are routinely abused, the resources and rights that have been systematically taken away from them, and the way private companies have taken over and use them as free labor. She notes old punishments that we wouldn't think of doing today (e.g., a "gossip's bridle"). Someone had to fight..⬇️

readordierachel ...for those to stop. So why not the prison system, which is an inhumane and outmoded tool of capitalism? Davis asks why we so readily accept prisons as the only option. She helps us imagine something better. There are more than 2 milion people incarcerated in the U.S. right now. A number that keeps growing. We can, and should, come up with something better. 3y

merelybookish Great review! And agree wholeheartedly! 3y

BiblioLitten I have often thought about this while watching Orange is the New Black. I think I‘ll really like this book. Stacked! 3y

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Reggie I read something awhile ago where instead of mail they gave the service over to something for profit where they charge per email and if you want to send a picture in the email it cost a dollar. It was crazy how much money they were making off of it. Great review, Rachel. Stacked. 3y

batsy Fantastic review. I really must read this. 3y

Suet624 Great review and just another example of the wrongs allowed in the U.S. There are just so many. Have you ever watched Michael Moore‘s movie Where to Invade Next? It‘s brilliant. One section is on the prison system in the US vs other more advanced countries. (edited) 3y

readordierachel @merelybookish @BiblioLitten @batsy This was written nearly 20 years ago and is still sadly relevant. It's depressing how much hasn't changed and/or has gotten worse. 3y

readordierachel @Reggie That is just appalling. And sadly not surprising 3y

readordierachel @Suet624 Yes, so many. I try to remain hopeful that we can change. I've heard of that movie but haven't seen it. Will definitely check it out! 3y

72 likes4 stack adds9 comments

The Between: Novel, A | Tananarive Due

pick

An impressive first novel. When Hilton's family is targeted by a white supremacist, the lines between reality and nightmare, between life and death, begin to blur. A scary, haunting story. Less so for the supernatural elements than the psychological ones.

I read an interview with Due from last year where she said "White supremacist terror is more relevant in 2021 than it was when I published this in 1995.” And I wish that wasn't true.

readordierachel Thanks for sending this to me @Reggie 3y

Reggie I thought I was safe when at first the italics represented the dreams and then they all seemed to meld together and I couldn‘t tell what was what. I love this book. I‘m glad you liked it, Rachel. 3y

readordierachel @Reggie Yes, she really blended it all so well. I'll be thinking about this one for a while. 3y

Reggie Rachel, I got your package yesterday. Thank you so much and you are correct. I love the 2 authors and haven‘t read those books so it was perfect. Thanks so much! 😊 3y

readordierachel @Reggie Oh good! You're welcome 😊 3y

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Heartstopper: Volume 1 | Alice Oseman

pick

Am I almost 40 years old? Yes. Did this YA graphic novel about teen boys falling in love and navigating big feelings totally warm my heart and put a big smile on my face? Also, yes 🥰

Nutmegnc 100% 3y

sarahbarnes 😍😍😍 3y

mrp27 I‘m rounding the corner on my way to 50 and I love this series. 3y

Reggie Awwww😊 3y

readordierachel @Nutmegnc @sarahbarnes @mrp27 @Reggie 😊❤ 3y

74 likes3 stack adds5 comments

Longbourn | Jo Baker

pick

I really loved this. We follow the servants of Austen's P&P, but Baker doesn‘t rehash that iconic story. The Bennets and the plot points of P&P are in the background like Easter eggs, but this novel presents an original and satisfying plot of its own. It reflects the realities of the time: the grueling, seemingly unending work expected of servants and...⬇️

readordierachel ...the realities of the class divide, military service, and English politics of the time. I appreciated the depth this perspective added to the events of P&P. Don't go into this expecting Austen. This is a rich and often sad historical novel. If that's your jam, I highly recommend it. And the audiobook is beautifully read by Emma Fielding. I was sad when it was over.
3y

Christine This has been sitting unread on my TBR (and bookshelf) for way too long. You‘re inspiring me to get to it! 3y

EvieBee I so enjoyed Fielding‘s narration in this one. Made me feel like I‘d stepped back in time. 3y

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LeahBergen I really liked this one, too! 3y

readordierachel @Christine It was languishing on my tbr too. I was hesitant because of mixed reviews. So what a pleasant surprise it was. I hope you enjoy it! 3y

readordierachel @EvieBee it is so well done! It has me searching for other books she's narrated. 3y

readordierachel @LeahBergen I was hesitant because of the mixed reviews, but it's great! 3y

Centique I loved this and yes, totally different than what I had expected going in. 😍 3y

readordierachel @Centique It was such a pleasant surprise wasn't it! 3y

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Untitled | Unknown

Thanks for the tag @Addison_Reads 💚

1. Yep. Probably more than I should for the sake of my eyeballs. But it‘s just so easy to pull out during a spare moment.

2. I have a kindle paperwhite that my friends all pitched in to get me for my 30th birthday. Which will be exactly a decade ago when my birthday rolls around this year (😳)

vivastory If it's any consolation I'm enjoying my 40s so far 3y

readordierachel @vivastory It is! I feel like most people I know who have crossed that threshold are enjoying it. It's just such a milestone. 3y

50 likes2 comments

Mistress of the Art of Death | Ariana Franklin

bailed

Was hankering for more historical fic, so I pulled this off my tbr shelf. A forthright woman "doctor to the dead" in the 12th century, called upon to solve some murders. I gave it ~50 pages, and it's OK but not grabbing me. It feels anachronistic, more focused on the crime aspect than on the historical context or character development. Crime fic isn't generally my bag, but I thought the historical setting might do it for me this time. Alas, no.

64 likes

Hamnet | Maggie O'Farrell

pick

Wow. I inhaled this. It was beautiful and sad, and I was just mesmerized. All the stars 🌟

MrsMalaprop Agree, this is an excellent book. 👌 3y

charl08 😍 3y

Jas16 I loved this book so much. 3y

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youneverarrived I need to get to this soon! 3y

readordierachel @MrsMalaprop @charl08 @Jas16 It‘s just so good. And pretty to look at too 😍 3y

readordierachel @youneverarrived I hope you love it when you get to it (I suspect you will 🙂) 3y

sprainedbrain So good! ❤️ 3y

readordierachel @sprainedbrain So. Good. 3y

BiblioLitten This was such a good book! 3y

readordierachel @BiblioLitten 💙💙 3y

96 likes3 stack adds10 comments

Doomsday Book | Connie Willis

pick

Kivrin is an Oxford historian who travels back in time to the middle ages. Things don't go as planned. By the time I realized this was about the plague, it was too late, I was invested. I needed to know what happened to Kivrin. There's a parallel story of Kivrin's mentor in modern times, combating a virus outbreak and trying to figure out how to help Kivrin get back to the present. The story gets bogged down in the middle, becoming repetitive ⬇️

readordierachel ...with Willis withholding crucial information from the reader, seemingly just to draw out the suspense or for the sake of humor, which started to annoy me. I just wanted her to get on with it. The last quarter or so of the book I enjoyed very much.

Ultimately, this is a pick for me for the sheer ambition of this story and the emotional resonance of the ending. 3y

vivastory I've been meaning to read this one for ages. Great review 👏 3y

readordierachel @vivastory I can see why so many people love it, even with its problems. I'm gonna try the next book in the series too. 3y

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vivastory I always forget that it's part of a series. Hopefully the next one is a little better 3y

Centique I loved this but I can certainly see what you mean about the middle. The next one (To Say Nothing of the Dog) is different - it doesn‘t have the intensity of the Kirvin plot, but it relies on that academic humour a bit more I think. The last two are my favourites so even if you don‘t like number 2, do try number 3 because they‘re not really linked and you don‘t need to have read number 2. 3y

readordierachel @Centique I do plan to continue. I was inspired to pick up Doomsday based on your review of these a while back actually! I have Say Nothing on hold at the library. I didn't mind the academic humor per se, but it felt like it belonged to a different book, if that makes sense? I think the modern story may not have felt as draggy if the Kivrin plot hadn't been so engrossing/high stakes. But maybe that was what Willis was going for? Contrast? 3y

Centique @readordierachel oh I‘m glad you liked it then! Yes I reckon it was for contrast for sure. The comparison between a modern day crisis and a medieval one. (I read it pre pandemic 😬) The rest of them feel more internally consistent I guess - but different to each other. If that makes sense 😂 3y

66 likes2 stack adds7 comments

The magus: a revised edition

The Collector | John Fowles

pick

Frederick collects butterflies. One day he decides to collect the beautiful woman he has observed from afar. He holds Miranda captive, admiring her like one of his pinned insects, fantasizing that she will fall in love with him. But Miranda is intelligent and strong-willed, and she won't be easily cowed. This book is disturbing, yes, but also a very interesting examination of class and art, which I was not expecting. 5⭐

Billypar Totally agree - I don't usually like narratives involving serial killers, but this went in a much more interesting direction than most. 3y

LeahBergen I read this quite a few years ago and thought it was fantastic. Just last year I finally watched the 1965 movie and thought it captured the feel of the novel so well! 3y

Ruthiella I love the cover! This has been on my list for a while. I have read this one, which is a bit of a head trip. 🤯

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Reggie Nice- sounds very creepy. 3y

batsy Great review. This certainly sounds intriguing. I have this and The Magus on my TBR. 3y

quietlycuriouskate I read this book more than twenty years ago and I still remember how it creeped me the hell out! 😱 3y

readordierachel @Billypar Yes, same! I was surprised (and pleased) by how philosophical it was, how much it didn't rest on salacious or violent details 3y

readordierachel @LeahBergen I didn't know there was a movie! It looks and sounds great. Terence Stamp! I will have to watch it. 3y

readordierachel @Ruthiella The Magus is on my tbr! Even higher now after reading this one. 3y

readordierachel @Reggie It is. Especially cuz you're in Frederick's head a lot, and he starts to seem piteous and almost reasonable at times 3y

readordierachel @batsy The Magus is on my tbr as well! I want to read it this year. But we'll see how that goes 😅 3y

readordierachel @kathedron I can understand! I know I will remember this one for a long time. So unsettling 3y

sprainedbrain Great review of a great book! 3y

tpixie This was a disturbing book! But a great read. One of the original thrillers. 🦋🦋 3y

readordierachel @sprainedbrain When I saw that you gave it 5 stars on GR, I knew I was going to love it! 3y

readordierachel @tpixie It must have been so shocking and original when it was published in 1963! 3y

tpixie @readordierachel yes!!! 3y

76 likes2 stack adds17 comments

Long Players: Writers on the Albums That Shaped Them | Tom Gatti

Today's modest library haul 📚

I only get Once Were Wolves for 2 weeks, so I will start with that one. And I think I will dip in and out of Long Players, as the entries seem pretty bite-sized. I loved The Hunger by Alma Katsu, so I am looking forward to The Deep🤞🏼

ReadingOver50 I just got The Deep for Christmas. I‘m excited for it! 3y

readordierachel @ReadingOver50 Awesome! 3y

BarbaraBB I so hope you‘ll love Wolves! 3y

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Reggie I didn‘t know this but Alma actually worked for the CIA as a secretary I think for many years and her last book had to do with a spies. She had to let them read it before she got to sell it. 3y

readordierachel @BarbaraBB So far I am really enjoying it! 3y

readordierachel @Reggie Whoa! That's wild. Makes me very curious about that book 3y

62 likes6 comments

Turtle Diary | Russell Hoban

#nyrbbookclub March nominations 📚

@vivastory @BarbaraBB @catebutler @Liz_M @sprainedbrain @KVanRead @LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @daena @arubabookwoman @emilyhaldi @quietjenn @mklong @youneverarrived @Reviewsbylola @batsy @Tanisha_A @Theaelizabet @Billypar @merelybookish @saresmoore @sarahbarnes @GatheringBooks

merelybookish That's easy! I've wanted to read this for ages!

merelybookish And so good to have you back Rachel! 🙂 3y

vivastory Thanks for posting these! I am voting for a book that has been on my TBR for awhile

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mklong Yep, me too

GatheringBooks Thank you for having this early! I vote for

Fair Play

Leftcoastzen They all look great but I shall pick

batsy Great choices here ... I'm a bit of a Tove fangirl 😁, so voting for

Fair Play

emilyhaldi Ooohhh all good choices! I will be excited to read any of these!! But I‘ll give my vote to

BarbaraBB Great choices Rachel! I already read two of them so my vote goes to the one I haven‘t read yet and which sounds great:

saresmoore Ooh, I loved Fair Play! I‘ll vote for

BarbaraBB @saresmoore Hi! Good to see you!! 3y

youneverarrived I own Chocky so voting for that 😁 3y

arubabookwoman I have read them all, but read Turtle Diary eons ago, so I will vote for #TurtleDiary. 3y

quietjenn Great options! Similar to others, I'll vote for the one that I've had sitting unread on my bookshelf and tbr pile for ages

LeahBergen And just like some of the others here, I‘ll vote for what I own!

daena Wow. Such a hard one. I want to read all 3. I‘ll vote for

Billypar These all sound intriguing for very different reasons! I'm going to go with

Fair Play

sprainedbrain I vote for

Liz_M I'll vote for the one I haven't read

60 likes1 stack add19 comments

The Ten Thousand Things | Maria Dermo�t

so-so

"It was so hazy, it all ran together in her head"

This pretty much sums up how I felt reading this book. A vivid setting with some lovely descriptions but not enough of a narrative for me to grab on to. By the end, I was just reading to finish. That said, it's very layered, and I suspect this is the kind of book that will improve on a second read, when my expectations have been appropriately calibrated. #nyrbbookclub

vivastory It looks like a lot of us felt the same. Thanks for dropping into the discussion today. I enjoyed hearing what you thought about it! 3y

batsy Great review. I can totally understand why it was a bit of a letdown for many people. 3y

69 likes2 comments

Untitled | Unknown

This year I started grad school, moved again, & struggled powerfully with my mental health, which led to a break from social media. I read a ton of picture books with my daughter & not nearly as many adult books as I usually do. Even so, I did squeeze in some good ones. They were comforting, informative, powerful, magical, thoughtful, strange, spooky, & swoon-y. I'm glad to have read them all.

Wishing everyone a happy & hopeful new year 🎉

CarolynM Happy New Year 3y

Leftcoastzen Hang in there! Great reads ! Happy New Year! 3y

Deblovestoread Happy New Year! 🎆 3y

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Ruthiella Happy New Year! 🥳🥂 I also loved Goodbye Vitamin and Luster. (edited) 3y

LiteraryinPA 💗💗💗 Wishing you an easier road in 2022. 3y

Jee_HookedOnBookz Happy New Year! 3y

vivastory Some great reads in here! I especially want to check out Howl's Moving Castle & The Good House. Happy New Year 🎉🍾📚 3y

BarbaraBB Happy new year Rachel. It‘s so good to see you here and I hope 2022 will be easier for you! ❤️😘 3y

mrp27 Happy New Year! Glad to see you gain. 3y

Simona Happy New Year 🥳 3y

Christine Thanks for sharing those thoughts and these great books. Happy New Year! ❤️ 3y

batsy Great reads squeezed in a year of new beginnings and changes. Hope you have an easier but equally fulfilling 2022 ❤️✨ 3y

BookmarkTavern Congrats on grad school! 🎉🎉 And happy new year! 3y

Jas16 Wishing you a better 2022. This is a great group of reads. 3y

Nute Happy New Year, Rachel!💜🥳💜 It‘s good to see you posting again on Litsy. You found courage and strength to get through so many challenges last year. I hope that this year requires a different kind of tenacity…just a fast hold on peace, wonderful new ventures and so much happiness for you and your daughter. Take Care!💞 3y

Reggie Luster and Freshwater❤️. I hope this year is better for you and all of us. 3y

Bookzombie Happy New Year!🎆 3y

readordierachel @CarolynM @Leftcoastzen @Kdgordon88 @Ruthiella @LiteraryinLawrence @Jee_HookedOnBookz @vivastory @BarbaraBB @mrp27 @Simona @Christine @batsy @ozma.of.oz @Jas16 @Nute @Reggie @Bookzombie Happy New Year to all you lovely people ❤ Hope it's off to a good start 3y

Graywacke Sorry you had such a tough year. Wish you a great 2022 and it‘s really nice to get an update from you. That Saunders collection looks good. 3y

readordierachel @Graywacke Thanks 🤗 The Saunders is excellent. I highly recommend it. 3y

Centique Oh so good to see VE Schwab and Rainbow Rowell - I love those authors. And Boyfriend Material was fabulous. I‘m keen to read the Evie Dunnore series and the George Saunders and loads more! Well done you on climbing the mountain that was 2021! We have mental health struggles in my family too and I have to remind myself what we‘ve achieved should be celebrated. A round of applause for you my friend 👏👏👏👏 3y

readordierachel @Centique Thank you so much, Paula! 🤗 The Evie Dunmore books are a delightful escape. I recommend! I love the angles she takes to her historical romance. And the Saunders is sooo good as well! Hope you're doing well 💗 3y

kspenmoll So sorry you struggled so this past year. It‘s a crazy world right now! I am glad you had children s books for solace- lots of wisdom & gorgeous illustrations to warm the soul. I hope 2022 is a better year. 3y

readordierachel @kspenmoll You‘re so kind ❤ And so right. I did find so much solace in children's books. There are so many great messages about kindness and acceptance and love, and yes the art! I hope you're doing well and that 2022 is a good year for you and us all) 🤗 3y

74 likes24 comments

Doomsday Book | Connie Willis

#audioknitting a baby blanket for my niece. Almost done. Really enjoying this book so far 👍🏼

Ruthiella Beautiful! 😍 3y

AmyG It‘s gorgeous! 3y

CBee So lovely!! 3y

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Jas16 That is beautiful! 3y

Deblovestoread Beautiful colors and looks so soft 3y

Tamra Amazing! 3y

Megabooks Gorgeous! 3y

Crazeedi So pretty and very unique! 3y

readordierachel @Ruthiella @AmyG @CBee @Jas16 @Kdgordon88 @Tamra @Megabooks @Crazeedi Thank you! 😊 3y

Palimpsest Gorgeous! 3y

GingerAntics That is beautiful!!! 3y

kspenmoll Beautiful!!! 3y

EvieBee That is so beautiful! So talented! 3y

FlowerFairy Those colors and your stitch work are beautiful! 3y

batsy So pretty and it looks wonderfully soft. 3y

LeahBergen It‘s beautiful! 😊 3y

readordierachel @Palimpsest @GingerAntics @kspenmoll @EvieBee @FlowerFairy @batsy @LeahBergen Thank you! 😊 3y

Tera66 So beautiful! You are so talented! 3y

BiblioLitten It‘s lovely 😊🥰 3y

readordierachel @Tera66 @BiblioLitten Thank you! 😊 3y

charl08 Love those colours. 3y

AshleyHoss820 That is bonkers amazing!! 😍😍😍 3y

readordierachel @charl08 Aren't they pretty? I wish I could take credit for putting them together, but it's all from the same ball of multicolored yarn 3y

readordierachel @AshleyHoss820 Thank you! 😊 3y

merelybookish Hey Rachel! Haven't seen you in a while. Hope all is well! 3y

BiblioLitten Hi Rachel… how are you? Hope you are keeping well. 💕 3y

Trashcanman Miss your presence 🙂💟 3y

batsy Happy birthday!! 🎂💜 Miss you around here and hope you've been well. 3y

readordierachel @merelybookish Hey! Sorry it's been so long. Hope all is well with you too! 3y

readordierachel @BiblioLitten Hi! Sorry it's been so long. How are you? Hope everything is good with you 💕 3y

readordierachel @Trashcanman Hi George 👋 I hope you're well 💛 3y

readordierachel @batsy Thank you! 💜 I've missed you too. Sorry for being gone for wo long. Hope you've been well. 3y

BiblioLitten Oh Rachel!! It‘s so good to have you back💕 You we‘re missed. How have you been? 3y

readordierachel @BiblioLitten Thank you, I missed you too 💕 It‘s been a weird year. For everyone I'm sure. Haven't read many books at all. How have you been? 3y

merelybookish @readordierachel So nice to see your name pop up! I hope you're doing well! 3y

BiblioLitten @readordierachel Yes, weird is right. Books are the only constant. I hope the next year fares better.💕 3y

RohitSawant @readordierachel Great seeing you back on here! Hope you're doing well. 3y

readordierachel @rohit-sawant Hi Rohit! Nice seeing you too 😊 Hope you've been well 3y

87 likes38 comments

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life | George Saunders

pick

Seven stories by four Russian greats (Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, Gogol) are presented with critical essays from Saunders on each. In one essay, he writes that “A story is a frank, intimate conversation between equals. We keep reading because we continue to feel respected by the writer.” I would apply that same thinking to Saunders‘ essays. This is such a fabulous, engaging book...👇

readordierachel ...largely because he respects the reader. He assumes you are tracking with him, are capable of making the same leaps/connections. His analysis is thoughtful and detailed, but his tone is warm and quite funny. The book isn‘t inaccessible or overly academic, as some literary analysis/criticism can be, and it still feels so smart. I underlined so many passages. A truly special book. 4y

vivastory What a wonderful review! 3y

readordierachel @vivastory Thanks! 3y

64 likes4 stack adds3 comments

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life | George Saunders

Saunders has created tables for analyzing Chekhov's story "The Darling." Tables! ??

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A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life | George Saunders

#currentlyreading this for my first graduate school class and it is so, so good. It's a whole class in itself.

EvieBee 👏👏❤️ 4y

SamAnne Just picked up Pastoralia by him for a book club read. I‘ve only read Lincoln in the Bardo. 4y

readordierachel @SamAnne This is the first I've read by him. Maybe a weird place to start since it's famous Russian short stories sandwiched in nonfiction analysis. But I'm curious to read his stories now. Did you like Lincoln? 4y

SamAnne @ReadOrDie at first I was mixed on it. It felt overrated. But then the more I thought about it the more I loved it. Looking forward to diving in to his short stories. 4y

64 likes2 stack adds4 comments

Howl's Moving Castle | Diana Wynne Jones

pick

A total delight! I had been curious about this book since seeing the Miyazaki adaptation (a favorite). It did not disappoint! Quite different from the movie, which makes some significant changes that give the story a darker tone. The book is much more whimsical, funny, and just all-around charming. A story I will revisit. 5⭐

I listened to the audio, expertly narrated by Jenny Sterlin. Pic above is the folio society edition, which I covet.

Trashcanman You're back ❤❤ 4y

readordierachel @Trashcanman Hi! 👋❤ 4y

MarriedtoMrT I love both the book and the movie with a passion despite (because of?) their differences. 4y

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gossamerchild Oh, that's an incredible edition! And I agree, @MarriedtoMrT , somehow the differences work for this story 😁 4y

BarbaraBB Hi! So good to see you 🤍 4y

batsy Nice to see you back ❤️ And I adore this book! That Folio edition 😍 4y

readordierachel @MarriedtoMrT @gossamerchild Yes, the differences really complement each format. One of the rare instances where book and movie are equally good! 4y

readordierachel @BarbaraBB Good to see you too ❤ 4y

readordierachel @batsy Nice to see you too ❤ Isn't it something? 4y

BiblioLitten Good to see you back 😊💕 4y

readordierachel @BiblioLitten Hi ❤❤ Hope you're well 4y

EvieBee What a beautiful edition! Also 👋🏼 🤗 (edited) 4y

readordierachel @EvieBee Hi! 👋🏼❤ 4y

DivineDiana I covet many of the Folio editions! 4y

readordierachel @DivineDiana They are generally gorgeous 😍 4y

74 likes1 stack add15 comments

Luster: A Novel | Raven Leilani

pick

"In other words, all of it, even the love, is violence."

I felt such a push and pull with this book. The story feels both familiar and fresh. The characters lives are simultaneously too messy and too neat. Some of the situations required considerable suspension of disbelief, and others felt cringe-inducingly real. Leilani's voice is so sharp and compelling and I look forward to reading more from her.

merelybookish Great review! I also liked it AND doubted a lot of the things that happened. 4y

Ruthiella Yes! I loved this one too. I was afraid to read on and yet was compelled to read on, if that makes sense. (edited) 4y

Reggie I feel we got hooked on the side chick story but stayed for the relationship between the two women? I really liked this book. 4y

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readordierachel @merelybookish I would find myself thinking "Nobodoy would do that" and then quickly become completely absorbed in the story again. 4y

readordierachel @Ruthiella That makes perfect sense! It's such an uncomfortable read but there's also so much to pull you in. 4y

readordierachel @Reggie Yes, totally. And the daughter. 4y

readordierachel @Reggie I loved when they went to the concert, and when Edie painted Rebecca while she was working. Great scenes. 4y

vivastory Are you doing okay? It's been awhile since you've posted. Message me on GR if you need to talk 4y

BarbaraBB Rachel! Where are you? Missing your posts. I hope all is well 💚🍀 4y

readordierachel @vivastory @BarbaraBB Hi! I appreciate you asking. I'm so sorry I've been MIA. I'm bummed I missed the last book club! It's been quite a month. Haven't read a single book that didn't have pictures in it. Hoping to catch up on everyone's posts soon. Hope you're well ❤❤ 4y

94 likes2 stack adds10 comments

Bohemian Gospel | Dana Chamblee Carpenter

pick

Quite a page-turner, especially the last third, which turned very grim. Just brutal. In 13th century Bohemia, a 15-year-old girl known as Mouse saves the life of a young king, and the course of her life is changed. Part historical fiction, part slow-burn horror, with just a splash of fantasy (probably not the kind you are imagining). The ending definitely hooked me for the next book. And good god, I am glad I was not born in the medieval era. 4⭐

vivastory 😂💯 agree with you 4y

saresmoore Ooh, I‘m intrigued by your review! I have been in the mood for something like this. Do not ask me why, but here we are. 4y

readordierachel @saresmoore It was a surprise to me. I had zero expectations and it kept me steadily turning pages. Be warned though, it gets very, very dark. 4y

79 likes2 stack adds3 comments

A Darker Shade of Magic | V.E Schwab

pick

Loved this. Left me wanting more of these characters and world and magic. Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy 👍🏼👍🏼

Jas16 I really need to move these books up my TBR. 4y

readordierachel @Jas16 This one is really fun, and I've heard that they just get better. 4y

Nutmegnc I agree they get even better. I think she‘s going to continue writing in this world but not out any time soon. 😪 3y

readordierachel @Nutmegnc Something to look forward to tho! 3y

90 likes4 comments

Freshwater | Akwaeke Emezi

pick

Wow. This was unique, hypnotic, harrowing, moving. I wouldn't know where to begin describing it, so I'll just leave it at adjectives. I know this will be echoing in my mind for a while. Just truly stunning.

CW: sexual assault, self-harm, suicide

MySharonaK After reading how you feel about it, I just put on hold on my library‘s app. Thank you ❤️ 4y

readordierachel @MySharonaK I hope you like it ❤ 4y

Erinreadsthebooks One of my favorites 🙌 4y

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readordierachel @Erinreadsthebooks So good! 4y

MySharonaK @readordierachel thank you! 🌷 Sadly gonna have to wait until the end of May 😂 4y

readordierachel @MySharonaK That's so long! I suppose that means it's in demand 😊 I'd be happy to send you this copy if you'd like to read it sooner? 4y

MySharonaK @readordierachel wow you‘re so kind !!! 😍 4y

Reggie This book was so hard to read. You just wanted Ada to be ok. Great review, Rachel. 4y

batsy It's a brilliant book 💜 4y

youneverarrived Agree. I still think about this 🖤 4y

readordierachel @MySharonaK If you email me your address, I will pop it in the mail :) It's readordierachel at gmail. 4y

readordierachel @Reggie @batsy @youneverarrived Knowing it's somewhat autobiographical makes it that much more emotional 💔 I read they have a memoir coming out in the near future 4y

MySharonaK @readordierachel emailed you 💚 4y

Addison_Reads I loved this book. I'm so glad you did too. 4y

readordierachel @Addison_Reads 💚 4y

sarahbarnes This sounds amazing!! 4y

readordierachel @sarahbarnes it is! Highly recommend! 4y

83 likes2 stack adds17 comments

A Darker Shade of Magic | V.E Schwab

You know that feeling when you're discovering a new (to you) author and it feels like falling in love and you realize they've already written a bunch of books for you to read? I'm having that feeling 💕

Also: I've seen this cover floating around for years and I just had it pointed out to me that it is not in fact an upside down wizard in a pointy hat, but is in fact a person walking with their coat flaring behind them 🤭

Nalbuque I LOVE her sm 4y

Centique So glad you‘re enjoying it! 4y

HeyT Dead at upside down wizard but I can kind of see it now that you've said it. 4y

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Addison_Reads I really loved this series. 💚 4y

HOTPock3tt Oh I was falling her love with her too when I read this book! Just a heads up, book 2 is even better 😉lol 4y

Jas16 That is the best feeling! 4y

Mrs_B Ohhhhhh it is a person with a cloak! Now I see it! 4y

readordierachel @Nalbuque I can't wait to read more by her! 4y

readordierachel @Centique So good 💕 4y

readordierachel @HeyT Ridiculous right? 😆🤭 4y

readordierachel @Addison_Reads I have a feeling I will too 💕 4y

readordierachel @HOTPock3tt Omg, I can't wait! 😍 4y

readordierachel @Jas16 The very best 💕 4y

readordierachel @Mrs_B Right?? My mind was blown when I finally saw it 🤯😆 4y

DogMomIrene I‘ve seen her books floating around too. May need to read her sooner... 4y

readordierachel @DogMomIrene I am really enjoying this one 👍🏼👍🏼 4y

JSW This is one of my favorite book series and you have such treats in store!! 😍 4y

readordierachel @JSW Yay! I'm excited 💕 4y

82 likes2 stack adds18 comments

A Month in the Country | J.L. Carr

pick

"We can ask and ask but we can't have again what once seemed ours forever...They've gone and you can only wait for the pain to pass."

A lovely, gentle read about a veteran who spends a summer restoring a mural in a quiet English village. I liked it very much.

readordierachel #nyrbbookclub @catebutler @vivastory 4y

batsy Nicely put and love the choice of quote. I'm towards the end and liking it very much, too. 4y

catebutler Great quote! There were so many throughout. Can‘t wait to discuss! 4y

vivastory Looking forward to the discussion. Glad that this one worked for you! 4y

78 likes1 stack add4 comments

Cinder: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles | Marissa Meyer

pick

The fancy new cover seduced me. I was really hard on this book the first time I read it. This time I enjoyed it much more, maybe because my expectations were appropriately calibrated. Think I'll just go ahead and reread the rest of these now.

I have to say though, if I was playing a game and had to drink every time it's mentioned that Cinder is a mechanic and has grease somewhere on her person, I would probably die 🙄😆

AlaMich I hate repetitive things like that in books. I start to obsess about it and I can‘t stop thinking that some editor should have put a stop to it. 4y

Ruthiella There were certain tropes and tics that slightly bugged me in this series and yet I really enjoyed it as a whole. It was fun and Meyers does witty banter well, which is particularly exemplified by Capitan Thorn in the later books! 4y

readordierachel @AlaMich I know what you mean. It becomes all I can see. I think repetition is more forgivable in YA, but at one point I actually started laughing b/c it had been mentioned so many times. Still a fun book though. 4y

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readordierachel @Ruthiella Yes! Cress was my favorite the first time I read these, because of him. He gives me Han Solo vibes. And I totally agree that these work better and are very enjoyable when taken as a whole. They build on each other really well. 4y

SpiderGoddess Oooooh! I love this author. I need to read this! 4y

readordierachel @SpiderGoddess It's fun 👍🏼 4y

merelybookish Cover is pretty cool. I haven't read these but my daughter loved them. 4y

MemoirsForMe I must finish this series. 🙌🏻Only read Cinder and really enjoyed it. But your cover is much cooler than mine. 😁 4y

batsy Yep, it's one of those don't think too hard books! I enjoyed it on that level 😁 These covers are very cool. 4y

readordierachel @merelybookish They are a fun way to pass the time when you want to "think too hard" as @batsy aptly put it ?, and cool covers certainly don't hurt 4y

readordierachel @UwannaPublishme You must! The books get progressively better, so if you enjoyed Cinder, you're in for a treat 😊 4y

readordierachel @merelybookish @batsy *don't want to 4y

Centique I liked this one then enjoyed the second one even more and loved the third one. Like candy really 😂 Oh you‘re rereading! I reread Cinder on audiobook which was fun too. (edited) 4y

readordierachel @Centique I had the same progression with these books. Loved the third (rereading it now!) If I reread these again, I'll check out the audiobooks! 4y

80 likes1 stack add14 comments

Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present

Lakewood: A Novel | Megan Giddings

pick

To pay off family debt, a college student joins a research program, agreeing to live in the mysterious town of Lakewood and take various experimental treatments in exchange for a healthy paycheck. An eerie novel that calls out the history of U.S. medical experimentation on Black people. I do think there is some unrealized potential here, and I didn't connect with the characters so much as the situation. But overall a solid, thought-provoking read.

Come-read-with-me This sounds great. Have you read The Immortal Life if Henrietta Lacks? It deals with the topic of medical exploration /exploitation of people of colour. It was a great book. 4y

Crazeedi @Come-read-with-me I read that one a couple years ago, very good 4y

candority Great review! 💕 4y

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readordierachel @Come-read-with-me I'm familiar with the story but haven't read the book yet. It's on my list! I did read this one, which is a broader overview of the topic though

readordierachel @candority Thanks! 4y

TNbookworm Great review! 4y

Come-read-with-me @readordierachel Stacked! 4y

readordierachel @TNbookworm Thanks! 4y

Reggie When that one woman lost her teeth, when the kid shoots their parents, when Lena and her mom look for Charlie but can‘t find evidence of him. Ughhh, very creepy. I liked this book. Glad you liked it too! 4y

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻sounds good. 4y

readordierachel @Reggie Omg yes, that shooting part 💔 4y

readordierachel @Cathythoughts Thanks 💕 It was! 4y

83 likes5 stack adds12 comments

Untitled | Unknown

#libraryhaul

HOTPock3tt A darker shade of Magic!!🙌🏽🎉❤️ 4y

readordierachel @HOTPock3tt I'm excited for that one! 4y

HOTPock3tt I love that series! 🤗❤️ 4y

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BookishMarginalia 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 4y

BookInMyHands Great haul! I loved the Brown sister books. I‘m so excited there‘s a new one coming out! 4y

readordierachel @BookishMarginalia 😊 4y

readordierachel @BookInMyHands I really enjoyed the first one! 4y

Centique I hope you love A Darker Shade of Magic 😍😍 4y

batsy That looks like a fun stack 🤩 4y

readordierachel @Centique I dipped into the first chapter and was really liking it so I'm feeling good about it! 4y

readordierachel @batsy I clealry had an eye toward escapism 😄 4y

78 likes11 comments

Smilla's Sense of Snow: A Novel | Peter H�eg

so-so

Good gravy, this book has a lot going on, a lot of which I enjoyed: the descriptions of snow and of cooking and food, the interesting characterizations, the tidbits about Greenland. But the plot is all over the place. Some frankly unbelievable things happen. I got confused by the ever-increasing cast of characters---who was that again? why are they here? When it was good, I was enthralled. Wish it had been more focused.

Daisey I agree with a lot of your thoughts. I loved the setting and that description, the plot not so much. 4y

readordierachel @Daisey Yeah. It lost the thread. I think there were several interesting plots in there, all mashed together. 4y

83 likes2 comments

Red at the Bone | Jacqueline Woodson

pick

Woodson touches on many themes in this short novel. POVs shift, time jumps. Some parts were very moving, had me holding my breath. Others I wanted more from, more of. It was like flipping through an artist's sketchbook, admiring their incredible pencil sketches, longing to see them painted in full color.

Jas16 Great review. Very well put. I really liked this book but I know exactly what you mean. 4y

Librariana Fantastic way of illustrating the appreciation for the "work" along with a desire to delve a little deeper... to learn more. A true compliment to the author's skill! Excellent review ? 4y

readordierachel @Jas16 @Librariana Thanks! 4y

BarbaraBB I looooved this one ❤️ 4y

readordierachel @BarbaraBB It's great! 4y

89 likes2 stack adds5 comments

The Sun Is Also a Star | Nicola Yoon

pick

Natasha is about to be deported to Jamaica and is frantically searching for a solution. Daniel is killing time until his Yale interview; his parents want it for him but he isn't so sure. They meet for one whirlwind day. Short chapters, alternating POVs, mostly of the two mains, with glimpses into the lives of ancillary characters (my favorite part!). The romance was the weakest part for me, but Yoon wrapped it up well. She's a great writer.

Reggie I know, especially about the guard who shows up as a flight attendant, the brother, and the lawyer and his secretary. The side character stuff in here was great. 4y

readordierachel @Reggie Yes! Loved those parts. That was the real strength of the book, I thought. All the characters had dimension. The ripple effects of each interaction. 4y

70 likes2 comments

The True Deceiver | Tove Jansson

pick

"But you trust people, don't you?"
"Yes, I suppose I do. Why shouldn't I? One sees and hears a great deal about the way people behave, but that's their problem. One doesn't want to make things worse by not believing that they mean what they say."

This was fascinating. Such interesting details and so much character development and nuance for such a short novel. Yes, people deceive others but just as often (maybe more often?) deceive themselves.

readordierachel Looking forward to the #nyrbbookclub discussion! @BarbaraBB @vivastory 4y

LeahBergen I‘m looking forward to the discussion, too. 👍🏻 4y

rachaich Love Tove 😍😍🤗🤗 4y

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BarbaraBB This quote sums it all up 🤍 4y

vivastory This quote definitely captures the book & you're right-its very nuanced. Looking forward to discussing more! 4y

Suet624 I love that you‘ve highlighted this passage. It‘s a good one. 4y

readordierachel @LeahBergen @BarbaraBB @vivastory Such a great discussion! So glad I was able to join, and really looking forward to the next one 😊 4y

readordierachel @rachaich This was my first of her books. Definitely not my last! 4y

readordierachel @Suet624 So many good quotes in this book! 4y

85 likes5 stack adds9 comments

Fangs | Sarah Andersen

pick

Cute love story between a vampire and a werewolf. Lots of puns, a few of which made me smile. Not much there there, but a pleasant way to spend 20 minutes. 3⭐

Reynosa8701 I loved it 4y

readordierachel @Reynosa8701 It was really cute. I like her artwork too. 4y

rubyslippersreads I would read this just for the adorable cover. 🦇 4y

readordierachel @rubyslippersreads I know! The binding is just lovely. 4y

88 likes1 stack add4 comments