I was hoping people would share their favorites and they have, and you have. This is the best of literary community, this sharing of beloved writing, hopes and needs. My local library has it so I'm on my way. Thanks, Laura.
I have two book clubs - one focuses on literature, hence the two I recommended.
The second is a murder mystery thriller club. I'm the oldest so I go for the fun and listening to 'the youngins'. Nobody can tear apart a plot and characters like 12 a jury of 12 opinionated women. LOL!
So true about The Correspondent which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm in luck as my local library has Lillian Boxfish. I love the time span "Jazz Age to the onset of the AIDS epidemic; the Great Depression to the birth of hip-hop." Thanks Dorine, I doubt I'd have found this one on my own!
Dorine, thanks for your kind words. It seems to me that when we speak of what we love, we speak out of that love and that makes all the difference. Are you reading something you’re enjoying? I love a good novel.
Recently, as a water activist, I've been obsessed with Robert MacFarlane's "Is a River Alive?" I've really appreciated all of his books, but this one seems a cut beyond as it hybrids memoir, essay, nonfiction research and story. Stylistically, he is also a whiz.
This is a feat is beyond the word “hybrid.” Memoir/essay/research/story. As a newbie in the world of writing, I have never heard of such an undertaking, and it’s topped off by beautiful writing. Anne-Marie you’ve offered another boundary-pushing, mind-expanding read. I just requested it from my library. Thanks so much.
I have been having a very melancholy time here, looking back on all my notebooks of teaching, all my cascading prompts, all my recommendations of books and passages and poems, and thinking: What has it come to? I'm working on a Substack post about this now. All because I'm building this new Juncture workshop series for June and thinking: Will anyone come? Is there still room for a teacher like me? (I know you are coming and I so appreciate that. They will be so good, Char. They will.)
I'll love to hear what you thought. Another Kephart suggestion that in fact, is a comp in my book proposal. I've read several books from your suggestions and not been disappointed. Thank you.
A book proposal is a 30-50-page detailed document containing such things as an overview, a synopsis of your book, author bio, your social platform, your marketing and publicity (existent and plan) for book, three chapters of your book, detailed table of contents with a brief summary of each chapter, market analysis with description of who your readers will be and where/how you will find them, endorsements for your writing skills or or previous work, links to media pieces or appearances, and 5-10 "comps" which are comparable titles of books and why and how your book is similar but different or fills a market gap. Each publisher wants something different-that but not this, more of this, less of that, etc. Also this differs with genre. The assembly of all this comes with a free daily headache and a raging dislike for the business side of getting your book published. :(
I have only read this one which I loved, so of course I can only say, Start with this one! Tell me if you start at his begining or later read others you loved.
This is how the best books get handed around, don't you think, Trish? I learned of Housekeeping from Beth Kephart on her substack The Hush & the Howl, and what Marjie says here about Claire Keegan’s perfect, tiny book Small Things Like These, is so true. (A must read.) So much in so little fewe pages This community is so wonderfully generous, we all benefit.
I may never forgive Claire Keegan for writing such a perfect book. Lovely piece.
Ha! Marjie, you have such a way with nailing the truth with your words. I agree 100%. So much in such a little book.
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood meets your criteria. It’s one of the most unique and intimate novels I have read.
I was hoping people would share their favorites and they have, and you have. This is the best of literary community, this sharing of beloved writing, hopes and needs. My local library has it so I'm on my way. Thanks, Laura.
I am a lifelong dilettante 🙄
I have two book clubs - one focuses on literature, hence the two I recommended.
The second is a murder mystery thriller club. I'm the oldest so I go for the fun and listening to 'the youngins'. Nobody can tear apart a plot and characters like 12 a jury of 12 opinionated women. LOL!
This does sound like a fiesty group, Dorine!
I love the feeling of reading a book when I should have started dinner an hour ago. Or two!
This was a fine piece about getting lost in a book and its wonders. Thank you.
Much like I get lost in your wonderful substack, Snippets from Spain. Delightful.
"You're on your own tonight. Dinner is whatever you can find in the frig! ;)"
Very kind of you, Char. Thanks :)
That's also a good line about dinner. I wish I had the guts to try it. I'll let you know...
Two books have touched me recently:
--Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
--The Correspondent by Vivian Evans
Both tell stories of a woman facing old age and finding solice and new life in it. Both written with a sense of humor as well as thoughtful insight.
So true about The Correspondent which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm in luck as my local library has Lillian Boxfish. I love the time span "Jazz Age to the onset of the AIDS epidemic; the Great Depression to the birth of hip-hop." Thanks Dorine, I doubt I'd have found this one on my own!
Your words capture the books you love so perfectly.
Dorine, thanks for your kind words. It seems to me that when we speak of what we love, we speak out of that love and that makes all the difference. Are you reading something you’re enjoying? I love a good novel.
Recently, as a water activist, I've been obsessed with Robert MacFarlane's "Is a River Alive?" I've really appreciated all of his books, but this one seems a cut beyond as it hybrids memoir, essay, nonfiction research and story. Stylistically, he is also a whiz.
This is a feat is beyond the word “hybrid.” Memoir/essay/research/story. As a newbie in the world of writing, I have never heard of such an undertaking, and it’s topped off by beautiful writing. Anne-Marie you’ve offered another boundary-pushing, mind-expanding read. I just requested it from my library. Thanks so much.
And written it all in such a beautiful swell of prose. (Sorry, I pressed POST too soon.)
You have listed my very favorites.
It's your book suggestions that have expanded my reading and enriched my writing. Thank you.
I have been having a very melancholy time here, looking back on all my notebooks of teaching, all my cascading prompts, all my recommendations of books and passages and poems, and thinking: What has it come to? I'm working on a Substack post about this now. All because I'm building this new Juncture workshop series for June and thinking: Will anyone come? Is there still room for a teacher like me? (I know you are coming and I so appreciate that. They will be so good, Char. They will.)
I have no doubt!
Adding 'Out Stealing Horses' to my list...
💙
I'll love to hear what you thought. Another Kephart suggestion that in fact, is a comp in my book proposal. I've read several books from your suggestions and not been disappointed. Thank you.
What is ‘a comp in my book proposal ‘?
A book proposal is a 30-50-page detailed document containing such things as an overview, a synopsis of your book, author bio, your social platform, your marketing and publicity (existent and plan) for book, three chapters of your book, detailed table of contents with a brief summary of each chapter, market analysis with description of who your readers will be and where/how you will find them, endorsements for your writing skills or or previous work, links to media pieces or appearances, and 5-10 "comps" which are comparable titles of books and why and how your book is similar but different or fills a market gap. Each publisher wants something different-that but not this, more of this, less of that, etc. Also this differs with genre. The assembly of all this comes with a free daily headache and a raging dislike for the business side of getting your book published. :(
Crikey...that sounds utterly hideous 😮
“Utterly hideous” that’s captures the experience.🙄
His other books are in my local library...shall I read them first or get this one?
I have only read this one which I loved, so of course I can only say, Start with this one! Tell me if you start at his begining or later read others you loved.
I’m going for this one…thanks for the recommendation 💙
Will do 💙
I'm reading Housekeeping right now from an earlier recommendation by you. So thank you Char.
This is how the best books get handed around, don't you think, Trish? I learned of Housekeeping from Beth Kephart on her substack The Hush & the Howl, and what Marjie says here about Claire Keegan’s perfect, tiny book Small Things Like These, is so true. (A must read.) So much in so little fewe pages This community is so wonderfully generous, we all benefit.