Winter of Artifice, a collection of three short novellas. The three stories are all somewhat connected (this one is from the titular story-"Winter of Artifice"). On the last one now ("The Voice") and it's the most surreal, seemingly taking place in a disembodied spiritual dimension--still figuring it out as I read. I've only read this one and Delta of Venus by her. Both wonderful though pretty different content-wise, as Delta is more Bataille-esque literary erotica and Winter seems more psycho-drama. She writes beautiful, strange sentences and really explores her characters' psychologies/pathologies, so I think I'd recommend anything by her.
Wow, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet rocked. One of the best novels I’ve read in a while and unexpectedly one of the funniest as well. Going to read a couple of shorter things next and then I’ll probably try tackling The Bone Clocks.
I really need to revisit my Mitchell books. I remember this one being good but it's been like 13 years since I've read any of his stuff
Interesting looking new book by music journalist Andrew Sacher (of BrooklynVegan) called Emo Revival: https://www.amazon.com/dp/196804325X/?tag=absolutepunk-20 Also available as a signed pre-order on Clash Books' storefront here: Emo Revival - Andrew Sacher (signed preorder) — CLASH BOOKS
Just finished Little Women with an online book club. This was my first time reading it. I was already fond of the 2019 film and familiar with the character arcs and story beats, yet I still found the book just as engaging. Alcott’s writing is phenomenal, and the way she captures each scene feels almost like she is describing a painting. I especially appreciated how much more of Marmee’s moral lessons appear in the book, as the philosophical reflections and moral dilemmas are a defining strength of the novel. As for the book itself, and for those that haven’t read it, it’s split into two parts. The first half feels very homely with a slice of life quality and light stakes, often without a central narrative pushing the story forward. I found myself enjoying those quieter moments of the characters simply living their lives. In the second half the emotional weight grows heavier and a clearer thread begins to guide the narrative. Unlike the film, the book is told in a linear timeline, which I also appreciated since it made me anticipate when certain things would happen. For a novel written 160 years ago it felt nostalgic turning the last page tbh. That said it’s one of the best novels I’ve read and I give it my highest recommendation. 9.7/10 Next I started with The Silmarillion. Currently 45 pages in.
Barnes & Noble is having a 25% off sale on preorders right now and this book is part of the sale. Code is PREORDER25. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emo-revival-andrew-sacher/1149564892
Well, I wasn’t going to immediately jump into more David Mitchell after finishing 1000 Autumns, but that’s exactly what happened. Reading The Bone Clocks.
I love a good misunderstanding that can be resolved by simple communication in comedy like a Three's Company sitcom situation. Idk in that context it feels like a familiar comforting scenario. But when it happens in drama or romance it drives me nuts and is just annoying. Reading The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood and the main character is so bad at making assumptions and not communicating about those assumptions and I'm just like ugh. I don't mind a miscommunication plot if if there's a good reason for the lack of communication but here it has been annoying. I guess with her age I should cut some slack but it doesn't seem an intentional part of her characterization so far. Not annoying enough to give it up without finishing but annoying enough that I feel like I'm only half paying attention in the middle.
I skipped the last Jeselnik book, but picked back up with Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill and finished it in two days. I liked it a lot. Got a bit too “cute” at times in terms of the structure, but there were definitely parts that affected me
Unfortunately couldn’t get into that one. I like Renata Adler though, who clearly influenced her. Would def recommend her stuff
Yeah I don’t know if it came together in the end for me, even if there were flashes that I liked. It’d be an interesting, quick book to teach POV I suppose.
I just read Sisters in Yellow by Mieko Kawakami. I waited forever for the English translation (skipped Dutch and German which were way, way earlier). Amazing novel.
Went to Barnes & Noble to pick up Ghost World, but it turns out they basically have thousands of manga and then Scott Pilgrim. Left with: The Palm-Wine Drunkard by Amos Tutuola This Is Not Miami by Fernanda Melchor 1000 Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (read it on my Kindle but wanted to own physical copy because I loved it) Nebraska by George Whitmore
I kind of hate that heated rivalry is the first like legit romance book that I read because I've tried to read others and none of them are as good. Not necessarily the writing quality. But I mean I guess? I thought the pacing was good and the tension was good. The yearning was great and the reason that they sucked at communication and felt like they couldn't be together at first was legitimate. However, with every other romance book I read, none of those things are present. I know I've said this in here before but I've kept trying since and have kept being unsuccessful! The miscommunications are stupid and could easily be rectified by a simple conversation. The reason they can't be together is always contrived and doesn't make any sense. The pacing is often too slow and boring. Ugh. I don't think I am a romance girlie after all. Maybe just a shane and Ilya girlie I just read another romance and it was so annoying. Both characters were giving such clear obvious signals that they very much were seriously into the other, but they were like wah wah the other doesn't like me, this is one-sided. I can't be with her because my dad was a cheater who left my family and once she finds that out she'll think that I'll do the same because that's surely how real human beings think Ugh
Stoner has been on my list for a while, too. Please update with your thoughts! Still working my way through The Bone Clocks, which is good but not quite as engaging for me as 1000 Autumns was, though I don’t mean that as a criticism because I am still very into it. Took a brief break to read Lena Dunham’s new memoir (I know, I know), which I actually thought was great. Also reading my first Clarice Lispector book, Agua Viva. Very early into it and I have no idea what she’s on about, but I’m absolutely loving the prose and have already highlighted lots of lines that I love the sound of even if the meaning is elusive/downright indecipherable.
would not recommend that as an intro to Lispector, but also, it was weirdly my first too! she's so good
I had that realization a few minutes into it, that it was probably an odd one to start with, but I’m vibing with it enough that I don’t plan on stopping. I want to read The Passion According to G.H. next.
I love how they're all so different. she tries on many voices and experiments with form with each book, always testing the limits of language within those forms. they're all unpredictable in their own ways. remarkable stuff