Love this list, Emily! It spans genres and time in such a pleasing way. I'm struck by what you say about your chosen reading material being in conversation with one another somehow and wonder what it says of mine! I'm reading Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell, Ultraprocessed People by Dr Chris Van Tulleikin and Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen (though this one I've dipped in and out of for MONTHS... Wonder what that says!?) I'm also reading an anthology of Black women's nature writing whcih I have to review AND listening to Billy Connolly's new book on Audible. Maybe I should stop picking new things up...!
Wow! I know none of the books in your list. As for books talking to one another, I have a fantasy of finding one line from each and coming up with an odd story of sorts. Would take some serious effort but could be fun. I do believe by reading multiple books that I'm more likely to make connections and themes in the moment!
Yes to this! Have you ever done a spine poem? We did these at work for Book Week Scotland last year, where basically you take a stack of books and either by accident or design, sit them one on top of the other and then transcribe or simply read the 'poem' that emerges! You could totally do this with lines from books, too!
Hey, Medha! Billy is brilliant. I always listen to him because he brings a smile to my face and reminds me of my dad. It's a total contrast to UPP, which I'm finding quite distressing in places when I think about all the UPF I've eaten in my lifetime and all the UPH I struggle to protect my kids from (impossible!)
These are all new to me, maybe not the topics, but the books. Thank you for sharing! I really appreciate the connection! And, yes to spine poetry; never done it. I have quite enough to give it a go (or to do some bibliomancy a la TaraShea Nesbit - are you subscribed to her "Today You Will Write" Stack? I love it). Bibliomancy is opening a book up, finding a line, and using it as a prompt or meditation, etc. She is doing daily posts (during the week) for November with EXCELLENT content and each day includes bibliomancy: https://todayyouwillwrite.substack.com/p/what-taylor-and-travis-tell-us-about
I love seeing the stack, Emily. One of my long-time sketching contacts used to always document this way, and I just love the look of it. It’s such a tangible way to chronicle what we are reading and the mix and juxtaposition of titles are often a fascinating story in and of themselves.
Do you have Novelist as a Vocation? Also a bit of a memoir but more about his writing escapades. I like that one a little better. But as a runner I appreciate the one I referenced in the Sunday Stack.
What did you think of it? I'm late to Woolf. I was a Russian language and literature major so spent years reading that literature and know very little of English literature.
Well, to me it’s quite wondrous. It’s an entire book about one day. A woman going about her day, doing this and that. Written in a stream-of-consciousness sort of style. I was quite enamored with the style as an undergrad when I read it, and proposed that my final paper of the term would be to argue on behalf of the style and how it’s more REAL than others. Ha! My professor took one look at me and said that I would have to have the whole of English literature under my belt and then some before I could undertake that task 🤣
I’ve read a handful of Woolf and have loved each. And I think for me the love of her writing is tied up with a fascination about her, how she loved etc. I wouldn’t call myself an expert on her, though. Nor would as say I’m an expert in English literature, though I am quite familiar who’s done what etc. I know nothing about Russian Lit and wish I did.
Wow! I'm so glad I asked! I have To The Lighthouse on Audible (w/Nicole Kidman) and I think the stream of consciousness writing works really well as an audiobook. I've started (but didn't finish) The Waves... also good to listen to. She's absolutely fascinating and so f'in prolific despite a life cut short. Russian Lit is a little baffling; not many women writers, which is a shame (at least not the classics). I was in it mostly for the Russian language... (the literature part of the major came with the language). Thank you for engaging with me on the subject... I might be back with a Woolf question or thought or two as I make my way through!
This is wonderful! That Oatley book sounds excellent.
Right now I’m reading Naoíse Mac Sweeney‘s The West, Shusaku Endo’s The Samurai, Elizabeth Stanley’s Widen the Window, and Robin Waterfield’s Plato of Athens.
I also love looking at other people reading list, but your drawing version is inspiring! I yet to read Mrs Dalloway through and get a new kindle. I guess I’m still happy with my old books.
Ooohhhh. I draw and read and had never thought to draw my digital books! You've inspired me!
I read a lot and I've tracked my reading this year for the first time (which has been surprisingly fun!). I have a google doc where I rate the books out of 5 + comment (without spoilers).
Rather than giving specific book recommendations, I'll post the doc here so you (and anyone else) can see the comments and ratings and choose-your-own-adventure!
Ps. The first thing you'll see is a page of instructions to make a copy of the doc but you can ignore that and go to the second tab (labelled 2023) to see the book deets.
That's some heavy reading! I took a peek online at each. While I can't say we are dating in the same circles, the closest I have gotten to the books you have listed (and this is a stretch) is "The Fisher King and the Handless Maiden" by Robert Johnson. I'm a fan of the Grail Myth and I'm a sucker for anything Jungian.
Love this list, Emily! It spans genres and time in such a pleasing way. I'm struck by what you say about your chosen reading material being in conversation with one another somehow and wonder what it says of mine! I'm reading Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell, Ultraprocessed People by Dr Chris Van Tulleikin and Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen (though this one I've dipped in and out of for MONTHS... Wonder what that says!?) I'm also reading an anthology of Black women's nature writing whcih I have to review AND listening to Billy Connolly's new book on Audible. Maybe I should stop picking new things up...!
Wow! I know none of the books in your list. As for books talking to one another, I have a fantasy of finding one line from each and coming up with an odd story of sorts. Would take some serious effort but could be fun. I do believe by reading multiple books that I'm more likely to make connections and themes in the moment!
Yes to this! Have you ever done a spine poem? We did these at work for Book Week Scotland last year, where basically you take a stack of books and either by accident or design, sit them one on top of the other and then transcribe or simply read the 'poem' that emerges! You could totally do this with lines from books, too!
Ooohh... Ultraprocessed People is on my TBR. and I love Billy Connolly. What are you thinking of those 2?
Hey, Medha! Billy is brilliant. I always listen to him because he brings a smile to my face and reminds me of my dad. It's a total contrast to UPP, which I'm finding quite distressing in places when I think about all the UPF I've eaten in my lifetime and all the UPH I struggle to protect my kids from (impossible!)
These are all new to me, maybe not the topics, but the books. Thank you for sharing! I really appreciate the connection! And, yes to spine poetry; never done it. I have quite enough to give it a go (or to do some bibliomancy a la TaraShea Nesbit - are you subscribed to her "Today You Will Write" Stack? I love it). Bibliomancy is opening a book up, finding a line, and using it as a prompt or meditation, etc. She is doing daily posts (during the week) for November with EXCELLENT content and each day includes bibliomancy: https://todayyouwillwrite.substack.com/p/what-taylor-and-travis-tell-us-about
I love seeing the stack, Emily. One of my long-time sketching contacts used to always document this way, and I just love the look of it. It’s such a tangible way to chronicle what we are reading and the mix and juxtaposition of titles are often a fascinating story in and of themselves.
Ohh I quite love Murakami and his memoir is great....heck you reminded me to pull out my copy to read it again. Cheers!
Do you have Novelist as a Vocation? Also a bit of a memoir but more about his writing escapades. I like that one a little better. But as a runner I appreciate the one I referenced in the Sunday Stack.
I haven’t read it yet, but one of my long term projects is to read his complete ouvre . But who knows when that will happen!
I’ve only read Mrs Dalloway on this list, but have heard of some of the others. Have added some to my list, so thank you!
What did you think of it? I'm late to Woolf. I was a Russian language and literature major so spent years reading that literature and know very little of English literature.
Well, to me it’s quite wondrous. It’s an entire book about one day. A woman going about her day, doing this and that. Written in a stream-of-consciousness sort of style. I was quite enamored with the style as an undergrad when I read it, and proposed that my final paper of the term would be to argue on behalf of the style and how it’s more REAL than others. Ha! My professor took one look at me and said that I would have to have the whole of English literature under my belt and then some before I could undertake that task 🤣
I’ve read a handful of Woolf and have loved each. And I think for me the love of her writing is tied up with a fascination about her, how she loved etc. I wouldn’t call myself an expert on her, though. Nor would as say I’m an expert in English literature, though I am quite familiar who’s done what etc. I know nothing about Russian Lit and wish I did.
Wow! I'm so glad I asked! I have To The Lighthouse on Audible (w/Nicole Kidman) and I think the stream of consciousness writing works really well as an audiobook. I've started (but didn't finish) The Waves... also good to listen to. She's absolutely fascinating and so f'in prolific despite a life cut short. Russian Lit is a little baffling; not many women writers, which is a shame (at least not the classics). I was in it mostly for the Russian language... (the literature part of the major came with the language). Thank you for engaging with me on the subject... I might be back with a Woolf question or thought or two as I make my way through!
This is wonderful! That Oatley book sounds excellent.
Right now I’m reading Naoíse Mac Sweeney‘s The West, Shusaku Endo’s The Samurai, Elizabeth Stanley’s Widen the Window, and Robin Waterfield’s Plato of Athens.
All look fantastic. The West is definitely something I'm putting on my list. Have to read a Photo biography before? Or is this your first one?
First one.
I also love looking at other people reading list, but your drawing version is inspiring! I yet to read Mrs Dalloway through and get a new kindle. I guess I’m still happy with my old books.
Ooohhhh. I draw and read and had never thought to draw my digital books! You've inspired me!
I read a lot and I've tracked my reading this year for the first time (which has been surprisingly fun!). I have a google doc where I rate the books out of 5 + comment (without spoilers).
Rather than giving specific book recommendations, I'll post the doc here so you (and anyone else) can see the comments and ratings and choose-your-own-adventure!
Ps. The first thing you'll see is a page of instructions to make a copy of the doc but you can ignore that and go to the second tab (labelled 2023) to see the book deets.
Enjoy!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c3EsxiN3ds2Aro3mEJDCVw7622VnNV1Tl8AZxVuBs-4/edit?usp=sharing
That's some heavy reading! I took a peek online at each. While I can't say we are dating in the same circles, the closest I have gotten to the books you have listed (and this is a stretch) is "The Fisher King and the Handless Maiden" by Robert Johnson. I'm a fan of the Grail Myth and I'm a sucker for anything Jungian.