I was on that call also, Courtney! And I am also processing still. Trying really hard to listen before I proclaim.
I am reading a pretty obscure book called Men that God Made Mad, by Derek Lundy. It reflects on the long history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland through the stories of 3 of Lundy’s Protestant male ancestors, from 1688 through the 20th century. I’m finding that reading about politically intense moments in other times and places is helping me keep perspective. And I recommend Paul Lynch’s beautiful powerful new novel Prophet Song for the same reason.
I was reading Outline by Rachel Cusk, but I accidentally left it behind on my flight the other day. So now I’m reading Hagitude by Sharon Blackie. Very different.
Hi Courtney! I'm drafting the very few last (missing) sections of my manuscript, before I go on to complete some of the last to-dos of my developmental revision. I am reading Jane Eyre (following In the Dream House for a lesson in writing the gothic and macabre) and You Could Make This Place Beautiful. I am enjoying (and learning from) all of the above.
I'm about to crack open my deckle-edged edition of The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, translated by husband and wife, Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. I first read it decades ago in another translation and was transported. It was written during Stalin's reign of terror and finally published in the 1960s, 26 years after Bulgakov's death. In one of the blurbs, Daniel Radcliffe says, "My favorite novel—it's just the greatest explosion of imagination, craziness, satire, humor, and heart." It's about what happens when the Devil arrives in Moscow....
I am reading Curtis Sittenfeld's Romantic Comedy, the light fun fiction I need right now. Plus, she is speaking in my town next week and I am excited to meet her as I've loved her work for a long time. Also reading and loving Elizabeth Strout's latest novel, Tell Me Everything, where characters from her previous novels (I've read them all, she is one of my very favorite authors) reappear in the most delightful, poignant ways in the town she has created of Shirley Falls in Maine.
Weekend read: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson - some straight up fantasy for a while. Side note: people are so fascinating! I love when I am introduced to people in this community. Everyone seems so INTERESTING.
It may be basic, but I'm reading Sarah Maas’s Throne of Glass series. Escapism at its finest. Thank you, Courtney, for this space. We need it now more than ever.
On my flight yesterday, I gobbled up Lizzie Simon's 22-year-old memoir about bipolar disorder, DETOUR, and am so glad I did. Proof that the lives of books are long!
I was on that call also, Courtney! And I am also processing still. Trying really hard to listen before I proclaim.
I am reading a pretty obscure book called Men that God Made Mad, by Derek Lundy. It reflects on the long history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland through the stories of 3 of Lundy’s Protestant male ancestors, from 1688 through the 20th century. I’m finding that reading about politically intense moments in other times and places is helping me keep perspective. And I recommend Paul Lynch’s beautiful powerful new novel Prophet Song for the same reason.
Everyone who reads this substack seems to have such impressive credentials! Endlessly awed by the brilliant women you attract.
I’m reading Starling House on audio and The Transmigration of Timothy Archer on Kindle.
Thanks for doing these giveaways! It's such a fun and rewarding way to participate in this community.
Lucky lucky winners.
I was reading Outline by Rachel Cusk, but I accidentally left it behind on my flight the other day. So now I’m reading Hagitude by Sharon Blackie. Very different.
Hi Courtney! I'm drafting the very few last (missing) sections of my manuscript, before I go on to complete some of the last to-dos of my developmental revision. I am reading Jane Eyre (following In the Dream House for a lesson in writing the gothic and macabre) and You Could Make This Place Beautiful. I am enjoying (and learning from) all of the above.
Thank you!
How exciting— best of luck with your manuscript!
I'm about to crack open my deckle-edged edition of The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, translated by husband and wife, Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. I first read it decades ago in another translation and was transported. It was written during Stalin's reign of terror and finally published in the 1960s, 26 years after Bulgakov's death. In one of the blurbs, Daniel Radcliffe says, "My favorite novel—it's just the greatest explosion of imagination, craziness, satire, humor, and heart." It's about what happens when the Devil arrives in Moscow....
I am reading Curtis Sittenfeld's Romantic Comedy, the light fun fiction I need right now. Plus, she is speaking in my town next week and I am excited to meet her as I've loved her work for a long time. Also reading and loving Elizabeth Strout's latest novel, Tell Me Everything, where characters from her previous novels (I've read them all, she is one of my very favorite authors) reappear in the most delightful, poignant ways in the town she has created of Shirley Falls in Maine.
I have never read a Sittenfeld yet! I must.
If you are a fan of SNL, and romantic comedies with a funny, brave, endearing female protagonist, you will love Romantic Comedy.
Weekend read: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson - some straight up fantasy for a while. Side note: people are so fascinating! I love when I am introduced to people in this community. Everyone seems so INTERESTING.
I agree with you!
Hestia Strikes a Match is the perfect book I didn't know I needed
It may be basic, but I'm reading Sarah Maas’s Throne of Glass series. Escapism at its finest. Thank you, Courtney, for this space. We need it now more than ever.
No such thing as basic when it comes to reading!!
On my flight yesterday, I gobbled up Lizzie Simon's 22-year-old memoir about bipolar disorder, DETOUR, and am so glad I did. Proof that the lives of books are long!
Reading Gina Frangello’s memoir, Blow Your House Down. 5 stars!