Nancy, my book of the year was The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. My review of it will be coming out this Saturday. I am also doing the W&P read with Simon H. and company as well as my own read through of Steinbeck's works this year. Hope you have a great reading year.
I've heard wonderful things about The Covenant of Water! Have you read W&P before? This is my first time through, and so far, I'm enjoying it. (I think it helps to read the ebook so you're not so aware of just how big it is!)
This is my second reading of W&P. I read it last year on my own in about two months. Simon is the reason I am on Substack though and I decided to follow along for the chapter a day experience. It is really great and I love slowing down the story.
I found myself wondering what it's like to read through more quickly as I read tonight's chapter. I've read a chapter ahead once or twice, but I really like the year idea and don't want to mess with it too much.
Ooh, I loved happening upon this list, and especially intrigued by QUIT, a book I wish I’d read 20 years ago…will have to check it out! My favorite read last year was YELLOWFACE, followed closely by DEMON COPPERHEAD and BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN. On the nonfiction side, I most enjoyed GLOSSY, the story behind Glossier and its young female founder, Emily Weiss. I published my full reading list here: https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahknightauthor/p/my-year-in-books?
Thanks so much, Sarah! Quit does seem like it could be right up your alley. 😉 And it’s a great read regardless. I’ve heard such good things about Demon Copperhead, and loved Kingsolver’s early books (I never got into Poisonwood Bible, but I tried ages ago and maybe should give it another whirl, too). I’ll definitely check out your full list!
On the non-fiction side, definitely "Quit." One of my goals for the year is to quit diluting my attention and to focus my efforts. Feels like that book could help. On the fiction side, "Remarkably Bright Creatures." Heard it was about an octopus and figured, despite everyone's high praise, it couldn't be any good, but your description makes me want to read it!
I'll be curious to hear what you think of "Quit." I think "Remarkably Bright Creatures" will be right up your alley, honestly. It treats its characters with the same kind of care and empathy I associate with you and your writing. :)
Oh, thank you! I had a feeling most people would say, "Yeah, read that, read that, read that five years ago. Haven't you read anything recent??" but I figured it was worth looking back over the year anyway. (I did just finish what many are calling 2023's best novel, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, and it was very good indeed.)
I was reluctant to do an MFA at all because they can be so cutthroat. I managed, somehow, to land at the one program I've ever heard of that is NOT like that, and I'm forever grateful for it. Two years of constant reading and writing will burn anyone out, I think, no matter how much they love the program--and I did love mine. I'm glad I rediscovered my passion for reading eventually, though!
Nancy, my book of the year was The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. My review of it will be coming out this Saturday. I am also doing the W&P read with Simon H. and company as well as my own read through of Steinbeck's works this year. Hope you have a great reading year.
I've heard wonderful things about The Covenant of Water! Have you read W&P before? This is my first time through, and so far, I'm enjoying it. (I think it helps to read the ebook so you're not so aware of just how big it is!)
This is my second reading of W&P. I read it last year on my own in about two months. Simon is the reason I am on Substack though and I decided to follow along for the chapter a day experience. It is really great and I love slowing down the story.
I found myself wondering what it's like to read through more quickly as I read tonight's chapter. I've read a chapter ahead once or twice, but I really like the year idea and don't want to mess with it too much.
Ooh, I loved happening upon this list, and especially intrigued by QUIT, a book I wish I’d read 20 years ago…will have to check it out! My favorite read last year was YELLOWFACE, followed closely by DEMON COPPERHEAD and BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN. On the nonfiction side, I most enjoyed GLOSSY, the story behind Glossier and its young female founder, Emily Weiss. I published my full reading list here: https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahknightauthor/p/my-year-in-books?
Thanks so much, Sarah! Quit does seem like it could be right up your alley. 😉 And it’s a great read regardless. I’ve heard such good things about Demon Copperhead, and loved Kingsolver’s early books (I never got into Poisonwood Bible, but I tried ages ago and maybe should give it another whirl, too). I’ll definitely check out your full list!
I couldn't narrow my year of reading down to a top pick either, and I just got an idea from one of your picks.
My top ten fiction (alphabetical):
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
The Militia House by John Milas (pub. 2023)
North Woods by Daniel Mason (pub. 2023)
Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson
People Person by Candice Carty-Williams
Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal (pub. 2023)
This Book Will Save Your Life by A. M. Homes
Tremor by Teju Cole (pub. 2023)
Top five nonfiction/essay/memoir:
How Not to Kill Yourself: A Portrait of the Suicidal Mind by Clancy Martin (pub. 2023)
The Loneliness Files by Athena Dixon (pub. 2023)
Stay True: A Memoir by Hua Hsu
We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxana Asgarian (pub. 2023)
When Crack Was King: A People’s History of a Misunderstood Era by Donovan X. Ramsey (pub. 2023)
Wow! I'm so tempted to ask for your top three since this is a pretty extensive list, but that may be difficult, too! ;)
Fiction I can’t narrow down but if I had to pick one of the nonfiction I would go with We Were Once a Family.
I'm honored to be included in this list, Nancy, and now I've got a couple more books to add to my own stack!
You totally deserve it! And I'm curious to know which others caught your eye. :)
On the non-fiction side, definitely "Quit." One of my goals for the year is to quit diluting my attention and to focus my efforts. Feels like that book could help. On the fiction side, "Remarkably Bright Creatures." Heard it was about an octopus and figured, despite everyone's high praise, it couldn't be any good, but your description makes me want to read it!
I'll be curious to hear what you think of "Quit." I think "Remarkably Bright Creatures" will be right up your alley, honestly. It treats its characters with the same kind of care and empathy I associate with you and your writing. :)
I have not read any of these so now I have a reading list!
I'm glad you had a good MFA experience and are enjoying reading again!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
This is the most useful book list I've seen. Thank you!
And has anyone noticed that MFA programs seem to burn people out, or worse? For writing, art, architecture.
Oh, thank you! I had a feeling most people would say, "Yeah, read that, read that, read that five years ago. Haven't you read anything recent??" but I figured it was worth looking back over the year anyway. (I did just finish what many are calling 2023's best novel, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, and it was very good indeed.)
I was reluctant to do an MFA at all because they can be so cutthroat. I managed, somehow, to land at the one program I've ever heard of that is NOT like that, and I'm forever grateful for it. Two years of constant reading and writing will burn anyone out, I think, no matter how much they love the program--and I did love mine. I'm glad I rediscovered my passion for reading eventually, though!