50 Comments
User's avatar
Nan's avatar
May 5Edited

You honestly have never read Middlemarch before? That’s baffling. You’re a novel-reader!! Is there a particular reason?

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

I haven't! The main reason is that I was focused on American lit throughout my graduate work, and so I still have lots of gaps in 18th and 19th century British lit. I have read *Adam Bede* and *Silas Marner,* as well as some of Eliot's shorter works — and I love her style. I'm really excited to read this classic with everyone!

Expand full comment
Lydia Tarbox's avatar

I was supposed to read Middlemarch in college, but it fell victim to a particularly heavy page count of a semester. And now, it’s been sitting on my bedside table for several years waiting for me to pick it up. I’ve always heard that it’s amazing, so I’m excited to finally dig in!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

I'm so excited, too!!

Expand full comment
Chris M's avatar

The pizza looks amazing and this is exactly the kind of post I like to read now and then. My husband, books, art and pizza also fill my life; along with my cat. I have a lot of books going currently, but want to join you for Middlemarch. It will be my first reading of Middlemarch and of George Eliot. Also, thank you for the different tiers!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

That pizza was so incredible. I never thought to put apples on a pizza and now I'm thinking I need to try it at home! Thanks for your lovely comment! Excited to read Eliot with you!

Expand full comment
Pinchos de cultura's avatar

I loved everything about this REPORT and I am so glad you wrote it. I have had a shitty morning, but I am sitting in a coffee shop garden right now and reading your little newsletter of happy things and ways you are re-examining things you used to believe were true in order to make space for more freedom in your life has made me feel really hopeful.

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

I'm so sorry you had a shitty morning! I'm so happy this made your day better :)

Expand full comment
Lindsay's avatar

I read Middlemarch this time of year 20 years ago before a semester abroad in England studying Victorian lit. Cannot wait to revisit!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Yes! I love this! Excited to read with you.

Expand full comment
Kate Jones's avatar

"I’m really starting to realize that the more I embrace my creativity and the more time I spend doing things like ceramics and writing in coffee shops and going for walks…the more I open myself up to change my mind about the rules I’ve made for myself. The safer it feels to re-examine what I’ve taken to be true, and to invite myself to change whenever I want." OMG Haley!! This spoke to me SO much! I'm so glad you are finding ways to be creative, outside of books. I think I get stuck in the same old trap of thinking I'm a reader and a writer and that's all the creativity I need. But it's so refreshing to step out of that sometimes.

Also: Please don't stop posting these reports!! I, for one, DO love to hear about your monthly discoveries :)

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Thanks so much Kate!!! I get stuck that, too: thinking that being a reader is my only hobby, or the only "worthwhile" hobby (because I'm already pretty good at it and comfortable doing it). Pushing outside to uncomfy things has been such a game changer!

Expand full comment
Kate Jones's avatar

Also...Happy Anniversary!!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

:) thank you!!!!

Expand full comment
Rameen's avatar

I had a huge smile on my face the entire time I was reading this. That’s how much I love reading these journal-like reports. Everything you’ve said about creativity rings true. Middlemarch has been on my reading list for decades. I hope I can commit to reading it this time! Oh and happy anniversary!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

I love that! Thank you so much Rameen! Excited to read with you.

Expand full comment
Pam Johnston's avatar

I love these reports and hope you'll keep sharing them. Also, I'm now scouring the Internet for a recipe to make some version of that pizza.

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Thanks, Pam! I will.

I think one of the keys to the pie was that they only used a nice olive oil for the crust -- no sauce. So the little piles of ricotta were able to kind of "bake" into a nice texture and not get sloppy in a wet sauce. Then the roasted apples and squash and caramelized onions were on top of everything, nice and crispy. It was truly fantastic.

Expand full comment
Jade Eby's avatar

I echo lots of other commenters -- I LOVE your reports! I also have PCOS and I love how you've reframed things. Seeing others give themselves permission to re-evaluate what they think they know about themselves inspires others to do the same. You're amazing, per the usual!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Thanks Jade!! you're so nice. thank you for reading and being here. hope you're well!!

Expand full comment
Caroline V's avatar

Clicking on the poll doesn't work for me, but I'm in!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Oh shoot. I hate when that happens. I'm glad you're in for the read!!

Expand full comment
KJ O’Neil's avatar

Your monthly reports are so fun to read. You have so much energy!

Yes, Jimmy from “Hacks” is such a cutie 🥰. I have a celebrity crush on him for sure. I enjoy seeing him speak out of character in the “behind the episode” clips after each show (even though that is his real life wife/writing partner sitting next to him 😉).

Looking forward to Middlemarch. Boiler Up!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Thanks KJ!

I haven't watched any of the "behind the episode" clips yet! I need to check those out. I first saw him in Broad City years ago, and his character is SO funny on that show. I love seeing him on my tv again!

Expand full comment
Maryann's avatar

It's fun reading your monthly reports and it prompts me to do my own recap of the prior month.

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Thanks Maryann!! :) I hope you have fun making your recap. This one was super fun for me this month!!

Expand full comment
Petya K. Grady's avatar

Happy Anniversary and it was so fun to see YOU in your pink sweater!!! I love that color on you!

I got my copy of Middlemarch during National Independent Bookstore Day and I am already anxious about reading it! The anticipation is killing me!

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Thanks Petya!!! That pink color has been my whole life lately. I read somewhere that lots of women have a pink-loving phase as adults because we're made fun of for loving pink when we're younger. It made me sad and also a little fiery about embracing the girliest hues this spring.

I am SO excited to read Middlemarch with you! YES!!!

Expand full comment
Dawn Sugden's avatar

I am so looking forward to reading Middlemarch - been holding off for this closer read as I know it will give so much more than reading alone.

Super monthly report - thank you and a very Happy Anniversary.

Expand full comment
haley larsen, phd's avatar

Yay!!!! Dawn I'm so glad you're joining us. So excited to read together!

Expand full comment
Neha S's avatar

Such a lovely report, I enjoyed reading it. The last book I bought was Middlemarch and I'm sooo excited to start reading it with you and others over here! This will be my first close read w/y'all and I'm waiting eagerly!! Thank you for your post ☀️☀️☀️

Expand full comment