Thanks Martha! Stoked to have you join me for Passing — it's an incredible short novel, and based on the books you mention in your Substack, I think it'll be a fantastic fit for your interests!!
Welcome back, such a treat to have your note in my inbox this morning! Passing has been on my list (I think because you've mentioned it before?!) so I just ordered a copy. I read Pride & Prejudice a few years ago and I know I didn't get all that I could have out of it. So much to look forward to!
I read The Guest earlier this summer, on a rec from the House of Mirth readalong! I loved it. Emma Cline's sentences are a masterclass.
And yes!! I remember mentioning The Guest a while back — I'm so glad you checked it out. It's a very interesting book and I totally agree: Cline's sentences are sooooo good. Very ripe for closely reading...!
Can't wait to tackle Jane Austen with you. I've never connected with her works and am looking forward to finding the key that unlocks the mysteries of why so many love her.
How cool!! Maybe this will help you both read it together and find cool angles to discuss it through :) Your son is, obviously, more than welcome to join us as well! Haha
This summer I read Amor Towles' "The Lincoln Highway" and while I liked it, it didn't blow me away. On the other hand his "A Gentleman in Moscow" is the most recently published book on my all time favorites list. I decided to try a close read to see if it should stay. For me the book has a dream-like magical fantasy feel. It's also a character study in maintaining a life philosophy even as political and cultural reality appears to be dismantling that philosophy. The cruelty of the period seeps in, but maybe not enough for some who would find the story too unrealistic. I find it hopeful with a bit of "It's a Wonderful Life" spirit as one man living in limited circumstance still manages to influence so many other lives. So after close reading, it stays in my top ten.
I haven't read any Towles' but he's on my TBR! I've heard "Moscow" is a fantastic story. I've avoided watching the series so I can read the book first.
Welcome back! I read Passing for the first time this spring/early summer, so I'm excited to dive in again with more context and information. And P&P is one of my favorite books of all time, but I've never done a close reading of it, so I'm also excited for 2025. :)
Passing is the BEST (also quicksand)
They're both outstanding, aren't they?!
Welcome back!
Thanks Yusuf! Good to be back!!
SO EXCITED that you're back! I love both Passing and P & P, so I can't wait to read a long and learn even more about these great books.
Thanks Pam!! So excited to read again with you!
Welcome back, Haley! I can't wait for P&P!! I last read it years ago, so it will be such a treat to return to it with you to guide us :))
Thank you so much for the shout out of my essay!
Yay!! I think it's going to be a blast reading it together!
Oooh welcome back! Ordering Passing ASAP!
Amazing! So excited to read together again!!
Passing is one of my all time favorites. Can’t wait!!
Oooooh, I can't wait to read it with people who've read it before — since we know what's coming, I wonder how it'll change the build up...!!!
Welcome back Haley! I have always wanted to read Passing - so I’m excited!!
Thanks Martha! Stoked to have you join me for Passing — it's an incredible short novel, and based on the books you mention in your Substack, I think it'll be a fantastic fit for your interests!!
Welcome back, such a treat to have your note in my inbox this morning! Passing has been on my list (I think because you've mentioned it before?!) so I just ordered a copy. I read Pride & Prejudice a few years ago and I know I didn't get all that I could have out of it. So much to look forward to!
I read The Guest earlier this summer, on a rec from the House of Mirth readalong! I loved it. Emma Cline's sentences are a masterclass.
Thanks Catherine!! This will be so fun.
And yes!! I remember mentioning The Guest a while back — I'm so glad you checked it out. It's a very interesting book and I totally agree: Cline's sentences are sooooo good. Very ripe for closely reading...!
So glad that you’re back - welcome!
Thanks Amy!!
Can't wait to tackle Jane Austen with you. I've never connected with her works and am looking forward to finding the key that unlocks the mysteries of why so many love her.
That unlocking happened for me with P&P, so I hope it happens for you too!
Finally reading The Age of Innocence, Haley. Thanks for the earlier inspiration. Glad you had a good break.
Amazing, Wendy!! I hope you're enjoying it!!
I am hooked!
My son is reading Pride & Prejudice in school this spring and I was just telling him how odd it is that I’ve never read it. This is perfect timing!
How cool!! Maybe this will help you both read it together and find cool angles to discuss it through :) Your son is, obviously, more than welcome to join us as well! Haha
Looking forward to Jane Austen!
Me, too! Thanks, Margje!
This summer I read Amor Towles' "The Lincoln Highway" and while I liked it, it didn't blow me away. On the other hand his "A Gentleman in Moscow" is the most recently published book on my all time favorites list. I decided to try a close read to see if it should stay. For me the book has a dream-like magical fantasy feel. It's also a character study in maintaining a life philosophy even as political and cultural reality appears to be dismantling that philosophy. The cruelty of the period seeps in, but maybe not enough for some who would find the story too unrealistic. I find it hopeful with a bit of "It's a Wonderful Life" spirit as one man living in limited circumstance still manages to influence so many other lives. So after close reading, it stays in my top ten.
I haven't read any Towles' but he's on my TBR! I've heard "Moscow" is a fantastic story. I've avoided watching the series so I can read the book first.
I'll love hearing what you think when you get around to it.
The Lincoln Highway blew me away every bit as much as A Gentleman in Moscow. His Table for Two is on my nightstand stack!
Welcome back! I read Passing for the first time this spring/early summer, so I'm excited to dive in again with more context and information. And P&P is one of my favorite books of all time, but I've never done a close reading of it, so I'm also excited for 2025. :)
Thanks Kate! I'm excited to read both with you!!
Welcome back Haley!
Regarding spooky reads, I can't go past Shirley Jackson - recently read 'The Haunting of Hill House' and loved it.
Thanks Tash!! You're gonna love a few of the reads on our fall reading schedule then...!!