Love this! I keep a folder of lists in my notebook programme called "Books From Books", because every book I read seems to spark its own follow-up reading list. I'd have to live to at least 254 to be able to read them all, but I guess it's better than being stuck for ideas... 🙄
As I order most of my books through our rural library or their interlibrary loan, they keep a list of what I've checked out. In winter sometimes I re-read what's on my own shelves. Somehow this led me back to Diana Athill, whom I've loved ever since the New Yorker (I think) reviewed "Somewhere Near the End" years ago. And then Athill kept on living and writing for years. I ordered the one Athill novel our library has, "Don't Look at Me Like that" about the character, Meg's, late teens and early twenties. So much of Meg's agony resonates from those years for me. As you know, Athill represented Rhys and knew her quite well.
Thanks, Kirie. Yes! We have a lot to thank Athill for in terms of brining Rhys's work to light. I have read some of her nonfiction (about editing Rhys and others) but not her fiction, so thanks for the tip!
Turns out Athill only wrote one novel. The library copy has an afterword by Helen Oyeyemi. I'd never heard of her and now want to read all her writing. Her essay on Athill's novel is one of the most brilliant analyses of a piece of work I've ever read - and like you I'm a reading addict and lit major.
I enjoyed following your literary rabbit hole! I’ve heard so many times about The Wedding People that I’m more curious than ever to read it, and you’ve certainly inspired me to read White on White. I’m currently on the fourth book of the My Brilliant Friend series, and it must be the best book I’ve ever read! It looks like my next own rabbit hole will be Ferrante’s books!
The Wedding People was such a surprising book to me! The cover looks like a “beach read” style of book, but the context is so much deeper than that. I found myself constantly underlining snd copying down quotes! It resonated so much.
Ferrante's books are hard acts to follow! I enjoyed ‘The Lost Daughter’ last year, if you haven’t read it.
I agree, Ferrante sets the bar very high! I’ve added The Lost Daughter to the list, thanks. And that "surprise element" is exactly what I’ve heard about The Wedding People.
So enjoyed this! My whole reading life is a warren of rabbit holes ❤️ (Also same with The Artist here—the longest queue, well done local readers with good taste!)
I love a good reading rabbit hole. Lately, mine has been sojourning with Black women writers, moving from one voice to another and realizing they’re all in conversation with each other across time. One book opened the door to the next; it is rewarding.
I loved The Wedding People too, and it’s great when you go down a bookish rabbit hole like that. I got obsessed with the whole Tudor period when I read the Wolf Hall trilogy, googling minor characters etc.
Sarah Moss is probably my favourite for female academics. I really want to reread Night Waking, which is about an academic who has relocated to a Scottish island with her family.
Thanks, Kate! I love the bookish rabbit hole, too. I can see that Mantel's books would do that- both my kids are big fans of Tudor history and Mantel! (Don't know if you've seen my writing rituals post on Mantel - not a plug, you just might enjoy!).
I've just placed a hold on Night Waking, which I haven't read, but enjoyed Sarah Moss's Summerwater. Thanks!
So many amazing recs as usual! I can’t keep up! So fun to hear where your mind took you. The Christmas list sounds good, too. White on White sounds especially interesting — I also like this kind of fragmentary writing. I was thinking about why when I read the way you explain it and I think it’s this poetic space of floating images and filing the gaps ourselves. Thanks for sharing all these with us!
Most of the books I read are about the lives of artists and other creative people. I'm definitely adding The Last Sane Woman to my list—it sounds incredibly interesting. Thank you!
The Woman Who Painted the Seasons by Penny Fields-Schneider. It's about Lee Krassner, and American abstract artist born in 1908 to Russian-Jewish immigrants.
I have discovered the joys of reading Gabrielle Zevin (not just because of nominative association!) and the short stories of Hilary Mantel which (I don't know if this is a literary crime), I prefer to her novels.
The most interesting book about women in academia I have ever read is The Metaphysical Animals which tells a story of four prominent women philosophers from their first days at Oxford till they have begun their separate careers. Set in 40s and 50s it tells four biographies that at times feel like a fiction narrative, and it adds the story of the development of their philosophical views which feels like a non-fiction.
As for the rabbit holes, my last two were Harry Potter and Game Changer series by Rachel Reid (which is famous now for the hit TV series Heated Rivalry)
I have started to go down so many rabbit holes with reading, which I’ve coined as reading patterns. It reminds me of the concept of ‘desire paths’. So I totally get it! Women in academia and women in art are subjects I really enjoy, so I thoroughly enjoyed reading this reflection.
I, too, am drawn to the fragmentary style of writing at the moment because I devour books like this. The Place of Shells by Mai Ishizawa, Tell Them of Battles, Kings & Elephants, Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn and House of Day House of Night by Olga Tokarczuk would be my recommendations to this rabbit hole!
Love this! It’s so nice to just explore those random reading urges, wherever they may take you. I’m very intrigued by Vladmir, especially as there’s a new series adaptation coming out in March. Like you, I thought The Last Sane Woman was an intoxicating but confusing read. I raced through it!
Love this! I keep a folder of lists in my notebook programme called "Books From Books", because every book I read seems to spark its own follow-up reading list. I'd have to live to at least 254 to be able to read them all, but I guess it's better than being stuck for ideas... 🙄
😄 there's nothing worse than having nothing to read! 📚 I love your “Books From Books” list idea! (I may steal it 😉).
Linda, I am copying you. Love this idea!
As I order most of my books through our rural library or their interlibrary loan, they keep a list of what I've checked out. In winter sometimes I re-read what's on my own shelves. Somehow this led me back to Diana Athill, whom I've loved ever since the New Yorker (I think) reviewed "Somewhere Near the End" years ago. And then Athill kept on living and writing for years. I ordered the one Athill novel our library has, "Don't Look at Me Like that" about the character, Meg's, late teens and early twenties. So much of Meg's agony resonates from those years for me. As you know, Athill represented Rhys and knew her quite well.
Thanks, Kirie. Yes! We have a lot to thank Athill for in terms of brining Rhys's work to light. I have read some of her nonfiction (about editing Rhys and others) but not her fiction, so thanks for the tip!
Turns out Athill only wrote one novel. The library copy has an afterword by Helen Oyeyemi. I'd never heard of her and now want to read all her writing. Her essay on Athill's novel is one of the most brilliant analyses of a piece of work I've ever read - and like you I'm a reading addict and lit major.
I haven't read Oyeyemi myself, but I remember my daughter reading Boy, Snow, Bird years ago and enjoying it.
I enjoyed following your literary rabbit hole! I’ve heard so many times about The Wedding People that I’m more curious than ever to read it, and you’ve certainly inspired me to read White on White. I’m currently on the fourth book of the My Brilliant Friend series, and it must be the best book I’ve ever read! It looks like my next own rabbit hole will be Ferrante’s books!
The Wedding People was such a surprising book to me! The cover looks like a “beach read” style of book, but the context is so much deeper than that. I found myself constantly underlining snd copying down quotes! It resonated so much.
Ferrante's books are hard acts to follow! I enjoyed ‘The Lost Daughter’ last year, if you haven’t read it.
I agree, Ferrante sets the bar very high! I’ve added The Lost Daughter to the list, thanks. And that "surprise element" is exactly what I’ve heard about The Wedding People.
So enjoyed this! My whole reading life is a warren of rabbit holes ❤️ (Also same with The Artist here—the longest queue, well done local readers with good taste!)
😄 literally everywhere I go, somebody is reading that book! (Except for me...)
I love a good reading rabbit hole. Lately, mine has been sojourning with Black women writers, moving from one voice to another and realizing they’re all in conversation with each other across time. One book opened the door to the next; it is rewarding.
I love that, Chantel: “realising they're all in conversation with each other across time.” What a wonderful way of putting it🌟
I loved The Wedding People too, and it’s great when you go down a bookish rabbit hole like that. I got obsessed with the whole Tudor period when I read the Wolf Hall trilogy, googling minor characters etc.
Sarah Moss is probably my favourite for female academics. I really want to reread Night Waking, which is about an academic who has relocated to a Scottish island with her family.
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts 😊
Thanks, Kate! I love the bookish rabbit hole, too. I can see that Mantel's books would do that- both my kids are big fans of Tudor history and Mantel! (Don't know if you've seen my writing rituals post on Mantel - not a plug, you just might enjoy!).
I've just placed a hold on Night Waking, which I haven't read, but enjoyed Sarah Moss's Summerwater. Thanks!
I’ll check that post out now, it sounds really interesting!
So many amazing recs as usual! I can’t keep up! So fun to hear where your mind took you. The Christmas list sounds good, too. White on White sounds especially interesting — I also like this kind of fragmentary writing. I was thinking about why when I read the way you explain it and I think it’s this poetic space of floating images and filing the gaps ourselves. Thanks for sharing all these with us!
You’re welcome, Kate! Yes, I think you would especially like White on White and Pages for Her!
So thankful for Petya Grady for leading me here!
Most of the books I read are about the lives of artists and other creative people. I'm definitely adding The Last Sane Woman to my list—it sounds incredibly interesting. Thank you!
Ah, that's great to hear! I love Petya's newsletter. I hope you enjoy it - let me know!
The Woman Who Painted the Seasons by Penny Fields-Schneider. It's about Lee Krassner, and American abstract artist born in 1908 to Russian-Jewish immigrants.
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (true crime).
Ooh, thanks Deanna! I don't know either of these!
I have discovered the joys of reading Gabrielle Zevin (not just because of nominative association!) and the short stories of Hilary Mantel which (I don't know if this is a literary crime), I prefer to her novels.
Thanks for the recs, Gabrielle!
My pleasure.
Looking forward to "The Artist", although the described plot feels like a French movie I've already seen... :) I'm a Rebel too!
🌟
The most interesting book about women in academia I have ever read is The Metaphysical Animals which tells a story of four prominent women philosophers from their first days at Oxford till they have begun their separate careers. Set in 40s and 50s it tells four biographies that at times feel like a fiction narrative, and it adds the story of the development of their philosophical views which feels like a non-fiction.
As for the rabbit holes, my last two were Harry Potter and Game Changer series by Rachel Reid (which is famous now for the hit TV series Heated Rivalry)
That sounds intriguing!
I have started to go down so many rabbit holes with reading, which I’ve coined as reading patterns. It reminds me of the concept of ‘desire paths’. So I totally get it! Women in academia and women in art are subjects I really enjoy, so I thoroughly enjoyed reading this reflection.
I, too, am drawn to the fragmentary style of writing at the moment because I devour books like this. The Place of Shells by Mai Ishizawa, Tell Them of Battles, Kings & Elephants, Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn and House of Day House of Night by Olga Tokarczuk would be my recommendations to this rabbit hole!
Thank you, Jada! I love ‘Desire Paths!’ Thank you for the list of fragmentary style texts.
Really enjoyed this! I find myself at this moment rabbit hole searching academic novels so your suggestions here came at the perfect time!
Oh, what great timing! I hope you try some of these! 📚
Yes to rabbit holes! I recommend Practice by Rosalind Brown to add to your current rabbit hole!
Thanks, Sophie! Just put a hold at the library 😃 📚 sounds interesting!
Love this! It’s so nice to just explore those random reading urges, wherever they may take you. I’m very intrigued by Vladmir, especially as there’s a new series adaptation coming out in March. Like you, I thought The Last Sane Woman was an intoxicating but confusing read. I raced through it!
I didn't know about the Vladimir series till you told me! So exciting!