I've long loved your un-reviews (I'm of exactly the same mind - there's a kind of mortifying hubris in the self-appointed authority of book reviews a lot of the time, and it reminds me too much of being in academia). Aaanyway...so many thoughts from your post.
The Miss Read books - that actually brought a tear to my eye, because my grandma introduced me to those books when I was a teenager, so I have such a fondness for them. They're gentle, and true-hearted. Even though cosy is not usually my genre at all,(dark little soul that I am).
On War & Peace: my word Mel! Good for you. I'm personally glad I read it...really glad, it's stunning. But...*le sigh* - it can be work. Now, years and years later that I'm reading Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente, I do feel that knowing some Russian history (especially 19th & 20th C's) has enriched my experience of Valente's truly brilliant book.
All the best with the Court of Thorns and Roses. I tried. Truly, I did. I even completed the first book and promptly spat it out again. I realise it's such a beloved series, but it gave me furballs.
Re your Feb pile: I adored the Katherine Arden series! And having read and been thoroughly entertained by V.E Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I'd be interested to know what you think of A Darker Shade of Magic, (I'm adding it to my to-read list).
Long comment. Oops. Your un-reviews get me a little over-enthusiastic as I always find something I want to read as a result.
I'm a great convert to the genre of 'cosy' -- it soothes my ragged nervous system, which has been particularly ragged these last few years. Pure escapist joy and just the thing for over the festive season.
I'm determined to stick with W&P this time around....it's not that I disliked it, I think I just wanted to read other things. Doing it this way, a chapter (or so) a day feels quite manageable. Now I'm jotting down your recommendation...that author's name feels very familiar...ohmygiddyaunt!! Such riches to behold there! I read the first Fairyland book AGES ago...I knew the name was familiar. JOY! An authorly rabbit hole.
Ahem.
I will do my best to remain impartial on the Court of Thorns and Roses -- I fear I've been tarnished with contrariness and get the impression it's very much Marmite -- love it or hate it - so we'll see where I land. Again, trying very hard to keep an open mind.
I read the Bear and The Nightingale a long while ago, when it was the only book, and loved it. Now I discovered (yes, I live under a rock, apparently) that there's more in the series. Naturally, I need to go back and start again for the best effect. :)
Currently reading A Darker Shade of Magic -- quite excellent so far. I think you'll be intrigued by another of my February pile, but I won't spoil it for now. :) xo
First, I relate to the irregular tendencies, for some reason doing (certain) creative things regularly feels like death for me, and when I say death I probably mean stagnation. It can be a bit of a problem. 🤓
Second, I am almost afraid to read Journal of a Solitude based on how familiar your description was… but since solitude has been such a central theme of my life, perhaps I should just confront it. Would you start with Plant Dreaming Deep?
Haha...yes to the stagnation thing. I don't like to say that I get 'bored' easily, because I don't at all, but it's definitely a ho-hum, been-there-done-this kind of feeling. I'm sure you know what I'm getting at. :)
Argh -- what to say about those two journals? I would say that Plant Dreaming Deep is the Ideal and Solitude is the Reality. Both are equally rich and absorbing, just in different ways. Chronologically, I'd go with PDD first -- it's a gorgeous study on place and belonging and I loved every word of it. Solitude is a bit darker but with so much resonance with the ups-and-downs of the creative process that I thoroughly enjoyed it and got so much thought-food to chew over.
I'm guessing also that you'd enjoy A Book of Silence by Sara Maitland...I'm currently still reading it but with themes of solitude and silence (obvs) it speaks to my hermit heart. ;)
Same! Re: ACoTaR... I wasn’t going to read it because everyone else was booksta-ing it ... and then I read Kate’s newsletter and ordered the Kindle version. I still have to slog my way through a nonfiction book, but it waits for me. Who knew that contrarianism was an enneagram 4 thing!
Oh, it absolutely is! If everyone else is doing it, I'm going in the opposite direction, just on principle...I thought it was just me being stroppy but apparently it's one of our traits ;) Kate's vote has finallly convinced me to give it a whirl.
I've got mine on hold at the library...it's evidently quite popular as I'm still #8 in line and they have 10 copies. We'll have to compare notes. xo
Yes we really do not want to think like other people, sometimes. I resisted Annie Lamottks libretto by Bird” for years for just this reason. And it’s a really good book.
I’d forgotten how much I loved the kindness and simplicity of Miss Read, thank you
I never fail to return to those books....they're well-loved.
I've long loved your un-reviews (I'm of exactly the same mind - there's a kind of mortifying hubris in the self-appointed authority of book reviews a lot of the time, and it reminds me too much of being in academia). Aaanyway...so many thoughts from your post.
The Miss Read books - that actually brought a tear to my eye, because my grandma introduced me to those books when I was a teenager, so I have such a fondness for them. They're gentle, and true-hearted. Even though cosy is not usually my genre at all,(dark little soul that I am).
On War & Peace: my word Mel! Good for you. I'm personally glad I read it...really glad, it's stunning. But...*le sigh* - it can be work. Now, years and years later that I'm reading Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente, I do feel that knowing some Russian history (especially 19th & 20th C's) has enriched my experience of Valente's truly brilliant book.
All the best with the Court of Thorns and Roses. I tried. Truly, I did. I even completed the first book and promptly spat it out again. I realise it's such a beloved series, but it gave me furballs.
Re your Feb pile: I adored the Katherine Arden series! And having read and been thoroughly entertained by V.E Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I'd be interested to know what you think of A Darker Shade of Magic, (I'm adding it to my to-read list).
Long comment. Oops. Your un-reviews get me a little over-enthusiastic as I always find something I want to read as a result.
Oh, how I do love a long and bookish comment!!
I'm a great convert to the genre of 'cosy' -- it soothes my ragged nervous system, which has been particularly ragged these last few years. Pure escapist joy and just the thing for over the festive season.
I'm determined to stick with W&P this time around....it's not that I disliked it, I think I just wanted to read other things. Doing it this way, a chapter (or so) a day feels quite manageable. Now I'm jotting down your recommendation...that author's name feels very familiar...ohmygiddyaunt!! Such riches to behold there! I read the first Fairyland book AGES ago...I knew the name was familiar. JOY! An authorly rabbit hole.
Ahem.
I will do my best to remain impartial on the Court of Thorns and Roses -- I fear I've been tarnished with contrariness and get the impression it's very much Marmite -- love it or hate it - so we'll see where I land. Again, trying very hard to keep an open mind.
I read the Bear and The Nightingale a long while ago, when it was the only book, and loved it. Now I discovered (yes, I live under a rock, apparently) that there's more in the series. Naturally, I need to go back and start again for the best effect. :)
Currently reading A Darker Shade of Magic -- quite excellent so far. I think you'll be intrigued by another of my February pile, but I won't spoil it for now. :) xo
Hello Melanie, I hope you’re enjoying February.
First, I relate to the irregular tendencies, for some reason doing (certain) creative things regularly feels like death for me, and when I say death I probably mean stagnation. It can be a bit of a problem. 🤓
Second, I am almost afraid to read Journal of a Solitude based on how familiar your description was… but since solitude has been such a central theme of my life, perhaps I should just confront it. Would you start with Plant Dreaming Deep?
xJ
Haha...yes to the stagnation thing. I don't like to say that I get 'bored' easily, because I don't at all, but it's definitely a ho-hum, been-there-done-this kind of feeling. I'm sure you know what I'm getting at. :)
Argh -- what to say about those two journals? I would say that Plant Dreaming Deep is the Ideal and Solitude is the Reality. Both are equally rich and absorbing, just in different ways. Chronologically, I'd go with PDD first -- it's a gorgeous study on place and belonging and I loved every word of it. Solitude is a bit darker but with so much resonance with the ups-and-downs of the creative process that I thoroughly enjoyed it and got so much thought-food to chew over.
I'm guessing also that you'd enjoy A Book of Silence by Sara Maitland...I'm currently still reading it but with themes of solitude and silence (obvs) it speaks to my hermit heart. ;)
xo
Perfection, I’ll try both! Thank you for the recos M
Same! Re: ACoTaR... I wasn’t going to read it because everyone else was booksta-ing it ... and then I read Kate’s newsletter and ordered the Kindle version. I still have to slog my way through a nonfiction book, but it waits for me. Who knew that contrarianism was an enneagram 4 thing!
Oh, it absolutely is! If everyone else is doing it, I'm going in the opposite direction, just on principle...I thought it was just me being stroppy but apparently it's one of our traits ;) Kate's vote has finallly convinced me to give it a whirl.
I've got mine on hold at the library...it's evidently quite popular as I'm still #8 in line and they have 10 copies. We'll have to compare notes. xo
Yes we really do not want to think like other people, sometimes. I resisted Annie Lamottks libretto by Bird” for years for just this reason. And it’s a really good book.
Oooh…. Thank you for another installment of un-reviews! Always looking for suggestions of what to read! 💙
Me too!! Book recommendations are one of the treasures of the internet....I'm never going to be at a loss over what to read.xo