I haven’t done a Monday post in a little while (and this one is late) because I have been ill and not reading much as a result. But here we go, time to catch you guys up on what I’ve read in the past couple of weeks!
Just Shelved
All three of these were audiobooks I borrowed from my library – just wanted to say that as it’s a point of pride for me! I enjoyed Farm City – about a woman and her partner who take over a vacant lot in Oakland and turn it into a farm. Not just a garden – an actual farm, complete with chickens, bees, ducks and even pigs. Definitely a unique memoir! Enchantment is sort of a follow up to Wintering, which I read and really enjoyed. This one looks at the need to find a sense of enchantment in lives that have become increasingly unsatisfying, isolated, busy and carried out inside and away from nature. I liked the tone of this book, though now that it’s been a week since I finished, not much has really stuck with me, more of just a general sense of it being a pleasant reading experience. I was surprised to see Quietly Hostile available for instant download from my library, so I borrowed it and read it immediately (so I wouldn’t get distracted and completely forget about it until I got the automatic return notification). I liked it. It’s got the same honest approach to everything from sexual experiences to body functions to social anxiety, but also tackles some of the experiences from the early days of the pandemic that feel current and relatable for any reader. Definitely an enjoyable (mostly except the really gross parts) read.
Currently Reading
I have the audiobook for The Wonderful World of James Herriot as an audiobook from Netgalley, and it’s really enjoyable so far. It intersperses excerpts from Herriot’s beloved books with biographical and historical information surrounding each one. It talks about Herriot’s relationships with his community and colleagues, his rise to fame, and his love of working as a veterinarian, which he continued well past typical retirement age despite his literary success. It’s been a long time since I’ve read any of his work, but I’ve kept meaning to re-read his books. This is a great way to paddle my way back in. I’ve been meaning to read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time for ages (I’ve even started it at least once) because I’ve heard universally positive things about it. I also love neurodivergent representation in books because I think there needs to be more of it. So based on these factors, it should be a favourite for me. The problem I have is that, while I appreciate and understand it, the way it’s written is a bit challenging for me. Every piece of the story or bit of information is broken down and explained in excruciating detail because the first person narrator is autistic-coded. This is realistic, but not very fun to read for someone who is a different type of neurodivergent, and who gets bored easily and tends to have a mind that zooms ahead and just needs books that can keep up. This is why I listen to audiobooks at double speed, and this is why I tend to read more audiobooks than physical books – they’re faster and I can do other stuff while I’m reading. I have this as a physical book, so I’m thinking maybe I’ll try the audio so I can speed it up and multi-task and see if that makes it easier. That said, my own personal brain dynamics aside, I’m loving the character and I think I’ll like the story, though there hasn’t been that much yet. I’d love to hear from anyone else who has read this – did you struggle with the flow and pace or is it just me? If you did struggle, did it get easier the more you read as your brain adjusted to it?
Up Next
I have a galley of this book through Netgalley – I thought it was going to be an audio version as it was listed in the “most requested” section under audiobooks, but it turned out to be a PDF. I’m still going to read it, but it will probably take me a bit longer. I’m interested in the topic, though, and want to learn more about it.
That’s it for me this week! In unrelated news, another exciting thing that happened in the reading world this week was the announcement of the winners for this year’s BookTube Prize – and for the first time, my first place pick for the fiction category actually won first place! Congratulations to Barbara Kingsolver. Very exciting news! Click here to see a video of her response to winning. What a class act. See you next time!
A weekly post that encourages bloggers to share what they have read in the past week, what they’re currently reading and books they’ve recently added to their TBRs. Originally started by Sheila at Book Journey, it is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
It sounds like you have had a fascinating reading week. If I can squeeze it in, I will read Enchantment. I’ve always found solace in natural spaces, but it wasn’t til we moved to a small town where I can revel in it anytime I want, that I realized how important it is. My mother taught me years ago that you find sacred space in the trees and land.
The Curious Incident of the Dog was my introduction to neurodivergent characters. I agree that it’s confusing at times. I thought that reflected real life for people like this. My favourite neurodivergent character is Zelda from When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald. https://dickenslibrary.blogspot.com/2020/01/when-we-were-vikings-by-andrew-david.html
I enjoyed Enchantment, and your thoughts completely chime with my own. I recently moved and have a garden for the first time in over a decade, and it feel like coming home. I just started a book you might like – it’s called Nature Is a Human Right and it’s exactly about how important nature is for humans to be healthy and thriving. I love that The Curious Incident has such great neurodivergent rep, and that it does feel so real. I think the problem for me is that I’m a different type of neurodivergent, so while I can appreciate it, I find it a little hard because it goes slowly due to the realistic extra explaining and thinking things through. So it’s a tricky one in that the very thing that I appreciate about it is making it difficult for my brain !I haven’t heard of When We Were Vikings, but I will definitely look it up – thank you for the recommendation!