This week has been better than last week in terms of reading! We’ve had an interesting week – it snowed for the second time this year, which was beautiful to watch (it came on around 10 pm in huge flakes that drifted peacefully down beneath the streetlights).
Just Shelved
I adore Sandi Toksvig. Her intelligence and calm voice are reassuring to me, in a similar way to listening to Stephen Fry. Her memoir didn’t disappoint. I am so glad to have stumbled upon The Great Unexpected as it was such a heartwarming read about new friendship between nursing home residents Joel and Frank. I adored these two. Pageboy is Elliot Page’s memoir about his experiences from childhood through to the present, and it is such a hard but necessary book. I’m amazed that he was not only willing to share so openly, but that he was able to go back into all of those experiences to put them on paper for us. Much respect for this deeply emotional read. The Fortnight in September is a classic novel I discovered thanks to The Graham Norton Book Club. They talked about it with such tenderness that I was curious enough to track down a copy and read it myself. It’s unlike most books I’ve read in my life in that very little actually happens, and yet I was at the edge of my seat for a large portion of the novel. I am still at a loss to explain this phenomenon. Full thoughts coming soon in my review. (If you’ve read it, please do comment to that effect so I can chat to you about it – it’s got me intrigued but I know no one who has even heard of it!)
Currently Reading
I’ve started this book, but honestly I am not having fun. I tried to read it once before and didn’t get far, and I now remember why. Here’s the thing. I know that the characters are not supposed to be likeable. I understand that it is designed to evoke a negative emotional response. It’s supposed to get in your face and challenge your desire to empathize with the character. I feel like Moshfegh generally takes on stories that are confronting or shocking in some way or another based on what I’ve heard. But here’s the thing. I also want to enjoy my reading experience. I don’t have to like all the characters, but then I need something else in the book that makes me want to keep reading. And I just…. don’t. I’m determined to make it a little farther this time just to make double sure it doesn’t offer more, but ugh. So far? Nope.
Up Next
If I do, as seems likely, give up on Moshfegh shortly, I plan to pick up Oh Miriam next. My kid is sick – she has a cough – and though we’ve dodged COVID so far, it’s only a matter of time. So every time illness appears it’s stressful as we don’t know what it’ll do to us. So I figure I’ll need something to help me deal with the anxiety of that and the stress over my cat. I think Miriam is the best choice to see me through as I’ve run out of Toksvig. I need her to write another memoir too, dammit! Anyway, I adore Miriam, and she always keeps me entertained and laughing, which I could use right now. If she doesn’t last me through, then I’ll give Dawn French a crack at it.
That’s it for me this week! What about you guys? Did you read any corkers this week? Have you read any of the books I’ve listed this week? Any you’d like to read?
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.
Interesting looking assortment of books. I have a few on my stack like the one you are currently reading. I’ll read a bit and then throw them back on the stack to try another time. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Yeah, I think I’ve been convinced to give up on it. There’s one really gross bit that I think was the nail in the coffin for me. I just don’t need to know any more about this woman. I would feel differently if there was a story I was engaged with or circumstances that I felt like I wanted to understand…. but spoiled rich kid who makes horrible choices, hates the people in her life and decides to be drunk and drugged for a year? I just don’t feel any draw to keep going with that. It’s making *me* want to be drunk just to get through it! Yikes! I hope your difficult reads have more to offer than mine! I hope you have a wonderful reading week in spite of them!
It’s good that you can give up when you don’t like a book. I somehow always keep reading through gritted teeth (what a metaphor!!)
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Ha! That is a great metaphor. I didn’t used to. Well, not on purpose. I’d keep trying to read them, and then because I didn’t want to, I just wouldn’t read. The book would sit there looking at me accusingly for weeks and eventually I’d forget what had happened and figure that meant I basically hadn’t started it so didn’t need to finish it, and I’d move on. But I’d waste so much time about it that eventually I realized there isn’t enough time in life to get through all the wonderful books I actually want to read, so why waste that time? I think it’s different for every reader though, and I do know that this means I have missed out on several books that actually were worth finishing and offered something if you stuck with them. So it’s a double-edged sword for sure! Thanks for stopping by!
I think I am past the point where I want to slog through a novel filled with unlikeable characters designed to evoke a negative response—at my age, I’ve run into lots of these folks in real life and I don’t want to spend any more time with them in real life or in a book. Part of the reason I read is to connect with people who are much more evolved than I am and to see how I can incorporate their experiences into my life.
That said, I’ve just requested The Great Unexpected. I’m always on the lookout for stories about old people like me.
I hope your child heals up quickly and completely.
You know what, you’re absolutely right. I’m giving up! Ugh, what a horrible woman that main character is. And I fully agree – I read for several reasons – to learn about things and experiences I haven’t had, to feel connection and an emotional opening up, to escape, to laugh – sometimes to cry. But not to feel like I want to dispose of the book with rubber gloves and my nose wrinkled. I also have known plenty of despicable people, and I don’t want to revisit any of them, either! Thanks for the reminder.
Oh, I do hope you enjoy The Great Unexpected! I loved how Frank and Joel are both offering the other an opportunity to connect, to let go of old prejudices and to feel joy. I love the perspective that life isn’t over until it is over, and while it lasts we need to keep growing and evolving. This was a great example of that. I can’t wait to hear what you think!