Thanks Louise, I do like the sound of lots of those books and I did enjoy that David Nicholls one (which I listened to as an audiobook). One thing very much in his favour, my brother who works as a delivery driver in Norwich has met him a couple of times and says how nice he is. And I have seen for myself how David Nicholls promotes writers who are just starting out. So I can forgive him for being so successful!
You are right of course, and I need to let go of my petty indignation, especially as I enjoyed all his earlier books, and I did really love You Are Here, precisely because of its humour and kindness!
I love that you were washing up with one hand with a book in the other. What a wonderful image! My house is piled with books: costume, art, sewing, knitting books in my office in the loft, novels in the bedroom, interiors and gardening in the living room and the absurd quantity of cookbooks in the kitchen. I long to read for hours a day, but like you, it’s in the bath or before sleeping. I loved the scenes in Gavin and Stacey when Gwen and Nessa would both sit down with a book after eating an omelette for lunch.
My mum who lives on her own, spends all day reading. I have listed your recommendations to share with her and my sister. I’ve just started Still Life by Sarah Winman, which was recommended by someone on Substack but I can’t remember who! Let’s shove our phones in a draw and pick up books again!
Let's! I started Still Life but couldn't get into it, but, like you, I recently read someine recommending it, so I will try again, because it does very much sound me kind of thing. Your book-strewn home sounds lovely! A friend and I used to base all our impressions of people on their books: "She's a bit odd, but she has all the Mary Wesleys!" "She must be all right then!"
Why have I never read Barbara Kingsolver? For some reason her books stay on the shelf, but it is clear that this is a serious omission. The David Nicholls is intended to be my holday read this year and am greatly looking forward to it. I saw him give a talk while on holiday in Crickhowell a few years ago, and he was utterly delightful, and have been a fan ever since. Thank you for such a lovely reading ramble and do hope you are recovering well x
I am doing splendidly, thank you, probably thanks to the hours spent reading. And oh Deborah, you MUST read Barbara Kingsolver! I couldn’t get through The Lacuna, to my great surprise because I had been looking forward to it, but my copies of Prodigal Summer, Animal Dreams and Flight Behavior are all battered from rereading.
Have added a load of recommendations to my to read list so thank you. Also read that bit about needing a partner you secretly think is more intelligent than you to my partner - so, so true! Xxx
Thanks Louise, I do like the sound of lots of those books and I did enjoy that David Nicholls one (which I listened to as an audiobook). One thing very much in his favour, my brother who works as a delivery driver in Norwich has met him a couple of times and says how nice he is. And I have seen for myself how David Nicholls promotes writers who are just starting out. So I can forgive him for being so successful!
You are right of course, and I need to let go of my petty indignation, especially as I enjoyed all his earlier books, and I did really love You Are Here, precisely because of its humour and kindness!
I love that you were washing up with one hand with a book in the other. What a wonderful image! My house is piled with books: costume, art, sewing, knitting books in my office in the loft, novels in the bedroom, interiors and gardening in the living room and the absurd quantity of cookbooks in the kitchen. I long to read for hours a day, but like you, it’s in the bath or before sleeping. I loved the scenes in Gavin and Stacey when Gwen and Nessa would both sit down with a book after eating an omelette for lunch.
My mum who lives on her own, spends all day reading. I have listed your recommendations to share with her and my sister. I’ve just started Still Life by Sarah Winman, which was recommended by someone on Substack but I can’t remember who! Let’s shove our phones in a draw and pick up books again!
Let's! I started Still Life but couldn't get into it, but, like you, I recently read someine recommending it, so I will try again, because it does very much sound me kind of thing. Your book-strewn home sounds lovely! A friend and I used to base all our impressions of people on their books: "She's a bit odd, but she has all the Mary Wesleys!" "She must be all right then!"
I LOVE all of the Mary Wesley’s and will reread them happily. I’m so glad you said that about Still Life - I’m
Not feeling it at all.
Hmm. Maybe I won't give it another go then!
Hold the phone, it’s getting better, will keep you posted
I've read Run and State of Wonder by Ann Pachett and enjoyed them both but since then I've read The Dutch House and I didn't enjoy it.
I now have Tom Lake on my radar. Let's see...
I loved Tom Lake, and before that my favourite of hers was Commonwealth.
Why have I never read Barbara Kingsolver? For some reason her books stay on the shelf, but it is clear that this is a serious omission. The David Nicholls is intended to be my holday read this year and am greatly looking forward to it. I saw him give a talk while on holiday in Crickhowell a few years ago, and he was utterly delightful, and have been a fan ever since. Thank you for such a lovely reading ramble and do hope you are recovering well x
I am doing splendidly, thank you, probably thanks to the hours spent reading. And oh Deborah, you MUST read Barbara Kingsolver! I couldn’t get through The Lacuna, to my great surprise because I had been looking forward to it, but my copies of Prodigal Summer, Animal Dreams and Flight Behavior are all battered from rereading.
That is good news. I have Flight Behaviour too so I promise to make amends!
Have added a load of recommendations to my to read list so thank you. Also read that bit about needing a partner you secretly think is more intelligent than you to my partner - so, so true! Xxx