I'm so sad there's no English version of "Le straight park" - would LOVE to read something about bilingualism. I, too, have an interesting relationship with it. Also obsessed with a book being described as "itchy" - stealing!
I have been dying to comment on this list but wanted to read your short story first. You have a line about losing people who didn't really know you that really touched me... I have felt that before and there is such relief and sadness in that feeling and I think it really came across in the story! Am a fan, Nic Marna! Am a fan!
The Kincaid discovery feels really disorienting. Odd coincidence but I just got Claire Dederer's Monsters: a fan's dilemma.... to help me think through how to deal with this kind of scenario. Have you read it?
I really appreciated your Lispector review. I read this same book last fall and it was also my first Lispector. You got more out of it than I did but I felt the same - how odd and unclear, but at the same time, I couldn't look away. It was such a singular reading experience. I would like to read more of her work soon and I have Agua Viva but getting in my head if that's the right place to go next.
I haven’t read Monsters yet, but I’m very interested. Quite the conundrum, eager to see how it’s unpacked in the book.
I read the Lispector so quick, it was like I was still trying to figure it out and it was already over. Such a weird reading experience, but I kind of love a book that spins me around into a dizzy mess.
That x-ray is so sick.. the earrings??.. get it tattooed. I also have return paralysis… if I buy it, I fear it’s mine forever whether I like it or not. And the short story?? You are forever the most iconic
I’ve been meaning to read Drive Your Plow and Annie John ages. Thank you for the note about Kincaid! And also this was such a lovely post to start my morning ☺️
I loved Wandering Stars, too. Any Clarice Lispector drop is just important. I'm bummed about the Jamaica Kincaid news, but I suppose not all surprised. I am looking forward to seeing who your new pick is.
Loved Nightcrawling, and I hope you do too. It felt so gritty and real and is absolutely thrilling and scary. Luster was also a stand out read for me.
That's too bad about Jamaica Kincaid; I really hate when authors/celebrities/makers have such opinions that are so obviously on the wrong side of history. It makes it difficult to consume their work. Excited to see who you'll pick next for your yearly series, though. xx
We must actually meet when you come to the UK again! Also sad to hear about Jamaica Kincaid, I was planning to read Annie John this month but I’ll silently take that off my TBR
Nightcrawling >>>>>>> hope you love. Also eager for you to read Flights by Tokarczuk, it is totally different from Drive your plow and truly does something incredible literarily. I recommend looking up both her Nobel prize speech and the original title in polish (& its significance) before you read!
"I didn’t get a new piercing. I didn’t even think up resolutions. I was busy feeling things, and maybe that’s actually better." OOF.
So much to love here. Glad "We Could Be Rats" was as moving for you as it was for me. MUST read your short story?!! Hello?! So exciting. Also, the picture of Pedro at the end is *chefs kiss.
Can't wait to follow along and see what you get into in Feb! Cheers!
The pic of you, the red jumper & the sunset it... gorgeous 😇
I love reading Annie John so much with you too! Can't wait for all the gab about Real Life that will be happening in no time at all.
Sooo thrilled to hear you talking about The Last Showgirl!! Ever since I saw the trailer I have been really intrigued - Pamela feels like the perfect casting for what the character is exploring? You've made me want to go and see it even more now! You had me at 'you know the feeling with you finish a beautiful literary fiction novel that gives you inside look on someones life in a really specific way'... can't enough of a well told story.
oooo lemme join you for a luster reread 👀
also, the piercings on the x ray is tres chic i would frame that
Like I thought it was so cool lol the root canal showing too? Gag
I'm so sad there's no English version of "Le straight park" - would LOVE to read something about bilingualism. I, too, have an interesting relationship with it. Also obsessed with a book being described as "itchy" - stealing!
It’s such a great book, I really hope it gets translated soon!!
congrats on the 831 Stories story, loved it!!
Thank you!!!! 🩷
I have been dying to comment on this list but wanted to read your short story first. You have a line about losing people who didn't really know you that really touched me... I have felt that before and there is such relief and sadness in that feeling and I think it really came across in the story! Am a fan, Nic Marna! Am a fan!
The Kincaid discovery feels really disorienting. Odd coincidence but I just got Claire Dederer's Monsters: a fan's dilemma.... to help me think through how to deal with this kind of scenario. Have you read it?
I really appreciated your Lispector review. I read this same book last fall and it was also my first Lispector. You got more out of it than I did but I felt the same - how odd and unclear, but at the same time, I couldn't look away. It was such a singular reading experience. I would like to read more of her work soon and I have Agua Viva but getting in my head if that's the right place to go next.
Thank you for reading!!! And for the kind words 🩷
I haven’t read Monsters yet, but I’m very interested. Quite the conundrum, eager to see how it’s unpacked in the book.
I read the Lispector so quick, it was like I was still trying to figure it out and it was already over. Such a weird reading experience, but I kind of love a book that spins me around into a dizzy mess.
That x-ray is so sick.. the earrings??.. get it tattooed. I also have return paralysis… if I buy it, I fear it’s mine forever whether I like it or not. And the short story?? You are forever the most iconic
The earrings and the root canal…. Like I’m really putting it all out there ☠️
I’ve been meaning to read Drive Your Plow and Annie John ages. Thank you for the note about Kincaid! And also this was such a lovely post to start my morning ☺️
Thank you!!! 🩷
I think you’d really love Annie John and Drive Your Plow!
I loved Wandering Stars, too. Any Clarice Lispector drop is just important. I'm bummed about the Jamaica Kincaid news, but I suppose not all surprised. I am looking forward to seeing who your new pick is.
Such a bummer! I didn’t see it coming given her story, but I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised—bad opinions come from everywhere!!
Loved Nightcrawling, and I hope you do too. It felt so gritty and real and is absolutely thrilling and scary. Luster was also a stand out read for me.
That's too bad about Jamaica Kincaid; I really hate when authors/celebrities/makers have such opinions that are so obviously on the wrong side of history. It makes it difficult to consume their work. Excited to see who you'll pick next for your yearly series, though. xx
It’s such a shame when it happens!! Really looking forward to Nightcrawling, I’ve heard such great things.
We must actually meet when you come to the UK again! Also sad to hear about Jamaica Kincaid, I was planning to read Annie John this month but I’ll silently take that off my TBR
I would love that! I was there over the holidays and you were mid-production so it felt like a hard sell!
Nightcrawling >>>>>>> hope you love. Also eager for you to read Flights by Tokarczuk, it is totally different from Drive your plow and truly does something incredible literarily. I recommend looking up both her Nobel prize speech and the original title in polish (& its significance) before you read!
Ouhhhhh intriguing! Thank you for the recommendation!
"I didn’t get a new piercing. I didn’t even think up resolutions. I was busy feeling things, and maybe that’s actually better." OOF.
So much to love here. Glad "We Could Be Rats" was as moving for you as it was for me. MUST read your short story?!! Hello?! So exciting. Also, the picture of Pedro at the end is *chefs kiss.
Can't wait to follow along and see what you get into in Feb! Cheers!
I really struggled through the first half of We Could Be Rats, but I think it was worth it in the end.
The pic of you, the red jumper & the sunset it... gorgeous 😇
I love reading Annie John so much with you too! Can't wait for all the gab about Real Life that will be happening in no time at all.
Sooo thrilled to hear you talking about The Last Showgirl!! Ever since I saw the trailer I have been really intrigued - Pamela feels like the perfect casting for what the character is exploring? You've made me want to go and see it even more now! You had me at 'you know the feeling with you finish a beautiful literary fiction novel that gives you inside look on someones life in a really specific way'... can't enough of a well told story.
Oh it was so good! Pam was perfect and effortlessly slips into the role. I loved how deeply it digs into the life of a really specific kind of person.