A recent favorite is “How High We Go In The Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu. If that book was a color, it would be mauve; if it was a sound, that sound would be wind chimes; if it was a flavor that flavor would be umami...or something. It’s moving,but never in a coercive or prodding way. Rather, the work unfurls for pages and pages, until you find yourself hunched over, sobbing over a telepathic pig.
I purchased “The Best of Everything” the very same day we recorded, Kate. Lol. Your interview will air next week! Very clever post for authors searching for an agent. Sharing it…
I have long accepted that I have a rotation of favourite books. The ones that have stayed there the longest are The Secret History, American Gods and The Night Circus. More recent additions include Fourth Wing, Hell Bent, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and If We Were Villains.
I LOVE Cutting for Stone. Why? Because of the beautiful language, the visual images, the arc of the story, and how it opened up a world, people, and time I could not otherwise relate to.
But I don’t read much anymore. I listen to audiobooks almost exclusively. It’s kind of not fair and probably doesn’t help me as much as a writer. But it’s only for enjoyment, which is one of the points of your post, Kate. When agents or publishers mention what they’re reading for enjoyment, I understand the difference between that and what they want to publish.
The only written word I read is probably confined to my own writing - a short story, chapter, or essay at a time. And now I will begin recording audio versions, see if I still like them 🤣
I always find it interesting how offended people get when you say you don't like their favourite book. I went to book club last week and the person who chose the book (The Pursuit of Love) was really upset when she realised that no-one else enjoyed it or found it funny. We tried to explain that it wasn't personal, but it kind of is.
ps My favourite book is All My Mothers by Joanna Glen.
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, written in phonetic Scottish slang. The text alone was mind-bending in a fun way. Thankfully, there was a glossary in the back. xo
I happen to be reading (maybe rereading) The Best of Everything right now and I’m knocked out by it. SO good, insightful, page-turning, propulsive. And Jaffe wrote it at 26. I always say my favorite novels are Mrs. Dalloway and The Great Gatsby. Jaffe just shoved her way in.
A recent favorite is “How High We Go In The Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu. If that book was a color, it would be mauve; if it was a sound, that sound would be wind chimes; if it was a flavor that flavor would be umami...or something. It’s moving,but never in a coercive or prodding way. Rather, the work unfurls for pages and pages, until you find yourself hunched over, sobbing over a telepathic pig.
I purchased “The Best of Everything” the very same day we recorded, Kate. Lol. Your interview will air next week! Very clever post for authors searching for an agent. Sharing it…
I have long accepted that I have a rotation of favourite books. The ones that have stayed there the longest are The Secret History, American Gods and The Night Circus. More recent additions include Fourth Wing, Hell Bent, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and If We Were Villains.
I LOVE Cutting for Stone. Why? Because of the beautiful language, the visual images, the arc of the story, and how it opened up a world, people, and time I could not otherwise relate to.
But I don’t read much anymore. I listen to audiobooks almost exclusively. It’s kind of not fair and probably doesn’t help me as much as a writer. But it’s only for enjoyment, which is one of the points of your post, Kate. When agents or publishers mention what they’re reading for enjoyment, I understand the difference between that and what they want to publish.
The only written word I read is probably confined to my own writing - a short story, chapter, or essay at a time. And now I will begin recording audio versions, see if I still like them 🤣
Listening to audiobooks IS reading!!!!!!!
I always find it interesting how offended people get when you say you don't like their favourite book. I went to book club last week and the person who chose the book (The Pursuit of Love) was really upset when she realised that no-one else enjoyed it or found it funny. We tried to explain that it wasn't personal, but it kind of is.
ps My favourite book is All My Mothers by Joanna Glen.
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, written in phonetic Scottish slang. The text alone was mind-bending in a fun way. Thankfully, there was a glossary in the back. xo
My current favorite book is “Appalachian Zen” by Steve Kanji Ruhl and is life-changing. He is a poet and a Buddhist monk and so eloquent.
My all time favorites are Catch-22 (which I find masterful at a craft level) and Pride & Prejudice, which I just love.
I happen to be reading (maybe rereading) The Best of Everything right now and I’m knocked out by it. SO good, insightful, page-turning, propulsive. And Jaffe wrote it at 26. I always say my favorite novels are Mrs. Dalloway and The Great Gatsby. Jaffe just shoved her way in.