tell me what you're reading
Hi!
I forgot it was Wednesday! I love long weekends. Here’s what I’ve been up to this week:
what I’m clicking:
Wine for cats! | I no longer find Tom Hiddleston attractive. He’s sounds exhausting to be around. | Doggie! | A step back in time and into JNCO jeans | The French cooking section of the NYT, which is very inspiring. I want somebody to make me all of these things.
what I’m watching:
I finally watched Girl On the Train. It’s just one of those books that is so much better as a movie. If you haven’t read this book yet and you feel like you should - don’t. Just watch the movie instead.
Also I was stressing out that I hadn’t watched a single Oscar-nominated film this year so I watched Arrival. It’s so sappy and corny, but it works. It made me cry, but it’s definitely not art.
what I’m coveting:
This very fancy backpack.
what I’m listening to:
what I need a book recommendation for:
Something by Joan Didion that isn't about her dull personal life. So far her only writing that I've liked is her packing list from the 70s. Help me!
what I’m reading:
Anne Tyler
I felt embarrassed to be seen reading this book in public, mostly because of the cover art and the horrible font. If I have learned one thing in my life as a reader, it’s ALWAYS judge a book by its cover. It’s basically a Jonathan Franzen novel (no shade, I enjoyed The Corrections) with no sex scenes.
Did it make me cry: No. And I don’t actually get the feeling that it was supposed to.
Did it make me laugh: No.
Did it make me miss a subways stop: No.
Would I recommend it: Nothing happens and nobody is interesting. Don't read it. Also, the title is ridiculous. But, if you really liked Freedom, it’s possible that you might like this book. Don’t expect anything from it, though.
Would I read it again: No.
Would it be a good movie: I think movies have to have a plot. So, no.
Katie Kitamura
I liked this book. It’s such a simple story, but with so many good scenes and complications. It’s actually kind of brilliant how easy this story is. There’s something slightly ESL about the sentence structure, which kind of bothered me, but it also works with the narration since the main character is a translator. This is probably the best new (published in 2017) book I’ve read.
Did it make me cry: No.
Did it make me laugh: No.
Did it make me miss a subways stop: No, but I finished this book at the exact moment my train was pulling into the station. It was perfect.
Would I recommend it: Yes. It’s short and sweet and a good book. It's literary enough to feel like a real book, but suspenseful enough to be a quick read.
Would I read it again: No.
Would it be a good movie: It would be an excellent movie. You wouldn’t even have to film it in Greece - it could take place anywhere, at any time, with anybody.
what I’m reading right now:
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. It’s very odd but pretty funny so far.
what’s on my bookshelf waiting to be read:
The Association of Small Bombs
what books are on my list to buy (this will take me months to actually do):
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
The new Bernadette book
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
M Train by Patti Smith
That Patty Hearst book
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born
What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell
After interviewing Helen Ellis, I added a few books from her “classic trashy” book club to my list.
What are you reading? (You can reply to this email and tell me)
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