I have been getting a lot of my book recommendations from the Substack “It’s Always Something” (by Jen Lancaster and Karyn Bosnak). Jen and Karyn always have great recs. Also it seems like the more I read, the more recommendations are falling into my lap (people will DM to ask me about books I post on IG and then they end up recommending something else to me, while adding my book to their list). I’m starting to get overwhelmed by my TBR pile at home and my “want to read” list on Goodreads.
I totally feel you in the birthday thing too. I turned 43 in March and did nothing. I just wasn’t feeling it at all this year.
I came here to scope out good book reccs and your comment section did not disappoint! Got a whole new list going now woohoo! On that note, I also up vote Tomorrowx3 and The Wren.
I tend to obsessively read everything by an author I like. Last year was Matt Haig. (Please read The Humans) This year has been Ruth Reichl (much like you mentioned that reading good writing motivates you to write, reading good food writing boosts my creativity in the kitchen)
My ideal birthday is and has always been: take the day off, move my body in the morning, have cake for lunch, wear a new dress and go out for sushi at night. I look forward to it all year.
I agree with you on so many points here, but mostly that I’m tired of seeing the same romance/fantasy series being touted by everyone on social media- not for me, thanks! Maybe I should follow more readers? I read so much more fiction than nonfiction, but my tastes err on the mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, literary side of things. (Personally, I love books that have a map on the inside cover!) I primarily get my books through Book of the Month- I’ve been a subscriber for years and and it’s such a joy to peruse the monthly offerings and know I’ll have a new book or two arriving in my mailbox two weeks later :) I share this joy with a friend who is also a subscriber and it’s so fun to text each other each month and share what we chose… we have very different tastes so it’s always exciting when there’s some rare crossover!
Recent favorites: Starling House by Alix E Harrow, The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young, Weyward by Emilia Hart, Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs, The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer.
As far as birthdays go, I struggle with wanting nothing from others but also wanting people to know what I want without me having to tell them… my husband is not into birthdays but he does make an effort for me. We don’t exchange gifts for any holidays or birthdays, but every year he makes me spaghetti bolognese for dinner because it’s what my mom used to make me for my birthday growing up (she would make us whatever meal we asked for) :) The way I see it, my birthday is MY day and I get to do whatever I want to do! I actually prefer to spend the day alone and indulge in my favorite things- nature time, reading, eating cookies. It’s a celebration of me and for me that means some much treasured alone time! I have friends who insist on taking me out to dinner and it just feels icky to me, so I never do that on my actual birthday but will sometimes do it the week before or after. Other than that, I don’t make a big deal about birthdays other than to remember to send cards to family and friends.
Hi Amy. I enjoy your weekly RWR very much! Congrats on the +800.
My favorite author is Rosamunde Pilcher. I’m sure you know of her but can’t express how wonderful her books are to me. Shell Seekers is my favorite.
I also have WBFS. Only cure is traveling and being somewhere else on the fateful day. Works every time because it’s no longer about your b day but being somewhere else.
Can you give me a reference on where and what kind of Tarot cards to buy? I know nothing but am intrigued!!
Agree with the recs below for We Ride Upon Sticks (really fun, original book that was even better upon re-read). This book is a bit older, and a memoir, but I love Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman. Some others:
Fiction:
-Anything by J. Courtney Sullivan (I particularly like Friends and Strangers and The Engagements)
-Two books by Stephanie Kallos: Sing Them Home and Broken for You
-The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman
-Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout
-Less and Less Is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer
-Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
-The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
Memoir:
-Allie Brosh's two books
-Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing by Lauren Hough
-Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast
His recommendations have opened my eyes to a lot of queer literature that I would never have read, plus a LOT of character driven books. He also loves thrillers and suspense which aren't my thing, but when he recommends a drama or character driven book, I know I will love it. That said, some of the books I suggest are Wellness, There There, Razorblade Tears.
I also hate authors who share a name with a vacuum. But I can't lie, I DID just download ACOTAR on audio because it was free last week LOL! I needed a new book this morning and I didn't start it because I don't want to become someone who makes my whole personality about ACOTAR...
In addition to agreeing with the recs for Nothing to See Here, I also recommend Firekeeper’s Daughter (not thriller but drama/mystery with lots of native & indigenous history & culture). I also liked Tomorrow x3 but I’m not sure if you would! It’s very friendship driven but centering it around gaming may be a distraction. Babel by RF Kuang was very smart & I enjoyed it.
I broke a slump recently by re-reading A Wrinkle in Time & wow that book is way weirder than I remember but also hits so different as an adult!
Other than those, I’m at a loss because according to my Goodreads all I’ve read the last few years has been hetero romcoms, smut, nonfiction, & fantasy 🤣
Thank you for the shout out, Amy. I have to say I was a little teary eyed at being mentioned alongside Jhumpa Lahiri, my first favorite author, and the writer who really made me want to write. (Janet Fitch also, around the same time), but Interpreter of Maladies was I think the first story collection that I ever read and it rocked me. Also, Dyson? Shark? lol. I was wracking my brain for vacuum brands and came up sparse. xo!
Some good reads from the last year-ish I think fit your criteria: The Rachel Incident, Talking at Night, The Light Pirate, The Daughters of Erietown, Looking for Jane, They're Going to Love You.
I am a firm believer in celebrating birthdays in some way, shape, or form, yet some years I wish I'd made a bigger deal out of it and other years I do make a bigger deal of it and am like meh. Gifts are always nicer dinners out in my relationship, which is happening on Saturday this year as my bday is on Monday. I always take the day off and do a few for-me things - this year, it's hot yoga in the am and either a quick hike or a pedi in the afternoon depending on the weather. then i put my husband in charge of bakery cupcakes and pizza that evening with a couple friends coming over. i agree with the idea of little treats for yourself throughout the day and asking for what you do want and not expecting it to be a big all out thing.
I turned 30 yesterday and am definitely someone who loves birthdays - mine, my friends’, my parents’, my husband’s, my students’!! My mindset behind it is just filling the day with little treats for myself and for others on their days - I don’t expect people to do big things for me, but I’ll go get my favorite donut for breakfast, drink champagne before it’s socially acceptable (if I’m not working), take a luxurious bath, buy my favorite flowers or be surprised by my husband with some. I don’t necessarily like birthday parties but I love having a day filled with little treats!! And for friends, I show up at their house before work with flowers and their favorite latte, drop off a bottle of their favorite wine or go out to dinner.
We have such similar reading tastes! I just picked up The Ensemble by Aja Gabel after hearing Annie Jones rave about it on her podcast. It sounds right up my alley. I will always and forever recommend Peace Like a River by Leif Enger—it's beautiful and unlike anything else I've read. And Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Incredible. I need to reread it.
I have been getting a lot of my book recommendations from the Substack “It’s Always Something” (by Jen Lancaster and Karyn Bosnak). Jen and Karyn always have great recs. Also it seems like the more I read, the more recommendations are falling into my lap (people will DM to ask me about books I post on IG and then they end up recommending something else to me, while adding my book to their list). I’m starting to get overwhelmed by my TBR pile at home and my “want to read” list on Goodreads.
I totally feel you in the birthday thing too. I turned 43 in March and did nothing. I just wasn’t feeling it at all this year.
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, you might like Maame by Jessica George, did you read Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson?
I came here to scope out good book reccs and your comment section did not disappoint! Got a whole new list going now woohoo! On that note, I also up vote Tomorrowx3 and The Wren.
I tend to obsessively read everything by an author I like. Last year was Matt Haig. (Please read The Humans) This year has been Ruth Reichl (much like you mentioned that reading good writing motivates you to write, reading good food writing boosts my creativity in the kitchen)
My ideal birthday is and has always been: take the day off, move my body in the morning, have cake for lunch, wear a new dress and go out for sushi at night. I look forward to it all year.
I agree with you on so many points here, but mostly that I’m tired of seeing the same romance/fantasy series being touted by everyone on social media- not for me, thanks! Maybe I should follow more readers? I read so much more fiction than nonfiction, but my tastes err on the mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, literary side of things. (Personally, I love books that have a map on the inside cover!) I primarily get my books through Book of the Month- I’ve been a subscriber for years and and it’s such a joy to peruse the monthly offerings and know I’ll have a new book or two arriving in my mailbox two weeks later :) I share this joy with a friend who is also a subscriber and it’s so fun to text each other each month and share what we chose… we have very different tastes so it’s always exciting when there’s some rare crossover!
Recent favorites: Starling House by Alix E Harrow, The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young, Weyward by Emilia Hart, Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs, The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer.
As far as birthdays go, I struggle with wanting nothing from others but also wanting people to know what I want without me having to tell them… my husband is not into birthdays but he does make an effort for me. We don’t exchange gifts for any holidays or birthdays, but every year he makes me spaghetti bolognese for dinner because it’s what my mom used to make me for my birthday growing up (she would make us whatever meal we asked for) :) The way I see it, my birthday is MY day and I get to do whatever I want to do! I actually prefer to spend the day alone and indulge in my favorite things- nature time, reading, eating cookies. It’s a celebration of me and for me that means some much treasured alone time! I have friends who insist on taking me out to dinner and it just feels icky to me, so I never do that on my actual birthday but will sometimes do it the week before or after. Other than that, I don’t make a big deal about birthdays other than to remember to send cards to family and friends.
Thank you for the book recommendations and the birthday thoughts!
I really like the Fiction Matters newsletter, which skews literary fiction.
Recently, I've loved:
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
Fault Lines by Emily Itami
The Rachel Project by Caroline O'Donahue
Good luck!
I'm on the library wait list for many of these! Thank you!
Hi Amy. I enjoy your weekly RWR very much! Congrats on the +800.
My favorite author is Rosamunde Pilcher. I’m sure you know of her but can’t express how wonderful her books are to me. Shell Seekers is my favorite.
I also have WBFS. Only cure is traveling and being somewhere else on the fateful day. Works every time because it’s no longer about your b day but being somewhere else.
Can you give me a reference on where and what kind of Tarot cards to buy? I know nothing but am intrigued!!
Thanks for all!
I actually haven't heard of Rosamund Pilcher, and I'm very excited to go explore!
In terms of tarot cards, I love Kim Kranz' Wild Unknown tarot, but there are some gorgeous decks. I love this guide by Little Red Tarot: https://littleredtarot.com/how-to-choose-a-tarot-deck/
I LOVED Piglet by Lottie Hazell.
I'm on the wait list at the library and very excited!
Agree with the recs below for We Ride Upon Sticks (really fun, original book that was even better upon re-read). This book is a bit older, and a memoir, but I love Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman. Some others:
Fiction:
-Anything by J. Courtney Sullivan (I particularly like Friends and Strangers and The Engagements)
-Two books by Stephanie Kallos: Sing Them Home and Broken for You
-The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman
-Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout
-Less and Less Is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer
-Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
-The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
Memoir:
-Allie Brosh's two books
-Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing by Lauren Hough
-Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast
Thank you so much for all of these -- many are new to me!
I get nearly all my book recommendations from @jordys.book.club
His recommendations have opened my eyes to a lot of queer literature that I would never have read, plus a LOT of character driven books. He also loves thrillers and suspense which aren't my thing, but when he recommends a drama or character driven book, I know I will love it. That said, some of the books I suggest are Wellness, There There, Razorblade Tears.
I also hate authors who share a name with a vacuum. But I can't lie, I DID just download ACOTAR on audio because it was free last week LOL! I needed a new book this morning and I didn't start it because I don't want to become someone who makes my whole personality about ACOTAR...
Okay, I didn't know Jordy and I just followed him! And thank you!
In addition to agreeing with the recs for Nothing to See Here, I also recommend Firekeeper’s Daughter (not thriller but drama/mystery with lots of native & indigenous history & culture). I also liked Tomorrow x3 but I’m not sure if you would! It’s very friendship driven but centering it around gaming may be a distraction. Babel by RF Kuang was very smart & I enjoyed it.
I broke a slump recently by re-reading A Wrinkle in Time & wow that book is way weirder than I remember but also hits so different as an adult!
Other than those, I’m at a loss because according to my Goodreads all I’ve read the last few years has been hetero romcoms, smut, nonfiction, & fantasy 🤣
Thank youuuuu. I love A Wrinkle In Time!
I second Nothing to See Here and We Ride Upon Sticks. On Beauty by Zadie Smith is an absolute gem.
I just realized I have On Beauty on my Kindle <3 Thanks for the recs!
Thank you for the shout out, Amy. I have to say I was a little teary eyed at being mentioned alongside Jhumpa Lahiri, my first favorite author, and the writer who really made me want to write. (Janet Fitch also, around the same time), but Interpreter of Maladies was I think the first story collection that I ever read and it rocked me. Also, Dyson? Shark? lol. I was wracking my brain for vacuum brands and came up sparse. xo!
*whispers* Hoover.
And your work does the same for me. xoxo
wow, my mind would just only come up with Dyson lolollolo this was incredibly obvious hello!
Some good reads from the last year-ish I think fit your criteria: The Rachel Incident, Talking at Night, The Light Pirate, The Daughters of Erietown, Looking for Jane, They're Going to Love You.
I am a firm believer in celebrating birthdays in some way, shape, or form, yet some years I wish I'd made a bigger deal out of it and other years I do make a bigger deal of it and am like meh. Gifts are always nicer dinners out in my relationship, which is happening on Saturday this year as my bday is on Monday. I always take the day off and do a few for-me things - this year, it's hot yoga in the am and either a quick hike or a pedi in the afternoon depending on the weather. then i put my husband in charge of bakery cupcakes and pizza that evening with a couple friends coming over. i agree with the idea of little treats for yourself throughout the day and asking for what you do want and not expecting it to be a big all out thing.
Thank you for the book recommendations! I love these bday suggestions, too!
I turned 30 yesterday and am definitely someone who loves birthdays - mine, my friends’, my parents’, my husband’s, my students’!! My mindset behind it is just filling the day with little treats for myself and for others on their days - I don’t expect people to do big things for me, but I’ll go get my favorite donut for breakfast, drink champagne before it’s socially acceptable (if I’m not working), take a luxurious bath, buy my favorite flowers or be surprised by my husband with some. I don’t necessarily like birthday parties but I love having a day filled with little treats!! And for friends, I show up at their house before work with flowers and their favorite latte, drop off a bottle of their favorite wine or go out to dinner.
Love how you spoil your friends!
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid might do the trick!
We have such similar taste that I will take that rec!
I hope you love it! It’s a slow burn character study, but gave me the same feels as Curtis Sittenfeld’s Prep.
We have such similar reading tastes! I just picked up The Ensemble by Aja Gabel after hearing Annie Jones rave about it on her podcast. It sounds right up my alley. I will always and forever recommend Peace Like a River by Leif Enger—it's beautiful and unlike anything else I've read. And Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Incredible. I need to reread it.
I have Homegoing on my list! I will be adding all of these!