I'm currently reading Where Reasons End by Yiyun Li and it's such a gem.. an intimate, aching, tender conversation between a woman and her dead teenage son, who just committed suicide. Because she's a writer, the only way she can cope with loss and grief is through words, so she tries to make sense of it all by writing down imaginary conversations she'd had with him. It's the kind of poetic prose I love, and I think the humanity at the heart of it makes it a valuable read for anyone.
I love the Women’s Prize Long and shortlist for reads. Recommendations from friends. As I’m a native English speaker in a non-English speaking country, I’ve asked the library to get books in - and they have!! I read on a tablet too, and have purchased way too many “books like the one you read” recommendations (but easier than asking the local bookshop to get them in, in English). I just love books 📚💖 *sigh* 😁
Currently writing a book so reading piles of non-fiction and devouring beautiful, quality narrative non-fiction. Reserving fiction for nighttime reading and have finished Yellowface, Immaculate (Vogel prize winner), The Children's Bach, and Lioness (a must-read by Emily Perkins) in the past week. Love this post, Hannah x
Oooh some good recs here, thank you! And so glad you liked this - I realised as I was writing it that I had QUITE a lot to say! Hope the writing goes very well and the reading proves inspiring.
I love reading about history, science and nature so get quite a few ideas from the Natural History and Smithsonian ideas. Also a big fan of Backlisted! I am part of a 4 woman friend group who get together every 6 weeks or so and we always talk books--lots of great recommendations there! My problem is too many books, too little time.
Oh ALWAYS too many books too little time! Sometimes it makes me sad that even if I did nothing but read for the rest of my life, I'd STILL never get through all the books I want to read!
I was so interested to read this - finding new books requires devotion! I used to work for a literary scout, and that was a whole other level of hunting. If it was already in a publisher's catalogue, it was too late. I still can't meet a publishing professional now without asking, 'Soooo, what are you reading?'
Oh yes, I absolutely love this process, but turning it into a job might suck some of the joy out of it, I can imagine. Ah, capitalism: de-funning everything since day dot. I am loving Enchantment, by the way! Halfway through and deliberately slowing down to make it last...!
OMG, this article is lit! 🙌 It's like a total book paradise! 📚 So many awesome ways to find new reads, from biblios to podcasts. NGL, my TBR list just exploded! 😱 The author's passion for reading vibes hard, and their struggle to unplug from social media, #relatable. 📱 Totes agree, reading is a mental escape that beats Insta-scrolling. 📖 Books FTW! 🎉 But like, they could add BookTok and BookTube for recs too. 📹 Overall, a rad read that fuels my bookish soul, and now I gotta get back to devouring words! 📚🔥 #BookNerd #ILoveReading
I'm currently reading Where Reasons End by Yiyun Li and it's such a gem.. an intimate, aching, tender conversation between a woman and her dead teenage son, who just committed suicide. Because she's a writer, the only way she can cope with loss and grief is through words, so she tries to make sense of it all by writing down imaginary conversations she'd had with him. It's the kind of poetic prose I love, and I think the humanity at the heart of it makes it a valuable read for anyone.
Ohhh sounds beautiful. Thank you!
I stayed up til 2am reading Romantic Comedy on Sunday. What a delightful treasure of ease and entertainment. Monday however was not so pretty
Loved it so much! And yes, that reading hangover…! Ouch.
I too love Chat 10 Looks 3! It's one of my favorite podcasts and have found many good books through it.
I love the Women’s Prize Long and shortlist for reads. Recommendations from friends. As I’m a native English speaker in a non-English speaking country, I’ve asked the library to get books in - and they have!! I read on a tablet too, and have purchased way too many “books like the one you read” recommendations (but easier than asking the local bookshop to get them in, in English). I just love books 📚💖 *sigh* 😁
Oh prize shortlists are brilliant - good add!
Currently writing a book so reading piles of non-fiction and devouring beautiful, quality narrative non-fiction. Reserving fiction for nighttime reading and have finished Yellowface, Immaculate (Vogel prize winner), The Children's Bach, and Lioness (a must-read by Emily Perkins) in the past week. Love this post, Hannah x
Oooh some good recs here, thank you! And so glad you liked this - I realised as I was writing it that I had QUITE a lot to say! Hope the writing goes very well and the reading proves inspiring.
amazing recommendations! I was in need of a post like this
So pleased to hear that!
I love reading about history, science and nature so get quite a few ideas from the Natural History and Smithsonian ideas. Also a big fan of Backlisted! I am part of a 4 woman friend group who get together every 6 weeks or so and we always talk books--lots of great recommendations there! My problem is too many books, too little time.
Oh ALWAYS too many books too little time! Sometimes it makes me sad that even if I did nothing but read for the rest of my life, I'd STILL never get through all the books I want to read!
Browsing used book stores / community book exchanges / boxes of free books on sidewalks
NPR’s year end lists
Interviewees on Ezra Klein, Krista Tippett/On Being, newsletters
Austin Kleon’s blog / year end lists
Book cover illustrators’ websites / searching by illustrator
Searching by topic
Publishers: Haupt Verlag, Penguin, Edition Moderne...
Japan festivals
In addition to many on your list, especially friends and other people
Also university reading lists (syllabuses, MA lists)
Browsing other people’s bookshelves
Oh, and TED talks
Adding to my list! I love the idea of book cover illustrators, that's brilliant. Thank you!
I’m reading Tiger Milk by Stefani de Valesco ....
Ohhh that sounds good! Thanks!
I was so interested to read this - finding new books requires devotion! I used to work for a literary scout, and that was a whole other level of hunting. If it was already in a publisher's catalogue, it was too late. I still can't meet a publishing professional now without asking, 'Soooo, what are you reading?'
Oh yes, I absolutely love this process, but turning it into a job might suck some of the joy out of it, I can imagine. Ah, capitalism: de-funning everything since day dot. I am loving Enchantment, by the way! Halfway through and deliberately slowing down to make it last...!
I have added so many wonderful recommendations to to my Google Keep Bookish List after reading your words above. Thank you!
I'm so pleased to hear that - it was exactly why I wrote it! Hurray!
OMG, this article is lit! 🙌 It's like a total book paradise! 📚 So many awesome ways to find new reads, from biblios to podcasts. NGL, my TBR list just exploded! 😱 The author's passion for reading vibes hard, and their struggle to unplug from social media, #relatable. 📱 Totes agree, reading is a mental escape that beats Insta-scrolling. 📖 Books FTW! 🎉 But like, they could add BookTok and BookTube for recs too. 📹 Overall, a rad read that fuels my bookish soul, and now I gotta get back to devouring words! 📚🔥 #BookNerd #ILoveReading
So pleased it was useful - I hoped it would be!