Happy Monday, #bookstagram!
It was a long, rainy week last week here in Seattle, but the beautiful golden sunlight pouring in this morning has me hoping we’re in for a brighter week ahead.
I struggled to focus on just about every book I picked up last week, so I’ve made myself a little stack of short books, thinking their brevity might be what I need after finishing quite a few long books lately.
Have you read any of these? Or have another recommendation for a good slump-ending book?
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#monday #sunshine #blueandwhite #bookstack #shortbooks #heartberries #glaciers #smellslikestars #murderinretrospect #teresemariemailhot #alexismsmith #dnandiodhiambo
#lastnownextreads
Last: The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope
Now: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Next: Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
This is really a quintessential snapshot of my reading life. There’s The Prime Minister, which I read for my #trolloping group, flying through its 700+ pages in less than a week. I wouldn’t even know who Trollope is without #bookstagram. Yet over the years, his books have become comfort reads to me, and talking about them with the group is one of the best parts of BG for me. Then there’s Homegoing, which was a librarian recommendation as well as an oft-recommended book from friends and BGers alike. (And I can see why. It is epic — if also heartbreaking. I’ll have lots more to say about this one when I finish for sure.) And up next there’s Ember in the Ashes (probably anyway; never can trust a mood reader), a book that I’m not totally sure where I heard about it, but it’s been on my shelf for a while, and it‘s fantasy YA, one of my favorite genres, and the main thing that pulled me back into reading after I fell away from it for a brief period post-undergrad.
Let me know what you’re reading right now! And thanks to @the.snow.child for this fun tag. 😊
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#booksbooksbooks #trollope #homegoing #yaagyasi #sabaatahir #emberintheashes #flatlay
Have you ever stopped to wonder how much impact fiction authors have on society — their effect on current events and policy, for instance?
I can’t help but wonder how indebted we are to authors like Anne Brontë for exposing the plight of Victorian women, and perhaps in so doing, propelling women’s rights forward. I finally read this one as my last book of 2019, and not only was I impressed by how skillfully the youngest Bronte sister weaves a story (couldn’t put it down!), I was awed by how thoroughly it exposes the evils of a society in which only husbands can possess property, and thus, power — which was indeed the state of things in England until 1870. Sometimes, in today’s society, it feels like we’re taking two steps back for each one forward, but at least in some areas, we’ve made real progress.
As for the book, I won’t spoil any more of the content, but if you’ve read any Brontë work and liked it, chances are good you’ll also like The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Like every other Bronte work I’ve read, the setting tells the story just as much as the characters do, and I felt like I was almost part of the story myself — the writing just completely drew me in. It’s the sort of book to try if you want a classic that keeps you turning the pages, or if you’re eager to see what an early feminist novel looks like.
In other news, Seattle weather has been all over the place this week. I snapped this photo yesterday when snow was still on the ground, but it was sunny with blue skies (caught the reflection just barely on the table’s glass top) — but it’s back to grey, and I just braved quite the snow shower while leaving school!
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#bookstagram #thetenantofwildfellhall #annebronte #bronte #booksandflowers
On my last afternoon in London, I went on a bookstore binge. I hadn’t been able to fit much book-shopping into the trip, and I had just one afternoon to attempt to do justice to the London bookstore scene. A heat wave had just begun, and it was nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit out — but I sweltered through it.
Persephone Books was my first, and most anticipated stop — mostly thanks to posts about it from @beth.bonini @bagfullofbooks @thenobbylife and other Anglophile friends. Dedicated to reprinting formerly out-of-print female authors, often from hundreds of years ago, you’re almost sure to find something unique here. I let the friendly staff guide me to a whole stack of titles, and it was just so pleasant to tell them what I liked, and get custom recommendations in return.
I’d love to hear about your favorite bookstore, and why you like it so much. ———
#bookstagram #bookstore #books @persephonebooks #bookshop #london
Happy New Year, my dear bookish friends.
I’ve been away from most social media—including Instagram—for months. I have multiple reasons for this, but the main one is I’m still trying to figure out how social platforms should fit into my life. I’ve been reading about and researching information overload while in grad school, and it’s really been forcing me to think through my information consumption and use, especially online, and I haven’t always liked what I’ve found when it comes to my own habits. To be honest, finding the right balance between connection and enjoyment versus addiction and overwhelm is difficult for me. I sway between overuse and abstinence, but I’m working on finding somewhere in between.
I still love reading, and books, and taking pictures of books. And most of all, I love connecting with all of you who also love those things. So: while I know I don’t want to give up that part, I also know I’ve spent way too much time overthinking Instagram—everything from aesthetic to all of Instagram’s changes to whether I’m reading the “right” books.
So here’s to trying to get back to some balance. As I’ll finally graduate from grad school this summer, it seems like a good year to try to establish some new habits.
If you made it this far, tell me if you’ve got any new focuses or goals, reading or otherwise, for 2020 — and know that I’m wishing you a wonderful year of balance and joy. 😊
Also, a little PSA: I logged back into Instagram a few days ago to find my messages all gone. If you messaged me and I didn’t respond, I’m so sorry! 😔
#bookstagram #newyear #2020 #booksoutofdoors #openbook
“When we were children we lived in a story that we made up. But when I grew up the story wasn’t enough. I had to have something else, because the story wasn’t true any more… [Aron] wanted the story and he wanted it to come out his way. He couldn’t stand to have it come out any other way.”
"How about you?”
“I don’t want to know how it all comes out. I only want to be there while it’s going on.”
—Abra & Cal, Ch. 52
Even though this reread experience was pretty different for me than the first time, East of Eden still impressed me with multigenerational storylines and incredibly complex characters. Few of these characters are easy to love. Some events that unfold are violent and disturbing; others are emotionally traumatic. But Steinbeck, all the while, seems to be driving home the point that we all struggle between the best and worst parts of ourselves—and unfortunately, the best parts are not always winning out. Still, we can always choose to be better. And for most of us, that can only happen when we stop letting rejection rule our lives, and instead start carving out our own paths.
One thing I do want to say, now that we’re at the end. On this reading, I was really struck by how strongly American values (both good and bad) shape this novel. Everything from blatant racism, to warmongering, to an independent, endlessly optimistic spirit. On the one hand, I think this novel is considered a classic because of how American it is. On the other hand, I’m not so sure how much I identify with this version of America in 2019. I really wrestled with that tension this time around. I know I will continue to respect this novel as a masterpiece of plotting and characterization, but I suspect I will continue to find its values challenging if ever I undertake another reread. Anyone else feel this?
All in all, though, thanks to all of you #EastofEden2019 ‘ers for reading along with @booksbythecup and me. I’ve loved seeing your photos, thoughts, reactions. (Still catching up on some of your posts—promise!) As always, I learn so much more by experiencing a book with a community.
Without further ado, onto our final round of questions, in comments below!
When you commandeer your friends’ books for your photo. #bookstagrammer #whatchagonnado
It has been an exceptionally pretty weekend here in Seattle—one of the first to really feel like summer in a while. Perfectly clear blue skies and temperatures right around 80 degrees. While it’s been amazing for my vitamin D levels, it’s been less great for actually getting many hours in for #24in48. So far, I’ve only read for about 7 hours, but I am pleased that I finally wrapped up The Winter of Our Discontent and Great Expectations, got a nice start on Sherwood, read a little more of Mistborn, and made it to Part 4 in our East of Eden readalong. AND, I got out to Lake Washington and Puget Sound, and read on this beach today. All in all, a really lovely weekend!
Hope you’ve had a beautiful weekend, too!
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#weekend #booksbythebeach #beachreads #summer #bookstagram #24in48 #readathon #beach #summerinseattle #booksbooksbooks #unitedbookstagram #booksoutofdoors #booksoutside #getoutside
It’s time to share my #24in48 TBR! The @24in48 readathon is this weekend, and it’s not too late to sign up!
While I don’t expect to hit the full twenty-four hours (lots of non-reading activities going on for me this weekend), I’m looking forward to devoting my free time to reading (and hopefully completing) a few books.
My TBR breakdown:
• SHERWOOD — This one came out a few months ago and I was so excited to start it, and then school got too dang busy and I never got to. So this one’s at the top of the list.
• THE KISS QUOTIENT — Borrowed this one from @booksandthebigcities a little while ago and it seems like the perfect summer read. Plus, I’ve heard a lot of glowing reviews from many other #bookstagrammers.
• WIDE SARGASSO SEA — Been wanting to read this one forever, about the madwoman from Jane Eyre. It’s relatively short, too, which makes it perfect for a readathon.
• SHOUT — An ARC I’ve been meaning to get to, and verse novels have worked well for me in readathons past, so on the list it goes.
• SMELLS LIKE STARS — An intriguing book I picked up at @massybooks with @paperbackpatronus back in January. It’s short and sounds fast-paced, so it’s another solid readathon pick.
I’ll also be continuing with some in-progress reads:
• EAST OF EDEN — for #EastOfEden19, of course. On audio and a reread for me, so this will be my take-a-walk/clean/make food read that I listen to.
• MISTBORN (not pictured) — I’ll likely pick this one up over the weekend, too, as I’m about halfway done.
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Q: Do you participate in read-a-thons?
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#readathon #myweekendisbooked #24in48readathon #tbr #bookstack #weekendreads #summerreads #sherwood #thekissquotient #eastofeden #widesargassosea #shout #smellslikestars #bookstagram #unitedbookstagram #booksandlavender #floralfriday
#throwbackthursday to this perfect moment on vacation a few weeks ago, when I was lying in a hammock, staring out at the most beautiful view of the Mallorcan coast, sipping coffee, and starting Mistborn.
I’m well over halfway through it now and enjoying it a good bit. The magic is pretty awesome, I’m just waiting for things to pick up—but I am starting to see why people have been recommending this one to me for a long time now.
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Q: What’s a book that’s been recommended to you a lot, but you haven’t read yet?
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#mistborn #brandonsanderson #fantasy #bookstagram #travelgram #unitedbookstagram #hammock #summer #hammockreading #vacation #booksbooksbooks #reading
jaunt | [jawnt, jahnt] | noun
Jaunt is such a lovely word. Anywhere near water is a great place for me!
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Being near the water is my favorite as well! My family had a boat growing up, and I’m always drawn to water.
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Love jaunts, participate in them all the time, and normally drag my family with me
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I live near a lake, so a jaunt around it always helps me clear away the mind junk and focus on being creative. A couple of years ago, we walked through the Calaveras Sequoia park in CA. It was so quiet and peaceful, I felt like my creative juices were flowing out my ears. I hated having to leave and I envy those who live nearby and can spend their days in the park.
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Ah, I envy you for living near a lake! 😉 But I do agree that getting out in nature is such a good way to clear you head and get a fresh start on something. And sometimes even just being outside in a crowd helps, too. I’m definitely a believer in changing up your environment from time to time.
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Great word. Chambers says early uses correspond to Shakespeare’s usage of ‘jaunce’ – to ‘prance’.
I find dog walking is a very good way to get my brain thinking in other ways.
Otherwise I’m in my chair at the computer, or on the sofa, writing all day.
~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
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I am not surprised it comes from Shakespeare; it seems like something he’d think up.
Always good to shake up sitting all day! Both for your health and creativity. 🙂
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Absolutely agree with the water factor. The coast/ocean, a lake, a creek, it is a must-have for me when traveling. There is nothing like getting outdoors, soaking up the beauty that surrounds you, and just getting rejuvenated. 🙂
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I feel like growing up near a lake-river-canal trifecta made sure I would never be fully at home in a landlocked location. I think it’s why as much as I want to love where I live in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina (it’s really a very cool place), I just can’t do it. There’s not enough water here. But we’re only 2 hours from the beach or the mountains so I try to see the positive! 🙂
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I’m very fortunate that we are in a prime location for water access. We are an hour inland from the Pacific, live a few minutes from a river, and are an hour to the mountains that boast tons of lakes. I would never be able to live in a landlocked state!!
I’m iffy on how I feel about the truth behind zodiacs, but I’m a Cancer and that sign’s love of water is definitely something I relate to!!
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