"They think he's just an old white man... Until he starts speaking at which point he becomes immediately foreign". You have no idea how much I love this line. I have been in Canada 33 years. You wouldn't believe how many conversations start with "What's your accent?" It's a tiny minuscule accent I have. When I was out east doing my master's there was a lady who introduced me, "This is Marta. She's from Poland." At which point I said, "NO, I'm from Ontario, Canada." And she became super confused. I have decided to retire in my motherland b/c no matter how many years pass Canada is never home. NEVER. Thanks for the reviews of these Balkan novels. I have a Croatian friend who will appreciate them. Thanks again.
what a summer glow! great wrap up! the aviators 😎👌😘. as a diaspora croatian myself - any time the balkans are mentioned - in particular in written form - there is a tug at my heart-strings ....i think you acutely captured the feeling of displacement and overall melancholia of these people. there is a saying for us "strays" - that we are neither fish nor flesh in the diaspora. also, it´s quite unfortunate that one has to seek long to find an uplifting novel from any slav. lol. (we come in varying degrees of distrust and grim by proxy 🤣🤦♀️) but, if i may leave a recommendation - maybe for a later read - that is still very much on the usual balkan subject but spiced with some humour; it would be "sarajevo marlboro" by miljenko jergovic. wishing you a wonderful summer finale and looking forward to what you´re reading in autumn! xoxo NR.
Aw, thank you for this lovely comment...I feel an ache just reading it! And thank you for this recommendation! I actually have Kin by Miljenko Jergovic downloaded on my Kindle right now, but Sarajevo Marlboro is on the list, too (and was actually referenced in My Heart!)
Long comment incoming: Why the interest in Bosnian writers? I find that super interesting because usually American (I am assuming that is where you are from) ppl could not even point to Bosnia on a map, or barely know that there was a siege there. I lived in Bosnia for like a year (I am also American), truly a place that is unlike any other place in the world and changed me forever. I’m commenting this as I watch and you just made an observation about individual vs collective identity in these books, something VERY VERY salient in relation to Bosnian culture and I’m impressed you picked up on that not having visited Bosnia (I’m assuming). A culture of shared trauma very much dominates the Bosnian psyche; Bosnian people discuss trauma and PTSD in a way that transcends an individual experience and is more of a collective and national one-very hard to describe unless you actually talk to a Bosnian person, which Id caution against explicitly asking them about their wartime experiences, as they are reticent to talk about them on an outsiders terms (but will talk for a very long time if they bring it up and can see that you are “trauma-informed”, so to speak). Of course, this collective experience will differ depending on whether you are Bosniak Muslim, a Bosnian Serb, or a Bosnian Croat, which is a complex discussion on its own, and raises interesting questions about nationhood/collective experiences that are very subjective to Bosnia. Anyways, I am rambling, great video haha
I'd be interested to know where Claire's interest in the Balkan area stems from, too! I think a lot of us have that region or country we feel gravitated towards to for some reason or another. For example, I'm Korean but I'm incredibly interested in Lebanese media, culture etc.. but yeah curious to know what got Claire interested!
@@procrastireader6435 same, I am that way for some inexplicable reason with Brazilian music and literature and also Brazilian Portuguese…Lebanese media/culture is pretty fascinating too!
@@Bluey_777 Ya that’s my point-I think (some) Americans vaguely know that there was a war/genocide in Bosnia&Herzegovina but knowledge and interest of that region doesn’t usually go beyond the 90s. American everyday discourse regarding Europe is usually confined to Western Europe ie Germany/France/Spain/Italy etc, and interest in Eastern Europe is typically associated with the USSR or countries that were in the USSR (yes, I know I am generalizing). Therefore Bosnia is usually absent from cultural conceptualizations regarding European culture etc (not that it is a monolith). Cant tell you how many times I have talked to Americans since leaving Bosnia who were either a) convinced Bosnia was once part of the USSR (bc they just loop every Eastern European/formerly socialist country in with the USSR) or b) very confused on why I would ever go to Bosnia because it’s such a little discussed region in the States beyond the genocide. For this reason I’m surprised and impressed that Claire is interested in Bosnia. Fwiw Bosnian also feel the same way haha, CONSTANTLY they’d be asking me “why would you ever choose to be here when you could be somewhere else?”ive literally never met a less nationalistic citizenry in my life
@@unfairweather @Procrastireader I've been interested in the Balkans and Bosnia, specifically, for a while because for several years my landlords were a husband and wife from Bosnia (Zvornik), and I became quite close with them (they really looked after me, and and shared a lot of coffee and pita and stuffed peppers with me haha) ... they had to leave Bosnia during the war, so I started by reading some books about the war (I really recommend Love Thy Neighbor by Peter Maass and Like Eating a Stone by Wojciech Tochman, for anyone who doesn't know much about the war/genocide) ... and now I'm trying to read more books by Balkan writers just generally, but I agree, Kathryn, there are a lot fewer books translated from Serbo-Croation (or Bosnian, etc.) than most Western or even Central European languages ... but I also just need to do a bit more digging because the ones I've found so far (mentioned here) have been really wonderful
Loved the video and the glasses! The second one was the prettier in my oppinion. I'm not the greatest fan of romance novel, but I'll definetly try to read the bosnian and yuguslavian novels.
A great book list, and nice descriptions of all the different glasses personas. I haven't read any of these ones yet myself, but would probably go for Catch the Rabbit or My Heart based on your descriptions. My favorite read this summer was probably The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, that one really surprised me...might have also just been in a good mood while I was reading it!
I bet you would enjoy Catch the Rabbit!! And probably My Heart, too :) My mom was reading The Dutch House when I was home recently and she really loved it - she sent it on to my grandma, but I'll need to try to borrow it sometime, too!
I had a very fruitful visit to the books section of goodwill a few weeks ago, found My Brilliant Friend, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, and A Raisin in the Sun, and I realized those were all books I've heard you talk about a good deal! I read them all and love them (the Idiot especially). Also picked up a book I had never heard of called Daughter of the Hills by Myra Page (which, strangely, has two subtitles: "a woman's part in the coal miners' struggle" and "a novel of the thirties") because of this cover with a striking portrait of a woman wearing a cameo. I haven't read it yet but it looks so promising and I'm a little bit excited.
you made me so excited for catch the rabbit which is sitting on my shelf!! also made me keen to pick up people we meet on vacation! do you by chance have any other slow burn friends to lovers recs for people who don't really read romance and need lots of L O N G I N G hahaha
Catch the Rabbit is one of my favs of the year too. The Ministry of Pain and My Heart have now been added to my tbr. Early Morning Riser was one I wanted to get to eventually, but the description of its British humor meets Midwest sensibilities has made me want to get to it soon.
Hi Claire! This summer I’ve read The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht which is also set in a Balkan country-focusing on this incredible relationship between a young doctor and her grandfather. Watching your favorites, I thought you’d enjoy this one too. I love your recommendations! 🥰
Immediately added Catch the Rabbit to my “want to read” list after watching this video. One of the best books I read this summer was A Brightness Long Ago and I have you to thank for that one! I really have to get more of his books now. Some of my other favorites of this summer include Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller, Girl Meets Boy by Ali Smith and There but for the also by Ali Smith. I’m currently reading In Memory of Memory for women in translation month. It started out really strong and I was blown away by her observations. But then it began to feel like a laborious undertaking. I’m on the last third and I’m back into really enjoying it. I don’t know if I’ll end up saying I loved it, but I know that I’ll be really glad I read it. The humidity is hideous back here in Wisconsin too and the mosquitoes are absolutely evil. Oh and the glasses all look great, but those sunglasses are particularly killer!!
Ahh I'm so glad you loved A Brightness Long Ago!! I really want to read more of his stuff, too - and I'm hoping the end of Memory of Memory pulls through for you! Hope you have a wonderful end to the summer (I hope you're eating some sweet corn to take the edge off the Wisco humidity, hehe) :)
I read Catch the Rabbit per your goodreads review, and while I admired the book for its poise, and how deliberate and meticulous the author was in executing her design, I felt a bit detached in the end. But listening to your review made me think maybe I've missed something? because your reviews are THAT good!! I always feel completely convinced by your viewpoint. You are so perceptive in how you understand and present books... I admire it so much!!
I'm glad this video was helpful! I watched a really great virtual event with Lana Bastašić that gave me additional insight into the book, too, if you're interested: ua-cam.com/video/jmsVWZDl7g0/v-deo.html
The Ottoto Magnus frames looked very nice on you. Attractive look. I need a pair of nonprescription sunglasses. I will check them out. I tried to read People We Meet on Vacation, but couldn't get into it at all. I had to DNF it. My favorite reads this summer were NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (Stephen King's son), and White Ivy by Susie Yang.
These are great reads. Love the video. I read a really great book over the summer that I picked up randomly. I think you might like it: Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason. I really think you would like the discussion about mental health and the wit of all the characters.
My friend just recommended Sorrow and Bliss to me!!! Somehow I completely missed it earlier this year - but this was a great reminder to request it from my library! Thank you so much :)
My top 5: Mind of My Mind by Octavia E. Butler Reasons to Live by Amy Hempel Piranesi by Susanna Clarke A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay (thanks for the rec. I loved it!) An I-Novel by Minae Mizumura (fave book of the year so far, would be interested to hear your thoughts if/when you read it).
A great list!! I'm so glad you loved A Brightness Long Ago, and I really need to read An I-Novel (I loved her book, A True Novel, when I read it a few years ago!)
Thank you! :D And my family is not Yugoslavian (but I saw in the video where you hauled My Heart that you're Croatian, iirc?!) ... but I have some very good family friends who are from Bosnia! :)
Have not read any of your selections. My favorite books of the summer thus far are Milkman in audio by Burns, Swimming Lessons by Fuller and Sharks in the time of Saviors by Washburn. Three really wonderful books in every way. Bosnian books sounds most interesting. Travels to Sarajevo and Croatia were some of the best. My favorite from that area was People of the Book by Brooks
Your description of Kate Clayborn was spot on--I've read several of her books and so far none of them have any major plot, but her writing about emotions and falling in love is what keeps me reading (although I guess her Chance of a Lifetime series each kind of have a plot? But honestly not really)
As a fun librarian I appreciated the fun librarian glasses. The glasses you wore throughout reminded me of Olivia on The White Lotus; thankfully, you didn’t behave like her 😀
I also loved Early Morning Riser. I sped through it. I thought Jimmy's portrayal was honest and he felt real. People are sometimes hard to deal with and Heiny didn't write him as "good because he has some intellectual deficits." I thought the main character grew a lot over the years. (Did you read her short story collection Single, Carefree, Mellow? All stories about women in their twenties and infidelities? Recommend.)
I agree, Jimmy probably ended up being my favorite character, and I liked watching the evolution of his relationship with Jane (and Jane's evolution as a character and person, overall, as you mentioned) - I haven't read her short stories but really want to check out more of her work! :)
"They think he's just an old white man... Until he starts speaking at which point he becomes immediately foreign". You have no idea how much I love this line. I have been in Canada 33 years. You wouldn't believe how many conversations start with "What's your accent?" It's a tiny minuscule accent I have. When I was out east doing my master's there was a lady who introduced me, "This is Marta. She's from Poland." At which point I said, "NO, I'm from Ontario, Canada." And she became super confused. I have decided to retire in my motherland b/c no matter how many years pass Canada is never home. NEVER. Thanks for the reviews of these Balkan novels. I have a Croatian friend who will appreciate them. Thanks again.
what a summer glow! great wrap up! the aviators 😎👌😘. as a diaspora croatian myself - any time the balkans are mentioned - in particular in written form - there is a tug at my heart-strings ....i think you acutely captured the feeling of displacement and overall melancholia of these people. there is a saying for us "strays" - that we are neither fish nor flesh in the diaspora. also, it´s quite unfortunate that one has to seek long to find an uplifting novel from any slav. lol. (we come in varying degrees of distrust and grim by proxy 🤣🤦♀️) but, if i may leave a recommendation - maybe for a later read - that is still very much on the usual balkan subject but spiced with some humour; it would be "sarajevo marlboro" by miljenko jergovic. wishing you a wonderful summer finale and looking forward to what you´re reading in autumn! xoxo NR.
Aw, thank you for this lovely comment...I feel an ache just reading it! And thank you for this recommendation! I actually have Kin by Miljenko Jergovic downloaded on my Kindle right now, but Sarajevo Marlboro is on the list, too (and was actually referenced in My Heart!)
I miss your videos Claire!
Claire, how are you doing? Patiently waiting for your next book reviews...
Such an interesting bunch of books. I also like mixing romances with harder literary or translated fiction.
Me too! :)
Long comment incoming: Why the interest in Bosnian writers? I find that super interesting because usually American (I am assuming that is where you are from) ppl could not even point to Bosnia on a map, or barely know that there was a siege there. I lived in Bosnia for like a year (I am also American), truly a place that is unlike any other place in the world and changed me forever. I’m commenting this as I watch and you just made an observation about individual vs collective identity in these books, something VERY VERY salient in relation to Bosnian culture and I’m impressed you picked up on that not having visited Bosnia (I’m assuming). A culture of shared trauma very much dominates the Bosnian psyche; Bosnian people discuss trauma and PTSD in a way that transcends an individual experience and is more of a collective and national one-very hard to describe unless you actually talk to a Bosnian person, which Id caution against explicitly asking them about their wartime experiences, as they are reticent to talk about them on an outsiders terms (but will talk for a very long time if they bring it up and can see that you are “trauma-informed”, so to speak). Of course, this collective experience will differ depending on whether you are Bosniak Muslim, a Bosnian Serb, or a Bosnian Croat, which is a complex discussion on its own, and raises interesting questions about nationhood/collective experiences that are very subjective to Bosnia. Anyways, I am rambling, great video haha
I'd be interested to know where Claire's interest in the Balkan area stems from, too! I think a lot of us have that region or country we feel gravitated towards to for some reason or another. For example, I'm Korean but I'm incredibly interested in Lebanese media, culture etc.. but yeah curious to know what got Claire interested!
@@procrastireader6435 same, I am that way for some inexplicable reason with Brazilian music and literature and also Brazilian Portuguese…Lebanese media/culture is pretty fascinating too!
@@Bluey_777 Ya that’s my point-I think (some) Americans vaguely know that there was a war/genocide in Bosnia&Herzegovina but knowledge and interest of that region doesn’t usually go beyond the 90s. American everyday discourse regarding Europe is usually confined to Western Europe ie Germany/France/Spain/Italy etc, and interest in Eastern Europe is typically associated with the USSR or countries that were in the USSR (yes, I know I am generalizing). Therefore Bosnia is usually absent from cultural conceptualizations regarding European culture etc (not that it is a monolith). Cant tell you how many times I have talked to Americans since leaving Bosnia who were either a) convinced Bosnia was once part of the USSR (bc they just loop every Eastern European/formerly socialist country in with the USSR) or b) very confused on why I would ever go to Bosnia because it’s such a little discussed region in the States beyond the genocide. For this reason I’m surprised and impressed that Claire is interested in Bosnia. Fwiw Bosnian also feel the same way haha, CONSTANTLY they’d be asking me “why would you ever choose to be here when you could be somewhere else?”ive literally never met a less nationalistic citizenry in my life
@@unfairweather @Procrastireader I've been interested in the Balkans and Bosnia, specifically, for a while because for several years my landlords were a husband and wife from Bosnia (Zvornik), and I became quite close with them (they really looked after me, and and shared a lot of coffee and pita and stuffed peppers with me haha) ... they had to leave Bosnia during the war, so I started by reading some books about the war (I really recommend Love Thy Neighbor by Peter Maass and Like Eating a Stone by Wojciech Tochman, for anyone who doesn't know much about the war/genocide) ... and now I'm trying to read more books by Balkan writers just generally, but I agree, Kathryn, there are a lot fewer books translated from Serbo-Croation (or Bosnian, etc.) than most Western or even Central European languages ... but I also just need to do a bit more digging because the ones I've found so far (mentioned here) have been really wonderful
Loved the video and the glasses! The second one was the prettier in my oppinion.
I'm not the greatest fan of romance novel, but I'll definetly try to read the bosnian and yuguslavian novels.
Thank you so much!! I definitely recommend any of those Balkan reads :)
A great book list, and nice descriptions of all the different glasses personas. I haven't read any of these ones yet myself, but would probably go for Catch the Rabbit or My Heart based on your descriptions. My favorite read this summer was probably The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, that one really surprised me...might have also just been in a good mood while I was reading it!
I bet you would enjoy Catch the Rabbit!! And probably My Heart, too :) My mom was reading The Dutch House when I was home recently and she really loved it - she sent it on to my grandma, but I'll need to try to borrow it sometime, too!
I had a very fruitful visit to the books section of goodwill a few weeks ago, found My Brilliant Friend, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, and A Raisin in the Sun, and I realized those were all books I've heard you talk about a good deal! I read them all and love them (the Idiot especially). Also picked up a book I had never heard of called Daughter of the Hills by Myra Page (which, strangely, has two subtitles: "a woman's part in the coal miners' struggle" and "a novel of the thirties") because of this cover with a striking portrait of a woman wearing a cameo. I haven't read it yet but it looks so promising and I'm a little bit excited.
Ahh I'm so happy to hear that! And I hope Daughter of the Hills is another good read for you, too :)
you made me so excited for catch the rabbit which is sitting on my shelf!! also made me keen to pick up people we meet on vacation! do you by chance have any other slow burn friends to lovers recs for people who don't really read romance and need lots of L O N G I N G hahaha
The Muse Gladys-es look great on you.
thanks!
Catch the Rabbit is one of my favs of the year too. The Ministry of Pain and My Heart have now been added to my tbr. Early Morning Riser was one I wanted to get to eventually, but the description of its British humor meets Midwest sensibilities has made me want to get to it soon.
Ahh I'm so glad you liked it, too! And would love to hear your thoughts on Early Morning Riser if you end up reading it
Hi Claire! This summer I’ve read The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht which is also set in a Balkan country-focusing on this incredible relationship between a young doctor and her grandfather. Watching your favorites, I thought you’d enjoy this one too. I love your recommendations! 🥰
Ooh, yes, I've heard great things about that one - I need to add it to my TBR :)
Wow Catch the Rabbit sounds brilliant! I’ve never heard of it before 💫
I'd love to hear your thoughts on it, Jaclyn!
Immediately added Catch the Rabbit to my “want to read” list after watching this video. One of the best books I read this summer was A Brightness Long Ago and I have you to thank for that one! I really have to get more of his books now. Some of my other favorites of this summer include Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller, Girl Meets Boy by Ali Smith and There but for the also by Ali Smith. I’m currently reading In Memory of Memory for women in translation month. It started out really strong and I was blown away by her observations. But then it began to feel like a laborious undertaking. I’m on the last third and I’m back into really enjoying it. I don’t know if I’ll end up saying I loved it, but I know that I’ll be really glad I read it. The humidity is hideous back here in Wisconsin too and the mosquitoes are absolutely evil. Oh and the glasses all look great, but those sunglasses are particularly killer!!
Ahh I'm so glad you loved A Brightness Long Ago!! I really want to read more of his stuff, too - and I'm hoping the end of Memory of Memory pulls through for you! Hope you have a wonderful end to the summer (I hope you're eating some sweet corn to take the edge off the Wisco humidity, hehe) :)
I read Catch the Rabbit per your goodreads review, and while I admired the book for its poise, and how deliberate and meticulous the author was in executing her design, I felt a bit detached in the end. But listening to your review made me think maybe I've missed something? because your reviews are THAT good!! I always feel completely convinced by your viewpoint. You are so perceptive in how you understand and present books... I admire it so much!!
I'm glad this video was helpful! I watched a really great virtual event with Lana Bastašić that gave me additional insight into the book, too, if you're interested: ua-cam.com/video/jmsVWZDl7g0/v-deo.html
The Ottoto Magnus frames looked very nice on you. Attractive look. I need a pair of nonprescription sunglasses. I will check them out.
I tried to read People We Meet on Vacation, but couldn't get into it at all. I had to DNF it. My favorite reads this summer were NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (Stephen King's son), and White Ivy by Susie Yang.
Ahh I'm so glad you liked White Ivy! And that you've been finding other good reads this summer, even if PWMOV wasn't your vibe
These are great reads. Love the video. I read a really great book over the summer that I picked up randomly. I think you might like it: Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason. I really think you would like the discussion about mental health and the wit of all the characters.
My friend just recommended Sorrow and Bliss to me!!! Somehow I completely missed it earlier this year - but this was a great reminder to request it from my library! Thank you so much :)
Need a new Claire video.
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Hello lovely!!! Enjoyed this, as always. I need to read some Emily Henry! Also, the cover game in this video is strong?? x
I think you might like her stuff!! Hope you've been well, Jasmine!! xx
My top 5:
Mind of My Mind by Octavia E. Butler
Reasons to Live by Amy Hempel
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay (thanks for the rec. I loved it!)
An I-Novel by Minae Mizumura (fave book of the year so far, would be interested to hear your thoughts if/when you read it).
A great list!! I'm so glad you loved A Brightness Long Ago, and I really need to read An I-Novel (I loved her book, A True Novel, when I read it a few years ago!)
Is your fam from Yugoslavia?! Mine is too if so! Loving these iconic Gloria Steinem glasses 👓
Thank you! :D And my family is not Yugoslavian (but I saw in the video where you hauled My Heart that you're Croatian, iirc?!) ... but I have some very good family friends who are from Bosnia! :)
Have not read any of your selections. My favorite books of the summer thus far are Milkman in audio by Burns, Swimming Lessons by Fuller and Sharks in the time of Saviors by Washburn. Three really wonderful books in every way. Bosnian books sounds most interesting. Travels to Sarajevo and Croatia were some of the best. My favorite from that area was People of the Book by Brooks
What a great list of books (woo for Milkman!) ... and I'll have to add People of the Book to the TBR pile! :D
Your description of Kate Clayborn was spot on--I've read several of her books and so far none of them have any major plot, but her writing about emotions and falling in love is what keeps me reading (although I guess her Chance of a Lifetime series each kind of have a plot? But honestly not really)
Good to know! Do you have any favorites by her? I would like to check out more of her books, I think :)
@@ClaireReadsBooks I really loved Luck of the Draw, which is the second in the Chance of a Lifetime series!
My all time favorite of hers is ‚Love Lettering‘. More plot than Love at First but the same emotional intensity.
i miss your videos, claire :(
Claire pls…. it’s been so long
Kidding though please take your time ❤️
As a fun librarian I appreciated the fun librarian glasses. The glasses you wore throughout reminded me of Olivia on The White Lotus; thankfully, you didn’t behave like her 😀
haha thank you! i haven't watched The White Lotus (do you recommend it, Olivia notwithstanding? 😂 )
@@ClaireReadsBooks Highly recommended by the NYT, which carries more weight than the rec from little old me!
New subscriber👍💗
I also loved Early Morning Riser. I sped through it. I thought Jimmy's portrayal was honest and he felt real. People are sometimes hard to deal with and Heiny didn't write him as "good because he has some intellectual deficits." I thought the main character grew a lot over the years. (Did you read her short story collection Single, Carefree, Mellow? All stories about women in their twenties and infidelities? Recommend.)
I agree, Jimmy probably ended up being my favorite character, and I liked watching the evolution of his relationship with Jane (and Jane's evolution as a character and person, overall, as you mentioned) - I haven't read her short stories but really want to check out more of her work! :)
We did an episode on Ugresic's The Museum of Unconditional Surrender a few months back. She is incredibly underrated!
I really want to read more of her stuff!