Trust is an imperfect but absolutely fascinating book. It wasn’t a 5-star read for me, but it has stuck with me - such a clever, layered novel that makes you rethink its events again and again.
I agree. It's flawed - the initial novel within the book doesn't really read like a novel, for example - but it's special, thought provoking and surprisingly sweet. I also thought Diaz did an excellent job of looking at how women are treated in the media, particularly historical figures, who tend to have their more interesting traits sanded off.
I love Best Books lists & am always happy to hear your reactions to them. I just finished Trust and loved it, although I did not love it while I was reading it - I found it exasperating. When I finished, I listened to an Author Talk (available through many public libraries) with Diaz about Trust, which was great. Thanks for what you do and enriching my reading life!
That is so sweet--thank you so much! It's funny how hearing an author speak can change your perception of their work. It's a shame the actual reading experience itself wasn't more enjoyable, though.
I saw Abdulrazak Gurnah speak here in Seattle in October and received a copy of his book at that time. I haven't read it yet but this serves as a good reminder to do so. He was quite an engaging speaker. As always, great video Greg! I too love the "best of" lists. 😊
I was surprised that An Immense World by Ed Yong was not on the nonfiction list. I also gave up on Facebook during the 2016 election. Best decision ever.
I use the different awards lists to find new authors although my personal interests plays a part in what book I decide to read. For example, I am reading 'The Song of Achilles "by Madeline Miller because I have a strong interest in Greek history and mythology. I love your ideas and ideas about books. I hope your dog, Jamie, is doing well.
Thank you so much. ❤️ I didn't quite get on with Song of Achilles but I don't have any background in Greek mythology to speak of, so hopefully you are getting more out of it.
Good video, thanks. I read Trust, it’s interesting to hear people find it convoluted. I did not find convoluted at all. I like it, didn’t love it (it could be a case of high expectations) I think, because I found the story gets towards the end much simpler (I was thinking of “simplistic” but that could be too harsh of a word and I am still processing the book) than I expected it to be from the beginning. But definitely beautiful writing and very clever structure and idea of creating four voices showing four different narratives around the same story (that idea alone made the book very worthy). I hope you read it and we can hear what your impression is. Hernan Diaz is definitely an author to follow. Can’t wait to read Demon Copperhead..
I'm a bit surprised that Cormac McCarthy's The Passenger isn't talked about more. Perhaps because it came out in October, but his last book The Road was the Pulitzer winner for that year, and this has been long-awaited. I bought it on the day it came out, and the B&N was already short on copies. They were completely out when I went last week. I know sales don't equal value, but it is an amazing book.
I suspect people are a little unsure of what to do with the Passenger because Stella Maris is still looking on the horizon and they’re companion books.
LOL. There was an ad for Hobby Lobby at the end of your video. Wildly misplaced ad. I saved Mecca and The Petroleum Papers to my list on Scribd. Both sound excellent. Weapons of Mass Delusion definitely sounds like something I’d want to read. I’m not familiar with the author, but his other titles all sound interesting. Unfortunately, this one isn’t on Scribd or at my library e-site, so I won’t be getting to it anytime soon. You’re coming closer to convincing me to read Demon Copperhead. 😂 I’ll wait to hear your final thoughts on it, but even with the length, it sounds interesting. I would definitely listen to it though. Also, I have to get back to Night of the Living Rez. I really stalled out after not loving the first three stories. I mean, they were fine, just not anything that grabbed me. So, I will have to press on if the stories get more compelling. Totally agree about Don’t Cry For Me. It looks like it has been forgotten. That’s very sad because it’s so brilliant.
My favourites so far this year are: Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman True Biz by Sarah Novic Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnett Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins Valdez Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou
Petroleum Papers is now on my list. TY! I had read that the oil industry in the US knew about the problems with climate change in 1959 and then set about to twist the narrative on this subject. I agree about being stressed out on this subject but I am a moth to the flame.
Thanks for your hard work and putting work another video. I just picked up Gurnah’s Paradise so I think I’ll read that then Afterlives. I’ve been meaning to read Susan Straights memoir In the Country of Women which sounds Interesting and I think I’ll add Mecca to look for. I thought Trust was Ok and glad I read it. But if you haven’t read In The Distance by Diaz you’re missing something special. I’m with you on the non fiction
I haven't read any of these! Demon Copperhead is on my Christmas list; I can't wait to read it. Mecca sounds really good and Kirkus seldom does me wrong so that's going on my TBR.
I did not like Trust. While I thought the premise was good and the themes were thought provoking, I don't think the writing was good enough to execute it. That's just me. I would like to try another of his books at some stage to compare. I'm currently 150 pages into Demon Copperhead and fully sucked into it, finding it very engaging and personable. I agree with your comments about Young Mungo.
I completely understand your reluctance to read political books offering insights into recent events. I feel like I lived this stuff and I don't want to revisit it.
There were no romance books on the list and never have been. Does anyone at the Washington Post read romance ???? Do they not know that romance books exist ???
It's very unusual for a genre book of any sort to appear on a best-of list, unfortunately (although the New York Times does occasionally recognize science fiction). It's not surprising that there continues to be a sort of genre-blindness, but it is disappointing. What would you have liked to see on the list?
I would add Roughest Draft by a writing duo who are married in real life! It is a heterosexual romance that has great character development and lots of the feels.
I loved Trust. I felt it was so timely as we deal with truth, who gets to tell it, and how it is told. It will be in my top 10.
That does sound very compelling.
Trust is an imperfect but absolutely fascinating book. It wasn’t a 5-star read for me, but it has stuck with me - such a clever, layered novel that makes you rethink its events again and again.
Lots of love for Trust in the comments--it's making me want to get to it sooner rather than later.
I agree. It's flawed - the initial novel within the book doesn't really read like a novel, for example - but it's special, thought provoking and surprisingly sweet. I also thought Diaz did an excellent job of looking at how women are treated in the media, particularly historical figures, who tend to have their more interesting traits sanded off.
I love Best Books lists & am always happy to hear your reactions to them. I just finished Trust and loved it, although I did not love it while I was reading it - I found it exasperating. When I finished, I listened to an Author Talk (available through many public libraries) with Diaz about Trust, which was great. Thanks for what you do and enriching my reading life!
That is so sweet--thank you so much! It's funny how hearing an author speak can change your perception of their work. It's a shame the actual reading experience itself wasn't more enjoyable, though.
Just finished Stay True. My favorite book in the last 5 years perhaps
I definitely need to catch up to it at some point.
@@SupposedlyFun I don't read as often as you do so my bar is low too haha.
I saw Abdulrazak Gurnah speak here in Seattle in October and received a copy of his book at that time. I haven't read it yet but this serves as a good reminder to do so. He was quite an engaging speaker. As always, great video Greg! I too love the "best of" lists. 😊
Great video! Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
I was surprised that An Immense World by Ed Yong was not on the nonfiction list. I also gave up on Facebook during the 2016 election. Best decision ever.
It's been so good for my mental health.
I use the different awards lists to find new authors although my personal interests plays a part in what book I decide to read. For example, I am reading 'The Song of Achilles "by Madeline Miller because I have a strong interest in Greek history and mythology. I love your ideas and ideas about books. I hope your dog, Jamie, is doing well.
Thank you so much. ❤️
I didn't quite get on with Song of Achilles but I don't have any background in Greek mythology to speak of, so hopefully you are getting more out of it.
This is superb video! Very thoughtful. I really enjoyed this so thank you. I subscribed as well!!!
Thank you so much!
I loved Young Mungo. Did you hear that Shuggie Bain is being adapted for tv/film?
I did! I hope they do it justice.
i appreciate when a list has books on it that i haven't heard of it and i'm happy there were a few i didn't know of on this list!!
Good video, thanks. I read Trust, it’s interesting to hear people find it convoluted. I did not find convoluted at all. I like it, didn’t love it (it could be a case of high expectations) I think, because I found the story gets towards the end much simpler (I was thinking of “simplistic” but that could be too harsh of a word and I am still processing the book) than I expected it to be from the beginning. But definitely beautiful writing and very clever structure and idea of creating four voices showing four different narratives around the same story (that idea alone made the book very worthy). I hope you read it and we can hear what your impression is. Hernan Diaz is definitely an author to follow. Can’t wait to read Demon Copperhead..
In the Distance (Hernan Diaz's book that was a finalist for the Pulitzer) also sounds fascinating. Thank you for the feedback on Trust!
I'm a bit surprised that Cormac McCarthy's The Passenger isn't talked about more. Perhaps because it came out in October, but his last book The Road was the Pulitzer winner for that year, and this has been long-awaited. I bought it on the day it came out, and the B&N was already short on copies. They were completely out when I went last week. I know sales don't equal value, but it is an amazing book.
I suspect people are a little unsure of what to do with the Passenger because Stella Maris is still looking on the horizon and they’re companion books.
@@SupposedlyFun that's a good point. We'll see how Stella Maris fits in, but as of now, I feel The Passenger stands on its own.
It will be interesting to see if either land on The NY Times list.
It’s not that good that’s why
LOL. There was an ad for Hobby Lobby at the end of your video. Wildly misplaced ad.
I saved Mecca and The Petroleum Papers to my list on Scribd. Both sound excellent. Weapons of Mass Delusion definitely sounds like something I’d want to read. I’m not familiar with the author, but his other titles all sound interesting. Unfortunately, this one isn’t on Scribd or at my library e-site, so I won’t be getting to it anytime soon.
You’re coming closer to convincing me to read Demon Copperhead. 😂 I’ll wait to hear your final thoughts on it, but even with the length, it sounds interesting. I would definitely listen to it though.
Also, I have to get back to Night of the Living Rez. I really stalled out after not loving the first three stories. I mean, they were fine, just not anything that grabbed me. So, I will have to press on if the stories get more compelling.
Totally agree about Don’t Cry For Me. It looks like it has been forgotten. That’s very sad because it’s so brilliant.
My favourites so far this year are:
Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman
True Biz by Sarah Novic
Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnett
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins Valdez
Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou
I'm going to have to read Trust and probably Demon Copperhead and now maybe Afterlives next year.
I hope you like them if you do pick them up!
Petroleum Papers is now on my list. TY! I had read that the oil industry in the US knew about the problems with climate change in 1959 and then set about to twist the narrative on this subject. I agree about being stressed out on this subject but I am a moth to the flame.
I just know that if I gave it a try I'll get super stressed out and it won't be good. 😬
I ordered Demon Copperhead yesterday, can't wait to read it.
Ah I am eager to get to Demon Copperhead.. so glad to hear you are enjoying it so much!
Thanks for your hard work and putting work another video. I just picked up Gurnah’s Paradise so I think I’ll read that then Afterlives. I’ve been meaning to read Susan Straights memoir In the Country of Women which sounds Interesting and I think I’ll add Mecca to look for. I thought Trust was Ok and glad I read it. But if you haven’t read In The Distance by Diaz you’re missing something special. I’m with you on the non fiction
I am reading G-MAN now. It is excellent.
I'm glad you're enjoying it!
I haven't read any of these! Demon Copperhead is on my Christmas list; I can't wait to read it. Mecca sounds really good and Kirkus seldom does me wrong so that's going on my TBR.
I’m currently listening to the following on audio
The Lacuna
Remote Sympathy
The Town of Babylon
I can't wait for your thoughts on Town of Babylon.
I will read Mecca looks awesome
مافي زول يلبس كاروهات بعدك رهيييب🤩
I loved Trust! You should try it, really.
Hm, Afterlives was published in 2020; kinda odd to see it on this list 2 years after the fact or am I missing something?
My guess is that it was published oversees first (Gurnah resides in the UK) and published here in the United States in 2022.
Jinx!
That makes perfect sense 😅
A true crime book that might be in your wheelhouse might be Michael Winter's 'The Death of Donna Whalen' (published in 2010)
Thank you for the recomendation!
I’m with you Greg, stick to fiction as a lot of non fiction will make me furious !
I did not like Trust. While I thought the premise was good and the themes were thought provoking, I don't think the writing was good enough to execute it. That's just me. I would like to try another of his books at some stage to compare. I'm currently 150 pages into Demon Copperhead and fully sucked into it, finding it very engaging and personable. I agree with your comments about Young Mungo.
on the other hand your bottom most shirt matches the dust jacket of trust...a sign???
I completely understand your reluctance to read political books offering insights into recent events. I feel like I lived this stuff and I don't want to revisit it.
Yes! And I don't know that we're far enough away from it all to have proper context and understanding yet.
I think _Demon Copperhead_ is Barbara's best book so far. It was so good.
I'm still only halfway through but I'm inclined to agree.
There were no romance books on the list and never have been. Does anyone at the Washington Post read romance ???? Do they not know that romance books exist ???
It's very unusual for a genre book of any sort to appear on a best-of list, unfortunately (although the New York Times does occasionally recognize science fiction). It's not surprising that there continues to be a sort of genre-blindness, but it is disappointing. What would you have liked to see on the list?
@@SupposedlyFun Jock Row by Sara Ney, The Girl In 6E by A.R. Torre, Mercy by Debra Anastasia
Thanks for the tecommendations!
I would add Roughest Draft by a writing duo who are married in real life! It is a heterosexual romance that has great character development and lots of the feels.
I have absolutely zero interest in reading Young Mungo, but I'm glad something so gay is on that list!