Glad I stumbled upon your channel some time ago. I used to read a lot, but hadn't done that for quite a few years. Started again earlier this year, but had no idea which books to choose. Watching your videos helped a lot to select the 'right ones'.
I don't read as many books per year as booktubers do, but my goal is, after I've read my 30th book of the year (I have 2 more to go), I'll read a big book to carry me into the new year. I'm thinking The Brothers Karamazov.
I've been in the middle of a big book kick for a little while now. I just finished The Brothers Karamazov and now I'm about two-thirds of the way into Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose. After that, I've got City of Night by John Rechy, The Infinite and the Divine by Robert Rath, and Solenoid planned. I'm really excited to read Solenoid, so I might start that one next. I'm hoping to finish those three by the end of the year. Wish me luck!
YES!!…on your explanation of loving long books. I So loved Demon Copperhead that I immediately read The Goldfinch. You now make me want to try The Bee Sting.
I've also read demon copperhead during my summer vacations. I really enjoyed it. It seemed to me really Dickensian. I have a few pages left to finish lessons by Ian McEwan. I'm savoring them because I am not ready to part with it yet. I think it's a gift of McEwan's to make his characters so likeable even the ones you wouldn't necessarily go along with in real life. Next I'm planning to read the Fraud by Zadie Smith. She is my favourite British writer after Wolf.
The Woman in White has one of my favourite heroines and one of my all time favourite villains. The first part of the book is superb! The second I find a bit weaker, because Wilkie just didn't write male heroes very well. Looking forward to hearing your opinion of it. I have several doorstoppers that I hope to read, but my main challenge to myself is to read Kristin Lavransdatter by the end of the year. I have the trilogy in one volume and it looks fairly intimidating, but I recently read a biography on Sigrid Undset and now I feel quite keen. Btw, the "e" in Jon Fosse is not silent. It's a tricky one to pronounce for English language people, but Fossey is close enough, if you go soft on the y.
It'll be interesting to see what you think of Barkskins. I've been reading it as well this season, though I got a bit bogged down and had to set it aside for a few weeks. I'm going to see if I can get my local library to acquire that Catalan book. I've been watching for books from that region, and that one sounds promising. :)
Fayne is on my wish list TBR. I’m currently trying to read some books from my backlist before 2024. I keep getting sidetracked by new books. Amongst my backlist TBR are some big books. The Stone Diaries Kavalier & Clay The best books read so far this month are The Unseen World by Liz Moore Heft by Liz Moore Currently listening to We Are Called To Rise by Laura McBride ☘️👋🍀☕️📖📕📚
Great books & video as always. Read & loved Demon Copperhead, The Bee Sting & Septology (complete series). Just recently read Wolves of eternity just brilliant writing. Want to read The brothers Karamazov before the end of 2023.
Ah! I was at the bookstore yesterday and I almost picked up The Woman in White but it was so large that I balked and placed it gingerly back on the shelf. 🤣 I've heard and talked so much about reading Fayne that I'm "putting my foot down" and reading it asap dammit!
Fair enough! That’s why I got a library copy of Collins’ novel since there’s no room for it on my permanent shelves. I’ll be keen to hear what you think of Fayne. I’ll start it soon.
I've had Wilke Collins on my authors to read list forever. Now I've also added Fayne--it sounds completely absorbing. Looking forward to your thoughts on Barkskins if you get to it.
I'll be interested to hear your review of Barkskins. The beginning gripped me, but I ended up putting it down after a few chapters. I no longer recall exactly why, but chapters alternate between two family lines. I recall finding the second of two far too artificial to keep my interest. It quickly lost me with a natives-good / europeans-bad trope.
I'll be taking the opposite approach, looking through my shorter 'current reads' to find some easy victories. Within reason, of course. Won't blow through Carl Sandburg just because I can.
Two big books I’d like to read maybe after the holidays but during the winter are A Covenant of Water and The Bee Sting. I also want to read In Memoriam and In Ascension! I’m going to try to severely limit my incoming materials in 2024 in an effort to read and review at a slower pace. I’d like to spend some time on my blog that I haven’t written in over a year 😂
Two other BookTubers I follow and really like read Fayne and had such polar opposite opinions I'm not sure what to do - one gushed and gave it 5 stars, the other DNF'd it. So I need a tie-breaker - waiting for your feedback! 😁 I have a bunch of big books on my TBR, but not specific goals for which ones before the end of the year. I think I'll let my fancy pick - I usually have one chunkster going alongside shorter books at any given time.
I have read Barkskins and for me it fell a bit short, because you get invested in a character and then it jumps ahead again. But the story overall is very good…
I share your passion for reading, Eric. Especially BIG books! Some of my faves: "Mercy of a Rude Stream" by Henry Roth, "The Street Sweeper" by Elliot Perlman, "The Weight of Ink" by Rachel Kadish, "Prayer for Owen Meaney" by John Irving and "The Crazyladies of Pearl Street" by Trevanian. I have recently finished "Demon Copperhead" and, as of now, I'd say it might be in my top 10. I'm currently reading "The Woman in White". I started it not expecting much but it's hard for me to put down. Also I'm almost finished reading "Covenant of Water"... it doesn't draw me in like I'd hoped and I'll be glad to put it away. By the way, it's so delightful to see the lovely bookshelves behind you filled with so many tomes. A room without books just seems so empty, don't you agree?
Inspiring, as always Of these,I have read Solenoid. Now I want to read the Kingsolver book with David Copperfield. Eric, how many hours in a day can you devote to reading? Do you read at home, or in a library or outdoors? Regards, nadi ( from India)
Have you heard of The Covenant of Water or plan to read it? Not sure if it has come out in the UK but it's an Oprah book club pick in the States and has been very popular. I'd love to hear your opinion of it!
Funny thing about big books, content determines my perception of "big" ; I read Fayne in a couple days because I was so engaged whereas, currently, I am slogging my way through a contemporary thriller that is around 250 pages for close to two weeks. I recently purchased a copy of Women in White because I had read Armadale and loved (another BIG book I finished in a couple of days) so maybe I SHOULD DNF that slog and visit with Mr. Collins. ( leaving a comment just changed my reading life, at least for the next few days😊 )
So fun that I’ve also read SOLENOID and THE BEE STING and soon finishing DEMON C. I also have Big Ones in mind: Finishing MOBY DICK, DON QUIXOTE, WAR AND PEACE, ANNA KARENINA, ULYSSES, Carlos Fuentes’ TERRA NOSTRA, THE BOOK OF JAKOB, THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DUBOIS, and last but definitely not least, another big Cartarescu novel (just short of 500 pp!) BLINDING-the first in his three-book epic, but with only book one so far translated from his original ORBITOR.
Barkskins was my choice for my physical book club and a great read for me a few years ago now. Woman in White is a gothic masterpiece. Excellent. Have taken a note of Fayne and Summa Kaotica and own all the volumes of Jon Fosse and bought Solenoid on your recommendation a little while ago. Good grief! We are going to be busy with all of these books to read by the of the year!
Glad I stumbled upon your channel some time ago. I used to read a lot, but hadn't done that for quite a few years. Started again earlier this year, but had no idea which books to choose. Watching your videos helped a lot to select the 'right ones'.
Thanks! That’s great to hear. 📚
I don't read as many books per year as booktubers do, but my goal is, after I've read my 30th book of the year (I have 2 more to go), I'll read a big book to carry me into the new year. I'm thinking The Brothers Karamazov.
I have The Woman in White penciled in for my December TBR. Happy eading.
I've been in the middle of a big book kick for a little while now. I just finished The Brothers Karamazov and now I'm about two-thirds of the way into Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose. After that, I've got City of Night by John Rechy, The Infinite and the Divine by Robert Rath, and Solenoid planned. I'm really excited to read Solenoid, so I might start that one next. I'm hoping to finish those three by the end of the year. Wish me luck!
Loved reading To Paradise a couple months ago
Demon Copperhead is on my TBR!
YES!!…on your explanation of loving long books. I So loved Demon Copperhead that I immediately read The Goldfinch. You now make me want to try The Bee Sting.
Barkskins is ace
As is Woman in White. Happy Reading
oh that's so great! Mircea Cartarescu was one of my professors in the University
It must have been so interesting to study with him!
I've also read demon copperhead during my summer vacations. I really enjoyed it. It seemed to me really Dickensian. I have a few pages left to finish lessons by Ian McEwan. I'm savoring them because I am not ready to part with it yet. I think it's a gift of McEwan's to make his characters so likeable even the ones you wouldn't necessarily go along with in real life. Next I'm planning to read the Fraud by Zadie Smith. She is my favourite British writer after Wolf.
The Woman in White has one of my favourite heroines and one of my all time favourite villains. The first part of the book is superb! The second I find a bit weaker, because Wilkie just didn't write male heroes very well. Looking forward to hearing your opinion of it.
I have several doorstoppers that I hope to read, but my main challenge to myself is to read Kristin Lavransdatter by the end of the year. I have the trilogy in one volume and it looks fairly intimidating, but I recently read a biography on Sigrid Undset and now I feel quite keen. Btw, the "e" in Jon Fosse is not silent. It's a tricky one to pronounce for English language people, but Fossey is close enough, if you go soft on the y.
I love long books. I’ve decided to give The Luminaries another try sometime soon.
I plan to read that over Xmas
Can’t wait to hear your reviews of these!
😊📚
It'll be interesting to see what you think of Barkskins. I've been reading it as well this season, though I got a bit bogged down and had to set it aside for a few weeks. I'm going to see if I can get my local library to acquire that Catalan book. I've been watching for books from that region, and that one sounds promising. :)
The Woman in White is one of my top 5 books of all time. Enjoy!
Fayne is on my wish list TBR. I’m currently trying to read some books from my backlist before 2024. I keep getting sidetracked by new books. Amongst my backlist TBR are some big books.
The Stone Diaries
Kavalier & Clay
The best books read so far this month are
The Unseen World by Liz Moore
Heft by Liz Moore
Currently listening to
We Are Called To Rise by Laura McBride
☘️👋🍀☕️📖📕📚
Indeed, yes: one's spirituality is - to borrow your phrase - a grapple.
Great books & video as always. Read & loved Demon Copperhead, The Bee Sting & Septology (complete series). Just recently read Wolves of eternity just brilliant writing. Want to read The brothers Karamazov before the end of 2023.
Thanks! I’d love to get back to reading Dostoevsky sometime.
Recently I finished Wellness by Nathan Hill, it was great!
Ah! I was at the bookstore yesterday and I almost picked up The Woman in White but it was so large that I balked and placed it gingerly back on the shelf. 🤣 I've heard and talked so much about reading Fayne that I'm "putting my foot down" and reading it asap dammit!
Fair enough! That’s why I got a library copy of Collins’ novel since there’s no room for it on my permanent shelves. I’ll be keen to hear what you think of Fayne. I’ll start it soon.
I've had Wilke Collins on my authors to read list forever. Now I've also added Fayne--it sounds completely absorbing. Looking forward to your thoughts on Barkskins if you get to it.
👍📚
I have had a copy of Barkskins forever and have still not read it! My long book goal is The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.
I'll be interested to hear your review of Barkskins. The beginning gripped me, but I ended up putting it down after a few chapters. I no longer recall exactly why, but chapters alternate between two family lines. I recall finding the second of two far too artificial to keep my interest. It quickly lost me with a natives-good / europeans-bad trope.
I'll be taking the opposite approach, looking through my shorter 'current reads' to find some easy victories. Within reason, of course. Won't blow through Carl Sandburg just because I can.
Two big books I’d like to read maybe after the holidays but during the winter are A Covenant of Water and The Bee Sting. I also want to read In Memoriam and In Ascension! I’m going to try to severely limit my incoming materials in 2024 in an effort to read and review at a slower pace. I’d like to spend some time on my blog that I haven’t written in over a year 😂
I’d like to read A Covenant of Water too.
@@EricKarlAnderson I’m planning on reading it come January on a cold quiet weekend!
I am currently reading through Woman in White. The shifts on narrative voice is interesting and the Marion section is so good!
Enjoy
Great!
Two other BookTubers I follow and really like read Fayne and had such polar opposite opinions I'm not sure what to do - one gushed and gave it 5 stars, the other DNF'd it. So I need a tie-breaker - waiting for your feedback! 😁
I have a bunch of big books on my TBR, but not specific goals for which ones before the end of the year. I think I'll let my fancy pick - I usually have one chunkster going alongside shorter books at any given time.
A book that divides readers’ opinions makes me even more curious to read it!
Now I really need to read Fayne!
Have you tried Covenant of Water? 700+ page intergenerational saga. I just finished it and it was a very engaging read, 700 pages go fast!
I have read Barkskins and for me it fell a bit short, because you get invested in a character and then it jumps ahead again. But the story overall is very good…
I share your passion for reading, Eric. Especially BIG books! Some of my faves: "Mercy of a Rude Stream" by Henry Roth, "The Street Sweeper" by Elliot Perlman, "The Weight of Ink" by Rachel Kadish, "Prayer for Owen Meaney" by John Irving and "The Crazyladies of Pearl Street" by Trevanian. I have recently finished "Demon Copperhead" and, as of now, I'd say it might be in my top 10. I'm currently reading "The Woman in White". I started it not expecting much but it's hard for me to put down. Also I'm almost finished reading "Covenant of Water"... it doesn't draw me in like I'd hoped and I'll be glad to put it away. By the way, it's so delightful to see the lovely bookshelves behind you filled with so many tomes. A room without books just seems so empty, don't you agree?
Great, thank you! 📚 And absolutely I agree.
Inspiring, as always
Of these,I have read Solenoid.
Now I want to read the Kingsolver book with David Copperfield.
Eric, how many hours in a day can you devote to reading? Do you read at home, or in a library or outdoors?
Regards,
nadi
( from India)
Fayne looks so good. Never been published in the states. So weird.
I just finished Our Share of Night which is 700+ pages. Felt very appropriate to read a horror novel in October. I also have Woman in White on my tbr.
Great! I would like to get to that at some point.
Have you heard of The Covenant of Water or plan to read it? Not sure if it has come out in the UK but it's an Oprah book club pick in the States and has been very popular. I'd love to hear your opinion of it!
I loved this book-well worth the time!
I would like to read it and my mother encouraged me to read it too.
What is the title of the book he is reading during the introduction?
The Waves by Virginia Woolf
Funny thing about big books, content determines my perception of "big" ; I read Fayne in a couple days because I was so engaged whereas,
currently, I am slogging my way through a contemporary thriller that is around 250 pages for close to two weeks. I recently purchased a copy of Women in White because I had read Armadale and loved (another BIG book I finished in a couple of days) so maybe I SHOULD DNF that slog and visit with Mr. Collins. ( leaving a comment just changed my reading life, at least for the next few days😊 )
So fun that I’ve also read SOLENOID and THE BEE STING and soon finishing DEMON C. I also have Big Ones in mind: Finishing MOBY DICK, DON QUIXOTE, WAR AND PEACE, ANNA KARENINA, ULYSSES, Carlos Fuentes’ TERRA NOSTRA, THE BOOK OF JAKOB, THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DUBOIS, and last but definitely not least, another big Cartarescu novel (just short of 500 pp!) BLINDING-the first in his three-book epic, but with only book one so far translated from his original ORBITOR.
Where was your Demon Copperhead accent? A big book I recently enjoyed was Collected Stories by Lydia Sandgren, one of my favourite books of this year.
😊
Barkskins was my choice for my physical book club and a great read for me a few years ago now. Woman in White is a gothic masterpiece. Excellent. Have taken a note of Fayne and Summa Kaotica and own all the volumes of Jon Fosse and bought Solenoid on your recommendation a little while ago. Good grief! We are going to be busy with all of these books to read by the of the year!
save your year and dont read in ascension. in memoriam definitely
"The Woman in White" is a spectacularly entertaining novel. The ending is, I think, a bit disappointing, but other than that, it's terrific.