Thanks for the book recommendations--I'm always looking for good reads. I agree with you that lately, I have found more disappointments than satisfactions. I just finished The Once and Future Witches and I LOVED everything about it. The author is very skilled.
Ohhhh, thanks Jessica! And for what it’s worth, I had the exact same experience when I turned 50. I was an absolutely obsessive reader my whole life. When I couldn’t focus, when all of the books I was “supposed to“ love we’re leaving me empty. I was so sad. I thought it was because my mom died unexpectedly right before I turned 50 and I was in grief. But it persisted. I do think it was related to me entering menopause around that time, the increase – scratch that – stupendous explosion of my ADHD symptoms, among other things. In any case, I learned to enjoy audiobooks, and find my way back to books in a way that looks different, but is feeling better and better as time passes. I will just add that I am reading the new Miranda July book “All Fours” and it is easily one of my favorite books in years. It’s a story of a midlife woman and I can say I have never read a book about a midlife woman that feels more true and real to my internal and external experiences than this one. It’s hilarious and smart and beautiful. Thank you so much for all the great recommendations and I’m excited to start in on some of them!
That’s exactly what it is! For some reason I can’t focus. All the things that previously drew me into books are leaving me empty. Maybe it’s part of the menopausal stage of life thing. It’s certainly frustrating. I’m glad to hear I’m not alone.
I so get those phases where nothing works in my reading life, including the things that, based on my past literary loves, should work. I spun (spinned?) my wheels a good bit this year with books, but in November, I discovered Louise Erdrich. Her novels--especially The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse--have been just the right thing at the right time, and I'm not looking back. Meaning I am reading ALL of them until there are none left to read, LOL.
I’m looking forward to reading Louise Erdrich’s The Mighty Red. I have it on hold from the library. It’s been ages since I read her. Maybe she’ll be the right fit!
Best apocalyptic YA series I've read in awhile (actually 2023): The Arc of the Scythe, Neal Shusterman.
Favorite reads of 2024:
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, James McBride
The Life Impossible, Matt Haig
The Apology, Jimin Han
Land of Milk and Honey, C Pam Zhang
The Future, Naomi Alderman
The Vulnerables, Sigrid Nunez
So Late in the Day, Clair Keegan
At 50, I also became more willing to not finish books that I wasn't thoroughly enjoying. There is so much to read, for pleasure, for craft, for information, and not enough hours in a day!
Oh gosh, so many things you said resonated with me, Jessica!
I didn’t like Rumaan Alam’s new book either, despite loving the two others I've read. I finished it but felt very meh about it.
Have you read The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline? It would fit well with your YA apocalyptic thriller vibe.
I started off having a so-so reading year, but then I found a few gems:
North Woods by Daniel Mason – One house in the woods across hundreds of years, clever, intricate and spooky
The Postcard by Anne Berest – Paris, family secrets, connecting with your ancestors and heritage, mesmerizing
So excited to see your recommendation for The God of the Woods. I posted earlier today my uh-oh situation of having five library holds ready at once this week, and that’s one of them!
I read 35 books this year, but wasn't super EXCITED about too many of them. I did like many, but love is another thing. I listed them all with very short reviews on my podcast last week.
I also read a lot for the podcast and that takes time!
I also read a lot, and one of the best aspects of my reading journey this year has been my book group. These ladies are smart, engaged mid-lifers who aren't afraid to have an opinion. Some of our best discussions have been about books that we didn't like (The Bee Sting -- yuck!). My favorites this year: James by Percival Everett, Table for Two by Amor Towles, and Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. I do read a lot of women authors, but for some reason it was the men who stood out for me. Appreciate the recommendations from everyone in the community.
I read mostly memoir, mostly by women mostly in midlife, with a decent smattering of fiction in there. My favorites in memoir were all local San Francisco stories: Recollections of My Nonexistence (Rebecca Solnit), Home Baked (Alia Volz), A Fish Has No Word for Water (Violet Blue). But also on the memoir list I loved Heart Berries (Terese Marie Mailhot), Bukowski in a Sundress (Kim Addonizio) and Disassembly Required: A Memoir of Midlife Resurrection (Beverly Willett).
My favorites in fiction: The Museum of Modern Love (Heather Rose), The Year of Fog (Michelle Richmond), Still Life with Breadcrumbs (Anna Quindlen)
I don't re-read a lot but did enjoy re-reads of A Shining Afflication (Annie Rogers) and White Oleander (Janet Fitch).
This sounds great! Good work, Midstory Magazine and The HerStories Project. Very exciting.
Thanks for the book recommendations--I'm always looking for good reads. I agree with you that lately, I have found more disappointments than satisfactions. I just finished The Once and Future Witches and I LOVED everything about it. The author is very skilled.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Ohhhh, thanks Jessica! And for what it’s worth, I had the exact same experience when I turned 50. I was an absolutely obsessive reader my whole life. When I couldn’t focus, when all of the books I was “supposed to“ love we’re leaving me empty. I was so sad. I thought it was because my mom died unexpectedly right before I turned 50 and I was in grief. But it persisted. I do think it was related to me entering menopause around that time, the increase – scratch that – stupendous explosion of my ADHD symptoms, among other things. In any case, I learned to enjoy audiobooks, and find my way back to books in a way that looks different, but is feeling better and better as time passes. I will just add that I am reading the new Miranda July book “All Fours” and it is easily one of my favorite books in years. It’s a story of a midlife woman and I can say I have never read a book about a midlife woman that feels more true and real to my internal and external experiences than this one. It’s hilarious and smart and beautiful. Thank you so much for all the great recommendations and I’m excited to start in on some of them!
That’s exactly what it is! For some reason I can’t focus. All the things that previously drew me into books are leaving me empty. Maybe it’s part of the menopausal stage of life thing. It’s certainly frustrating. I’m glad to hear I’m not alone.
I am a huge fan of audio books. It's true -- in menopause nothing soothes like a long walk and a good book. I've got All Fours on hold.
I so get those phases where nothing works in my reading life, including the things that, based on my past literary loves, should work. I spun (spinned?) my wheels a good bit this year with books, but in November, I discovered Louise Erdrich. Her novels--especially The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse--have been just the right thing at the right time, and I'm not looking back. Meaning I am reading ALL of them until there are none left to read, LOL.
I’m looking forward to reading Louise Erdrich’s The Mighty Red. I have it on hold from the library. It’s been ages since I read her. Maybe she’ll be the right fit!
What apocalyptic YA books are on your favorites list?
I read the 3rd Wave and am finishing the Life As We Knew It series by Susan Beth Pfeffer.
Best apocalyptic YA series I've read in awhile (actually 2023): The Arc of the Scythe, Neal Shusterman.
Favorite reads of 2024:
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, James McBride
The Life Impossible, Matt Haig
The Apology, Jimin Han
Land of Milk and Honey, C Pam Zhang
The Future, Naomi Alderman
The Vulnerables, Sigrid Nunez
So Late in the Day, Clair Keegan
At 50, I also became more willing to not finish books that I wasn't thoroughly enjoying. There is so much to read, for pleasure, for craft, for information, and not enough hours in a day!
I’ve been meaning try Neal Schusterman! I did read Claire Keegan’s latest and loved it.
Oh gosh, so many things you said resonated with me, Jessica!
I didn’t like Rumaan Alam’s new book either, despite loving the two others I've read. I finished it but felt very meh about it.
Have you read The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline? It would fit well with your YA apocalyptic thriller vibe.
I started off having a so-so reading year, but then I found a few gems:
North Woods by Daniel Mason – One house in the woods across hundreds of years, clever, intricate and spooky
The Postcard by Anne Berest – Paris, family secrets, connecting with your ancestors and heritage, mesmerizing
So excited to see your recommendation for The God of the Woods. I posted earlier today my uh-oh situation of having five library holds ready at once this week, and that’s one of them!
Love the project incubator - I'm so in!
Oh I loved North Woods and The Postcard! I feel like maybe I read them last year? So good! I’ll look up Marrow Thieves! Thanks!
I read 35 books this year, but wasn't super EXCITED about too many of them. I did like many, but love is another thing. I listed them all with very short reviews on my podcast last week.
I also read a lot for the podcast and that takes time!
I also read a lot, and one of the best aspects of my reading journey this year has been my book group. These ladies are smart, engaged mid-lifers who aren't afraid to have an opinion. Some of our best discussions have been about books that we didn't like (The Bee Sting -- yuck!). My favorites this year: James by Percival Everett, Table for Two by Amor Towles, and Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. I do read a lot of women authors, but for some reason it was the men who stood out for me. Appreciate the recommendations from everyone in the community.
Broken Light by Joanne Harris
The Change by Kirsten Miller
The New Moon’s Arms by Nalo Hopkinson
The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley
Thank you for your recs and the Herprojects incubator seems right up my alley. Gonna check it out because I have a lot of projects in mind 😊
Thank you for the suggestions! And let me know if you have any questions about the January incubator. We’d love to have you!
Thank you! I appreciate it
2024 not a good reading year for me either. When I need to go back to basics it’s:
Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (a delight for book lovers)
Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
I read mostly memoir, mostly by women mostly in midlife, with a decent smattering of fiction in there. My favorites in memoir were all local San Francisco stories: Recollections of My Nonexistence (Rebecca Solnit), Home Baked (Alia Volz), A Fish Has No Word for Water (Violet Blue). But also on the memoir list I loved Heart Berries (Terese Marie Mailhot), Bukowski in a Sundress (Kim Addonizio) and Disassembly Required: A Memoir of Midlife Resurrection (Beverly Willett).
My favorites in fiction: The Museum of Modern Love (Heather Rose), The Year of Fog (Michelle Richmond), Still Life with Breadcrumbs (Anna Quindlen)
I don't re-read a lot but did enjoy re-reads of A Shining Afflication (Annie Rogers) and White Oleander (Janet Fitch).
I had a good year of reading- read some great books- but I don't only read things that come out this year. Several great books by middle aged women.