a reading update ~ Wharton, Danielle Dutton, Heti & more

[@PattiReadsALot]

Your vacation looks amazing, I love snowy trips! Hot destinations/beach-y vibes aren't really for me. Thanks for showing us the footage 🙂Sprawl from Danielle Dutton sounds like something I would adore. I appreciate looks at domestic life, particularly anything housewife (unhinged, depressed, or plain contemplative!). Your discussion of Alphabet Diaries was so fun, I've seen people show it on book hauls, but not a review. Looking forward to your book haul ♥

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

Thanks, Patti! I appreciate your feedback. 🥰

[@nathansnook]

ahh so glad you enjoyed the Heti! i always find that she is always pushing towards something beyond art and control, beyond what we can categorize as fiction or genre. it truly is a masterpiece in itself. the brilliance of a curated presentation of one's journal entries like this is beautiful in that through alphabetization, different years are speaking to each other in different sentences. time, then, is not linear, but more like a lake, containing all our tenses to collectively call us who we are in the now. and i keep saying it, but i need to get to the other Hayes books! will perhaps try out My Face for the World to See, or should i do In Eyes and save the best for last? haha

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

Nathan, I love that way of describing Alphabetical Diaries - different years of Heti's life speaking with one another. Yes! Hayes: I recommend "Face for the World to See", personally, because of the dialogue in that book being so rich. And, on the whole, "In Love" was rich too in a completely different way!

[@markhayward9764]

You have sold me on the Sheila Heti. Also, really liked the little travel vlog too. It looks lovely there, perhaps a bit cold for me though... Anyway, thank you again for the recommendations.

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

oh, nice! Her writing experiments are so interesting to me. You’ll need to let me know your experience once you get to it. Travel: thanks! It’s too cold for me there too! 😂

[@virginiaanderson8875]

From Boston, now in SC - used to ski and actually in the fall, go up to outlets in North Conway - also, to Maine many times and last a wedding in Portland - The House of Mirth - and my memories of western Ma. And her home out there - memories memories -

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

Oh, what beautiful memories! 🥰

[@kiranreader]

enjoyed hearing your thoughts on alphabet diaries!!

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

thanks, Kiran!

[@penultimateh766]

Yeah, if I'm going to read right before going to sleep, it has to be something light or I just don't follow it. Or if I do, it keeps me up!

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

I’m exactly the same way. What I read before bed has to be nice and mild!

[@kate.d024]

this is a rather random request, but would you ever consider doing a tour of your home? each room is always so beautiful and I design houses mostly for fun so I am just so intrigued.

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

You design houses for fun? OMg that sounds extraordinary and super cool! First, thank you so so much! I wouldn’t mind at all!

[@kate.d024]

Yes! I’m an English Major and Creative Writing Minor but drafting school is my back up plan, ha! I have been really interested in designing homes since high school.

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

@@kate.d024 , I love it that you have a secondary plan that' also a passion. That's REALLY wonderful and smart!

[@vickieanderson2804]

I have not read Wharton but, after listening to you, I am more drawn to Age of Innocence than Mirth. I'm finding more and more often lately that I get confused about plot or characters when I'm reading. I'm wondering if I've just gotten too old or maybe I should I stop reading four or more books at a time? Sprawl sounds intriguing but I have no room on my TBR list to squeeze it in! Your description of Heti's work has me thinking (although it hardly seems possible) that there is a person who is even more obsessive-compulsive than I am!

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

OMG, how much I enjoy your comments. This was laugh out loud funny this morning. I am glad I started with The Age of Innocence...now that I've read both books. I picked up her book, "Summer" and read a few pages. The setting is too much of a 180 degree turn - we're back in the setting of Ethan Frome - in rural Western Massachusetts. I'll read it at a different time.

[@written12]

Isn’t the top of Mt Washington the coldest spot in the continental U.S.?

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

Ooooh, it may be. It’s certainly noted as one of the windiest places on earth. A really interesting place! I’ve hiked to the top before and it was so windy, we could not walk or stand up straight!

[@written12]

@@thelefthandedreader6632 wow, your spouse and you are beyond hardy. I look forward to listening to more of your reviews. I just chanced upon your channel.

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

@@written12 , Welcome! I’m glad you’re here!