Friday Reads: Is This Hope?

A new week brings three finished books (!) and a strange sensation that might hopefully last? Expand for more information. 👇
Links 💻
Register to Vote (Or Check Your Registration Status): vote.gov/
Further Viewing 🎥
My Very Large July Book Haul: • An Irresponsibly Large...
The NY Times’ 100 Best Books of the 21st Century: • The New York Times’ 10...
Readers Picks for the Best Books of the 21st Century: • New York Times Readers...
Book Haul Revisit for July 2024: • Book Haul Revisit for ...
The 25 Best Books of the Last 25 Years: • The 25 Best Books of t...
The Best Books of 2024 (So Far): • The Best Books of 2024...
Last Friday Reads: • Friday Reads: No More ...
Jump to the Friday Reads: 12:13
Titles Mentioned 📚
Olivia, Dorothy Strachey: bookshop.org/a...
The Coast Road, Alan Murrin: bookshop.org/a...
We Burn Daylight, Bret Anthony Johnston: bookshop.org/a...
The Lights on Knockbridge Lane, Roan Parrish
Do Tell, Lindsay Lynch: bookshop.org/a...
The History of Sound: Stories, Ben Shattuck: bookshop.org/a...
My Affiliate Page on Bookshop: bookshop.org/s...
If you would like to support this channel, please feel free to use Super Thanks or the affiliate links to Bookshop, but please do not feel obligated. I appreciate your presence regardless.
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Email: supposedlyfungreg-at-gmail.com
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[@Bucky749]

Teddy is adorable 🥰

[@SupposedlyFun]

He really is!

[@katie5773]

Love seeing Teddy loving the scratches ❣ Watching the coverage from Ireland and what's struck me the most is the sense of joy that Kamala exudes and the sense of optimism and energy that she excites in people. You're so right that all that needs to translate into votes, but there's a decent chance it will. I've always liked Biden, but I think he made the right decision on this. Hoping you get a good outcome in November 🤞

[@SupposedlyFun]

🤞🤞🤞 I do think she’s done a good job creating a sense of energy right away. I hope it sustains!

[@janetay8798]

13:53 "You always regret the book you don't purchase" - wise words indeed 😆

[@SupposedlyFun]

I feel like I should put that on a t-shirt 😂

[@readandre-read]

Always good to see Teddy! Those storms sound crazy and I have seen that green sky here in Texas. I am hoping to see James and Blackouts on the Booker list and that most of the rest are books I want to read.

[@SupposedlyFun]

That green sky is terrifying!

[@philnasmith9755]

Good for your encouraging people to vote. There have been some positive election results in some places in the world, but one cannot ever assume “it will be all right on the day”. This is an exceptional election year - according to TIME magazine, in 2024, 64 countries will be voting, imvolving at least 49% of the world’s population eligible for voting. Generally Americans are fairly oblivious of and unconcerned by politics in the rest of the world, but this is a truly exceptional time, considering the rise of populism all over the world.

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

I teared up when I saw that Harris ad. My kiddo was watching with me, wearing a rainbow Love is love shirt, and it made me feel like they were being cherished. I’m still scared, but I think she’s our best chance at defeating the devil. I’m reading The History of Sound now, and really enjoying it. I love interlinked short stories, and the connections are so skillfully done, with a conclusion to one story sometimes portrayed in another. I’ll look forward to your review!

[@SupposedlyFun]

I’m so glad you were able to watch with your kiddo. I think we all needed hope more than we even realized. I’m excited to get further into History of Sound!

[@alldbooks9165]

I am LOL at your Christmas village and dart board scaring you in the middle of the night. 😂🤣 Teddy is such a cinnamon bun in this one. ❤️🐶

[@SupposedlyFun]

Teddy has absolute cinnamon bun energy. 🥰

[@hollyb118]

Hope feels like a breath of fresh air!

[@SupposedlyFun]

It sure does!

[@Roscoethecat]

I agree with you. There is Hope.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Let's hope it stays that way!

[@dtmonstage]

You know I love a found family trope, now. 😂 I’m glad you enjoyed your little slice of Christmas in July!

[@SupposedlyFun]

🎄 ☀️ ❤️

[@annegibson6072]

Good morning. The book that I want to see on the list is Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright. I am wondering if Blackouts by Justin Torres. Really excited for the list.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I saw Praiseworthy in a store recently and didn’t get it. I’ve been thinking about if that was a mistake ever since. You really do always regret the books you don’t get!

[@Zhuki_]

The same story with The Coast Road... So I should definitely buy it...

[@SupposedlyFun]

It worked out well for me!

[@debrachiappetta1024]

I just read Bear by Julia Phillips and loved it! Beautifully written heartfelt story of two sisters and their mother who they are caring for. There are many things that go unsaid & many misunderstandings. And then a bear arrives…

[@SupposedlyFun]

I’ve heard good things about that book. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@Rykel_R]

Glad the storm didn't affect you much, and you and dear Teddy are okay. I saw the images of the fallen trees on your IG. I'm excited for the Booker longlist. I always find at least 1-2 new titles that I want to read and enjoy. Last year, it was Study for Obedience which ended up being my favourite novel of 2023.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I’m hoping there will be great discoveries this year. We’ll find out soon!

[@amywolfe5673]

Hi Gregg, I don't know if you've seen it, but there is an excellent interview of Alan Murrin by Colm Toibin on the Art Council of Ireland YT channel. Apparently, Colm regularly interviews Irish authors. It's a great interview, and Alan shares lots of insight into the characters of Coast Road. I think if you search for The Art of Reading Book Club, you should find it. It's episode 30. Now I have to see who else Colm has interviewed! Cheers!

[@jeanninethompson6243]

It’s been very hot here. It’s a good excuse to stay inside, with Air conditioning, and read. I’m currently reading The God of the Woods.

[@SupposedlyFun]

If Teddy didn’t need some level of excitement every day I would be doing the same!

[@MJ-in-Canada]

Your comparison of “The Coast Road” and “Amongst Women” has me placing “Amongst Women” on my TBR.😀

[@SupposedlyFun]

I hope you like it as much as I did!

[@onourpath]

Yes, agreed, the anxiety persists because who knows what's coming next in this crazy world, but I did feel a huge sense of relief after seeing the real possibility of a democratic win. It takes the body a while to catch up, though -- it is definitely still in freak-out mode, though a calmer version. I'm reading Medusa's Sisters by Lauren Bear, because I love me some Greek stories, particularly Medusa's! 💚

[@SupposedlyFun]

It does take the body a while to catch up. Here’s hoping!

[@KurtAnderson812]

Yup, I definitely feel more energized about the election than I had been for the past few months. I’m still not comfortable but optimistic. Had an off reading week and the only thing I have finished was an N. R. Walker book, Nova Praetorian.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Sounds like we’re at the same place with the election. I haven’t read that one by Walker.

[@cigartuber]

You were disappointed with In Ascension? Book group reading this for August. My favorite from the long list.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Disappointed in the list in that it didn't spark my interest enough to get me reading the longlisted titles. This year's list was much more successful in that regard for me.

[@catherinejager3264]

We had the same storm come through Idaho - scary and beautiful 😊 Started reading Here We Go Again, by Alison Cochran - my first queer novel thanks to you❤ not sure why this straight, childless, dog woman waited so long 😉😁

[@SupposedlyFun]

I hope you enjoy Here We Go Again as much as I did. And I'm glad you're okay after the storm!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I’m hoping that there are two Irish books on the long list. Lots of possibilities The Wild Houses The Coast Road The Alternatives

[@SupposedlyFun]

I don’t know Wild Houses or Alrernatives!

[@shahanaray]

Greenwich Mean Time

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you!

[@alldbooks9165]

Vote! 🇺🇸

[@SupposedlyFun]

👏 👏 👏

[@Nina_DP]

Starting The Coast Road today. Read Amongst Women a few weeks ago. Hmmmmm…..

[@SupposedlyFun]

It will be interesting to see what you think!

[@marciajohansson769]

Hi! I am only halfway through Guncle Abroad but I am enjoying it so far. Dare I say I am liking it a bit more than The Guncle. I will have to go back and listen to your critique of Guncle Abroad. Maybe it was because of the grief I was feeling from the losses I have gone through this year that hit a nerve when reading it. I had to take multiple breaks from the novel. The experience with the second novel is lighter which I needed. I am glad to hear you were safe after the crazy weather where you live. I tried to comment on Instagram but I was banned from commenting suggesting I was a bot and had commented to many times. weird. The pictures of the damage were incredible. I hope everyone was ok. 💚🙏💙 btw I am not sure if you noticed but Teddy is adorable.

[@SupposedlyFun]

How weird that Instagram is treating you like a bot! And how annoying. I could definitely see the grief part of The Guncle being too much if it’s read at the wrong time. Clearly, I hit it at exactly the right stage for me. The Guncle Abroad is fun-all my complaints about it were ultimately minor… I just had a lot of them. 🤣😂

[@marciajohansson769]

@@SupposedlyFun 😆🤪🤭

[@marjoriedybec3450]

I love our time together. Yes, as the new unfolded, you were uppermost in my thoughts. BTW, the official DNC merch has been updated to VOTE DEMOCRAT themed stuff and there are some really fun t-shirts. I particularly like the rainbow donkeys. I'm currently reading Look Homeward Angel, about 1/3 in. Its good. Not my favorite classic. Not my favorite characters. Still, its well drawn. Also re-reading 9 Stories by JD Salinger and the latest issue of The Ohio Review and The Atlantic. Peace.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I haven’t looked at the merch yet! And I need to reread Salinger at some point soon. My grandfather loved Look Homeward, Angel but I’ve never read it.

[@rororeads]

Haven’t commented in a while, just saying hey Greg!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Well hey there!

[@goddessneptune]

Is Teddy an Airedale terrier or Welsh terrier?

[@SupposedlyFun]

He’s a Welsh Terrier. All three of the dogs I’ve had have been Welshies. Not many people recognize the breed!

[@goddessneptune]

@@SupposedlyFun I had an Airedale growing up and remember seeing the Welsh terrier in a book about dog breeds and thought “huh? The Welsh terrier looks like a little Airedale!” So only seeing the head of the dog I thought it was likely on one of the two.

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@goddessneptune My dogs have been mistaken for Airedales so many times that I finally looked it up a few years ago to see which came first: the Welsh Terrier! Airedales were bred from Welshies with another dog. There's a fun fact for you!

[@Bucky749]

Sorry for spamming. But I’m new just subscribed . Do you just read novels or do also read comics and manga as well ?

[@SupposedlyFun]

Not spamming at all! I read graphic novels and graphic memoirs, but am much heavier on novels.

[@Bucky749]

@@SupposedlyFun have you read any Astro boy I just read volume 5 I will have review on it on my channel in the future. Have you read project super powers by dynamite comics ? Or covering some weird comics like dynamite Thor ?

[@spexi513]

📖🪱💚💚💚

[@SupposedlyFun]

📚 🥂

[@jordana99]

Saw your post about the storm and sent a big hug to Teddy! You too! 🫂💚 Will look for the Booker on Tuesday. Still no John MaGahern, all I’ve found is an introduction he wrote for another book. I need a Parnassus shirt.

[@SupposedlyFun]

McGahern is not an easy author to track down in the US. His books are out there, but it takes patience and fortitude (without ordering one online, I suppose). I hope you find one! And thank you!