Stoner By John Williams (Book Review)

Hello everyone and welcome to my new book review of Stoner by John Williams. Before you ask "isn't he that composer?" well no, like you, that's what I thought at first.
This book came to me through the KZbin algorithm. For some reason, everyone was raving about this book so this is what I was seeing come up in YT Shorts, so I decided to read it. My copy was a beat up copy I bought at a second hand book store and when I read it, I LOVED it. It reminded me of another Australian book (a classic) called A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey which is also excellent and one that should be on your TBR list.
Here's what I have to say about Stoner. I'm sure you've read this book. It seems that it's a popular book. I had this book as part of my own book club (I run a book club in my local area) and all the members there loved it too.
Let me know what you think of Stoner.
Happy reading!
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[@antoninima9007]

Ok, A Fortunate Life, I've added it to my reading list. I've read Stoner a few years ago and really liked it. I haven't read anything else by the author, so maybe you'll suggest them or not when you get around to reading them.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Fab! Let me know what you think. I’ll be reading the other books by Williams in due course.

[@raihanrudra866]

Wow! This video is top-notch. I love how detailed and engaging your content is. However, you don’t get views and subscribers as expected. Because your content isn't optimized properly. so, your content should be optimized to reach your milestone.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Meh. Dont really care about this stuff but thank you. 🙏

[@raihanrudra866]

@@LifeLessonsFromBooks it's my pleasure

[@theemptyatom]

Awesome, glad you discovered those books! I will have to check out that recommend. Nice review as always

[@marthacanady9441]

I do so agree with your thoughts. Absolutely loved this book. “Stoner” is a stunner.

[@heatherkirkland9056]

I loved this book too and also purchased " Butchers crossing ". I've just finished great small book by John Boyne called "Water " Other following " Earth " Fire will be out in November followed by Air. I would recommend reading in order as characters follow . Holding of reading Buthers crossing as i hope its as good as Stoner , have you read this yet to review ? Might pick it up next.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

I love John Boyne’s books! However I haven’t read these that you mentioned. I haven’t read Butchers Crossing yet and will review here once done. I don’t think it’ll be for a while yet as this month I’m also reading graphic novels for something different.

[@hasan24730]

your video creations are perfect. Your content concept is excellent. ❤❤❤

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you! I appreciate this feedback. Happy reading! 🙏📚😊

[@yarnmama10]

I just read this as well, last week. I was greatly moved by it. Thanks for your review!

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you for watching, always appreciated! Happy reading 🙂

[@DefaultName-nt7tk]

I would love to read this book now that I you posted such an excellent, inviting review. Thanks😊.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Please read it and let me know what you think. I had it as a book in our book club (I run a local book club) and all the ladies there thought it was the best book they had read this year.

[@DefaultName-nt7tk]

@@LifeLessonsFromBooks It might take a little while. First I have to get the book then I am not as fast as you are (my reading is limited to spare time). However I am glad a good read is in plan 😀

[@nourishthenewyou3251]

I stumbled across this in a second hand shop last year for NZ$4 not knowing anything about it other than the blurb on the back cover and it piqued my interest. My husband read it and very much enjoyed it. I will bump it up my list. Love your review.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

What a great find! Let me know what you think. At our book club, this book was the best one everyone loved best from an entire year of reading books every month. This went to the top! 🤣

[@nourishthenewyou3251]

That’s wonderful to hear, I feel I definitely stumbled across a bargain book treasure now. I also have AB Fscey’s book still waiting patiently TBR after purchasing it back in 1995. again my husband read it. I was too busy with my first born at the time. I’m reading Orphan Train currently and enjoying it. I’ve moved Stoner out of my library , in readiness !! This Helen ( me) is excited to read it . 😊👏

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

That’s wonderful! You’re in for a treat! Enjoy!

[@LibroParadiso-ep4zt]

Greetings from Texas. I enjoyed how you discussed both books, emphasizing the stoicism in the character of the main protagonists. I've known about Stone, but never picked it up. Likely a book I'll enjoy reading. At this point in my life there isn't a point reading anything I don't like. The books I choose are winners each time even by authors I don't know. I can't remember the last time I put down a book because I wasn't liking it. It's as if our unconscious knows what we will like when we look at the book cover, read what it's about, and we bring this stranger home. Not knowing that this stranger will be a dear friend.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Hello again and thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts. How do you choose your books? In my own experience, I’ve noticed that for some books (the majority, debut authors), I’d struggle through them. Maybe the authors haven’t found their voice, maybe they write every single detail leaving nothing to the imagination of their reader, maybe the subject doesn’t appeal. Afterwards, such books make me lose my “reading mojo”. It happened recently until one of the readers here on this channel urged me to “read East of Eden”. I did. Quick as a flash, I was inspired again. Thing is, I would have missed some great authors if I didn’t read their books. (Elisa Shua Dusapin and Charlotte Wood jump to mind). Also, I’ve learned to not expect that just because someone raves about a book they loved that I’d like it too. I have been so disappointed many times. Oh, and also ignoring those quotes and testimonials from other authors on the covers of books. Marketing ploys methinks. 🤣 Do you have specific ways of choosing your books? What do you look out for? I always think of the video you shared when you talked about enchantment. Id like my books to do this all the time. Maybe I’ve set my expectations too high? 🤔😊

[@LibroParadiso-ep4zt]

@@LifeLessonsFromBooks I have missed great writers over the years. Or more like ignored them until someone said or wrote the right thing that caught my interest. Typically it is other writers who recommend books to me such as when Anthony Burgess wrote about Woolf's Orlando, Borges' on Mellville and Hawthorne, or Gore Vidal on Italo Calvino, Paul Bowles, and Frederic Prokosch (three important writers to me that I knew about but had ignored until I read Vidal's essays). With personal friends it's tricky because even if we like a similar work we enjoy them for different reasons so a recommendation by me or them may not work out all the time. In the 90's the circle I was in was pretty literary and the prominent writers they liked were Don Delillo and Cormac McCarthy. I even knew a guy who carried the hardback Underworld tome wherever he went. I''d read Delillo's Libra, White Noise, and Mao II by then. Enjoyed them but could not get through the first chapter of Underworld. Granted I am not a baseball fan, but I hoped Delillo would make it interesting for me to read. He didn't. When the 2000's rolled around though I did find his novella's engaging. I liked the title of The Body Artist so I picked it up. Sometimes the right title sticks with me and it works out everytime. As for McCarthy, it wasn't until the 2000's that I finally decided to read a book by him and it was Blood Meridian. It was a beautifully executed nightmare. Enchanted me completely. Since then I've been a reader of his books. The right book covers have also pulled me when it's a writer I'm unfamiliar with (and in contrast the wrong ones have kept me away). The Spanish publisher's Tusquets and Alfaguara have the best covers. The Americans can take a lesson from them ( I can't stand the pastel colors on books; bright and charming with no flavor or edge). Their covers are sometimes painted, photographed, or a combination. And many times there is a surreal and enigmatic quality to them. They've been quite successful in pulling me in. Two on my table here are examples: "Lo Que No He Dicho" by Beatriz Rivas (Alfaguara) and "Historia de una Ballena Blanca" by Luis Sepulveda (Tusquets). I read the latter (a novella) in a night. It's about Mocha Dick, the real life white whale that inspired Melville. It's told from the whale's point of view. Enchanting is the right word for this novella. I haven't started "Lo Que no he Dicho" but I saw interviews with Rivas, who is from Mexico City. In the mid 80's a terrible earthquake occurred there. I had family there at the time, fortunately no one was hurt, it was a horrendous experience for many. Rivas went through it too since she was living there. In fact she lived in the same neighborhood my mother lived in when she was young and lived there too. Rivas decided to take that experience and write a novel about a woman caught inside a collapsing building during the earthquake. In the moment her entire life flashes through her eyes, notably, those matters that weight on her conscience. It's likely to be a book I will enjoy, but it's possible I never would've picked it up if it wasn't for the enchanting cover.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

@LibroParadiso-ep4zt ah! That makes total sense by reading other books that writers (good writers!) recommend. A perfect circle of excellent reading where you’re likely to be “enchanted” all the time. Excellent idea. There’s a lot to unpack in your response. I’d like to explore if we have those books mentioned translated into English here if I can find them in our libraries. No doubt one library nearby my place has an excellent Spanish collection (and I’m sure they have these writers - and the publishing house - you mentioned but one small problem…. I don’t speak Spanish. 🤣 My good friend who is Spanish tells me I must now take the time to learn it. I might one day…. Anyway as for book covers that’s an interesting point you make too. I’ve often wondered how they’re even designed in particular with the new styles with crazy colours. I prefer the muted non glossy type, minimal design. Thanks again for your response. Have a wonderful weekend reading.