Savidge Summer of Stonkers | A Big Books TBR | June 2022

[@kathrynlkeane]

The Poisonwood Bible is great. I read it when it first came out and I still think about sometimes. I didn’t like Lacuna either. Pachinko is also good.

[@SavidgeReads]

Interesting that The Lacuna seems to have been a bit of a dud. Fingers crossed I’ll have a better time with The Poisonwood Bible when I get to it.

[@andiecurlybooks]

I LOVED the Poisonwood Bible but haven't liked any other Barbara Kingsolver novel (so don't judge it by Lacuna)...I highly recommend The Poisonwood Bible it is fantastic!

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooooh interesting. I think my gran felt similarly.

[@sharonanderton9671]

Hello Simon great video as usual. Happy Birthday 🎉I love your content, you have the right balance. I am also an Aries and relate to you alot. I like the fact that it's like a chat watching you. Thank you . Sharon ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thanks Sharon. That’s just what I want this channel to be like, having a good old chat!

[@lindas2952]

I had been wondering about your book club with Mel and am delighted it is coming back.

[@SavidgeReads]

Fingers crossed it’ll be back this autumn. We’ve both been bonkers busy but miss it.

[@donalreilly4242]

Aw the title could have been I love big books and I cannot lie 😊 Just started To Paradise this week and Im loving it.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. It could have, I just like alliteration so much.

[@susanhaywardault3514]

Oooooh I've got 'Pachinko' to read, a couple of Marian Keys books and I've started the CJ Samson series. Just need to pick them up and turn the first page 🙄📚 Enjoy your stonkers 💕

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope I will. I haven’t got to any of them still. Ha.

[@DebMcDonald]

I’m reading The Eustace Diamonds now and am loving it. Lizzie is a piece of work!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve never read that. Love a piece of work in fiction though.

[@sararichards518]

I have a bone to pick with you. No no, only joking. I have been on a Marian Keyes fest since you introduced me to Grown Ups which i loved. Ive read nearly everything else on her back list and the new novel and its been such such a tonic while ive been waiting for my ankle which i broke , to heal. Ive inhaled her books. Ive laughed over some and shed a tear elsewhere. My favourite quote is one where she describes foreplay in a certain village as consisting of “Brace yourself Bridie” 😂😂. I think I’ve read a fair few of your chunksters not the new Kate Moss series though or Palmares. I still have to read a few more of the Womens Prize shortlist and the winner so that and a couple of rereads will do my summer for me. Look after yourself 🤗🤗

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you’ve enjoyed so many of Marians books. She has that brilliant ability to make readers laugh and cry. She’s great.

[@hanaalfayez7150]

Alias Grace is an astonishing book. One of my goals this year is to read big chunky books on my physical tbr; I’ve already read one 550-pages-book and one 800-pages-book this month and I am reading a 700-something-pages-book right now , wish me luck 😄

[@SavidgeReads]

Good luck. You’re certainly doing better than me. I am FAILING! But hey ho. I’ve time.

[@lisaparker3075]

Loved loved this 😊!

[@SavidgeReads]

🥳🥳

[@lizzienm9068]

Love the Sunny’s rep again! Thanks for all your great vlogs, I really love them. All the best!

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure!!!!

[@pennyemmett8007]

Ha ha I love your videos - they never fail to make me smile! I am reading All the light we cannot see which is a bit chunky at the moment and loving it! See you soooon

[@SavidgeReads]

Making people smile makes me smile. It’s all cyclical smiling.

[@emieloo76]

First of all, I absolutely agree with everything you said about cancel culture and writing. I find it so frustrating when people try to police the reading of others. I try very hard to steer clear of those that have known serious issues, but throughout the ages people have written about countries and cultures and lifestyles that are not their own. If authors only wrote about their personal experiences they would likely only write one book - and probably a boring one! As for your reading this summer, I adore “stonkers”! My favorite author of all time is Penny Vincenzi (based off the fact that I gave 5 stars to every book she wrote because they were all brilliant) and every one of her novels is around 700-900 pages. However, none of them are long enough as one never wants the story to end! She passed away a few years back, so unfortunately there will be no more new books from her. It is heart wrenching to know I can never read another Vincenzi for the first time 😭

[@SavidgeReads]

That is sad about the author you love. I totally agree with what you’ve said about how a huge book, if brilliant, can never feel quite long enough because you don’t want it to end. The whole cancel culture thing is a nightmare. There are certain authors I won’t ever read again, like she who shall not be names who is vile. There’s some others in that category. However there’s also some who just make a mistake or are misunderstood and it’s like that’s not allowed anymore.

[@DebMcDonald]

Have you found another author remotely like Penny Vincenzi? My mom loved her books.

[@emieloo76]

@@DebMcDonald Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone even close. I’ve had many recommended to me, but none compare. I’ve been told Rosamund Pilcher is similar and I just picked up a book of hers. She retired from writing in 2000 and passed away in 2019, but she wrote tons of books so I’m hopeful I will enjoy her work. Another of my favorite authors is Sidney Sheldon. He is probably closest to Vincenzi in the way she wrote sweeping, engaging sagas that make you feel as if you’ve been around the world!

[@starstuffpuff]

I'm also going to add to that chorus of people by saying that The Love Songs is one of the most wonderful books I've read in a while. I also adore novels written by poets :). I completely agree with your thoughts on Palmares.

[@juliewoan298]

Add me to that chorus too!

[@sararichards518]

I agree!

[@SavidgeReads]

I need to listen to that chorus.

[@sharonmorris6199]

I was glad that I persevered with Great circle because I ended up enjoying it. Loved Poisonwood bible years ago, haven’t enjoyed her more recent ones so much. On your mums recommendation I was lucky enough to pick up the first three Cazalet chronicles in a charity shop and am hoping to read at least one soon. Happy reading on your travels 👍

[@SavidgeReads]

I wonder if maybe Great Circle isn’t for me… or maybe just isn’t for me this year. Hope you enjoy the Cazalet series. Charity shops are the way forward for those as I bet it’s the lovely older editions.

[@pinklescat]

You will love Rachel's holiday and it is very moreish so it will be quite quick - and the Light Years is also a quick read for the size of it - love your videos as always

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you. Glad you’re enjoying the content.

[@emilymolina5530]

I am planning on reading Great Circle and Love Songs this summer. Safe travels!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy them when you get to them.

[@bookishl8373]

I really want to read more big books this year too, but I’ve really neglected my big books tbr recently (although I have just started Free Food for Millionaires which I’m enjoying). I’ve also been reading A Suitable Boy but I’ve been dipping in and out of that since January so I’m not sure when I’m going to get round to finishing that! 😅

[@cherylmontgomery9875]

Hi Simon, Been watching your videos for a couple of years now and really enjoy them. I've been meaning to comment on a book on your TBR. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Yes, your grandmother is correct. It is a wonderful book. I've read others by this author that I enjoyed but haven't read them all. This is her masterpiece IMO. Not too many books are as brilliant as this one, and it shows her talent as a writer. I've read it only twice because there are so many more books I want to read in my lifetime. I can't wait to hear your comments on this book. Hope you get around to reading it soon.

[@SavidgeReads]

Wow. Masterpiece. That is some praise indeed. Thanks so much for commenting on the book. Always lovely to get recommendations from you lovely folk.

[@enidlacob1157]

Love that t shirt as you say so sunny and happy. The Cazalet series is great as is Tomb of Sand The eighth Life Alias Grace and Poisonwood bible. All favourites of mine The eighth Life is set in Georgia and is so relevant for today and totally immersive. I absolutely loved it. The Love Sons was a favourite read too. Yes you have a great pile. I must say Love Marriage and Great Circle didn’t get me immersed .Happy reading Super splendid Simon

[@SavidgeReads]

I realised it was summer solstice as I was filming, so the suns were even more appropriate. Oooh you’re almost saying you didn’t like two I’m excited about Enid and you know how I feel about that. Hahaha. Loved the alliteration at the end so you’re forgiven 😉

[@enidlacob1157]

@@SavidgeReads just being honest. I will await your reviews o Ali and you said have difficulty with Great Circle

[@SavidgeReads]

@@enidlacob1157 hahaha. I love honesty. I’m all about it. I just always ask that people don’t burst my excitement bubble as it happens so much on social media at the moment and it can kill my book buzz. That’s why I ask at the end, wait till I’ve read it, then tell me if you didn’t like it. Hahahaha.

[@anitahayne8621]

Yay Simon! I love big well developed books! I get frustrated sometimes with BookTube because so many channels would rather read 25 small books a month rather than read one big book. You are right. It is not about the race. Since January I have read only one book under 600 pagers. I read “The Eighth Life” and really enjoyed it. You will love “The Light Years.” I enjoyed Pachinko as well. I have Monica Ali’s book but I haven’t had the time to read it yet. Thanks for throwing support towards big books.

[@SavidgeReads]

I think that’s a tiny sweeping statement about channels preferring smaller books than a big book. I think that’s just peoples taste and people should only make content around what they want to read. Glad you’ve enjoyed some of these stonkers, gives me encouragement.

[@paigeobrien5709]

I have struggled with other Barbara Kingsolver books but The Poisonwood Bible is one of my all time favourites. You won't be disappointed.

[@SavidgeReads]

Really excited. Though sad I won’t be able to talk to my gran about it afterwards.

[@BookswithBrittany]

Oooh I’m planning to read Great Circle, Tomb of Sand, and Poisonwood Bible this year too! They sound so good 🙌🏻

[@SavidgeReads]

I keep forgetting about Tomb of Sand and how much I want to read it. I’m hoping for another holiday somewhere hot and remote later this year and think that could be the time.

[@carolbresnahan1244]

Ooh, I'm always partial to a stonker! 😉 Shantaram and A little Life are two of my favourites. You have given me a few more that I am now keen to dive into. Thank you for all of the chats, safe travels ❤️

[@SavidgeReads]

Who isn’t partial to a good stonker? We’re only human. I know mum loved Shantaram.

[@suedavy5394]

I am always a big fan of big books. Most of what you have picked I have read and really enjoyed. I just received "Tomb of Sand " and can't wait to start it. I absolutely loved The Eighth Life!!!! So many reasons why too. I will check out Hungry Hill by Daphne and also Marriages by Susan Ferrier. I haven't heard of either so and that is what I love about blogs and reviews.

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s always fun to find out about new books isn’t it!

[@ellenzuckerman7506]

I just got back from a week visiting family in NYC and I read about half of Great Circle on my trip. It's so good!

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you’re enjoying it so much. Or have enjoyed it.

[@gbuireh6497]

One of my reading resolutions this year was to read more big books. So far, it's not going well, I haven't finished a single one 😅 Hoping to finish a couple this summer!

[@UKLeonie]

Books over 500 pgs and 1 non fiction a month 🤦🏾, yeah I predict a riot of lies.

[@SavidgeReads]

I haven’t read any either so I am with you. Lol.

[@cynthibook]

Rachel Holiday's was really good. It's perfect for summer. :)

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh. Noted.

[@cindyhaiken5644]

I adore that shirt you are wearing!! So pleased that Tomb of Sand will finally be published in the US early next year. Poisonwood Bible is the only Kingsolver novel I’ve not yet read so I’d love to do it as a readalong if you do get going with it. The Cazalet Chronicles are great for summer reading! My “chunkster” for the summer will likely be Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark which is due out early next month in the US.

[@SavidgeReads]

I love all my Sunny’s merch. All of it. I’ve got quite a bit now. I haven’t heard of Fellowship Point, I am instantly intrigued.

[@lynnet1411]

Big books scare me a bit! The biggest I think I have on my TBR at the minute is Jane Eyre which I have been meaning to read for years but am determined to read this year. And I want to read A Little Life SO much but its chunkiness means I haven’t even been brave enough to buy it yet.

[@SavidgeReads]

Maybe big books just aren’t for you and that’s no big deal. Ha. See what I did there. Reading should be fun and not about pressuring yourself so I say don’t sweat it. Though if you’re really keen to read a big chunky book just go for it.

[@lauratesta3876]

I've been slowly reading THE EIGHTH LIFE, also. It's SO good!😍📚

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooooh that’s fabulous to hear Laura.

[@amberkemp9200]

If you do end up doing a Scottish reading themed vlog I would LOVE to see you read Trumpet by Jackie Kay! It's one of my favourite books of all time!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I don’t know if I have a copy of that, though of course that could quite easily be rectified. Hahaha.

[@gabbyhumphreyshumphreads5420]

Here for the title alone… and tomb of sand. PLEASE. ASAP. I’m blown away still thinking about it x

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. I feel like it might have to be a book when I go away somewhere hot and remote again.

[@megcant1077]

Love this video! I've got a couple of "stonkers" on my tbr at the moment. Im currently reading The Goldfinch, which I'm enjoying. I'm also trying to get around to The Great Circle, To Paradise, and The Stand. This video has served as some much needed motivation!

[@SavidgeReads]

I loved The Secret History. I’ve struggled and DNF’d the other Tartt novels.

[@booksinscotland4215]

I also recently got Alias Grace in a charity shop for 50p! Some friends have recently read it and raved about it. Rachel’s Holiday is my favourite Marian Keyes, hope you love it as much as I do. I’m planning to do the opposite this summer and read a lot of short books. Not cause I want to rack up numbers but if I don’t reduce my TBR soon I’ll have to move house. Also been in quite a reading funk this year cause life’s been a bit overwhelming (much calmer now though) so hopefully short reads will get me back in the grove. I recently attempted a buddy read of Les Mis but had to drop out, just don’t have big book energy at the minute.

[@SavidgeReads]

A summer of shorts. Or summer shorts. I like it.

[@Bessie-On-Wheels]

You won't regret finishing Great Circle it repays you. Rachel's Holiday is awesome. Its one of the few books I've read twice. I am going to read One Sky Day as my next chunkster and one day I will get round to finishing the Golden Notebook

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ll give Great Circle a third chance. Not sure when but I will. One Sky Day is ace.

[@hollyc4624]

I don’t know if I acquired any of these because you have already mentioned them, but we have such an overlap in big books! Even The Eighth Life is in my stack. About half of these are books that I have on my TBR. I have Marriage and Love Songs and Rachel’s Holiday…I hope we love all of them!

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. I love a good TBR overlap. Yes, let’s hope we get lost in every single one.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Highly recommended listening to the audio of Great Circle while you’re travelling. I had big plans for reading one big book slowly over 3/4 months this year. I started A Fine Balance in January but still haven’t finished it! I haven’t finished Pachinko either. ☘️👋🍀📖☕️📕📚

[@SavidgeReads]

A Fine Balance is a stonker I’ve meant to read for years. Weirdly I don’t have it. And I know I have at some point.

[@katealtavilla7299]

I have been working my way through the Cazalet chronicles, am about to start the penultimate, I think you will love. My summer stonker is Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher. Am also working my way through the Six Tudor Queens, which are also fairly hefty. Enjoy getting stuck in, as will I 💕

[@SavidgeReads]

Spooky my mother in law asked me to get her all the Cazalet Chronicles for her birthday. I was delighted for such a bookish request.

[@hannahfagan9904]

I just bought the complete Elizabeth Jane Howard series today to take on holiday with me, I can’t wait to start!

[@SavidgeReads]

I need to slowly collect the previous editions and then get to them.

[@Anita-bs3mc]

I just finished The Love Songs of W E B DuBois👍. I’m reading Great Circle now. The biggest book on my unread shelf is Eighth Life. I’ve already read Pachinko and The Poisonwood Bible. Good luck with your reading of all the tomes. 💜

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ll need it. I’ve still not started. Hahaha.

[@clairehansen5677]

I loved the eighth life ❤️

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m looking forward to it. Though nervous if it’s size. Ha.

[@kimdaltrey2315]

Hi, Love this video. Regarding Poisonwood Bible - it's great. I absolutely love Barbara Kingsolver's books but have to say this does not apply to The Lacuna. I tried it with great anticipation but really could not get on with it. Don't let that book put you off enjoying The Poisonwood Bible. Kim

[@SavidgeReads]

Wow. People not liking The Lacuna but loving her others seems to be a thing. Interesting.

[@scoutharris2687]

I’ve not read a stonker in some time, but I’m currently reading and loving The Last Samurai by Helen Dewitt (489 pages inc the acknowledgments, so I’m counting it!). I read Rachel’s Holiday back in the nineties so I can’t remember much about it, but I do remember really enjoying it. I hope you do too.

[@SavidgeReads]

That counts as a stonker to me. Acknowledgements or not.

[@bookinwithdebra]

Crisps over chocolate - deffo 😀 I was very engrossed in Pachinko earlier this year. I got so much from it. I hope you have a stonking summer 📚

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha so far so not a stonking summer.

[@miss_vix_reads9110]

I loved The Poisonwood Bible it's a really interesting read with some darkly funny moments. Hungry Hill is an epic family saga I really enjoyed the audiobook of it. After what you said about Great Circle in a previous video I think I put it down in much the same place as you did first time around, I picked it up again and finished it and was really glad I did, I was never fully onboard with the second narrative but it was worth reading through her bits for the rest of Marian's story. 💜

[@SavidgeReads]

I do looooove darkly funny. I will definitely give Great Circle a third chance.

[@wanderingoff13]

Great video, Simon - really look forward to hearing your thoughts on whichever you read! also, just wanted to say that I read Sarah Winman's Still Life (not quite a stonker, but getting there) on your recommendation and LOVED it and then bought a copy for my mom for mother's day and she also LOVED it, so thanks so much for that!!

[@SavidgeReads]

Still Life is a semi stonker hahahaha. So pleased that you loved it and delighted your mum did. That’s lovely to hear Alex, thank you.

[@mrsbookworm72]

I have added two I hadn’t heard of that Daphne du maurier one so thrilled ! Thank you

[@SavidgeReads]

Pleasure!

[@susprime7018]

Finished Hamnet, loved it. I'm going to read The Other Bennet Sister. Nice shirt and message. Also reading Silverview by Le Carre and Sparring Partners by Grisham, both grabbed me from the start and will be fast reads. I'm going to read Marriage too. I liked Alias Grace, but I also liked The Robber Bride.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hamnet is so good. You’ve a treat with her next novel too.

[@allisonryder4781]

I neeeed that summer top!

[@SavidgeReads]

Sunny’s Book Truck. Though it might have sold out.

[@Victoria-Claringbold]

Stonkers on my TBR include Imaginary Friend by Stephen (The perks of being a wallflower) Chbosky, The room where it happened (a White House memoir) by John Bolton, The Famished Road by Ben Okri and The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (as I heard it was like A Little Life). I also picked up Rachel's Holiday on your recommendation and The Poisonwood Bible as a friend said it's her favourite book. I don't know which one to read first but if I finish any this year I will be proud of myself. 🙂📚🤞

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. That’s the attitude I like to hear. I need to tell myself the same thing.

[@kirstypritchard2872]

I also have love marriage and again rachel to read. Read Rachel’s holiday years ago and loved it , I think it starts off in New York then goes to Ireland 😀

[@SavidgeReads]

I think I might save it for NYC. I feel like that could give it that extra something something. And I could leave it there and get a few books from NYC to take back in it’s place. Ha.

[@creationspast.janebowell1903]

Pachinko I loved also loved The Love Songs that I may reread but not now. ;) I do agree with you about Palmarès. Thank you 🙏

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure!

[@gilliansawers4593]

Still have Tomb of Sand to read will get there eventually! Also have Alias Grace, The Goldfinch and The Hearts Invisible Furies tbr. Just found another two The Night watchman and A Prayer for Owen Meany 😂 Just finished Violets and now reading Mothers Boy enjoying both.

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you enjoyed Violets. The opposite of a stonker. Hahaha.

[@Georgesmomsu]

I love a big book! I have Rachel Again waiting for me. Rachels holiday does take place in Ireland. It starts in NY but quickly goes to Ireland. I loved it. I also have To Paradise in my pile.

[@SavidgeReads]

I must get to more Marian Keyes. I feel like I say this on repeat about so many books though 🤣

[@paulwinchell6904]

I had to look up the word stonkers I had never run into it before. Thank You new word.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. I thought I had explained it so well.

[@juliewoan298]

Crisps over choc too, but love both and living in the land of chocolate I get my fix of luscious dark choc🍫. Planning on taking 1-2 chunksters on holiday soon but still need to choose and thinking maybe one classic like Vanity Fair. Curious of your definition of a big book…very precise…how did you calculate🧐🤔

[@SavidgeReads]

I didn’t calculate. I just made it up duck. Hahaha. Vanity Fair I read a few christmases ago and the book has DATED and is quite problematic. Btw. Random thing, you’ve spelt Akwaeke’s name wrong on a Sky FB post you might wanna change it 😉

[@penelopegough6050]

It seems to be the year of the Stonker. I am reading The Strudhlof Steps by Heimito von Doderer which is truly magnificent and my favourite so far this year is Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman. Both over 1000 pages. You ave listed several I have read - 8th Life, Poisonwood Bible, great circle etc and a few I will look forward to. Can’t wait to get to Tomb of Sand.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve not heard of the first one you’re reading I shall have to look it up. Though need to only buy big books when I’ve read a few. Ha.

[@KristinKravesBooks]

Pachinko is the best book I have read so far this year. It was also on my shelves for years! It reads a lot quicker than I was expecting.

[@SavidgeReads]

That’s exciting to hear thank you Kristin.

[@sandrazuks9017]

Probably my only reading goal I have kept is read ×1 chunky book a month. I have really enjoyed it. This month I still hope to get to White Teeth . Next month Anna Karenina. Enjoyed your stonker 🌞.

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s a good prompt/resolution to have. Maybe 2023 will be the year I try something similar. This summer isn’t quite working. Hahaha, understatement.

[@jillybeanh67]

For Rachel’s holiday, if you fancy trying it as an audio book Marian Keyes narrated a version of it for an anniversary version/edition which is fantastic, as is Rachel’s holiday. Love the idea of a summer of stockers. Need to check my shelves and see if there’s anything that would fit, can’t remember that last time I read a book over 500 pages!

[@SavidgeReads]

I just can’t do fiction on audio. Non fiction I’m fine with, fiction though - even with a narrator like Marian - I just can’t do. I zone out.

[@jthbooks]

I love your top! Pachinko really intimates me just because I want to love it so much! Also, who might be going to New York with? I bet he’s witty and handsome?

[@SavidgeReads]

What can I say I am a style icon. Hahaha. Jokes. I need to catch up with Mr NYC. October is starting to look tricky as I may have to have an operation.

[@emmavd]

Thank you, Simon!🌷I have three big books I’m so looking forward to reading: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, 4321 by Paul Auster and My Name is Red by Ohran Pamuk. I’m interested in Tomb of Sand too and would love to hear what you think of it😊📚

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ll probably be able to tell you by 2023. Maybe later. Or maybe sooner if I go on another hot remote holiday later this year.

[@robgst100]

Ugh I want to read all of these. I’m committed to reading The Books of Jacob this summer, and hope to finish up Les Miserables - two very stonkery stonkers. Would love to get to Tombs of Sand.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha stonkery stonkers. Hahaha.

[@CJReads]

Simon I want you to know that we just got our wifi hooked up and you were this was the first KZbin video played in the new house 😂😂

[@SavidgeReads]

I feel very very very special. Happy happy happy new home xxx

[@LouiseReader]

Rachel's Holiday is fabulous, Rachel is Irish, and yes she does live in New York at the start, but the setting is very much Ireland and New York. Highly recommend the audio, Marian herself narrates the recent edition. It's beyond delightful.

[@SavidgeReads]

I wish I could do fiction on audio. I can’t. Even with a great narrator it doesn’t go in. Non fiction does. Must read Rachel’s Holiday.

[@cathiealdridge2016]

I'm in the process of reading A fine balance which I'm loving so far but I also have The Goldfinch and Tomb of Sand I want to read this year

[@juliewoan298]

Ohh Looked at A Fine Balance only yesterday thinking it could be a hol read this year

[@SavidgeReads]

A Fine Balance is a book I’ve been recommended for years and years.

[@cathiealdridge2016]

It is an amazing read but not for the faint hearted, it's tough but gave me perspective that I appreciated.

[@arobinreads]

New subscriber here 👋🙂 Big books on my TBR are mainly Stephen King, Robert Jordan and Robin Hobb.

[@SavidgeReads]

Thanks for subscribing and welcome!!!

[@arobinreads]

@@SavidgeReads Thanks! Also thanks for the reply, appreciate it

[@lesleywatts7798]

Alias Grace is one of my favourite Margaret Atwood novels. Hope you love it.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh that’s a very good omen Lesley.

[@lesleywatts7798]

@@SavidgeReads I read it in hospital years ago and it made the hours fly by.

[@cherylynlarking191]

Thanks for reminding me I have The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard and the Cazalet chronicles. I will definitely take it on my long Aussie flight soon.I would be interested in finding out what you think of it when you have read it. Same goes for the Monica Ali book. I totally agree with your opinion that people should be free to write anything as long as it's well researched.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy The Light Years when you get to it. Hope I do too 🤣

[@bookofdust]

Pachinko and Love Marriage are on my summer reading pile, but Secret History is the big centerpiece for July.

[@SavidgeReads]

I really enjoyed The Secret History. I hope you do too.

[@bookofdust]

@@SavidgeReads I’m a fan of The Goldfinch, so I’m going in with high expectations and everyone seems to like it more.

[@paulawilliams9645]

Lovely list. Pachinko is I my list. I also want to read Middlemarch but I have just Finished Booth by Karen Joy Fowler which is also very long but brilliant. I am reading Lessons in Chemistry now which I am enjoying. Looking forward to the new Mate Atkinson as well. The list just gets longer.

[@SavidgeReads]

I don’t know how chunky the new Kate Atkinson will be she varies her lengths quite a bit, either way it will be fabulous I’m sure.

[@Kat_Attack]

Ouhhh, Alias Grace. I went to school in Kingston, Canada, where the Kingston Pen(itentiary) is, and was in operation at the time I was living there. If you're interested in prison history, Kingston Pen is an interesting part of that. It was build based on Bentham's panopticon. It's currently not in commission, and has been turned into a museum. There were other interesting prisons in the area, too. They used to have a "farm prison", which, I believe was a later women's prison. I'm sure there must be really interesting and thought-provoking histories on those prisons and the region. Were you also going to read the Books of Jacob? I picked that one up on your rec'd, and I'm hoping to read it soon. Palmares looks really interesting, and I've popped it on my list. Happy reading, Simon!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh interesting info on the prisons. I’m possibly going to read Books of Jacob. I have it. I just need the mood to be right and currently I’m quite funky and flighty. And not in a good way.

[@JeannyMeyer]

I read The Eighth Life for Brilka in its original language during the first lockdown. I had seen the book in German book shops when it first came out but it was so very pricey. Then the English translation finally made me order a German copy. I absolutely loved loved loved the book so much! I’d like to read the English translation one day and compare it to the original.

[@SavidgeReads]

In its original language, wowsers. And then in others. Double wowsers.

[@beckydoherty6276]

I really want to get to Pachinko, but also The Books of Jacob. We'll see, they are intimidating, but oh so satisfying when they are good.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve got The Books of Jacob too. I feel like that’s a wintery read for some reason. I’m not sure why.

[@UKLeonie]

I just brought a copy of "The love songs of W E B Dubios" from the jungle cheeky 99p, and "Palmares" sounds interesting for all the offline drama on Brazil, plus the cover is gawjus.

[@SavidgeReads]

It is a gorgeous cover. I can’t comment on the jungle place.

[@dianedickson6366]

Loved the adaptation of Alias Grace and I thought I'd read all of Daphne Du Maurier and there you are I've never seen that one. Oh crikey.

[@SavidgeReads]

She’s such a big backlist that you’d be forgiven for missing one or even maybe two. Ha.

[@renepierre9074]

I am more than okay with moving Pachinko to the other end of July! I am reading my first Sarah Waters atm and don't think I would have it in me to go straight to another big book haha. I'm having commitment issues when it comes to The Love Songs of W.E.B De Bois, I have almost started it so many times but always manage to convince my self that it isn't the right time. I totally agree with you on societies desperate need to cancel people. I wish we could just acknowledge that the writers that 'shall not be named' are bad thinkers, and that just because someone has included an inaccuracy in their story it doesn't put them on their level. Its very intimidating, studying writing and seeing all this discourse around the rights we have to tell certain stories. I think we should always write with having done our research, and write respectively, but, like you said, if we were all telling our own stories it would get quite repetitive and boring.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. Maybe we need to head to a big book together each month. That could be a way of getting through some of these. Once I’m well again let’s sort them out!

[@ericamangin1184]

Alias Grace is my fav Margaret Atwood novel - you'll fly through it :) The stonker I want to get to before the end of the year is To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh I’ve conquered that stonker already this year, I’m looking forward to reading your favourite Atwood stonker soon.

[@gailgilchrist5421]

If you need another book for your proposed list of Scottish books for August, you might want to check out Luckenbooth by Jenni Fagan (if you haven't already). It is set in Edinburgh.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you. I was in Scotland earlier this month though not for as long as planned and in isolation when I was due to covid the return. I have read Luckenbooth though and you’re right it’s a corker. I love Jenni’s work.

[@alisonbell3475]

The Great Circle is great on audio x

[@SavidgeReads]

I just can’t do fiction on audio. I zone out so badly.

[@lozzyjohnson85]

I can't wait to get to Love Songs. My paperback arrived yesterday and it's just so beautiful. Slightly concerned I'll be the only one who doesn't like it 🤣

[@SavidgeReads]

If you are that’s fine. We can’t all love the same books. I would try and go in with no expectations. That tends to always help for me.

[@lozzyjohnson85]

@@SavidgeReads that's true!

[@Nickelini]

Okay, 480 pages? How did you get to that number? LOL. I generally see >500 pages in general with bookish people; I lean toward 400 pages because I'm one to love a good 200 page novel. So 400 for me is getting long. But you never know - Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness (which I read twice for uni), at 67 pages, is one of the longest books I've ever read. And it was even longer the second time.

[@SavidgeReads]

Well 488 if I’m being honest. No idea why that number. It just feels right to me. I generally like a good 250/300 page book but sometimes getting immersed in something huge is brilliant.

[@cathrineboysen1017]

💜📚💜

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

War and Peace is one of my biggest, but there might be more.

[@SavidgeReads]

My mum read that when she was pregnant with my little sister.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

@@SavidgeReads I need to pick up again, but its not as hard as I was fearing when I first started it. The names are just confusing and there's the length.

[@monicaacheson1118]

There are a few on your list I enjoyed when I read but and haven’t really stayed with me I don’t want to put you off so won’t give the titles but good luck with your challenge

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha thank you for your discretion Monica. 😉