Weekly Reading Wrap-Up: Family Dynamics, Rest Cures and Spells

[@CharlesHeathcote]

You've a whole host of books of which I was not previously aware - apart from Intermezzo - so I appreciate hearing about them and your thoughts as well. I will have to seek out the Olga Tokarczuk, although does this mean I will have to read The Magic Mountain. I've a readerly acquaintance who has been trying to get me to read that book for years. I also like the sound of Disturbance, but this is less about the tale, and more because what you said reminded me of a fair few folk I know who have begun to lean towards some "witchy" practices. Either way, a pleasure as always.

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

As always, what a great round up. I need to get The Empusium out of the library again and continue to read it. It sounds fascinating.

[@janicedowson7793]

Thanks Bob! Must admit great relief felt upon hearing you too struggled with the Books of Jacob. I love Olga Tokarczuk, and I did finish it, but I know much of it was beyond me. It's the sort I would revisit, but heck it's so so so long!

[@zoobee]

I'm fascinated by the sensation and success of Sally Rooney. Seems to be lots of passion about her and some people who are critical. When something like that happens I feel like its interesting because she's hit a nerve in a section of readers. you have to respect that. and the interiority aspect. for a literary novelist of the internal life to be so widely read is fascinating and places literary fiction at a level of life and importance in the culture

[@BookishAdventuresInWellbeing]

‘It would be really pretty if it wasn’t dust’ 😂😂😂 Hadn’t heard of the Nota Bene prize until today ~ looks fantastic.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I actually enjoyed Intermezzo more than any of her previous books. I was thinking of the difficulties of filming Intermezzo. So much is internal monologue. Peter in particular was my favourite character.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Star shower Bob 🤩

[@speedracer2841]

How not love someone who reads Victor Heringer.

[@ABookishBrummie]

I always enjoy watching your weekly wrap ups, I’d love to know your secret to reading so many books! As ever I’ve added more of your recommendations to my ever growing TBR! Just spotted that No Small Thing is on my library catalogue so I’ll definitely be placing a reservation on that in the near future. I was also intrigued about Glória, I’ll have to have a look out for that on my bookshop crawl next weekend

[@Nastya-readsandlifts]

Your short talk on Tokarczuk’s books reminded me, that I subscribed after watching your video on The Books of Jacob. I really needed to listen to someone who’d read it (I am still stuck about 1/5 of the way through 😂). I LOVE her writing, but… Maybe soon, maybe soon.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahaha, oh gosh, that book really crushed me, but luckily I love her others!

[@drawyourbook876]

olga tokarzchuk has a new book??? I need it!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh yes, and it’s a good one, I think!

[@ameliareads589]

The Empusium has it flaws, but I very much enjoyed what Tokarczuk was doing in this novel. And I adored her "audacity" to base it on the Holy Grail that The Magic Mountain is often considered to be. She is a gem of an author and her writing is better in my opinion than Thomas Mann's. 😜

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes, absolutely! I love that she’s not afraid to tackle those big books, and criticise it (and many male authors) for sexist assumptions.