It's happened to me -- coming upon a line or a thought that touches on a thing that I've been thinking about. I'm glad you found a connection in this post. Thanks for your kind words too!
Thanks so much for the shout out! This is a beautiful post that resonates for me in many ways. I’m also rereading which is not something I usually do and I’m trying to release judgement and lean into curiosity instead.
I agree! I love all the O'Brian books -- they kind of run together in one long novel in my mind. To have the feeling that a book was written just for you is a very special connection, though. I'm glad for you!
I'm doing the slow read of Wolf Hall with Simon Haisell on Footnotes and Tangents. I've loving it, not just the book but the book guide, the videos, the comments. I'll be reading Hilary Mantel's Cromwell Trilogy all year.
I've never read Wolf Hall or any of the Mantel books but have always thought I would or should. I glommed up historical novels of that period when I was in my twenties. Thanks for the interesting info about Haisell's approach and materials. That seems like a good project to be engaged in.
I completed "What the Light Touches," which I began during the holidays - what a transcendent book! Tremendous literary fiction with a storyline that I wish was true. Its human insights are revelatory for 'real life' - and thus, I grow.
Which, of course, is one of the perpetual purposes of reading -
Your insightful nature is compelling, Betsy, so I'm glad to be part of the crew!
Hope all are safe from the massive fires swallowing vast amounts of LA acreage
Love the sounds of "What the Light Touches," PJ! And yes, growth is one of the happy potential outcomes of reading. To more books and continued growth in 2025!
My first two books of this year, read simultaneously, were short gems, both given to me by friends at Christmas: 1) "Small Things Like These," by Claire Keegan. Set in a small Irish town in the 1980's, it traces a good, "ordinary" man's moral and emotional journey as he determines whether or not he'll be able to perform an extraordinary good deed that will violate all kinds of societal norms. It does in 116 short pages what many books fail to do in 500. Booker Prize winner in 2022. 2)"An Authentic Life," poems by Jennifer Chang. Chang takes on dark subjects--loneliness, isolation, death, a dream of murdering a friend--with the efficiency and delicacy of a jeweler with her hammer. In different ways, each book challenged me to leave my own comfort zone.
The Keegan book was one of my favorites of last year. I went on to read "Foster" and a collection of her stories. Each of them were a master class in how to do a few short pages what many books fail to do in hundreds. I'm hearing more about "Small Things Like These" this year than last year. It seems to be finding more and more readers. A good thing.
Thanks for recommending Jennifer Chang's poetry. I am not familiar with her but I am open to that kind of challenge to my comfort zone - or I want to be. Thx. Andy!
‘My streams of energy, optimism, and confidence ebb and flow, often in a trickle’ you say. I really empathise because I have been wrestling with the same challenge ever since I had to accept, thanks to my pulmonary fibrosis, that I am a half-day person. A lovely, thoughtful, post.
Thank you so much for the kind words and empathy. I have loved ones who struggle with chronic illnesses and they never know if they are going to be a "half-day" person or even less. Lately, I've begun to understand just what it means to have limits you can't control. Thanks, too, for this fabulous link, Robert. I think this may get me ready to listen to longer books in their audio versions. I'm looking forward to listening to "Nice Dog" and all the others I find courtesy of you.
Teary reading your beautiful, open, vulnerable words, Betsy. What a journey we all are on, eh? …. Looking deeply and deeper can be so painful and scary at times but ultimately I do believe that courageous path — no matter how many twists and turns it takes - is more enriching for one’s soul. 💜
"Flint Kill Creek" by Joyce Carol Oates is a collection of short stories, many published in magazines in the past, was my first read of 2025.
All of her stories were interesting but many of her stories shared a characteristic I found a bit off-putting; Oates repeats words and phrases ad nauseam (I think she's going for dramatic effect?). Still, her writing is solid, and the stories cover a wide area of interests; this reader was not disappointed.
I appreciate your take on this collection. I struggle to read Joyce Carol Oates and I wish I didn't because she is one of those who fearlessly pursues different genres, different ideas and is so prolific my head spins. You've given me a reason and a recommendation to try her again.
Great post, thoughtful and interesting. Definitely my next read - thank you
“told myself I was helping when, all too often, I was judging or getting in the way.”
Ok, wow, well this just blew me away because I was thinking exactly this about myself.
I just love your insightful writing.
It's happened to me -- coming upon a line or a thought that touches on a thing that I've been thinking about. I'm glad you found a connection in this post. Thanks for your kind words too!
Thanks so much for the shout out! This is a beautiful post that resonates for me in many ways. I’m also rereading which is not something I usually do and I’m trying to release judgement and lean into curiosity instead.
Rereading almost always yields new glimmers. Thanks for the kind words and here's to your own journey in 2025, Mary!
it sounds like the perfect book at the perfect time for you, and I love the lessons in it -
Yes, it was. The lessons are still reverberating.
The 13 gun salute speaks to me as though O'Brian wrote it for me. That's heaven.
I agree! I love all the O'Brian books -- they kind of run together in one long novel in my mind. To have the feeling that a book was written just for you is a very special connection, though. I'm glad for you!
I'm doing the slow read of Wolf Hall with Simon Haisell on Footnotes and Tangents. I've loving it, not just the book but the book guide, the videos, the comments. I'll be reading Hilary Mantel's Cromwell Trilogy all year.
I've never read Wolf Hall or any of the Mantel books but have always thought I would or should. I glommed up historical novels of that period when I was in my twenties. Thanks for the interesting info about Haisell's approach and materials. That seems like a good project to be engaged in.
I completed "What the Light Touches," which I began during the holidays - what a transcendent book! Tremendous literary fiction with a storyline that I wish was true. Its human insights are revelatory for 'real life' - and thus, I grow.
Which, of course, is one of the perpetual purposes of reading -
Your insightful nature is compelling, Betsy, so I'm glad to be part of the crew!
Hope all are safe from the massive fires swallowing vast amounts of LA acreage
Love the sounds of "What the Light Touches," PJ! And yes, growth is one of the happy potential outcomes of reading. To more books and continued growth in 2025!
My first two books of this year, read simultaneously, were short gems, both given to me by friends at Christmas: 1) "Small Things Like These," by Claire Keegan. Set in a small Irish town in the 1980's, it traces a good, "ordinary" man's moral and emotional journey as he determines whether or not he'll be able to perform an extraordinary good deed that will violate all kinds of societal norms. It does in 116 short pages what many books fail to do in 500. Booker Prize winner in 2022. 2)"An Authentic Life," poems by Jennifer Chang. Chang takes on dark subjects--loneliness, isolation, death, a dream of murdering a friend--with the efficiency and delicacy of a jeweler with her hammer. In different ways, each book challenged me to leave my own comfort zone.
The Keegan book was one of my favorites of last year. I went on to read "Foster" and a collection of her stories. Each of them were a master class in how to do a few short pages what many books fail to do in hundreds. I'm hearing more about "Small Things Like These" this year than last year. It seems to be finding more and more readers. A good thing.
Thanks for recommending Jennifer Chang's poetry. I am not familiar with her but I am open to that kind of challenge to my comfort zone - or I want to be. Thx. Andy!
‘My streams of energy, optimism, and confidence ebb and flow, often in a trickle’ you say. I really empathise because I have been wrestling with the same challenge ever since I had to accept, thanks to my pulmonary fibrosis, that I am a half-day person. A lovely, thoughtful, post.
As an avid listener to BBC Radio 4 short stories, I recommend you listen to the https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m0022z3h?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile and start with ‘Nice Dog’ which I think you will love. These are the five finalists in their 2024 Short Story Award. All just under 30 minutes long. Regards
Thank you so much for the kind words and empathy. I have loved ones who struggle with chronic illnesses and they never know if they are going to be a "half-day" person or even less. Lately, I've begun to understand just what it means to have limits you can't control. Thanks, too, for this fabulous link, Robert. I think this may get me ready to listen to longer books in their audio versions. I'm looking forward to listening to "Nice Dog" and all the others I find courtesy of you.
Every finalist was interviewed and you will love the interview with Vee Walker, the author of Nice Dog. I promise, and laugh. I did, lots! 🐰
❤️
Teary reading your beautiful, open, vulnerable words, Betsy. What a journey we all are on, eh? …. Looking deeply and deeper can be so painful and scary at times but ultimately I do believe that courageous path — no matter how many twists and turns it takes - is more enriching for one’s soul. 💜
Yes, Bernadette, what a journey we are on, both inside and outside. Thanks for your lovely response.
"Flint Kill Creek" by Joyce Carol Oates is a collection of short stories, many published in magazines in the past, was my first read of 2025.
All of her stories were interesting but many of her stories shared a characteristic I found a bit off-putting; Oates repeats words and phrases ad nauseam (I think she's going for dramatic effect?). Still, her writing is solid, and the stories cover a wide area of interests; this reader was not disappointed.
I appreciate your take on this collection. I struggle to read Joyce Carol Oates and I wish I didn't because she is one of those who fearlessly pursues different genres, different ideas and is so prolific my head spins. You've given me a reason and a recommendation to try her again.