On the Habit of Reading
For the past ten years, I’ve been keeping a journal. I attempt to write daily, or at least four times a week, but it can ebb and flow in the business of life. Twice in the past week, though, I wrote about how happy I am to be back in the habit of reading literary fiction.
As I was gestating and raising the kids, I focused on anything that could keep my attention. I read a lot of diary-style books, romance novels, and electronic Advanced Reader Copies of anything that sounded interesting, but nothing meaty like I had previously enjoyed.
I was inspired to read The Rachel Incident from some corner of the internet and snagged a copy to read on my flight to New York. Within a few pages, I was hooked. I finally understood why some readers want page flags and special pens to annotate the phrases they enjoy or feel connected to; this is the novel that reminded me of how much I love a good Bildungsroman.
I loved reading this book so much that I kept writing about the act of reading, and for me, that is a huge key in being a reader. Not reading for a challenge or a summer bingo game with friends. Rather, you’re reading for the words. For the love. For the artistry.
I’m so glad this love of mine is back. I feel like I, myself, am back, just in a different form.
As always, here are the notes from our most recent book club events in May:
Books We’re Currently Reading (or Recently Finished):
(sorted by author’s last name)
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Big Swiss: A Novel by Jen Beagin
My Darling Husband: A Novel by Kimberly Belle
Trust Kids!: Stories on Youth Autonomy and Confronting Adult Supremacy by Carla Bergman
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy
Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainer Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks
The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of the Donner Party by Daniel James Brown
Overkill: A Novel by Sandra Brown
Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
All the Sinners Bleed: A Novel by S.A. Cosby
Columbine by David Cullen
The Block Party: A Novel by Jamie Day
The Net Beneath Us by Carol Dunbar
Believe: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show That Kicked Its Way Ito Our Hearts by Jeremy Egner
This Summer Will Be Different: A Novel by Carley Fortune
Under a Violet Moon: Wild and Free by Tara N. Gabrys
Home Again: A Novel by Kristin Hannah
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
Funny Story: A Novel by Emily Henry
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
The Guilt Trip: A Novel by Sandie Jones
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
Here After: A Memoir by Amy Lin
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee
My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
The Lost Apothecary: A Novel by Sarah Penner
The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza
Greta & Valdin: A Novel by Rebecca K. Reilly
The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Jonathan Rosen
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan
Final Girls: A Novel by Riley Sager
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Brave, Not Perfect: How Celebrating Imperfection Helps You Live Your Best, Most Joyful Life by Reshma Saujani
Joyful Recollections of Trauma by Paul Scheer
Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw
How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character by Paul Tough
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon
Things We’re Enjoying:
The Kindle Scribe
Rocketbook notebooks
The Tooth and Claw podcast about animal attacks
The Add to Cart podcast, specifically episodes with Jason Mantzoukas (Zouk’s Cubes)
The podcast, Who Killed the Video Star? about the rise and fall of MTV
Statement earrings
Camping at Devil’s Lake
The gorgeous spring weather
The A-List subscription at AMC Theaters to see The Fall Guy
Old Navy clothing, specifically the Taylor trousers and linen shorts
Live music, specifically The Japanese House
Visiting Paris
A new e-bike from Motorless Motion
Summer at the cabin in Eagle River
The Normal Gossip podcast
The City Cast: Madison podcast
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
The podcasts Even the Rich and Even the Royals
The Bad on Paper podcast and Geneva group
The Demoted podcast
A secondary recommendation! Tiann’s recommendation of wild yam cream is now co-signed by Deanne!
Cupping at WellnessKind Collective, either with Liz B or Cy
Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s new music
Jeans from the Madewell at Hilldale
Tee shirts from Abercrombie & Fitch
Inositol suppliments
The new Billie Eilish album, Hit Me Hard and Soft
andMorgan shirts from Etsy
Jeans from American Eagle
Lasik eye surgery at TLC
Upcoming Events:
(next book club events in bold)
Thursday, June 20 at 6:00: June Meetup at Memorial Union Terrace
Topic: Local books and local authors
Wednesday, July 10 at 5:00: Concerts on the Square
Enjoy the sounds of "In Nature's Realm" which includes performances by the winner of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra's Young Artist Concerto Competition, 17-year-old Jane Story from Stevens Point and Grammy-winning Native American recording artist Bill Miller.
Thursday, July 18 at 6:00: July Meetup at Olbrich Biergarten (rain location: Garver Feed Mill)
Topic: Food and drink in fiction
Tuesday, July 23 at 6:00: Lake City Books Sip and Shop
We have reserved Lake City Books from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for a private shopping experience to browse for books and enjoy a glass or two of wine. Please let me know headcount so I can prepare beverages and snacks for our group.
Thursday, August 22 at 6:00: August Meetup at Ian’s Pizza at Garver Feed Mill
Let’s celebrate the end of our inaugural Summer Reading Program and chat about our favorite summer reads and do a book swap of titles we no longer have room for on our shelves.
Tomissa
As a reminder, we’ve moved over to Geneva for community and conversation, so join as you wish!