In the fall of 2021, my friend told me about a new book called Tolstoy Together. It was a record of a group read of War and Peace, Tolstoy’s 1869 masterpiece. In the very early days of the pandemic, writer Yiyun Lee invited anyone who wished to join her in a slow read of WarContinue reading “On Being Halfway: War and Peace and Reading in a Pandemic”
Tag Archives: nineteenth-century novels
Books, lately: 2016 so far
At the beginning of every new year, I think about what I want to read in the next twelve months. I usually decide that I want to read “better” books. (Yes, I set reading goals, I’m a dork.) And then I spend weeks devouring some YA fantasy series. This year is no different so far!Continue reading “Books, lately: 2016 so far”
My year in books
Here are some random thoughts about a few things I read this year. Best book I read: I’m going to give this one to A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley, which is a modern(ish) retelling of King Lear set on a farm in Iowa. It works way better than that sentence suggests. Smiley masterfully creates layer uponContinue reading “My year in books”
A Whole Shelf of Dating Books, or the Beginning of My Charlotte Lucas Year
I turned twenty-seven last week. I’m also single. Fans of Jane Austen will know that this puts me firmly in Charlotte Lucas territory. In Pride and Prejudice, Charlotte is the best friend of Elizabeth Bennet, our protagonist. Charlotte is described as around twenty-seven, plain, but sensible and practical. Charlotte is really more notable for what she isn’t;Continue reading “A Whole Shelf of Dating Books, or the Beginning of My Charlotte Lucas Year”
Quick Project Update
Not only have I not finished any other books on my list, I’ve actually purchased more (yes, I have a problem) and therefore have more to add. I’ve been reading, but I’ve been reading library books. I’m still in the middle of A Tale of Two Cities, and as much as I have been a cheerleader for DickensContinue reading “Quick Project Update”
Kathleen Keenan 