I love how you promote other writers & newsletters. I find myself searching for lighter reading these days tho — any recommendations for fun, not-too-bloody mysteries, something along those lines?
What you're looking for is called a cozy mystery, and there are thousands to choose from; the originals were the Ms. Marple mysteries by Agatha Christie, but there are all sorts, often tied to some hobby. These are "craft cozies" in industry parlance and you can find ones that cater to your tastes. I don't read any series at the moment, but my favorite was the Bernie Rhodenbarr series by Lawrence Block, called the "Burglar" novels, as Bernie is a master lockpicker and a burglar of rich Manhattanites, who also came to own a used bookshop as a front. His best friend Carolyn runs a dog grooming salon next door and they have wonderful chats over lunch. How is this a murder mystery? Well, murders occur with disturbing regularity in his world, and when you've broken into the victim's apartment (or similar) sometimes you need to solve the murder so it isn't pinned on you, or because the killer wants something you've stolen, or ... well, you get the idea. They are all wonderful.
Thomas, you’re so right about books and the speed of social media. Especially when it comes to its echo chamber effects. I do believe that hardcovers and softcovers will always have a place in our lives. It just might take more purpose to pick it up and read it. 🙌🏼
That's quite a compliment, thank you! I can only hope to be that good, or that productive, or that committed to multiple aspects of my work.
I just picked up Elif Shafak's new novel "There Are Rivers in the Sky," and, on starting it, reminded once again what a good story really is. I've got "Fox & I" on my shelf and should really get to it.
Was just talking with someone about "The Limey," one of my spouse's favorite movies and one I really like, too. Thinking of watching it again, and recently rewatched "Willow" for the first time since it came out, after someone else mentioned it. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Limey is one of my favorites. I watched it at the Lincoln Center with Luis Guzman sitting right in front of me! David Soderbergh and Lesley Ann Warren discussed it on stage, with Terence Stamp "zooming" in. It's one I'll watch again, now and then.
I agree books are an art form social media has changed for the worse. I've always loved old Russian novels, now even more so--and not just because those books were written without too much online criticism, but because there isn't any scrolling in the lives of the protagonists. Thank you for mentioning my newsletter for readers interested in reading about nature.
Yes, I loved Gogol's short stories, and Turgenev, Chekhov. I never took the leap to Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, I tried reading Crime & Punishment and after a hundred pages I let it go. Right now I'm reading Italo Calvino.
I'm much more of a Dostoevsky person than Tolstoy, though I've read both. I struggle now some knowing Dostoevsky's extreme nationalism and anti-Semitism, though if I stopped reading every classic author who was anti-Semitic there wouldn't be much left.
I haven't read Turgenev in years! Thanks for the reminder.
Gogol's stories are nonpareil. Turgenev won me over with First Love, Chekhov's stories had a spot in my bedside stack for a long time. For Dostovesky, Notes from Underground is quick and entertaining--it was my favorite Russian work when I was younger. Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilyich is about 100 pages. I haven't given Calvino the requisite time, something I should rectify.
I still haven't read Dead Souls. I liked Fathers and Sons, Diary of a Superfluous Man, and other Turgenev, but have to read First Love. I'll take a look at Notes from Underground.
Dead Souls is one of my touchstone books. It's one I go back to over and over. If I'm a writer in another life, I'd like to be the kind of writer who could at least attempt to write the second part of Dead Souls, which he burned before he died.
I love how you promote other writers & newsletters. I find myself searching for lighter reading these days tho — any recommendations for fun, not-too-bloody mysteries, something along those lines?
What you're looking for is called a cozy mystery, and there are thousands to choose from; the originals were the Ms. Marple mysteries by Agatha Christie, but there are all sorts, often tied to some hobby. These are "craft cozies" in industry parlance and you can find ones that cater to your tastes. I don't read any series at the moment, but my favorite was the Bernie Rhodenbarr series by Lawrence Block, called the "Burglar" novels, as Bernie is a master lockpicker and a burglar of rich Manhattanites, who also came to own a used bookshop as a front. His best friend Carolyn runs a dog grooming salon next door and they have wonderful chats over lunch. How is this a murder mystery? Well, murders occur with disturbing regularity in his world, and when you've broken into the victim's apartment (or similar) sometimes you need to solve the murder so it isn't pinned on you, or because the killer wants something you've stolen, or ... well, you get the idea. They are all wonderful.
OMG those do sound delightful!!! Of course there’s a dog salon next door. Thanks so much!
Thomas, you’re so right about books and the speed of social media. Especially when it comes to its echo chamber effects. I do believe that hardcovers and softcovers will always have a place in our lives. It just might take more purpose to pick it up and read it. 🙌🏼
That's quite a compliment, thank you! I can only hope to be that good, or that productive, or that committed to multiple aspects of my work.
I just picked up Elif Shafak's new novel "There Are Rivers in the Sky," and, on starting it, reminded once again what a good story really is. I've got "Fox & I" on my shelf and should really get to it.
Was just talking with someone about "The Limey," one of my spouse's favorite movies and one I really like, too. Thinking of watching it again, and recently rewatched "Willow" for the first time since it came out, after someone else mentioned it. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Limey is one of my favorites. I watched it at the Lincoln Center with Luis Guzman sitting right in front of me! David Soderbergh and Lesley Ann Warren discussed it on stage, with Terence Stamp "zooming" in. It's one I'll watch again, now and then.
That's an experience it'd be hard to beat!
I agree books are an art form social media has changed for the worse. I've always loved old Russian novels, now even more so--and not just because those books were written without too much online criticism, but because there isn't any scrolling in the lives of the protagonists. Thank you for mentioning my newsletter for readers interested in reading about nature.
Nikolai Gogol FTW.
Yes, I loved Gogol's short stories, and Turgenev, Chekhov. I never took the leap to Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, I tried reading Crime & Punishment and after a hundred pages I let it go. Right now I'm reading Italo Calvino.
I'm much more of a Dostoevsky person than Tolstoy, though I've read both. I struggle now some knowing Dostoevsky's extreme nationalism and anti-Semitism, though if I stopped reading every classic author who was anti-Semitic there wouldn't be much left.
I haven't read Turgenev in years! Thanks for the reminder.
Gogol's stories are nonpareil. Turgenev won me over with First Love, Chekhov's stories had a spot in my bedside stack for a long time. For Dostovesky, Notes from Underground is quick and entertaining--it was my favorite Russian work when I was younger. Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilyich is about 100 pages. I haven't given Calvino the requisite time, something I should rectify.
I still haven't read Dead Souls. I liked Fathers and Sons, Diary of a Superfluous Man, and other Turgenev, but have to read First Love. I'll take a look at Notes from Underground.
Dead Souls is one of my touchstone books. It's one I go back to over and over. If I'm a writer in another life, I'd like to be the kind of writer who could at least attempt to write the second part of Dead Souls, which he burned before he died.