Thanks for the mention and the excellent list of recommendations. You are one of the most engaged writers that I have come across here on Substack and I am in awe of your reading list! Also, I love your Human Intelligence stamp!
Well goodness, Matthew, how delightful to see my poem and Mining the Bright Birds mentioned in your round up! "Books Like a Boat" always takes me back to my 12-year old self, hiding away in the bedroom reading my tattered copy of "Freckles" by Gene Stratton Porter (or Little Women). Thank you for sharing your love of books and language with us all.
Jody, it's a pleasure to highlight your work. I have so many similar memories of being curled up in blankets in a cozy spot with a pile of books next to me.
I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. That is one I will reread someday. I haven’t gotten around to reading My Brilliant Friend but I will move that up on the stack since you recommend it. I subscribed to School of the Unconformed after you mentioned them recently because I want to walk the El Camino de Santiago someday. The article you mentioned, For the Love of Language, was so good and has so many great resources. So to sum up, I always look forward to your Commonplace posts. 😊
Generous to so many .... The Fixer and Malamud, unforgettable. Ferrante--you won't be able to stop with the first of the four. I would add Colm Tóibín to your list.
I was blown away by Malamud's writing. Currently working my way through the second of Ferrante's series. So exquisite. Not familiar with Colm but adding to my list to research. Thanks Mary!
This is a wonderful piece. Widening literature horizons is always a great endeavour, and I need to start again in the new year. Thank you for the nudge.
Will, you are exactly the type of writer I love to read and you write about real things that connect people to the world. Don't ever stop. You are sharing a tremendous gift with all of us.
To see A Tree Grows in Brooklyn on your list makes my day. I discovered it decades ago as a child, when my mom made sure we had Reader's Digest "Best Loved Books" on the shelf. She knew I'd head straight to the library for the full version when I found a story I liked. What a revelation to find that A Tree Grows... is so rich and complex and way beyond what any condensed version could hope to capture. I've kept a copy of the real thing on my bookshelf ever since.
I enjoy your commonplace posts, Matthew. Apple-picking in Julian is one of our favourite traditions. I'm happy to hear you've been with your family, too. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn has long been on my reading list, but I still haven't gotten around to it. I'm sort of sad to hear you didn't enjoy Ocean Vuong's book, as that's one of my favourites because of his beautiful language, but it's ok. We can still be friends.
When we lived in San Diego we went to Julian every year! Such a fun time picking apples and then walking around the shops in town and having a piece of pie.
I read Malamud a long time ago and have more than once considered a re-read or read of more of his work. Have also been meaning to get onto that Ferrante quartet after a good friend recommended them a while back. Another great round-up, Matthew.
Hey, you've included me with some great publications! Thanks, I'm honored!
Glad to have discovered your amazing work Erik.
Thanks for the mention and the excellent list of recommendations. You are one of the most engaged writers that I have come across here on Substack and I am in awe of your reading list! Also, I love your Human Intelligence stamp!
Thanks Ruth! Community engagement is such an important part of this experience for me. Wish I could join you guys on the Camino trip. Maybe next time!
Matt, really appreciate the shoutout and excellent substack / book list. Lots of gems here. Thank you!
Absolutely Sam. Grateful to have discovered your writing.
Matthew, thank you for your support of Starter Dog. And good morning, sweet Lola!
Thank you Rona. My wife and I both enjoyed reading your book.
Thanks for mentioning my book review Matthew, and for your generous sharing of so many fine writers. That's so valuable for all us readers out here!
Glad to include your review Baird. Thanks for sharing your ideas with the world.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is so wonderful. I need to read it again!
It was my first time but I really liked it.
So much goodness to dig into…!
Thanks Michael. Putting this monthly edition together is one of my great joys.
Thanks for taking the time to do so, Matthew! 😃
Well goodness, Matthew, how delightful to see my poem and Mining the Bright Birds mentioned in your round up! "Books Like a Boat" always takes me back to my 12-year old self, hiding away in the bedroom reading my tattered copy of "Freckles" by Gene Stratton Porter (or Little Women). Thank you for sharing your love of books and language with us all.
Jody, it's a pleasure to highlight your work. I have so many similar memories of being curled up in blankets in a cozy spot with a pile of books next to me.
I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. That is one I will reread someday. I haven’t gotten around to reading My Brilliant Friend but I will move that up on the stack since you recommend it. I subscribed to School of the Unconformed after you mentioned them recently because I want to walk the El Camino de Santiago someday. The article you mentioned, For the Love of Language, was so good and has so many great resources. So to sum up, I always look forward to your Commonplace posts. 😊
Thanks Noreen! Walking the Camino is one of my dreams as well!
Wonderful recommendations and I love Jody Collins. We met in an online art community. Have a great after-Thanksgiving-weekend Matthew ☺️
Thanks Deborah. Jody is a true gem. So glad we met and I have been able to appreciate her work.
Yes, Jody is a lovely person and I am grateful to have met her too.
Generous to so many .... The Fixer and Malamud, unforgettable. Ferrante--you won't be able to stop with the first of the four. I would add Colm Tóibín to your list.
I was blown away by Malamud's writing. Currently working my way through the second of Ferrante's series. So exquisite. Not familiar with Colm but adding to my list to research. Thanks Mary!
This is a wonderful piece. Widening literature horizons is always a great endeavour, and I need to start again in the new year. Thank you for the nudge.
Thanks Jon! I always love collecting these and putting them together. It is like a little treasure box to send out to my readers.
To be thought of as one of your favourite writers is something that I can’t quite get my head around. Thank you Matthew.
Will, you are exactly the type of writer I love to read and you write about real things that connect people to the world. Don't ever stop. You are sharing a tremendous gift with all of us.
Thank you for spurring me on.
To see A Tree Grows in Brooklyn on your list makes my day. I discovered it decades ago as a child, when my mom made sure we had Reader's Digest "Best Loved Books" on the shelf. She knew I'd head straight to the library for the full version when I found a story I liked. What a revelation to find that A Tree Grows... is so rich and complex and way beyond what any condensed version could hope to capture. I've kept a copy of the real thing on my bookshelf ever since.
It was a beautiful story. So glad I finally read it.
I enjoy your commonplace posts, Matthew. Apple-picking in Julian is one of our favourite traditions. I'm happy to hear you've been with your family, too. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn has long been on my reading list, but I still haven't gotten around to it. I'm sort of sad to hear you didn't enjoy Ocean Vuong's book, as that's one of my favourites because of his beautiful language, but it's ok. We can still be friends.
When we lived in San Diego we went to Julian every year! Such a fun time picking apples and then walking around the shops in town and having a piece of pie.
I read Malamud a long time ago and have more than once considered a re-read or read of more of his work. Have also been meaning to get onto that Ferrante quartet after a good friend recommended them a while back. Another great round-up, Matthew.
Thanks Matt. This was my first experience with Malamud but I have a feeling it won't be my last. It was a great introduction to his work.