I always admire how organised and intentional your reading life is, Matthew! Despite researching and writing about literature every week, I often tend to "wing it" when it comes to organising my reading. I am looking forward to your "Women in Lit" week as Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite novels amd Emily my favourite Bronte, as well your translated lit pick, as The Summer Book is a lovely read 📚
Thanks Kate! Sometimes my wife says I am a little too organized! But it works for me. I am excited about this list of books. They are all new reads for me with the exception of Lonesome Dove.
This is an enticing list of books and I’m now thinking I may participate in some of the monthly topics as well as the deep reads of The Iliad and the Odyssey, which I already was planning to read next year and which drew me to your newsletter a few weeks ago. I’m grateful you shared this full schedule ahead of time!
Wonderful reading plan for the year ahead! So happy to see my husband Peco's novel included in the list. June is a perfect month to read it, as we'll be spending a couple of weeks on the Camino in Spain for our "Pilgrimage out of the Machine" (anyone is welcome to join us!). For those who want to take a book club to the next level, walking along this ancient trail and enjoying meals together would be a splendid setting for book discussions :)
I'm also intrigued by The Summer Book by Tove Jansson and look forward to giving it a try.
Iliad ordered. Revisited the Odyssey last summer in preparation for a second go at Ulysses, but I feel like that was a little cart-before-the-trojan-horse, as it were.
Thanks Josh. Borrow/adapt as you see fit! It is helpful to me but I mostly wanted for my readers to know what to expect so they can choose how to participate.
I doubt I will find time to read "for fun" but I enjoy following people reading and discussing books. Eventually a spark of inspiration or motivation can also come from these discussions.
Being organized is a great thing, it saves mental space :D.
Lauca - you must have a busy life! I am fortunate that I can spend a great deal of time reading these days. And you are right, organization helps save my precious mental bandwidth!
I am reading Wuthering Heights in January, but I'd love to read The Odyssey with the book club. I've wanted to read it for so long but in discussion with other people. This would be the perfect opportunity!
This list looks great Matthew! I have a couple of these on my shelf (Tolstoy, The Emperor…., and The Sixth Extinction) that I’ll save until for the read along and Lonesome Dove will be a good reread.
Noreen, very excited to hear your thoughts on these books. I loved Lonesome Dove when I read it years ago. I am actually planning to read all four books in the series for my own reading pleasure :)
This is an amazing idea, and completely doable. I’m so glad I found you here at Substack!
Thanks Amy, glad to have you here as well.
Great list
Thanks Susan!
I always admire how organised and intentional your reading life is, Matthew! Despite researching and writing about literature every week, I often tend to "wing it" when it comes to organising my reading. I am looking forward to your "Women in Lit" week as Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite novels amd Emily my favourite Bronte, as well your translated lit pick, as The Summer Book is a lovely read 📚
Thanks Kate! Sometimes my wife says I am a little too organized! But it works for me. I am excited about this list of books. They are all new reads for me with the exception of Lonesome Dove.
This is a great plan. A few of my favorites are on here: Wuthering Heights, Mary Oliver, and especially The Summer Book! I read it every summer.
Thanks Erin. I have had several people mention The Summer Book so I am excited to read it.
They’re the three I’m in for!
This is an enticing list of books and I’m now thinking I may participate in some of the monthly topics as well as the deep reads of The Iliad and the Odyssey, which I already was planning to read next year and which drew me to your newsletter a few weeks ago. I’m grateful you shared this full schedule ahead of time!
Thanks Sheri. So glad you are joining the Homer deep reads and would love to have your voice in the discussion for any of the monthly reads as well.
Wonderful reading plan for the year ahead! So happy to see my husband Peco's novel included in the list. June is a perfect month to read it, as we'll be spending a couple of weeks on the Camino in Spain for our "Pilgrimage out of the Machine" (anyone is welcome to join us!). For those who want to take a book club to the next level, walking along this ancient trail and enjoying meals together would be a splendid setting for book discussions :)
I'm also intrigued by The Summer Book by Tove Jansson and look forward to giving it a try.
Thanks Ruth. I think it is going to be a great year. I wish I could join you guys on the Camino. That is a bucket list trip for sure.
Iliad ordered. Revisited the Odyssey last summer in preparation for a second go at Ulysses, but I feel like that was a little cart-before-the-trojan-horse, as it were.
Sounds great Chris! Look forward to having you in the conversation.
I really like the range of books on this list! It covers so many more genres than I have been used to.
Thanks Zina!
Cool idea, Matthew, and one I might borrow/adapt! Clarity and organization are helpful to readers, but I'm sure helpful to you, too.
Thanks Josh. Borrow/adapt as you see fit! It is helpful to me but I mostly wanted for my readers to know what to expect so they can choose how to participate.
I doubt I will find time to read "for fun" but I enjoy following people reading and discussing books. Eventually a spark of inspiration or motivation can also come from these discussions.
Being organized is a great thing, it saves mental space :D.
Lauca - you must have a busy life! I am fortunate that I can spend a great deal of time reading these days. And you are right, organization helps save my precious mental bandwidth!
Have you written of the rationale for these selections? Would be great to see :)
I haven't yet but may do so in a future essay.
I am reading Wuthering Heights in January, but I'd love to read The Odyssey with the book club. I've wanted to read it for so long but in discussion with other people. This would be the perfect opportunity!
Excellent Esha! Make sure to let us know your thoughts on Wuthering Heights when we get around to it.
This list looks great Matthew! I have a couple of these on my shelf (Tolstoy, The Emperor…., and The Sixth Extinction) that I’ll save until for the read along and Lonesome Dove will be a good reread.
Noreen, very excited to hear your thoughts on these books. I loved Lonesome Dove when I read it years ago. I am actually planning to read all four books in the series for my own reading pleasure :)
The aleph and other stories? I think I must have died and gone to heaven!
I am reading the Collected Fictions now and it is exquisite. My first experience with Borges and I am really enjoying it.
Great to hear, Matthew. Two other short story writers to check out are Etgar Keret & George Saunders (both of whom have substacks)
The Aleph and other stories? I think I must have died and gone to heaven!
Any book list with Borges on it is a good one! Good luck, Matthew!
This is my first experience with Borges but better late than never! Thanks Jeffrey.