Matthew, I love calling this a Commonplace Book! One of my favorite teachers in high school had us keep commonplace books, something I’ve never forgotten - it was a much better model for me than keeping a diary - more like a reporter’s notebook.
Question: Did you like “American Psycho”? I’ve avoided it for years, but those questions you note do sound interesting.
Thanks Martha. I have kept a physical commonplace book for years and it just dawned on me to make this a digital one as well.
In regards to American Psycho - it was a bit too much for me actually. It is one of those books everyone says you should read and it had been on my list for years. I found a cheap copy at a yard sale so I grabbed it. The book is very stark and the violence is shocking, especially when combined with the graphic sexual encounters. I never saw the movie so I can't compare but it seems like a book I might have liked in my 20s but at this point in my life it was kind of an unpleasant read.
I’ve not come across the idea of a ‘commonplace book’, Matt, but the way you present yours is lovely, brimful of breadcrumb trails to follow. Funnily enough I just added American Psycho to my Apple Books list. I keep seeing it in lists so thought I should give it a go.
Thanks Barrie. Let me know your thoughts on American Psycho if you get around to it. I had a hard time with it due to its very graphic nature and general unpleasantness but it seems to be a very popular read for many.
I’d never heard the term commonplace book before. It’s a lovely thing. Much nicer than wrap up. Did you read all of those books in full this month? That’s an impressive amount! It takes me ages to read books now. After your East of Eden review I got the sample on my Kindle and it drew me in and I now have the whole book. It will probably take me a couple of months to finish it though!
Amanda, yes, I read all those books in full. I don't watch tv or engage on social media (other than substack). Now that I am retired from the Navy I have a lot of time on my hands. I also had surgery this month and couldn't move around much so I spent a lot of time with a book in my hands.
Glad to hear about East of Eden! I really hope you enjoy it. It is a longer read but one that I felt stuck with me.
Ah that explains it. I don’t watch TV or do social media either. But most days the only time I get for reading is when I go to bed. So I usually only read for about half an hour then 😴
I did watch more TV this month than usual because I was stuck in bed for a week and had a hard time sleeping. Most of the time I don't watch too much. Just personal preference.
Matthew, I don't think I have ever heard of a Commonplace Book. I do love the concept. My reading habits have fallen by the wayside in the past couple of years. I need to get back to it. I keep acquiring books to read and don't get to them. Your post has perhaps given a little nudge, thank you!
Thanks Pamela. My hope is that I can encourage others to read when and as they are able. My own reading has waxed and waned with different season of my life. I just happen to be in a reading intense season!
Matthew, Thank you for including me in your digital commonplace book. I'm honored.
I have a physical commonplace book that rests on my desk at all times. It's a beautiful habit to be able to stimulate memory of what spoke to me and continue to grow from it. I love the idea of sharing it with all of your readers.
You are welcome and glad to hear you have your own physical version as well. It is truly a treasure to look back and see all the things that struck us in the moment.
One of my grad school professors kept a commonplace book. I wish I’d followed her lead and started one. Thank you for nudging me in that direction, Matthew.
And thank you for your mention of my collaboration with Tiffany Chu! I felt deeply honored to be asked to share her site. She wrote a gracious introduction to my life story. I followed with an essay on sorting my husband’s clothing more than a year after his death. We will be following up in October, when I will have the privilege of sharing one of her beautiful essays on my site, along with my own introductory words that I hope will do justice to her many accomplishments and deep empathy. I am so grateful. You are right about collaboration. It brings a great sense of community engagement, and introduces us to writers we might otherwise have been unaware of.
Mary, always a joy to share your writing with others. This community of readers and writers is a special thing. Collaboration is one great way we can build each other up.
It's indeed a digital Commonplace book! I never thought of it that way. Quite an impressive list of books read this month! I'm working my "courage" 😂 to commit to a project reading 50 books from my "I've always wanted to read this" list, and I'm compiling the list right now. But it feels so daunting. I'm encouraged by your list!
Lou, I read more this month than usual due to being stuck in bed or at home recovering from surgery. Also, since I am not working at the moment, I have a lot of time on my hands. I find that keeping a list of books to read and also keeping a stack nearby at all times helps me to be intentional about my reading. Best of luck!
Thank you for sharing Matthew, this was wonderful to read and a great reminder that I’m intending on starting my own commonplace book once our children go back to school in September - it feels like a good time for a fresh start! I was so pleased to see The Race to the Future on your list, what did you think of it? If you haven’t read Kassia St Clair’s The Secret Lives of Colour, I would very much recommend it too.
Rachel, thanks for reading. I enjoy compiling this each month and sharing it with others. It is a great way to spread good things. The Race to the Future was the first book I read by Kassia St Clair. It was interesting. Someone gifted the book to me and I am not normally an automobile enthusiast but I was really intrigued by the history. It was well written so I will definitely check out her other book that you recommend. Thanks and best of luck as you start your own commonplace book.
I think I need to switch to a commonplace book because my commonplace mind is increasingly prone to sifting out half of the stuff I'd like to retain month by month. I note some of the comments here about American Pyscho and though I got a lot from reading it in my twenties, suspect that I would have had a much harder time with it were I reading today.
Matt, certainly as I get older my mind can't properly store all the stuff I want to remember so having a nice notebook is a great method. I choose a nice pen and a high quality notebook for my physical commonplace book and it feels creative and artistic. In regards to American Psycho, I agree. If I had read it when I was younger and more into that style I might have enjoyed it more. It was a bit jarring at this stage of my life.
Matthew, I love calling this a Commonplace Book! One of my favorite teachers in high school had us keep commonplace books, something I’ve never forgotten - it was a much better model for me than keeping a diary - more like a reporter’s notebook.
Question: Did you like “American Psycho”? I’ve avoided it for years, but those questions you note do sound interesting.
Thanks Martha. I have kept a physical commonplace book for years and it just dawned on me to make this a digital one as well.
In regards to American Psycho - it was a bit too much for me actually. It is one of those books everyone says you should read and it had been on my list for years. I found a cheap copy at a yard sale so I grabbed it. The book is very stark and the violence is shocking, especially when combined with the graphic sexual encounters. I never saw the movie so I can't compare but it seems like a book I might have liked in my 20s but at this point in my life it was kind of an unpleasant read.
Yea, that’s exactly why I’ve avoided “American Psycho” - and will still avoid it 😉
I’ve not come across the idea of a ‘commonplace book’, Matt, but the way you present yours is lovely, brimful of breadcrumb trails to follow. Funnily enough I just added American Psycho to my Apple Books list. I keep seeing it in lists so thought I should give it a go.
Thanks Barrie. Let me know your thoughts on American Psycho if you get around to it. I had a hard time with it due to its very graphic nature and general unpleasantness but it seems to be a very popular read for many.
Mm, that probably doesn’t move it up my list. I’ll see. And by coincidence I see Jillian Hess encouraging folk to start a commonplace book!
I have been sharing recommendations as well and I love the idea of that being like a digital commonplace book. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Dawn, I appreciate you reading.
I’d never heard the term commonplace book before. It’s a lovely thing. Much nicer than wrap up. Did you read all of those books in full this month? That’s an impressive amount! It takes me ages to read books now. After your East of Eden review I got the sample on my Kindle and it drew me in and I now have the whole book. It will probably take me a couple of months to finish it though!
Amanda, yes, I read all those books in full. I don't watch tv or engage on social media (other than substack). Now that I am retired from the Navy I have a lot of time on my hands. I also had surgery this month and couldn't move around much so I spent a lot of time with a book in my hands.
Glad to hear about East of Eden! I really hope you enjoy it. It is a longer read but one that I felt stuck with me.
Ah that explains it. I don’t watch TV or do social media either. But most days the only time I get for reading is when I go to bed. So I usually only read for about half an hour then 😴
I did watch more TV this month than usual because I was stuck in bed for a week and had a hard time sleeping. Most of the time I don't watch too much. Just personal preference.
Matthew, I don't think I have ever heard of a Commonplace Book. I do love the concept. My reading habits have fallen by the wayside in the past couple of years. I need to get back to it. I keep acquiring books to read and don't get to them. Your post has perhaps given a little nudge, thank you!
Thanks Pamela. My hope is that I can encourage others to read when and as they are able. My own reading has waxed and waned with different season of my life. I just happen to be in a reading intense season!
FYI There is another Substack called The Commonplace:
https://thomasjbevan.substack.com/
Also, Tsh Oxenrider (longtime Catholic blogger, fellow UST grad student) has something called The Commonplace as well.
https://thecommon.place/
Very cool. Thanks for sharing those Zina.
Matthew, Thank you for including me in your digital commonplace book. I'm honored.
I have a physical commonplace book that rests on my desk at all times. It's a beautiful habit to be able to stimulate memory of what spoke to me and continue to grow from it. I love the idea of sharing it with all of your readers.
You are welcome and glad to hear you have your own physical version as well. It is truly a treasure to look back and see all the things that struck us in the moment.
One of my grad school professors kept a commonplace book. I wish I’d followed her lead and started one. Thank you for nudging me in that direction, Matthew.
And thank you for your mention of my collaboration with Tiffany Chu! I felt deeply honored to be asked to share her site. She wrote a gracious introduction to my life story. I followed with an essay on sorting my husband’s clothing more than a year after his death. We will be following up in October, when I will have the privilege of sharing one of her beautiful essays on my site, along with my own introductory words that I hope will do justice to her many accomplishments and deep empathy. I am so grateful. You are right about collaboration. It brings a great sense of community engagement, and introduces us to writers we might otherwise have been unaware of.
Mary, always a joy to share your writing with others. This community of readers and writers is a special thing. Collaboration is one great way we can build each other up.
I’ve never heard of a commonplace book - love the concept. Thank you for this!
Thanks Noreen, hope you are doing well.
Thank you Matthew! Great list to review.
Thanks Dee. I had a lot of time on my hands this month.
Great name for your monthly round-ups, Matthew! And what an excellent book list from the past month. I was unaware "American Psycho" was a book!
Thanks Tiffany. I have never seen the movie but my son said it is also pretty graphic like the book.
Not something I’d watch more than once, but yes. Very graphic.
It's indeed a digital Commonplace book! I never thought of it that way. Quite an impressive list of books read this month! I'm working my "courage" 😂 to commit to a project reading 50 books from my "I've always wanted to read this" list, and I'm compiling the list right now. But it feels so daunting. I'm encouraged by your list!
Lou, I read more this month than usual due to being stuck in bed or at home recovering from surgery. Also, since I am not working at the moment, I have a lot of time on my hands. I find that keeping a list of books to read and also keeping a stack nearby at all times helps me to be intentional about my reading. Best of luck!
Thanks for sharing that, Matthew!
You are welcome Joel.
Thank you for sharing Matthew, this was wonderful to read and a great reminder that I’m intending on starting my own commonplace book once our children go back to school in September - it feels like a good time for a fresh start! I was so pleased to see The Race to the Future on your list, what did you think of it? If you haven’t read Kassia St Clair’s The Secret Lives of Colour, I would very much recommend it too.
Rachel, thanks for reading. I enjoy compiling this each month and sharing it with others. It is a great way to spread good things. The Race to the Future was the first book I read by Kassia St Clair. It was interesting. Someone gifted the book to me and I am not normally an automobile enthusiast but I was really intrigued by the history. It was well written so I will definitely check out her other book that you recommend. Thanks and best of luck as you start your own commonplace book.
Nice to meet you, Matthew! I really like what you’re doing here! Thank you!
Ellie, thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. It means a great deal to me. Nice to meet you as well.
I think I need to switch to a commonplace book because my commonplace mind is increasingly prone to sifting out half of the stuff I'd like to retain month by month. I note some of the comments here about American Pyscho and though I got a lot from reading it in my twenties, suspect that I would have had a much harder time with it were I reading today.
Matt, certainly as I get older my mind can't properly store all the stuff I want to remember so having a nice notebook is a great method. I choose a nice pen and a high quality notebook for my physical commonplace book and it feels creative and artistic. In regards to American Psycho, I agree. If I had read it when I was younger and more into that style I might have enjoyed it more. It was a bit jarring at this stage of my life.