I love this, Kolina! I firmly believe that understanding what you don't like, and why, is just as important a way to understand your tastes. And I love that you are spelling that out and thinking about that in terms of recommending books.
I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately since a friend asked for a book recommendation last week. I wanted to say, you won't want to read what I want to read! Let me point you in the direction of someone who does. Its so important to know your own taste and recognize it might not be for everyone. Love this so much! I love murder mysteries so if anyone asks you about them just send them on over to me lol
YES! You won’t want to read what I want to read. Sometimes I feel that way and get a little panicked! Or worse, when someone picks up a book I loved but couldn’t get through it. Because it wasn’t a recommendation specific to them!
I'm on a Karin Slaughter binge lately, I am determined to finish both her Will Trent and Grant County series. I just read The Enigma of Room 622 which was lovely, and a Kate Atkinson mystery too. Love nordic noir like The Chestnut Man, and anything Gillian Flynn writes. My lifetime favorites are probably Tana French (The Likeness is my fav), or Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Night Film by Marisha Pessl.
I just read my first Karin Slaughter book a few weeks ago and it definitely made me want to read another! I am adding all of these to my to be read list l!
What a fantastic idea to explain your way of deciding what you like in a book so as not to disappoint others who might rely on your judgement. I found myself agreeing with you a lot throught this piece. I am open to almost any sort of story and the whole bandwith of characters as long as that story is well written and the characters come to life. Keep up the good work, you just got yourself a new subscriber!
Thank you Tun! Most of the time while writing this piece I questioned whether it mattered at all. I know it matters that people see a 360-view of my tastes if they're going to listen to my opinions, but then I wondered if anybody cares about all that as much as I do!
Yes -- nothing beats a well-written story with life-like characters. Thanks for your encouragement!
People definitely care! Especially if people are looking to you for recommendations, it helps to know what might have drawn you to a particular book. If you liked a book simply because it had a swoonworthy protagonist but I care more about the way in which the author employs words to make the page sing, before you wrote this piece I would have had no way of knowing whether the book you recommended might be for me or not. Now I do. (Purely hypothetical, I know that's not your point of view). Again, well done and interesting. I struggle with the "will this interest anybody other than me"-bug often as well. But: yes, if you find something interesting, chances are someone else finds it interesting too.
You are so kind, thank you! Happy to hear we have some similar reading tastes. I love your note about how if I find it interesting, someone else likely will too. That's an excellent reminder. I am grateful for your notes!
Classics become classics because over long periods of time experts (not just readers) have collectively endorsed them, encourging readership. It is the public (the average reader) who vests these well-read and informed "experts" with the power to bless a book and make it enduring. There have been many many books that were utter sensations during their time, extremely popular. But its the hand of the literary critic who keeps a novel on the shelf for centuries. As a writer, I know every novel, no matter how brilliant, has flaws. It's never done and never perfect.
It is with this understanding that I voice my criticism, hopefully balanced alongside what is good. It's not easy. I'm riddled with self-doubt. How do I know what the writer was trying to do? Why is my opinion worth expressing? Maybe I'm simply wrong. But in the end, it is not me, but the prevailing sapience that will decide the fate of the volume, and its place in the bibliotheque of history.
I love this take on literary criticism! Your opinion will differ from many, but you are playing your role in this big ecosystem. We all have a job to do, and this is ours.
That is so refreshing! I like the idea of honest, kind debate about books. I love The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, anything by Daisy Goodwin, Reputation by Lex Croucher, Pure by Andrew Miller. I'm revising the first draft of my novel and had to stop reading to keep my head in my own story, which is killing me.
The Secret History is one of my very favorites! I loved The Marriage Portrait too. I haven't read any Daisy Goodwin. I guess I may have to change that!
How long have you stopped reading for? That sounds so rough! I am also working on a novel but I can't commit to not reading. It's like I need an escape from my manuscript!
Nice to discover your newsletter and this essay. I think this is a very challenging question for readers and reviewers, and I find my position changing over time also, but the other direction from yours. It may change again. :-) I'm currently enjoying books by people I've met on Substack. Just finished Evelyn Skye's Damsel. Now reading Andrew Boryga's Victim. Next book is by Susan Wittig Albert. There are so many good Substack writers with books coming out that I want to support at least a few of them. (I also write about books at a newsletter called Quiet Reading.)
That’s how I do most of my reading, which is important for readers to know, because they might not care about beautiful words. They might just want a propulsive engrossing story!
Loved the honesty. I know there are certain books/genres that I don’t personally like, but I have never really thought about why I don’t take a liking to them.
From what you said, I think we might have opposite tastes, but I am always ready and open to expanding!
The comments in Courtney Maum's recent post on the Costalegre giveaway and the request for books with complicated mother/daughter relationships lengthened my TBR list. I started Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi on a recommendation there. Sentences have been underlined. . .
Great post. I'm certainly in Camp Love Letter to a Book, buuut. . . . to reference Cournty Maum twice in one comment, in Before and After the Book Deal she recommends that aspiring authors read outside, and learn to speak thoughtfully about, work outside our go-to genres and styles. I will finish books pressed into my hands by a friend who is pleading with me to read it. If it doesn't resonate with me, I don't belabor the point. Something lit her up that didn't do it for me - she shared something she loved, I read outside my habit zone. We all left happy.
Hi Kelly! I was one of those commenters on Courtney's call for mother/daughter relationships! I suggested an Elena Ferrante book. Thanks for reminding me -- I will need to go back and see what others have been sharing!
Before and After the Book Deal is such a gift to writers. I forgot that part of it, but what a smart move. I love what you said about your friend pleading you to read a book. I am probably like her! LOL.
What’s your favourite Ann Patchett? Mine has to be Bel Canto (so funny and full of life, notwithstanding the ending lol). And speaking of novels in translation, have you read Witches by Brenda Lozano? It was a bit slow for me but super rich with inferiority and brilliant prose.
Update: I requested both the audiobook and physical book from the library (both are currently available!) because I have an upcoming roadtrip and might want to listen to it. Thanks Morgan!
I had to DNF Dutch House sadly! I think I'm the only person in the world who didn't like it. (I can't put my finger on exactly what didn't work for me... maybe the protagonist was a bit passive for my taste and I just couldn't get into it.) I also loved Commonwealth and State of Wonder.
I love that we have that super strange difference! I forgot about Commonwealth. Fantastic read. State of Wonder is great too. Have you read Tom Lake yet?
Jhumpa Lahiri and Ann Patchett are two of the authors I love as well. Now, if I could just write like them! Thank you for your essay explaining what types of books you like because now I know when I look at your recommendations it might be something I like. By the way On Writing by Stephen King is wonderful-I think it’s one of the best books on writing. Right now I’m reading the Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier.
It does not surprise me that we have similar reading tastes! Agreed, On Writing is one of the best. It's a re-read for me. I first read it back in 2014 and a lot has changed for me since then! I haven't read Thirteen Moons. Are you enjoying it?
I love this, Kolina! I firmly believe that understanding what you don't like, and why, is just as important a way to understand your tastes. And I love that you are spelling that out and thinking about that in terms of recommending books.
Thank you!! It's been an interesting process to come to this understanding. But I think it's important!
I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately since a friend asked for a book recommendation last week. I wanted to say, you won't want to read what I want to read! Let me point you in the direction of someone who does. Its so important to know your own taste and recognize it might not be for everyone. Love this so much! I love murder mysteries so if anyone asks you about them just send them on over to me lol
YES! You won’t want to read what I want to read. Sometimes I feel that way and get a little panicked! Or worse, when someone picks up a book I loved but couldn’t get through it. Because it wasn’t a recommendation specific to them!
I am also a big mystery/thriller lover! What are some of your favorites?
I'm on a Karin Slaughter binge lately, I am determined to finish both her Will Trent and Grant County series. I just read The Enigma of Room 622 which was lovely, and a Kate Atkinson mystery too. Love nordic noir like The Chestnut Man, and anything Gillian Flynn writes. My lifetime favorites are probably Tana French (The Likeness is my fav), or Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Night Film by Marisha Pessl.
I just read my first Karin Slaughter book a few weeks ago and it definitely made me want to read another! I am adding all of these to my to be read list l!
she is simply the best!!
What a fantastic idea to explain your way of deciding what you like in a book so as not to disappoint others who might rely on your judgement. I found myself agreeing with you a lot throught this piece. I am open to almost any sort of story and the whole bandwith of characters as long as that story is well written and the characters come to life. Keep up the good work, you just got yourself a new subscriber!
Thank you Tun! Most of the time while writing this piece I questioned whether it mattered at all. I know it matters that people see a 360-view of my tastes if they're going to listen to my opinions, but then I wondered if anybody cares about all that as much as I do!
Yes -- nothing beats a well-written story with life-like characters. Thanks for your encouragement!
People definitely care! Especially if people are looking to you for recommendations, it helps to know what might have drawn you to a particular book. If you liked a book simply because it had a swoonworthy protagonist but I care more about the way in which the author employs words to make the page sing, before you wrote this piece I would have had no way of knowing whether the book you recommended might be for me or not. Now I do. (Purely hypothetical, I know that's not your point of view). Again, well done and interesting. I struggle with the "will this interest anybody other than me"-bug often as well. But: yes, if you find something interesting, chances are someone else finds it interesting too.
You are so kind, thank you! Happy to hear we have some similar reading tastes. I love your note about how if I find it interesting, someone else likely will too. That's an excellent reminder. I am grateful for your notes!
Classics become classics because over long periods of time experts (not just readers) have collectively endorsed them, encourging readership. It is the public (the average reader) who vests these well-read and informed "experts" with the power to bless a book and make it enduring. There have been many many books that were utter sensations during their time, extremely popular. But its the hand of the literary critic who keeps a novel on the shelf for centuries. As a writer, I know every novel, no matter how brilliant, has flaws. It's never done and never perfect.
It is with this understanding that I voice my criticism, hopefully balanced alongside what is good. It's not easy. I'm riddled with self-doubt. How do I know what the writer was trying to do? Why is my opinion worth expressing? Maybe I'm simply wrong. But in the end, it is not me, but the prevailing sapience that will decide the fate of the volume, and its place in the bibliotheque of history.
I love this take on literary criticism! Your opinion will differ from many, but you are playing your role in this big ecosystem. We all have a job to do, and this is ours.
That is so refreshing! I like the idea of honest, kind debate about books. I love The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, anything by Daisy Goodwin, Reputation by Lex Croucher, Pure by Andrew Miller. I'm revising the first draft of my novel and had to stop reading to keep my head in my own story, which is killing me.
The Secret History is one of my very favorites! I loved The Marriage Portrait too. I haven't read any Daisy Goodwin. I guess I may have to change that!
How long have you stopped reading for? That sounds so rough! I am also working on a novel but I can't commit to not reading. It's like I need an escape from my manuscript!
Sounds great Kolina- look forward to reading more of your recommendations.
Thank you!
Nice to discover your newsletter and this essay. I think this is a very challenging question for readers and reviewers, and I find my position changing over time also, but the other direction from yours. It may change again. :-) I'm currently enjoying books by people I've met on Substack. Just finished Evelyn Skye's Damsel. Now reading Andrew Boryga's Victim. Next book is by Susan Wittig Albert. There are so many good Substack writers with books coming out that I want to support at least a few of them. (I also write about books at a newsletter called Quiet Reading.)
Amazing that you are supporting Substack writers! Victim is on my list and I cannot wait to pick it up! 💙
I'm on page 87 and loving it! :-)
Love it! I'm excited!
I like this line and concept a lot “read through the lens of a writer trying to sharpen her own tools.”
That’s how I do most of my reading, which is important for readers to know, because they might not care about beautiful words. They might just want a propulsive engrossing story!
Loved the honesty. I know there are certain books/genres that I don’t personally like, but I have never really thought about why I don’t take a liking to them.
From what you said, I think we might have opposite tastes, but I am always ready and open to expanding!
Me too! That’s why I will pick up a book if someone recommends it or I’m seeing it all over, even if it’s outside of my normal tastes.
I actually don’t read many mysteries or thrillers! I loved The Leftover Woman though. What are some of your favorites?
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak, Keep it in the Family by John Marrs, and The Maid’s Diary by Loren Anne White are some of my most recent favorites!
The comments in Courtney Maum's recent post on the Costalegre giveaway and the request for books with complicated mother/daughter relationships lengthened my TBR list. I started Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi on a recommendation there. Sentences have been underlined. . .
Great post. I'm certainly in Camp Love Letter to a Book, buuut. . . . to reference Cournty Maum twice in one comment, in Before and After the Book Deal she recommends that aspiring authors read outside, and learn to speak thoughtfully about, work outside our go-to genres and styles. I will finish books pressed into my hands by a friend who is pleading with me to read it. If it doesn't resonate with me, I don't belabor the point. Something lit her up that didn't do it for me - she shared something she loved, I read outside my habit zone. We all left happy.
Hi Kelly! I was one of those commenters on Courtney's call for mother/daughter relationships! I suggested an Elena Ferrante book. Thanks for reminding me -- I will need to go back and see what others have been sharing!
Before and After the Book Deal is such a gift to writers. I forgot that part of it, but what a smart move. I love what you said about your friend pleading you to read a book. I am probably like her! LOL.
What’s your favourite Ann Patchett? Mine has to be Bel Canto (so funny and full of life, notwithstanding the ending lol). And speaking of novels in translation, have you read Witches by Brenda Lozano? It was a bit slow for me but super rich with inferiority and brilliant prose.
I loved Bel Canto! But I think my favorite is Dutch House. Have you read it?
I have not read Witches! Looking it up this very second. Thank you!
Update: I requested both the audiobook and physical book from the library (both are currently available!) because I have an upcoming roadtrip and might want to listen to it. Thanks Morgan!
I had to DNF Dutch House sadly! I think I'm the only person in the world who didn't like it. (I can't put my finger on exactly what didn't work for me... maybe the protagonist was a bit passive for my taste and I just couldn't get into it.) I also loved Commonwealth and State of Wonder.
I love that we have that super strange difference! I forgot about Commonwealth. Fantastic read. State of Wonder is great too. Have you read Tom Lake yet?
Jhumpa Lahiri and Ann Patchett are two of the authors I love as well. Now, if I could just write like them! Thank you for your essay explaining what types of books you like because now I know when I look at your recommendations it might be something I like. By the way On Writing by Stephen King is wonderful-I think it’s one of the best books on writing. Right now I’m reading the Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier.
It does not surprise me that we have similar reading tastes! Agreed, On Writing is one of the best. It's a re-read for me. I first read it back in 2014 and a lot has changed for me since then! I haven't read Thirteen Moons. Are you enjoying it?
Just started it and so far I do.
Let me know how you end up liking it!
Thank you for teaching me that "fulsome" really is a word. Also, I have a lot of beef with a lot of books.
Haha is it really a word though? It didn't get underlined with red so I went with it, but it sounds kind of weird.
Do you hate a popular book??? I'd love to know. Also please tell me about your trip to Spain please please please!