I would be lying if I said I’m not still riding a high from the Silent Reading Party a couple weeks ago. I am amazed and deeply grateful for how many of you came out to read together, and so many of you shared your appreciation for connecting to a truly joyful community. Thank you for bringing your excitement, your friends, your boundless optimism, your favorite books, and yourselves to such an awesome event. I am already counting down the days until we get to do it again (and spoiler alert - it’s sooner than you might think!).
Currently Reading
GOOD MATERIAL by Dolly Alderton. Admittedly, I am only a few chapters in, but as a big fan of Dolly’s fiction writing, I am really excited to see how this story unfolds. Her humor is laser-sharp and highly contemplative, and she tends to perfectly capture the often exasperating cycle of dating. I’m fortunate to have a friend reading this at the same time, and I’m looking forward to a fun buddy read!
Recent Recommendations
ONE DAY by David Nicholls (3.5 stars). Friends, I will be honest: this book took me on a wild ride of emotions, and I don’t even know where to start with this review. I moved this to the top of my reading queue as soon as I saw the trailer for the new limited series on Netflix, and I really appreciated the premise of the story from the outset. One Day follows Dexter and Emma, two friends in England, over a 20-year period through the perspective of the events that unfold on July 15. As each July 15 rolls around, the reader sees the day through both Dexter and Emma’s eyes, and getting both of their inner dialogues and perspectives is definitely part of what initially drew me into this story.
But admittedly, about a third of the way through this book, my initial excitement burned off, and I felt like I apathetically dragged my feet through the midsection of this story. Upon reflection, I think reading both of the main characters’ perspectives became a detriment to the overall story. I felt exasperated with both characters for not having honest and hard conversations with one another. In many a romance novel, the reader can almost certainly count on a bit of, “This all could have been avoided with one conversation,” but even in those scenarios, the reader is typically missing the other side of the story, which is where the anticipation builds and simmers. In One Day, the reader is bombarded with both Dexter and Emma’s thoughts and inner dilemmas, and considering they both have a cynical, self-righteous attitude, it isn’t exactly fun to live inside their minds.
It wasn’t until the last quarter of the story that I finally felt invested, in part because the characters (very subtly) mellowed out. In many ways, the end of One Day saved the book for me; I kept thinking about it for the rest of the day, and it really left me with a greater appreciation for the book on the whole.
Now, I’m a few episodes into the new Netflix adaptation after hearing nothing but rave reviews from several friends. So far, I adore Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall’s portrayals of Emma and Dexter, and this book-to-screen adaptation reminds me a lot of Normal People by Sally Rooney, in that so much of the anticipation and excitement happens in the very subtle facial expressions and body language of the characters. Interestingly, there was one significant change made at the outset of this adaptation, and I’m curious how it will all continue to unfold.
Overall, this book was probably 100 pages too long and couldn’t quite measure up to my high expectations. Though I haven’t finished the show yet, this may be one of the few times I recommend sticking with the TV show as opposed to the book.
Recommend for… fans of Normal People by Sally Rooney and readers who don’t require a picture perfect wrap-up
Up Next
REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt. My book club is reading this and discussing on March 8 so this book will be accompanying me on an upcoming work trip. It doesn’t sound like anything I would normally gravitate towards, but (a) I’m trying to push myself to try on new genres this year and (b) everyone I know who has read this absolutely adores it. I’m going in with an open mind and an excitement for a new read that will hopefully provide a nice reprieve from long work days and airline adventures.
Read Ahead
I am absolutely delighted to announce that Silent Reading Party is officially a monthly occasion! The next gathering is Wednesday, March 13 at Lost Generation Brewing, with the same agenda as this last event: arrive anytime between 6:30 - 7:00 to order food and drinks, we’ll read from 7:00 - 8:00pm, and you can hang around for as long or as little as you’d like (until last call, of course). After March, we’ll move to the first Wednesday of each month. I’m deeply grateful to Lost Gen for offering to make this a regular event, and even more grateful to all of you for creating such a welcoming and wonderful environment. Please remember to RSVP via this link and invite your friends!
Three Words
Quiet reading moments.