Happy weekend, everyone! I have lost my voice! It now seems to be a stage I get during most colds, which is super fun. It means a bit of a delay to ‘Tea or Books?’, which is probably fine because I haven’t finished the books yet. And that’s because I’ve been knee-deep in books for the 1929 Club – which starts on Monday. For those new to a club year, Karen and I invite everyone to read books published in the same year and review them wherever you post things – on your blog, on GoodReads, on Instagram, in a comment section – anywhere! Together we build up a picture of a year. And 1929 is promising to be, as ever, a really interesting one.
But, before that, here’s a book, a link, and a blog post.
1.) The blog post – Ali has written about the latest British Library Women Writers book, War Among Ladies by Eleanor Scott, and (spoilers) she liked it a lot.
2.) The link – Barbara Kingsolver has a new novel out, and I enjoyed reading the books of her life over at the Guardian.
3.) The book – It won’t be for everyone, but I am very interested in reading comedian Rob Delaney’s A Heart That Works – a memoir, if that’s the right word, about the illness and death of his young child Henry.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Simon!
Thank you!
I enjoyed that Guardian/Kingsolver article as well, as I thought Kingsolver had an interesting list of books she liked or that had influenced her. Although she’s not one of my ultimate favorite authors, I do enjoy the novels of hers I’ve read (Lacunae; Poisonwood Bible; Bean Trees). I’m undecided, however, whether to try her latest, as I gather it’s heavily indebted to Dickens, who’s not one of my favorites.
I am back and forth with her, but I do love Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven a lot.
Sorry about your lurgie Simon – I was quite poorly with a cold/flu thing last week, so much so that I was off work, which never happens. So I sympathise and hope it goes soon.
But 1929! What a year! Can’t wait.
Sorry to hear you’ve been under the weather too, Karen!
Hope you are better soon and don’t need to talk too much until your voice returns. Resorting to other methods of communication can be very frustrating sometimes!
I really enjoyed your post and the links. I am not sure that I can cope with Rob Delaney’s book at the moment, but I can appreciate his wanting to write about his experience and it sounds very powerful and moving.
I definitely want to read War amongst Ladies even more after reading Ali’s blog about it.
The 1929 club sounds fun. I guess the next one will be 1930 at the end of November? I might have time to join in then.
Have a good rest of the weekend as far as you can with the remnants of a lurgy.
Thanks Sarah! I am having a quiet night in this evening, though definitely feeling rather over it all.
Oh… I have a book from 1929 on my shelf – Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials Mystery! If I get around to reading it, I could join in. Too bad I already read and reviewed my Classics Club Spin pick of Demian, which was also published in 1929!
It’s quite an unusual one, if I remember correctly! Agatha is almost always a reliable Club candidate.
My favourite classic author would be James Joyce. I tried readinf Finnigans Wake, but found it difficult…any insights into the novel would be helpful.
I am writing a literary novel in a similar style, very obtuse and dense. I am offering ARC’s for interested readers on : honestbookreviews.com
thank you
I’ve looked again at the 1929 club (ignore my previous comments on this – I have only recently joined so excuse my silly questions please!)
I’m pleased to have a 1929 book ready. I see some others of you have already read and commented; it’s A Background for Caroline by Helen Ashton.
Oo I’m excited to hear more about Ashton’s writing. And yes, it’s every six months and the year is anything between 1920 and 1979, tbd :)
Yay Ali! And I enjoyed that piece in the Guardian, too!