November favorite(s) The Expanse series (up to book 4 so far). Best book this year: A Gentleman in Moscow. Just the uplifting book I needed this fall.
To be honest, Jeremy, because of this stack -- and with a nod to your Pulitzer Project which inspired my own obsessive tracking spreadsheet (Pulitzer, Hugo, Nebula, Booker, Edgar...) -- I've enjoyed so many books this year. I'm back to reading under the covers with a nightlight like I did as a kid. How did I go so many years oblivious to this hunger for books?
I read The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham and boy did it cut like one. Along with the novels of John Crowley I read earlier this year, it's among the best books I read this year. It follow's the lives of several people, but one is centered more than the others, Larry Darrell who experiences trauma from his experiences as a WWI pilot. He is in love with a childhood sweetheart who comes from a higher social class than he, and the conflict centers around his refusal to get a job, and instead live on the pension from his service duty, and hang out in libraries and read books (good chap, he). He could have had it made in the shade and joined the company of a friend who was a stockbroker, but he was more interested in the search for wisdom. Maugham expertly contrasts this with the other characters who are all about rising up the ranks of society, making money and keeping up appearances. Darrell does work at times. He goes to a mine just for the experience and to give his mind a rest. He also does farm work and the like. He isn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. And this is one thing I think the book has to teach today's soi distant intellectuals: don't be afraid to do physical work, and it's probably not a good idea to trash talk those whose manual labor keeps things chugging along. The book covers the time period of the stock market crash in 1929, and let's just say Darrell isn't phased in the same way as the woman who could have married him, and the stockbroker friend she chooses instead of him. There is much else to mine from the book, including its profound spiritual dimension, that encompasses Christian mysticism as well as the wisdom of Vedanta and the East.
The Bill Murray “The Razor’s Edge” movie was not good, but I gave the much older Tyrone Power black and white film of the same name a go after reading the book. It was pretty good, but of course nothing compares to actually reading the novel.
Wuthering Heights! It took me FIVE tries to finish WH — but the last time, it really stuck. I agree: What a book! I don't know if I'll read it again (although I am tempted). For me, it was a similar reading experience to 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. I can't say I enjoyed the experience while I was reading, but the impact has lasted — and, weirdly, I feel affectionately toward both books... even thought I can't say I 'like' them. For me, both have such a strong atmosphere of dread and claustrophobia, unlikable characters that are unforgettable, and brilliant writing.
Yes that’s EXACTLY how I felt while reading WH. I kept asking myself, “Who am I supposed to be rooting for?!” Regardless, the writing was incredible and surprisingly propulsive.
My favorite read this month was Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by KJ Parker. It's just a hilarious book, and I am reading the sequel now.
Also, an honorable mention to The Comfort Crisis By Michael Easter. It has been in my audiobook rotation for a month and is an amazing nonfiction read. Gave me a bunch of ideas on things to add to my life.
Favorite book this month: The Third Realm by Karl Ove Knausgaard. This series is getting spooky. I'm so glad there will be seven total books (at least that's what I've gleaned). I'm not usually a series reader but I'm so into these.
Been wanting to read Wuthering Heights for many months now. Just couldn’t squeeze it in. My favorite read this month is The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa.
I was blown away by Kash Patel's book, Government Gangsters. As a Canadian/UK citizen, I have a profound interest in global affairs and particularly US politics. I knew a great deal about the corruption in various security agencies within the US government, but the newly appointed head of the FBI under the incoming Trump administration clearly spells out the depth of the problem.
True Grit was my favorite read in November. So much better than the movies (although the Coen Brothers' was closer to the novel). Very close second was our Big Read, Great Expectations.
Technically my highest rated book for the month is Dracula, again, because I did the Dracula Daily read along for the second time this year. Since that goes from March through November though, I'll discount that and choose another.
I began and finished all three books in the His Dark Materials trilogy in November. We just finished it on Nov 30th, so I'm still processing how I feel about the individual entries (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass), but for now I've ranked them all equally and just know I absolutely loved this series. It gets categorized as young adult or even children's books in a lot of places, but I think that is unfair. Philip Pullman says he wrote them without a target audience in mind and it shows.
If you're not familiar, it is often described as an inversion of Paradise Lost. It's a lovely fantasy world with amazing characters and big ideas.
The film adaptation was very bad, though it had some cases of good casting. We're going to start the HBO series adaptation which I hear is much better very soon.
Shadow divers, about a German sub found off coast of NJ. Would not have read if. It a book club pick but it was really good. Also JFK JR: and intimate oral biography. Read it in 2 days. Could not put it down.
Is Martyr! on that list as well, by chance? Can't remember if I got the recommendation from you, but I'm about 2/3 through and it's amazing. Brilliant writing.
November favorite(s) The Expanse series (up to book 4 so far). Best book this year: A Gentleman in Moscow. Just the uplifting book I needed this fall.
To be honest, Jeremy, because of this stack -- and with a nod to your Pulitzer Project which inspired my own obsessive tracking spreadsheet (Pulitzer, Hugo, Nebula, Booker, Edgar...) -- I've enjoyed so many books this year. I'm back to reading under the covers with a nightlight like I did as a kid. How did I go so many years oblivious to this hunger for books?
Ah the Expanse! Glad you're enjoying it. There's nothing quite like it. And Towles is always always a gem.
I'm *thrilled* to hear that you're getting a lot out of this newsletter!!
I read The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham and boy did it cut like one. Along with the novels of John Crowley I read earlier this year, it's among the best books I read this year. It follow's the lives of several people, but one is centered more than the others, Larry Darrell who experiences trauma from his experiences as a WWI pilot. He is in love with a childhood sweetheart who comes from a higher social class than he, and the conflict centers around his refusal to get a job, and instead live on the pension from his service duty, and hang out in libraries and read books (good chap, he). He could have had it made in the shade and joined the company of a friend who was a stockbroker, but he was more interested in the search for wisdom. Maugham expertly contrasts this with the other characters who are all about rising up the ranks of society, making money and keeping up appearances. Darrell does work at times. He goes to a mine just for the experience and to give his mind a rest. He also does farm work and the like. He isn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. And this is one thing I think the book has to teach today's soi distant intellectuals: don't be afraid to do physical work, and it's probably not a good idea to trash talk those whose manual labor keeps things chugging along. The book covers the time period of the stock market crash in 1929, and let's just say Darrell isn't phased in the same way as the woman who could have married him, and the stockbroker friend she chooses instead of him. There is much else to mine from the book, including its profound spiritual dimension, that encompasses Christian mysticism as well as the wisdom of Vedanta and the East.
I read this many years ago, after watching a poorly done movie of the same name. The book has a lot to offer in the perspective you mentioned.
The Bill Murray “The Razor’s Edge” movie was not good, but I gave the much older Tyrone Power black and white film of the same name a go after reading the book. It was pretty good, but of course nothing compares to actually reading the novel.
I too read The Razor’s Edge last month and loved it! A deep and interesting story. Highly recommended.
James by Percival Everett
Did you read Huck Finn prior to reading James? Looking to pick James up, but have only started and stalled out with Huck a couple times.
I read Huck Finn in college and didn't re-read it. It is part of The Big Read in '25 though, so I'll be revisiting it next spring.
I'm in for that! #BigRead'25
So. Good.
Wuthering Heights! It took me FIVE tries to finish WH — but the last time, it really stuck. I agree: What a book! I don't know if I'll read it again (although I am tempted). For me, it was a similar reading experience to 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. I can't say I enjoyed the experience while I was reading, but the impact has lasted — and, weirdly, I feel affectionately toward both books... even thought I can't say I 'like' them. For me, both have such a strong atmosphere of dread and claustrophobia, unlikable characters that are unforgettable, and brilliant writing.
Did I just talk myself into reading them again?!
Yes that’s EXACTLY how I felt while reading WH. I kept asking myself, “Who am I supposed to be rooting for?!” Regardless, the writing was incredible and surprisingly propulsive.
I just finished The Haunting of Hill House. Her writing is so powerful.
My favorite read this month was Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by KJ Parker. It's just a hilarious book, and I am reading the sequel now.
Also, an honorable mention to The Comfort Crisis By Michael Easter. It has been in my audiobook rotation for a month and is an amazing nonfiction read. Gave me a bunch of ideas on things to add to my life.
Never heard of the Parker title! I’ll have to check it out. And Easter’s book has been on my list a long time.
Favorite book this month: The Third Realm by Karl Ove Knausgaard. This series is getting spooky. I'm so glad there will be seven total books (at least that's what I've gleaned). I'm not usually a series reader but I'm so into these.
Nice! I’ve only read his Autumn, which was weird and interesting. I’m definitely interested in more.
Been wanting to read Wuthering Heights for many months now. Just couldn’t squeeze it in. My favorite read this month is The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa.
I know how that goes!
The Housekeeper and the Professor is one of my all time favorite books.
I love it! It’s quiet and nothing big happens but by the end you know you’ve just read a really great book.
The best book I read in November was "Atonement". It was perfect.
Been on my radar a long time. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I was blown away by Kash Patel's book, Government Gangsters. As a Canadian/UK citizen, I have a profound interest in global affairs and particularly US politics. I knew a great deal about the corruption in various security agencies within the US government, but the newly appointed head of the FBI under the incoming Trump administration clearly spells out the depth of the problem.
My favorite read for November was Playground by Richard Powers. Definitely one of my favorites of the year.
His books have been quite hit or miss for me.. I may have to give it a shot though.
My Halloween book ran into November, so I finished Salem’s Lot. Really liked the creepy tension King kept through the book
Such a good book. It's really stuck with me as one of my King favorites.
My very first Stephen King. 9th grade, I think. Great Halloween pick!
True Grit was my favorite read in November. So much better than the movies (although the Coen Brothers' was closer to the novel). Very close second was our Big Read, Great Expectations.
True Grit is great. One of my favorite Westerns for sure.
Technically my highest rated book for the month is Dracula, again, because I did the Dracula Daily read along for the second time this year. Since that goes from March through November though, I'll discount that and choose another.
I began and finished all three books in the His Dark Materials trilogy in November. We just finished it on Nov 30th, so I'm still processing how I feel about the individual entries (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass), but for now I've ranked them all equally and just know I absolutely loved this series. It gets categorized as young adult or even children's books in a lot of places, but I think that is unfair. Philip Pullman says he wrote them without a target audience in mind and it shows.
If you're not familiar, it is often described as an inversion of Paradise Lost. It's a lovely fantasy world with amazing characters and big ideas.
The film adaptation was very bad, though it had some cases of good casting. We're going to start the HBO series adaptation which I hear is much better very soon.
Dracula is certainly an all time classic for good reason. I’ve not read His Dark Materials, but your review sure makes me want to!
Shadow divers, about a German sub found off coast of NJ. Would not have read if. It a book club pick but it was really good. Also JFK JR: and intimate oral biography. Read it in 2 days. Could not put it down.
Shadow Divers is amazing (so are his other books).
No contest: James by Percival Everett. I see what all the fuss is about. Amazing book.
Agreed! It’s rare that a book lives up to this much hype, but it’s sooo good. Definitely making my best of the year list.
Slightly off topic----when do we get to see your top 10 list?
I think next week 😀
Is Martyr! on that list as well, by chance? Can't remember if I got the recommendation from you, but I'm about 2/3 through and it's amazing. Brilliant writing.
No I’ve not read that one yet!
El mejor de noviembre fue 100 años de soledad de Gabriel García Márquez. Sublime!!
It’s on my bookshelf waiting for me. 😀