The backlash against Holden the last few years has really hurt. Does it matter if he's male, white and privileged? He's a traumatized, lonely, grief stricken child with a deep sense of loss and alienation. And he wants to save the other kids; scoop them all up and keep them from dying. ❤️
I love Moby-Dick. There is an award-winning audiobook of it that is absolutely thrilling. I'm excited about The Gales of November and planning to read that in 2026. Sorry to say, I didn't love Tom Lake. ("Our Town" is just...no.) I'll have to check out some of your favorites that I'm not familiar with. Thanks for sharing your list!
It took me awhile. I didn’t expect the book to be so…vignette-y. There’s not much of a plot, but if you catch the vision of what she’s trying to do, I think it really works. To each his own!
I’ve read three of your twelve this year—Matterhorn, Emerald Mile, and Huck Finn. I look forward to adding several more from this list in the coming year.
I always consider myself first and foremost a fiction reader but all of the Biography & History books are ones I've now put on hold - the first two sound so engaging and TR is my boy, I don't know how I missed when it was published!
I'm surprised I didn't hear more about it when it was published, or even in these end-of-year roundups. It's so good. And I'm so glad to hear you're working on something similar! Can't wait to read it, whenever that may be!
Always appreciate your thoughts. I have a pretty good suspicion that Gales is under the tree for me, and I'm taking my first stab at Moby Dick in '26!
Oh excellent, good luck Jason!
Have you read James, by Percival Everett? Its my favourite read of the year and a really great retelling of Huck Finn
Yes! It was in my favorites list last year. Such a great book. Well-deserving of all its accolades.
The backlash against Holden the last few years has really hurt. Does it matter if he's male, white and privileged? He's a traumatized, lonely, grief stricken child with a deep sense of loss and alienation. And he wants to save the other kids; scoop them all up and keep them from dying. ❤️
I love Moby-Dick. There is an award-winning audiobook of it that is absolutely thrilling. I'm excited about The Gales of November and planning to read that in 2026. Sorry to say, I didn't love Tom Lake. ("Our Town" is just...no.) I'll have to check out some of your favorites that I'm not familiar with. Thanks for sharing your list!
I just couldn’t get into Braiding Sweetgrass no matter how much I tried.
I get it! The pace and style are not for everyone. As mentioned, it's really about coming in with the right framing and expectations.
It took me awhile. I didn’t expect the book to be so…vignette-y. There’s not much of a plot, but if you catch the vision of what she’s trying to do, I think it really works. To each his own!
(Excellent handle btw)
I have The Gales on my Christmas list. Good reviews all around and now yourself and Jennifer at Fitgers Bookstore (you need to meet her) have raved.
I've not met Jennifer, but certainly hope to! Seems like a must-read for Duluthians especially. :)
I’ve read three of your twelve this year—Matterhorn, Emerald Mile, and Huck Finn. I look forward to adding several more from this list in the coming year.
Wonderful! Glad to hear it.
I think I need to add Moby Dick to my list:
https://open.substack.com/pub/andrew756864/p/what-im-reading-and-why-january-2026?r=fx017&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
I always consider myself first and foremost a fiction reader but all of the Biography & History books are ones I've now put on hold - the first two sound so engaging and TR is my boy, I don't know how I missed when it was published!
Woo! Enjoy!
Great books and reviews
Thanks Susan!
Bear-Tooth is a great book. I’m working on a rural crime novel so it’s in my current sweet spot.
I'm surprised I didn't hear more about it when it was published, or even in these end-of-year roundups. It's so good. And I'm so glad to hear you're working on something similar! Can't wait to read it, whenever that may be!
Have you read Jess Walter's So Far Gone? It's a rural/urban crime novel. He's a good friend of mine.
I haven’t read any of his books, but I’ve heard good things for years. I’ll bump him up my ‘26 priorities list!
Thanks for the recommendations! I want to check out Matterhorn and somehow had missed it
My pleasure!
John Bacon’s book on the explosion in Halifax is equally good, Jeremy!
Good to know! Thanks Joe!
Two added to the list! Thanks for your work Jeremy!
Thank you Clint, appreciate it!