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I've found Julia riveting. I know Orwell probably wanted to show just how far totalitarianism could go, but in my opinion the retelling makes the whole story feel more credible and Julia (the character) is so much more compelling than Winston. The way Newman fleshes her out, fills in the blanks (ironically leveraging the erasure and dismissal of women in the original book), recast some events with a different light is nothing short of amazing. Until about 3/4 of the book I could almost have said that it's better than 1984, although I knew I certainly couldn't have liked it as much if they didn't share the same setting. I have to admit however that I was disappointed by the last part, including the ending. You're probably right about its meaning, but I couldn't escape the feeling that Julia starts to act more and more out of character, that there was way too much ironic coincidences, and I was left with the impression that the author didn't knew if she wanted to do an happy or bad end so she settled for something that is neither. That said, it remains a very good read.

"Man kills shopkeeper with an axe" hold on a sec isn't that Crime and Punishment

I finally understood why Intermezzo just didn’t work for me! You are completely right, if you cannot relate to Ivan and Peter you will not understand their decisions and the plot. This was exactly the cause for me. I liked the writing and the characters in themselves, but their choices made no sense to me. I felt really bad for rating this book low on Goodreads, because I realized it’s not a bad literary work but very dependent on hitting home in yourself. I think I’ll give this book another try in the future. You never know if you can relate in the future or not.

Haha, I love that you are such a hater because I am too

Great Reviews Scott Loved Leonard and Hungry Paul on audiobook, I listened to The Perfect Golden Circle by Ben Myers this year and it reminded me of it. Shafak's book is amazing, loved it, and learned something, like with all her books. I've just put The Visitors on library reserve, it sounds like it would make a great Australia Day read. Happy Reading 🙂

The way you described grief for Tidelines’s summary….. I am moved AF emotionally 💚 Appreciate you beyond 📚… 🪱💚

I'm reading Tess now, and I don't think I'm missing Angel's flaws. What a POS. Phenomenal book though, truly.

Though great 1984 is maybe the most depressing books i`ve ever read. Cheers mate i`ll give this one a read

I love that you add photos of the authors

Woo Woo -- sounds like it would be interesting to compare/contrast it with Anita de Monte and Nightbitch. I read both of those this year. Based on your description it sounds like Woo Woo might be a more immersive (and maybe too disturbing for me) experience in ways those other two books skirted around. Nightbitch did away with the dangers that would naturally arise from an unclothed woman doing performance art, and Anita de Monte ignored those dangerous and transgressive elements altogether in the fictional version of the artist you told us about/showed us earlier this year.

Fascinating!!! I'd heard about this relationship and am starting the book now. My culture also has culture-specific queer identities and the info here is very interesting.

A bit luckily already had a hold on this because it was on the LeGuin prize nominees as well, and that's just come in, so suck it all the masses who've now jumped in line behind! I've seen such heavily divided takes on it, but I like your sentiment "Books that don't do a lot, but do it beautifully" - probably makes me more hopeful it will be my wheelhouse.

I read Leonard and Hungry Paul. I agree it was low stakes but that the characters were super likeable! I really enjoyed it. There are Rivers in the Sky is going on my TBR right now.

Added Leonard & Hungry Paul to my wishlist. You have sold me on the Shafak too!! Great wrap up but dangerous for my TBR as always 😅❤

I had many laugh out loud moments reading Woo Woo. Ella Baxter can be gross, but also hilarious. I also enjoyed There are Rivers in the Sky, the sections about Arthur had a Dickensian feel to them which I very much enjoyed. I studied The Epic of Gilgamesh at university but knew very little about the Yazidis so I found those sections really interesting. Also as you said it is a fine piece of story telling.

I suggest you read Capitalism in the Web of Life by Jason Moore instead of the poppy titles like Vulture Capitalism. If you want books that explain better what needs to be done I recommended David Graeber's Revolution in Reverse, Possibilities and The Democracy Project.

Thanks for the intro to new books. I enjoyed Eli Shafak’s book from your earlier recommendation to me.

Thanks Nelle! ❤ Scott have you heard any of the murmurs that Orbital is pro-russia/anti-ukraine? Just curious as I’ve seen a few posts about this online…

Hi Scott. I need you to make me a video… 🙏🏻. I’m depressed! (I live in the US… need I say more?) and so many books are really deep and not a good fit for depression. I need a whole list of happy books. Not necessarily fluff. Just books that will make this world seem a lot brighter than it currently does. Any ideas? (I’m adding Leonard … from this video).

I have no dog in this fight but I am surprised James did not win!

Thanks for recommending Heiss and Sasson. I wasn't quite as wild about There Are Rivers in the Sky as you. I have this little oppositional streak set off by books where the message is too prominent, although it really is a lovely book.

Aww that Ronan Hession is lovely.

The visitors sounds superb as does Leonard & hungry Paul. Both going on my wish list.

What a great selection. Of Shafak, exploring the Yazidi perspective was very interesting. Overall though I did have some reservations about the balance between the stories and found some aspects hard to believe.

I need to read Woo Woo by Ella Baxter. You do know I am on a read what I own challenge, but if I buy it I own it right? 😉

Greg, you are not doing my book buying ban any good. I have no willpower and have bought I Do Not Come to You By Chance and Leonard and Hungry Paul. Will Tidelines be published in UK. Cannot seem to find it even on Kindle.

Hurrah! With your permission, I will make Dirrayawadha as my Lit Fic pick for HRCYED! The last empty box!

Was so anticipating Woo Woo to be bitterly disappointed - a dnf for me 🥴

“Joy on paper” nicely phrased. Ignatius and Arthur Dent. I’m glad you liked Leonard and Hungry Paul (and no I don’t think that name is ever explained).

That cover of Woo Woo is so much better than the US cover. I've been looking forward to that book, but it's not published here until 3 December and . . . . the best books aren't published in December so that admittedly gives me pause. You may have sold me on that Shafak. L loved it too, but we don't always agree. I might have to break down and read it.

Oh! I felt similarly about Ella Baxter's New Animal - really wasn't sure what to think. I LOVE novels that I equally hate and love! Also, I hate novels that I equally hate and love.

Excellent, honest reviews. I especially liked your summary of the Elik Shafak book. Luckily, I have an arc, and now I am anxious to start reading it.

I read woo woo and honestly just did not get it 🤷‍♀️

I’m currently listening to There Are Rivers in The Sky. Arthur’s story is the most compelling so far.

Even being part of a union doesn’t protect workers from low pay and shitty conditions. Nurses, doctors, teachers and all public sector staff are all being shafted here at present.

Thank you for putting new authors on my radar.

Fast by the horns is one on my shelf and as someone who knows the Bible I will likely be able to appreciate it more. And I am looking forward to reading it in the patois it is written in, and I can imagine it would make a good audiobook for people who might struggle to read it physically (I haven't listened though, so I hope they have cast it well). I'm sorry you didn't like it though! How I won a noble prize sounds like the satire and comedy that isn't for me, but I am glad it is thought provoking and I could see the booker judges loving it. Anyone's ghost is another waiting on my shelf and it being character driven grief focus makes me think i will like it.

They were roommates or really good friends

This is good advice, thanks!