Your story about the author, Mitchell, is the best kind of short story. It's something worth telling, it says something about character and coincidence. And it doesn't require either a foreword, afterword, or footnotes to understand how humans act around those experiencing their brief moments in the sun. Thx.
David Mitchell came to the Free Library of Philadelphia in 2006 when touring with Black Swan Green. It was a free event so my partner and I went without knowing anything about him or his books. The turnout was so small it was moved from the auditorium to a small meeting room. He was so cute and charming that between Cindy and me we bought his entire backlist as well as Black Swan Green. By the time he returned in 2010, the auditorium was packed.
Oh wonderful! It's great you got to see him before he became a big deal. And I think after "Cloud Atlas" that "Black Swan Green" is my favourite book by him.
Omg..your David Mitchell story . I read Hangman and really enjoyed it for the same reasons you did and the ending slayed me. My Friends was an amazing read as we journey throughout London and meditate on home, love, friends, family and exile. I am interested to read more from Matar. I just finished Ours by Philip Williams and loved his writing and mystical vibe. Also James by Percival Everett is so good and engaging and nostalgic and out of this world terrific. I jotted down A Flat Place and How to Say Babylon for my tbr. Love your thoughtful reviews. Be well and read good things.
I follow a lot of book prizes, but also get book recommendations from friends, read/watch reviews and sometimes just wander around a bookstore trying out books that take my fancy.
Some Great books Eric! Currently reading How to Say Babylon, it's great to see that you've given it a positive review. I've seen the film of Mrs Palfrey but keen to read the book. I've put My Friends on my TBR at your encouragement. Happy Reading 🙂
I loved your story about David Mitchell. In March I read In the Country by Mia Alvar, The Red and the Black by Stendhal, Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell, Robin Hood by Henry Gilbert, and I finished my reread of Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice.
Excellent list. I read A Month in Sienna by Matar which I loved as it was a quiet, calm book with so much feeling. I am looking forward to My Friends, which should arrive next week. Laura Cumming's The Vanishing Man is magnificent and I shall definitely be getting Thunderclap. I wonder how much Donna Tartt knows about Carel Fabritius as she managed to write a very engaging book based on the author's death and his painting The Goldfinch. Can't wait to read Thunderclap...
That was so nice of you to bring David Mitchell a glass of water, Eric! Maybe when you eventually get a chance to speak to him (and I'm sure you will!), he'll be like, wait, I remember you)
I appreciate your thoughts about Hangman-I listened to it (very well done) and started to piece it together towards the end but was also left a bit adrift. I think I may try to read it in print next time, to see if that helps me better grasp the messages the story is telling. Very unique book! Favorite reads in March (in order of reading): Dune All That She Carried Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands Western Lane Dearborn (Ghassan Zeineddine) Prophet Song (one of my favorite reads ever, can’t stop thinking about it) Winter Morning Walks (Ted Kooser; it’s my favorite poetry collection) How to Say Babylon (one of my top audio listens; I wondered who the “old poet” was too!) I’m currently listening to Bluets, based on your recommendation. I’ve been really surprised by the various tangents that the theme “blue” takes. I just googled the Satin Bowerbird. And while listening, I also looked around my living room at every thing blue, and was struck by how almost all of the objects had a very strong emotional connection or memory attached. April will mostly be reading possible Pulitzer contenders, based on Greg’s recent video (Supposedly Fun), starting first with Tom Lake. Thanks for another fun book chat. Happy Reading. 📚
I also enjoyed Hangman, and I wasn't sure I would at first. Once I got used to the style, I enjoyed the ride. I think it deserves a reread to catch what I may have missed, maybe via audio.
My five star reads of March ( on audio) Solider Sailor by Claire Kilroy Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad ( narration was excellent. I think it will win) Stone Yard Devotional by Charolette Wood Strong Female Character by Fern Brady ( her experience of autism) Fayne by AnnMarie MacDonald Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Haworth( LGBTQI) ☘️👋🍀☕️📚📖📕🇮🇪
It needs to be recognised that Soldier Sailor is written from one point of view. There are occasions where the husband does offer to help but she rejects the offer as she says he won't do the task correctly, so there are times when he does try. Still an excellent book, and Enter Ghost is also excellent and I hope both are shortlisted.
I should have talked more about this but I kept discussion about Soldier Sailor quite short since I already made a separate video discussing the novel and I talk in it about the husband more and how the narrative is from a subjective point of view: th-cam.com/video/WX3LQbtq19M/w-d-xo.html
Your story about the author, Mitchell, is the best kind of short story. It's something worth telling, it says something about character and coincidence. And it doesn't require either a foreword, afterword, or footnotes to understand how humans act around those experiencing their brief moments in the sun. Thx.
😊📚
David Mitchell came to the Free Library of Philadelphia in 2006 when touring with Black Swan Green. It was a free event so my partner and I went without knowing anything about him or his books. The turnout was so small it was moved from the auditorium to a small meeting room. He was so cute and charming that between Cindy and me we bought his entire backlist as well as Black Swan Green. By the time he returned in 2010, the auditorium was packed.
Oh wonderful! It's great you got to see him before he became a big deal. And I think after "Cloud Atlas" that "Black Swan Green" is my favourite book by him.
Wow! What an exciting life & lectures, of course!!! Thank you for sharing those little bits of your adventures👏👏👏🤗🍀☀️
Did David Mitchell not realise the booktube luminary he was sitting next to?
Haha!
I think it was v thoughtful of u to bring him water
That WAS very classy ❤ and thoughtful!
😊📚
I listened to How to Say Babylon, the audiobook is amazing, will be one of the best listens of the year for me.
Omg..your David Mitchell story . I read Hangman and really enjoyed it for the same reasons you did and the ending slayed me. My Friends was an amazing read as we journey throughout London and meditate on home, love, friends, family and exile. I am interested to read more from Matar. I just finished Ours by Philip Williams and loved his writing and mystical vibe. Also James by Percival Everett is so good and engaging and nostalgic and out of this world terrific. I jotted down A Flat Place and How to Say Babylon for my tbr. Love your thoughtful reviews. Be well and read good things.
It was classy and thoughtful and kind.
I finally read The Birthday Party by Laurent Mauvignier this month while I was in Paris and I LOVED it.
Oh good! That’s great to hear! 💙
You're always in the know! Where do you usually go for book recommendations for yourself?
I follow a lot of book prizes, but also get book recommendations from friends, read/watch reviews and sometimes just wander around a bookstore trying out books that take my fancy.
I loved your David Mitchell story, such a shame you didn’t get to have a matter with him ☹️
Thanks! 😊
Some Great books Eric! Currently reading How to Say Babylon, it's great to see that you've given it a positive review. I've seen the film of Mrs Palfrey but keen to read the book. I've put My Friends on my TBR at your encouragement. Happy Reading 🙂
I loved your story about David Mitchell. In March I read In the Country by Mia Alvar, The Red and the Black by Stendhal, Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell, Robin Hood by Henry Gilbert, and I finished my reread of Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice.
Thank you for this video, very interesting
Excellent list. I read A Month in Sienna by Matar which I loved as it was a quiet, calm book with so much feeling. I am looking forward to My Friends, which should arrive next week. Laura Cumming's The Vanishing Man is magnificent and I shall definitely be getting Thunderclap. I wonder how much Donna Tartt knows about Carel Fabritius as she managed to write a very engaging book based on the author's death and his painting The Goldfinch. Can't wait to read Thunderclap...
That was so nice of you to bring David Mitchell a glass of water, Eric! Maybe when you eventually get a chance to speak to him (and I'm sure you will!), he'll be like, wait, I remember you)
It will be Eric’s chance to say remember we met when I brought you that glass of water? Lol
I have just finished The Fury by Alex Michaelides. and just read Dark Anatomy by Robin Blake. I really enjoyed these two books.
I have read six Women’s Prize for fiction so far. Nightbloom and Soldier, Sailor are on my shortlist so far.
I appreciate your thoughts about Hangman-I listened to it (very well done) and started to piece it together towards the end but was also left a bit adrift. I think I may try to read it in print next time, to see if that helps me better grasp the messages the story is telling. Very unique book!
Favorite reads in March (in order of reading):
Dune
All That She Carried
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands
Western Lane
Dearborn (Ghassan Zeineddine)
Prophet Song (one of my favorite reads ever, can’t stop thinking about it)
Winter Morning Walks (Ted Kooser; it’s my favorite poetry collection)
How to Say Babylon (one of my top audio listens; I wondered who the “old poet” was too!)
I’m currently listening to Bluets, based on your recommendation. I’ve been really surprised by the various tangents that the theme “blue” takes. I just googled the Satin Bowerbird. And while listening, I also looked around my living room at every thing blue, and was struck by how almost all of the objects had a very strong emotional connection or memory attached.
April will mostly be reading possible Pulitzer contenders, based on Greg’s recent video (Supposedly Fun), starting first with Tom Lake.
Thanks for another fun book chat. Happy Reading. 📚
You were so lucky to go to the National Gallery, I am very jealous.
I also enjoyed Hangman, and I wasn't sure I would at first. Once I got used to the style, I enjoyed the ride. I think it deserves a reread to catch what I may have missed, maybe via audio.
Good plan! I'm sure I missed some details and how things connect.
My five star reads of March ( on audio)
Solider Sailor by Claire Kilroy
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad ( narration was excellent. I think it will win)
Stone Yard Devotional by Charolette Wood
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady ( her experience of autism)
Fayne by AnnMarie MacDonald
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Haworth( LGBTQI)
☘️👋🍀☕️📚📖📕🇮🇪
Yes, Hammad's novel is so good!
I'm reading All the World Beside by Garrard Conley, the author of Boy Erased. Really great. Flirting with David Mitchell, eh? 😂
It needs to be recognised that Soldier Sailor is written from one point of view. There are occasions where the husband does offer to help but she rejects the offer as she says he won't do the task correctly, so there are times when he does try. Still an excellent book, and Enter Ghost is also excellent and I hope both are shortlisted.
I should have talked more about this but I kept discussion about Soldier Sailor quite short since I already made a separate video discussing the novel and I talk in it about the husband more and how the narrative is from a subjective point of view: th-cam.com/video/WX3LQbtq19M/w-d-xo.html
Eric’s claim to fame! Maybe David Mitchell will see this video.