I agree with you about preferring The White Album over Slouching .... With Didion I have to keep reminding myself that the value (for me) of many of her essays is in their capture of a particular time and place, to allow me to see through the eyes of someone experiencing and/or observing in real time. It’s a bit of a time travel experience!
Disappointing to hear about the lack of editing in Fresh Banana Leaves. I was very interested in that subject. For Her Own Good by Ehrenreich is on my list to read, so I'll be interested to hear what you think of it. Thanks for the reminder about the Book Naturalist Book Club. I'll be sure to watch for the 2025 reading list. Looking forward to reading along with those books this coming year. 😊
Yes, Banana Leaves was such a disappointment! And I will report back on For Her Own Good. Happy to hear you will have a go at the Booknaturalist Bookclub next year. I've discovered so many great books!
Hi Britta, I really disliked the essay “ slouching taught Bethlehem“. I thought she seemed holier than thou toward the hippie women. But I really have not found Joan Didion to be for me. I look forward to your review of for her own kid because it’s a subject that I’m interested in. Aloha friend
That's a very good point about Slouching, I don't think Didion saw anything of value in the hippie-movement... And I will report back on For Her Own Good!
I must read Code Dependent.I need to know more and understand what it’s all about and how it will affect us all. Every time I read an article in a newspaper/magazine I glaze over. Get a grip I think! Thanks Britta 😊
I was very interested in The Stranger in the Mirror when you first talked about it. I got the same idea from the subtitle than you did. I hate when they or the blurbs are misleading in that way. I like memoirs, but I'm not sure I'm going to pick it up now.
I read all of Joan Didion’s books. I feel her essays are dated, but it’s interesting to read about issues from the 60s since I was born in 1965. Do you have Netflix? There’s a very good documentary on Joan, her husband and her adopted daughter. Joan is in the documentary and it’s just fascinating to watch. Happy reading!
I agree about the essay being dated but still valuable as a 'historical document' of the 1960ies. Do you mean The Center Will Not Hold by her nephew Griffin Dunne? I have watched it multiple times and really love it.
I did read Slouching Toward Bethlehem but it has been many years now so I'm hazy on the stories now. I do like Didion and have read a few and, as you said, enjoy her writing. I am wondering if you have read Just Kids by Patti Smith? I think she is a good writer of the times she lived thru as well.
A mixed bag then Britta, sometimes DNF’s are just necessary. I think I might enjoy The Farm in the Green if it is more farm and less politics. What do you think?
Yep, mixed bag, but more good than bad. ☺️ I think you would enjoy Farm in the Green Mountains! The descriptions of farm life (not so much plants but animals, of course) and of the small town etc. are very lively and charming.
Editorial mistakes and neglect always reflect badly on the writer and the work. It’s a shame that it was so poor in that book that it ruined the reading experience.
Yes. Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold. Enjoy!
I've watched it some time ago and really loved it.
I agree with you about preferring The White Album over Slouching .... With Didion I have to keep reminding myself that the value (for me) of many of her essays is in their capture of a particular time and place, to allow me to see through the eyes of someone experiencing and/or observing in real time. It’s a bit of a time travel experience!
I completely agree, Didion captured the1960ies really well! I love you expression that reading her essays is like a time travel experience. ☺️
I’m glad you and Sandy will keep on with the book club. You both had hectic years, for good and bad reasons.
That's nice to hear, David. And yes, this year was kinda hectic for both Sandy and me, in many ways...
I thought The Farm in the Green Mountains was a delight! I also had a DNF in November. We are getting ruthless here at the end of the year!
Haha, yes, I love our ruthless streak. ☺️
Disappointing to hear about the lack of editing in Fresh Banana Leaves. I was very interested in that subject. For Her Own Good by Ehrenreich is on my list to read, so I'll be interested to hear what you think of it.
Thanks for the reminder about the Book Naturalist Book Club. I'll be sure to watch for the 2025 reading list. Looking forward to reading along with those books this coming year. 😊
Yes, Banana Leaves was such a disappointment! And I will report back on For Her Own Good. Happy to hear you will have a go at the Booknaturalist Bookclub next year. I've discovered so many great books!
I’ve noticed a few minor editorial mistakes in books I’ve read this year. Fresh Banana Leaves sounds something else though😮
Yes, this was definitely not minor. The editing was non-existing, really horrible.
Hi Britta, I really disliked the essay “ slouching taught Bethlehem“. I thought she seemed holier than thou toward the hippie women. But I really have not found Joan Didion to be for me.
I look forward to your review of for her own kid because it’s a subject that I’m interested in.
Aloha friend
That's a very good point about Slouching, I don't think Didion saw anything of value in the hippie-movement... And I will report back on For Her Own Good!
I've taken Banana Leaves off my TBR after you and Heidi reviewing it.
Also, "the book room"? Now I want to see that.
Banana Leaves was such a disappointment. And filming the 'book room', that's actually a good idea!
I must read Code Dependent.I need to know more and understand what it’s all about and how it will affect us all. Every time I read an article in a newspaper/magazine I glaze over. Get a grip I think! Thanks Britta 😊
I think you'd find Code Dependent really interesting and also engaging. I hope you will pick it up at some point!
I was very interested in The Stranger in the Mirror when you first talked about it. I got the same idea from the subtitle than you did. I hate when they or the blurbs are misleading in that way. I like memoirs, but I'm not sure I'm going to pick it up now.
Yes, I hate those misleading titles / blurbs etc., too. I will report back, once I've read the book. I need a little break to start fresh...
I read all of Joan Didion’s books. I feel her essays are dated, but it’s interesting to read about issues from the 60s since I was born in 1965. Do you have Netflix? There’s a very good documentary on Joan, her husband and her adopted daughter. Joan is in the documentary and it’s just fascinating to watch. Happy reading!
Do you remember the name of the documentary?
I agree about the essay being dated but still valuable as a 'historical document' of the 1960ies. Do you mean The Center Will Not Hold by her nephew Griffin Dunne? I have watched it multiple times and really love it.
It's called Joan Didion - The Center Will Not Hold (at least that's the documentary I have watched.)
I did read Slouching Toward Bethlehem but it has been many years now so I'm hazy on the stories now. I do like Didion and have read a few and, as you said, enjoy her writing. I am wondering if you have read Just Kids by Patti Smith? I think she is a good writer of the times she lived thru as well.
Oh, yes, I loved Just Kids! ☺️ I also read M-train which I quite liked as well. Have you read that one?
Thank goodness TH-cam lets us pre-record videos
Yes, indeed!
A mixed bag then Britta, sometimes DNF’s are just necessary. I think I might enjoy The Farm in the Green if it is more farm and less politics. What do you think?
Yep, mixed bag, but more good than bad. ☺️ I think you would enjoy Farm in the Green Mountains! The descriptions of farm life (not so much plants but animals, of course) and of the small town etc. are very lively and charming.
Plus, Joan Didion was older than the hippies in 1969. "Don't trust anyone over 30," Jack Weinberg, San Francisco.😂
Haha, yes, definitely!
Editorial mistakes and neglect always reflect badly on the writer and the work. It’s a shame that it was so poor in that book that it ruined the reading experience.