I’ve been doing a book club with a friend and taking the time to sit with the characters and their journeys beyond my time reading them has been a powerful self reflective tool.
Have you read any of the Throne of Glass, Fourth Wing or Red Rising books?
Your book club sounds like an awesome experience. I haven’t read the Throne of Glass or Fourth Wing series but I’ve heard good things from everyone who has!
& I’ve been loving Margie’s poems!
I just picked up If You Love That Lady by Maya C. Poppa - looking forward to chewing on her words next.
I relate to this. I love a character driven novel. I love the exploration of humanity, especially when it’s so different from my own experiences! I’m trying to write my version of this right now haha.
Some suggestions: the Bell Jar by Plath (a classic that cannot be read enough), the ha-ha by Jennifer Dawson, state of the union: a marriage in ten parts by nick hornby.
Oh I love a suggestion list!! I JUST re-read the Bell Jar after not revisiting since high school - wow, what a difference it makes to read with a fully developed frontal lobe 😅
I will be adding a marriage in ten parts to the list, and the ha ha, too! Thank you!!
I’m reading Circe right now after seeing The Odyssey- I need to learn more about Greek Mythology!
“I want to know that the main character hates the color yellow.”
— that’s so good!
I want to know all the weird stuff about characters, too! I’ve always found that I have to find a way ‘in’ with the character, or even the author of a memoir. Like I need to like them or be intrigued by them or relate to them or notice something in them that seems outside the way I think about things, because then, it’s like “okay, I’m all ears”.
Secret time: Evie is working on a novel, and from what you said here, I suspect it is the type of book you will like.
Ohhh that’s so nice of you! I will tell Evie, I’m sure that will make her day :)
Currently, I’m reading a collection of Nora Ephron’s essays. A collection of Albert Camus’s essays. A collection of David Sedaris’s essays. (I like essay collections.) And a novel by Italo Calvino called ‘if on a winters night traveller’ :)
This was the first time I’d read Nora Ephron. And damn is she good. Funny, light, and she has such readable writing. Like such short punchy sentences. The collection was called, I Remember Nothing. Evie brought it home from the library, read it herself, and then told me I had to read it hehe. :)
My micro book club partner says the same, B! Something that makes her feel is the goal. I agree, and am adding that I enjoy stories that prompt me to think about why they moved me to feel something.
Thank you for reading and sharing, hope to see you over on your page very soon. Xx
My mind constantly walks the line between "talented" and "delusional." So I'll plug my new book, The Jingle Rebellion, (which is LIVE on Kickstarter!) by giving you a line with no context: “That’s what I’d save. Being known, I guess. Even by someone who’s forgetting almost everything else.”
Love love love this reflection K.
I’ve been doing a book club with a friend and taking the time to sit with the characters and their journeys beyond my time reading them has been a powerful self reflective tool.
Have you read any of the Throne of Glass, Fourth Wing or Red Rising books?
Also, that Marge Pierce snippet is gold.
Hi J!
Your book club sounds like an awesome experience. I haven’t read the Throne of Glass or Fourth Wing series but I’ve heard good things from everyone who has!
& I’ve been loving Margie’s poems!
I just picked up If You Love That Lady by Maya C. Poppa - looking forward to chewing on her words next.
TYSM for reading here ☺️
I relate to this. I love a character driven novel. I love the exploration of humanity, especially when it’s so different from my own experiences! I’m trying to write my version of this right now haha.
Some suggestions: the Bell Jar by Plath (a classic that cannot be read enough), the ha-ha by Jennifer Dawson, state of the union: a marriage in ten parts by nick hornby.
Oh I love a suggestion list!! I JUST re-read the Bell Jar after not revisiting since high school - wow, what a difference it makes to read with a fully developed frontal lobe 😅
I will be adding a marriage in ten parts to the list, and the ha ha, too! Thank you!!
I’m reading Circe right now after seeing The Odyssey- I need to learn more about Greek Mythology!
What are you reading today? 🩵🩵
OMG Circe is on he list too! And we are planning to see the odyssey this week. I read song of Achilles in January and loved it.
I’m currently reading King Sorrow by Joe Hill, I’m only 200 pages in but it may be one of the best books I’ve read in a long while.
“I want to know that the main character hates the color yellow.”
— that’s so good!
I want to know all the weird stuff about characters, too! I’ve always found that I have to find a way ‘in’ with the character, or even the author of a memoir. Like I need to like them or be intrigued by them or relate to them or notice something in them that seems outside the way I think about things, because then, it’s like “okay, I’m all ears”.
Secret time: Evie is working on a novel, and from what you said here, I suspect it is the type of book you will like.
Thanks Kaylen :)
Best news of 2026. I cannot wait to read and support her book!
Thank you for reading here- what are your current reads these days?
Ohhh that’s so nice of you! I will tell Evie, I’m sure that will make her day :)
Currently, I’m reading a collection of Nora Ephron’s essays. A collection of Albert Camus’s essays. A collection of David Sedaris’s essays. (I like essay collections.) And a novel by Italo Calvino called ‘if on a winters night traveller’ :)
Oooui! Quite a list! I love Nora Ephran’s essays and I bet Sedaris’ collection is pristine. Report back with favorites, plz!
This was the first time I’d read Nora Ephron. And damn is she good. Funny, light, and she has such readable writing. Like such short punchy sentences. The collection was called, I Remember Nothing. Evie brought it home from the library, read it herself, and then told me I had to read it hehe. :)
Another keeper! This is so good on so many levels! Thank you for taking the time for others to take the time for self reflection! Wonderful post!
Thank you for reading! 📖💙
A question that has been simmering with me a lot is “what makes writing good?”, and “is it entirely subjective?”
I’m not sure I know the answer, but at least for my subjective self, it’s what makes me feel something, what immerses me.
What are your thoughts on this?
Love seeing where your mind is at with your essays Kaylen ❤️
My micro book club partner says the same, B! Something that makes her feel is the goal. I agree, and am adding that I enjoy stories that prompt me to think about why they moved me to feel something.
Thank you for reading and sharing, hope to see you over on your page very soon. Xx
Darling Girl!
You’ve outdone yourself!!
What a terrific essay.
I love it and love you 🥰
Xx
My mind constantly walks the line between "talented" and "delusional." So I'll plug my new book, The Jingle Rebellion, (which is LIVE on Kickstarter!) by giving you a line with no context: “That’s what I’d save. Being known, I guess. Even by someone who’s forgetting almost everything else.”
I love the line! I love that Pearly is coming back for Christmas! ✨