Reading Wrap Up / May 2018

I’ve read some really fantastic books this month but also ones I couldn’t connect with so I chat about the successes and failures of my reading month. Let me know in the comments what you’ve DNF-ed recently. Click ‘Show More’ for info and links.

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Kamil on the 2018 Man Booker International Shortlist:

Books discussed:
Flights by Olga Tokarzcuk
Go Went Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
The Illumination of Ursula Flight by Anna-Marie Crowhurst
White Houses by Amy Bloom
Problems by Jade Sharma
Brother by David Chariandy
Pure Hollywood by Christine Schutt
From a Low and Quiet Sea by Donal Ryan
Unbury Carol by Josh Malerman

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Get in touch

[chrisbookishcauldron]

It took me a while to be comfortable DNFing a book. But once I got comfortable, it was actually really liberating. I don’t DNF that often. But just knowing that picking up a book isn’t a commitment has increased my joy in reading.

I really want to read Go, Went, Gone! Been on my TBR for ages. Also the illumination of Ursula flight sounds so amazing! And that cover (swoon). I have been on a historical fiction binge lately so I should get to it soon.

Great wrap up! Happy reading 😊😊

[tricaurelie]

Totally agree. Time is too precious a commodity to be wasted on books you don't connect with.

[oceanus]

I definitely have had the same issue. I used to feel like I had to finish everything I started reading. Especially if it was a series, but life's too short to be reading bad books.

[OliviaReadinglikeamadwomanPope]

Sorry to hear you had some DNFs this month. Still, at least you had the strength to stop reading. It's so strange the guilt that can come from not finishing books, but there are just too many things out there which need reading. So, putting books to the side sometimes is the only thing we can do!

[shawnbreathesbooks]

OMFG - that awkward author encounter beats all! I hope you’re contemplating writing a memoir about all these! Yay to hearing more about your bails. I had already concluded Flights wouldn’t be for me but you’ve certainly confirmed it. An author sitting there trying to be profound, indeed. And how interesting that your critique of Flights echoes much of mine of Sight. Always listen to Kamil - he recently reminded me I hadn’t yet ever gotten to Shani Mootoo’s Cereus Blooms at Night so am on a mission to track down a copy. Ok I’ll stop live-commenting, sit back an enjoy the rest of your video.

[robotnic]

Pure Hollywood appealed to me but I have a big pile of short stories and haven’t read any for ages so I haven’t let myself buy it... yet. Sounds like it’ll be up my alley when I’m next in the mood, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[brittabohlerthesecondshelf]

Yeah, here's to Eric giving up on books!! I was very bad with dnf-ing until a couple of years ago when I finally realized how few books I wil be able to read in my life... And so funny, you & Kamil both not liking Flights too much and loving Erpenbeck. I had the exact opposite experience. I really enjoyed Flights, and I couldnt at all connect with Erpenbeck's book (even though I love her previous work.) And I hope to get to White Houses this month!

[LauraFreyReadinginBed]

Always listen to Kamil. Definitely. Even though I ended up (sort of) disagreeing with him re. Flights. It was the perfect place for me to start, but that's such a personal thing! I read Flights as a short story/flash fiction collection and it worked for me. Hard to find the common threads but somehow I didn't mind! I just finished Go Went Gone and I loved it as well! Wasn't quite sure what to make of the end, but I gasped!! Richard... take a look at your own life, man! :)

[claimedbytheearth]

I can't wait to read White Houses now! And I agree with you, if you don't enjoy a book it's better to stop and move on! Maybe there will be a time for it later or maybe it won't, but there are too many books to get stuck with one you aren't enjoying

[skelly]

I don’t DNF many books but cannot finish Atwood’s Oryx and Crake - despite loving her writing). Have tried twice to read it but gave up ... generally if I can’t finish a book, I’ll leave it and come back to it another time.

Love Donal Ryan - I think this one is his best yet. His writing is getting more beautiful with each new book. (As an aside, his name is pronounced like ‘doh-nal’ - tip from an Irish follower who loves your channel! 😀)

[antoinettevisagie]

I was here. I watched. I typed and typed and then accidentally deleted it all just as I was about to press the comment button. I might try again tomorrow. Good for you for dnf-ing a book that you did not enjoy Eric. Life is short.

[JasmineReads]

It’s a shame you didn’t connect with Flight - but we can’t all connect with every book I guess! It’s still one I think I want to try at some point. I also just love the plain, deep blue cover, I think it’s stunning!
The Illumination of Ursula Flight sounds absolutely wonderful! I will definitely keep an eye out for that one, it sounds like something I would really enjoy😊
Loved hearing your thoughts as always, Eric!

[SylviaSilver]

I almost DNF’ed Unbury Carol, but I tuffed it out. It was just all over the place, too many Characters and I only cared about Carol. I think I went into the Story with Bird Box Expectations.

[jaychi]

I had the fortune of going to David Chariandy's book launch of Brother in two different cities and he was honestly just so kind in person; I also loved his first book Soucouyant, which you might enjoy seeing as you liked Brother. I absolutely loved Brother and it was such a pleasure to read. His prose was poignant, harrowing, and it really just struck a nerve with me while reading it. I'm happy to see it gain some success as Brother was 10 years in the making for Chariandy! Also, I just purchased From a Low and Quiet Sea and received it in the mail, so I'm really excited to read it! I have so many books I want to read immediately, but don't have enough time hahaha.

[WhatKamilReads]

You picked up the thing that I didn't like about the Flights either, and the thing that I do not like about any book, almost forcing everyday objects into a base for cheap philosophy... it reminds me of my two literary pet peeves - Murakami and Coelho... to be fair Kang in her Whtie Book also had a bit of that.

[josmith]

I heard Mel taking about Ursula Flight and she also loved it so that’s a definite yes on that one and Pure Hollywood sounds it could definitely be my thing. I read Amy Bloom’s Away many years ago and it was a bit meh so I was hesitant about White Houses but I think I need to give her another chance. I just recently DNF’ed a book after four pages because I just wasn’t in the mood and didn’t like the style or content and that was Thoreau’s Walden but I will probably go back to it someday. I had a JCO question Eric, I was lucky enough to pick up a hardback copy of Blonde recently for a dollar which I’ve been wanting to read for years being a big Marilyn fan but I didn’t realize how huge it was. I know you are familiar with all her work and wondered where you rated this one? It’s truly mammoth so I think I need some booktube support before I dive in!

[drawntostories]

I actually ordered Brother after reading your review on it. Really looking forward to it!
A bit strange to hear you DNFing books - maybe it's just me but I somehow held this idea that you persevere through every book you read. Not complaining, though!
I seldom DNF novels, but I almost DNF'd one Finnish historical novel because it just idolized the past, was too national romantic, it held the view that 'men should be Men - no weakness allowed' (which really rubbed me the wrong way since I think men should be allowed to cry without losing their dignity), and worst of all it was just listing random historical facts that didn't move the plot or characters anywhere. I finished the novel out of curiosity, but quite frankly I don't think that was a good idea in the end.
I'm more ruthless with poetry collections, those I don't hesitate to DNF if they just don't do anything for me.

[joncapps]

I absolutely agree with you on Donal Ryan being a great writer!!!

[pegthebookprizeaddict]

Same feelings here about FLIGHTS and now finding sort of the same thing with THE INVENTED PART, which just won the BTBA (Best Translated Book Award). I find it suspicious that for the second year in a row the winner was a publication of OPEN LETTER BOOKS, which is located at U of Rochester, which is also the location of the award😬! I may not be the BOOK PRIZE ADDICT this summer but still like to follow the inside info!😜 Have you announced your plans for Booker Reading?🙋‍♀️👍📚

[Readinordertolive]

I really want to read The Illuminstion of Ursula Flight and the cover is really nice too.