friday reads {jane smiley, claire keegan, book journal for 2024}

Happy Friday!
Today I share what I've finished and started reading this week.
Hope you have a beautiful weekend.
Tanya x

#booktube #kindle #fridayreads #letsread #booktube #books #booknerd
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[EmpressMeg]

Ok, I'm new here, so hello! I HAD to say this before I finish watching your video:

Your video style is so warm and comfortable - you have just enough in your background to gaze at and wonder about (especially for a newbie as myself).

Your manner comes across as intelligent, endearing, and genuine. In many ways you remind me of a cross (in look and manner) between myself, my mother, and my paternal grandmother, Cora (rip 2014).

My Grandma Cora relished both knowledge and good stories. She was the type to take written notes to either add observations for future rereads or, via research, to expand the book's experience. Her research included art pieces, music (i.e. Gregorian chanting), historical/cultural research, and other books as well.

I adored being in her tiny, saturated-rose colored bedroom (probably Behr's "raspberry pudding" -- vibrant like a real world flower but still somehow soft). Hours and hours of talking, analyzing, ruminating, daydreaming, laughing.

I loved her enthusiasm.. And the quiet amusement she got out of the more salacious aspects of certain stories/history. A certain sparkle in the eye was all it took to indicate the depth of her current emotion.

I have most of her books now, which I'd rescued from a relative's library-bound car after Grandma's passing. Those books *were* her to me: her mind, her intellectual pursuits, her research, her scientific interests, her joy, her dreams. Seeing them about to be carted away, scattered, was so very painful. Upon seeing them like that, I remember standing there in disbelief, lost for words, and quietly breaking down (generally, I tend to be rather stoic). I don't think anyone else saw those books the way that I did. Beyond my memories, if I want "more" of my grandmother and what we had, I need only go to her books and notes.

My little girl has her bed. And I have various cultural and spiritual knickknacks--that were once in her room as well--which she'd passed to me throughout the years, especially as she aged. Once, out of the blue, she said she had no money to leave me (though I didn't expect money at all) and that's why she was giving me many of her things. They're priceless to me. Being surrounded by all this makes me feel closer to her.

Anyway, sorry for all that. It's interesting that you remind me of so many. And your voice sounds eerily similar to mine (as I've heard mine in recordings -- higher there than in my own head). I've always wondered if I could ever have a voice for anything if I so chose (and be taken seriously). But your voice suits you and your material just fine! It makes me feel less self conscious about my own.

I very much look forward to watching more of your videos!! This one seems to be both relaxing, informative, and fun. I've already added that Antarctica book to my reading list. ☺️

[gailpost]

Thank you so much for sharing your recommendation. I have just requested Antarctica from my local library. Looking forward to reading this. Happy weekend and keep safe and well. Love Gail xx ❤❤

[RovingReader]

I love the cover of the Smiley book!

I have been to Parnassus THREE times and met Ann Patchett twice and her dog once 😂😂😂

I like your kindle case!

[anaovejero]

Claire Keegan is an amazing author!!!!

[anitahayne]

I am buddy reading Zadie Smith’s The Fraud. It is not the easiest read because the book jumps back and forth in time. I need to finally read Keegan. I own two of her books. I have no excuses.

[alldbooks]

I’m going to try to pick up Antarctica for Shorty September. I’ve read her two novellas, and they were both fabulous.

[anitahayne]

I have to say that I do not like cooking; however, eating out all the time is not always nutritiously sound. I want to win the lottery so I can hire a chef. I always envy women that love to cook. My husband is hopeless in the kitchen. While I was recuperating from brain surgery in 2005, he decided he would make me scrambled eggs. When he brought it to me I could not tell what it was. It tasted horrible and looked even worst; however, he is very skilled at bringing me the box of Pop Tarts. How is your mom holding up?