I also didn’t love the Dutch House! But I did love Tom Lake (however, I read it whilst pregnant with a daughter so I do think that shaped my reading). I think Commonwealth is her best book personally!
its super interesting how Ann's writing is polarizing like this! I was the opposite, loved The Dutch House and Tom Lake was slowww and just okay. We can agree on Commonwealth though, i did love it!
Ohh I remember when I start writing on Substack, I was so worried if people wouldn't like it. Ha! What I failed to consider was whether a large audience would see it to hate it. It really is a freeing feeling. As a reader, I rarely notice when a newsletter comes out late or is skipped. I'm just happy to see it when it arrives. On a side note, Princess of Las Vegas sounds intriguing and a perfect off ramp from royal biographies!
Yess. This opening act is a good reminder. I once wrote: “nobody is thinking about your newsletter as much as you are”. You don’t haveee to announce your departure and arrival (I mean sure you can! Maybe you’re a planner and this helps) but it’s sort of imminent. The newsletter is the thing, you’re here or you not, no big cackle either way.
I try Ann Patchett over and over and have yet to finish one of her books. I want to like her so bad! I feel like a failure for not devouring them all. ☠️
The highlight of this whole newsletter had to be the veggie quiz :) a friend group text shares a “friday fave” (as the name likely suggests, something we’ve been into that week) and this was mine because of how truly absurdly delightful it was.
Thank you thank you thank you for playing along! I agree - that quiz is such a diamond in the rough. The website looks like it was made in 2002 and never updated, but the quiz results are oddly specific and satisfying. I encouraged everyone in my department at work to take it and I don't know what I'm going to do with the results, but I saved them. Two of the most organized gals I know at work wound up being carrots and I feel like I know you just the smallest bit now :)
Let me tell you about Anne Patchett and I (I got it, nobody cares, but I still get to talk like her and I are friends).... I picked "Bel Canto" for my first book club book and nobody cared for my choosing. The Dutch House came up as a selection later and I really enjoyed that one! So, I'm super conflicted if Anne and I will go the distance but other people love her so very much and I want to too because I have this intense need to please people!! ...Perhaps I should go back and read this post lol. Great one, really enjoyed it.
Speaking of not caring, I should probably take my own advice! You just reminded me that, especially with books like Tom Lake, I always wonder what's wrong with me when I don't love a book that is beloved by all the other book people. I bet nobody cares if I DNF a book at all!
Right… I think it’s just a reminder how individual we are as people! I recently joined a book club and it’s fascinating to hear others perspectives / concepts or details they picked up on that I hadn’t even considered. Hopefully, I contribute some value, too 😁
I also didn’t love the Dutch House! But I did love Tom Lake (however, I read it whilst pregnant with a daughter so I do think that shaped my reading). I think Commonwealth is her best book personally!
its super interesting how Ann's writing is polarizing like this! I was the opposite, loved The Dutch House and Tom Lake was slowww and just okay. We can agree on Commonwealth though, i did love it!
This is good intel! I’ll definitely try it!
Best athletic shorts are Nike tempo shorts. Perfect rise for me, not too much fabric bunching in the front when I sit. 💪🏼
Thank you! Not too much bunching is a selling point for sure!
Ohh I remember when I start writing on Substack, I was so worried if people wouldn't like it. Ha! What I failed to consider was whether a large audience would see it to hate it. It really is a freeing feeling. As a reader, I rarely notice when a newsletter comes out late or is skipped. I'm just happy to see it when it arrives. On a side note, Princess of Las Vegas sounds intriguing and a perfect off ramp from royal biographies!
See, I love this! The freedom to do whatever we need or want to do and really, the only person who really notices is ourself. What a gift!
Yess. This opening act is a good reminder. I once wrote: “nobody is thinking about your newsletter as much as you are”. You don’t haveee to announce your departure and arrival (I mean sure you can! Maybe you’re a planner and this helps) but it’s sort of imminent. The newsletter is the thing, you’re here or you not, no big cackle either way.
I love that. Sometimes I hit publish and think it’s not my best work, but who cares! Nobody but me!
I try Ann Patchett over and over and have yet to finish one of her books. I want to like her so bad! I feel like a failure for not devouring them all. ☠️
The highlight of this whole newsletter had to be the veggie quiz :) a friend group text shares a “friday fave” (as the name likely suggests, something we’ve been into that week) and this was mine because of how truly absurdly delightful it was.
Signed,
A Carrot
Thank you thank you thank you for playing along! I agree - that quiz is such a diamond in the rough. The website looks like it was made in 2002 and never updated, but the quiz results are oddly specific and satisfying. I encouraged everyone in my department at work to take it and I don't know what I'm going to do with the results, but I saved them. Two of the most organized gals I know at work wound up being carrots and I feel like I know you just the smallest bit now :)
Let me tell you about Anne Patchett and I (I got it, nobody cares, but I still get to talk like her and I are friends).... I picked "Bel Canto" for my first book club book and nobody cared for my choosing. The Dutch House came up as a selection later and I really enjoyed that one! So, I'm super conflicted if Anne and I will go the distance but other people love her so very much and I want to too because I have this intense need to please people!! ...Perhaps I should go back and read this post lol. Great one, really enjoyed it.
Speaking of not caring, I should probably take my own advice! You just reminded me that, especially with books like Tom Lake, I always wonder what's wrong with me when I don't love a book that is beloved by all the other book people. I bet nobody cares if I DNF a book at all!
Right… I think it’s just a reminder how individual we are as people! I recently joined a book club and it’s fascinating to hear others perspectives / concepts or details they picked up on that I hadn’t even considered. Hopefully, I contribute some value, too 😁
I get your point about people letting you know they’re back and I’m like ‘good to know’ in a very uninterested way!
Isn’t it wonderful to know we can go about our lives largely unsurveiled!