I was lucky enough to go to the library without kids, which gave me the time to peruse the new books and see the latest one from FSG Originals—Termush by Sven Holm. Hadn’t heard of it at all, but I love that press and will read whatever they publish. Discovery!
Also if you want to go into Jamison’s career I promise I won’t be bored
Oh my goodness, I relate to this so hard! It took me 12 years to get around to reading ABSURDISTAN even though I bought it hardcover at the Brooklyn Book Festival. I think I'm allergic to reading things currently buzzed about. I love The Understudy, Heirloom Books, and Exile in Bookville, three bookstores in Chicago that are wildly different from one another. But I can't luxuriate in browsing if I have my three-year-old in tow!
yes! i've taken to not reading reviews or interviews until i've had a chance to read the book (even often skipping the jacket synopsis). probably not an option for you since your whole job is understanding literary trends, but god i just want to be surprised/tickled by a book!
I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday for the first time in such long time. It's out of the way for me, but I had a gift card. I meant to run in and out with one book—obviously ended up perusing for like 45 mins. Still, I kept going to my phone to look up what I should be reading, I guess. I finally forced myself to stop, because I remembered how much fun it used to be to have a cover or a spine catch your eye, and spend an hour reading book flaps.
This is such an interesting discussion, Cassie. I know that bookstore feeling you describe. It's how I used to find all my favorite books. Is it possible to still find a book that way when you work in the industry--hypothetically speaking?
You always were looking for the undiscovered or the "used to be". Almost all your prom dresses came from thrift stores. No one would be showing up in your vintage dress.
I was lucky enough to go to the library without kids, which gave me the time to peruse the new books and see the latest one from FSG Originals—Termush by Sven Holm. Hadn’t heard of it at all, but I love that press and will read whatever they publish. Discovery!
Also if you want to go into Jamison’s career I promise I won’t be bored
Oh my goodness, I relate to this so hard! It took me 12 years to get around to reading ABSURDISTAN even though I bought it hardcover at the Brooklyn Book Festival. I think I'm allergic to reading things currently buzzed about. I love The Understudy, Heirloom Books, and Exile in Bookville, three bookstores in Chicago that are wildly different from one another. But I can't luxuriate in browsing if I have my three-year-old in tow!
yes! i've taken to not reading reviews or interviews until i've had a chance to read the book (even often skipping the jacket synopsis). probably not an option for you since your whole job is understanding literary trends, but god i just want to be surprised/tickled by a book!
I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday for the first time in such long time. It's out of the way for me, but I had a gift card. I meant to run in and out with one book—obviously ended up perusing for like 45 mins. Still, I kept going to my phone to look up what I should be reading, I guess. I finally forced myself to stop, because I remembered how much fun it used to be to have a cover or a spine catch your eye, and spend an hour reading book flaps.
Now I do want to hear your thoughts on Leslie Jamison’s career!
Aside of that though, really interesting points. Discovery is hard to do now
This is such an interesting discussion, Cassie. I know that bookstore feeling you describe. It's how I used to find all my favorite books. Is it possible to still find a book that way when you work in the industry--hypothetically speaking?
You always were looking for the undiscovered or the "used to be". Almost all your prom dresses came from thrift stores. No one would be showing up in your vintage dress.