It’s getting colder and darker earlier and I’m warming up my yearly joke that my friends won’t see me again until spring. It’s about that time when everyone starts calling everything “spooky,” (or, god forbid, “spoopy”) and doubles down on being really psyched about the leaves before they hit the ground and the seasonal depression swoops in. For some reason I’ve decided to embrace the autumn spirit by doing something truly scary and stupid: writing publicly, about other people’s writing, even though no one asked.
Don’t worry, I’m uncomfortable. Will anyone read this, I wonder, and will they think it’s bad? Will they think I’m trying to get money, or worse — fame? Will they accept the burden of an occasional free email about a book I’ve just read in their inbox?
But if I’m forcing myself onto a platter for public consumption as a writer (I am — who cares why), what better thing to motivate that ordinary, embarrassing quest than the one form that captures the horrible thrill of human consciousness best? Novels!
I read a lot of novels. Readers who know me well already know that, and readers who don’t are probably thinking, probably disparagingly, yeah, I get that vibe. For my job I read a lot of investigative journalism, some of which I edit, but I have critical thoughts on all kinds of things that aren’t scoops or deep dives. When I have those thoughts about novels, I spout them at a few people close to me, maybe send some burdensomely long texts. Now I’m seeking to expand the pool of victims.
There’s barely any further purpose to this; I’m just trying to make myself write and have fun. But if I had to make the case that I’m trying to do anything for anyone, I suppose I’d think of my audience in two broad camps: people who read novels and people who don’t. For the former group, maybe I can provide some recommendations. Maybe I can open up some discourse. Maybe I can piss someone off! And for the latter: maybe I can change someone’s mind.
What you will find here: Little writeups on the novels I read as I read them. Brief synopses as necessary. Favorite quotes. Some literary analysis. Critiques! Maybe even ratings! (I don’t like every book; the first entry on the docket is mostly negative.) Least favorite quotes. Pictures of book covers, unless it gets me into hot copyright water. Possibly more pictures of my friends’ (or maybe even my) art. Bad jokes. Good jokes? If-you-like-this-style related reading recommendations, I think.
What you will not find here: Chronology. Relevancy. News hooks. The latest trends. (Ok, to be honest though, the first entry is on a recent reissue.) Book reports. Spoilers, to the best of my ability. Every book I’ve read — I reserve the right to omit. Nonfiction, poetry, short stories, essays, etc. (I reserve the right to change my mind on this.) A regular, dependable publication schedule.
I’ll send the first one out soon. I hope it’s fun to read. Like the fall-lovers clinging to scratchy scarves and crunchy leaves, I’m actually kind of excited?
It’s time to bundle. It’s time to hibernate. It’s time to tackle a fat stack of fiction.
See you in the spring!
just kidding,
Maia