News and Reviews is the only email I read regularly because I love both how it makes me think and how it makes me feel. Looking forward to reading and discussing books with the #kindnerdsquad™ 😊
Ok, love that we're turning into a giant book club. I am 100% here for it.
I have questions! Is the plan to always do a new release or will you be picking a something old, something new, etc.? Or will it be mood based?
Hesitant to ask this, as the group vibe does seem to lean towards literary fiction, but can I also petition for there to be the occasional genre title included as a monthly read? I recently read a take by a (briefly) former colleague of mine that genre reading or anything non-literary fiction is light entertainment and not worth their time - which made me very cranky.
In the last 18 months I've really leant into reading purely for enjoyment and going with whatever mood takes me (trashy romance, literary fiction, bestsellers, celebrity memoir, classics, thrilling mysteries, popular fantasy, sad girl novels, fanfiction - whatever!), and I've been in such a better reading mindset for it compared to when I was so focused on trying to read only the greatest books of all time, or literary prize winning titles (especially during Melb lockdowns - which was one of the stupidest ideas I've ever had).
Personally, I'm firmly entrenched in a - reading should be for enjoyment and everyone's tastes run so varied - mindset (I have read one Garner for example and that was more than enough for me thanks), so having variety and acknowledging the different tastes of this amazing group would be wonderful. I might be asking too much - but happy to be wrong and hear that others might be keen for this too.
On another topic, can we also discuss being more brutal with DNF'ing books that we're just not enjoying rather than trying to push through for the sake of saying, "I've read that"?
I'm absolutely here for being more brutal on DNFing too. For years I was obsessive about keeping records of everything I read (why? for what! Type A personality much! jesus) and pushing to finish everything. Again. Why! To say I have read it? Why! Fuck!
Now, no more. Life is too short. I'm now 38 and too old for this shit. I, too, will read some unaesthetic crime fiction if I want, and am not going to apologise for not being able to get into Caoilinn Hughes. Go us!
Great idea, Jess. Feel free to recommend your top 5 non-literary fiction reads for the last two years as I am struggling to break out of my comfort zone of literary or non-fiction. I’m sure other readers would be happy to hear your suggestions.
Honestly couldn't have asked me a harder question! 😅
So what kicked my jump back into genre fiction was deciding I wanted to read a series, not just a standalone novel. So I asked for my Christmas KK to gift me A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (both first books in their respective series) because I really wanted to try fantasy again after a long time without reading it, and they both seemed very well-loved. I got hooked on both series, and have now disappeared down the romantasy rabbit hole (which I didn't know was an entire sub-set of fantasy more broadly).
So if you're interested in trying romantasy some of my favourites have been:
- Daughter of No Worlds (finished trilogy) by Carissa Broadbent
- When the Moon Hatched (first book in an unfinished series) by Sarah A. Parker (Aussie)
- Divine Rivals (finished YA duology) by Rebecca Ross
- Blood & Steel (finished series) by Helen Scheuerer (Aussie living in NZ)
Non-fantasy I've enjoyed:
- Dial A for Aunties (contemporary rom-com/mystery - ongoing series) by Jesse Sutanto
- No Hard Feelings (contemporary standalone rom-com) by Genevieve Novak
- In a Likely Event (contemporary standalone rom-drama/military) by Rebecca Yarros
- Happy Place (contemporary standalone rom-drama) by Emily Henry
- First Lie Wins (standalone thriller) by Ashley Elston
And the ones that I feel sit on the border of literary/contemp. fiction:
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
(could NOT stop thinking about the characters in either of these books)
So whoops! Way more than five recommendations, but hopefully something on this list might pique your interest! Also, these recommendations are just what I've read in the last two years, but weren't necessarily published in the last two years, so some you're likely to have already seen/read (I feel like I've been thinking about picking up Sorrow & Bliss for years!).
Congrats on 10k and happy to be here! I have signed up to comment, have no idea what I’m doing after doing all the pages tick boxes and what not but here’s hoping this posts. And a massive fan of malicious compliance, love your plan!! I will be dutifully reading and commenting more ;-)
Congrats on 10k Bri! Love your new approach. It’s clear you have thought deeply about the next phase of N+R and I admire you for not trying to be all things to all people. It doesn’t work, so best to pick the approach that is true to your ideals and goals. Your tribe will follow! And those who don’t … well, you only want engaged people anyway. Enjoy Sri Lanka!
Yes I’ve got one of these too and it works so well! I can fit Stephanie Alexander’s The cooks companion in there, which is definitely my chonkiest cookbook. Added bonus of splatter free pages ✨
Coming to share a recipe book holder that has held all five of my Ottolenghi books. (Though it it is cutting it fine with my Hetty McKinnon Tenderheart which is bigger.) It comes in black, white, gold etc.
Hello- I feel that I have been here well the beginning & now know to engage more. Also shamelessly wearing my cap 🧢 when I can/ hoping someone will ask me
Oh Bri, I am EXCITED for the pivot! Although I may not always engage with you directly, my girlfriends and I often discuss your content and it feels GOOD to have these meaningful discussions. We appreciate your insights and creativity. At the risk of sounding cliche, enjoy this new chapter.
Seeing that you arranged some of the giveaway collections simply by colour scratched a very particular part of my brain. SO excited for Giggling Sam to be back in the fold!
Great idea, lets go for quality versus exponential growth! Confession: I've never been part of a book club before but looking forward to the challenge of reading and discussing books. I took a photo of the chunky old music stand that I use for Sax playing (it even has places for candles) but in my techignorance don't know how to post it...
Love your plan, Bri! Also shamelessly commenting so I can make sure I am in that 5 star group so I might win some beautiful books next time ;)
You have understood the assignment.
I love the pivot and the plan! I’ve been reading this for years. I sometimes go to comment but don’t back myself/doubt myself so just lurk around.
This new strategy is specifically designed to flush out the lurkers! You've got interesting things to say!!!!! :) :)
Perhaps another good T-shirt slogan - “flush out the lurkers” or something lurker-related that sounds a bit less dramatic!
News and Reviews is the only email I read regularly because I love both how it makes me think and how it makes me feel. Looking forward to reading and discussing books with the #kindnerdsquad™ 😊
Here and ready to rep the #kindnerdsquad™ ethically-sourced/made merch 🤓
Ok, love that we're turning into a giant book club. I am 100% here for it.
I have questions! Is the plan to always do a new release or will you be picking a something old, something new, etc.? Or will it be mood based?
Hesitant to ask this, as the group vibe does seem to lean towards literary fiction, but can I also petition for there to be the occasional genre title included as a monthly read? I recently read a take by a (briefly) former colleague of mine that genre reading or anything non-literary fiction is light entertainment and not worth their time - which made me very cranky.
In the last 18 months I've really leant into reading purely for enjoyment and going with whatever mood takes me (trashy romance, literary fiction, bestsellers, celebrity memoir, classics, thrilling mysteries, popular fantasy, sad girl novels, fanfiction - whatever!), and I've been in such a better reading mindset for it compared to when I was so focused on trying to read only the greatest books of all time, or literary prize winning titles (especially during Melb lockdowns - which was one of the stupidest ideas I've ever had).
Personally, I'm firmly entrenched in a - reading should be for enjoyment and everyone's tastes run so varied - mindset (I have read one Garner for example and that was more than enough for me thanks), so having variety and acknowledging the different tastes of this amazing group would be wonderful. I might be asking too much - but happy to be wrong and hear that others might be keen for this too.
On another topic, can we also discuss being more brutal with DNF'ing books that we're just not enjoying rather than trying to push through for the sake of saying, "I've read that"?
Jess I’m absolutely with you about getting more brutal on the DFN’ing!
I'm absolutely here for being more brutal on DNFing too. For years I was obsessive about keeping records of everything I read (why? for what! Type A personality much! jesus) and pushing to finish everything. Again. Why! To say I have read it? Why! Fuck!
Now, no more. Life is too short. I'm now 38 and too old for this shit. I, too, will read some unaesthetic crime fiction if I want, and am not going to apologise for not being able to get into Caoilinn Hughes. Go us!
Great idea, Jess. Feel free to recommend your top 5 non-literary fiction reads for the last two years as I am struggling to break out of my comfort zone of literary or non-fiction. I’m sure other readers would be happy to hear your suggestions.
Honestly couldn't have asked me a harder question! 😅
So what kicked my jump back into genre fiction was deciding I wanted to read a series, not just a standalone novel. So I asked for my Christmas KK to gift me A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (both first books in their respective series) because I really wanted to try fantasy again after a long time without reading it, and they both seemed very well-loved. I got hooked on both series, and have now disappeared down the romantasy rabbit hole (which I didn't know was an entire sub-set of fantasy more broadly).
So if you're interested in trying romantasy some of my favourites have been:
- Daughter of No Worlds (finished trilogy) by Carissa Broadbent
- When the Moon Hatched (first book in an unfinished series) by Sarah A. Parker (Aussie)
- Divine Rivals (finished YA duology) by Rebecca Ross
- Blood & Steel (finished series) by Helen Scheuerer (Aussie living in NZ)
Non-fantasy I've enjoyed:
- Dial A for Aunties (contemporary rom-com/mystery - ongoing series) by Jesse Sutanto
- No Hard Feelings (contemporary standalone rom-com) by Genevieve Novak
- In a Likely Event (contemporary standalone rom-drama/military) by Rebecca Yarros
- Happy Place (contemporary standalone rom-drama) by Emily Henry
- First Lie Wins (standalone thriller) by Ashley Elston
And the ones that I feel sit on the border of literary/contemp. fiction:
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
(could NOT stop thinking about the characters in either of these books)
So whoops! Way more than five recommendations, but hopefully something on this list might pique your interest! Also, these recommendations are just what I've read in the last two years, but weren't necessarily published in the last two years, so some you're likely to have already seen/read (I feel like I've been thinking about picking up Sorrow & Bliss for years!).
Happy Reading!
Congrats on 10k and happy to be here! I have signed up to comment, have no idea what I’m doing after doing all the pages tick boxes and what not but here’s hoping this posts. And a massive fan of malicious compliance, love your plan!! I will be dutifully reading and commenting more ;-)
You have successfully commented and I very much appreciate the term "malicious compliance" haha. Thank you! Xx
Congrats on 10k Bri! Love your new approach. It’s clear you have thought deeply about the next phase of N+R and I admire you for not trying to be all things to all people. It doesn’t work, so best to pick the approach that is true to your ideals and goals. Your tribe will follow! And those who don’t … well, you only want engaged people anyway. Enjoy Sri Lanka!
Thank you! xx
Please share if someone does get in contact re. chonky book holster. Also very excited for nerdy book club vibes
Yeah still waiting for this one hey
I found some chunky ones that fit my big cookbooks from vinnies/op shops. They’re made from twisted wire, you may have seen them around?
Thank you, Bri! Very excited to get reading and looking forward to the nerdy glow-up 😊
And your parcel is in the post on its way to you! Thank you, CZ. 🧡🧡
Yay Caitlin 🥳🥳🥳
I swear by this style of chonky cookbook holder (use my mum’s old one) bc it also protects them from SPLATTERS! https://buckleysstore.com.au/product/cookbook-holder/
Yes I’ve got one of these too and it works so well! I can fit Stephanie Alexander’s The cooks companion in there, which is definitely my chonkiest cookbook. Added bonus of splatter free pages ✨
We've finally found one!!! Going up top in this week's edition. Thank you both! xxx
Coming to share a recipe book holder that has held all five of my Ottolenghi books. (Though it it is cutting it fine with my Hetty McKinnon Tenderheart which is bigger.) It comes in black, white, gold etc.
https://www.provincialhomeliving.com.au/thistle-recipe-stand-1117258577
Thank you, Amy!! Putting it in this week's edition. xx
Hello- I feel that I have been here well the beginning & now know to engage more. Also shamelessly wearing my cap 🧢 when I can/ hoping someone will ask me
About it when im out & about ☀️
Yayyyyyy!!!! Thank you for repping! xxxx
Oh Bri, I am EXCITED for the pivot! Although I may not always engage with you directly, my girlfriends and I often discuss your content and it feels GOOD to have these meaningful discussions. We appreciate your insights and creativity. At the risk of sounding cliche, enjoy this new chapter.
That's a lovely thing to say, thank you Kirby xx
The giveaway already sorted made me laugh out loud!!
Hehehehehehehehehe in my family we call this 'shit-stirrer' behaviour
Seeing that you arranged some of the giveaway collections simply by colour scratched a very particular part of my brain. SO excited for Giggling Sam to be back in the fold!
Great idea, lets go for quality versus exponential growth! Confession: I've never been part of a book club before but looking forward to the challenge of reading and discussing books. I took a photo of the chunky old music stand that I use for Sax playing (it even has places for candles) but in my techignorance don't know how to post it...
Hell yeah Bri go for the depth!! Really excited to see where you take this community. Congrats on 10k 🎉 Suddenly very worried about my star rating 😅
Thank you and don't worry you are five stars in my heart forever