Have you read the book The Correspondent by Virginia Evans? It's a novel where the story is told through letters. It reminded me of 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff.
In The Correspondent, the main character, Sybil Van Antwerp writes letters to her friends, family and even authors she admires. At the end of the letters she often asks what the recipient of the letter is reading and she proceeds to tell them what she is reading.
I am always looking for new books to read (Or, listen to, as I like to listen in the car) The book is a great source of titles to try out. Here is the list of books mentioned in The Correspondent. I have read many, but not all of them. How many of them have you read?
I thought it might be fun to share the last three books I have read and what I am reading now. Please feel free to share what you are reading.
My last three books:
Night Watch by Jayne Ann Phillips - Liked
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi - Liked
Whistler by Ann Patchett - Loved
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
LIked it. Hard to get into, but thought it was worth it. Click here to hear George Saunders talk about how to get into the book if you are struggling.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Hated it! But I listened to the whole thing to try to understand what point the author was trying to make. I don’t think I would have finished it if I was reading it. In the car, I was a captive audience.
I really needed an enjoyable book to read after Yesteryear. My Brother-In- Law recommended “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo. It is Young Adult literature, and only a 3-1/2 hour listen. I remember what it was like to be a teenager like Xiomara who rebeled against her strict mother and her Catholic upbringing.
I loved listening to this book! Especially after having seen the movie. I loved the background Emily Wilson gives to the story. It made it deeper and richer. Also, Claire Danes gives a great reading. Not an easy thing to do, I think when reading poetry.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the author’s descriptive imagery of the Scottish Isles and also of the characters. I also loved listening to the Scottish accent of the narrator.
I am currently reading Land by Maggie O’Farrell. I just started, but so far so good. I loved reading Hamnet (more than I liked the movie), so I have high hopes for this novel. I also love the narrator: Dane Whyte O’Hara. Listening to the book being read with an Irish accent really helps set the scene.
I have two books in my queue to listen to next:
My Friends by Fredrik Backman - recommended by my friend Claudine. I know nothing about it except that she loved it.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - recommended by my husband. Tom Hanks is the narrator. I loved Bel Canto, Whistler and The State of Wonder, so I expect I will like this one, too.
What are you reading? What book or books do you recommend? Tell me in the comments.