read it again with that in mind. Might check out the centennial readings from the F. Scott Fitzgerald society, if I can cope with Jonathan Franzen reading the first chapter... 3/3
re-read it at least once since then, but doesn't remember precisely when. It really is very very good. Listened to the Great American Novel podcast episode on it and gained further insights. Plans to read/re-read some of the criticism now that I've read the novel more recently, and then perhaps 2/3
Re-read F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby". Studied this at school when I was about 14/15 and didn't have very high opinions of it. In the intervening 30 odd years, I've learnt a lot (from writers like Sarah Churchwell and Maureen Corrigan) that has completely changed my mind. Must have 1/3
This international listener thanks you! I've probably read "The Crying of Lot 49" more times over the last 25 years than any other novel, and I'd never heard of Kotex so missed the Stanley Koteks 'joke'...
reference! As enjoyable as always. The perfect antidote to reading blues. 5/5
in December. But looking it up, it came out in the UK on December 3rd. So I must have seen it for Christmas. I've been wrong for 40 years and this book is (as always) impeccably researched. Is assuming that 'having a lot of trouble with the drainage in the lower field' has to be a "Fast Show" 4/5
Temptation, but I'm ashamed to say I didn't notice Robbie was working alongside some main characters from the 1981 iteration until they mentioned it! Has always believed I saw "Back to the Future" early in 1985 for my birthday, so was all set to quibble with it being described as newly released 3/5
that deals in passing with (preventing) some of the darkest topics can be so cheery and life-affirming. Never imagined that reading several pages doing little more than re-capping the well known Live Aid running order could be so enjoyable. Spotted the Easter Eggs to Keith Diamond and Velvet 2/5
Read Jason Ayres "1985: A year in the Life of Robbie James". Had been saving this up until I was in a reading slump, and I've been in a big one this month. This fast page-turning read-in-one-sitting feelgood nostalgiafest hit all the right notes and hopefully cured it. Incredible that something 1/5
first time, I can see the ways in which this holds up better. There were still plenty of sexual moments that had me muttering about Franzen being Franzen. Is very glad I re-read it, as I have changed a lot in 25 years but it remains a great readable skilful novel. 4/4
was the eye of Enid' and lots of potential DFW and Pynchon echoes. (Mario also being bradykinetic could be a coincidence, but lots of things definitely weren't). Had to look up soughing, and momentarily thought Silicon Alley was a typo. Having recently read both "Freedom" and "Purity" for the 3/4
world that no longer exists. The descriptions of early era internet search engines took me back nostalgically, as did everyone on a plane lighting their cigarette after take-off. Saw a lot that I would have missed first time around: the Stevens reference in 'the only moving thing in the house 2/4
Re-read Jonathan Franzen's "The Corrections". (Actually finished this 2 days ago, but hasn't had a chance to post.) Although my strongest memories were of Alfred struggling with his sandwiches, young Chip forced to stay at the table and of course the talking turd, reading this took me back to a 1/4
The Bookworm's Rules | Reading advice from Michael Silverblatt biblioklept.org/2026/02/16/t...
Michael Silverblatt, 'genius' host of KCRW literary show 'Bookworm,' dies at 73
The one, the only @causticcovercritic.bsky.social reflects on the best things he read in 2025. Bring your wallet!
eigermonchjungfrau.blog/2026/02/14/j...
Re-reading Franzen's "The Corrections" for the first time since it came out, and one of the many differences between 2002 and 2026 is that back then Chip 'pursuing sexual congress with his red chaise longue' didn't remind me of the viral JD Vance joke...
A perfect match of guest and subject... Every time this podcast returns to a novel it has already covered, it makes me want to re-read it yet again! (The scene with Richard and his son is one of the many Amis that sentences/phrases that has stayed with me.)
'an avid snorkellist', 'periscoping other men's wives' and that Edna O'Brien putdown were among things I didn't expect to read first thing this morning! Many of the explicit sexual sentences left me wanting my innocence back, but I still want to read it & the novels.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
particularly moving. They raised feelings of pity for a woman that seemed unbelievable given the awfulness of the character and actions at the earlier parts of the novel. An incredible book (like all her work). 4/4
would have lived in a world of courtship and hand-kissing if she could. Sex seemed to have nothing to do with her. It was a sudden reversal, not a continuation of the delights of being wooed. She had to become a different person before she could endure it'. The final two sections were 3/4
skill shown by the five words 'martins, if she had known'. The bad crab paste sandwiches scene will stay with me forever. For a novel published in 1957, I was surprised by the explicitness of the lines 'Like many romantic, narcissistic women she shied away from the final act of love-making. She 2/4
Read Elizabeth Taylor's "Angel". Magnificent. As with my experience of her previous novels, it took a chapter or so to get into the style, but once I did I was captivated. Angel's monstrousness and pitiful decline were very cleverly done. Agrees with @backlisted.bsky.social about the writerly 1/4
The final two lines were unexpected, but somehow perfect. A book I'll be thinking about for a while. 4/4
expect it to be my kind of book, so was surprised how captivating I found it. Didn't know the New England term for a hospital gown, and was momentarily befuddled by the phrase 'the johnny slipping off both shoulders' reading it in the British sense of 'condom' which was a understandably jarring! 3/4
pre-warned that despite the opening it wasn't a campus novel. Initially found the shift in time and tone between the first and second sections unexpected, but quickly adjusted. It dealt believably with the universal feelings of young and life-long love. Blurbed exclusively by women, I didn't 2/4
Read Lily King's "Heart the Lover". Hadn't read anything by this author (or even heard of her if I'm being honest) but picked it up due to the @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.social episode. Was captivated from start to finish by something that managed to be both a page turner and very moving. Went in 1/4
Cannot overstate the impact this (brilliant) podcast has had on my reading and book buying habits. It hasn't just taken me out of my comfort zone, it has expanded my comfort zone to include writers I'd never have previously considered touching with a 10 foot barge pole! A wonderful wonderful show.
The 'like' is for you getting to spend more time with your books and less on social media, rather than for the fact that the world's greatest podcast is coming to a (hopefully temporary, but understandable if not) end... You really have given new life to old books (and readers!) Thank you.
they could plausibly claim to be sixteen he helped them with their buttons. ... He rendered a valuable service for the state [...] and was paid for his service in teen pussy.' and 'Mary Ellen's anally violated shriek' had me shaking my head and ruefully exclaiming 'Franzen!' outloud. I liked it! 4/4
