Good morning. I have two books to contribute. THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX BY MAGGIE O’FARRELL. Page count 145 pages. THE MOST BY JESSICA ANTHONY. Page count 144 pages. I cannot put into words in ess than the one45 pages what these books are about. Both were 5 star reads for me. BTW, i loved SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE, FOSTER AND UNTILL AUGUST.
Good morning ☕️ Thanks for sharing your recs, I really need to read Esme Lennox, I have a feeling I'd like it. I feel like you'd like Water and Illium but I'm not sure there's an audio for Water
I can almost guarantee you that you will love Esme Lennox. One of the main characters of the book is a young girl who runs a store and she discovers that she has an aunt that she did not know she had who has been in an insane asylum For many years and it’s about to be released but can only be released to a family member. She excepts that responsibility. It’s so good. It will give you the same vibe as Small things. Just that creepy vibe. It’s so good and you will be surprised. At 145 pages you have nothing to lose really.
In the story, the aunt has been in the asylum for many many years and the book is about unraveling the story as to how she ended up there. Like you, I can only read short books at this time and I believe it has more to do with just reaching burnout than it does because it’s Christmas season. I am currently reading RENTAL HOUSE BY WEIKE WANG. I am not liking it very much but I just bought it on sale from Audible so I am going to finish this short book. I do not recommend it. I think this author tried to copy the book ERASURE.
So often books you mention are ones I’ve read and fully appreciate your thoughts. SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE and GLACIERS. Although I read them years ago , I recognized them and the story immediately
Sounds like we might be book twins Rose?:) I hope you found some others on this list or that I've reviewed at other times that sound good to you. I"m saving my very favorite short book of the year for my top 10 list and I'll be very curious to find out if you've read it:)
Living in PDX, Glaciers was a must read for me. I loved it! It was so quiet and sweet, just the right story for me at this time. I actually bought it from a bookstore housed in the Tin House Press building!!
Oh that book definitely sounds like the perfect book for you- and I'm really glad you loved it! You're right, it was quiet but so compelling. So cool you got it inside the Tin House building too
Everyone is on the Keegan train this year, I'll have to give her a try next year! I would recommend Blue Light Hours, Maud Martha and Francisco for short books that will stay with you as well
Of your recommendations, I've only read Small Things Like These and adored it - as well as Foster by the same author. I am amazed at authors who can say so much, and leave such a lasting impression, in so few words! If you're looking for a short nonfiction, I'd suggest Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer - it's a brand-new release but quickly made it into my honorable mentions for my (just-posted) favorite nonfiction books of the year! All her books are a beautiful blend of nature and humanity. Thanks for sharing!
Loved Water, I want to read the next one!!! I just finished a 300 pages book, I don't know if we can consider it short, it's more than 250 pages but I quite liked it: Safe and sound by Laura McHugh!
I did read Earth, for various reasons I didn’t love it:( I can share more thoughts if you want to know why I just don’t want to give too much info away. I still ordered Fire and have it on my shelf waiting to be read so I didn’t hate Earth by any means
This book is INCREDIBLE and I highly recommend it on audio to anyone who’s interested. Jason Reynolds reads it since it’s verse so that it sounds exactly as he intended it to.
Good morning. I have two books to contribute. THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX BY MAGGIE O’FARRELL. Page count 145 pages. THE MOST BY JESSICA ANTHONY. Page count 144 pages. I cannot put into words in ess than the one45 pages what these books are about. Both were 5 star reads for me. BTW, i loved SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE, FOSTER AND UNTILL AUGUST.
Good morning ☕️ Thanks for sharing your recs, I really need to read Esme Lennox, I have a feeling I'd like it. I feel like you'd like Water and Illium but I'm not sure there's an audio for Water
I can almost guarantee you that you will love Esme Lennox. One of the main characters of the book is a young girl who runs a store and she discovers that she has an aunt that she did not know she had who has been in an insane asylum For many years and it’s about to be released but can only be released to a family member. She excepts that responsibility. It’s so good. It will give you the same vibe as Small things. Just that creepy vibe. It’s so good and you will be surprised. At 145 pages you have nothing to lose really.
You've sold me on it haha. And right now short books are about the only ones I'm still trying before I officially head into 2025 reading
I don’t mean to sound cocky but I just know you would love this book. It’s a literary mystery. I just loved this book.
I've definitely loved literary mysteries this year!
In the story, the aunt has been in the asylum for many many years and the book is about unraveling the story as to how she ended up there. Like you, I can only read short books at this time and I believe it has more to do with just reaching burnout than it does because it’s Christmas season. I am currently reading RENTAL HOUSE BY WEIKE WANG. I am not liking it very much but I just bought it on sale from Audible so I am going to finish this short book. I do not recommend it. I think this author tried to copy the book ERASURE.
I really enjoyed The Most as well.
I've just started The Most and am surprised how quickly I became intrigued - glad to hear you liked it, too!
So often books you mention are ones I’ve read and fully appreciate your thoughts. SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE and GLACIERS. Although I read them years ago , I recognized them and the story immediately
Sounds like we might be book twins Rose?:) I hope you found some others on this list or that I've reviewed at other times that sound good to you. I"m saving my very favorite short book of the year for my top 10 list and I'll be very curious to find out if you've read it:)
SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE and GLACIERS are literally sitting next to me to read before end of Jan. So bizarre.
book serendipity:)
Living in PDX, Glaciers was a must read for me. I loved it! It was so quiet and sweet, just the right story for me at this time. I actually bought it from a bookstore housed in the Tin House Press building!!
Oh that book definitely sounds like the perfect book for you- and I'm really glad you loved it! You're right, it was quiet but so compelling. So cool you got it inside the Tin House building too
Everyone is on the Keegan train this year, I'll have to give her a try next year! I would recommend Blue Light Hours, Maud Martha and Francisco for short books that will stay with you as well
Thank you for your recs, I've heard of Blue Light Hours but not the others. Love hearing about new to me recs:)
Thank you. This is just what I’ve needed since Ray’s shoulder surgery. I have really been scattered. Hopefully this will help.
I hope he's doing ok- and you too:) I'd love to hear if you decide to read any of these
Of your recommendations, I've only read Small Things Like These and adored it - as well as Foster by the same author. I am amazed at authors who can say so much, and leave such a lasting impression, in so few words! If you're looking for a short nonfiction, I'd suggest Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer - it's a brand-new release but quickly made it into my honorable mentions for my (just-posted) favorite nonfiction books of the year! All her books are a beautiful blend of nature and humanity. Thanks for sharing!
I had a copy of that on libby but didn't get to it within 21 days so I'm back on the hold list. I'll check out your nonfiction favorites!
Loved Water, I want to read the next one!!! I just finished a 300 pages book, I don't know if we can consider it short, it's more than 250 pages but I quite liked it: Safe and sound by Laura McHugh!
Hi Ani! I've heard of that one but haven't read it- I think 300 pages is still fairly short
I definitely plan to listen to Small Things this month so we can chat about it.
I have EARTH by John Boyne. Have you read it? I read WATER
I did read Earth, for various reasons I didn’t love it:( I can share more thoughts if you want to know why I just don’t want to give too much info away. I still ordered Fire and have it on my shelf waiting to be read so I didn’t hate Earth by any means
If you haven’t read it yet try LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds. One my favorites of any length.
This book is INCREDIBLE and I highly recommend it on audio to anyone who’s interested. Jason Reynolds reads it since it’s verse so that it sounds exactly as he intended it to.
Totally agree - I did audio too and it was chef’s kiss
Check out my list.