I have read so many recently! Sigrid Nunez's What're You Going Through (also loved The Friend when it came out). Transcription by Lerner! Just reread Another Marvelous Thing by Colwin, a DELIGHT. I just read Simone de B's memoir about her mom dying, 106 pp, called A Very Easy Death. And finished Woodcutters by Bernhard last night and want to read all of his mean little books, but he is SUCH a (funny) hater, you really have to be in the mood for that.
One of my favourites is Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman (144 pages) — a series of vignettes, where time works differently in each one. What if time ran backwards? What if time slowed down the further outside the city you go? What if we had no conception of the future? Each vignette is, of course, a reflection on our own world, our own relationship to time.
Similarly, I'm having a short-story summer. So far I've read Brawler by Lauren Groff, The Typing Lady by Ruth Ozeki, and Python's Kiss by Louise Erdrich. All recommended! Currently reading My Dear You by Rachel Khong and am enjoying it so far.
Slim book I've been recommending to everyone this year is The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros, perhaps the most comforting post-apocalyptic story I've ever encountered? Just re-released in paperback in English (translated from Welsh by the author).
Oooh my favorite genre (genre?). The mac barnett book is in the pile next to my bed, I guess I'llr read it next. Slim volumes I have loved: Rivka Galchen's Little Labors and Sarah Manguso's Ongoingness.
Foster, by Claire Keegan, just lovely writing. Actually, Small Things Like These is by her too, and gorgeous. And both are short-short books, and both made into beautiful films too.
- tove jansson, THE SUMMER BOOK
- Denis Johnson, TRAIN DREAMS
- Eve babitz, SLOW DAYS FAST COMPANY
- Charles Portis, TRUE GRIT
- Eleanor Davis, YOU & A BIKE & A ROAD
- John Berger, WAYS OF SEEING
And a few more (need to update this list)
https://austinkleon.com/2020/04/03/short-was-good-in-a-book/
The Employees by Olga Ravn
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
I Remember by Joe Brainard
People Who Led to My Plays by Adrienne Kennedy
Great Granny Webster by Caroline Blackwood
I Remember is a huge favorite of mine
I have read so many recently! Sigrid Nunez's What're You Going Through (also loved The Friend when it came out). Transcription by Lerner! Just reread Another Marvelous Thing by Colwin, a DELIGHT. I just read Simone de B's memoir about her mom dying, 106 pp, called A Very Easy Death. And finished Woodcutters by Bernhard last night and want to read all of his mean little books, but he is SUCH a (funny) hater, you really have to be in the mood for that.
(also I adore that Annie Dillard book, I'm so glad you mentioned it, I think it's time for a reread!)
Monk and Robot by Becky Chambers 🤍
Omg omg omg yes!! Great duology
I love a slim volume!! Some personal favorites:
- Oranges by John McPhee (narrative nonfiction about Florida's citrus industry in the '60s)
- All Girls Be Mine Alone by Sophie Strohmeier (ghosts! teenage queer longing! opera in Vienna!)
- The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector (any brief summary doesn't do it justice)
omg I read the orange book this year, so delightful!
I have two to recommend:
-How Poetry Can Change Your Heart by Andrea Andrea Gibson (RIP!!!) and Megan Falley
-Glaciers by Alexis K. Smith
Love a slim volume!
One of my favourites is Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman (144 pages) — a series of vignettes, where time works differently in each one. What if time ran backwards? What if time slowed down the further outside the city you go? What if we had no conception of the future? Each vignette is, of course, a reflection on our own world, our own relationship to time.
Similarly, I'm having a short-story summer. So far I've read Brawler by Lauren Groff, The Typing Lady by Ruth Ozeki, and Python's Kiss by Louise Erdrich. All recommended! Currently reading My Dear You by Rachel Khong and am enjoying it so far.
Slim book I've been recommending to everyone this year is The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros, perhaps the most comforting post-apocalyptic story I've ever encountered? Just re-released in paperback in English (translated from Welsh by the author).
Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard💌
Oooh my favorite genre (genre?). The mac barnett book is in the pile next to my bed, I guess I'llr read it next. Slim volumes I have loved: Rivka Galchen's Little Labors and Sarah Manguso's Ongoingness.
Love this. Looking into the Annie Dillard book now!!
Yay more picture books :)
Writing down the bone was a fun read about writing! And I think it was short… it was an ebook so everything seems longer lol
Foster, by Claire Keegan, just lovely writing. Actually, Small Things Like These is by her too, and gorgeous. And both are short-short books, and both made into beautiful films too.
I’m making a note to check all of these out but especially Make Believe as I chug along on my own book (plus a little mess never hurt anybody!!)