I just started a War & Peace slow read with @simonhaisell and thought of another book that receives wonderful praise but I struggled to read through even though I enjoyed it: The Overstory by Richard Powers. Has anyone seen a slow read led for this one?
I really enjoyed rereading Dante's Divine Comedy in 2025. I have a few long novels in mind for 2026. I have been meaning to reread Les Misérables. Maybe this is the year.
It's such a wonderful experience and the stakes are low. The daily reading isn't overwhelming, and at the beginning when the names / characters are overwhelming, Simon is a great guide. Reading got hard again for me at the end of the summer, but then September came and it was glorious! Happy reading!
I found a serendipitous copy of Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset at a used book store recently after looking for years. I think it will be my slow read of 2026.
I love Kristin Lavransdatter. It takes a little bit to get into, but it is a very compelling read. The first time I read it I felt a bit daunted at the size, but loved the reading experience. It makes for a great slow read, just be warned that you might end up binge reading it.
Oh that's a good choice for a slow read. I bet there are other people tackling that one if you were interested in the community aspect. (Praying for you and James. I loved the story of your daughter's espresso machine and the absolute works of mercy she is doing 💙)
Kortney, this means so much, truly. Thank you for including The Reflective Eye in such a thoughtful, generous list. I’ve loved following your posts and the atmosphere you create here. Grateful to be walking this quiet path of attention together. 🤍
It's been such a gift to find your work. I am learning so much from the way you talk about beauty. So much deeper than, I liked it / I didn't like it. Even just underscoring that Tarkovsky is interested in more than narrative helped me to settle into his world a little more. Looking forward to the coming year!
I'm going to read Doris Kearn Goodwin's book about TR, Taft, and the Progressive journalists they knew. That will be slow. And intersperse that with a book about love by bell hooks that quotes me, and a biography of Disraeli, and King Richard by Michael Dobbs. That's my January 2026 list so far. I have read all the great Russians in college for my own enjoyment, but preferred pretty much anything of Turgenev to Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. I've tried reading Victor Hugo but Balzac from that period is my preference and Zola for later on. Happy New Year! с Новым Годом!
Oh! What bell hooks? I put All About Love on my 2026 list--time for a re-read. I recommend the 1934 movie of Les Mis even if you never read the book. Returning to Tolstoy after a year of Hugo was a tremendous gift! We regularly quote from Fathers and Sons around here (a man of the 40s, a man of the 60s), and Turgenev's influence on Dostoevsky is clear, esp in Demons.
All About Love, near the end, about shame. I liked the Les Mis movie from '34 (Charles Laughton!!!) and adore the musical, have seen it live more than once and have DVDs of the latest film plus a concert version. Around here, we quote from The Importance of Being Earnest among other comic works. :-)
I just started a War & Peace slow read with @simonhaisell and thought of another book that receives wonderful praise but I struggled to read through even though I enjoyed it: The Overstory by Richard Powers. Has anyone seen a slow read led for this one?
Oh wow! I think The Overstory would work well as a slow read. It's a book that I think of so often. It really impacted how I think about trees.
I really enjoyed rereading Dante's Divine Comedy in 2025. I have a few long novels in mind for 2026. I have been meaning to reread Les Misérables. Maybe this is the year.
Hugo has very long and very short chapters so not every day is the same. But we had a good year!
I have always wanted to do this, and this might be the nudge I need this year
It's such a wonderful experience and the stakes are low. The daily reading isn't overwhelming, and at the beginning when the names / characters are overwhelming, Simon is a great guide. Reading got hard again for me at the end of the summer, but then September came and it was glorious! Happy reading!
I found a serendipitous copy of Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset at a used book store recently after looking for years. I think it will be my slow read of 2026.
I love Kristin Lavransdatter. It takes a little bit to get into, but it is a very compelling read. The first time I read it I felt a bit daunted at the size, but loved the reading experience. It makes for a great slow read, just be warned that you might end up binge reading it.
Oh that's a good choice for a slow read. I bet there are other people tackling that one if you were interested in the community aspect. (Praying for you and James. I loved the story of your daughter's espresso machine and the absolute works of mercy she is doing 💙)
Kortney, this means so much, truly. Thank you for including The Reflective Eye in such a thoughtful, generous list. I’ve loved following your posts and the atmosphere you create here. Grateful to be walking this quiet path of attention together. 🤍
It's been such a gift to find your work. I am learning so much from the way you talk about beauty. So much deeper than, I liked it / I didn't like it. Even just underscoring that Tarkovsky is interested in more than narrative helped me to settle into his world a little more. Looking forward to the coming year!
I'm going to read Doris Kearn Goodwin's book about TR, Taft, and the Progressive journalists they knew. That will be slow. And intersperse that with a book about love by bell hooks that quotes me, and a biography of Disraeli, and King Richard by Michael Dobbs. That's my January 2026 list so far. I have read all the great Russians in college for my own enjoyment, but preferred pretty much anything of Turgenev to Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. I've tried reading Victor Hugo but Balzac from that period is my preference and Zola for later on. Happy New Year! с Новым Годом!
Oh! What bell hooks? I put All About Love on my 2026 list--time for a re-read. I recommend the 1934 movie of Les Mis even if you never read the book. Returning to Tolstoy after a year of Hugo was a tremendous gift! We regularly quote from Fathers and Sons around here (a man of the 40s, a man of the 60s), and Turgenev's influence on Dostoevsky is clear, esp in Demons.
All About Love, near the end, about shame. I liked the Les Mis movie from '34 (Charles Laughton!!!) and adore the musical, have seen it live more than once and have DVDs of the latest film plus a concert version. Around here, we quote from The Importance of Being Earnest among other comic works. :-)
Oh wow! Now I really can't wait for All ABout Love! Peace keep you in this new year of reading and writing, Lev.
And you!