reading habit
Books Editor’s note
I’ve become an absolute newsletter fiend lately, with a large chunk of my reading coming from places like The Believer, Reasons to be Cheerful, The Browser, and so many more. I love that I get to read varied topics and perspectives while also finding familiar, comforting articles in places I had not thought to look at before. Do you guys subscribe to newsletters, literary or otherwise? Let me know!
A list of good literary reads
One: Sally Rooney’s new book, “Beautiful World, Where Are You,” is finally out—after a long anticipation period that included advance copies selling on eBay for exorbitant prices—and it is heartening to see how this young Irish woman has become a worldwide phenomenon, unprecedented but wholly welcome. The New York Times profiles her and her rise to a status previously reserved for the likes of a new Harry Potter book.
Two: I studied at a boarding school—spent my formative years there—and it still irks me that I never got to solve a mystery at the place. In CrimeReads, author Vera Kurian takes a dive into the world of campus thrillers and mysteries, the concept of ‘Dark Academia’ and why it continues to fascinate, and recommends some of her favourite reads where the setting is as important as character.
Three: In some incredibly exciting mystery-related news, there’s going to be a new compendium of Miss Marple short stories, written by twelve brilliant contemporary authors, including legends like Val McDermid, Kate Mosse and Ruth Ware. The Bookseller has the announcement and other related news, including a note on why Agatha Christie’s spinster-in-a-sleepy-village-solving-crimes is a beloved, enduring literary figure.
Four: On Tor.com, Molly Templeton considers a reader’s biggest nemesis—a reading slump. She puts forth a variety of reading slumps I found intriguing: as part of a fandom in a very online bookish culture, a slump might include not participating in that world, not being able to read the book of the moment, the book you’re “supposed to” read. She also looks at more conventional slumps—one owing to a pandemic-induced panic—and gives hopeful, calming advice.
Five: The Guardian interviews Salman Rushdie, where he talks, among other things, about his decision to publish his next work of fiction as a serialised novella on Substack. The decision comes from a place of trying something he hasn’t done before, including becoming a film critic. Always interesting/amusing to see famous people branching out into arenas different from theirs.
Six: I’m always vocal about how much books can comfort me in times of crisis, keep me company when I’m feeling truly alone, and genuinely act as support systems. On Book Riot, one reader talks about the many bookish rituals she follows that keep her grounded, including reading specific kind of reviews or reading poems with her morning tea. It really made me feel close to my own books and bookish life, which always has a soothing effect.
Note: Reading Habit is curated by our book editor Anushree Kaushal. Want to send along recommendations, feedback or just say hi? Email her at kaushalanushree@gmail.com.
