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Great news! off to see your review.

This was shared to the WFBC today by Mary Jo Tate. The LOA has three new books out today:

💛William Faulkner: Stories (LOA #375): Knight's Gambit / Collected Stories / Big Woods / Other WorksThe Man Who Cried I Am

💛The Man Who Cried I Am

💛Many Thousand Gone: An American Fable

This last one I'm going to nominate for pre-1990!

Feral, North Carolina, 1965 by June Sylvester Saraceno is a short, fun novel.

I just ordered a copy of that from Abe books for 4.95.

I have just finished "Resurrection Walk" by Michael Connelly and "Let Us Descend" by Jesmyn Ward. I am a big fan of Connelly and this new one did not disappoint. "Let Us Descend" is profoundly moving and difficult at times to read but lyrical and so well written. I was in tears.

My review of Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point by Steven Levitsky

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Cheryl Carroll wrote: "This was shared to the WFBC today by Mary Jo Tate. The LOA has three new books out today:..."

I love the LOA. I finally broke down and subscribed. They are shipping me Bruce Catton this month: The Army of the Potomac Trilogy: Mr. Lincoln's Army / Glory Road / A Stillness at Appomattox

I am reading The Stranger, by Lillian Bos Ross, which is Book One of the Big Sur Trilogy. It is a telling of pioneering ranchers. If you have ever been to Big Sur or have any kind of connection to California, it is quite interesting. This is. CUwtC Buddy Read. Join us!

When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky �� Margaret Verble �� 3.5***
1920s Tennessee is the setting for this novel. What interesting characters! Verble weaves through elements of history not often covered in school from ancient bison tracks, to the forced expulsion of the Cherokee (Trail of Tears) to Jim Crow. She deftly incorporates magical realism, especially by using the ghost of Little Elk, a long-deceased warrior who longs to communicate with Two Feathers. I was captivated by this unique story.
LINK to my full review

Emily Dickinson House - Last month my wife & I were driving thru MA en route to RI. My wife wanted to visit Emily Dickinson’s home in Amherst. So that’s what we did. Anyway, I enjoyed the stop. I kind of expected a gothic style home to fit with Emily’s reclusive lifestyle. No, it was a beautifully restored 2.5 story brick house, federal style, with the bricks painted a yellow-tan. Went well with all the golden leaves scattered in the yard. Beautiful grounds. There were some young, post-college girls “manning�� the site, dedicated Dickinson fans. Our tour guide was great and was very smooth at transitioning into a few lines of Dickinson during the tour. You’ll see Emily’s desk by her upstairs bedroom window where she did a good deal of her writing. Quite the letter-writer to say nothing of all the poetry. She also enjoyed gardening. The house is in downtown Amherst on Main St not far from the college. Not a bad place at all to live life as a recluse. I don’t think she was hiding from people, she simply (in later yrs) chose not to leave the grounds. If you’re ever in the area it would be well worth the stop.

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "I love the LOA. I finally broke down and subscribed...."

I didn't know that was an option! Thanks for sharing. I signed up for the emails, and might try to squeeze in the basic "Friend" membership next year. It's not just the price for me. I am very nearsighted, and when I read I make a lot of annotations. The used LOA books that I've purchased have small print (for me) and thin paper, which causes my highlights to bleed onto one or more pages. 😤

B. R. wrote: "Emily Dickinson House - Last month my wife & I were driving thru MA en route to RI. My wife wanted to visit Emily Dickinson’s home in Amherst. So that’s what we did. Anyway, I enjoyed the stop. I k..."

I love hearing this about Dickinson's home. I began to study her biography and work a couple of years ago (and alas, did not finish!). I read an informative YA intro called Emily Dickinson: Self-Discipline in the Service of Art, by Carl Rollyson and his wife Lisa Paddock.

Terry wrote: "I am reading The Stranger, by Lillian Bos Ross, which is Book One of the Big Sur Trilogy. It is a telling of pioneering ranchers. If you have ever been to Big Sur or have any kind of connection to ..."

Thanks Terry, I may check this out. Big Sur is almost in my backyard so to speak.

Cheryl Carroll wrote: "the emails, and might try to squeeze in the basic "Friend" membership next year...."

So, I "subscribed" which is different from a membership. The memberships give you a discount and other stuff but most of it is like a donation to LOA. It's similar to the PBS and NPR pledge drives. Memberships seem to be like Sponsorships but for less money. Memberships are here:

A "subscription" is where LOA mails you a new book 6-8 times a year and they charge you like $30 per book. You can tell them what books you already have so they don't end up sending you a duplicate. When you subscribe you get your first book for $6.95 (there are four options you can choose from) and you can cancel whenever you want. It's like those old Book of the Month clubs or Record of the Month clubs. Subscriptions are here:

By the way, I buy some of their books used too. They usually end up being old library copies, which is fine with me. Quite a few of their editions are out of print so the only way you can get a copy is to purchase a used edition.

And you can get 10% on your first order and also sign up for their free "Short Story of the Week" newsletter by going to the bottom of this page:

Looking back at 2023
2023 on ŷ������

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I found a spot recently called Anna's Archive. They are a non-profit project with two goals: Preservation: Backing up all knowledge and culture of humanity. Access: Making this knowledge and culture available to anyone in the world. This means books, papers, documents, etc.

I have downloaded several books from there lately. I have not found a book that they do not have. You do not need to sign in or register to be able to download. I have wanted to read a book that is currently out in the UK and Australia, but not in the US yet, I was able to download it from there. You do have to sign in and donate to be able to get into their Z-Library to download in ebook or Kindle format however. I have yet to find how long that 'donation' is good for - one book, one week, one month, I don't know. But to download to a laptop or desktop you only have to find the book you want and follow their direction.

So far it has been great for those hard to find books. Thought I would share

Sandi, you are a star! Thanks for sharing that.

I have had the most luck downloading from this particular one ~~

Option #4: Libgen.rs Fiction (click “GET�� at the top) 'Get' is on the next page

that option number will change dependent on how many download options there are.

the download will depend on what your final location allows - like I can download just about anything but mobi, which my location no longer will accept.

I finished an almost 6 month trek through the mammoth-sized


The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
Rating: 3 stars
Review: /review/show...

Mountsin Rising by Darrell C. Richardson

Stella Maris

My review of Cool Hand Luke by Donn Pearce

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just started this McCarthy / Márquez inspired book that was published January 2024:

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really liking it so far!

Victoria
Let us know how you like. I have it on hold at my library.

Laura—just finished it earlier today, & am in that dreamy space that happens after reading an incredible book. first novel of the year that has really gotten into my bones, it is so amazing!! I cannot wait until you read it & we can talk about it! just enough magical realism (not a fan of books that rely on it too much, so this one is just right) to really explore some complex themes�� the story beautifully unfolds�� the language is definitely her own, & while I can see the references to two of my fave authors in all the blurbs, the language itself is not doing anything innovative like McCarthy or other faves like Faulkner, etc�� so will keep an eye out for forthcoming books but probably not look into her catalog. however, when I started it I immediately thought of a couple friends I wanted to gift it to as I do with a lot of the books I buy vs. library etc., unless it’s something I want to revisit & now I know after finishing it that I’ll definitely reread this one & will hold onto it.

Victoria
That sounds great. I too don’t go much into magical realism. This book caught my eye bc of influence of McCarthy and Texas. Out of curiosity, I have McCarthy’s brothers book to read. I’ve read literally first page. Have you read it? I haven’t been able to sit down and devote too much attention to it yet.

I’m relatively new to Cormac McCarthy minus the Coen Brothers film that’s been a fave for years (started gathering used books of his about a year ago when I knew I wanted to get back into reading post a long after grad school slump of not reading much), but have read four of his books since late December 2023—on the fifth now��& loving them all soooo much. didn’t know he had a brother, but pass by the Billy the Kid memorial traveling from Texas to New Mexico—so the premise looks interesting & adding to my TBR / wishlist! (it’s gotta be tough for Dennis to write books under his brother’s big presence in literature!! I guess the Brontë sisters & others have done it before, but feels strange!)

please let us know how it is, Laura!

Dennis was at a book festival in October and he handled himself very well. He gave the audience enough about himself and his brother to satisfy us.

Wow, 4 McCarthy’s since December. Which is your favorite so far? Try the book The Ploughmen and see if you get McCarthy vibes. It’s on my favorite list.

Laura wrote: "Wow, 4 McCarthy’s since December. Which is your favorite so far? Try the book The Ploughman and see if you get McCarthy vibes. It’s on my favorite list."

Is this the book you mentioned, The Ploughmen. It was wonderful

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Yes!!!! Did you get McCarthy vibes? I’ve read it twice and would certainly do a reread.

thank you so much for the recs, Laura!! Added The Ploughmen & also this one from your review to my TBR lists: /book/show/2...

&, not sure yet on my fave, each has something unique that has stuck with me. while I’ve always been a fast reader, I feel like I’m still digesting his work especially slowly�� definitely saving Blood Meridian & his last two for last, based on what I’ve read & friends have said!!

Laura wrote: "Yes!!!! Did you get McCarthy vibes? I’ve read it twice and would certainly do a reread."

Yes, it did remind me of McCarthy. I kept hoping that he would write another book, but he seems to have created one perfect book and stopped there.

There’s one in works. I’ll have to look for title. But have not heard any movement on it.

Victoria do exactly that!!! Save those 3 for later and more seasoned.

In 2020 he mentions the book Slaughterhorse Road.

Laura wrote: "In 2020 he mentions the book Slaughterhorse Road."

In a youtube video he said that he writes very slowly, so maybe there is still hope.

Not Southern lit, but well worth the read ...


Small Things Like These �� Claire Keegan �� 5
Gosh but Keegan packs a lot into a small volume! There is not a wasted word or extraneous thought. Furlong’s inner struggle is evident in the way he behaves and the things he thinks about as he walks the streets of town on a snowy evening. When he makes his decision, he acts on it, deliberately, quietly, resolutely. He is confident he is in the right, and that gives him some comfort despite the possible (probable) consequences.
LINK to my full review

Since James Agee is coming up for a read in April, here is my review of his Pulitzer Prize winning novel A Death in the Family.
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Set in south Texas, southern lit fans might enjoy the sixth book in the Easy Rawlins series


Gone Fishin' by Walter Mosley
Rating: 4 stars
Review: /review/show...

just started this today & having trouble putting it down, it’s sooo very good. set in a small hill country Texas town, you’ll probably recognize people in these characters! it’s a great thriller & witty too: /book/show/1...

Circe : Madeline Miller
A modern take on a mythological character.
Prometheus is present. Before his exile. A thought provoking exchange. Why did you do it? Uncle.
Circe has just discovered the beginning of pharmaka skills. She herself, is headed to exile. I can feel troubles are coming. The Gods are bored.
Having trouble reading. So many distractions

Blood Kin by Mark Powell is really worth checking out.
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In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason

my preorder just arrived today & I’m speechless it’s so beyond good: Percival Everett’s JAMES, a retelling of Mark Twain’s masterpiece.

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Light in August by William Faulkner. My review to share.

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I finished the pulp crime classic


A Killer Is Loose by Gil Brewer
Rating: 4 stars
Review: /review/show...

Brewer lived most of his life in south Florida.

My review of Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver

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‘I’d love a scathing review��: novelist Percival Everett on American Fiction and rewriting Huckleberry Finn

I just commented on another review that I haven't seen one rating lower than 5 stars on James.