It was my birthday yesterday so I’m another year older but probably not any wiser! Nevertheless, I’m happy to be alive.
I had lunch with hubby at a local ramen restaurant and we are catching up with our grown-up kids at the weekend. I fully support making birthday celebrations last as long as possible.
Last year, my sister kindly sent me a bookshop voucher for my birthday, and one year later, I still have it.
It’s given me a whole year of joy. Every time I see a book I like, I think “I could buy that for myself” and it makes me very happy.
I’m lucky to be able to afford to buy more than one book per year, but I rarely buy books for myself. I’m not really a re-reader, so unless a book is non-fiction and I’m going to want to dip in and out frequently, I nearly always borrow my books from the library.
That doesn’t mean I don’t LOVE getting books as gifts. I received a wonderful book for Christmas from my dear friend Valorie, and I can’t wait to read it, but I’m conscious that many people can’t afford to buy books and this is why I only recommend books I’ve borrowed from my local library. This doesn’t mean a book will definitely be available at your library, but it does increase the chances of you being able to get hold of a copy. It also means the books I recommend probably won’t be the hottest new bestsellers, but that’s okay as well. It’s really not necessary to be reading the latest thing, even if social media tells us otherwise.
Reading quiet novels
Have you heard the term ‘quiet’ novels? I thought it was a relatively recent invention, but according to this article, the term was first used in 1884 to describe books that can’t be labelled as powerful, gripping, romantic, funny or thrilling. It’s a catch-all term for books where the action unfolds at a leisurely pace and the story is character driven, rather than plot driven. Quiet novels often depict ordinary people with ordinary lives; introspective or introverted characters who don’t take any bold actions (or at least not without considerable deliberation). They are often thought of as women’s books, but this does them a disservice and is also quite derogatory to men. It implies that men can’t be thoughtful and only want to read non-fiction or fast-paced Jack Ryan novels.
Quiet novels are very calming and good for frazzled nerves. The ordinariness of the characters can lead to wonderful moments of recognition. It’s soothing to think that other people feel ambivalent about who they are in the world.
Some favourite quiet novels include:
Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler.
When Micah was behind the wheel he liked to pretend he was being evaluated by an all-seeing surveillance system. Traffic God, he called it. Traffic God was operated by a fleet of men in shirtsleeves and green visors who frequently commented on the perfection of Micah’s driving. “Notice how he uses his turn signal even when no-one’s behind him,” they would say. Micah always, always used his turn signal. He used it in his own parking lot, even.
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.
Olive Kitteridge is a book that sneaks up on you. One minute you’re reading a lyrical contemplative novel about the inhabitants of a fictional town in coastal Maine, and the next minute you’re listening in on a character airing intimate and explosive secrets.
Apple Books Review
Tin Man by Sarah Winman, begins with a story about a woman choosing a painting as a prize in a raffle instead of the bottle of whisky her husband wants.
It was her first act of defiance. Like cutting off an ear. And she made it in public.
She and Len left shortly after. They sat separately on the bus journey home, her up, him down. When they got off, he stormed ahead of her, and she fell back into the peace of her star-aligned night.
Do you have a favourite quiet novel?
Book Chat Book Club
We had a fine old time at book club. I really enjoyed the discussion and I think everyone else did too. If you’d like to join the book club you just need to hit reply and let me know. It’s free and there’s no obligation to attend every meeting. We meet about every three months depending on the availability (and length) of the book. I’m currently mulling over what we should read next. If you have suggestions, let me know.
What I’ve been writing
I published a short piece on my blog about reading the classics. You can read it here. People are often curious about why I have a blog and a newsletter. The short answer is that Book Chat focuses on reading recommendations, whereas I write about a range of topics on my blog. One day I might combine everything into one publication, who knows?
Thanks for reading. It means a lot to me. Please think about sharing this newsletter with your reading friends.
All the best,
Marg xx
In the books you have mentioned including the classics, some I have read, most I haven't although on the classic side, have caught on film. I believe most are outstanding in their 'pioneering' of writing taboo topics. Once again, thank you for your close examination to share.
Happy belated birthday, Marg! Sounds like you've never been wiser than you are now :)
I love the terminology of a 'quiet novel.' Elizabeth Strout was a great discovery for me last year. I find I'm increasingly drawn to books that explore inner lives and character reflection, especially when I am dealing with a lot of noise in my "real" life. She's a little cynical, maybe, but Rachel Cusk has a great writing voice for reflection and introspection - "The Country Life" was my introduction to her fiction, and would fit the quiet novel bill too.