Berly's INDIEspensable Books

Conversazioni75 Books Challenge for 2021

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Berly's INDIEspensable Books

1Berly
Modificato: Feb 7, 5:13 pm






This is a separate thread to keep track of this amazing collection. Every 6-8 weeks I get a box, although Powell's has put this collection on hold after #93 (2021).

Usually one book, but sometimes 2 or 3, and sometimes an extra little gift. My hubby signed me up at the very beginning of this series in like 2008 (?). Thank you Hubby!

✅ means I have read it.

#s are the shipment pkg

Hover over the title if you want to see the picture or a brief synopsis.

Link to this thread also be found on my current 75er thread. : )

My goal for 2024 is to read 6 of these!

January -- The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne #77

2Berly
Modificato: Feb 7, 5:13 pm

1. How the Dead Dream by Lydia Millet #1

2. Mudbound by Hillary Jordan #2

✅ 3. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski #3

✅ 4. The Outlander by Gil Adamson #3

✅ 5. Clown Girl by by Monica Drake #4

6. The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews #5

7. The Crow Road by Ian Banks #6

✅ 8. Literary Periodicals from Tin House, Believer, Paris Review and Open City #7

✅ 9. Tinkers by Paul Harding, 2010 Pulitzer Prize Winner #8

10. A Day's Pleasure by Glenn David Gold #9

The first part of Sunnyside

11. Sunnyside by Glenn David Gold #9

✅ 12. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick 2009 #10

3Berly
Modificato: Dic 27, 2022, 9:21 pm

✅ 21. The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker #11

✅ 22. Into the Beautiful North by by Luis Alberto Urrea #12

✅ 23. Stitches by David Small #13

24. The Cry of the Sloth by Sam Savage 2009 #14

✅ 25. The Wild Things by Dave Eggers #15

✅ 26. Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich #16

27. Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes #17

✅ 28. The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall #18

✅ 29. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender #19

30. I Curse the River of Time by Per Petterson #20

✅ 31. The Report by Jesica Francis Kane #20

4Berly
Modificato: Gen 13, 2023, 2:55 am

32. Freedom: A Novel by Jonathan Franzen #21

33. Skippy Dies (Well, actually just part one, Hopeland) by Paul Murray #21

34. The Wilding by Benjamin Percy #22

35. The Instructions by Adam Levin #23

✅ 36. The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard #24

37. Ten Thousand Saints by Eleanor Henderson #24

38. Townie by Andre Dubus III, 2011 #25

39. Bright Before Us by Katie Arnold Ratliff #26

✅ 40. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett #27 -- reading

✅ 41. Irma Voth by Miriam Toews #27

✅ 42. Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante #28

✅ 43. Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern #29

✅ 44. The Vanishers by Heidi Jalavits #29

✅ 45. The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides #30

46. Silas Marner by George Eliot #30

5Berly
Modificato: Nov 24, 2021, 9:39 pm

54. Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron #31

✅ 55. The Book of Jonas by Stephen Dau #32

56. Battleborn by Claire Vaye Watkins #32

57. The Listeners by Leni Zumas #33

✅ 58. The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker #34

✅ 59. A Million Heavens by John Brandon #35

60. How Music Works by David Byrne #35

✅ 61. Familiar by J. Robert Lennon #36

62. Dark Lies the Island by Kevin Barry #36

✅ 63. The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell #37

✅ 64. With or Without You by Domenica Ruta #38

65. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra #39

✅ 66. Panopticon by Jennifer Fagan #39

67. In the House upon the Dirt Between The Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell #40

68. Bobcat and Other Stories by Rebecca Lee #40

6Berly
Modificato: Nov 24, 2021, 9:37 pm

✅ 69. Brewster by Mark Slouka #41

70. The Childhood of Jesus by J.M. Coetzee #42

✅ 71. The Goldfinch by Donna Tart #43

✅ 72. The Best of McSweeney’s by Dave Eggers #44

✅ 73. Orfeo by Richard Power #45

74. The Blazing World by Siri Hustvedt #46

75. We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas #46

✅ 76. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr #47

77. The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison #47

78. The Great Glass Sea by Josh Weil #48

✅ 79. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchel #49

✅ 80. Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link #49

✅ 81. All My Puny Sorrows by Mirian Toews #50

82. Loitering by Charles D’Ambrosio #50

7Berly
Modificato: Nov 24, 2021, 9:36 pm

92. Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekbϊck #51

✅ 93. Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller #52

94. The New & Improved Romie Futch by Julia Elliott #52

✅ 95. The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty by Vendella Vida #53

96. Above the Waterfall by Ron Rash #53

✅ 97. Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb #54

✅ 98. The Boy Who Went Away by Eli Gottllieb #54

✅ 99. Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg #55

100. Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Moly Prentiss #55

✅ 101. City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg #56

102. Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt #57

103. Fever at Dawn by Péter Gárdos #57

✅ 104. A Doubter’s Almanac by Ethan Canin #58

105. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi #59

106. Barkskins by Annie Proulx #60

✅ 107. Ninety-Nine Stories of God by Joy Williams #60

8Berly
Nov 24, 2021, 9:49 pm

108. Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer #61

✅ 109. Tree of Codes by Jonathan Safran Foer #61

✅ 110. Universal Harvester by John Darnielle #61

111. The Mothers by Brit Bennet #62

112. Moonglow by Michael Chabon #63

✅ 113. Night of Fire by Collin Thubron #63

114. History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund #64

115. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders #65

✅ 116. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip by George Saunders #65

✅ 117. Borne by Jeff VanderMeer #66

✅ 118. The Grip of It by Jac Jemc #66

119. Stephen Florida by Gabe Habash #67

✅ 120. The Doll’s Alphabet by Camilla Grudova #67

✅ 121. The Burning Girl by Claire Messud #68

✅ 122. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward #69

✅ 123. The Fire This Time edited by Jesmyn Ward #69

✅ 124. Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado #70

125. Tomb Song by Julián Herbert #70

9Berly
Modificato: Feb 7, 5:09 pm

✅ 126. Red Clocks by Leni Zumas #71

127. Census by Jesse Ball #72

✅ 128. Your Duck is My Duck by Deborah Eisenberg #72

129. The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner #73

130. The Flame Throwers by Rachel Kushner #73

131. Conversations on Writing by Ursula K. Le Guin and David Naimon #73

✅ 132. There There by Tommy Orange #74

133. The Third Hotel by Laura Van Den Berg #75

134. Territory of Light by Yuko Tsushima #75

135. She Would be King by Wayéta Moore #76

136. The Silk Road by Kathryn Davis #76

✅ 137. A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne #77

✅ 138. The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne #77

139. Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley #78

✅ 140. The Snakes by Sadie Jones #78

141. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli #79

✅ 142. Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett #80

✅ 143. Divide Me By Zero by Lara Vapnyar #80

10Berly
Modificato: Dic 27, 2022, 9:32 pm

✅ 144. The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead. #81

✅ 145. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. #81

146. The Shadow King: A Novel by Maaza Mengiste #82

✅ 147. The Topeka School by Ben Lerner #83

148. Eden Mine by S.M. Hulse (uncorrected proof) #83

149. Little Gods by Meng Jin #84

✅ 150. Actress by Anne Enright #85

151. The Voyage of the Morning Light by Marina Endicott #85

The Unseen by Roy Jacobsen #86

153. Aubrey McKee by Alex Pugsley #86

154. The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama #87

155. A Girl is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi #88

✅ 156. Leave the World Behind by Rumann Alam #89

157. My Year Abroad by Chang-Rae Lee #90

11Berly
Nov 24, 2021, 10:12 pm

158. Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian #91

159. Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen #92

160. Love Like That by Emma Duffy-Comparone #92

✅ 161. Beautiful World, Where Are You? by Sally Rooney #92

162. What Strange Paradise: A Novel by Omar El Akkad #93

12alcottacre
Nov 24, 2021, 11:37 pm

>8 Berly: If you are interested in a reading partner for Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer, let me know. It is sitting on my shelves woefully unread.

13Berly
Modificato: Nov 25, 2021, 1:20 am

>12 alcottacre: I love that you took the time to hop on over here and take a look. : ) You suggestion is duly noted.

I am not sure how I am going to organize this, but I am hoping to do one a month next year and will be suggesting some of my own. So stay tuned...I'd love to read with you! And don't take it personally if I don't go with your suggestion--It's the book, or my mood, not you!!

14Berly
Modificato: Nov 27, 2021, 1:18 pm

Suggestions:

Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer, alcottacre
The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead, Berly
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
The New & Improved Romie Futch by Julia Elliott

16drneutron
Nov 25, 2021, 11:09 am

Added this thread to the Threadbook. And also looking forward to your reading them!

17alcottacre
Modificato: Nov 25, 2021, 11:19 am

I am scheduled to read Shadow Tag in December, Paul. If you and Kim do a read together, can I horn in too? I will just postpone my read and read it when you do.

ETA: Matterhorn is absolutely terrific!

18Berly
Nov 25, 2021, 1:38 pm

>15 PaulCranswick: Well, I am sure I can squeeze one or two in since you have so many of my unread books!! LOL I'll be sure to give you some notice. : )

>16 drneutron: Thanks, Doc! Want to join in?

>17 alcottacre: >15 PaulCranswick: Well, how about we do Shadow Tag in December or January?! Paul??

19PaulCranswick
Nov 25, 2021, 1:57 pm

>18 Berly: No problem, Kimmers - whichever you want; December or January are both fine.

20Berly
Nov 25, 2021, 1:58 pm

Shadow Tag in December!!!

21alcottacre
Modificato: Nov 26, 2021, 8:40 pm

>20 Berly: I am definitely in! Thanks, Paul and Kim.

ETA: I will be out of town the first week of December, with little to no Internet access, especially when I get to my mother's on the 1st. If we could start the week after that, I would appreciate it.

22Berly
Nov 26, 2021, 10:42 pm

Works for me. : )

23alcottacre
Nov 27, 2021, 12:27 am

>22 Berly: Great! Paul?

24alcottacre
Dic 5, 2021, 10:41 pm

I am ready to start Shadow Tag whenever you and Paul are, Kim. Thanks for your patience!

25Berly
Dic 6, 2021, 2:49 am

I am good to go!! Paul? : )

26PaulCranswick
Dic 7, 2021, 9:33 am

Yep, I'm ready too. Plan to start in the morning.

27alcottacre
Dic 7, 2021, 12:22 pm

Yay! I will start on it today then.

28Berly
Dic 8, 2021, 1:41 am

: )

29Berly
Modificato: Dic 8, 2021, 11:54 pm

And for next year, Beth and Ellen (my two twins) have also stepped up. These are some of the books we are considering...

January -- Red Clocks by Leni Zumas

and then maybe

Moonglow by Michael Chabon
Your Duck is My Duck by Deborah Eisenberg
The Blazing World by Siri Hustvedt
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead

30PaulCranswick
Dic 8, 2021, 2:28 am

I have the books by Husvedt, Marra and Boyne on the shelves so could join in.

31BLBera
Dic 8, 2021, 9:54 am

>29 Berly: I'm on board with all of the books listed, at least for now. :)

32alcottacre
Modificato: Dic 8, 2021, 7:36 pm

>29 Berly: I am definitely interested in Moonglow as I enjoy Michael Chabon's books, but I will have to borrow it from the library if I am allowed to share in the read too.

I got about 50 pages in to Shadow Tag yesterday and feel like I have a good handle on the characters. I am very interested in seeing how this situation plays out. I will be reading more tonight.

BTW - I laughed out loud when I read "Irene was an undisciplined reader and kept a mess of half-read books beside her bed, as well as on the coffee tables and in the bathrooms." Undisciplined does not even come close to describing me!

33PaulCranswick
Dic 8, 2021, 9:13 pm

>32 alcottacre: It is a good job that none of our number is actually called Irene otherwise she would probably be called to mind in reading the book. I like the diary idea as I will admit to sneaking a peek of Hani's when we were courting. Silly girl used to jot down her ramblings in English at a time when I would have been lost in Malay.

Haven't done it since she made a (relatively) honest man of me!

34alcottacre
Dic 8, 2021, 10:32 pm

>33 PaulCranswick: It is a good job that none of our number is actually called Irene otherwise she would probably be called to mind in reading the book.

Isn't that the truth?

35alcottacre
Dic 9, 2021, 3:48 pm

At about the 100 page mark of the book. I hate to say it, but the marriage between the main characters reminds me of my parents' marriage, so the book hits a bit close to home for me, especially as my Gil reminds me of my father. As I remarked on Paul's thread, "enjoying" the book is a bit of a stretch for me. "Appreciating" how well it is written seems to be more of how I am feeling about it at this point.

36Berly
Dic 9, 2021, 4:37 pm

Perfect! Let's start with Red Clocks in January and then for February we can choose one from the list. : )

37Berly
Dic 9, 2021, 4:47 pm

>33 PaulCranswick: You sneak!! Take this book as a warning. LOL

>35 alcottacre: I am halfway. Sorry this is hitting close to home Stasia. I was intrigued by the idea of two different diaries, but there doesn't seem to be much in the blue, bank version so far. I am not really understanding why either of them are still in the marriage. I do love the descriptions of the paint and the desire to capture something, an image, an emotion. Interesting discussion of "kitsch." The red diary is highly manipulative, but does it benefit their marriage, Gil's art, or is it payback?

Undisciplined reader? LOL. Passionate? Definitely. Book piles are everywhere, although not up to the ceiling (except in the bookcases) and not two or three thick. I have about 4 books going at once usually. And am always thinking about what's next. : )

38alcottacre
Dic 9, 2021, 4:49 pm

Page 108 of Shadow Tag: ". . .you'll never believe who called."


"I don't know. Wait. Stasia?"


"Yes and she loved the painting."


Makes me wish I could actually see the painting!!

39Berly
Dic 9, 2021, 5:08 pm

Right? : )

40Berly
Dic 9, 2021, 5:11 pm

I want to go to see an authentic Native American dance ceremony! I am part Iroquois but know nothing about the traditions or ceremonies.

41alcottacre
Dic 9, 2021, 6:41 pm

>40 Berly: I am with you there! I have a great grandmother who was Sioux, I think? I would love to know more of their customs and ceremonies.

42PaulCranswick
Dic 12, 2021, 12:13 am

>41 alcottacre: Wow that is so interesting. The history of the Native Americans has always been a fascination of mine. I did a dissertation/extended essay on the Dawes Act in my first year at Warwick Uni.

43PaulCranswick
Dic 12, 2021, 12:14 am

>29 Berly: I bought Red Clocks today so I can join you in January.

44Whisper1
Dic 12, 2021, 12:29 am

Hi Kim. While I most likely won't be able to join you in reading a book together in January 2022, I will surely join you for some wonderful journeys in February and throughout the year. What a wonderful idea!

45alcottacre
Dic 12, 2021, 1:25 am

>42 PaulCranswick: Wow, Paul! That is interesting. I really need to get with my mother to find out more about my ancestor and which tribe she was from.

46alcottacre
Dic 12, 2021, 1:25 am

I finished up Shadow Tag tonight. Thoughts on the book are on my thread for whenever you finish it, Paul and Kim.

47weird_O
Dic 12, 2021, 11:27 am

>29 Berly: Moonglow is the only book on your list that I possess, and I have already read it. I know of several of the authors, and the premises on all those books sound interesting. Maybe I should jump in, come January.

Do I need to be juried?

48Berly
Modificato: Dic 12, 2021, 11:01 pm

>41 alcottacre: >42 PaulCranswick: My great, great grandma was called Grandma Moon. My Dad has enough Native American blood to qualify, but I am one generation too far out. My Dad served on a NA board in Minneapolis for several years. My brother, dad and grandad, and obviously great great grandma, all have the black hair, brown eyes and darker skin tone. I am kinda a hybrid, with brown hair and green eyes, and my sister takes after the English side of the family with pale skin, blonde hair and blue eyes. : )

49Berly
Modificato: Dic 12, 2021, 11:02 pm

>43 PaulCranswick: Red Clocks in January!! Yay!!

>44 Whisper1: I certainly hope you are feeling well enough to join us in January, but no pressure and you can always join us later!!

50Berly
Modificato: Dic 12, 2021, 11:04 pm

>46 alcottacre: Finished Shadow Tag yesterday. I thought it was interesting how the sections kept getting shorter and shorter, ramping up the tension until the final unexpected ending. Wow. I will pop over and see what your review says....

51Berly
Dic 12, 2021, 11:06 pm

>47 weird_O:


The jury voted!!

You are found guilty.

Of reading too much. LOL

Yes, please join in on any ones that please you. : )

52EBT1002
Dic 23, 2021, 7:43 pm

Hi Beth.

53Berly
Dic 23, 2021, 7:48 pm

You mean Kim? TwinE!! Not you too! LOL

54Whisper1
Modificato: Dic 23, 2021, 9:32 pm

Hello Dear Berly! I send all good wishes for a holiday filled with love and laughter.

55BLBera
Dic 25, 2021, 12:31 am

>53 Berly: Hilarious

56Berly
Dic 27, 2021, 2:56 am

So, my friends have been kind enough to help steer me in the direction of Red Clocks for a January read. Since I hope to read several in 2022, and I'd love to have some discussion, I think a thread per book might be warranted. Anyone interested, please join us!!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/337857

57Berly
Dic 27, 2022, 9:34 pm

2023?? : )

✅ Means I have read it. Anything else is up for suggestion.

58Berly
Feb 7, 5:14 pm

First read for 2024!!

January -- The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne #77