Happy weekend, writers,
Last week we had a fun discussion about our favorite writing moments of 2019, and because I get low on creativity when the holidays are near, I'm going to ask you all to drink from a neighboring well this week.
When I look back at the books I've read in 2019, a handful jump out as candidates for the best: Under the Volcano, for sure, though I'm still not quite done with it; Living, by Henry Green; Amy Goldstein's Janesville.
But when I think about my favorite 2019 reading experiences, none of these make the list.
For some reason, as I get older, what makes a book stand out in my memory is less the book itself and more the environment in which I read it, and what was going on with me psychically at the time.
In other words, if I read a great book at home, I'm less likely to remember it, or think back fondly on the experience of reading it, than a lesser book that I read in an interesting place and/or at an interesting time in my life.
A quick example: I read four Stewart O'Nan novels this year. The Night Country was probably third-best. Maybe even fourth. But the experience of reading it was more memorable than with the other three, because of where I was when I bought it and read it.
But mostly what I want to hear about are your favorite reading experiences of 2019.
Does a particular book stand out as the best thing you read this year? How about a particularly memorable reading moment, or your most unique reading environment from this past year?
Are there any books you're looking forward to reading in 2020?
And happy holidays! Safe travels, to those of you on the road.
