HI FRIENDS! Full disclosure: I have no idea what book club really means in this context! But a delightful human posted this in Nerdette’s Facebook group and you KNOW I want to make sure you keep reading things!!!!
So for now, here is what I will say: if I HAD chosen a book to make y’all read this month, it would have been one that I’ve already raved about and adored: Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time.
This book is SO GOOD. It’s timey-wimey, it’s plotty, it’s thought-provoking, and it’s got a sexy roguish Arctic explorer. WHAT MORE WOULD YOU WANT?!
So! Have you read this book? WHAT DID YOU THINK! WHAT ELSE ARE YOU READING!!! Chime in in the comments!
ALSO! SPEAKING OF BOOKS! I’ve mentioned this before but I want to ACTUALLY DO IT. This month I want to give away two books to two lucky paid subscribers. I have a copy of The Ministry of Time and a copy of one of my favorite books of all time, Kevin Wilson’s phenomenalNothing to See Here.
I’ll do the random drawing this Friday so if you become a paid member before the next email comes out, I’ll put your name in the hat! (There’s not actually a hat. Or, it’s an algorithmic hat.)
GRETAGRAM is a reader-supported publication. Want to get in on fun extra stuff like BOOK GIVEAWAYS? Consider becoming a paid subscriber.
Once I have the two winners, I’ll message you on here to get a mailing address and get those sent out! (if you’re not comfortable sharing your address I totally understand -- but know that I have every intention of respecting your privacy! I just wanna give away some books I love.)
LOVED Ministry of Time. Would make an amazing 8 part series. It’s an amalgamation of so many things… a little bit Outlander/Dr. Who/Ghosts UK/ dare I say even a TINY bit of why people love Edward Cullen in Twilight 😬. And SO MUCH MORE to flesh out in the dynamics of politics, war, displacement, and relocating ourselves.
Put it on hold at library after summer reading episode. Waiting for it to come in from the library. #2 in line. Hoping people read fast so I can get my hands on it before a planned trip.
I’m reading this right now after hearing the recent interview on the Code Switch podcast. So, so good! I’m dying to see what happens, but also don’t want it to end.
I’m about halfway through, and I cannot stop thinking about the average weight of a cloud! I really like the book so far, but no mater how it ends, I feel like it will have been worth it just to learn this “very interesting fact”.
Probably my favorite book of the year so far. It grabbed me on so many levels: immersive storytelling, deep connection to specific times and places, fully realized, multi dimensional characters… I could go on and on but at bottom it was truly gripping and the issues and the stakes felt so real…
This is my next read, sitting atop my library stack! I've chosen this as my Massachusetts Center for the Book reading challenge pick for June: a book that inspired a film or TV series. Also just finished Funny Story by Emily Henry last night—delightful and charming, just what I needed.
Oh, I can see why she keeps up the eight-fold fence in place. It does definitely limit a full emotional experience. Then again, if the book had been totally swoony, I would have hated it!
I loved Anita deMonte Laughs Last. Greta, I read it because of the author interview you did! I had recently listened to the podcast Death of an Artist (first season is about the artist Ana Mendieta who is the inspiration for Anita) which I highly recommend in conjunction with this book.
Omg, yes! I read Anita de Monte Laughs Last based on the same author interview, and was honestly a little confused later in the month that it wasn’t the official Nerdette book club pick….oops! I really loved it, and will definitely be checking out your podcast recommendation.
I listened to it while traveling this spring, and it had me laughing out loud on the plane.
I am reading it NOW. I’m kind of vacillating. At first I loved it. Now, 3/4 of the way in, I’m wondering whether having such a cerebral protagonist is sucking some of the emotion out of the book. I also think that the payoff better be good, based on the extremely lengthy buildup. I’m listening to the book on Audible, so I will be interested to hear what others thought about reading the actual pages!
ooh, interesting! I was talking to a very smart friend recently how pointed out that part of the protagonist's chill-ness/cerebreality is likely a trauma response. Not sure if that makes it make more sense?
Some of this is what you read, when. I just finished reading North Woods, which I loved so much that I practically rolled around in the book. This book has a very different feeling - maybe I needed a palate cleanser.
I finished this last night and I loved MOST of it. Their banter was perfection with their language differences…LOVED. Guinness described as spicy marmite 👩🏻🍳💋
The ending and how it made reveals tho….idk. I’m conflicted. 😬 the pacing threw me off too
Oh wow I loved this one - I think it will be a re-read, but first I have to push my copy into the hands of my favourite IRL book friends :)
One small thing I really enjoyed was the way the narrator described her attraction like a sudden-onset illness.
The incidental descriptions of the state of the climate crisis just slightly in the future were a gut punch - I read them as my city was in the midst of our first record-breaking heat wave of the summer.
I thought the premise was interesting and fun, and I enjoyed the escalation of both the plot and the characters' relationships as the book progressed. I really liked how it wrapped up as well. My only hang-up was the fact that the author/narrator set up the time travel element early as something that we don't need to understand (just go with it, she basically said), but the tension in the book is *about* the time travel element. I get why the author made this choice, but it also bugged me (every time I found myself having to think about how it all happened or was confronted with pieces of how it happened, I thought about how she said I wouldn't have to do that!). Not a dealbreaker for me, just a gripe I had with it despite liking the rest so much.
I was pretty meh on this book, it felt a bit slow to me until the last 3/4 and THE TWIST! So I like it better overall knowing the end but still not sure it’s one of my faves of the year??
I wanted to love it. But I felt like I wasn’t smart enough for her writing. I also felt like there was meant to be another twist that never materialized (or maybe I just wanted that)… idk! It was good! I’m glad I read it!
I have 2 hrs left to go in the audio book, and I am using every spare second of time to squeeze in a few more minutes. Obsessed with this speculative premise, the sense that as the book moves on I understand LESS of the overarching premise of the books. The bits of history that get woven in - loving it so much! And the audiobook readers are FAB.
Okay - I just finished this. I wanted to love it. LOVE it. It was described with all my book words. Quirky, rom com, sci fi, mystery, etc. But for a time travel sci fi novel, it didn’t feel plot-y enough for me. The story was great! But I wanted it to read like a movie, and it didn’t in the middle half (beginning and end were great). I think if I hadn’t been listening to it, I would’ve quit. I’m glad I didn’t, I just wish it would’ve been more action packed.
I agree!! I wanted to love it and I did like it but it was just fine. I wanted more plot and better pacing. The middle was a slog and then I didn’t care much about the payoff at the end.
I felt some of this too—didn't quite meet my expectations based on the description. I think her writing wasn't quite for me, or maybe it was the main character?
ok, SO! How many of you have already picked this one up??
LOVED Ministry of Time. Would make an amazing 8 part series. It’s an amalgamation of so many things… a little bit Outlander/Dr. Who/Ghosts UK/ dare I say even a TINY bit of why people love Edward Cullen in Twilight 😬. And SO MUCH MORE to flesh out in the dynamics of politics, war, displacement, and relocating ourselves.
YES! 1000%.
So so good! I love her weird brain 😅
It was fun to realize half way through the book that we never learn her name.
I have it on hold at the library. I'm next in line!
Closer than ever befooooore!!!
Put it on hold at library after summer reading episode. Waiting for it to come in from the library. #2 in line. Hoping people read fast so I can get my hands on it before a planned trip.
My queue was sooooo long. 27 weeks so I ended up purchasing it. I am way too impatient for 27 weeks haha
27 weeks is TEN YEARS
I requested it at the library and its due back on 6/14! Can't wait.
I just finished TODAY because I wrote it down from the summer reading episode. Not a spoiler but I loved it. SEVEN DENISE STARS/ Glowing Doors
Ordering from my local indie bookseller today! So where shall we send our voice memos???
LISTEN, if you want to sent voice memos, I'll take em! gretamjohnsen@substack.com
I’m reading this right now after hearing the recent interview on the Code Switch podcast. So, so good! I’m dying to see what happens, but also don’t want it to end.
I love this suggestion! I will listen to that episode too
ooh I can't wait to listen to that! such a perfect book for code switch
I’m about halfway through, and I cannot stop thinking about the average weight of a cloud! I really like the book so far, but no mater how it ends, I feel like it will have been worth it just to learn this “very interesting fact”.
Looking forward to reading this, currently reading The Book of Love by Kelly Link.
I had trouble getting into this one, but I want to give it another try soon.
I think I would have had a much harder time with that one if I hadn't done the audio! It does take a minute to find its groove.
It was a bit of a slow start for me, but I think it’s worth revisiting, I’m invested now!
Long live the book club! But my fear is this…without the weekly podcast to get me through, I will literally never put my laundry away lol
Putting laundry away is overrated. But you could do it while listening to the book club pick!
Probably my favorite book of the year so far. It grabbed me on so many levels: immersive storytelling, deep connection to specific times and places, fully realized, multi dimensional characters… I could go on and on but at bottom it was truly gripping and the issues and the stakes felt so real…
EXACTLY!!
I’ve been saving this one for the 4th of July holiday, but finding it hard to wait! And Nothing to See Here is also on my all-time fave list!
omg I loooove saving books for future holidays! but also TREAT YOURSELF NOW
It’s on my list now too, along with others’ recommendations. My two favorite latest reads:
Ragged Company by Richard Wagamese
Such Kindness by Andre Dubus III
Both will break your hearts and fill your souls at the same time.
This is my next read, sitting atop my library stack! I've chosen this as my Massachusetts Center for the Book reading challenge pick for June: a book that inspired a film or TV series. Also just finished Funny Story by Emily Henry last night—delightful and charming, just what I needed.
ooh, so fun that you get to pick the books!!
Oh, I can see why she keeps up the eight-fold fence in place. It does definitely limit a full emotional experience. Then again, if the book had been totally swoony, I would have hated it!
HA I feel you on that!!
Oooh, I’ve heard so much internet chatter about this book! I haven’t read it yet but now I’m even more intrigued. Checking my library’s catalog now…
I am patiently waiting in the CPL cue, I'll have to come back later to see what everyone thinks!
Putting it on reserve right now!
I loved Anita deMonte Laughs Last. Greta, I read it because of the author interview you did! I had recently listened to the podcast Death of an Artist (first season is about the artist Ana Mendieta who is the inspiration for Anita) which I highly recommend in conjunction with this book.
Omg, yes! I read Anita de Monte Laughs Last based on the same author interview, and was honestly a little confused later in the month that it wasn’t the official Nerdette book club pick….oops! I really loved it, and will definitely be checking out your podcast recommendation.
I listened to it while traveling this spring, and it had me laughing out loud on the plane.
WASN'T IT SO GREAT!!!
Got audio version today and will probably be done tomorrow, loving it
ooh I read the print but now I want to listen to the audio!!
I’m trying to ration listens because I don’t want it to end
I am reading it NOW. I’m kind of vacillating. At first I loved it. Now, 3/4 of the way in, I’m wondering whether having such a cerebral protagonist is sucking some of the emotion out of the book. I also think that the payoff better be good, based on the extremely lengthy buildup. I’m listening to the book on Audible, so I will be interested to hear what others thought about reading the actual pages!
Payoff is there. I felt similarly, like the good premise was getting stretched a bit thin. Very glad I finished.
Thank you! I will definitely finish it, just lagging a bit at this point.
ooh, interesting! I was talking to a very smart friend recently how pointed out that part of the protagonist's chill-ness/cerebreality is likely a trauma response. Not sure if that makes it make more sense?
Some of this is what you read, when. I just finished reading North Woods, which I loved so much that I practically rolled around in the book. This book has a very different feeling - maybe I needed a palate cleanser.
Omg, I loved North Woods too! Read my library's copy, then went out and bought my own. Ahhh, so good.
I finished this last night and I loved MOST of it. Their banter was perfection with their language differences…LOVED. Guinness described as spicy marmite 👩🏻🍳💋
The ending and how it made reveals tho….idk. I’m conflicted. 😬 the pacing threw me off too
Oh wow I loved this one - I think it will be a re-read, but first I have to push my copy into the hands of my favourite IRL book friends :)
One small thing I really enjoyed was the way the narrator described her attraction like a sudden-onset illness.
The incidental descriptions of the state of the climate crisis just slightly in the future were a gut punch - I read them as my city was in the midst of our first record-breaking heat wave of the summer.
I thought the premise was interesting and fun, and I enjoyed the escalation of both the plot and the characters' relationships as the book progressed. I really liked how it wrapped up as well. My only hang-up was the fact that the author/narrator set up the time travel element early as something that we don't need to understand (just go with it, she basically said), but the tension in the book is *about* the time travel element. I get why the author made this choice, but it also bugged me (every time I found myself having to think about how it all happened or was confronted with pieces of how it happened, I thought about how she said I wouldn't have to do that!). Not a dealbreaker for me, just a gripe I had with it despite liking the rest so much.
I was pretty meh on this book, it felt a bit slow to me until the last 3/4 and THE TWIST! So I like it better overall knowing the end but still not sure it’s one of my faves of the year??
I wanted to love it. But I felt like I wasn’t smart enough for her writing. I also felt like there was meant to be another twist that never materialized (or maybe I just wanted that)… idk! It was good! I’m glad I read it!
I have 2 hrs left to go in the audio book, and I am using every spare second of time to squeeze in a few more minutes. Obsessed with this speculative premise, the sense that as the book moves on I understand LESS of the overarching premise of the books. The bits of history that get woven in - loving it so much! And the audiobook readers are FAB.
I just started The Ministry of Time and I stayed up way too late last night reading! I'm hooked!
Okay - I just finished this. I wanted to love it. LOVE it. It was described with all my book words. Quirky, rom com, sci fi, mystery, etc. But for a time travel sci fi novel, it didn’t feel plot-y enough for me. The story was great! But I wanted it to read like a movie, and it didn’t in the middle half (beginning and end were great). I think if I hadn’t been listening to it, I would’ve quit. I’m glad I didn’t, I just wish it would’ve been more action packed.
I agree!! I wanted to love it and I did like it but it was just fine. I wanted more plot and better pacing. The middle was a slog and then I didn’t care much about the payoff at the end.
This is about where I am. There were just too many boring parts.
I felt some of this too—didn't quite meet my expectations based on the description. I think her writing wasn't quite for me, or maybe it was the main character?
Alright, I'm considering this my push/shove to read this one this month!
hahaha I would have said NUDGE but I do think you'll like it!!!!!