I love the idea of using a Personal Literary Canon to cultivate self-trust. I read a lot of indie authors and authors who push against various dominant paradigms handed down from "literary high society," and at times, I've felt embarrassed or like I need to apologize for it. But that's not true at all! Beautiful writing exists in a multitude of spaces, and it's okay to love whatever we love. As for writers I love: Gail Carriger, Catherynne Valente, and T. Kingfisher are at the top of my Literary Girlfiends list.
Thank you for sharing your list, Robin! I completely agree about "literary high society". It's only recently that I have started to allow myself to read romance novels and it's been so much fun... I feel so sad that I avoided the entire genre forever because I thought that literary fiction was the only "acceptable" genre I was supposed to like!
I love Ruth Reichl! I’m still rediscovering reading authors, and what I like and don’t like, but her food writing feels like a cozy bath in a bowl of beef bourguignon??? By which I suppose I mean her food writing feels cozy and comforting and like every word is written with love.
Great idea! And i absolutely love Donna Tartt! And I loved what I’ve read of Zadie Smith. But I’ve not read any of the others, so always here to her recommendations! X
Commenting WAY after the fact but I think my favourite author Venn diagram crosses over with yours with Rachel Cusk and Meg Mason. Some writers here I haven’t heard of so I’ll have to chase them up 💚
Rachel Cusk is an aspirational writer for me. I was thinking of her when I signed up for the VW reading group. She is not the author I just pick up to read leisurely... she makes me WORK.
And I am so glad to have met another Meg Mason fan! I love her, I think she is so hilarious and I love searching the internet for her book recommendations. Everything she's recommended, I have loved.
I realise I am very late to this party...but just came across your little shelfie video, and wanted to say how much I loved it and the concept of both 'Literary Girlfriends' and the 'Personal Literary Canon'! You have inspired me to also run out and grab my favourite authors. I think what you say here about self-trust is important, as I think sometimes it is easy to fall into the trap of wanting to sound like your favourite reads are all the 'coolest' or most 'intellectual' writing. Mine would totally have Joan Didion front and centre; love every word she ever wrote, her work ethic, her style...I would also have Elizabeth Strout on there, who is a genius at pulling you into a story and not wanting to climb back out. I would also have Daphne du Maurier (an old, old, obsession of mine, where I can remember exactly what I was doing when I was reading each of her novels). Finally, I have only just found Melissa Bank and I am halfway through reading 'The Wonder Spot' and plan to read 'A Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing' next :)
I love the idea of using a Personal Literary Canon to cultivate self-trust. I read a lot of indie authors and authors who push against various dominant paradigms handed down from "literary high society," and at times, I've felt embarrassed or like I need to apologize for it. But that's not true at all! Beautiful writing exists in a multitude of spaces, and it's okay to love whatever we love. As for writers I love: Gail Carriger, Catherynne Valente, and T. Kingfisher are at the top of my Literary Girlfiends list.
Thank you for sharing your list, Robin! I completely agree about "literary high society". It's only recently that I have started to allow myself to read romance novels and it's been so much fun... I feel so sad that I avoided the entire genre forever because I thought that literary fiction was the only "acceptable" genre I was supposed to like!
I love Ruth Reichl! I’m still rediscovering reading authors, and what I like and don’t like, but her food writing feels like a cozy bath in a bowl of beef bourguignon??? By which I suppose I mean her food writing feels cozy and comforting and like every word is written with love.
*rediscovering reading, authors, and what I like and don’t like...
OK!!!! Adding to my list! And, apparently, she is on Substack as well!
Yes! I love her Substack!
Great idea! And i absolutely love Donna Tartt! And I loved what I’ve read of Zadie Smith. But I’ve not read any of the others, so always here to her recommendations! X
Commenting WAY after the fact but I think my favourite author Venn diagram crosses over with yours with Rachel Cusk and Meg Mason. Some writers here I haven’t heard of so I’ll have to chase them up 💚
Rachel Cusk is an aspirational writer for me. I was thinking of her when I signed up for the VW reading group. She is not the author I just pick up to read leisurely... she makes me WORK.
And I am so glad to have met another Meg Mason fan! I love her, I think she is so hilarious and I love searching the internet for her book recommendations. Everything she's recommended, I have loved.
I agree! RC is a Serious Writer - I'm a little bit scared of her. Whereas, MM is hilarious and smart and relatable - I want to be her friend!
OK... so after that comment, I know we have very similar taste. Read Great House by Nicole Krauss!!!
I'll track down a copy!!
I realise I am very late to this party...but just came across your little shelfie video, and wanted to say how much I loved it and the concept of both 'Literary Girlfriends' and the 'Personal Literary Canon'! You have inspired me to also run out and grab my favourite authors. I think what you say here about self-trust is important, as I think sometimes it is easy to fall into the trap of wanting to sound like your favourite reads are all the 'coolest' or most 'intellectual' writing. Mine would totally have Joan Didion front and centre; love every word she ever wrote, her work ethic, her style...I would also have Elizabeth Strout on there, who is a genius at pulling you into a story and not wanting to climb back out. I would also have Daphne du Maurier (an old, old, obsession of mine, where I can remember exactly what I was doing when I was reading each of her novels). Finally, I have only just found Melissa Bank and I am halfway through reading 'The Wonder Spot' and plan to read 'A Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing' next :)