fantastic! think about what you want to focus on and please fill in the sign up sheet! i am just dying to know what people end up reading and working on.
Love these photos you used. I couldn’t find any that were in the public domain when I wrote my recent piece about her book Democracy. I need to know your secrets. And I’ll read all the essays people write!
Of course you can link to it and share it— I worked my ass off writing that one so I am happy for any and all to enjoy it, hate on it, complicate it— whatever! I have a little coda to it I am working on too, because I had even more to say.
About the photos: I don’t think that’s true but I won’t tell!
I looooove this! Yes!! I want to re-read the White Album. I really like your take on this reading experience as a “group project.” Cant wait to see how it comes together!
Thank you so much, Haley! People so often talk shit about social media culture but I think this is an example where we can use our individual networks to spark a collective energy. I am curious how different the projects will be.
The White Album was assigned to me in an undergrad essay writing class, and it blew my mind open about what was possible. I love this invitation to revisit it 40 years later.
Why don't you sing up as a reader and you can add your substack/post later if you do end up having the time? It's really the reading and the thinking that matters the most to me personally.
This is a very neat concept! I'm not sure if I will participate yet but I'm looking forward to reading reviews. Like others, I'm most interested in Play It As It Lays. I haven't read any of Didion's novels yet.
Absolutely no pressure at all. There so many fun things happening on bookish Substack these days, you just have to make choices around what to prioritize. In an ideal world, we are all just sitting at home with a book in hand, but the reality is much different for most of us.
Ah, this is such a lovely piece of confluence as I have a goal of reading more Didion! I was blown away by Play It As It Lays. And the only other Didion I've read was The Year of Magical Thinking. Not sure what I'd want to read/write about yet; I'll have to think about that a bit.
Think on it, as you can imagine, I will be sending reminders about it throughout September. But even if you don't want to write about it, please sing up as a reader. Honestly, that's the part I care about!
Ok, just signed up. For writers of the past few decades, Didion's "cool" persona-narrator has been a very seductive model. But maybe this is a Siren's Call?
Petya, I am unfamiliar to Didion. Do you prefer readers who are already into the lit? If newbies are welcome, do you recommend a work I could start with (or avoid)? Thanks! Susannah B.
Hi Susannah!!! I am so glad to see you here! I hope to get people reading, thinking, and talking about her work and that most definitely includes people who've never read her. I think I would begin with The Year of Magical Thinking which is the book she wrote after her husband and life partner died. It's absolutely stunning and it gives, in my opinion, a really good impression of her style as a narrator.
Please sign up in the spreadsheet if you decide to read it!
I am in the exact same boat! I just got one of her books Sunday from my friend Julie!!! I’m in!
fantastic! think about what you want to focus on and please fill in the sign up sheet! i am just dying to know what people end up reading and working on.
I’m gonna read Play It As It Lays! Signing up now!
Love these photos you used. I couldn’t find any that were in the public domain when I wrote my recent piece about her book Democracy. I need to know your secrets. And I’ll read all the essays people write!
I have a Pinterest album with Joan Didion photos. I assume that if it's legal for those images to be on Pinterest, it's legal for me to use them?!
Do you mind if I include your Democracy essay in the project?
Of course you can link to it and share it— I worked my ass off writing that one so I am happy for any and all to enjoy it, hate on it, complicate it— whatever! I have a little coda to it I am working on too, because I had even more to say.
About the photos: I don’t think that’s true but I won’t tell!
Don't ask, don't tell. 🙈🙉🙊
Absolutely not true. Just because something is on Pinterest or another online site doesn't mean that it is not protected by copyright law.
I will definitely be joining you on this! Just started the white album a few days ago, and have so much to say.
Perfect timing! Please sign up on the spreadsheet, so that I know to include your essay in the project round-ups.
I absolutely love this! Going to give some thought on which one I’d like to delve into.
Please do, I would love for you to join us!
I looooove this! Yes!! I want to re-read the White Album. I really like your take on this reading experience as a “group project.” Cant wait to see how it comes together!
Thank you so much, Haley! People so often talk shit about social media culture but I think this is an example where we can use our individual networks to spark a collective energy. I am curious how different the projects will be.
Do you mind if I add your name to the spreadsheet?
The White Album was assigned to me in an undergrad essay writing class, and it blew my mind open about what was possible. I love this invitation to revisit it 40 years later.
Oh, that's perfect! So excited you are participating!
I am reading A year of magical thinking . Wow.
What a phenomenal idea this is!!!
I’d love to join in but not sure I will have the time to participate at the level due this worthy endeavor.
Why don't you sing up as a reader and you can add your substack/post later if you do end up having the time? It's really the reading and the thinking that matters the most to me personally.
Ok!! Great!! I will☺️
This is a very neat concept! I'm not sure if I will participate yet but I'm looking forward to reading reviews. Like others, I'm most interested in Play It As It Lays. I haven't read any of Didion's novels yet.
Absolutely no pressure at all. There so many fun things happening on bookish Substack these days, you just have to make choices around what to prioritize. In an ideal world, we are all just sitting at home with a book in hand, but the reality is much different for most of us.
What great timing! I just bought the essay collection Let Me Tell You What I Mean. Can’t wait for Joan Fest 2024!
Oooooh! Joan Fest 2024!!!
Wow, this is so cool. I'm definitely in. Just need to decide which option to pursue before I sign up!
Awesome! Let us know if you need help deciding!
Ah, this is such a lovely piece of confluence as I have a goal of reading more Didion! I was blown away by Play It As It Lays. And the only other Didion I've read was The Year of Magical Thinking. Not sure what I'd want to read/write about yet; I'll have to think about that a bit.
Think on it, as you can imagine, I will be sending reminders about it throughout September. But even if you don't want to write about it, please sing up as a reader. Honestly, that's the part I care about!
Ok, just signed up. For writers of the past few decades, Didion's "cool" persona-narrator has been a very seductive model. But maybe this is a Siren's Call?
Ooooh... Yes please!
Petya, I am unfamiliar to Didion. Do you prefer readers who are already into the lit? If newbies are welcome, do you recommend a work I could start with (or avoid)? Thanks! Susannah B.
Hi Susannah!!! I am so glad to see you here! I hope to get people reading, thinking, and talking about her work and that most definitely includes people who've never read her. I think I would begin with The Year of Magical Thinking which is the book she wrote after her husband and life partner died. It's absolutely stunning and it gives, in my opinion, a really good impression of her style as a narrator.
Please sign up in the spreadsheet if you decide to read it!
Oh this sounds fun!
Love this idea! I love any idea that forces me (kindly) to read.
Thank you so much! And I am so glad you already signed up!
I am finally committing to reading more than two of her essays this is great!! 😂so very very exciting
I am so glad you are doing this!!! I really hope to fill in some (many) gaps myself!