Laura FreyDo you sift through the online presence of writers? Does it give you a more complete picture of their lives, or is it just creepy?
While reading Schadenfreude, A Love Story by Rebecca Schuman, I did a little light Googling to find out who her d-list celeb ex was. Then I fell down an online rabbit hole, and didn't like what I found.
To creep or not to creep: reading in the time of Extremely Online authorsLaura Frey2019-03-08 | Do you sift through the online presence of writers? Does it give you a more complete picture of their lives, or is it just creepy?
While reading Schadenfreude, A Love Story by Rebecca Schuman, I did a little light Googling to find out who her d-list celeb ex was. Then I fell down an online rabbit hole, and didn't like what I found.
Here's my definitive ranking. What's yours? 1. Wuthering Heights 2. Villette 3. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall 4. Jane Eyre 5. Shirley 6. Agnes Frey 7. The ProfessorShort Story Advent Calendar 2019 Update ft. Benjamin and Henry #ssac2019Laura Frey2019-12-16 | I was a bit hungover and they were being a bit annoying, tbh. But they insist I upload this!
Working on some short reviews over on reading-in-bed.com!Short Story Advent Calendar 2019 unboxing ft. Henry | #ssac2019Laura Frey2019-12-01 | Henry helps unbox the 2019 Short Story Advent Calendar!
More info on the calendar, and daily bonus material, on Hingston and Olsen's website: hingstonandolsen.com
Henry kindly waived his appearance fee. If you hadn't heard, he's now a professional actor (watch to the end, he has the most dramatic line) youtu.be/hcEUdwKR2c4
No promise of daily videos but we'll do our best. Check out #ssac2019 for more calendar stuff.Friday Reads: battling a book hangoverLaura Frey2019-11-22 | I think I referenced a Novellas in November video that I filmed but don't think I'm gonna post. Go give me some blog traffic instead! reading-in-bed.com/2019/11/17/novellas-in-november-2019-round-up-1
The book that gave me a hangover was Lie With Me I am still reading Ducks, Newburyport (page 700ish of 1000) I am still listening to The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (12 of 24 hours left) I am alternating between Jia Tolentino's Trick Mirror and Rachel Cusk's Coventry. After this video, I read Cusk's essay about her teenage daughters called "Lions on Leashes" and it was brilliant, I mean, the title alone!
I'm not sure what's going on in this thumbnail but I'm leaving it.
Happy Friday Reads and may your book hangovers be short lived!Novellas in November 2019 TBRLaura Frey2019-11-03 | It's Novellas in November time! Good thing I'm smack dab in the middle of Ducks, Newburyport... oops.
While I was busy disavowing ownership of Novellas in November, I forgot to tell you who did start it: Rick from Another Book Vlog... pardon me, Rick from Another Kick at the CanLit, and he is taking Canadian novella recommendations if you have any! youtube.com/watch?v=7EKMYcJNIHc&t=30s
My TBR: Dinner by César Aira, translated by Katherine Silver The Seamstress and the Wind by César Aira, translated by Rosalie Knecht Lie With Me by Philippe Besson, translated by Molly Ringwald The Poor Clare by Elizabeth Gaskell Saudade by Suneeta Peres Da Costa ʔbédayine by Kaitlyn Purcell
#NovNov and #NovellasinNovember wherever you get your hashtags!A book haul ft. Glass BookshopLaura Frey2019-10-19 | A book haul!
I realized after filming that I've got books here from Glass Bookshop, Chapters, Audrey's, and Wee Book Inn, which pretty much covers it for Edmonton book buying options...
Also covering #novellasinnovember and #victober options!
Books: Ducks, Newburyport The Poor Clare by Elizabeth Gaskell The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue Echolocation by Karen Hofmann Coventry by Rachel Cusk bédayine by Kaitlynne PurcellGhost Box III ft. Ben & HenryLaura Frey2019-10-19 | Get your Ghost Box: hingstonandolsen.com/store/ghost-box-iii
Not sponsored! Not endorsed by my children! btw how *do* those "family" vloggers and influencers get their children to perform on camera all day?Giller Prize Longlist Library HaulLaura Frey2019-09-21 | My library holds keep rolling in, and most of them are Giller Prize longlisters. And no, I'm not getting in the 450-person-strong hold list for The Testaments...
Books mentioned: Dream Sequence by Adam Foulds Reproduction by Ian Williams Days by Moonlight by Andre Alexis Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club by Megan Gail Coles
The Bibliotherapist on Dream Sequence (she hated it!) youtube.com/watch?v=5pvM6DmzyzQThe problem with first person narration (and a rant review)Laura Frey2019-09-21 | Am I the only one who constantly thinks "WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO" when reading a first person narrator? Unless the voice is REALLY strong (Jean Rhys) or there's a good framing device in play (the diary in Bridget Jones' Diary), I have a real hard time with this. Throw in a bunch of confusing plots and murky themes and you have a recipe for disaster...
I read The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes as part of #ArcsofShame. This is barely a review; I recorded an actual review but does anyone really need 20 minutes of me ranting about a book from 2014? I think not? Enjoy this mini-rant!
--THE QUESTIONS-- 1. What is your average monthly budget for books? 2. What's the most you've ever spent in a bookstore? 3. Are you willing to pay full price for a brand new release, or will you wait until you have a coupon or there's a sale? 4. Would you rather buy one new book or several less expensive used copies? 5. What do you think is a reasonable price for a new hardback book? A paperback? An eBook? 6. Is a signed book worth more to you? How about a first edition? 7. What is your most valuable book (sentimental or actual value)? 8. Will you pay more for a cover or edition you like better? 9. What physical characteristics does a good quality book have? 10. If you won the lottery, what bookish things would you do with the money? BONUS: Give us an image (actual or mental) of your dream home library!
Note on Q5 since I was babbling: I meant that, even if the price dropped on new books and more people bought more books, it's possible that profits for publishers wouldn't go up. You'd need to reach a certain threshold of sales to make up for the drop in price per unit. Price elasticity, etc.
I'm being lazy and tagging ALL OF YOUChoose the Year Book Tag: In the Year 2000Laura Frey2019-08-31 | It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The Oilers made the playoffs, but got eliminated in the first round. The Sopranos was on the air, but I had to watch them with my parents (awkward). I was reading chick lit and dude bro memoirs, but not Harry Potter. Let's look closer at the books of Y2K!
I tag: all of you. Anyone done 1980 yet? That would have been my second choice!Friday Reads: 20 Books homestretch, #WITmonth and ARCs of ShameLaura Frey2019-08-30 | Books mentioned: Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrente The Little Fox of Mayerville by Éric Mathieu The Woman Who Stole my Life by Marian Keyes
Questions: 1. How do you define literary fiction? 2. Name a literary fiction novel with a brilliant character study 3. Name a literary fiction novel that has experimental or unique writing 4. Name a literary fiction novel with an interesting structure 5. Name a literary fiction novel that explores social themes 6. Name a literary fiction novel that explores the human condition 7. Name a brilliant literary-hybrid genre novel 8. What genre do you wish was mixed with literary fiction more?
Check out the blog post version for notes on question 1, which I stumbled over here! reading-in-bed.com/2019/08/12/literary-fiction-book-tag And note that this tag has made the jump to book blogs - see some suggested links below. Book blog and booktube cross-pollination is important!
Books mentioned (I did classic and contemporary answer for most questions): Villette by Charlotte Bronte All of Anakana Shofield's books, particularly Bina The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth Moby-Dick Wuthering Heights Cecelia My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk Infinite Jest Days Without End by Sebastian Barry War and Peace Flights by Olga Tokarczuk Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
Booked mentioned: Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector The Snow Child Eowyn Ivey My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The scientist I couldn't think of was Isaac Newton, duh!
I forgot to give a shoutout to Curious Reader, who did a great discussion about short stories, including linked short stories, like those in Arlington Park: youtube.com/watch?v=abwBp-dnao8
All my #20booksofsummer reviews are on reading-in-bed.comBooks in the Newspaper: The Globe and Mail and The Edmonton Journal (July 13 2019)Laura Frey2019-07-20 | Timely as always, I take a look at the Saturday, July 13th editions of two newspapers, and the books coverage therein.
Whew! Ready for tomorrow's Globe!Friday Reads: The Road, another DNF and more CanLit drama!Laura Frey2019-07-12 | Peony season is over! It's Wild Rose season, which lasts much longer.
Books mentioned: The Road by Cormac McCarthy Norma by Sofi Oksanen The Prison Book Club by Anne Walmsley
Some Booktube reviews of The Road to check out: Daniel Greene talks about/ruins the ending: youtube.com/watch?v=D_TYWZstT6c climbthestacks angers the McCarthy bros: youtube.com/watch?v=EvDTg92H39EFriday Reads: Worlds Biggest Parking Lot EditionLaura Frey2019-07-05 | The mall was such a shit show, I didn't even go to the bookstore!
Books mentioned: Refuse: CanLit in Ruins The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma Norma by Sofi Oksanen The Road by Cormac McCarthy
All my #20booksofsummer reviews can be found on reading-in-bed.comFriday Reads: Ghosts, CanLit scandals, and a DNFLaura Frey2019-06-28 | It's peony season, bitches!
Books mentioned: Little Reunions by Eileen Chang The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss Refuse: CanLit in Ruins ed. Hannah McGregor, Julie Rak, and Erin Wunker
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2019. 2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2019. 3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to. 4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year. 5. Biggest disappointment. 6. Biggest surprise. 7. Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you) 8. Newest fictional crush. 9. Newest favourite character. 10. Book that made you cry. 11. Book that made you happy. 12. Your favourite book-to-film adaptation this year 13. Your favourite video you filmed this year 14. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received) 15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Books mentioned Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo Little Reunions by Eileen Chang
This week: I finished The Watch That Ends the Night by Hugh MacLennan I started Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews and Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss Next up is Little Reunions by Eileen Chang
1. Adaptation Snob: Do you always read the book before you see the movie? 2. Format Snob: You can only choose 1 format in which to read books for the rest of your life. Which one do you choose: physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks? 3. Ship Snob: Would you date or marry a non-reader? 4. Genre Snob: You have to ditch one genre - never to be read again for the rest of your life. Which one do you ditch? 5. Uber Genre Snob: You can only choose to read from one genre for the rest of your life. Which genre do you choose? 6. Community Snob: Which genre do you think receives the most snobbery from the bookish community? 7. Snobbery Recipient: Have you ever been snubbed for something that you have been reading or for reading in general?
People I will deign to tag: Snow White Reader Jay Shay Books are my Social Life Spinster's Library Joseph Francis BurtonMonkey Beach by Eden Robinson | Read Around the World Book Club May 2019Laura Frey2019-06-01 | OMG I figured out how to insert book covers!!
Also, I finally got through Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson, thanks to Mel's Read Around the World Book Club.
Created with Wondershare FilmoraBooktube Real Talk TagLaura Frey2019-05-19 | Who else can't help but think of the classic Dave Chappelle sketch WHEN KEEPING IT REAL GOES WRONG when watching this tag?
Here are the questions. Keep in mind, I did them in reverse order: 1. What's something nobody told you about booktube before you started your channel? 2. What is your opinion on “typical” booktube videos? (wrap-up’s, TBR’s, hauls, etc.) 3. What is an assumption you had about booktube before you joined? Was it proven to be correct, or not? 4. What is something you’ve done that has actually helped you grow your audience? 5. What is a common mistake you see new booktubers making, or one that you made? 6. What are your thoughts on working with publishers and sponsorships? 7. Do you think booktube is dying? 8. Tag your friends!
If you made it this far, check out When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong for cordless landlines, *69, and printed MapQuest directions, true early-aughts realness: youtube.com/watch?v=bq1HNTem4twWeekend Reads: Show off editionLaura Frey2019-05-11 | I just really want you to know that I got Bina by Anakana Schofield!!
Also: Transparent City by Ondjaki The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks by Igort Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson (for Mel's Read around the World Book Club, see youtube.com/watch?v=cjdqzNn1_pg)
And I'm still reading about Diderot, forgot to mention!The New York Times Book Review: A humble readers perspectiveLaura Frey2019-05-11 | My review of the May 5th, 2019 edition of The New York Times Book Review, inspired by Steve Donoghue. Please watch his 38-minute review, full of insider info! youtube.com/watch?v=MbmIzjjcuSk
Let me know: Do you read the failing New York Times? Do you subscribe? Should I keep shelling out $40 CAD (pocket change in USD, but still)?
I didn't get into it here, but I don't even always read the Book Review. My favourite sections are the front section, the "special" sections (like the Kids edition, or when they devote a whole section to a photo essay or short story) and, strangely, Business (just read about all the drama at Uber). And, like the ladies of Sex and the City many years ago, I abhor the Vows section, but read it anyway.Smutty Literary Fiction: an appreciation (and some cringing)Laura Frey2019-05-04 | Send book recs, not nudes.
Books mentioned: Love Me Back by Merritt Tierce Smut by Alan Bennett The Bride Stripped Bare by Anonymous After Claude by Iris Owens Birthday Girl by Penelope DouglasFriday Reads: To Read-Along, or not to Read-AlongLaura Frey2019-05-04 | Happy Friday! It snowed all day here and I forgot to complain about it.
Smut by Allan Bennett Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely by Andrew S. Curran Mouthful of Birds by Samanta Schweblin Transparent City by Ondjaki The Dream of the Red Chamber/Story of the Stone by Cao Xueqin
The Best Translated Book Award longlist has been announced. Check out one judge's account of what it takes to judge a literary prize (spreadsheets, emoticons, and stacks and stacks of books): http://www.rochester.edu/College/translation/threepercent/2018/12/11/adams-sexy-post-btba-2019/Friday Reads: Smutty EditionLaura Frey2019-04-12 | Books mentioned: The Little Friend by Donna Tartt Bad Blood by John Carreyrou Love Me Back by Merrit Tierce Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely by Andrew S. Curran The Order of the Day by Éric Vuillard
Steve's review of Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely: openlettersreview.com/open-letters-review/diderot-and-the-art-of-thinking-freely-by-andrew-s-curranWhy Im not watching Canada Reads this yearLaura Frey2019-03-26 | CCW (Canadian Content warning): Contains references to d-list Canadian celebrities, Justin Trudeau's early years, the early-aughts Canadian pop-punk scene, the SNC Lavalin scandal, the letter "zed", and our beloved literary institution, Canada Reads.
"No Country for Old Books: in Canadian Notes and Queries: http://notesandqueries.ca/essays/canadareads-brianbusbyPutting HUNGOVER by Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall to the testLaura Frey2019-03-23 | Hungover by Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall is a bit rambly. Also: disjointed, overblown, uneven, at times wildly entertaining, and at others bloated and pretentious. But, dude was drunk and/or hungover for ten years, what do you expect?
In its final chapter, Bishop-Stall finally starts asking tough existential questions about hangovers... then he shares a cure.
**In the video, I misspoke about one of the ingredients. NAC is for liver function, not digestion.**
I'm writing this at 8:00 am of the morning after the night before, and I'm tired, but other than that... nothing. No headache, no nausea, no dry mouth, no brain fog, no existential dread. When I got out of bed, I fully braced myself for that woozy, headachey, searing first taste of hungover hell, but it didn't happen.
By the way, I spent the night before at Blues on Whyte, watching an amazing blues band, Wild T and the Spirit. They are on tour in Alberta, BC and Ontario this spring and you should check them out: http://www.wildt.ca/shows.htmlThe Booktube About Me TagLaura Frey2019-03-19 | Original tag by Harriet Rosie: youtube.com/watch?v=ecAN04rz980 I was not tagged that I know of, I'm just testing a new microphone, let me know how it sounds! This tag is four years old so I don't think I need to tag anyone at this point...
1. What do you study/what is your job? 2. What is your favorite social media channel? 3. If you had another channel what would it be about? 4. Do you play any instruments? 5. What hobbies do you have other than reading? 6. Favorite TV shows? 7. What got you into reading? 8. What are your favorite and least favorite genres? 9. What books define your childhood? 10. Tell us an interesting fact about you!Friday Reads: Rum & Coke editionLaura Frey2019-03-16 | Yes, that is an alcoholic beverage on the side table. It's booktubers gone wild over here.
Hungover by Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall (I forgot to talk about my hangover remedies! A favourite when I was young was straight Clamato... until I drank some too fast one morning...)
How to Disappear: Notes on invisibility in a time of transparency by Akiko Busch (read an excerpt here: nytimes.com/2015/02/08/opinion/sunday/how-to-be-invisible.html?login=smartlock&auth=login-smartlock)Top and Flops: See You Next Tuesday editionLaura Frey2019-03-09 | WARNING: the last half of this video is me ranting about a book called CUNT so maybe don't watch it with the kids. Also, if you want to avoid discussion of miscarriage and abortion, the fun begins around 13:00.
TOPS The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon The Collected Short Stories of Jean Rhys My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
FLOPS What If This Were Enough by Heather Havrilesky The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld Cunt by Inga Muscio
FURTHER RANTING ABOUT CUNT I somehow forgot to talk about the entire basis for Muscio's alternative healthcare... preferences. She believes that women should avoid any healthcare interventions that are created or administered by men, which is to say, pretty much all western medicine. Again, I know she has a point - there are plenty of examples of products designed FOR women BY men that lead to shitty outcomes. HOWEVER there needs to be some middle ground here.
I also forgot to mention that her advice for birth control is to, in order of preference: 1. Be a lesbian 2. Be celibate 3. If you MUST be penetrated by a man, make him wear a condom
Which is, on the one hand, ridiculous advice, but on the other, one of them is actually my preferred method right now (I'll let you guess which).
Thank you for listening to me rant and sorry for getting so (probably way too) personal...Friday ReadsLaura Frey2019-03-08 | New filming location, who dis?
Schadenfreude, A Love Story by Rebecca Schuman Nudge by Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James
Black Leopard Red Wolf on Bookmarks: https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/all/black-leopard-red-wolf/
My blog is reading-in-bed.com I'm off social media so you'll have to talk to me in the comments or email me at lauratfrey at gmail!Clean vines to watch with your mom when youre avoiding bedtimeLaura Frey2019-01-12 | Kid tested Mother approved
The tag: 1) The longest book you read this year and the book that took you the longest to finish. 2. A book you read in 2018 that was outside of your comfort zone. 3. How many books did you re-read in 2018? 4. Favorite re-read of 2018. 5. A book you read for the first time in 2018 that you look forward to re-reading in the future. 6. Favorite single short story or novella that you read in 2018. 7. Mass Appeal: A book you liked and would recommend to a wide variety of readers. 8. Specialized Appeal: A book you liked but would be hesitant to recommend to just anyone. 9. Reflect on your year as a bookish content creator (goals met, good/bad memories, favorite videos you made, etc). 10. Tag some fellow bookish content creators.
I tag: That's What She Read Another Book Vlog Marc Nash Tootight Lautrec An Enthusiastic Reader Peg the Book Prize Addict Brown Girl Reading Anne Logan
See you in spring 2019!A whiny catch up on The Short Story Advent Calendar | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-16 | Details on my upcoming internet break can be found on www.reading-in-bed.com
Check out Anne's channel "ivereadthis blog"
(Sorry, having trouble copying links!)
And sorry for the whining!Short Story Advent Calendar Day 12 | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-13 | Featuring my bathrobe and a visit from HenryShort Story Advent Calendar Day 11 | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-12 | Poor lighting and wood paneling: yep, we're in the workout dungeon for day 11!Short Story Advent Calendar Day 9 & 10 (spoiler!) | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-10 | UPDATE: I found Day 9. It was stuck to the inside of the case... I told you I'm hungover! Anyway, Day 9 is a story by Suzanne Rivecca, who got wrapped up in a little literary controversy back in 2013. Here's a good run down, with links to her essay on Mary Gaitskill and Gaitskill's open letter reply (I usually hate open letters, but this one's pretty good.) mhpbooks.com/what-we-talk-about-when-were-talking-about-suzanne-rivecca-talking-about-mary-gaitskill
In other news, I'm cooking a meal from Michael Smith's Family Meals, and finished the Dec/Jan issue of Bookforum.
More on the Short Story Advent Calendar here: hingstonandolsen.com/2018Short Story Advent Calendar Days 7 & 8 | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-08 | All caught up! A vee-log style look at stories 6, 7, and 8.Short Story Advent Calendar Day 6 | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-07 | All the Short Story Advent Calendar, none of the looking at my face! Featuring some good (and bad) book reviews I've read lately.Short Story Advent Calendar Day 5 | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-06 | Featuring "the s word"Short Story Advent Calendar Day 4 | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-05 | An abrupt end when today's story proves to be inappropriate for Henry!Short Story Advent Calendar 2018 Day 3 | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-04 | ...Short Story Advent Calendar Day 2 | #ssac2018 #vlogmasLaura Frey2018-12-03 | Enjoy this sans fards, pre-yoga vee-log.
Apologies to Seth Fried (that's "freed") for the poor pronounciation. As a Frey (that's "fry") I feel his pain. And I liked the story!
Day 2 Story is revealed and I read a very "get off my lawn" passage from The Name of the Rose.