A snapshot of December reading habits from Guardian readers reveals some fascinating choices.
For Tomasz, Iris Murdoch's 'The Green Knight' has rekindled his passion for her work. The novel's rich prose, vivid characters, and philosophical reflections on goodness and love have left him enchanted. His appreciation is reminiscent of a rediscovery, as he had previously read the book but with little recollection.
In contrast, Alan Hollinghurst spent a month devouring John Fuller's 'Marston Meadows' and Seamus Heaney's 'The Poems of Seamus Heaney'. Fuller's collection showcases wit, agility, and deep feeling, particularly in his exploration of old age. The new edition of Heaney's poems, expertly edited by three renowned scholars, has also left Hollinghurst spellbound, with some previously uncollected poems adding a touch of magic to the experience.
On the other end of the reading spectrum is Kelly, who immersed herself in Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These'. The novel's Christmastime setting and eerie atmosphere proved hauntingly atmospheric. With its delicate writing and poignant narrative, the book resonated deeply with her, particularly given her own experiences as a mother. The Sauna Book Club's unanimous 10/10 rating for this title is no surprise.
Samantha Harvey, author of 'Orbital', read Neel Mukherjee's 'Choice' recently and found it still echoing in her mind. This complex novel with its labyrinthine structure has left her shaken but ultimately captivated by its moral complexity. Her interest in Helen Garner's work has also been piqued, particularly after reading an excerpt that conjures vivid images of a kookaburra's radiance.
Last but not least, Stuart spent the month engrossed in Jacek Dukaj's 'Ice', a 1,200-page novel weighing heavily on its world-building and character development. This intricate narrative spans an alternative history of Russia and follows a protagonist as he unravels mysteries surrounding his father and the alien invasion that has frozen Europe. The Trans-Siberian express setting adds depth to the story, making it an immersive experience for the reader.
These diverse reading choices highlight the diversity of tastes among Guardian readers this December.
For Tomasz, Iris Murdoch's 'The Green Knight' has rekindled his passion for her work. The novel's rich prose, vivid characters, and philosophical reflections on goodness and love have left him enchanted. His appreciation is reminiscent of a rediscovery, as he had previously read the book but with little recollection.
In contrast, Alan Hollinghurst spent a month devouring John Fuller's 'Marston Meadows' and Seamus Heaney's 'The Poems of Seamus Heaney'. Fuller's collection showcases wit, agility, and deep feeling, particularly in his exploration of old age. The new edition of Heaney's poems, expertly edited by three renowned scholars, has also left Hollinghurst spellbound, with some previously uncollected poems adding a touch of magic to the experience.
On the other end of the reading spectrum is Kelly, who immersed herself in Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These'. The novel's Christmastime setting and eerie atmosphere proved hauntingly atmospheric. With its delicate writing and poignant narrative, the book resonated deeply with her, particularly given her own experiences as a mother. The Sauna Book Club's unanimous 10/10 rating for this title is no surprise.
Samantha Harvey, author of 'Orbital', read Neel Mukherjee's 'Choice' recently and found it still echoing in her mind. This complex novel with its labyrinthine structure has left her shaken but ultimately captivated by its moral complexity. Her interest in Helen Garner's work has also been piqued, particularly after reading an excerpt that conjures vivid images of a kookaburra's radiance.
Last but not least, Stuart spent the month engrossed in Jacek Dukaj's 'Ice', a 1,200-page novel weighing heavily on its world-building and character development. This intricate narrative spans an alternative history of Russia and follows a protagonist as he unravels mysteries surrounding his father and the alien invasion that has frozen Europe. The Trans-Siberian express setting adds depth to the story, making it an immersive experience for the reader.
These diverse reading choices highlight the diversity of tastes among Guardian readers this December.
i mean what's not to love about getting lost in a book that resonates with you on so many levels? for me its all about finding those hidden gems and rediscovering old faves, but sometimes it can be super intimidating to venture out of your comfort zone. like i recently reread a classic novel that i loved as a teenager but had kinda forgotten, and it was like being reintroduced to an old friend 
meanwhile kelly is getting creeped out by claire keegan's small things like these, and samantha harvey is still reeling from neel mukherjee's choice... and then there's stuart who's basically lost himself in a 1200 page novel about an alien invasion 
i mean where else can you find yourself lost in the pages of a book for hours on end, feeling all the feels and experiencing new things? no other place, that's for sure 
. Anyway, I gotta say, I've been meaning to check out more Iris Murdoch, but now that you mention it, 'The Green Knight' sounds really deep 
. Have anyone tried her other books besides this one? 
like Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These' which is giving me major feels 
and Samantha Harvey's interest in Helen Garner's work has got me curious too 
. but what I think is interesting is how some people can revisit old favorites like Tomasz with Iris Murdoch's 'The Green Knight' and still get that same spark 
, while others are diving into new authors and worlds like Stuart with Jacek Dukaj's epic 1,200-page novel 
. whatever it is, reading choices are all about personal connections, right?
And can we talk about Neel Mukherjee's 'Choice'?! That book sounds like a real mind-bender - I'm intrigued by its complex moral landscape! 
Sam Harvey is making me wanna dive into some more literary fiction ASAP! 
Meanwhile, Jacek Dukaj's 1,200-page epic just got itself on my radar... who else is in for the journey? 
. It's like the ultimate proof that there's no one 'right' way to enjoy books! I'm definitely feeling some layout envy with all these diverse interests 
, and I can see why Alan Hollinghurst would get lost in John Fuller's 'Marston Meadows' - that wit & feeling is infectious 
... who else wants to dive into Neel Mukherjee's 'Choice' after Samantha Harvey says it's still echoing in her mind? 
Lastly, I'm intrigued by Jacek Dukaj's epic 1,200-page ride - that Trans-Siberian express setting is calling my name 
and now im thinking about what kind of books i wanna read next... i mean, i loved reading about all these different books and authors in the guardian article 
but idk if i could get into a 1200 page book like that ice novel or maybe ill just start with something shorter lol 
! But hey, if it's engaging enough to keep him going for an entire month, that's definitely worth it 
And Alan Hollinghurst is devouring these old dudes' poetry like they're going out of style - what's the agenda there, I wonder? Is someone trying to brainwash him into loving 80s British literature or something? 
! I mean, from Iris Murdoch's classic novel 'The Green Knight' to Jacek Dukaj's epic 1,200-page sci-fi adventure 'Ice', it's clear that everyone's got their own unique favorite reads 
. What I love most about this snapshot is that it shows us just how complex and rich our tastes are - no one genre or author seems to dominate the list, which makes it all the more relatable 
I loved how she weaved that eerie atmosphere and it resonated so deeply with me, I was literally bawling tears out 
I've been meaning to read that for ages and it sounds like a total game-changer. Maybe I'll have to start my reading challenge early this year 
meanwhile, Jacek Dukaj's 1200-page novel sounds so epic and immersive! can't wait to dive into it 
Stuart, you're either super dedicated or just have no idea how short books are 
. What about Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These'? Has anyone else read it recently? It sounds like a really haunting and atmospheric novel 
Meanwhile, Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These' gave Kelly the chills 
and Neel Mukherjee's 'Choice' still got Samantha Harvey shook 