At the library this week you inspired me to pick up Shirley Hughes's Dogger which I read to the kids and we ALL adored it. My three year old kept saying Dogger to himself throughout the rest of the day ☺️
This was so interesting! I really enjoyed hearing not just about what you're reading, Catherine, but about how you read, both in terms of logistics and in terms of the way you like to cocoon yourself in a work of fiction. That is fascinating and wonderful!
Thanks for sharing with us, Catherine and Stephanie!
I love this idea! We have a similar thing on our podcast that we playfully call Bookish Bios, but I love being able to read about other mothers' bookish habits in writing. Thanks!
I LOVE Barbara Trapido books, especially Brother of the More Famous Jack (there’s an excellent deep dive on it on an early episode of Sentimental Garbage podcast). I met her about twenty years ago when I worked at a readers day the library service I worked for ran, it was extremely hard not to fangirl over her!
Wonderful interview, Stephanie and Catherine! My Goodreads 'Want To Read' list has grown significantly with the titles here. And I so appreciate the chapter book suggestions for read alouds!
Aside from the more mainstream classics like The Trumpet of the Swan, The Chronicles of Narnia, Little House books, Little Women & Little Men, and Heidi, some of what we’ve loved has included Meet the Austins & A Wrinkle in Time, The Little Prince, The Princess and the Goblin & The Princess and Curdie, At the Back of the North Wind, The Wheel on the School, Baby & Edward’s Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan, and The Flint Heart. There are so many beloved stories!
As someone who is not particularly prone to self-reflection, it was so enjoyable to think through all of Stephanie's prompts and questions! So pleased you enjoyed it xx
I always look forward to these posts Stephanie - really enjoyed reading this Catherine. The Animals of Farthing Wood, that's unlocked a memory for me as a child, I'll.have to read it with my kids. I also find my mind wanders listening to audiobooks, and like how you read throughout the day in little pickets, that's what I do too. Oh and I also can't walk past a second hand bookshop without going in!
We had such an intense time with Farthing Wood. I took it on a train journey years ago thinking the children were probably too young, but they listened intently the entire time. The second time we read it together was during a heatwave here in London, and the suffering of the poor animals as their last water source was taken away was palpable. Such a great book.
Catherine and Stephanie I loved this! Catherine, we seem to have a lot in common (favorite authors included - I am reading My Antonia just now). It was delightful to gain some insight into your reading life and I am awed that you already got through 21 books this year! Wonderfully honest interview which also served as a reminder for me to get back out my notebook to keep recording my reads :)
I would be lost without my reading notebook. I’m often surprised to look back and see what I read only a few months ago. As for reading 21 so far this year, Stephanie’s questions made me realise that I am a very greedy reader. I want to gobble gobble gobble, but I’m not so good at taking the time to digest what I’ve taken in!
At the library this week you inspired me to pick up Shirley Hughes's Dogger which I read to the kids and we ALL adored it. My three year old kept saying Dogger to himself throughout the rest of the day ☺️
Oh I LOVE Dogger.
This was so interesting! I really enjoyed hearing not just about what you're reading, Catherine, but about how you read, both in terms of logistics and in terms of the way you like to cocoon yourself in a work of fiction. That is fascinating and wonderful!
Thanks for sharing with us, Catherine and Stephanie!
So glad you liked it, I’d love to read your answers to the questions too! I love our little Substack community of reading women :-)
I love this idea! We have a similar thing on our podcast that we playfully call Bookish Bios, but I love being able to read about other mothers' bookish habits in writing. Thanks!
Oh I love that too!
I love this!! I’ve started reading but have saved to read. Such treasures in here. Thank you ladies! Xx
I LOVE Barbara Trapido books, especially Brother of the More Famous Jack (there’s an excellent deep dive on it on an early episode of Sentimental Garbage podcast). I met her about twenty years ago when I worked at a readers day the library service I worked for ran, it was extremely hard not to fangirl over her!
How exciting! I would definitely have had an embarrassing fangirl episode!
Wonderful interview, Stephanie and Catherine! My Goodreads 'Want To Read' list has grown significantly with the titles here. And I so appreciate the chapter book suggestions for read alouds!
I love a read aloud recommendation more than any other! Got any good ones you'd like to share Jan?
Aside from the more mainstream classics like The Trumpet of the Swan, The Chronicles of Narnia, Little House books, Little Women & Little Men, and Heidi, some of what we’ve loved has included Meet the Austins & A Wrinkle in Time, The Little Prince, The Princess and the Goblin & The Princess and Curdie, At the Back of the North Wind, The Wheel on the School, Baby & Edward’s Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan, and The Flint Heart. There are so many beloved stories!
Fabulous!
Thanks for sharing 🙌
I am always happy to add to someone’s TBR list - the joy of anticipation is a very real part of the joy of reading!
I absolutely loved this Catherine! xx
As someone who is not particularly prone to self-reflection, it was so enjoyable to think through all of Stephanie's prompts and questions! So pleased you enjoyed it xx
I always look forward to these posts Stephanie - really enjoyed reading this Catherine. The Animals of Farthing Wood, that's unlocked a memory for me as a child, I'll.have to read it with my kids. I also find my mind wanders listening to audiobooks, and like how you read throughout the day in little pickets, that's what I do too. Oh and I also can't walk past a second hand bookshop without going in!
We had such an intense time with Farthing Wood. I took it on a train journey years ago thinking the children were probably too young, but they listened intently the entire time. The second time we read it together was during a heatwave here in London, and the suffering of the poor animals as their last water source was taken away was palpable. Such a great book.
Animals of Farthing Wood is on my to read list with the kids this year. I loved it as a child too .
Catherine and Stephanie I loved this! Catherine, we seem to have a lot in common (favorite authors included - I am reading My Antonia just now). It was delightful to gain some insight into your reading life and I am awed that you already got through 21 books this year! Wonderfully honest interview which also served as a reminder for me to get back out my notebook to keep recording my reads :)
I would be lost without my reading notebook. I’m often surprised to look back and see what I read only a few months ago. As for reading 21 so far this year, Stephanie’s questions made me realise that I am a very greedy reader. I want to gobble gobble gobble, but I’m not so good at taking the time to digest what I’ve taken in!
I would characterize my reading as this as well! Greedy but cathartic/therapeutic.