Jessy, you have no analogue in the online space. The depth and attentiveness of your literary knowledge and insights are impressive. Yet you retain a modesty and openness to others' tastes and understandings of books. Somehow I believe that a career as a writer awaits you as well. It's all a matter of time, maturation and courage. Heartiest regards, Augustina.
What a wonderful article, Jess! Everyday I find myself discovering new things about my reading taste and surprising myself with things I hadn't considered before. Perhaps that is the wonder of being reader. I still find it hard to find the words to pinpoint exactly what my taste is. Something that has helped a lot – and which perhaps ties in with your reflection on reading and writing criticism – is writing about what I'm reading. It's an exercise that allows me to pause and really unpick why a book worked or didn't work for me. As a result, I'm finding that I'm picking way more many books that are more aligned with my preferences and I've been less tempted to read the shiny new releases (definitely also a product of the wonderful SBJ book club community!)
Thank you so much Paula! This piece is definitely the outcome of so many discussions in the book club and months and months of thinking (if not always consciously). Also as I started writing I went in a totally different direction than I thought I would! As you say, writing it out actually helps so much. And its a muscle that you flex for sure, the more you do it the clearer it becomes. But so rewarding when you find a puzzle piece, both in terms of being able to apply it to future reads as you're reading, but also spending more time with great books.
Such a great read! It's been such a rewarding and clarifying experience to hear & read your book reviews over the years. Definitely lost count of the times I've pick up books based on your reviews - both positive & negative! Wholeheartedly agree about online book creators filling a void - I can't think of one traditional publication I go to for book recs. Though film critic-wise, I cannot get enough of Richard Brody of The New Yorker. While I wouldn't say we have similar tastes, I get a kick out of his reviews. Although I am on the discord, I'm terrible at keeping up / actually posting so very much looking forward to end matters :)
Ah thank you Paris and thank you for following along with me for so long! One thing I really do love about being on here/patreon is being able to actually chat with you all. I will definitely have to check out Richard Brody's reviews. Sometimes it's all in the writing style, too. It's amazing how a good reviewer can have you reading their stuff just for their voice alone, even if you don't necessarily agree or even care about what they're writing about.
Wow. I’m really impressed with the nuanced, balanced way you articulate thoughts on genre and literary “merit.” This inspires me to write a piece on my own literary taste for my Substack, but I’d be afraid of just mimicking this! Maybe once this has faded from my working memory I’ll do some drafting.
Oh I would absolutely *love* to read it, please do! Reading about people's different tastes and the way everyone approaches the idea of taste in the first place just so interesting (and maybe underdone?) I always think I'm going to regurgitate what I've seen before but I'm always surprised in the writing process what comes out - this is not the piece I envisioned! And it was oh so satisfying, too, to really try pinpoint those things I love in books.
Aw thank you! I probably will write it now. I’ve just been itching to write but not so much to read… which makes it hard as a book review person 😂 It would definitely also be helpful for me (and readers, as you pointed out) to define my taste.
This was such a thoughtful piece Jess. I couldn’t agree more about the relationship with reviewing everything and the importance of your audience understanding what you don’t like just as much as what you do. If they only know what you love, they have such a limited understanding of your taste - arguably they have no understanding of your taste at all! I think people get so confused about the line between being critical and being cruel when it comes to book reviewing. Obviously there can be cruelty, but more often than not I think this is rarely the case.
I would also agree about the challenge of writing a positive review - they are much harder to get right. Sometimes a book has just great vibes and that is all you want to say lol.
I have always loved your taste in reading and am thrilled to see you here on Substack!
Thank you so much Martha! 100% there is a huge difference between being critical and being cruel. There's so much to be said about the necessity of critical reviews and why they're vital to the production of good art. But on a practical level I rely on them so much! Reading reviews and working out what's going on (what is your reviewer's taste/worldview) is a bit of a practise in itself, and can help you establish the parameters of your own likes and dislikes, too, I think.
Positive reviews are really hard! I often go on about 'soul-touching' books which is literally the worst term I could have come up with but unfortunately I've used it that much now it seems I can't come back. But some just speak to you in the way that art tends to do and it's hard to find a more (positive) critical eye.
And thank you so much! I really enjoyed reading your last monthly round-up and can't wait to follow along with your reads in the future.
I can see how much thought and effort has gone into creating this post! I wish I could write about my taste in books as specifically and with conviction. I am the kind of person who would immediately forget what my favourite book is/what it is about when prompted by someone. Ha!
As a former English student myself (undergrad and postgrad), agree on the point about never really switching off your brain while reading. I am glad I still have this quality despite the passing of time and the switching of career fields.
I think the best explanation of my taste in literature that I’ve come up with so far, as a seasoned reader, is that I like ‘sprawling’ narratives. Perhaps it deserves some unpacking; perhaps I should write about it so I have a link handy when asked about my favourite books!
Ah thank you so much Nidhi! It was such a huge part of my 'becoming a reader' series on YT because I realised that the problem for most people who want to read but don't feel motivated to do so is finding the books that *they* would like in the first place. Once I'd identified that as a key issue I seemed to fall down a rabbit hole of thinking about personal taste and how to identify and develop it. How many books have my family bought from the bestsellers lists that I know instantly they won't really enjoy? Even though I've been reading out of uni now for a good six/seven years now, it's still taken me this long to get a really good grasp of my own. It's amazing how long it can take and how many books you have to read first, even as a lifelong reader like myself (and especially perhaps when you're trying to unlearn ideas about what you 'should' read).
And yes I definitely think loving a sprawling narrative comes under the umbrella of taste. I really love them too when I find a good one. Would absolutely love to read a piece of yours with your favourites and further thoughts.
I one day wish to understand and develop my reading taste as well as you Jess. I'm merely on the brink!
Although I tend not to read as much in the speculative (a lot of the times I get lost in the meaning), you made me pick up a few authors (N.K. Jemisin and Vandermeer primarily) and their work has stayed with me so thank you!
Ah if I think about it, this post is probably years in the making! I feel like I've only just begun to nail it in the last couple of years. But it's such an interesting thing to think through and I really enjoyed writing this because it helped me codify my thoughts even more.
Speculative fiction definitely requires a whole different set of reading patterns and I can so see why it's not always immediately successful with people. But I'm so glad you've enjoyed the Jemisin and VanderMeer you've read!
Jessy, you have no analogue in the online space. The depth and attentiveness of your literary knowledge and insights are impressive. Yet you retain a modesty and openness to others' tastes and understandings of books. Somehow I believe that a career as a writer awaits you as well. It's all a matter of time, maturation and courage. Heartiest regards, Augustina.
Thank you so much for such lovely words Augustina ❤️ I appreciate your support so much, it means the world!
What a wonderful article, Jess! Everyday I find myself discovering new things about my reading taste and surprising myself with things I hadn't considered before. Perhaps that is the wonder of being reader. I still find it hard to find the words to pinpoint exactly what my taste is. Something that has helped a lot – and which perhaps ties in with your reflection on reading and writing criticism – is writing about what I'm reading. It's an exercise that allows me to pause and really unpick why a book worked or didn't work for me. As a result, I'm finding that I'm picking way more many books that are more aligned with my preferences and I've been less tempted to read the shiny new releases (definitely also a product of the wonderful SBJ book club community!)
Thank you so much Paula! This piece is definitely the outcome of so many discussions in the book club and months and months of thinking (if not always consciously). Also as I started writing I went in a totally different direction than I thought I would! As you say, writing it out actually helps so much. And its a muscle that you flex for sure, the more you do it the clearer it becomes. But so rewarding when you find a puzzle piece, both in terms of being able to apply it to future reads as you're reading, but also spending more time with great books.
Such a great read! It's been such a rewarding and clarifying experience to hear & read your book reviews over the years. Definitely lost count of the times I've pick up books based on your reviews - both positive & negative! Wholeheartedly agree about online book creators filling a void - I can't think of one traditional publication I go to for book recs. Though film critic-wise, I cannot get enough of Richard Brody of The New Yorker. While I wouldn't say we have similar tastes, I get a kick out of his reviews. Although I am on the discord, I'm terrible at keeping up / actually posting so very much looking forward to end matters :)
Ah thank you Paris and thank you for following along with me for so long! One thing I really do love about being on here/patreon is being able to actually chat with you all. I will definitely have to check out Richard Brody's reviews. Sometimes it's all in the writing style, too. It's amazing how a good reviewer can have you reading their stuff just for their voice alone, even if you don't necessarily agree or even care about what they're writing about.
Wow. I’m really impressed with the nuanced, balanced way you articulate thoughts on genre and literary “merit.” This inspires me to write a piece on my own literary taste for my Substack, but I’d be afraid of just mimicking this! Maybe once this has faded from my working memory I’ll do some drafting.
Oh I would absolutely *love* to read it, please do! Reading about people's different tastes and the way everyone approaches the idea of taste in the first place just so interesting (and maybe underdone?) I always think I'm going to regurgitate what I've seen before but I'm always surprised in the writing process what comes out - this is not the piece I envisioned! And it was oh so satisfying, too, to really try pinpoint those things I love in books.
Aw thank you! I probably will write it now. I’ve just been itching to write but not so much to read… which makes it hard as a book review person 😂 It would definitely also be helpful for me (and readers, as you pointed out) to define my taste.
This was such a thoughtful piece Jess. I couldn’t agree more about the relationship with reviewing everything and the importance of your audience understanding what you don’t like just as much as what you do. If they only know what you love, they have such a limited understanding of your taste - arguably they have no understanding of your taste at all! I think people get so confused about the line between being critical and being cruel when it comes to book reviewing. Obviously there can be cruelty, but more often than not I think this is rarely the case.
I would also agree about the challenge of writing a positive review - they are much harder to get right. Sometimes a book has just great vibes and that is all you want to say lol.
I have always loved your taste in reading and am thrilled to see you here on Substack!
Thank you so much Martha! 100% there is a huge difference between being critical and being cruel. There's so much to be said about the necessity of critical reviews and why they're vital to the production of good art. But on a practical level I rely on them so much! Reading reviews and working out what's going on (what is your reviewer's taste/worldview) is a bit of a practise in itself, and can help you establish the parameters of your own likes and dislikes, too, I think.
Positive reviews are really hard! I often go on about 'soul-touching' books which is literally the worst term I could have come up with but unfortunately I've used it that much now it seems I can't come back. But some just speak to you in the way that art tends to do and it's hard to find a more (positive) critical eye.
And thank you so much! I really enjoyed reading your last monthly round-up and can't wait to follow along with your reads in the future.
I can see how much thought and effort has gone into creating this post! I wish I could write about my taste in books as specifically and with conviction. I am the kind of person who would immediately forget what my favourite book is/what it is about when prompted by someone. Ha!
As a former English student myself (undergrad and postgrad), agree on the point about never really switching off your brain while reading. I am glad I still have this quality despite the passing of time and the switching of career fields.
I think the best explanation of my taste in literature that I’ve come up with so far, as a seasoned reader, is that I like ‘sprawling’ narratives. Perhaps it deserves some unpacking; perhaps I should write about it so I have a link handy when asked about my favourite books!
Ah thank you so much Nidhi! It was such a huge part of my 'becoming a reader' series on YT because I realised that the problem for most people who want to read but don't feel motivated to do so is finding the books that *they* would like in the first place. Once I'd identified that as a key issue I seemed to fall down a rabbit hole of thinking about personal taste and how to identify and develop it. How many books have my family bought from the bestsellers lists that I know instantly they won't really enjoy? Even though I've been reading out of uni now for a good six/seven years now, it's still taken me this long to get a really good grasp of my own. It's amazing how long it can take and how many books you have to read first, even as a lifelong reader like myself (and especially perhaps when you're trying to unlearn ideas about what you 'should' read).
And yes I definitely think loving a sprawling narrative comes under the umbrella of taste. I really love them too when I find a good one. Would absolutely love to read a piece of yours with your favourites and further thoughts.
I one day wish to understand and develop my reading taste as well as you Jess. I'm merely on the brink!
Although I tend not to read as much in the speculative (a lot of the times I get lost in the meaning), you made me pick up a few authors (N.K. Jemisin and Vandermeer primarily) and their work has stayed with me so thank you!
Ah if I think about it, this post is probably years in the making! I feel like I've only just begun to nail it in the last couple of years. But it's such an interesting thing to think through and I really enjoyed writing this because it helped me codify my thoughts even more.
Speculative fiction definitely requires a whole different set of reading patterns and I can so see why it's not always immediately successful with people. But I'm so glad you've enjoyed the Jemisin and VanderMeer you've read!