He really toes the line between being brilliant and being incomprehensible. I think it most depends on which book of his you pick up though. Resurrection and Common Objects of Love are on the digestible end, while his trilogy is just plain dense.
Thank you Griffin for articulating why Lists are simply the best. I'm a total lists junkie - to do lists, resolution lists, booklists, you name it, so I really appreciated this. It sounds like you had a great year. That realization re. men's preferred socializing is so key and something my husband thought about this year as well - he and his friends were a little bereft when baseball season ended, so thanks for some good thoughts on other 'side to side' things to do :) Wishing you a very happy new year, I really enjoy your writing!
Thanks so much Katie it was so kind of you to say all that!! I love your writing as well!! And what your husband was going through is pretty universally relatable lol - my friends and I are scavenging for more activities now that it’s winter.
*opened this post up while working on a printed-off version of our multi-page household brain dump list, the only way this house and our lives run somewhat smoothly* lol my husband teases about how much I love lists... but I don't know how people live without them!
This was so affirming, as someone with 100+ lists on my notes app of anything you could possibly make lists of. Sometimes I wonder if it's too much — and sure, like anything, you can probably overdo it — but mostly it's a joy and adds to my appreciation of life. Thank you for all the recs too! And “how did you not include A Real Pain?” made me laugh.
Jonathan Haidt is on the board of Braver Angels, where I do most of my volunteering. I have such respect for him. That said, I'm so behind on my reading and have to read Anxious Generation before a book meeting later this month. Great list, Griffin. Happy New Year to you! Here's to meeting what comes with courage, compassion, humility, curiosity, and grace.
The part where they catch him making a list and says he might as well be doodling to cover it up? That’s a deep cut reference lol. Took me a sec to remember.
Sorry ! The stream of consciousness just didn’t work for me unfortunately. I enjoy experimental writing, but not when it obscures narrative checkpoints.
"The Bear" is nearly unreadable, but I've always found "As I Lay Dying" to be as close to the nature of reality as a novel can get. That's why I read it only about every two years. The despair, the attitudes, the ignorance (especially in the case of Dewey Dell) are so real it makes me uncomfortable. The truth concerning human nature is not as stark because it's not as condensed as an O'Connor story, but it's there. Oh, it's there.
I’m relatively new to your writing, but here’s what I like about it—your voice. You’re not trying to sound smart. You’re not trying to sound Christian. And at the same time you are obviously trying—as every writer should—to entertain us and teach us and make interesting conversation. It’s so accessible and enjoyable. Bravo!
Sounds like a wonderful year. But I have to ask - what did you think of House of Leaves? I couldn't finish it - I found it too ridiculous! Here's to a wonderful 2025!
Haha great question. I included it probably just because it was insanely memorable and not necessarily because it was objectively great. I found the framing story a bit tiresome, clichè, and even misogynistic at times. But I really loved the story within the story and feel like it’s burned into my mind. Also, even though some parts of it were just meh, I enjoy experimental narratives in general so that part kept me happy.
Thanks for this, look forward to checking some of these things out!
Thanks for reading!!
I have heard the same regarding O'Donovan - sounds like he has a bit of a reputation!
He really toes the line between being brilliant and being incomprehensible. I think it most depends on which book of his you pick up though. Resurrection and Common Objects of Love are on the digestible end, while his trilogy is just plain dense.
Thank you Griffin for articulating why Lists are simply the best. I'm a total lists junkie - to do lists, resolution lists, booklists, you name it, so I really appreciated this. It sounds like you had a great year. That realization re. men's preferred socializing is so key and something my husband thought about this year as well - he and his friends were a little bereft when baseball season ended, so thanks for some good thoughts on other 'side to side' things to do :) Wishing you a very happy new year, I really enjoy your writing!
Thanks so much Katie it was so kind of you to say all that!! I love your writing as well!! And what your husband was going through is pretty universally relatable lol - my friends and I are scavenging for more activities now that it’s winter.
*opened this post up while working on a printed-off version of our multi-page household brain dump list, the only way this house and our lives run somewhat smoothly* lol my husband teases about how much I love lists... but I don't know how people live without them!
Hahaha I love it !
I love to walk; it's very healing. Walking with our teenage kids is so good. The conversations we have! Our family motto is "The Bjorgen's walk."
This was so affirming, as someone with 100+ lists on my notes app of anything you could possibly make lists of. Sometimes I wonder if it's too much — and sure, like anything, you can probably overdo it — but mostly it's a joy and adds to my appreciation of life. Thank you for all the recs too! And “how did you not include A Real Pain?” made me laugh.
Hahaha glad you liked it!! Thanks for reading!!
Jonathan Haidt is on the board of Braver Angels, where I do most of my volunteering. I have such respect for him. That said, I'm so behind on my reading and have to read Anxious Generation before a book meeting later this month. Great list, Griffin. Happy New Year to you! Here's to meeting what comes with courage, compassion, humility, curiosity, and grace.
Thanks Courtney!
Your Skull and Hourglass piece at Mere Orthodoxy was how I found your writing - glad to hear it was your own personal favorite.
Thank you for appreciating it! I keep checking to see if Pulitzer has acknowledged, but no such luck thus far and I feel a bit snubbed.
So you’re saying you’re Robert California in s8e1 “The List”?😂 (here’s hoping you’re an office fan and get that reference lol)
I love this post!
The part where they catch him making a list and says he might as well be doodling to cover it up? That’s a deep cut reference lol. Took me a sec to remember.
YES! 😂
lol ok glad I picked up on that!!
Hahaha you nailed it
You loathed "As I Lay Dying"? Unbelievable!
Sorry ! The stream of consciousness just didn’t work for me unfortunately. I enjoy experimental writing, but not when it obscures narrative checkpoints.
"The Bear" is nearly unreadable, but I've always found "As I Lay Dying" to be as close to the nature of reality as a novel can get. That's why I read it only about every two years. The despair, the attitudes, the ignorance (especially in the case of Dewey Dell) are so real it makes me uncomfortable. The truth concerning human nature is not as stark because it's not as condensed as an O'Connor story, but it's there. Oh, it's there.
Maybe I’ll need to give it another shot!
I didn't mean to come on so strong, but Dewey Dell is priceless. Best book I read in 2024 was "North Woods" by Daniel Mason.
I’m relatively new to your writing, but here’s what I like about it—your voice. You’re not trying to sound smart. You’re not trying to sound Christian. And at the same time you are obviously trying—as every writer should—to entertain us and teach us and make interesting conversation. It’s so accessible and enjoyable. Bravo!
Thanks so much JL that’s so nice of you to say :)
Sounds like a wonderful year. But I have to ask - what did you think of House of Leaves? I couldn't finish it - I found it too ridiculous! Here's to a wonderful 2025!
Haha great question. I included it probably just because it was insanely memorable and not necessarily because it was objectively great. I found the framing story a bit tiresome, clichè, and even misogynistic at times. But I really loved the story within the story and feel like it’s burned into my mind. Also, even though some parts of it were just meh, I enjoy experimental narratives in general so that part kept me happy.
Thank you for validating and elevating list making. I'm making new lists right now, thanks to this great round-up.
Thanks so much Tresta!!
These book recs are gold!
Glad you like them !! Thanks for reading
I loved this. You are one of my fave Substack follows this year.
Thanks so much Nicole that means a lot :)