The only way I remember books I've read is to write down the titles. I started in 2011. And shame on that MPR host for diminishing anyone, and especially someone as brave and talented as you. And one last thought: If we are not willing to admit we do not know something, how will we ever learn?
I also loved The Sentence. And the bookstore is one of the best things about our nbhd. Along with Kenwood school. And the burger at the Kenwood. And three brilliant and generous Erdrich sisters living within a few blocks of each other.
I am so sorry this experience haunted you! Thank you for your candor. Always a pleasure to read your writing, Molly. I personally can rarely remember the books I read (titles) let alone all of the authors out there! In response to your question I had to look at my good reads to confirm what I've read and what might be my "best" book recently...our brains have so many things to keep track of!
Here's what I am adding to the good books list - (5 stars in my list): Sandwich by Catherine Newman, The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and The Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller. ❤️
Yes, so hard to remember most books after you've read them! I was pregnant during this interview and I swear it erased my memory of books I'd read. It all played a part in my MPR "performance."
I LOVED Sandwich, and enjoyed Catherine Newman's other book We All Want Impossible Things even more. I *think* I read the Immortalists (lolol-- is that the one with the siblings and the fortune teller? I obviously can't remember!). Will add Lulu Miller's book to my Libby queue. Nice to hear from you, Jackie!
That really was an a-hole move by that interviewer. There are roughly <checks notes> A GAZILLION books out there. Making someone feel lesser because they haven't read one is just a sign of insecurity and snobbery. After all, if the book is really great, I get excited about the person having the new experience of reading the book for the first time, and hope they enjoy it as much as I did. The interviewer was just angry that you did not meet their (uncommunicated and opaque) expectations for timing of your interview, and took it out on you in childish fashion. Definitely TA, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. 😊
Thanks, Laura! One of the best (?) parts of this interview experience was how angry Josh was (and still kind of is!) after the fact. I love having a partner like that! The whole experience was so snobby, and it left a bad taste in my mouth. But do I still support NPR? I do!
Very appropriate that you shouted me out here (hi!!) since I was recently accused by another
Substack, in the Daily Mail ,of lying about reading a book that I actually had read. Apparently, my description of it was so lacking in nuance that they were certain I had not read it. I love your whole attitude about this and your story made me laugh. Xo
I love how people want to pick fights over whether or not you've read a certain book, when really we should all be impressed that people ARE EVEN READING BOOKS AT ALL! This is what I think about every time someone wants to ban a book because themes are "not appropriate for children." Okay, Linda, as if your grandkids are even reading books. Meanwhile, they're one YouTube all day learning about eating Tide pods or whatever.
I wait to read your latest substack until I have the perfect moment to enjoy it, and it never disappoints! Added The Sentence as well as Jackie's recommendations to my list! I cannot even handle the pretentiousness of that interviewer...come on!
You go, Molly! Always keeping it real. I hope you can finally put this “humiliation” behind you. I recall listening live that day and you didn’t come off that bad! In that one statement, she did though…and I usually like her show. I must admit I don’t listen to the ones about books because I’ve never read them. More of a non-fiction guy here, though as you know, I’d love to change that. Maybe it’s time for me to get acquainted with Louise, too!
At the time of this interview, I was also almost exclusively reading non-fiction. I actually started reading more fiction during my first pregnancy (when this interview took place) because I needed light and fluffy reading. You would LOVE The Sentence and I will lend you my copy if you'd like!
The only way I remember books I've read is to write down the titles. I started in 2011. And shame on that MPR host for diminishing anyone, and especially someone as brave and talented as you. And one last thought: If we are not willing to admit we do not know something, how will we ever learn?
Nailed it, Margaret! It’s okay to not know something. And it sadly takes courage to admit that when it shouldn’t.
I recently read and loved it as well!
Happy you can put this experience behind you. Shame on the MPR host....the REAL dick of the situation.
It’s mostly behind me, but you know how our nasty little brains can work against us when we’re trying to fall asleep. 🥴
I also loved The Sentence. And the bookstore is one of the best things about our nbhd. Along with Kenwood school. And the burger at the Kenwood. And three brilliant and generous Erdrich sisters living within a few blocks of each other.
As for that MPR host . . .
It is a lovely neighborhood! And I'll bet you can guess who the MPR host is, but I'm not gonna say it here. ;)
Indeed I can. And I've never been a fan.
I am so sorry this experience haunted you! Thank you for your candor. Always a pleasure to read your writing, Molly. I personally can rarely remember the books I read (titles) let alone all of the authors out there! In response to your question I had to look at my good reads to confirm what I've read and what might be my "best" book recently...our brains have so many things to keep track of!
Here's what I am adding to the good books list - (5 stars in my list): Sandwich by Catherine Newman, The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and The Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller. ❤️
Yes, so hard to remember most books after you've read them! I was pregnant during this interview and I swear it erased my memory of books I'd read. It all played a part in my MPR "performance."
I LOVED Sandwich, and enjoyed Catherine Newman's other book We All Want Impossible Things even more. I *think* I read the Immortalists (lolol-- is that the one with the siblings and the fortune teller? I obviously can't remember!). Will add Lulu Miller's book to my Libby queue. Nice to hear from you, Jackie!
That really was an a-hole move by that interviewer. There are roughly <checks notes> A GAZILLION books out there. Making someone feel lesser because they haven't read one is just a sign of insecurity and snobbery. After all, if the book is really great, I get excited about the person having the new experience of reading the book for the first time, and hope they enjoy it as much as I did. The interviewer was just angry that you did not meet their (uncommunicated and opaque) expectations for timing of your interview, and took it out on you in childish fashion. Definitely TA, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. 😊
Thanks, Laura! One of the best (?) parts of this interview experience was how angry Josh was (and still kind of is!) after the fact. I love having a partner like that! The whole experience was so snobby, and it left a bad taste in my mouth. But do I still support NPR? I do!
Very appropriate that you shouted me out here (hi!!) since I was recently accused by another
Substack, in the Daily Mail ,of lying about reading a book that I actually had read. Apparently, my description of it was so lacking in nuance that they were certain I had not read it. I love your whole attitude about this and your story made me laugh. Xo
Hi! F the Daily Mail!
I love how people want to pick fights over whether or not you've read a certain book, when really we should all be impressed that people ARE EVEN READING BOOKS AT ALL! This is what I think about every time someone wants to ban a book because themes are "not appropriate for children." Okay, Linda, as if your grandkids are even reading books. Meanwhile, they're one YouTube all day learning about eating Tide pods or whatever.
I wait to read your latest substack until I have the perfect moment to enjoy it, and it never disappoints! Added The Sentence as well as Jackie's recommendations to my list! I cannot even handle the pretentiousness of that interviewer...come on!
She was honestly such an asshole! I avoid her show at all costs
You go, Molly! Always keeping it real. I hope you can finally put this “humiliation” behind you. I recall listening live that day and you didn’t come off that bad! In that one statement, she did though…and I usually like her show. I must admit I don’t listen to the ones about books because I’ve never read them. More of a non-fiction guy here, though as you know, I’d love to change that. Maybe it’s time for me to get acquainted with Louise, too!
At the time of this interview, I was also almost exclusively reading non-fiction. I actually started reading more fiction during my first pregnancy (when this interview took place) because I needed light and fluffy reading. You would LOVE The Sentence and I will lend you my copy if you'd like!