So so so true. Good fiction is like a friend, like all of humanity coming to open your heart. There is nothing else like taking in someone else's work through your eyes and feeling it all in your heart. I love when a book takes me by surprise like the one I am reading now that I picked up on a whim at the library. I have not read East of Eden but thanks for the inspiration. I have read War and Peace, though, and that was an accomplishment!
I really appreciate this! I get a bit sad now thinking about my list of books that I've already devoured this year. I've been thoughtful about what I have picked up and I enjoyed them, but looking back, I don't think I can even name them all anymore. The characters and stories that I was immersed in and rooting for may be something to slow down with and digest before jumping to the next one. This was nice to consider, thank you! East of Eden will need to be revisited!
Jed. I’ve loved your writing since To Shake. There are so many parallels I feel in your writing to my own and to my life experiences. I was an Invisible Children “club” founding member at my uni in 2009, evangelical kid to missionary parents, love tent-sleeping, love romanticizing boredom, and just lots of funny similarities. Reading your books feels like cozying up in a coffee nook with a friend to feel sane/seen. Anyway, this post got me because I also have a “timshel” tattoo from 2016 which I got a little while after reading East of Eden for the first time. And that one just feels very on-the-nose. You’re like a big brother doing things a few years ahead of me and making me feel normal. Also your humor hits the funny bone. Thank you for putting it all out there. It’s really a fun time to know you exist in the world!
I'm trying to read more poetry! Which is (of course) much, much shorter than a longer book (haha), but taking the time to contemplate it and read it with full attention is another kind of devotion. Congrats on the book!
So excited to get my hungry hands on your new book! I'm ready!
🥹✨
So so so true. Good fiction is like a friend, like all of humanity coming to open your heart. There is nothing else like taking in someone else's work through your eyes and feeling it all in your heart. I love when a book takes me by surprise like the one I am reading now that I picked up on a whim at the library. I have not read East of Eden but thanks for the inspiration. I have read War and Peace, though, and that was an accomplishment!
I really appreciate this! I get a bit sad now thinking about my list of books that I've already devoured this year. I've been thoughtful about what I have picked up and I enjoyed them, but looking back, I don't think I can even name them all anymore. The characters and stories that I was immersed in and rooting for may be something to slow down with and digest before jumping to the next one. This was nice to consider, thank you! East of Eden will need to be revisited!
I’ve never read East of Eden! 🤓 And I live by Salinas!!!
It’s time!
😂🤓Indeed! ✨
There is no scarcity. We just forget to be.
“The artistic poverty of our time” is such a useful description
I just reread East of Eden too! What a gift to read it again all these years later. It’s like a new book. But still just as incredible.
This is the second sign I’ve received this week to read East of Eden for the first time
Jed. I’ve loved your writing since To Shake. There are so many parallels I feel in your writing to my own and to my life experiences. I was an Invisible Children “club” founding member at my uni in 2009, evangelical kid to missionary parents, love tent-sleeping, love romanticizing boredom, and just lots of funny similarities. Reading your books feels like cozying up in a coffee nook with a friend to feel sane/seen. Anyway, this post got me because I also have a “timshel” tattoo from 2016 which I got a little while after reading East of Eden for the first time. And that one just feels very on-the-nose. You’re like a big brother doing things a few years ahead of me and making me feel normal. Also your humor hits the funny bone. Thank you for putting it all out there. It’s really a fun time to know you exist in the world!
I'm trying to read more poetry! Which is (of course) much, much shorter than a longer book (haha), but taking the time to contemplate it and read it with full attention is another kind of devotion. Congrats on the book!
I just may start A Little Life after reading this. 🩷
Currently reading my mom’s old copy of East of Eden from the 80s! I will be sure to situate myself on a beach while reading the last chapter 🥲