Oh Leah hello dear. Bear with me I have a lot to say. This was such a magical read and I really enjoyed it as I’ve read most of Joan’s works but there is always more that I haven’t and the ones you included I am so excited to read! I appreciate you and your writings here and your posts, you are such a gift. I get so happy when I see a notification that you posted here, Instagram or TikTok. You’re such a gift to the literary world we are all so lucky to witness your gifts of writings and book recommendations. May you have an amazing week and I look forward to so many posts and recommendations from you in our future 💕🌻
omg i really got emotional reading this comment, thank you so much!! creating this substack was a daunting thing for me as i wasn’t sure people would care about longer-form content like this or want to read my writing, so hearing this feedback is really lovely and affirming 🤍🤍
Leah I adore this so much! I have to confess, I have a very interesting relationship with Didion. I have actively tried to read her works, and each reading experience has allowed me to further understand her brilliance and the deep love people have for her. On the other, the hyper-specificity to American culture (especially California) that you mentioned has sometimes been a barrier to me, as well as her emotionally detached style of writing that is so uniquely her is so impressive but as someone who loves emotional writing, can sometimes leave my emotional side wanting.
Though, it hasn't stopped me from reading her works and hope to eventually get through the rest of her works. Also, intrigued to hear your thoughts about Babitz which I haven't read, but I often hear mentioned alongside Didion as the distinctly Californian writers.
oh i 100% get what you mean! i think when i first picked up one of her books (which was probably the white album when i was a teen), the overwhelming american-ness of it definitely caused a disconnect. that is definitely why i gravitate towards her personal essays / memoirs the most. i love emotional writing too but i also like how coolly detached she is, as i often find i respond best to situations when i view them from a little further back like she does.
also you’ve read my mind, i’ve drafted an eve babitz post! i just want to read her most recently published book before posting it
Great JD primer. Whenever I cross a four lane highway without having to break I think of Maria in Play It as it Lays. And whenever I think of grief I see her husband’s shoes in Year of magical thinking.
the concept of an american freeway truly boggles my mind. but i agree, i think her writings on grief are some of my favourites. i regularly think about the last few lines of ‘blue nights’
I have read a lot of books compared to most people I know, and I never heard of this author before joining Substack. I’ve only heard good things, so I need to put her on my reading list now.
Your writing feels like a hug after a long day, please keep on writing 💗
this is such a lovely compliment thank you!! 🤍
Starting Let Me Tell You What I Mean soon! thanks for putting this together <3
thank you for reading!
thank youuuuu I needed this 🙂↕️ - a Joan noob
i hope it helps! 🫶🏼
beautiful writing !
thank you! 💌
I was wondering where to start with her work and then your post popped up! Thank you Substack deities!
it’s fate
I purchased my first Didion and you posted this!!! Now I’m so thrilled to read her works 💗
ahh hope you enjoy your first didion!
Oh Leah hello dear. Bear with me I have a lot to say. This was such a magical read and I really enjoyed it as I’ve read most of Joan’s works but there is always more that I haven’t and the ones you included I am so excited to read! I appreciate you and your writings here and your posts, you are such a gift. I get so happy when I see a notification that you posted here, Instagram or TikTok. You’re such a gift to the literary world we are all so lucky to witness your gifts of writings and book recommendations. May you have an amazing week and I look forward to so many posts and recommendations from you in our future 💕🌻
omg i really got emotional reading this comment, thank you so much!! creating this substack was a daunting thing for me as i wasn’t sure people would care about longer-form content like this or want to read my writing, so hearing this feedback is really lovely and affirming 🤍🤍
Leah I adore this so much! I have to confess, I have a very interesting relationship with Didion. I have actively tried to read her works, and each reading experience has allowed me to further understand her brilliance and the deep love people have for her. On the other, the hyper-specificity to American culture (especially California) that you mentioned has sometimes been a barrier to me, as well as her emotionally detached style of writing that is so uniquely her is so impressive but as someone who loves emotional writing, can sometimes leave my emotional side wanting.
Though, it hasn't stopped me from reading her works and hope to eventually get through the rest of her works. Also, intrigued to hear your thoughts about Babitz which I haven't read, but I often hear mentioned alongside Didion as the distinctly Californian writers.
oh i 100% get what you mean! i think when i first picked up one of her books (which was probably the white album when i was a teen), the overwhelming american-ness of it definitely caused a disconnect. that is definitely why i gravitate towards her personal essays / memoirs the most. i love emotional writing too but i also like how coolly detached she is, as i often find i respond best to situations when i view them from a little further back like she does.
also you’ve read my mind, i’ve drafted an eve babitz post! i just want to read her most recently published book before posting it
this is so so so incredibly well put together. thank you so much for taking the time and effort to put this together!
omg elle thank you!! it took me days to put together hahaha
Thanks so much for this...I was thinking about where to start with her work.
hope you enjoy whichever book you pick up first!
This is the early holiday gift I’ve been aching for ♥️
💌💌
I've somehow never read her work and I really want to!
omg you need to!! i hope this guide helps you pick your first one 🫶🏼
Great JD primer. Whenever I cross a four lane highway without having to break I think of Maria in Play It as it Lays. And whenever I think of grief I see her husband’s shoes in Year of magical thinking.
the concept of an american freeway truly boggles my mind. but i agree, i think her writings on grief are some of my favourites. i regularly think about the last few lines of ‘blue nights’
This was sooo good!!! Loved it sm! 🥹💌✨
amanda!! thank you so much, i’m glad you enjoyed 🫶🏼🫶🏼
i love this!
I have read a lot of books compared to most people I know, and I never heard of this author before joining Substack. I’ve only heard good things, so I need to put her on my reading list now.