Episode 123: Our 2026 No-Pressure Reading Plans

We’ve all said it: “I wish I could read that again for the first time.” But what do we really mean when we say it? In this episode, Trevor and Paul explore the magic of first encounters with books. Is it about surprise? Youth? Timing? Being unprepared in the best possible way? Or is it about discovering not just a book, but a new way of reading, thinking, or feeling?Along the way, we talk about books that opened doors, books we read at exactly the right (or wrong) moment, what rereading gives us. A conversation about memory, generosity, regret, delight, and why reading remains endlessly alive.2026 Novella Book ClubWe have announced the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* January: Daisy Miller, by Henry James* April: An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter, by César Aira* July: The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector* September: Prelude, by Katherine MansfieldDiscussions will be hosted at The Mookse and the Gripes Discord (see below!).We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!ShownotesWhat are you reading?* Paul: House of Day, House of Night, by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones* Trevor: The Comforters, by Muriel SparkPaul’s Picks* It, by Stephen King* On the Road, by Jack Kerouac* Tree of Smoke, by Denis JohnsonTrevor’s Picks* To the Lighthouse, by Virginia Woolf* Austerlitz, by W.G. Sebald, translated by Anthea Bell* No Tomorrow, by Vivant Denon, translated by Lydia DavisOther Books & Works Mentioned* Flights, by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Jennifer Croft* Pilgrimage, by Dorothy Richardson* Bomarzo, by Manuel Mujica Lainez, translated by Gregory Rabassa* Lolly Willowes, by Sylvia Townsend Warner* And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie* Atonement, by Ian McEwan* The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas* House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski* Jesus’ Son, by Denis Johnson* Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson* The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James* The Ambassadors, by Henry James* Infinite Jest, by David Foster WallaceJoin the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in the first novella book club of 2026, where we’re reading Daisy Miller, by Henry James. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we look ahead to 2026, not with resolutions or reading quotas, but with curiosity about what we’re drawn to next. We talk about a handful of upcoming releases we’re excited for, and then share some longer, looser reading plans for the year ahead, including big novels, rereads, and ongoing projects we’re hoping to live with slowly.Along the way, we acknowledge the heaviness many people are feeling right now and talk about why reading, conversation, and community continue to matter. Whether you’re planning your own reading year or just looking for company, we’re glad you’re here.2026 Novella Book ClubWe have announced the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* January: Daisy Miller, by Henry James* April: An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter, by César Aira* July: The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector* September: Prelude, by Katherine MansfieldDiscussions will be hosted at The Mookse and the Gripes Discord (see below!).We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!ShownotesUpcoming Releases Mentioned* Vigil, by George Saunders* Now I Surrender, by Álvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer* The Glorians: Visitations from the Holy Ordinary, by Terry Tempest Williams* Vilhelm’s Room, by Tove Ditlevsen, translated by Jennifer Russell & Sophia Hersi Smith* The Beginnings, by Antonio Moresco, translated by Max Lawton* Theodorus, by Mircea Cărtărescu* Five, by César Aira, translated by Chris Andrews* Ada, by Mark HaberReading Projects & Plans Discussed* The NYRB Classics Big Books project* Currently reading: Bomarzo, by Manuel Mujica Láinez, translated by Gregory Rabassa* On deck: Effingers, by Gabriele Tergit, translated by Sophie Duvernoy* Reading Pilgrimage (Dorothy Richardson’s Pilgrimage)* Monthly conversations and resources; videos posted online as a long-term archive by Brad Bigelow* The website* Shakespeare! Up next: King Lear* Trevor’s 2026 “in the mix” authors/projects:* Henry James (next up The Ambassadors)* Charles Dickens (Everyman editions; weighing Bleak House vs. other Christmas gifts)* Émile Zola (returning to the Rougon-Macquart project)* Virginia Woolf journals + moving toward Mrs Dalloway* NYRB Women readalong with Kim McNeil (starting with Lolly Willowes)* Library book club (next up: Loved and Missed, by Susie Boyt)* Paul’s year-long/slow-burn plans:* Pilgrimage alongside the community project* Continuing Flannery O’Connor and Cormac McCarthy* Deeper into Mircea Cărtărescu, William H. Gass, and Clarice Lispector* Potential Big Classics like The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas and Vanity Fair, by William Makepeace Thackeray* Bookstore book club focus on translated fiction/small presses* Taiwan Travelogue, by Yang Shuangzi, translated by Lin King* Time Shelter, by Georgi Gospodinov, translated by Angela Rodel* Woman Running in the Mountains, by Yūko Tsushima, translated by Geraldine HarcourtBooks Also Mentioned* In Search of Lost Time, by Marcel Proust* The Magic Mountain, by Thomas Mann* The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, by Margaret Renkl* The Land in Winter, by Andrew MillerJoin the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in the first novella book club of 2026, where we’re reading Daisy Miller, by Henry James. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

On Christmas Day, we bring our year-end tradition to a close by counting down our top five books of 2025. From beloved classics to unexpected discoveries, these final picks reflect a reading year shaped by curiosity, challenge, and joy. Settle in with us for a reflective conversation about the books that defined 2025 . . . and the anticipation of new reading adventures waiting in 2026!2026 Novella Book ClubWe have announced the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* January: Daisy Miller, by Henry James* April: An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter, by César Aira* July: The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector* September: Prelude, by Katherine MansfieldDiscussions will be hosted at The Mookse and the Gripes Discord (see below!).We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!Shownotes* The Secret of Secrets, by Dan Brown* The Melancholy of Resistance, by László Krasznahorkai, translated by George Szirtes* Swann’s Way, by Marcel Proust, translated by C K Scott Moncrieff, Terence Kilmartin, and D.J. Enright* Dr Chizhevsky’s Chandelier: The Decline of the USSR and other Heresies of the Twentieth Century, by Dan Elkind* The Narrow Road to the Deep North, by Richard Flanagan* Palinuro of Mexico, by Fernando del Paso, translated by Elisabeth Plaister* The Tunnel, by William Gass* A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry* The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest, by Aubrey Hartman* Free Day, by Inès Cagnati, translated by Liesl Schillinger* Crazy Genie, by Inès Cagnati, translated by Liesl Schillinger* The Motion of the Body Through Space, by Lionel Shriver* Ultramarine, by Mariette Navarro, translated by Eve Hill-Agnus* North Sun, by Ethan Rutherford* We Are Green and Trembling, by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, translated by Robin Myers * The Adventures of China Iron, by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, translated by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre* Slum Virgin, by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, translated by Frances Riddle* Skylark, by Dezső Kosztolányi, translated by Richard Aczel* Memoirs from Beyond the Grave, by François-Réne de Chateaubriand, translated by Alex Andriesse* Effingers, by Gabriele Tergit, translated by Sophie Duvernoy* Bomarzo, by Manuel Mujica Lainez, translated from the Spanish by Gregory Rabassa* Lies and Sorcery, by Elsa Morante, translated by Jenny McPhee* Mrs. Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf* The Sweet Dove Died, by Barbara Pym* The Bear, by Andrew Krivak* Bear, by Marian Engel* Small Reckonings, by Karin Melberg Schwier* The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, by Beth Brower* The City and Its Uncertain Walls, by Haruki Murakami, translated by Philip Gabriel* The End of the World and Hard-Boiled Wonderland, by Haruki Murakami, translated by Jay Rubin* A Strange and Sublime Address, by Amit Chaudhuri* A New World, by Amit Chaudhuri* The Immortals, by Amit Chaudhuri* Incompleteness, by Amit Chaudhuri* Sojourn, by Amit Chaudhuri* Friend of My Youth, by Amit Chaudhuri* Afternoon Raag, by Amit Chaudhuri* The Pursuit of Love, by Nancy Mitford* Anima: A Wild Pastoral, by Kapka Kassabova* Border: A Journey to the Edge of Europe, by Kapka Kassabova* Käsebier Takes Berlin, by Gabriele Tergit, translated by Sophie Duvernoy* The Story of a Life, by Konstantin Paustovsky, translated by Douglas Smith* Life and Fate, by Vasily Grossman, translated by Robert Chandler* Stalingrad, by Vasily Grossman, translated by Robert Chandler and Elizabeth Chandler* The Anatomy of Melancholy, by Robert Burton* Sea, Poison, by Caren Beilin* The Decameron, by Giovanni Boccaccio* The Stronghold, by Dino Buzzati, translated by Lawrence Venuti* A Love Affair, by Dino Buzzati, translated by Joseph Green* The Singularity, by Dino Buzzati, translated by Anne Milano Appel* The Bewitched Bourgeoisie: Fifty Stories, by Dino Buzzati, translated by Lawrence Venuti* Waiting for the Barbarians, by J.M. Coetzee* The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James* Daisy Miller, by Henry James* The Ambassadors, by Henry James* The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James* Washington Square, by Henry James* The Coxon Fund, by Henry JamesOther* Shawn’s Review of Small ReckoningsJoin the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in our third novella book club, where we’re reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In this first installment of our annual year-end wrap-up, we dive into the opening half of our top ten reads of 2025, counting down numbers ten through six and revisiting the books that surprised us, challenged us, and stayed with us throughout the year. Along the way, we’re joined by several friends who drop in to share the titles that meant the most to them in 2025, adding their voices to the conversation and widening the circle of celebration.It’s a relaxed, book-loving episode filled with reflection, enthusiasm, and a few unexpected discoveries. Tune in and settle into the first part of our favorite tradition.2026 Novella Book ClubWe have announced the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* January: Daisy Miller, by Henry James* April: An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter, by César Aira* July: The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector* September: Prelude, by Katherine MansfieldDiscussions will be hosted at The Mookse and the Gripes Discord (see below!).We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!Shownotes* Miss MacIntosh, My Darling, by Marguerite Young* Schattenfroh, by Michael Lentz, translated by Max Lawton* Middlemarch, by George Eliot* The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro* The Ghost Writer, by Philip Roth* 84, Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff* Lies and Sorcery, by Elsa Morante, translated by Jenny McPhee* The Summer Book, by Tove Jansson, translated by Thomas Teal* Giovanni’s Room, by James Baldwin* The Unconsoled, by Kazuo Ishiguro* Mr. Fox, by Barbara Comyns* Happiness Is Such, by Natalia Ginzburg, translated by Minna Zallman Proctor* Daniel Deronda, by George Eliot* Phineas Redux, by Anthony Trollope* The Sea, the Sea, by Iris Murdoch* The Bell, by Iris Murdoch* How to Cook a Wolf, by M.F.K. Fisher* Seeing Further, by Esther Kinsky, translated by Caroline Schmidt* River, by Esther Kinsky, translated by Iain Galbraith* Grove, by Esther Kinsky, translated by Caroline Schmidt* Cold Sassy Tree, by Olive Anne Burns* Pale Fire, by Vladimir Nabokov* Pnin, by Vladimir Nabokov* Ada, or Ardor, by Vladimir Nabokov* Dracula, by Bram Stoker* Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley* A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens* Life with a Star, by Jiri Weil, translated by Rita Klimova and Rosalyn Schloss* Is a River Alive?, by Robert Macfarlane* Angel, by Elizabeth Taylor* Great Granny Webster, by Caroline Blackwood* Pilgrimage, by Dorothy Richardson* Vengeance Is Mine, by Friedrich Torberg, translated by Stephanie Gorrell Ortega* Amongst Women, by John McGahern* The Dark, by John McGahern* The Barracks, by John McGahern* How to Survive a Bear Attack, by Claire Cameron* The Hustler, by Walter Tevis* The Man Who Fell to Earth, by Walter Tevis* Mockingbird, by Walter Tevis* The Steps of the Sun, by Walter Tevis* The Queen’s Gambit, by Walter Tevis* The Color of Money, by Walter Tevis* Rhine Journey, by Ann Schlee* Daisy Miller, by Henry JamesJoin the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in our third novella book club, where we’re reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In this Thanksgiving episode, we start by reflecting on the bookish communities that make the solitary act of reading feel richer and more connected. Then we turn to the season ahead, chatting through the books we hope to finish before the calendar turns and the cozy, festive reads we’re saving for the holidays. It’s a gentle, grateful episode to accompany your weekend as we start to look at the end of another year, and it’s one more chance to settle in, share a few books, and enjoy the company of fellow readers.2026 Novella Book ClubWe have announced the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* January: Daisy Miller, by Henry James* April: An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter, by César Aira* July: The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector* September: Prelude, by Katherine MansfieldDiscussions will be hosted at The Mookse and the Gripes Discord (see below!).We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in our third novella book club, where we’re reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

This week, Trevor and Paul are joined by Dorian Stuber of One Bright Book to talk about the difficult, liberating art of culling books. What does it mean to let go of the stories we’ve carried with us? Is it an act of loss, renewal, or self-knowledge? Together, they explore the philosophy, guilt, and quiet joy that come from pruning one’s shelves.2026 Novella Book ClubWe are excited to announce the four novellas we will be reading for The Mookse and Gripes Novella Book Club in 2026!* January: Daisy Miller, by Henry James* April: An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter, by César Aira* July: The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector* September: Prelude, by Katherine MansfieldDiscussions will be hosted at The Mookse and the Gripes Discord (see below!).We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in our third novella book club, where we’re reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In this special on-the-go episode, Trevor and Paul take the podcast out for a walk. As they wander, Trevor reflects on how he’s lost 40 pounds over the past few months and discovered ways to bring books into every part of his daily rhythm. From audiobooks on long walks to reading as recovery, the conversation explores what it means to make reading not just a mental habit, but a full-body experience. This shorter episode captures the joy of movement, conversation, and the steady companionship of books.We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in our third novella book club, where we’re reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve all been there: the books are piled high, but nothing calls out. In this episode, Trevor and Paul talk about reading slumps—what they look like, what brings them on, and how to find the spark again. From work stress to life interruptions to simple reader fatigue, we explore how to rediscover the joy of the page and the role of community in keeping reading alive.We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in our third novella book club, where we’re reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.ShownotesWhat are we reading?* Paul:* The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark* Trevor:* Vaim, by Jon Fosse, translated by Domion SearlsThe Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

Some books are long, some are short, but certain works feel abundant—overflowing with rhythm, atmosphere, and depth that can’t be exhausted in a single reading. In this episode we are joined by Lori Feathers, and we set as our foundation Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady to explore what makes a work abundant. We move through other examples, asking what defines abundances, how it differs from size or ambition, and why these books matter.We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in our third novella book club, where we’re reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.ShownotesWhat are we reading?* Lori: * The Ambassadors, by Henry James* Miss MacIntosh, My Darling, by Marguerite Young* The Logos, by Mark De Silva* Paul: * My Heart Is a Chainsaw, by Stephen Graham Jones* Seeing Further, by Esther Kinsky, translated by Caroline Schmidt* Not Even the Dead, by Juan Gómez Bárcena, translated by Katie Whittemore* Trevor: * Good and Evil, and Other Stories, by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell* The Secret of Secrets, by Dan BrownOther* The Republic of Consciousness Prize* Across the Pond Podcast* The Big Book Project* Involutions of the SeashellThe Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Trevor and Paul turn their attention to Nobel Prize–winner Kazuo Ishiguro, whose eight novels over the past forty years have earned both admiration and debate. Together, we trace Ishiguro’s remarkable range: the restrained heartbreak of Remains of the Day, the dream-logic labyrinth of The Unconsoled, the quiet devastation of Never Let Me Go, the ambitious allegory of The Buried Giant, and the AI exploration of Klara and the Sun. Along the way, we weigh Ishiguro’s signature themes of memory, regret, art, and the stories we tell ourselves—and ask what makes him one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary literature, even when his experiments don’t always succeed.Whether you’re a longtime devotee or just curious where to begin, we hope you’ll join us for a conversation about masterpieces and misfires.We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you'll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We’re also just now in our second novella book club, where we're reading Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.ShownotesWhat are we reading?* Paul: A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry* Trevor: The Ice Palace, by Tarjei Vesaas, translated by Elizabeth RokkanBooks by Kazuo Ishiguro* A Pale View of Hills* An Artist of the Floating World* The Remains of the Day* The Unconsoled* When We Were Orphans* Never Let Me Go* The Buried Giant* Klara and the SunThe Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe