WeBuzz

Reader discussion: The Country of the Pointed Firs

Public reader discussion about The Country of the Pointed Firs in the WeRead Catalog by Sarah Orne Jewett.

This is unga bunga but what are your favorite novels written by woman?

By Beacon_Opens9773

I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I almost never read books written by women. I don’t do it on purpose or anything, it’s just when I’m browsing for something to read, it ends up being men every time. I know there are supposed to be “classic top 100” type lists that would probably be good, but I’d rather trust everyone’s taste here—so if anyone’s got a hidden gem, I’d love a rec :) I’ve had Simone de Beauvoir or Marguerite Duras in the back of my head lately, I’m not even sure why. And just to be clear, it’s not like I’ve literally read zero women; it’s more that the ratio compared to how many books I’ve read by men feels kinda off. Thanks, everyone!

Book Club Recs for very picky book club

By SarahReads1983

Okay I’m being super picky 😅 My book club usually stays in the super classic lane—like Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Jane Austen. We don’t want something enormous just because of life stuff, but we also don’t want it super tiny either. I’d love to jump into something as big as Les Mis, but that’s probably not happening for me right now 😭 Also we *just* did a British author, so I’d rather not go there again… but I’m not totally closed off. A few of the books we’ve read and really liked (just to show the vibe): Anna Karenina, Don Quixote, Middlemarch

Why do stories need conflict?

By FABLEAPRON9

I’ll look at these really beautiful paintings of people cooking while the kids run around, and I just feel good. No stress, no dread. But when I read a pretty piece of writing about the same kind of scene, I can’t help thinking “okay… what’s coming next?” and I end up reading anyway, like I’m bracing for something to go wrong. And then, yeah, something terrible happens. I don’t get it. Why do pictures not need some negative hook to land emotionally, but writing feels like it has to be built around a problem? Like why can a dance clip be totally pointless, but if someone talks in a video it somehow has to have a “story”? And why do the visual arts not need plot, but the more “thinking” kind of stuff does? Is it just always supposed to work like that?

Interesting, non dry history books about the state of Maine?

By WeatherSleepy

I’m thinking about heading to Maine this summer and figured I’d grab a bunch of books while I’m there. I usually go for non-fiction, but since I’m a history teacher, I don’t really want to spend my vacation slogging through super dry, super comprehensive stuff. What I’m hoping for are historical books that read more like stories/novels—similar vibes to things like *Devil in White City* or *The Big Burn*. I’m open to whatever, as long as it’s tied to Maine history. I’m especially interested in the kind of stuff that gives you a real feel for the state and the people: lesser-known local events and tragedies, natural disasters, how different industries and workers helped build things, immigrant stories and what they contributed, Native American topics (including controversies/scandals/corruption), local crimes or strange characters, and just general snapshots of particular time periods. If anyone has recommendations, I’d really appreciate it.

Books taking place in New England

By TinyChapter

I’m trying to pick up some more books set in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, since I’m planning a trip there. I’ve already read a bunch by Stephen King (mostly Maine) and also The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (New Hampshire). Any other suggestions?

Suggest me a book for all 50 US states

By lucky-cup

Hey everyone, I’m trying to do a project for 2025 where I read my way through all 50 US states. I’ve found websites that suggest books for each state, but a lot of the picks feel kind of random—like the story barely has anything to do with the place it’s supposed to represent. For example, I’ve run into books where the main character starts in North Carolina, moves to Florida really early on, and then North Carolina is basically never brought up again. What I’m looking for is fiction that really connects to the state—doesn’t have to stay in that one place the entire time, but it should still feel tied to that state for more than just the label. I’m more into literary fiction than non-fiction. I’m fine with any time period, from older classics to newer stuff. I just don’t want super sappy romance or really gory horror. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! I might not be able to reply right away to every single one, but I’ll definitely appreciate recommendations.

What Are You Reading This Week and Weekly Rec Thread

By Paper-Teal83

So what did everyone read this week? What did you actually finish, and did anything stand out to you? If you’ve got recs, drop them (or tell us what you’re looking for). And please don’t just list a title—add a few thoughts on what you thought about it.

Passage from The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett

By TGrand8

The birds were just everywhere over the field, popping up from the grass right by my feet as I walked. They felt so used to people that I almost convinced myself they were carrying on that nice summer habit of staying safe in their nests, like they were all part of some friendly human thing. Joanna’s house wasn’t really there anymore—just the stone where it stood—and her flower garden felt mostly erased too, except for one sad, faded little sprig of French pinks. There was still this great bee and a yellow butterfly hanging around it like they’d decided to make a whole friendship out of it. I stopped to drink from the spring and kept thinking that maybe, sometimes, someone from the mainland’s ordinary, busy countryside might follow along in the same kind of hazy August mood, like Joanna had been watching that view day after day. It just made me feel like this place had the whole world around it, but also like she was here with some kind of long-lasting start. Somehow it hit me that everyone’s got their own little island spot—either full of regrets or secret happy stuff—and for a moment or a day you end up alone in it, figuring out your own people and everyone else across time, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

How much of a recluse are you to buy this seasonal property?

By amberBee

According to the listing, the main cottage has that cabin-y ribbed framing and it’s been restored pretty thoroughly over the last 20 years. It’s set up for seasonal, off-grid living, and there are three spots on the island: the main cottage, a boathouse right by the water, and a separate bathhouse. That “you can get there on foot” thing at low tide is nice though—you might not even need a boat all the time. I’m not totally sold on the “comprehensively restored” claim, since it still looks like it needs a lot of work, and $$$. Could be a little overpriced too. Also, it has no electric, no water, and no sewer. I do kind of like the attic area, and I’d probably keep it cozy, maybe even pull back the white and show the beams. If they finish it, it could really feel inviting.

Is there a "slice of life" genre in literature?

By silver_cougar4061

So I’m talking about stuff that’s basically standalone scenes—like stories/chapters that don’t really lead anywhere or build up one bigger plot, just characters doing day-to-day stuff, or maybe little mini-arcs that wrap up in like a chapter or two. Does that kind of thing exist as an actual format anywhere, or is it just an anime thing? I’m asking because I genuinely don’t think I could stick to a real plot for more than like 20–30 pages, and I don’t even know if I want to. But I feel like I could write way more if I didn’t have to force everything to stay coherent.

Five favorite books by female authors

By goldenforest2004

Trying to make myself read more women than men this year. What 5 books would you suggest? I’m open to pretty much anything — classics, romance, horror, sci-fi, poetry, nonfiction. A few favorites I’ve already read this year: - Beloved by Toni Morrison - 40,000 in Gehenna by C.J. Cherryh - Black Wave by Kim Ghattas - The Awakening by Kate Chopin - To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables, etc.), but for adults?

By aqua_sparrow4801

Hi! I’m a big fan of LMM’s YA books, and I just finished one of her adult novels, The Blue Castle, and I really loved it. I’m now trying to find something similar—so if anyone has suggestions, I’d be super grateful. I’d prefer older/not-modern type settings. It doesn’t have to be in Canada, but I’d love romance to be part of it if it fits, even if it’s not the main focus.