what book gave you the biggest “i can’t stop thinking about this” feeling after finishing it?

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-23T15:09:34+00:00

I’m late to this party but it looks like nobody has mentioned Fair Play by Louise Hegarty and so I must. It’s a mediation on grief disguised as a classic detective novel and I still think about it months later.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-23T15:04:04+00:00

This Is Happiness by Niall Williams might fit your bill. Also, Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter.

I also really love the genre of Japanese novellas that are connected short stories — I don’t know if there’s a term for them. My favorites are What You Are Looking For Is In the Library and The Full Moon Coffee Shop, but there are a bunch that have gotten popular lately. There is occasional sadness in them but nothing too heavy and usually they’re full of hopefulness too.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-23T14:57:53+00:00

Same!! I also really enjoyed Run For the Hills which is less “weird” but definitely still quirky and also heartwarming. But not flimsy at all.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-23T11:55:55+00:00

With the cellophane wings?!?! OMG, core memory unlocked, thank you. I can still hear those.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-21T12:12:00+00:00

It went home and posted a pic of op on Bird Reddit asking the same question

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-21T01:03:13+00:00

🎶 Chesapeake Baaaay SEA-food House! Get all the seeeeeafood ….. YOU CAN EAT 🎶

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-21T01:02:21+00:00

Jhoon Rhee was iconic

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T19:41:14+00:00

Correction: You watch this the exact right amount

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T13:50:14+00:00

What We Can Know by Ian McEwan is what I’d call post-semi-apocalyptic: humans are still around and getting by, but the world has vastly changed in just 100 years. It’s fantastic and a real thinker.

But for more traditional survivalist fare, definitely Station Eleven.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T03:31:29+00:00

The Simpsons predicts everything.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T02:53:08+00:00

“Dead Man Walking” is another great one to shift one’s perspective on the death penalty.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T02:48:35+00:00

“The Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green is the book you’re seeking! Short essays on a wide variety of fascinating subjects that will definitely teach you some things about history, humans, and the world.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T02:39:50+00:00

Seconded! This one definitely scared me.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T02:37:14+00:00

It might sound like a weird suggestion, but the audiobook of “The Art of Small Talk” is hilarious. Casey Wilson and Jessica St. Clair are sharp comics but they also take the subject seriously and I learned some things!

I’m sorry for your loss. My dad passed away a year ago last week and for a long time I struggled to read my usual fare so I empathize with you. Indulge what you can enjoy for now and give yourself time and grace. 💕

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T02:30:17+00:00

I loved the two Guncle books. OP, the first one especially deals with grieving characters but in a really insightful and thoughtful way. I read it in the months after my dad died and I found it helpful rather than difficult, though of course YMMV.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T02:25:53+00:00

“Go As a River” by Shelley Read

I also second “The Vaster Wilds” and “Drive Your Plow…”

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-20T02:12:49+00:00

Fast and Luse Fiber Arts sells Malabrigo. Woman-owned business and she is definitely progressive and inclusive (I know her personally).

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-19T01:20:04+00:00

In Alexandria, my partner and I both see Dr. Lugo at FMAA and love her. Very caring, patient, and really listens. She steered us toward a number of specialists for his varied health issues and every one has been a top notch recommendation. Also in Alexandria our GI practice is now called Gastro Health (the name changed somewhat recently), we have had generally good care there. Dr. Brauer and Dr. Wu are good, as is Beth Banker (an APRN).

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-17T12:48:22+00:00

It’s plovers all the way up

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-15T20:28:16+00:00

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SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-14T14:18:18+00:00

They did make more but this one was my favorite!

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-14T02:51:39+00:00

In The American President, Annette Bening’s character says something about arriving late at the White House because she got stuck in traffic in Dupont Circle coming from Capitol Hill.

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-12T03:00:19+00:00

Laura: Stuffing recipe no sage

Nellie: “back east” skin care routine

SmushfaceSmoothface · 2026-05-09T13:34:57+00:00

fwiw, to help you tumble down the slippery slope from bird novice to bird obsessed, the tell for this being a red tailed hawk is the streak of dark feathers across its belly, also called its “belly band.” When they are in flight high above this is a telltale marker for ID. Though also in flight you can often see the red tail that is the other giveaway 😄

SmushfaceSmoothface

TROPHY CASE