Please join our live discussion thread: your chance to share anything cultural you’ve been enjoying over the past month, and also recommendations on a specific theme. It’s a great resource if you’re after some tips for things to read, watch or listen to.
This month, we’re joined by co-owner of one of New York’s iconic independent bookshops, Greenlight Bookstore, Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo. I’m really excited to know her tips on the best books about New York as well as some inspiring spots in the city.
Alongside my questions for Jessica, I’d love to know:
What have you loved reading / watching / seeing / listening to over November?
On the theme of NEW YORK: Where do you love in the Big Apple? What books / films / music / art have proved to be reliable travelling companions for you?
The live typing event takes place TODAY at 1.30-2pm, but if that time doesn’t work for you, please feel free to add your contribution whenever you like.
My first tip for a great New York book is this one:
I read this at school and it made such an impact on me. It was so different to anything else I’d read before, and made me see that classics can be utterly new as well as timeless. Have you read it? What would you recommend? Please join the discussion and tell me!
Anyone who is late to this On Our Reading Radar, please feel free to post your comment anytime. We'd love to know what you've loved reading recently and anything you'd recommend about New York.
Barnaby at Eland Publishing here, we have just received a copy of Mina Benson Hubbard, Woman's Way Through Unknown Labrador, which two other well informed readers had already recommended to us....
Hopping on this thread very late. One of my favorite November reads happens to be a New York book: "Speedboat" by Renata Adler -- oh, I love this book! Adler's quick, broken syntax and polyvocality bring the city to life on the page. Other (not New York) books I have loved recently are "Kairos" by Jenny Erpenbeck, "August Blue" by Deborah Levy, and "Take What You Need" by Idra Novey. Strong, memorable characters and beautiful prose :)
a bit late to this thread but highly recommend "This is New York" by E.B White, yes the same White who wrote the much loved children's classic "Charlotte's Web," a gem of a book.
My latest enjoyable New York read is Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead. It's an enjoyable romp of a crime story with a loveable rogue as the main character and several larger-than-life baddies. A really good lighter read to follow on from my book club read of Under the Greenwood Tree. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
I would start with Toppings bookshop on Blenheim Place, 5 minutes walk from the famous city centre Princes Street. This is a marvellous warren of a shop with thousands of books. After that a walk down into into Georgian Edinburgh through the stunning New Town into a "village" called Stockbridge. Approx 20 minutes walk from Toppings. There is Golden Hare Books, a carefully curated bookshop. Stockbridge also has some wonderfully well stocked charity bookshops. Happy holiday!
Can I ask a question of your readers? I'm spending a week in Edinburgh in early January and I've never been before -- any bookish spots I should make sure to visit?
Jessica - To an outsider, New York seems to have a really vibrant books scene. Where are some spots - aside from Greenlight (of course!) - to hang out with fellow book-lovers? Are there any venues or literary festivals you’d recommend? I love it that you found your New York feet in the Three Lives & Co bookstore
Jessica - How about some great New York books or films set earlier on? Are there any great historical books – fiction or non-fiction – set in New York? The Golden Hill by Francis Spufford was a huge hit over here.
This came by email from John, who asked me if I'd read Fanny Burney's Letters & Journals. He says:
It occurs to me that, like Patti, she was a young woman writer at the centre of the urban creative scene, in her case in 18C London, who knew everybody and wrote movingly about the death of her mentor (Dr Johnson).
A cheeky question for Jessica (since I'm really asking you to figure out my Christmas shopping list for me) but... Do you have a book recommendation for my nephew Ivo, who's 25, a Brit studying creative writing in New York and struggling to hold on to his visa/come to terms with the fact that he may have to leave the city of his dreams. (I bought him the New York Trilogy for Christmas last year, so what next?!)
Hello Jessica, it's not a book, but did you see the film Past Lives? I can't not think of it when I think of Brooklyn. It was one of the best films I've seen this year (or any year!). Two childhood friends reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life. I think Patti Smith would approve :-)
Jessica - here's my first question asking for some specific New York tips:
We felt that Just Kids very much celebrated New York’s creative and artistic spirit in the 1960s-70s. Are there any other great books or films that capture this moment in time?
Jessica - As you spotted, the November pick for Emily’s Walking Book Club was Just Kids by Patti Smith. Most of us loved it, even though many of us we were reading it over the pond. What sort of reception has the book had in New York? And has reading it changed your – or your fellow booksellers’ – experience of the city?
Jessica - Greenlight Bookstore is a mecca for all Brooklyn book lovers. For the walking book clubbers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little bit about what makes it such a special place?
I love that you've all been reading Just Kids -- it's such a great New York story and Patti Smith is a mensch. She's a former bookseller too so all booksellers love her! :)
Hello Emily, Alfie and anyone else present! A quick note on Just Kids and specifically, Robert Mapplethorpe... The British Film Institute now have a film about Robert available to rent on their website: 'Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures', described as 'an unflinching and sometimes graphic account of the life, art and legacy of the legendary photographer Robert Mapplethorpe'. I haven't watched it yet, but it looks fantastic.
Possibly the opposite end of the literary spectrum to Auster but... when I think New York, I always think of the children's book Eloise (she lived in the Plaza Hotel of course!)
I'm looking forward to hearing recommendations from Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo of Brooklyn's independent Greenlight Bookstore. She'll be joining us shortly - Jessica say hi when you're here!
Apologies if I am a little slow at typing today: Alfie (who some of you met in the webcast - HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5sU81Ty498&t=9s ) is very fond of weighing down my right arm with his long whippet head while I work....
Anyone who is late to this On Our Reading Radar, please feel free to post your comment anytime. We'd love to know what you've loved reading recently and anything you'd recommend about New York.
Barnaby at Eland Publishing here, we have just received a copy of Mina Benson Hubbard, Woman's Way Through Unknown Labrador, which two other well informed readers had already recommended to us....
Hopping on this thread very late. One of my favorite November reads happens to be a New York book: "Speedboat" by Renata Adler -- oh, I love this book! Adler's quick, broken syntax and polyvocality bring the city to life on the page. Other (not New York) books I have loved recently are "Kairos" by Jenny Erpenbeck, "August Blue" by Deborah Levy, and "Take What You Need" by Idra Novey. Strong, memorable characters and beautiful prose :)
Some seasonal recommendations from Sarah via WhatsApp:
Wintering by Katherine May - easy and fun to read too.
Winter in the Air by Sylvia Townsend Warner - a cosy read: well-constructed and beautifully written. It's perfect for one sitting.
a bit late to this thread but highly recommend "This is New York" by E.B White, yes the same White who wrote the much loved children's classic "Charlotte's Web," a gem of a book.
I've just scrolled down to see my NY recommendation has been mentioned already, so here's another one. Bonfire of the Vanities, of course.
My latest enjoyable New York read is Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead. It's an enjoyable romp of a crime story with a loveable rogue as the main character and several larger-than-life baddies. A really good lighter read to follow on from my book club read of Under the Greenwood Tree. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
Here is a poem I wrote about a trip to New York, you can listen to me read it on YouTube by pressing this link: https://youtu.be/hN9lNB2S7mM?si=1wDrUjKQaqa9iZqc
Thanks to christine who just emailed this:
Just spotted that this exhibition is on in London till 20 Jan. I haven’t seen it yet
Robert Mapplethorpe: Subject Object Image
The aesthetic power of Mapplethorpe’s photography cannot be denied.
Alison Jacques Gallery, London, until 20 January
I would start with Toppings bookshop on Blenheim Place, 5 minutes walk from the famous city centre Princes Street. This is a marvellous warren of a shop with thousands of books. After that a walk down into into Georgian Edinburgh through the stunning New Town into a "village" called Stockbridge. Approx 20 minutes walk from Toppings. There is Golden Hare Books, a carefully curated bookshop. Stockbridge also has some wonderfully well stocked charity bookshops. Happy holiday!
Thank you also to Sarah, Hattie, Celia and Pat for joining and for everyone who sent me their tips by email / instagram.
Jessica - thank you so much for joining us and sharing your expertise. I've come away feeling excited about some New York reading inspiration!
Can I ask a question of your readers? I'm spending a week in Edinburgh in early January and I've never been before -- any bookish spots I should make sure to visit?
It's a wrap!
Right - it's 2pm our time. 9am Jessica's time...
I've been reading like a maniac to decide on our first books of 2024 ...
Jessica - This doesn’t have to be do to with New York: What have you, or others at Greenlight, been enjoying over the past month?
Julie recommends these two:
Two books I enjoyed set in NYC, Stories from the Tenants Downstairs: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59366136-stories-from-the-tenants-downstairs?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=w4dLeyLEsB&rank=1
and Behold the Dreamers:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35259724-behold-the-dreamers
Both telling immigrant stories.
Jessica - To an outsider, New York seems to have a really vibrant books scene. Where are some spots - aside from Greenlight (of course!) - to hang out with fellow book-lovers? Are there any venues or literary festivals you’d recommend? I love it that you found your New York feet in the Three Lives & Co bookstore
Not New York but I’ve really enjoyed reading Olive Kitteridge recently
And Jessica - What are some good books that explore the New York of today?
Oh, and I just remembered another wonderful book about New York's soul - the lonely city, by Olivia Laing!
Jessica - How about some great New York books or films set earlier on? Are there any great historical books – fiction or non-fiction – set in New York? The Golden Hill by Francis Spufford was a huge hit over here.
I'm reading Joan Didion s Play it as it Lays.1970s America but a different sort of scene.
This came by email from John, who asked me if I'd read Fanny Burney's Letters & Journals. He says:
It occurs to me that, like Patti, she was a young woman writer at the centre of the urban creative scene, in her case in 18C London, who knew everybody and wrote movingly about the death of her mentor (Dr Johnson).
A cheeky question for Jessica (since I'm really asking you to figure out my Christmas shopping list for me) but... Do you have a book recommendation for my nephew Ivo, who's 25, a Brit studying creative writing in New York and struggling to hold on to his visa/come to terms with the fact that he may have to leave the city of his dreams. (I bought him the New York Trilogy for Christmas last year, so what next?!)
Hello Jessica, it's not a book, but did you see the film Past Lives? I can't not think of it when I think of Brooklyn. It was one of the best films I've seen this year (or any year!). Two childhood friends reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life. I think Patti Smith would approve :-)
Jessica - here's my first question asking for some specific New York tips:
We felt that Just Kids very much celebrated New York’s creative and artistic spirit in the 1960s-70s. Are there any other great books or films that capture this moment in time?
Hello jessica - I have a question: have you always lived in New York? Can you remember the first book you read in the city? Thank you!
Jessica - As you spotted, the November pick for Emily’s Walking Book Club was Just Kids by Patti Smith. Most of us loved it, even though many of us we were reading it over the pond. What sort of reception has the book had in New York? And has reading it changed your – or your fellow booksellers’ – experience of the city?
By the way, I recently saw that 50% of our 2,500 community are based in America!!
Jessica - Greenlight Bookstore is a mecca for all Brooklyn book lovers. For the walking book clubbers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little bit about what makes it such a special place?
I'm going to be asking Jessica a few questions. Please feel free to add your own questions and also any other comments / tips as we go....
I love that you've all been reading Just Kids -- it's such a great New York story and Patti Smith is a mensch. She's a former bookseller too so all booksellers love her! :)
Hello Emily, Alfie and anyone else present! A quick note on Just Kids and specifically, Robert Mapplethorpe... The British Film Institute now have a film about Robert available to rent on their website: 'Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures', described as 'an unflinching and sometimes graphic account of the life, art and legacy of the legendary photographer Robert Mapplethorpe'. I haven't watched it yet, but it looks fantastic.
Hi Emily and all! Sorry I'm late -- it's 8:30 AM in Brooklyn!
Possibly the opposite end of the literary spectrum to Auster but... when I think New York, I always think of the children's book Eloise (she lived in the Plaza Hotel of course!)
While we're getting going, here are a few tips people have emailed / Instagrammed in:
Hello Emily - excited for today’s thread. I loved last month with Ashley Hickson-Lovence
I'm looking forward to hearing recommendations from Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo of Brooklyn's independent Greenlight Bookstore. She'll be joining us shortly - Jessica say hi when you're here!
Apologies if I am a little slow at typing today: Alfie (who some of you met in the webcast - HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5sU81Ty498&t=9s ) is very fond of weighing down my right arm with his long whippet head while I work....
Hello walking / reading / typing book clubbers - I'm a few minutes early.
Please say hello when you get here.