You're the second person I've heard mention The Old Reader. When I was searching I didn't find it at all! Crazy. I hope it works for you, but I hate that you're settling. That's never fun.

I read this book several years ago, and it's still on my shelves, which is saying something. Books on my shelves now have been through a couple of moves & a major culling because, until last year, I had no bookshelves (previous place had them built in). I remember being deeply affected by it, even though I can't remember exactly why. She's a quiet, dark horse sort of author, Anne Tyler. May have to re-read/

I'm Jenn to those I know relatively well. I'm Jennifer to everyone else. In fact, years ago when I worked at a law firm, there were multiple Jennifers. I picked up my ringing phone one day, and the person asked to speak with Jenn. I figured I must know them, but I didn't. I called the receptionist, and she told me that the caller asked for Jennifer so she said: Do you mean Jennifer S------ or Jenn Ravey. We were friends and had known each other for years, so she called me that.

All that to say, my expectation is such that if you call me Jenn, I know you. If you call me Jennifer, you don't know me or don't know me well. If you call me Jenny, expect a kick in the shin. :)

Verrrry interesting. I've mentioned it before, but my MA thesis was on crazy moms - or rather the literary legacy of motherhood and how society defines "bad" and "good" moms based on these ideals. Even though that was years ago, and it kind of killed my desire to write for a long while, I still am absolutely fascinated with the sociological and literary study of mothers and motherhood. Wish this had an update. I'd love to read it, but I get annoyed with outdated studies.

I read this in high school and loved it. I re-read it in January to prepare to teach it and was...underwhelmed. Some of the descriptions are so lengthy and loosely tied to what is actually being described.

But in terms of ideas? I love it. My students read it and have been working on research papers based on the book, so it's been interesting to see their ideas of the book evolve. One particularly interesting one is looking at the book and the society as totally out of touch with nature, reinforcing the effect technology has on the society, imprisoning them without anyone being the wiser. It's an interesting concept, especially since most often you just hear about the censorship of the book, which Bradbury himself de-emphasizes. Plus, when you look at the ending of the book, and Montag's retreat to the natural world, it makes sense that there is some connection between the natural/books/knowledge that is lacking with city/tech/unnatural.

Glad you enjoyed it!