7 Comments
User's avatar
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 19, 2023
Comment deleted
Chris O'Brien's avatar

I do like some popular writers who are also great, Pierre LeMaitre for example. But I'll take all recommendations!

Ed Walker's avatar

I just finished a run reading about the Reconstruction Era in the US, two history books, several SCOTUS decisions and Beloved by Toni Morrison. Currently recovering with a bunch of cheap trashy novels. The big problem is that they're so badly written It makes my teeth hurt.

Chris O'Brien's avatar

Yeah, hard to find a good balance between trashy/popular/painful. :-)

Ciara Lakhani's avatar

I found it an easy read and so many unexpected and fascinated things are recounted: Lise et Lulu by Lise Livitzky (the little known first wife of Serge Gainsbourg, the book is her recounting of their relationship)

Chris O'Brien's avatar

I'll check it out! Hope to go see his home/museum one day!

Leon's avatar

Completely agree, we can't always be high-brow! Shouldn't be seen as a guilty pleasure, just pleasure.

On a separate note, I love your Substack, and I write similarly on travel, culture and general life in Japan, so wondering if you'd like to collaborate?

Chris O'Brien's avatar

thanks and happy to discuss! you can email me at chris@frenchcrossroads.com