The Heart of Reading

Literary fiction holds a special place in my reading life. I’m drawn to the care a writer takes with language, the complexity of a character who resists easy judgment, and the questions a story leaves behind. Some novels offer the recognition of an experience we know well; others bring us into lives and perspectives far from our own. The Heart of Reading is my space to explore those books—and to share why they matter so deeply to me.

Here, you’ll find literary fiction from different times, places, and voices, with attention to both enduring works and contemporary novels. We’ll look closely at what makes a book memorable: its language, its structure, the inner lives of its characters, and the ideas woven through its pages. You don’t need a background in literary criticism to join the conversation. Curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to sit with a question are welcome starting points.

In Explore the Books, discover recommendations and introductions that explain what each novel offers and why you might want to read it. In One Book, a Bigger Conversation, we’ll begin with a particular story and explore the questions it raises about memory, identity, family, belonging, power, and the world we share. These discussions will make room for different interpretations and for the details in a text that help us understand them.

Why Literary Fiction Matters will consider the value of these reading experiences, bringing my reflections into conversation with the work of authors, critics, and scholars. We’ll ask what fiction can reveal, what it asks of its readers, and why its place in our lives deserves thoughtful attention. In My Reading Heart, I’ll take a more personal turn, sharing the books that have shaped me, passages I carry with me, and the discoveries that come from returning to a familiar story at a different point in life.

The Heart of Reading is an invitation to linger with a book, look more closely, and share what you find. Whether literary fiction is already a favorite or something you’re beginning to explore, I hope this becomes a place where you discover a compelling next read, encounter a new perspective, and find words for what a story has meant to you.