Sounds really wonderful and right up my alley, thanks Stephen.

I haven’t read it but sounds like a great answer (your lit-broing is welcome here, Brad).

Yeah, she reads the audiobook too and it really is terrific.

Sounds exactly right.

Still really have to get to it. What do you think it is about it that makes it grounding for you?

A passage that means more to me than just about any other:

That’s a great pick. I listened to it on audio a few years back and it was probably my most memorable experience listening to an audiobook (have very visceral memories of the season, what the weather was like on all the walks when I was listening to it). I’ll have to do that again.

Such a nightmare, I feel so bad for them.

Speaking as publicity manager for an academic publisher, I really don’t think this is generally the case. Obviously varies but we devote far more time to each author than a non-priority author would get at a big five publisher. The odds are just heavily against us to get on these types of lists.

Thanks for this great piece, Sam, and for the larger reflections on Berry and Port William. These books mean a lot to me, it's great to see you highlighting them.