Dansite Reading Journal

Dan Jewett's chronological reading record.

Abstract cover of "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf, featuring overlapping pastel shapes outlined in orange and blue, creating a textured, modern look.
Book, In Progress
To the Lighthouse (1927)
by Virginia Woolf
Classic Literature
Cover of "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck, depicting a vintage truck loaded with belongings on a rural road, conveying a sense of journey and struggle.
Book, In Progress
The Grapes of Wrath (1939)
by John Steinbeck
American Literature Classic Literature
Cover of "A Room of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf. A stylized floral pattern with bold, earthy tones; title and author’s name in white lettering.
Book, read May 7, 2026
A Room of One's Own (1929)
by Virginia Woolf
Essay Literary Non-Fiction
Cover of "Trout Fishing in America" by Richard Brautigan. Brautigan in a hat and Michaela Le Grand seated, both in vintage clothing, pose near a statue, conveying a bohemian vibe.
Book, read May 6, 2026
Trout Fishing in America (1967)
by Richard Brautigan
American Literature Nature Writing Satire
Black and white book cover of "McCullers: Complete Novels" featuring a thoughtful woman, hand on head. Titles listed below, elegant font. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Reflections in a Golden Eye, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, The Member of the Wedding, Clo
Book, read May 5, 2026
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1940)
by Carson McCullers
American Literature Debut Literary Fiction Top Pick
A blurred image of a rural soccer goal on a grassy field, surrounded by wildflowers. Pink blooms in the foreground add a contrast, evoking a serene mood.
Article, read May 5, 2026
How Should a Pixel Be?

The New York Review of Books, May 14, 2026

by Dennis Lim
Film Review
Abstract painting of Donald Trump with pink facial features, blonde hair, and wearing a black suit with a red striped tie, set against a dark background.
Article, read May 3, 2026
The Right Amount of Crazy: In Trump’s strategy of feigning madness to get what he wants, there is no longer any border between pretense and actual irrationality.

The New York Review of Books, May 14, 2026

by Fintan O'Toole
Essay
Cover of "O'Connor: Collected Works" shows a grayscale photo of a woman seated, smiling. Includes book titles like "Wise Blood" and "A Good Man Is Hard to Find."
Book, read May 3, 2026
A Good Man is Hard to Find: And Other Stories (1955)
by Flannery O'Connor
American Literature Stories
Light blue book cover with bold black text reading "Martin Luther King, Jr." and "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Penguin Modern Classics logo at top.
Book, read April 26, 2026
Letter From Birmingham Jail (1963)
by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Essay Opinion
Cover of Spoon River Anthology
Book, read April 20, 2026
Spoon River Anthology (1915)
by Edward Lee Masters
American Literature Poetry
Cover of Light in August
Book, In Progress
Light in August (1932)
by William Faulkner
American Literature Classic Literature
Book cover depicting a young Pat Metheny playing an electric guitar against a blurred, grassy background. Text reads "Beneath Missouri Skies: Pat Metheny in Kansas City 1964-1972."
Book, read April 13, 2026
Beneath Missouri Skies: Pat Metheny in Kansas City 1964-1972 (2021)
by Carolyn Glenn Brewer
Biography Music
"Book cover for 'In a Lonely Place' by Dorothy B. Hughes. A dramatic black-and-white image shows a face in shadow, with a window casting light. The mood is tense and mysterious."
Book, read April 8, 2026
In a Lonely Place (1947)
by Dorothy B. Hughes
Crime Fiction
Black and white image of a large white whale surfacing amid dark ocean waves, surrounded by flying seagulls. Text reads “Application for Release from the Dream, Tony Hoagland.”
Book, read April 5, 2026
Application for Release from the Dream (2015)
by Tony Hoagland
Poetry Top Pick
Cover of North Woods
Book, read February 7, 2026
North Woods (2023)
by Daniel Mason
Literary Fiction Nature Writing Pulitzer Prize Finalist Top Pick
Cover of Five Decembers
Book, read January 17, 2026
Five Decembers (2022)
by James Kestrel
Crime Fiction Top Pick
Colored pencil drawing of Dave Szalay.
Article, read January 10, 2026
All the Sad Unliterary Men

The New York Review, January 15, 2026

by Kevin Power
Book Review
An illustration of a crowd at a stadium, with a long row of men in the foreground who appear almost identical, all sporting beards and casual clothing. They are all looking toward a woman sitting at the end of the row, who appears to be sweating and looki
Article, read January 10, 2026
To Understand JD Vance, You Need to Meet the “TheoBros”

Mother Jones, December 1, 2024

by Kiera Butler
Essay Politics
Cover of I Deliver Parcels in Beijing
Book, read January 6, 2026
I Deliver Parcels in Beijing (2022)
by Hu Anyan • translated by Jack Hargreaves
Memoir
Cover of Fire Season
Article, read January 2, 2026
Fire Season: Returning to a Charred Neighborhood

The New Yorker, September 29, 2025

by Dana Goodyear
Essay