Tom Ryan, Author

Tom Ryan, Author

Share this post

Tom Ryan, Author
Tom Ryan, Author
November's What Are You Reading?

November's What Are You Reading?

I'm sure there will be plenty of holiday shopping ideas!

Tom Ryan's avatar
Tom Ryan
Nov 17, 2021
∙ Paid
173

Share this post

Tom Ryan, Author
Tom Ryan, Author
November's What Are You Reading?
97
Share

This was the first day the cold and wind of the season required me to layer my clothing. Even with wearing my heaviest hat and thick fleece gloves, I felt that familiar ache in the bones when we arrived home and returned to the comfort of the indoors. Our second walk began before dusk. We walked into the forest during the gloaming, snow began to fall, and in my headlamp’s beam, it felt as if we were speeding through space as the flakes, and a few dead leaves, blurred by us. By the time we reached the meadow, the clouds had lifted, and we were under the stunning light of a waxing gibbous moon.

At home, two steaming mugs of chai tea were called for and a soak in the bathtub. It was there that I finished Gary Shtenyngart’s Our Country Friends and was left moved and contemplative.

When I first heard about the book, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it. For it takes place during the first six months of the pandemic and is about several un-relatable (at least to me) city dwellers who head to the coun…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Tom Ryan, Author to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Tom Ryan
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share