Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Northwest
Northwest | Zadie Smith
One of the New York Times Book Review's 10 Best Books of 2012 Set in northwest London, Zadie Smiths brilliant tragicomic novel follows four localsLeah, Natalie, Felix, and Nathanas they try to make adult lives outside of Caldwell, the council estate of their childhood. In private houses and public parks, at work and at play, these Londoners inhabita complicated place, as beautiful as it is brutal, where the thoroughfares hide the back alleys and taking the high road can sometimes lead you to a dead end. Depicting the modern urban zonefamiliar to city-dwellers everywhereNW is a quietly devastating novel of encounters, mercurial and vital, like the city itself.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
blurb
GatheringBooks
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

#AutumnPlease! Day 31: This experimental novel feels like wearing the #Costume of one‘s zip code. The biting verse, poetry almost in its distillation, of this tale of a city has made it come alive along with its inhabitants and their foibles and musings and longings for a life other than the one they are living. For our #DecolonizeReading2023 reading theme.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 12mo
Eggs Pretty ✨🍨🍰 12mo
43 likes2 comments
review
Skygoddess1
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Panpan

Of the three Zadie Smith novels I‘ve read so far, this was my least favorite. I didn‘t like any of the characters which made for the low rating. Listened on audio and the narration was good though. #AuthorAMonth #BookSpinBingo #BookSpin

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 4y
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
vlwelser
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image
Pickpick

This author's books are incredibly dense. I really liked this and if you like her other books, I definitely recommend it. And who wouldn't be drawn to this incredibly exciting cover? Lol. 😂

#AuthorAMonth with @Soubhiville

#DoubleSpin done!
#BookSpinBingo
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
NyxReads
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Book club got me reading some things ... I know her writing style is well liked but it‘s not for me and I‘m struggling 😭 Audio book on point, though

review
Esin
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
Mehso-so

This book feels experimental, critical, and new. Smith hops between literary styles and formats, exploring her characters from all angles. I guess I couldn‘t keep up.

blurb
MallenNC
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

This is the only Zadie Smith book I‘ve read. I have some of her others on my TBR. I read this because it was short listed for the Women‘s Prize. I liked it but the style took getting used to! #AugustAuthors

OriginalCyn620 What kind of style was it? I tried to read White Teeth but couldn‘t get into it! 4y
MallenNC @OriginalCyn620 I think it was stream of consciousness. It‘s been awhile since I read it but that‘s what I recall. I never tried White teeth. 4y
OriginalCyn620 Oh, I do not like stream of consciousness! 4y
22 likes3 comments
review
MommyWantsToReadHerBook
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Pickpick

The London worlds of Caribbean immigrants and descendants created by Zadie Smith are so far removed from my reality but sonehow I just love her so much. She has a way of pinpointing some part of universal reality that makes me gasp as if she knows me. This book is definitely a different read, more disjointed, and in the beginning I struggled with it, but I love open endings and messiness and ended up loving it.

63 likes2 stack adds
quote
MommyWantsToReadHerBook
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

I'm enjoying this book, after taking a bit of time to get into it. Had a chuckle at this part (PW Botha was an apartheid era prime minister and president of South Africa and the reason for international sanctions against our country).

blurb
WhatWouldJaneDo
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Two errands done by 9am so time to #treatyoself to a croissant and some cafe reading on a gorgeous Leap day morning!

Nute Good Leap Day Morning!😊 5y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

#Top10oftheDecade #Fiction Edition

Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
In the Skin of a Lion - Michael Ondaatje
NW - Zadie Smith
Kindred - Octavia Butler
Burial Rites - Hannah Kent
A History of Love - Nicole Krauss
Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller
The Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri
Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet - Becky Chambers
Women Talking - Miriam Toews

(Based on date read, not published 👍📚)

Cinfhen Women Talking was EXCELLENT!!!! Great list!!!!!! 5y
Addison_Reads Great list. I just read Kindred this year and loved it. 💚 5y
Kalalalatja Great list! 5y
readordierachel Good choices! 5y
51 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
UglyOldBat
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image
review
Taylor
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Mehso-so

A book like this I have to put up against other novels going for a similar achievement—stuff like what Helen DeWitt writes, or Foster Wallace or Pynchon—and I don‘t think this novel holds up there.

She chose to write it this way, so those are the comparisons I end up making: rather challenging, postmoderny material that can strain the reader.

I don‘t think Smith pulls it off nearly as well.

I still love this author though.

blurb
Mitch
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Cute map that replaces London tube stations with the names of novels set in their vicinity

https://www.inthebook.com/en-gb/literary-tube-map/

LiteraryinPA That‘s so clever! 5y
Caroline2 Awesome!!! 😯 5y
Laura317 Very cool! I saw a Doctor Who version awhile back that was fun. 5y
See All 7 Comments
Fridameetslucy @mitch ohhhh thank you. I sent it straight away to my travel buddy for the London trip 5y
Mitch @Fridameetslucy I thought of you as soon as I saw it! 5y
BethR91 I love this! I live in tooting so looks like atonement is my closest book :) 5y
Mitch @BethR91 I‘m in Hackney and I‘ve got Ian Sinclair! 5y
82 likes7 comments
review
andrew61
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image
Pickpick

After mixed feelings abt Swing Time i loved this story of life in the london suburb of Caldwell told through the voice of two childhood friends.Leah trapped in a marriage but not wanting children, + Natalie a barrister who has dragged herself from her poor origins to the height of her profession but faces a crisis in her life. These stories book end felix a tale of modern London society very resonant of current headlines.A Brilliant tale.

39 likes2 stack adds
review
zsuzsanna_reads
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Pickpick

I might have liked this book less if I hadn't listened to the audiobook. Or if I wasn't familiar with this area of London (the NW postcode area), even if I've never lived here.

As with all of Zadie Smith's work, I found it a bit too uneven. But maybe that's like NW itself. It's one of those books that opened a window into the lives of people living alongside me in the same city.

Apparently there's also a BBC drama worth watching.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

48 likes1 stack add
quote
Michael_Gee
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith

Wasn't it possible that what others mistook as intelligence might in fact be only a sort of mutation of the will? She could sit in one place longer than other children, be bored for hours without complaint, and was completely devoted to filling in every last corner of the coloring books.

11 likes1 stack add
review
readordierachel
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Pickpick

Another well-written, engaging, & uneven read from Smith. A story in 4 parts, each following a different character (tho they are all linked in some way), as they navigate life in northwest (NW) London. The writing & pacing take some getting used to: can be a little choppy, a little experimental. Once I got the rhythm, I was hooked. Lots of "Oh, yes" moments when Smith drops in something particularly insightful or true. Plus, she's funny. ⬇️

readordierachel I thought the first 2 sections were solid, the third section was pretty much perfect, and the final section took a hard left turn that I didn't really understand and could have done without. When Smith is on, she is ON, but she seems to have a kitchen sink approach and includes every thought and idea that comes to her. Some are more successful than others. ⬇️ 6y
readordierachel Same issue I had with Swing Time, but I liked this more. OK, I'm done rambling. Tl;dr I liked it it a lot/it had some issues 6y
batsy Great review! Her kitchen sink approach is what makes me think that I probably won't enjoy White Teeth as much now as when I first read it. But I definitely want to read this one for its themes of austerity Britain, capitalism, etc. 6y
See All 10 Comments
vivastory Fantastic review! I really need to get back to her essays! 6y
readordierachel @batsy Thanks! I've been wondering the same thing about White Teeth, which I remember being enamored of when I read it as a 20-something, but I think I'll go ahead and reread it anyway 😆. This is one is definitely worth reading. Look forward to your thoughts! 6y
readordierachel @vivastory Thanks! I was wondering if you had finished them yet. But that's the great thing about essays, you can dip in and out as you please 😊 6y
RaimeyGallant Nice review. :) 6y
RohitSawant Terrific review! I haven't read her yet but hoping to start with Swing Time soon! 6y
readordierachel @rohit-sawant Thanks! Look forward to your thoughts. She gives you lots to think about 😊 6y
93 likes10 comments
quote
readordierachel
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

"It is perhaps the profound way in which capitalism enters women's minds and bodies that renders 'ruthless comparison' the basic mode of their relationships with others."

batsy !!! I need to read this! 6y
saresmoore What @batsy said! 6y
readordierachel @batsy @saresmoore It's a great read so far. Lots of these little truth bombs. I highly recommend! 6y
See All 6 Comments
merelybookish Not my favourite ZS but I liked this book. Felt a bit Virginia Woolf-ish. 6y
readordierachel @merelybookish I just finished it and am still marinating, but I liked it too. Better than Swing Time (even though I ultimately liked that one too) 6y
minkyb That is a lot to ponder. 6y
96 likes1 stack add6 comments
quote
readordierachel
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

I am delighted by this Mrs. Doubtfire reference. Sometimes you gotta do a little work for it, but Smith is pretty funny. It's often subtle, but it's there.

Tanisha_A What a delightful movie, Mrs. Doubtfire! 😀 6y
readordierachel @Tanisha_A It is! Although it's been awhile since I saw it 😊 6y
87 likes2 comments
review
Emilymdxn
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Pickpick

One of the best books set in London I think I‘ve ever read! I‘ve read a couple things by Zadie Smith before but I read them too young and can‘t remember much about them. Desperately want to read more by her now. It‘s not that often that I‘m this excited about a British novel

Billypar Just started my first of hers - the essay collection, Feel Free. They are excellent so far- what a brilliant and creative thinker. 6y
Emilymdxn @Billypar I really want to read that one! 6y
30 likes2 comments
blurb
Emilymdxn
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

So excited to read this! I‘ve heard amazing things

blurb
moarbookspleaze
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

I had the pleasure of seeing Zadie Smith on Friday night. #unboundbookfestival

Buddys_Momma Zadie!!! 7y
41 likes1 comment
blurb
MissMatildaHoney
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

A good use of a rare half day from work!

blurb
Leannr
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

It took a couple of chapters to get used to the writing style but I'm enjoying the character development.

16 likes1 stack add
blurb
rachaich
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image

Impromptu library visit with younger dsughter led me to choosing this.
Because, you know, a to read pile of library or borrowed books doesn't count as more books ;) ;)
#libraryfan #toread #pilesofbooks

12 likes1 stack add
blurb
quietjenn
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Whenever there's a #shelfie prompt, it's so hard to decide which one to choose. This one has recent acquisitions (including swap books), some beloved author and a load of mass markets. #riotgrams

Ddzmini I‘m glad I‘m not the only one who has to double or triple stack books on a shelf 📚📚😝 7y
Gissy Are you two bookaholic? @Ddzmini What a relief, because this is the symptom to be part of Litsy 😂🤣Me too🙋🏻 7y
Chrissyreadit I ❤️ this picture! 7y
See All 10 Comments
Ddzmini I have two shelf that have three deep stacks and I‘m still buying/ordering books 📚 😝 @Gissy 🤣🤣 7y
quietjenn @Gissy @Ddzmini we are definitely in the right place! Multiple rows are pretty much a necessity and it's so hard to stop ... (not that I *really* want to) 7y
quietjenn @Chrissyreadit thank you! I think it definitely captures me well. 7y
Ddzmini I just keep ordering and buying I CANT stop!!! 😝📚📚📚📖 7y
Gissy @Ddzmini don't forget the swaps! ☺️ 7y
Ddzmini @Gissy no and that‘s another problem I just keep getting stuff for the Funko pop swap and the book I‘m going to have to mail is going to have to be crazy 😜 7y
Ddzmini Box 📦 🙄 7y
71 likes1 stack add10 comments
review
Deborah42
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image
Mehso-so

N-W is less of a traditional story and more of a day in the life of a section of London. The characters navigating the city are less real than the city itself, which Smith brings vividly into life in all its busy, noisy glory. When I finished the book, I had lots of questions about what was actually happening with the characters, but I felt like I could walk through NW London and recognize its rhythms. Loved some of it, hated some of it.

blurb
Andrea313
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

I saw this recently on a list of Books to Read Before You're #30 and I wholeheartedly agree! #thirty #novemberbythenumbers

5 likes1 stack add
review
Dolly
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Bailedbailed

The effort of this author was lost on me. The audio was difficult to understand with its heavy accents and choppy storyline. Was I hearing the end of a chapter or the end of a short story? Where am I in this book? Frustrated and uninterested I left.

39 likes1 stack add
blurb
Pagesandscreen
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
review
Kalalalatja
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image
Mehso-so

I don't know what it is with Smith's books and characters, but it almost feels like she doesn't want me to like and connect with her characters. In this, I felt distanced from all of the characters, so even though I kinda liked the story, I just couldn't connect with it. But still, I wanted to keep reading it, once I got going.

Suet624 Yup, you're totally in her head. 😂 7y
Moray_Reads I have similar feelings. I hated this one for a while and though I ended up looking it you can never get close to the characters. I felt the same about Swing Time but with that one I disliked it right to the end 7y
shawnmooney You've described my issue with her fiction to a T. 7y
See All 10 Comments
Cinfhen I've yet to readZS & now I'm thinking "why bother?!?" #somanybookssolittletime 7y
emilyhaldi I haven't read any of her books yet and I haven't felt compelled to 🤷🏻‍♀️ 7y
Kalalalatja @Cinfhen @emilyhaldi I find it difficult, because I think she is a really interesting and inspiring woman, so I keep thinking her books must be awesome, but I haven't felt that. I want to love her, but I just can't. But I can't say I will never pick up another of her books, either. 🤷‍♀️ 7y
Kalalalatja @Suet624 It's so damn frustrating! 😄 7y
Kalalalatja @Moray_Reads The more I think about both this and Swing Time, the more positively I feel towards them, but I will never love either of them. 7y
Kalalalatja @shawnmooney I just don't get it! Why? Why the distance?? 7y
Lmstraubie I've only read this one by her and didn't love it. I feel like I need to read something else before giving up. 7y
88 likes10 comments
blurb
Kalalalatja
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image

Loading up on carbs, sun and words before going to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art where the literature festival is being held 🌞📚

#louisianalit #bookwormontour

DivineDiana Perfect! 😉 7y
Jinjer Yum! What is that spirally one? 7y
emilyhaldi Enjoy!! 📚📚📚 7y
See All 9 Comments
Kalalalatja @Jinjer a lemon meringue pie 😋 7y
Lcsmcat Yum! 7y
Kalalalatja @DivineDiana @Lcsmcat it was delicious! 👌 @emilyhaldi thanks! 📚👏 7y
Jinjer OMG yum. 7y
JazzFeathers Sounds like you're having an awesome day 😊 7y
Kalalalatja @JazzFeathers I really am, and I get to do more of the same stuff tomorrow ☺️ 7y
105 likes9 comments
blurb
Kalalalatja
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image

After my sunny #bookmail earlier, I thought I would go out and enjoy the actual sun 🌞 I'm preparing for Louisiana Literature Festival this weekend and reading some Zadie Smith before hopefully seeing her on Saturday 👌

#currentlyreading

Cinfhen Yay for sun & seeing Zaide!!!! 7y
ephemeralwaltz Awesome! 7y
minkyb ‼️‼️‼️How exciting. 7y
Lmstraubie Have a great time!!! 7y
93 likes4 stack adds5 comments
blurb
Kalalalatja
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image

My #Augustmostanticipated experience is going to a literature festival in Denmark at the end of August, and these are some of the authors who will be there! I have ordered Smith, Whitehead and Mbue's books, and hopefully I will have read them before I go, and then we will see which other books make it home with me ?

Paul Auster, Yu Hua, Valeria Luiselli, Álvaro Enrigue, Chris Kraus and others will also be there

Any must see/reads?
#AnditsAugust

mrozzz 😲😲😲 Siri H. is a pretty great writer. 👌🏻 7y
aeeklund HOLY CRAP, that's an AMAZING lineup!!! 7y
Cinfhen Great graphics and I'm attempting 7y
See All 18 Comments
minkyb That is an amazing group. I really like Behold the Dreamers! 7y
Avanders "Literature Festival" ... sounds absolutely wonderful ? And a great lineup! Can't wait to hear about it! 7y
BarbaraBB I love Hustvedt, I should go and see/read her! 7y
BarbaraBB She's married to Paul Auster by the way, so they have a nice trip together! 7y
Kalalalatja @mrozzz @BarbaraBB the only reason I didn't order one of her books beforehand was because I couldn't choose between her new essay collection or this on 7y
Kalalalatja @aeeklund I know, I was over the Moon when it was announced!! @minkyb it is so high on my #tbr right now! @Avanders I will post lots of pictures! 👍 @Cinfhen I'm a bit on the fence about it, so I want to hear her talk before I decide to pick it up or not 7y
BarbaraBB Or read the fantastic 7y
Kalalalatja @BarbaraBB I have heard great things about that one too! I should just buy them all 😄 7y
aeeklund I am inSANEly jealous!! 7y
Avanders Yay for pics! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 7y
hlgreenfield Oh wow!!!! What a line-up!!! I am beyond jealous! Enjoy 7y
Kalalalatja @aeeklund @hlgreenfield there's always the possibility of taking a trip to Denmark yourselves 😄 7y
mrozzz I have both but only read Blazing World 7y
Kalalalatja @mrozzz did you like it? 😊 7y
mrozzz @Kalalalatja yes! It takes some focus. If I remember correctly it's sort of complicated but I thought it worthwhile 😊 7y
96 likes1 stack add18 comments
blurb
Blaire
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

I really like Zadie Smith, especially some of her essays, but the only book of hers I've read is her first - white teeth. This is on my tbr, picked up a copy a while back. #jubilantjuly #startswithmno #shelfie

sylvia_read White Teeth is a #mustread. 7y
23 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Quincywig
N-W | Zadie Smith
Pickpick

Tricky to get into due to the unusual writing style and her way of presenting spoken dialogue but at the same time this made the characters more relatable.

blurb
emilyjwhit9
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Sometimes you just need your mommy, sometimes your mommy just needs to read Zadie Smith

blurb
Laura317
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Love a good Dollar Tree book find!!

LauraBeth 👏👏 8y
Graciouswarriorprincess 👍🏻👏🏻 8y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
bekakins
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
Pickpick

I found this hard to get into, I really struggled with the first section from Leah's perspective. However by Keisha/Natalie's section I was flying through it, read the final 3/4 in an afternoon!

Leannr @bekakins that was my exact experience too! I almost wish the order was reversed so I could have engaged with Leah more. 7y
1 like1 comment
review
FreshMintTea
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Pickpick

Loved this snapshot of London life!
Special surprise was finding out at the end of the book that Ini Kamoze or Here Comes the Hotstepper fame wrote Welcome to Jamrock! Who knew!?!?
#popreferences #nw #zadiesmith #londonbooks #ukbooks

blurb
FreshMintTea
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Loving this one but very difficult to squeeze in any reading time between crying newborn and demanding toddler! #NW #zadiesmith #badmummy

blurb
emilyjwhit9
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Commuting to work with Zadie Smith. I can't wait to sink my teeth into this one. I am a huge Zadie Smith fan; clearly a bit behind in my reading of her work, but no less excited. Heard mixed things about this book, but I know it won't disappoint!

review
Books_Wine_Repeat
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image
Mehso-so

This story follows four adults that attended or lived in the same neighborhood. The different paths their lives take and the paths that cross seemingly unaware of one another. A decent story but it dragged on and on in parts. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

blurb
BooksForEmpathy
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

Hi! Happy Saturday.

We got new shelves installed last week (does anyone else love The Container Store!?) and I haven't shared them here yet. I was running out of room on my rainbow shelves under the stairs and so these were very necessary. My partner suggested I just stop buying so many books. NO WAY! Non-book-obsessed people don't understand. He did come up with this idea though = forgiven. Pretty pleased with how it turned out 😍.

#shelfie

TheLibrarian Super cute! 8y
TheWordJar Beautiful! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled That looks great! Love all your plants!! 8y
See All 27 Comments
Tamra ? That comment is definitely someone who doesn't understand the nature of the book "thing." Beautiful! 8y
KarenUK They look amazing! 😍 8y
Reviewsbylola Those look amazing!! 8y
DeborahSmall Beautiful! In my old house before I had one big room for my books I put floating shelves like this in my kitchen/dining room and 2 in my bedroom when I ran out of room in my living room ❤️ 8y
tysephine That looks so nice! I'm so jealous ☺ 8y
Bklover Love the Container Store!!!! And it looks beautiful! 8y
Notafraidofwords I love The Container Store. The one here is like An hour away but I go with my bf all the time. He even loves it. 8y
HardcoverHearts It looks fantastic and I adore the top row of plants! 8y
LeahBergen 😍😍 8y
alisonrose Thing of beauty! 8y
Rose1 It's just lovely! 8y
kspenmoll Love it! Plants and books!!! 📚 (edited) 8y
anwade88 Wow gorgeous! 8y
asiriusreader Love The Container Store!! Looks awesome! 8y
LauraBrook Omg, this is some seriously gorgeous #bookporn!!! So beautiful! 8y
OrangeMooseReads Beautiful! 😍 8y
Bette Amazing! Really beautiful. 👍❤️ 8y
Laalaleighh 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻 8y
stacybmartin Lovely! 😍 8y
Zelma Wow, that is just beautiful and so pleasing to the eye! 8y
Weaponxgirl Your plants look amazing too! Such a great shelf 8y
Gissy Lovely! So pretty and organized! Are the plants real? They give a touch of life, love this idea!! 📚📚😍 8y
ValerieAndBooks Very nice 😍📚📚📚!! 8y
Faibka Absolutely beautiful 💕 8y
173 likes2 stack adds27 comments
blurb
magictoyshop
N-W | Zadie Smith
post image

Oh, here's another one #judgedbyitscover. I've not even read it yet 😦 but I know I should! I've only ever heard wonderful things about #zadiesmith ! #marchintoreading

blurb
missberlyreads
NW: A Novel | Zadie Smith
post image

#riotgrams Day 21: #coolspines I 💜 my spine bookshelves!