Category Archives: books

Paris: A Memoir by Paris Hilton

Leave a reply

As you know, I love a good celebrity memoir, and Paris: A Memoir by Paris Hilton did not disappoint. I’m actually surprised this book hasn’t been more widely advertised or talked about in my media streams because the book is quite interesting, and I think everyone who has watched the Paris juggernaut over past decades will find this book to be of interest.

Most interestingly, Paris relays the horrifying treatment facilities she was put in as a child (in great detail) and her tumultuous teen (and adult) years. She contextualizes it all with her ADHD/neurodiversity, and honestly, as a reader, this context made it all make sense for me. It was also interesting to see the focus and vision she’s had for her career from very early on.

In the end, I think this book will truly be a gift to teens with ADHD and to people who aspire toward greatness. I would have liked to see more “how I built this”-style insights and more insights into social class, access, and fame, but she does touch on all of these to some extent.

She is entering a new era now–marriage and motherhood–and in the future I’ll definitely read another memoir from her that goes more into depth on these subjects as well.

The Blue Fox by Sjón

Leave a reply

The Blue Fox by Sjón is that beautiful, unique, and compelling work of literary prose that we all seek to read. My only critique is that perhaps it could have been just a bit longer, which is saying something coming from me.

Farm-Raised Kids by Katie Kulla

Leave a reply

This was a charming little book by a farmer I know from the west side of Oregon, Katie Kulla.

Parenting books can be difficult because parents tend to be exhausted, and advice and ideas are need, but there is no quiet, peaceful time to read! However, this book is easy to read, easy to digest, and it is informative, without making readers feel guilty or overwhelmed. It’s more like, “Hey, it’s good for kids walk go outside and walk on uneven ground.” Then, readers can feel good about letting their kid walk on uneven surfaces, play in dirt, or feel the sun on their skin once in awhile. It’s simple, basic stuff. It’s reaffirming, and I found it to be inspiring and encouraging.

I was also heartened to read that there are many different families, scenarios, and “farms” depicted, so that a broad range of readers might identify with the lives and lifestyles of these people. Go order Farm-Raised Kids by Katie Kulla now!

2024 reading list

Leave a reply

Here’s my 2024 reading list! I cannot believe that I read over 40 books! I felt like I read much more last year, and yet somehow I came out ahead. This year there were also several months in a row when I did not read anything (except for work). Despite this year’s quantity, I still count the previous year, 2023, as one of the best reading years of my life. That’s the year I discovered Elena Ferrante! Still, I read some delightful books this year. Siddhartha was excellent. The Lost Journals of Sacajawea was mind-altering. Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead was a quirky delight.

  1. A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley
  2. Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
  3. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
  4. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
  5. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
  6. Remembering Laughter by Wallace Stegner
  7. Modern Lovers by Emma Straub
  8. Tracing the Desire Line by Melissa Matthewson
  9. Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Kristiana Gregory
  10. Lila by Marilynne Robinson
  11. The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey
  12. Rough House by Tina Ontiveros
  13. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
  14. Florida by Lauren Groff
  15. The Lost Journals of Sacajewea by Debra Magpie Earling
  16. The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer
  17. Secret Harvests: A Hidden Story of Separation and the Resilience of a family Farm by David Mas Masumoto
  18. The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
  19. Challenging Pregnancy: A Journey Through the Politics of Science of Healthcare in America by Genevieve Grabman
  20. The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey
  21. Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss
  22. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink
  23. The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
  24. Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman
  25. Self Care by Leigh Stein
  26. Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Anker
  27. Witches, Midwives, and Nurses by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English
  28. Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
  29. Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck
  30. Women Talking by Miriam Toews
  31. Blue Nights by Joan Didion
  32. The Uptown Local by Cory Leadbeater
  33. The Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded by Molly McCully Brown
  34. Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead by Barbara Comyns
  35. Prairie, Dresses, Art, Other by Danielle Dutton
  36. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
  37. The Seas by Samantha Hunt
  38. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
  39. From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
  40. All Fours by Miranda July
  41. The Wild Wool Shepherdess by Elizabeth Kneafsey

The Wild Wool Shepherdess by Elizabeth Kneafsey

Leave a reply

I have been following @wildwoolshepherdess online for a few years now. Unsurprisingly, I am drawn to other women who are also been raising sheep and have found a sense camaraderie from that online community. So, when she wrote a book, The Wild Wool Shepherdess: Weave the Ancient Path, Reignite Your Feminine Fire, I definitely preordered it, both to support her and also to spend more time reading and thinking about sheep, of course!

The book is about her background and her transformation into her current beliefs and way of life. The last part of the book offers more specific guidance for bringing ancient wisdom back into one’s own life. I am always happy to read a memoir, and so I happily read through that part of the book, even though I didn’t identify closely with many of her experiences.

I really enjoyed the last part of the book. Many of her practices struck me as brave of her to share, and some things I cannot imagine integrating for myself. However, many practices did resonate with me. Spending time alone. Meditating next to a tree (try doing it without the distraction of people for three days!) Making and drinking teas. Honoring the subtle monthly shifts and going more easily during that time. Allowing others to care for you (opposed to self-care–don’t get me started on that…).

There are aspects of her thinking that do not resonate with me. For example, I am not a wolf person. Sheep are the animal that I resonate with much more, and wolves are the natural enemy to sheep! She addresses this, but it is clear that wolves are her animal, and sheep seem more about what the represent: the wool, the positive impact on the land, etc. However, she does also love the sheep and appreciate their emotional intelligence. In fact her book made me reflect on how much longer the memories seem to be in my northern short-tailed sheep. For example, a few months back, I had to give my ewe Opal two doses of antibiotics in a painful shot. She still seems to be remember and has been irritated with me ever since. I am trying to win back her favor.

All Fours by Miranda July

Leave a reply

I’m not sure there’s anything left for me to say that hasn’t already been said about Miranda July’s new book, All Fours, but I read it and so I’ll try to say something here. First, I always really appreciate July’s work and read it when I get the chance. She offers some great insights on the human condition and pairs it with lots of absurd, disgusting, and confusing action. Furthermore, for a bestseller, I can guarantee the writing will not be bad, and that’s more than I can say for a lot of bestsellers.

What I think it so important about the book, and what has given it all of this #allfoursgroupchat energy is that the the book tackles aging; emotional labor, especially in heterosexual relationships; and some of the physical changes and hormonal shifts women experience in their 40s and 50s. There are so many unique and terrible aspects of this reality that July captured accurately for me. I really appreciated that she gave it voice.

There are also many details seemingly based on some real events from her own life. This makes the book all the more engaging and compelling. The conclusion of the book does even more to mirror real life as the main character goes on book tour, except you know July hasn’t gone on tour yet before she’s done writing. It’s just a very unique way to end a book.

Overall, I know some readers won’t be able to handle this book because it is a lot. July’s work usually is. But, some of us will, and I hope that those of us who do like this book will be able to find that group chat.

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

Leave a reply

For the last decade or so, I’ve had a heightened interest in Elvis. What a legend! I love his staying power. I love his unique voice. I love the performance of it all. I especially love this song that totally melts my face.

So when I found out that Riley Keough and Lisa Marie Presley had written a memoir, I could not wait to read it. I was really hoping that Lisa Marie would have narrated her part, but it was read by Riley and Julia Roberts, and that was good too. Julia Roberts has a subtle Southern accent that really piques the imagination. There are also a few excerpts from Lisa Marie, and that is very satisfying.

Overall, From Here to the Great Unknown is an excellent book. Lisa Marie’s life was incredibly intense and full of tragedy, and the book portrays much of that in extreme detail. I learned new things. The descriptions of Graceland were incredible that I felt like I was there. Now I really want to visit Graceland!

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

Leave a reply

I’m not quite sure when I first became aware of The Barefoot Contessa (and Ina Garten), but it seems as though I’ve watched her forever on TV. I’ve always been drawn to her husky, steady voice, her cheery, but steadfast demeanor, and the aesthetic of her work–the food and ambiance. I also just love that name–Barefoot Contessa. So when she finally wrote her memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, I knew I wanted to read it.

The book is great, and her life is really fascinating. I was surprised to see the degree to which a feminist ideology ran through her story, through her life, and her choices. I found that I identified strongly with that aspect of her work.

However, I also noticed an incredible financial privilege and security that mostly goes without comment in the book. She is honest about times when she needed $100K for a building or a project. So it seems as though they were not super wealthy, but she definitely has always had access to circles that could help support her success. I’m sure some might think more commentary on that aspect of her life would have seemed uncouth, but I actually think her readers could handle more candid commentary on what the financial security felt like. For example, she writes about her uncertainty and turning down projects. But, interestingly, she was in a position to turn down work, and, well, that’s quite an interesting place of privilege.

Overall, it’s a great memoir, and I adore her even more. Now I’m going back to look at all of the beautiful cookbooks she’s created over the years too.

The Seas by Samantha Hunt

Leave a reply

I just finished the beautiful, haunting, absurd, and magitragic novel, The Seas, by Samantha Hunt. This is a book with a rich sense of place, compelling characters, and layers upon layers of themes and possible meanings, which shoot out in every direction.

At times, while reading, I had some judgement about the contemporary’s literary community’s dealings of mental illness. So often, it seems, authors borrow symptoms in ways that do not always feel ethical to me, but instead are used to shock and awe. However, by the end of this novel, Hunt had really earned it, in my opinion, and was able to demonstrate a deeper meaning and a broader purpose in her depiction of this strange and mesmerizing mermaid main character.

We’re nearing the end of the reading year now, and I’ll count this one among my favorites.

Prairie, Dresses, Art, Other by Danielle Dutton

Leave a reply

The beginning of this book was not what I expected. The middle part, however, was. I expected Prairie, Dresses, Art, Other by Danielle Dutton to be much more theoretical (and it was!), but the first few chapters threw me. In a good way. The first few chapters were even scary!

This book reminds me of some of Maggie Nelson’s recent stuff, but this book of Dutton’s has more imagery, perhaps even more narrative, throughout than Nelson’s most recent, On Freedom, for example. Both are from Coffee House Press, which continues to publish all of the best stuff that the mainstream publishers are afraid of.