I can admit when a book is perfect, and I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman is a perfect book. While maybe I do not love this book, and while maybe this book will never be one that I recall with fondness, and while this is not typically my genre, it is one that is wholly unique and one that will stick with me forever.
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan is a painstaking, painstaking novella. It’s beautifully written, no doubt. McEwan captures human nature and places it in a time of properness, confusion, ignorance. The book offers some wisdom about coupling, big picture, that would likely be lost on most readers who have not yet been in a relationship with a partner or spouse. McEwan uses a very detailed account of a sexual encounter to make some smart, larger commentary about human coupling. It’s good, but it is painful.
This book has been on my tbr list for over a year now, and I finally found a copy to read through interlibrary loan. My Mother Gets Married is an account of Moa Martinson’s own childhood growing up in impoverished Sweden around the turn of the last century
My own grandma was frugal, but everyone was who lived through the great depression. It wasn’t clear to me if her family immigrated more because of harsh living conditions in the old country or more because of the promise of the “new” world.
While I can’t be exactly certain of my family’s exact circumstances, I think perhaps things weren’t so dark as Martinson depicts in her book based on some information I have. Either way, the book offers insights into some of the culture in Sweden at that time. I appreciated learning about the schooling they would have received, the dresses they would have worn, and the tokens that would have been important to them.
Personal interests aside, Martinson’s writing is strong. There is a subtle, underlying and scathing observations on gender, social class, and justice. Martinson’s writing reveals a deep insight and understanding of the human condition.
I listened Atomic Habits by James Clear almost entirely while running on the treadmill. Learning about the compounding effects of healthy habits over time helped motivate me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Much of this information is not new, but it does help me to be reminded and reinspired from time to time.
This time around, one of the take aways that stuck with me the most is that habits are easier than motivation. It is easier to stick with a habit than it is to muster the motivation to decide do a thing day after day. Take the decision away whenever possible. If you’re just a person who does certain healthy things, then over time, you’ll just be a healthier version of yourself.
The book had me reflecting on my own habits. There are a few areas where I’m doing okay–lately I’ve been getting more exercise, eating a (slightly) cleaner diet, and I’ve stuck to some tough work deadlines over the past year and a half.
The book also highlights that I’m still spending plenty of time scrolling and sitting around. Now, sitting around is good and essential. Some scrolling might be okay too. But, intentional effort is still needed in this area, so that I can be more present and engaged with my family. This attention economy is no joke.
So, Pamela Anderson is interesting. She’s raised her children. She’s gardening in Canada. She’s on Broadway. She’s galavanting around Paris Fashion Week with a bare face! Gasp! I’m really enjoying seeing an iconic figure doing something a little different than the status quo, in both subtle and overtly radical ways.
I just finished her book, Love, Pamela, and I really enjoyed it. She comes across as aware, intentional, not overtly prudish at all, but much more thoughtful than most women in her position are ever allowed to be.
Weirdly, perhaps, I identify with some aspects of Pamela’s life, especially her whirlwind romance with Tommy. He even proposed with a skull ring similar to the one that I received after a show from the person with whom I would later have children. Like Pamela, I also have seen some things, but like grounding back in familiar land, gardening, chickens, etc. Of course, there are also some critical and obvious differences too!
I appreciate that her voice is being amplified, and I look forward to seeing what’s next from this icon.
Making Love with the Land by Joshua Whitehead is one of the best there is in contemporary literary prose. I want to say that Whitehead is incredibly “playful” on the level of the line–unique and like nothing I’ve ever seen before–but “playful” doesn’t seem quite like the right word because of intensity and oftentimes heaviness of the content, but a better alternative escapes me. The book is vulnerable, embarrassing, and brave and deserving of the accolades.
A friend gave me this book, and, as you know, I like a comedian’s memoir. Dear Girls by Ali Wong is that great blend of comedy and memoir, with some important social commentary about race and gender sprinkled in throughout.
Some readers may think it doesn’t age well since the author and her husband divorced shortly after the release of this book, and the book covers their relationship extensively, but this book is still worthwhile and captures a moment and a sentiment worth capturing.
I don’t often read books that I think will appeal to a wide range of readers–those romancey, thriller, and beach readers. However, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver was that book: great, accessible to a broad audience, and also…read by me.
The Bean Trees was the first Kingsolver book I ever read, and I remember absolutely loving it. That was probably over years ago! I am continually impressed by Kingsolver’s ability to put herself into other worlds and characters with such conviction. She also layers in social issues in a way that is compelling, but without disrupting the narrative flow.
Overall, this is a compelling book, a great narrative, a great main character, important, perhaps a bit too long (although by now you know how I like a pithy book) and one that will, I think, have a lasting impact in literature. Oh, and Kingsolver also gardens and raises sheep, which you can see on her social media, so you know she’s good!
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.
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.
