Welcome to Litsy!

Based on the two essay collections I read this month, I have decided that maybe I only like Zadie Smith‘s essays occasionally. I enjoyed the essays on Zora Neale Hurston, Liberia, her dad and other personal topics, but I didn‘t care for the more academic essays on other authors/writing (I skipped most of these after trying them). This book was a struggle for me to pick up and felt like the book that never ended. #AAMSmith #AuthorAMonth

This was great! The first 2 chapters were a bit much-I call it clin-acad-oteric (clinical, academic, esoteric). In -depth analyses of several authors including E. M. Forster and Henry James. The other essays included sharp-witted movie reviews, trip to Liberia 🇱🇷, family history, time with Dad. The final chapter: David Foster Wallace. That was brilliant! I‘d read several short works of his-exhausting to read even a few pages! He can write an 👇

Found this reference to White Teeth in Smith‘s NF book (tagged), in a chapter about the craft of writing

She is such a brilliant writer and I generally enjoy her. There were just too many essay topics on which I do not have any interest. I am going to read one of her novels before reading her new essay collection.

I am thrilled about spending some time with one of the new friends I have discovered. Bonus that it is a book of essays.

My introduction to Smith's writing, this book blew me away with its clarity and technical perfection. The subjects the essays deal with are often esoteric though and the academic tone often presented an obstacle to getting completely immersed in the book. Still what I read of it makes me want to read her fiction.

#nonfiction #zadiesmith

I could have read one more and evened it out to 250 but I didn't want to. I wrote three books this year. I wrote the same book two times and then a completely dofferent one. One was 113k words and the other 52k.

I read a lot more than this number suggests. I got into Korean webtoons and have spent hours reading in a language I didn't think I would be able to.

I am so ready for 2018 books.

Happy new year!!!

#readingchallenge

What is it short of cosmic coincidence when the first essay in the book I pick up directly after finishing "TEWWG", is a defense of this particular work? When I finish a book that stirred me, I often spend time reading reviews in an effort to further solidify my reaction to it. This essay gave context to the book, the themes and the colloquial language. How appropriate that it was written by Zadie Smith, the finest writer of dialogue I've read.

"Their Eyes Were Watching God: What Does Soulful Mean?"

On writing. Smith points out how Hurston's writing is ultimately relatable. Her imagery allows you to visualize what she is describing while also triggering a personal memory that might be similar in some way. #blackwomen #feminism #writer #woc #black

"That Crafty Feeling".

On writing. 2017 is my writing year. I joined a writing challenge and launched two separate blogs. One of the blogs is dedicated to personal essays, which is the writing challenge. The other is dedicated to my cultural critiques on my everyday life. I have an editor. I also submitted an article highlighting a social justice issue and also amplifying a campaign.

Searching to develop my voice. #blackwomen #writer #feminism

A collection of essays and previously published articles, covering a range of topics from literature, to Hollywood, to family Christmases. My favorite, by far, is Speaking in Tongues, which discusses race and the election of President Obama. #litsyatoz #letterC

"This book was written without my knowledge." #firstlines #essays #literature #cinema #class #england #writing #family

Definitely having a Zadie Smith moment...

Nowadays I know the true reason I read is to feel less alone, to make a connection with a consciousness other than my own.

Above all I had to let go of my objection to the love tribulations of women.

Oh, Zadie, how I love you. Here she tackles topics as diverse as EM Forster, a visit to post-war Liberia, the Oscars, family Christmasses and in a particularly poignant and heartbreaking essay the campaign of the recently-elected Barack Obama (a candidate for the #overthis reading list). Inevitably I found some more interesting than others but each one is exquisitely constructed

#ZadieSmith

Fascinating article by Zadie Smith on resisting fiction by black authors as a teenager and having (some of) that resistance overturned by Their Eyes Were Watching God

If i wanted to be anyone but myself maybe it would be wonderful inter-portant zadie ❤️💙❤️💙💙❤️💙💙❤️ (bc she thinks beautifully)

Except dictionaries, that cover is closest to the #textonlycover from my shelves and still in the category TBR ☺️

#booktober