Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m a big Vivek Shraya fan, despite this being only the second book of hers I‘ve read (The Subtweet was the other and it was incredible). This collection of essays is a celebration of change and reinvention. I found the discussion about labels being “choices I make for the comprehension and comfort of others,” to be an interesting reframing. ⬇️

A thought-provoking book of essays I gobbled up. Shraya covers a lot of ground discussing change, reinvention, and fluidity through referencing fashion, trans identity, Sai Baba, Madonna, her own artistic practices in multiple mediums, friendships, bisexuality, divorce, and more. Shraya's writing on trans identity reminded me of Meredith Talusan's memoir Fairest, which also resists mainstream narratives about arriving at an inevitable true self.

About guru Sai Baba: " his biography ... wasn't unlike a queer coming-of-age: the delightful but odd child who doesn't quite fit in, the act of 'coming out,' the disapproving family, the change of name. Was my devotion to him forged in a belief that I too could recast my differences in a new light?"

"Seizing the moment has been less about embracing the present and more about understanding that I am not entitled to a future. None of us are."

What a delightful Christmas eve package this was! Vivek Shraya's new book, a cute little tote, and some mini hair conditioners. I'm not surprised Vivek Shraya has partnered with pantene as she has great hair. Looking forward to diving into this book length essay on change!