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Recently, on social media, Matt Haig shared an article someone had written about him entitled, “The Banality of Matt Haig.” He was quite upset about it, though valiantly trying to overcome. But here‘s my hope for him: that he may become more like the scores of women, myself included, who are able to accept that we just fucking like Starbucks, okay? It‘s okay to be a #BasicBitch (as long as you‘re both self-aware & kind). 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/2: Yes, The Midnight Library is a little obvious & heavy-handed: for instance, the message is largely one of self-growth & the protagonist is named Nora “Seed.” The librarian character‘s full name is Louise Isabella Elm: “L.I.E.” (like “lie”-brary, like Fiction, like a figment of one‘s imagination). (edited) 3y

monalyisha 2/2: But none of this makes it a bad book. It‘s still enjoyable, truthful, fanciful, stark, &, more often than not, hopeful. AND it‘s a bit meta, which I always enjoy. The book isn‘t just about all of the lives that Nora could have lived; it is, simultaneously, all of the versions of the story that Haig could have written (the first lines, the characters, the endings). The Humans is still my favorite of Matt Haig‘s books...but I liked this one! (edited) 3y

monalyisha #NewYearWhoDis @erinreads 3y

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Ericalambbrown I don‘t understand people writing mean articles about others‘ creative work. That title “the banality. . . “ Gross. I can see arguing if someone‘s work may have a harmful influence, but being mean out of a sense of superiority I just don‘t get. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 3y

monalyisha @Ericalambbrown Oh, yeah. That critic definitely needs to get over themselves. For sure. (And, in reality, reading that article about something *I‘d* written would probably destroy me, too. BUT: I stand by my assertion that it‘s okay to be basic, sometimes. 🤷‍♀️ It doesn‘t stop you from also being other, better adjectives, as well! Something you are one moment [or even sporadically!] doesn‘t have to be something you *always* are.) (edited) 3y

vivastory I stopped at Starbucks on my way home from work today & ordered a peppermint white mocha. I'm 💯 #basicbitch & I'm okay with it. Also, great review! 3y

AmyG @monalyisha Just be a kind person. The rest-aren‘t we all entitled to something we like? I also loved The Humans. (edited) 3y

monalyisha YES, @vivastory! Embrace it! ☕️ 3y

mcipher We have a whole slack channel at work for donuts, PSL, and being basic. It‘s awesome. 3y

monalyisha @mcipher Sounds like a great workplace! 🙌🏻✨ (edited) 3y

Amandajoy I love a heady novel, but sometimes I want something less complicated. I like a fancy coffee from a local coffee shop, but I also like a good latte from Starbucks. And dang it if Uggs don‘t keep my feet warm in winter, I‘m not giving those up. People need to quit being so judgey. 3y

monalyisha @Amandajoy That‘s the spirit! In the article, the columnist muses, “Every time one of his thoughts runs past my eyes, I end up wondering who, exactly, is going to feel better off because of this.” But the answer is: PLENTY of people! He‘s captivated millions of readers — with his novels *&* his posts. And sometimes, words said simply by someone different, even if they seem common, can sound new. Or just relatable. And that can matter! 3y

Amandajoy Yep! This is one I‘m looking forward to reading. And now I know to save it for when I want something feel good. 3y

monalyisha @AmandaJoy Ultimately...but it‘s a mix! 3y

erinreads Girl, I want to write reviews like you when I grow up! 😍 Always so well written and thoughtful. I‘m glad you liked this one! I see you also loved The Humans... such a good one, too. Have you read How to Stop Time? 3y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I'm absolutely in the basic bitch camp. Give me a Starbucks white chocolate mocha with raspberry to keep me warm in my skinny jeans, tall boots, flannel, and scarf. 3y

monalyisha @erinreads Thank you! 😭💕 I have. That & The Radleys, too! (My husband even loved The Humans. And he‘s not a novel guy *at all.*) 3y

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