The only time I doggy-ear my books are to mark especially good poems in especially good books of poetry

Much more than a portrait of poet Robert Duncan, it puts you right in the heart of the 50s literary San Francisco. Although the 50s and 60s beatnik scene seems exciting and progressive it was still a very scary time for queer people. Rumaker consistently calls San Francisco a "police state", which is something so far from my idealization of it.

Learning queer history through queer voices is a great way to celebrate pride! ?

These stories are unlike any I've read before. I laughed out loud and by the final pages I was crying. His timeline is confusing at times since the stories aren't linear but that could be because he seems to have lived many lives. This reads quickly, but I'll be thinking about it for a while.

P.S. I managed to score this flawless hardcover edition for $.50 at a used book store. Dig through those local shelves instead of Amazon sometimes, y'all!

A good example of how Trevor Noah mixes humor with super poignant reflections on his experience growing up in South Africa

BRB gonna go pick up some chicken nuggets 🍟

This started out slow for me but about 30 pages in I was as hopelessly hooked as I was on its predecessor. It is the type of novel that keeps you locked in its orbit - I spent the week jonesing for my next opportunity to re-enter its world. I don't think that these novels have been life-changing so far but they have definitely been fantastic reads. I'm taking a break from Naples for a book or two but I look forward to finishing the series later.

JUNE 2019: I finally went down the Ferrante wormhole! To my surprise, my favorite character is Naples. The way she depicts the widespread poverty and violence after WWII and how that affected the city's working class is striking. I found a great Time Magazine article about the history of Naples in conversation with these novels, which I really suggest. I've started book two and I am kind of lukewarm about it so far. Did anyone else feel that way?

JUNE 2019: This morning I sat under a tree and accidentally read this whole book - I don't know if it was because of a good farmer's market, good breakfast, good shade, or straight up pollen fever but I think it was just a damn good book. If you loved AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RED as much as I did I think you would enjoy this too.

(May 2019) Beautiful story about family, womanhood, love, and immigrant live in the United States. Although definitely sad at times (and a major trigger warning: suicide) the way the author is able to guide you through the darkness with her beautiful prose and complex characters is really compelling.

(May 2019) I finally finished White Teeth and wow I really enjoyed it but I feel like there is so much to it that I would love to spend some more time digesting it. Does anyone have some good recommendations for essays on it? Also happy to discuss here!

M19 - This has been on my list for a long time and I finally read it -and definitely lives up to all of the hype! Adichie's bold and poignant commentary on blackness in the United States is made even more powerful when accompanied by her incredible prose and story-telling. Her subtle, spot-on characterizations throughout this novel and HALF OF A YELLOW SUN and her descriptions of the nuances in every relationship is some of the best I've read. 👏

(January 2019) What can I say that hasn't already been said about this incredible memoir? This should be required reading for young women because of Obama's honest and powerful take on womanhood. She encourages women to recognize their own worth, stand up for themselves, and cling to their girl gang. Listening to her narration, I felt like I was part of her warm inner circle. Thank you, Michelle! #librofm

(January 2019) Unlike anything I've read before - grotesque, poetic, thought-provoking, and unabashedly queer.

(April 2019) "The beast which Giovanni had awakened in me would never go to sleep again; but one day I would not be with Giovanni anymore....With this fearful intimation there opened in me a hatred for Giovanni which was as powerful as my love and which was nourished by the same roots."

(March 2019) Hanif always delivers, this is no exception

(March 2019) Frankly, I wish someone warned me about the ending because it kept me up at night. The book was slow to get into but I think once you get past part one, the pace really picks up. This book carries with it powerful stories that are important to read.

(March 2019) I read this is one sitting...it's the sort of book that I had to find someone to discuss it with

(April 2019) I was really excited about this because of all the hype...I thought it was really well-written and a very creative story but the author's description of the female protagonist was a little male gaze-y...

(April 2019) I bought this at first because she has the same name as me...but I grew to really enjoy it! Funny and insightful. A great read.

(March 2019) Very interesting, lots of good symbolism but moves a little slow

(April 2019) Amazing, one of the best books I have read in a while. Powerful storylines and compelling characters that I miss spending time with.

"I like my women like I like my coffee, black and sweet. And I like my men like I like my mimosa - transparent."
(January 2019)

(January - April 2019) I read this very gradually - a few entries at a time for a few months. It was the perfect way to read the small, digestible moments of David Sedaris's wisdom. Loved getting a peek into his mind.