so-soI really liked parts of this book, but overall it felt a little... well, if you've spent a lot of time with the concepts involved -- illness, rest, motherhood, resilience, beauty and hardiness, the instructive possibilities of sadness or difficulty, the value of coping with life vs. trying to "fix" everything -- then it may come across as a bit redundant. I wanted more depth and teeth. Still. It's a great introduction and/or reminder.
"The starkness of winter can reveal colors we would otherwise miss. I once watched a fox cross a frosty field, her coat shining against the gloom. Waking in the bare winter woodland, I am surrounded... There is the bright yellow of gorse on heathland, glowing until spring comes, as well as the stately evergreens... Life goes on abundantly in winter -- changes made here will usher us into future glories."
"No, delightful as the pastime of measuring may be, it is the most futile of occupations, and to submit to the decrees of the measurers the most servile of attitudes."
There are some aches witch hazel can't assuage; for those, we need each other.
Reading is my general self-care necessity, but since March when covid caused things to shut down and social distancing became normal, I haven't been able to focus enough to read much. I read a YA book (Beauty by Robin McKinley) and that seemed to help my mind accept a thread of words that became a sentence and a paragraph and a chapter and a book. Now I'm reading Braiding Sweetgrass, which feels perfectly timed and good medicine.
pickI like the title "Little Labors" threaded throughout ("... I very clearly recognized the angle of the tilt of [Virgin] Mary's head; it is the tilt of the head of babies who are just beginning to develop the strength of their neck muscles.") in mostly subtle or abstracted ways, but also sometimes more directly in broad social contexts, as in "Orange". A book of observing.
Started this Saturday. Already really interesting. 🧠🕺🏻Also looking forward to more reading outside.
We've been reading this at Lyra's bedtime — by her request. 😄🦖
Three years following Lyra's birth, our cat is starting to forgive me. 😆
"... always at the point of overflow..." Such a painfully recognizable passage.
Started this yesterday. Already love it. 🖤
pickThis was my first Austen. I don't know what her other books are like, obviously, but I can say this romance doesn't support all the harsh criticism I've heard against Jane Austen as being fluffy or against romance in general. This book is hilarious. Miss Bates had me spitting out the tea I was not drinking. And how generous of Austen not to have Mrs. Elton fall face first into a pile of horse shit. Who says reading doesn't encourage empathy?
Been listening to Heavy lately and it's amazing. I don't really love memoirs, generally, but this holds so many layers of experience, speaks with such honesty and love and genuine confusion about both. But also style, bold confidence in language, resilience, and "that Black abundance".
pickWow. This book pulled me in so many different directions. Loved it. Loved all the questions it provoked, the assumptions it flipped, and the deceptive simplicity of the plot where these uncertainties could unfold.
Really enjoying my re-read of Little Women before I go see the new movie with a friend later this month.
pickI chose this book on a whim and, though much of the plot, societal criticism, and dark humor is predictable, it breaks from expected storytelling norms in other satisfying ways. Plus, Kate Winslet did a fantastic job reading it.
pickAnother fun book in this series. The political and personal relationship dynamics were compelling -- and she meets Vlad. Yes, THAT Vlad. ??♂️ For such a "raging feminist", she sure is tolerant of Tate's aggressively sexual pursuit of her despite repeatedly telling him no. It was really frustrating. Just wanted her to tell him off!
pickContinuing with this fun series. Though I was disappointed by some slut shaming. Especially since the femme protagonist talks critically about misogyny at a few points. 🤷🏻♀️ Your inner work leaves something to be desired, henny. And despite some the caricature British slang, I really love Bones. 🖤🧛🏻♂️ I just have to picture him *without* platinum blond hair. Because no thanks.
I went to check if she was asleep and found her with a board book about Maya Angelou. First time falling asleep with a book on her -- these are the kinds of milestones I keep track of. 😄💕
pick"All that you touch / You change. // All that you Change / Changes you. // The only lasting truth / Is Change. // God is Change." •••• I feel a little guilty choosing this as our first book club reading, as it is brilliant and timely (still) but full of horrible things happening to the most vulnerable of society, specifically children. But there's no lie here. That's the power and challenge of Octavia Butler's writing.
I've been depressed and withdrawn, but learning too, and there's a library book sale tomorrow morning that I'm going to alone so I feel some sparks of life.
You ever read the intro to a book and feel super jazzed about it only to feel like you're dragging yourself through the first chapter? That's been happening to me in this book. It's picking up for me though! Getting into it again.
Used bookstore finds from yesterday. I *hate* stickers on book covers, but it's hard to argue with trade credit options.
Is Foxfire a thing outside of southern Appalachia? Not sure. But these books are basically collections of traditions, folk lore, and practical knowledge from country and mountain folk in Appalachia. It's thorough and intimate and not at all other-ing.
Been having a really difficult... 4 weeks or so. But sitting here is soothing. 💆🏻♀️
so-soMixed bag. The title essay and the essay about Woolf/Sontag were strong, stand alone essays, but the others felt a bit like internet "think pieces" (time sensitive, not very in-depth). Do they belong in a book? Do they contribute to feminist posterity? They felt like filler to me, like feminism 101 and not really the best version, due to a lack of intersectional considerations.
Do you ever just slump into a rut of not taking care of yourself (which includes not reading) and you know what you need to do but you're still slumped? I was away from home and didn't have much access to the internet for about 2 days and during that time read Bluets. Yes, it's short, but still I felt really good about it. Also, related, my grandmother gave me this book that she used to read to her kindergarten students. 💙
We had a very bookish Easter. 🐸🌷🌼🐞🐝🌿🐇🐣🦆 I hope you had a lovely weekend as well.
I unintentionally took a reading break while preparing for a family trip and finally picked up a book instead of checking out while watching something. Feels really good. This coffee and chicory ice cream helps, too. 😏
I love a good blankets & books fort, but maybe she went too far? 🤓📚📚📚📚📚📚
Started Eileen Myles' Afterglow (a dog memoir) last night. And ate too many cookies. 🙊
pickFinished listening to Sing, Unburied, Sing last night. It's a stunning book. Beautiful, achingly beautiful. And so richly layered with each character, burning with the survivors and the ghosts of historical pain brought to the surface again and again. No one escapes, but some learn to love, some learn to sing.
Between books and just rereading easy, comfort reads. Do you sometimes have difficulty deciding what to read next?
pickPicked this up on a whim at the library and was surprised to find it quite useful. I've worked as an organizer so honestly I was a bit arrogant that some popular self-help book would teach me anything. I know from my own experience that our relationship to our possessions is really complex and reflective of so many larger thoughts and habits of our lives. It was nice to see this represented in a fun way that's also informative.
pickI can see how this has been getting mixed reviews. It was definitely almost so-so for me. If you're expecting Nutcracker-esque magic, then you'll be very disappointed. If, like me, you always found Godfather Drosselmeier to be extremely captivating and are open to interpretation, you may enjoy it. I appreciate the tonal shift from precious fairytale in the first couple chapters to a kind of sober curiosity. (Cont. in comments)
"The vagabond human spirit requires a chart of possibilities in order to keep putting one foot in front of another, keep licensing the next heartbeat after the previous."
#ReindeerReads day 18 - Painting a base coat on salt dough ornaments while listening to the Diverse Voices #bookclub selection for January: Sing, Unburied, Sing. 🎧🖌️
#ReindeerReads days 16 & 17: My #longlist of books to read is not #shortstory heavy, but I do have Get in Trouble and Barbara the Slut ranked somewhere toward the top.
"Lost is not an address, it's not a permission to fail, it's not an excuse." With shocking vigor, like that if a young warrior, the creature hopped upon the ground and approached on cloven hoof. "It's a reason to read the world."
We went to the shelter to adopt one cat but then decided on a whim to get two and I'm so glad we did because these two love each other so much. Zeke and Jean-Ralphio sleep together, groom each other, play together, and clearly conspire to annoy us everyday. 💗 #catsoflitsy
#ReindeerReads day 15 - #familydynamics at bedtime 💙
#ReindeerReads day 14 - Whenever I hear the words #silentnight I think of three things: the song, my brother (born Dec 24 in the middle of the night), and Twas the Night Before Christmas. I've always loved the silence before so much activity, so much excitement, so much yummy food and talking on Christmas morning. 💚❤️
#ReindeerReads day 13: I just started listening to this today while my daughter was napping and it's already really #powerful. 💓
