Love this - and excited about your memoir project. Obsessed with everything you write.
A book I really loved this year has been Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Just, like, WOW. But one that changed me was Carrie Soto is Back, also by TJR, which I admittedly hadn't read until this summer. It got me to think about my ongoing pursuit toward perfection, and how that is unattainable, even when you're the absolute best. That one is going to stay with me for a while.
Yes, Carrie Soto is such a good one as well! The way TJR immerses herself in the worlds she writes about is just so, so impressive. And I love her MCs — especially when they're "unlikable". Love your reflection on how that book affected you. And the writing feeling is mutual — I miss getting to read your words more often!
Your memoir class sounds so exciting!! Looking forward to hearing more as it develops. 🙂
One of my favorite reads this year was Shark Heart by Emily Habeck. An unconventional tale, it follows the story of a newlywed couple whose lives are changed forever when the husband turns into a great white shark. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read and it was so beautifully written. The way I was immediately pulled into their grief and believed this to be real speaks volumes for the author’s talent. Talk about empathy-giving!
I can say with a STRONG DEGREE OF CERTAINTY that one day I WILL hold your book in my hands and it WILL be on my list of “Favorite Reads from the First Half of the Year."
111 books is insane. Are you okay? Lolol I’m lucky to get 15 books in a year (and not because I’m too busy).
I’m really just starting to dive into memoir and non-fiction. It’s like there’s a whole untapped world out there for me. I like reading your recaps, so I don’t have to do the gritty work 🤣
A book that recently changed me was Right-Wing Women by Andrea Dworkin. Sounds more divisive than it is. It was really all about how women on the left and right are really just two sides of the same coin (oppressed). And it really helped me to soften (not excuse) but soften my perspective of right-wing women in my life.
Michelle, "Are you okay?" made me guffaw 😂 Honestly, probably not — but I'm much better when I have a book in hand! That book you shared sounds *fascinating*. I love a nuanced perspective, and that sounds like exactly the sort of empathy-building (not excusing!) reading I'm talking about. Thank you for recommending!
Love this - and excited about your memoir project. Obsessed with everything you write.
A book I really loved this year has been Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Just, like, WOW. But one that changed me was Carrie Soto is Back, also by TJR, which I admittedly hadn't read until this summer. It got me to think about my ongoing pursuit toward perfection, and how that is unattainable, even when you're the absolute best. That one is going to stay with me for a while.
Yes, Carrie Soto is such a good one as well! The way TJR immerses herself in the worlds she writes about is just so, so impressive. And I love her MCs — especially when they're "unlikable". Love your reflection on how that book affected you. And the writing feeling is mutual — I miss getting to read your words more often!
Mandi, you're the winner of *The Dry Season*! Will you message me your mailing address?
Your memoir class sounds so exciting!! Looking forward to hearing more as it develops. 🙂
One of my favorite reads this year was Shark Heart by Emily Habeck. An unconventional tale, it follows the story of a newlywed couple whose lives are changed forever when the husband turns into a great white shark. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read and it was so beautifully written. The way I was immediately pulled into their grief and believed this to be real speaks volumes for the author’s talent. Talk about empathy-giving!
Oh, I LOVED Shark Heart! Such a gorgeous book 💛
I can say with a STRONG DEGREE OF CERTAINTY that one day I WILL hold your book in my hands and it WILL be on my list of “Favorite Reads from the First Half of the Year."
🥹 Printing this out and pinning it next to my desk!
111 books is insane. Are you okay? Lolol I’m lucky to get 15 books in a year (and not because I’m too busy).
I’m really just starting to dive into memoir and non-fiction. It’s like there’s a whole untapped world out there for me. I like reading your recaps, so I don’t have to do the gritty work 🤣
A book that recently changed me was Right-Wing Women by Andrea Dworkin. Sounds more divisive than it is. It was really all about how women on the left and right are really just two sides of the same coin (oppressed). And it really helped me to soften (not excuse) but soften my perspective of right-wing women in my life.
Michelle, "Are you okay?" made me guffaw 😂 Honestly, probably not — but I'm much better when I have a book in hand! That book you shared sounds *fascinating*. I love a nuanced perspective, and that sounds like exactly the sort of empathy-building (not excusing!) reading I'm talking about. Thank you for recommending!