Welcome to Litsy!

I love Clint Smith‘s writing. This includes some of his keen and straightforward social analysis, always with an eye on historical context. But also a lot of sweetness about young fatherhood.

I tried but I don‘t like Gonzalo, I don‘t like Carla and I don‘t like the humour. Some parts are funny others just feel forced and silly. Zambra can write, especially steamy scenes but this book or maybe even this author is just not for me.

I‘m such a crank. I like thinking about my kids when they were young, but this poetry collection focusing on being a new father didn‘t do much for me. The half-reaches on more serious topics were similar. Ok. He does pull back his punches. I kept thinking this stuff feels thin.

The mid-year reflections begin! It's pretty clear who are my favourite authors of 2024...so far...yes, six of these are rereads.

But some days, I worry that we are welcoming you into the flames of a world that is burning.
Some days, I am afraid that I am more kindling than water.
Poetry collection by Clint Smith

#ReadAway2024

I mean, rereads (Murderbot, Discworld) do help to stack the deck with winners, but I had some first reading experience bangers (admittedly with authors I'd read from before: Harkaway, Jemisin, Scalzi, Belcourt, Taylor) and one standout from a new-to-me author, that almost beat out Tigerman for fave of the month, in Ella Minnow Pea. Back from traveling and eager to get into June reading!

I'm picky about poetry, but really liked this one, a collection of poems about fatherhood, with all the joy and anxiety that can provoke. The tone ranges from light-hearted to serious, as some poems also contemplate the challenges of parenting in a society where a Black boy will someday be a Black man, and shift its view accordingly. I'm looking forward to reading more of Smith's work.