Written as a letter to the author‘s son, the prose is a lyrical exploration of race and experience based on the author‘s life. Deeply thoughtful, and highly recommended.

I loved this book far more than I expected to. Ultimately, a book about love and the importance of human connection (and the darkness of domestic abuse.)

Beautiful. I love this memoir which has a decidedly softer tone (although not too soft) from the very articulate Solnit. Perfect for women who are pursuing lives as creatives.

I heard an interview with the author on Marc Marin‘s podcast WTF and so I bought the book. Deeply personal and told in an unflinching, honest prose, Valentine lays out brutal childhood heartbreak, her rise to fame and struggle to overcome addiction beautifully.

I loved this little novella. I‘d read it again, actually. It‘s a wonderful reminder of how and why we all need to be brave.

I have this ongoing experiment where I reread books after twenty or so years to see if my perceptions of story shift as I get older. /The Handmaid‘s Take/ has always been a dark story, but this time it was downright terrifying— especially to ponder reproductive rights in a society that does not value women (politically, ideologically, etc.) in the same way as it does men. I love Atwood‘s work and if you haven‘t read this, do.

I read this while visiting my mom on a delayed holiday, so admittedly a story that explores motherhood and daughterhood, loyalty and love hit a little close to home, but I‘d recommend this novel regardless. Sure, there‘s some weirdness (some moments felt contrived on-the-spot to keep the story going) but the characters are like able enough to carry this somewhat whimsical exploration of culture, place and family. Love that it‘s in the 90s.

I tend to love “walking memoirs” and I‘m definitely adding this one to my shelf. While losing one‘s home and job and learning one‘s spouse is terminally ill all at once might leave the typical person hopeless, author Raynor Winn and Moth find hope and meaning by walking the 630-mile coastal trail. Google some of the places they walk through- it‘s beautiful country- and you might find yourself planning your next walk there, too.

So haunting. I love Rhys‘s work, but I wasn‘t quite prepared for this one. It doesn‘t help that I‘m the person who reads Jane Eyre and roots for Jane to the point of wanting Bertha in the attic to disappear. This book explores the overlooked question: why does Rochester have a woman in the attic, and what did he do to make her lose her mind? Antoinette‘s story parallels Jane‘s, but ends on a decidedly more tragic note.

What a beautiful and strange novel about the relationships that form between women, how we adapt to absences and tragedy and of course, the story also explores issues with race. Highly recommended.

I enjoy short story collections generally; however, one curated by an author whose work I admire was a real treat! It‘s almost like getting a mixed tape from a friend, only it‘s literature, so it‘s better. Each story is remarkable in its own way, so if you‘re looking for a nice variety of literary fiction, this collection is worth it. As Sedaris notes in the intro, you‘ll leave this collection thinking about “...them and their damned excellence.”

This book was incredible. His use of language superb and vivid imagery through. An exploration of identity, masculinity- the novel is intimate yet generational.