Passing – Nella Larsen

A short novel out of Harlem in 1928, Larsen tells us the story of two Black childhood friends who meet again years later when one is passing for white. I’m still thinking about this days later. I was not expecting the ending at all!

A Midwife’s Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

A fascinating look at late 18th century life in Augusta, Maine, when it was still part of the Massachusetts colony, through the lens of one woman’s accounting of births, deaths, and illnesses attended. Takes a minute to get going, but if you like maps, terrible 18thc spelling, and gossip you’ll love what one historian has …

The Whale – Mark Beauregard

Very long ago, during a time where I had less context for great literature, I read The Scarlet Letter. I remember thinking it was profound in a way they couldn’t explain to me in high school (or, honestly, I probably wasn’t able to take it in. High school was hard.) More recently, I’ve read a …

Pleasure Activism – adrienne maree brown

What is pleasure? What are we taught about it? How can experiencing pleasure help with activism? A lot of interesting things to think about, though the format didn’t inspire enough dwelling on answers. The book is a combination of academic work, blog posts, and conversations between friends. Taken in individual pieces, some interesting things to …

The Association of Small Bombs – Karan Mahajan

I spent a lot of time early in this book looking at a map of India, trying to figure out the scale of the bombers journey to Delhi, and where different actions may have taken place along the Ring Road. I realize I know nothing about India, and that the world is very, very large. …

Heavy – Kiese Laymon

This book is heavy in ways I didn’t know it would be. I knew it was about a Black man in America, and a fat Black man at that. But I had no idea I would encounter rape culture, child abuse, eating disorders, and more. I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, but it’s hard …

Mirror Shoulder Signal – Dorthe Nors

When did you learn to drive? Or when did you get your license? I believe I was 12 or so sitting in my mother’s giant blue Buick trying to navigate down our quiet neighborhood street and panicking when a squirrel was in the road (not really near me…). I got my license when I was …

Wondering

I wonder if these plants will show in the very odd gallery I’ve made for myself on the home page. No, I haven’t played around with Word Press in a few years. Yes, I have completely forgotten everything.

Mr. Norris Changes Trains – Christopher Isherwood

A classic from 1935 about a young man in Berlin and his odd friendship with Mr. Norris, a possible criminal, and a man with some serious secrets. There’s much to give away here, and I won’t. The discovery of these characters and their humanity is what makes this novel so compelling and so beautiful. A …

Homesick: Stories – Nino Cipri

This was probably the first productive reading weekend I’ve had in months. This pandemic and my job have sucked the ability to focus on words from me. The trick, perhaps, is to find a series of fantastic books which compel you to sit and read. And this was an incredible story collection! So good that …