Light And Thread by Han Kang

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

I love Han Kang's writing, so I'm excited to read her latest book. It's a nonfiction collection of essays, poems, diaries, and photographs titled, Light And Thread.  I love that title, and I love the idea of getting to know her through these personal pieces of writings. How exciting!

A Compass On The Navigable Sea: 100 Years of World Literature, An Anthology Edited by Daniel Simon

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A global chorus from the archives of World Literature Today, this landmark collection of fiction, essays, and poetry commemorates a century of exploration through pen and ink.

The Night Closes, the Sky Opens is a bold, global anthology of stories that cross borders and essays that reshape worlds, reimagining what international writing can be. From Nobel laureates to dissident poets, iconic novelists to fresh contemporary voices, this collection brings together powerful essays, visionary lectures, and urgent reflections that speak to the heart of literature’s role in a rapidly changing world.

Spanning four dynamic sections—from foundational manifestos to groundbreaking critical takes, from national literatures to transnational identities—this anthology offers readers a vibrant map of how stories cross borders, bridge histories, and shape futures. Alongside works by Octavio Paz, Elie Wiesel, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Toni Morrison, Dubravka Ugrešić, and many others. Ultimately, this collection bridges genre, time, and location, and asks What can literature do in a time of crisis?

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved this beautiful book! A Compass On the Navigable Sea is an anthology by Daniel Simon, and it encompasses 100 Years of World Literature. How awesome is that? Voices from all over brought together to share their love, consideration, and urgent concerns regarding this vast and ever-changing world we all call home. We get history and contemporary ideas all together, which makes for such a refreshing view on the ways in which the world has changed, or barely moved forward. It's fascinating, powerful, and thought-provoking. I would happily recommend this book to everyone - it's a definitely must-read that will provide plenty of food for thought. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! You won't want to miss out on such a wonderful collection. 

Thank you to Restless Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Blacktold: 33 Dynamic Essays from Andscape edited by Steve Reiss

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

ESPN's website, The Undefeated, publishes content that explores how race and identity impact American culture. This will be a collection of the best articles published on the site. Timely and relevant, BlackTold will cover current events such as the BLM movement, the Covid-19 pandemic, race and the NFL, and more.

Here's a sample of some of the articles that will be included:

"George Floyd's mother was not there, but he used her as a sacred invocation"

With his dying breaths, Floyd called for her as an assurance of memory. 

"The importance of Chadwick Boseman to African Culture"
In many ways, Black Panther helped normalize African heritage and style in popular culture by truly celebrating it.

"Naomi Osaka made sure Black lives mattered at the U.S. Open"
She's grown more sophisticated in how she discusses race, and more comfortable with doing so publicly. 

"Can a black heroine fix the racist stereotypes infecting 'King Kong'?"

In new Broadway production, actress Christiani Pitts steps into the role first made famous by Fay Wray.

my thoughts:

Wow! What an important and timely book of essays! Blacktold: 33 Dynamic Essays from Andscape is fantastic! Edited by Steve Reiss and with a foreword by Raina Kelley, this terrific book is chock full of smart, thoughtful, and insightful essays about race, Black culture, sports culture, entertainment industry, and so much more. It's the perfect book to dip in and out of - read an essay and reflect on it, don't rush through the pages. Take your time with this book, because it will take its time with you - meaning, that it will sit with long after you put it away. It's the epitome of that saying, 'food for thought'. 

As a person of color, I found that many of these essays resonated deeply with me. I felt all the feels and just couldn't stop thinking about so many of the issues that were brought up in this book. I found myself wanting to read more and learn more. That's why it's so important for books like Blacktold to be out in the world - they help open up dialogues about racial stereotypes, race in politics and sports culture, etc.. I would definitely recommend Blacktold to everyone - this is one book you don't want to miss out on. Make sure to check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Book Of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

The New York Times bestselling book of essays celebrating ordinary delights in the world around us by one America's most original and observant writers, award-winning poet Ross Gay.

As Heard on NPR's This American Life

“Ross Gay’s eye lands upon wonder at every turn, bolstering my belief in the countless small miracles that surround us.” —Tracy K. Smith, Pulitzer Prize winner and U.S. Poet Laureate

The winner of the NBCC Award for Poetry offers up a spirited collection of short lyrical essays, written daily over a tumultuous year, reminding us of the purpose and pleasure of praising, extolling, and celebrating ordinary wonders.

In The Book of Delights, one of today’s most original literary voices offers up a genre-defying volume of lyric essays written over one tumultuous year. The first nonfiction book from award-winning poet Ross Gay is a record of the small joys we often overlook in our busy lives. Among Gay’s funny, poetic, philosophical delights: a friend’s unabashed use of air quotes, cradling a tomato seedling aboard an airplane, the silent nod of acknowledgment between the only two black people in a room. But Gay never dismisses the complexities, even the terrors, of living in America as a black man or the ecological and psychic violence of our consumer culture or the loss of those he loves. More than anything else, though, Gay celebrates the beauty of the natural world–his garden, the flowers peeking out of the sidewalk, the hypnotic movements of a praying mantis.

The Book of Delights is about our shared bonds, and the rewards that come from a life closely observed. These remarkable pieces serve as a powerful and necessary reminder that we can, and should, stake out a space in our lives for delight.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a beautiful book. I LOVED The Book of Delights by Ross Gay. This book of essays is written by an accomplished poet who has a penchant for finding joy in a year that was anything but joyful. His essays are short and delightful, sobering and thoughtful, and a great reminder to pay attention to the small details in life. Yep, it really is the little things that can jolt you out of your doldrums.

Gay has written a terrific book that you will love dipping in and out of. I know I did. I really enjoyed getting to know Gay through these essays and his writing, which I found to be top notch. I loved the variety, not just in topics, but in the writing styles. His love of words is evident and it makes each essay a treat to read. The Books of Delights is truly a delightful and thoughtful book. 

I would happily recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Letter To A Stranger: Essays To The Ones Who Haunt Us edited by Colleen Kinder

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

“A celebration of the adventure that is other people.” —Ariel Levy, author of The Rules Do Not Apply

Lauren Groff, Elizabeth Kolbert, Pam Houston, Pico Iyer, T Kira Madden, Gregory Pardlo, Maggie Shipstead, and Peter Orner are among the 65 writers who grapple with this mystery: How can an ephemeral encounter leave an eternal mark?
 
When Colleen Kinder put out a call for authors to “write a letter to a stranger who haunts you,” she opened the floodgates. The responses—intimate and addictive, all in the form of letters, all written in the second person—began pouring in. These short, insightful essays by today’s best literary minds are organized around such themes as Grati­tude, Wonder, and Farewell, and guide us both across the globe and through the mysteries of human connection.

Bestselling author Leslie Jamison, who provides the foreword, reveals she has been haunted for years by a traveling magician she met in Nicaragua. Journalist Ted Conover writes his missive to a stranger he met on a New Yorker assignment in Rwanda. From the story of Vanessa Hua’s shoe shopper in China to the tale of Michelle Tea’s encounter in a Texas tattoo parlor, these pieces are replete with observations about how to live and what to seek, and how a stranger’s loaded glance, shared smile, or question posed can alter the course of our lives. Moving and unforgettable, Letter to a Stranger is an irresistible read for any literary traveler and the perfect gift for anyone who is haunted by a person they met once but will remember forever.

my thoughts:

What a wonderful book! I loved Letter To A Stranger: Essays To The Ones Who Haunt Us, edited by Colleen Kinder. This is they type of book you can dip in and out of, depending on your mood. Or, the kind of book you can gobble up in one sitting, because you can't bring yourself to put it down. Either way, its a book you will want to read and relish. I just loved the concept - writing a letter to a stranger that we've encountered in some way and how that encounter affected us. I couldn't help but smile at the notion, because we all have these moments. These incidents with someone we don't know that somehow become HUGE moments in our lives, or memories that make us smile. I found myself immediately recalling memories from my past that warrant this idea - writing these folks a letter to let them know how much that moment with them meant to me. It sounds crazy, but it also sounds like something that should be done. Even if its a letter that you write in your journal as a keepsake to remember the moment and that person. What do you think? Do you have someone that fits that bill - a stranger who haunts you?

Letter To A Stranger is chock full of letters by a variety of authors who have penned their thoughts and memories to the ones who have haunted them ever since that chance encounter. Talk about fascinating. I just loved reading these letters and thinking about jotting down a few of my own. What a treat to read! This is one book I will definitely be gifting to friends and family. And, its one book I won't soon forget. I just loved it!

I would happily recommend Letter To A Stranger to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in deep with this one! Check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Letter To A Stranger: Essays To The Ones Who Haunt Us edited by Colleen Kinder

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

“A celebration of the adventure that is other people.” —Ariel Levy, author of The Rules Do Not Apply

Lauren Groff, Elizabeth Kolbert, Pam Houston, Pico Iyer, T Kira Madden, Gregory Pardlo, Maggie Shipstead, and Peter Orner are among the 65 writers who grapple with this mystery: How can an ephemeral encounter leave an eternal mark?
 
When Colleen Kinder put out a call for authors to “write a letter to a stranger who haunts you,” she opened the floodgates. The responses—intimate and addictive, all in the form of letters, all written in the second person—began pouring in. These short, insightful essays by today’s best literary minds are organized around such themes as Grati­tude, Wonder, and Farewell, and guide us both across the globe and through the mysteries of human connection.

Bestselling author Leslie Jamison, who provides the foreword, reveals she has been haunted for years by a traveling magician she met in Nicaragua. Journalist Ted Conover writes his missive to a stranger he met on a New Yorker assignment in Rwanda. From the story of Vanessa Hua’s shoe shopper in China to the tale of Michelle Tea’s encounter in a Texas tattoo parlor, these pieces are replete with observations about how to live and what to seek, and how a stranger’s loaded glance, shared smile, or question posed can alter the course of our lives. Moving and unforgettable, Letter to a Stranger is an irresistible read for any literary traveler and the perfect gift for anyone who is haunted by a person they met once but will remember forever.

my thoughts:

What a wonderful book! I loved Letter To A Stranger: Essays To The Ones Who Haunt Us, edited by Colleen Kinder. This is they type of book you can dip in and out of, depending on your mood. Or, the kind of book you can gobble up in one sitting, because you can't bring yourself to put it down. Either way, its a book you will want to read and relish. I just loved the concept - writing a letter to a stranger that we've encountered in some way and how that encounter affected us. I couldn't help but smile at the notion, because we all have these moments. These incidents with someone we don't know that somehow become HUGE moments in our lives, or memories that make us smile. I found myself immediately recalling memories from my past that warrant this idea - writing these folks a letter to let them know how much that moment with them meant to me. It sounds crazy, but it also sounds like something that should be done. Even if its a letter that you write in your journal as a keepsake to remember the moment and that person. What do you think? Do you have someone that fits that bill - a stranger who haunts you?

Letter To A Stranger is chock full of letters by a variety of authors who have penned their thoughts and memories to the ones who have haunted them ever since that chance encounter. Talk about fascinating. I just loved reading these letters and thinking about jotting down a few of my own. What a treat to read! This is one book I will definitely be gifting to friends and family. And, its one book I won't soon forget. I just loved it!

I would happily recommend Letter To A Stranger to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in deep with this one! Check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Can We All Be Feminists? edited by June Eric-Udorie

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

“As timely as it is well-written, this clear-eyed collection is just what I need right now.”
—Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreami                   

“The intersectional feminist anthology we all need to read.”—Bustle

“In an eloquent and searing introduction, debut editor Eric-Udorie . . . calls to mind a young Audre Lorde, and her anthology feels like a 21st-century version of This Bridge Called My Back.”

—Kirkus Reviews

In the wake of her 2012 Ted Talk of the same name, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book We Should All Be Feminists sold hundreds of thousands of copies and became a touchstone of feminist literature. But in the lead-up to last year’s historic Women’s March, it became clear that there were serious divisions within the movement—between women of color and white women, and between younger and older feminists—that begged the question: can we all be feminists? 

CAN WE ALL BE FEMINISTS? (Penguin Books Original; On-sale: September 25, 2018; 9780143132370) is the first of its kind: a definitive anthology on intersectional feminism. Edited by feminist activist, writer, and current Duke University student June Eric-Udorie, it lifts up the voices of Black, queer, trans, Latinx, and non-gender-conforming writers, putting them at the center of a conversation too often focused on the needs and priorities of cis-hetero, upper-middle class white women. 

CAN WE ALL BE FEMINISTS? invites this brilliant group of diverse young writers to explore their relationships with feminism through the lenses of their particular identities and experiences, confronting issues of exclusion and discrimination and asking how we can create a feminism that is truly for all. Essays include:

• Gabby Bellot on trans-exclusionary feminism
• Brit Bennett on Christianity and the black female body
• Nicole Dennis-Benn on internalizing the harmful way society treated her as a black lesbian, and how the beautifully loud, defiant Jamaican singer Lady Saw taught her to be unapologetic
• Evette Dionne on intersectionality in the Black Lives Matter movement, including #SayHerName, which focuses on the women and girls killed by police brutality.
• Mariya Karimjee on adapting to white culture for the comfort of others as a Pakistani immigrant growing up in Texas, and how coming to terms with her identity as an adult affected her relationship with her white best friend.
• Frances Ryan on the exclusion of people with disabilities from discussions of major issues within mainstream feminism, from healthcare access to reproductive rights to domestic violence.
• Selina Thompson on fat activism’s role in ending the “default body” lens that modern feminism often maintains.
• Juliet Jacques on trans-feminism and film, demonstrating the importance of increased representation of trans and gender non-conforming people in pop culture to developing more evolved language and political movements.
  

Together, these fearless, challenging, and galvanizing essays in CAN WE ALL BE FEMINISTS? form a crucial primer for readers seeking to challenge their own worldview and better understand their privilege, and a powerful and affirming recognition for those who will (perhaps for the first time) see their own adversities represented.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

June Eric-Udorie is a twenty-year-old British writer and feminist activist. Named Elle UK’s “Female Activist of the Year” for 2017, she has been included on lists of influential and inspiring women by the BBC, the Guardian, and more. A co-founder of “Youth for Change,” an initiative that works to combat female genital mutilation and forced marriage around the world, her advocacy has taken her to classrooms, the Southbank Centre’s Women of the World Festival, the United Nations, and more. In 2015, she spearheaded a successful campaign to overturn the British government’s decision to remove feminism from the nationally mandated A-level (high school) politics syllabus; more recently, she raised funds to take five hundred underprivileged girls and young women of color to see the film Hidden Figures. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Independent, New Statesman, the Telegraph, ESPN The Magazine, and Fusion, among others. She is currently an undergraduate at Duke University, where she is a recipient of the University Scholars merit scholarship, established by Melinda French Gates, and a Human Rights Scholar at the Kenan Institute for Ethics.

my thoughts:

A must-read for feminists, Can We All Be Feminists? is an important and illuminating anthology that will shed light on intersectional feminism by calling into question just what feminism really is.  I absolutely LOVED reading these sharp and thought-provoking essays - they inspired me to reflect on my own introduction to feminism and how that term has broadened over the years, but still remains rather limiting. I really enjoyed learning about these writers' personal perspectives regarding feminism, how it related to them, and the issues at large with regards to the term itself.  I found myself jotting down notes, highlighting passages, and just taking in all of these powerful thoughts. 

The writing in this collection of essays is top notch - smart, personal, authentic, and eye-opening.  Topics range from race, immigration, abortion, religion, and disability.   So many important issues are explored and shown to be integral to feminism's agenda.  Feminism is deemed a broad term, but truthfully it is narrow in scope and this anthology shows us how important it is to rectify those limitations and redefine its meaning to be inclusive.  This book is just what we need right now in today's political and social climate - it is a great introduction of feminism to the newbies and a definitive push for the first, second, and third wave feminists to broaden their minds when it comes to intersectionality and identity.  Talk about food for thought - this book has it all.

I can't wait to read this book all over again - its seriously that good.  And I can't wait to recommend Can We All Be Feminists? to friends and family - they are going to LOVE learning all about intersectional feminism.




Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving An American Obsession by Alice Bolin

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

“Dead Girls is everything I want in an essay collection: provocative lines of inquiry, macabre humor, blistering intelligence… I love this book.” —  Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties

“Bracing and blazingly smart, Alice Bolin’s Dead Girls could hardly be more needed or more timely.” — Megan Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of You Will Know Me

Best of summer 2018 – included on best-of lists by Bitch Magazine, Harpers Bazaar, The Millions, Esquire, Refinery29, Nylon, PopSugar, The Chicago Tribune, Book Riot, and CrimeReads

In this poignant collection, Alice Bolin examines iconic American works from the essays of Joan Didion and James Baldwin to Twin Peaks, Britney Spears, and Serial, illuminating the widespread obsession with women who are abused, killed, and disenfranchised, and whose bodies (dead and alive) are used as props to bolster men’s stories. Smart and accessible, thoughtful and heartfelt, Bolin investigates the implications of our cultural fixations, and her own role as a consumer and creator.

Bolin chronicles her life in Los Angeles, dissects the Noir, revisits her own coming of age, and analyzes stories of witches and werewolves, both appreciating and challenging the narratives we construct and absorb every day. Dead Girls begins by exploring the trope of dead women in fiction, and ends by interrogating the more complex dilemma of living women – both the persistent injustices they suffer and the oppression that white women help perpetrate.

Reminiscent of the piercing insight of Rebecca Solnit and the critical skill of Hilton Als, Bolin constructs a sharp, perceptive, and revelatory dialogue on the portrayal of women in media and their roles in our culture.

my thoughts:

As a huge fan of essays, I was super excited to read Dead Girls - a book of essays about the "dead girl" trope within American culture and media - specifically in literature.  Talk about a fascinating book!

This nonfiction tome is a bit of a memoir as Bolin writes about her life in LA and we get to see how she navigates loneliness, relies on Joan Didion's writing, and shares about her experiences with roommates and boyfriends.  Of course, we also get the essays that explore the idea of exploiting the "dead women" that society seems to be obsessed with.  You know, stories that begin with a dead woman and end with their murder being solved (or unsolved).  Its the idea that these "dead girls" are what the male characters depend on in order to grow/develop within the story - so crazy, but seemingly true to the arc of many a story.  And then there are the TV shows that use "dead women" to show how men are incapable of resisting their homicidal tendencies by exploring their methods and psychology - talk about crazy and interesting essays!  Bolin also looks at the concept of the "living girl" and the ways in which these women are exploited - such as through their fame, like with Britney Spears.  I just loved reading this book! I found myself easily caught up in everything that Bolin wanted to share with her readers and found myself jotting down notes to look at later.  Talk about a great mix of feminism and popular culture!

Dead Girls is terrific book of essays that I would happily recommend to anyone interested in nonfiction, specifically feminist nonfiction - you will LOVE this collection to bits!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Dead Girls

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

My Christmas Wish List...

Its nearly Christmas and that means making lists. I've already made a few and crossed some names from them.  Now its time to make a list of my own.  Of course, mine is filled with books, but I can't help it. I'm bookworm at heart and all I want for Christmas are books.  Here are some of the titles I have on my Christmas Wish List:

What do you think? Not a bad bunch, right? My fingers are crossed that I'm gifted some of these lovelies for Christmas.  What about you? Are there any books you're hoping making it into your stocking this year? Here's to hoping we each have a book-tastic holiday season!
 
Happy reading! And, Happy Holidays!!

It's Messy: On Boys, Boobs, and Badass Women by Amanda de Cadenet

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

In this deeply personal collection of essays, creator of the The Conversation Amanda de Cadenet shares the hard-won advice and practical insights she’s gained through her experiences as businesswoman, friend, wife, and mother.

Amanda is on a mission to facilitate conversations that allow all women to be seen, heard, and understood. Through her multimedia platform The Conversation, she interviews some of today’s most bad ass women—from Hillary Clinton to Lady Gaga—in no-holds-barred conversations that get to the heart of what means to be female. Now, in It’s Messy, Amanda offers readers an extension of that conversation, inviting them into her life and sharing her own story.

From childhood fame to a high-profile marriage (and divorce) to teen motherhood to the sexism that threatened to end her career before it started, Amanda shares the good, the bad, and the messy of her life, synthesizing lessons she’s learned along the way. Through it all, she offers an original perspective as a feminist on the front lines of celebrity culture. Edgy, irreverent, poignant and provocative, It’s Messy addresses the issues, concerns, and experiences relevant to women today.

my thoughts:

The only thing I've heard about Amanda de Cadenet is that she's a great interviewer who's able to get her subjects to let their guard down.  Oh, and that she had a show on Lifetime called, The Conversation.  So, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from her book of essays, It's Messy: On Boys, Boobs, and Badass Women.  Luckily, the book turned out to be quite a fun and fascinating read.

De Cadenet shares with us stories about her life: getting married by twenty, having twins, her career, etc.  She provides these stories in such an open and honest way, that you feel as if you are getting to know her, just like you would a new friend.  Her writing is clear, precise and insightful.  You can't help but easily get caught up in reading about her personal history - you find that you love learning about this strong, determined woman.  I definitely enjoyed spending time with de Cadenet through her essays and look forward to reading more of her work.

I would happily recommend It's Messy to fans of Amanda de Cadenet and anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book!!


Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: It's Messy

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Vanity Fair's Writers on Writers, edited by Graydon Carter

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Since its inception in 1914, Vanity Fair magazine has been a beacon of literature, attracting the most influential writers of the last century. An ode to those impactful storytellers, VANITY FAIR’S WRITERS ON WRITERS edited by Graydon Carter; introduction by David Friend, is a collection of the magazine’s forty-one best pieces about accomplished writers by accomplished writers.

What did Christopher Hitchens think of Dorothy Parker? Or what did Salman Rushdie think of Christopher Hitchens? How did meeting e.e. cummings change the young Susan Cheever? What does Martin Amis have to say about how Saul Bellow’s love life influenced his writing? Collected here for the first time are essays about novelists, poets, journalists, and publishers. From James Baldwin to Joan Didion to James Patterson, VANITY FAIR’S WRITERS ON WRITERS is an assembly of the very best of these essays, giving readers a look into the lives and psyche of some of the world’s most esteemed writers.

my thoughts:

Talk about the perfect book for book lovers and writers!  A superb collection of bookish essays about some of the BEST writers, written by some of the BEST writers - how awesome does that sound?  It sounds like bliss to me.  Fortunately, it was.

I am a huge fan of books about books.  So, believe you me, I was thrilled to read a book about writers writing about writers.  I just loved settling down with this delightful tome and dipping into essays about Toni Morrison, Ernest Hemingway, and Truman Capote.  And to top it off, the essays were written by Jacqueline Woodson, Martin Amis, Dave Eggers, and Nadine Gordimer.  Who wouldn't want to read their thoughts and opinions about their friends, colleagues, and inspirations?  Especially, if the stories they share are personal or their critiques are less than polite - now that is a fun time.

In fact, this book reminds me of a classmate of mine from grad school.  He was always sharing biographical tidbits of the author's or critic's works we were discussing, as if he knew them personally.  He was always fascinated by their personal lives and how it affected and influenced their writing.  He would absolutely LOVE this book.  I admit that it annoyed me at first, but eventually I grew to enjoy the bits and bobs he shared with us.  It definitely made me look at certain writers differently and wonder about their work.  And now, I love books about books and books about writers.

Vanity Fair's Writers on Writers is most definitely a must-read for anyone interested in the 'literati' - you will LOVE this book! I would happily recommend it to fans of the magazine Vanity Fair (these essays were from the magazine) and fans of books about writers.  I just know you'll enjoy it as much as I have.



Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The View From the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

An inquisitive observer, thoughtful commentator, and assiduous craftsman, Neil Gaiman has long been celebrated for the sharp intellect and startling imagination that informs his fiction. Now, for the first time in print, The View from the Cheap Seats brings together more than sixty works of his outstanding nonfiction on topics and people close to his heart.

As Neil explains, “This book is not ‘the complete nonfiction of Neil Gaiman.’ It is, instead, a motley bunch of speeches and articles, introductions and essays. Some of them are serious and some of them are frivolous and some of them are earnest and some of them I wrote to try and make people listen.”

my thoughts:

I think I have found a new author to crush on - Neil Gaiman.  I just finished reading The View From the Cheap Seats and it was AMAZING!!  The book is a collection of his essays, introductions, and interviews - all nonfiction.  The pieces included cover everything from his passion for writing to his LOVE of bookstores/libraries.  It was my first foray into Gaiman's world and I absolutely LOVED what I read.  This is a man who is passionate about being a writer and shares with us about his craft, how he creates fiction, and his opinion on other writers' books.  I just love finding out what authors love to read and who their favorite writers are.  We also get to learn about the books that shaped him - think science fiction ( a genre that I've grown to enjoy over the years ).  And, he writes about books as a means of escape, something that I think all of us bookworms can relate to.

Gaiman was a journalist who realized that he had stories inside of him that he needed/wanted to get out.  So, he wrote and wrote and wrote.  He was writing the stories that he wanted to be reading.  And the rest is history, as we all know that he has created some of the BEST comics/graphic novels, short stories, children's fiction, novels, nonfiction, etc.  He is a writing machine that just won't quit - he has too much to say and too much creativity inside of him.  I'm excited to read more of his work. I have Trigger Warning, Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane sitting on my nightstand waiting to be read.  I can't wait to dive into his magical world!

I would happily recommend The View From the Cheap Seats to fans of Gaiman - you will most definitely enjoy this tome of nonfiction work.  

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The View From the Cheap Seats

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

about book:

From the author of the beloved New York Times bestselling book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and the creator and star of The Mindy Project comes a collection of essays that are as hilarious and insightful as they are deeply personal.

In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it’s falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.

In “How to Look Spectacular: A Starlet’s Confessions,” Kaling gives her tongue-in-cheek secrets for surefire on-camera beauty, (“Your natural hair color may be appropriate for your skin tone, but this isn’t the land of appropriate–this is Hollywood, baby. Out here, a dark-skinned woman’s traditional hair color is honey blonde.”) “Player” tells the story of Kaling being seduced and dumped by a female friend in L.A. (“I had been replaced by a younger model. And now they had matching bangs.”) In “Unlikely Leading Lady,” she muses on America’s fixation with the weight of actresses, (“Most women we see onscreen are either so thin that they’re walking clavicles or so huge that their only scenes involve them breaking furniture.”) And in “Soup Snakes,” Kaling spills some secrets on her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and close friend, B.J. Novak (“I will freely admit: my relationship with B.J. Novak is weird as hell.”)

Mindy turns the anxieties, the glamour, and the celebrations of her second coming-of-age into a laugh-out-loud funny collection of essays that anyone who’s ever been at a turning point in their life or career can relate to. And those who’ve never been at a turning point can skip to the parts where she talks about meeting Bradley Cooper.

my thoughts:

As a huge fan of The Mindy Project, I could not wait to get my hands on a copy of Why Not Me?.  I figured it would be a great way to get know the creative mind behind such a hilarious and fun show.  And I was absolutely right.  Mindy Kaling is laugh out loud funny, smart, and brutally honest when it comes to (over)sharing about her life in Hollywood.  Her essays focus on relationships, love, work, and success.  She shares about the time she made a new friend in La La Land and how her opinions on vaccinations put a damper (or kibosh) on the relationship.  Seems you can't ever disagree with someone if you want to continue being invited to fabulous parties.  Then there's the guy from the White House she sort of dated - talk about awkward encounters and mixed signals.  At least she met the President and attended the White House Correspondent's dinner - no thanks to him!  Oh, and of course we learn more about her and B.J. Novak - they are soup snakes (its from The Office when Michael is talking about his relationship with Holly).  Kaling also writes about how upset she was having to announce the Emmy Award nominations, after having just found out she hadn't been nominated (nor had her show, The Mindy Project).  Talk about having to work through tears, eh?  Afterward, she scarfed down her favorite food - McDonald's Egg McMuffin!  Speaking of which, she received a fat stack of gift cards from the fast food empire for her birthday - seems Mindy loves to share via twitter her love of all things McDonalds. 

In Why Not Me?,  Mindy shares the highs and lows of life in Hollywood.  Thanks to Mindy Kaling, we get to learn that being a celebrity (or an almost celebrity as she refers to herself) is not all glitz and glam. Her essays are funny, honest, and utterly engaging.  I found this book to be such a delight to read.  I would definitely recommend it to fans of Mindy Kaling and The Mindy Project.  You will LOVE this book! 

I'm reading...

I finished Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and loved it (which means that I'm eagerly anticipating book 2 - hurry up, King!).  Which means that I needed something new to read.  I wanted something different from King and decided that shorts would be perfect.  So, I decided on the following two books:

The Opposite of Loneliness is a combination of short stories and essays.  I'm in the middle of the fiction section and getting inspired.  I just love how accessible Keegan's writing feels to me - its completely relatable on so many levels. I'm really enjoying the book.  As for Novak's stories - they are smart, funny, and unpredictable.  Some are a few sentences long and others go on for pages.  They each offer something unique and special in their own way.  His work is making me more aware of the concept of novelty and I am loving it.  I don't normally read two books at the same time, but have to admit that its rather refreshing.  The morning is devoted to Keegan's words, whilst I go to bed reading Novak's, One More Thing. 

Anyhow, just wanted to share what I was reading.  What about you? What's on your nightstand?

Non-Bookish Thoughts...

Color me nostalgic.  The other day I was on FB reading a friend's post.  She had chosen a number and then written about where she had been at that age in her life, and had included where she was at now in her life.  It was interesting to see the similarities and the vast differences.  Definitely made me even more aware of how much growing up we have done these past several years.  I made a remark and was given my own number - 19.  I didn't want a number, because I rarely ever post anything personal on FB.  So, I messaged her with my response to the number instead.  It was a quick exchange, nothing atypical about it, except for how it made me feel.   Overly nostalgic.

At nineteen, I was a sophomore in college.  I was loving my life, my friends, and my family.  Being nineteen was exciting - I felt like anything was possible.  My music obsession was R.E.M., which loudly played on repeat, much to the chagrin of my roommates.  I was living with one of my closest friends.  I had just discovered the wonderful world of Kurt Vonnegut (Cat's Cradle, anyone?).  And I was happy.  Of course, there were broken friendships, broken hearts, and stressed out nights working on term papers to contend with during that year, thereby making nineteen slightly murky at times.  But nothing prepared me for the worst day of my life.

My best friend died.  It was a car accident.  She was nineteen and her life was over.  I had seen her early that morning before she left my apartment.  We were moving in together for our junior year and I was going to store her stuff during the summer.  Classes had just ended and she was heading to NYC to visit with family.  We had been moving boxes all day, so we were finally taking a break.  It was after midnight when she left.  She decided to push through her tiredness and drive to the airport.  I told her to stay and leave in the morning, but she was stubborn and didn't want to miss her flight early the next day.  We hugged goodbye and that was it.  That was the last time I talked with her and laughed with her.

Nineteen was a tough year to get through in the end.   Looking back on it is pretty hard.  Too many feelings rise to the surface.  All those "what ifs" start to take over.  But then I think of my dear friend and smile at all of the happy memories we shared.  Her crop top obsession, love of boy bands and 80s movies, addiction to chocolate, boy-crazy addled mind, and penchant for writing sexy romance stories all come rushing back to me.  She kept her stories a secret - her parents found them in her boxes (the ones I was storing in my apartment).  I sometimes wonder about her stories and if she'd still be writing them.  I wonder if they were on par with E. L. James' writing - I just know she would have devoured the Fifty Shades of Grey series.

Thinking about my friend actually reminded about an essay I had read awhile ago (The Opposite of Loneliness).  It was written by a young woman (Marina Keegan) who had recently graduated from college.  She died in a car accident five days later.  She was a writer, too.  Her essays and pieces of fiction have been compiled into a book: The Opposite of Loneliness.  I plan on reading her book.  I'm sure I'll think of my best friend and be reminded of what could have been.  Its sad to think about these two young women and how they had their whole lives ahead of them and then in an instant they were gone.  Cripes, I'm feeling melancholy now.   Anyhow, here's a look at the cover of Keegan's book:

Check it out if you get the chance and read the words of a talented young woman.  I'm off to kindle a copy of the book and think back fondly on the life and times of my beloved old friend.

A Beautiful Mess by Ali Berlinski

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.

about book:

 Imagine what your life would be like if you laughed through all the mayhem. Ali Berlinski is an expert on making complicated family relationships and messy situations comedic. A biracial child of divorce, Ali grew up between two coasts and two families. With a gay deaf brother, ex-nanny step mother, and celebrity ex, it's no surprise that her personal life served as the fodder behind her first book, a beautiful mess.

Through personal anecdotes Ali explains how laughter helped her to embrace the lighter side of heartache, her stepmother's cancer, and even depression. Her story reminds us that sometimes we all need a little help laughing at our problems. Ali Berlinski will help you say yes to your mess.

my thoughts:

Love! Love! Love! I loved A Beautiful Mess by Ali Berlinski!  It was the perfect read for a rainy day - it picked me up and made me think about some things that I hadn't thought about in ages.  I found myself quite reflective as I thumbed through the pages and kept on reading about this woman's journey of self-discovery.  It was easy to identify with her on a personal level, because I've also had to deal with questions about my ethnicity, identity.  And, who hasn't endured heartbreak with a guy who you just can't seem to let go of, because he feels like he's THE ONE, but deep down you know he's not.  Oh, and the family drama - well, who doesn't have enough of that in their own family?  Of course, mine isn't as heartbreaking as Berlinski's, which I'm super grateful for.  

The author's openness about such personal experiences was refreshing and inspiring.  Her book of essays was filled with humor, emotion and raw honesty.  The topics she wrote about are all ones we can relate to, which makes reading this book feel as if you are having a chat with a good pal over a cup of tea.  I found myself engaged with this book from start to finish.   On a side note, I have noticed some people complaining about the part in the book where Berlinski bashes Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, Love - I have to admit that I didn't mind that part at all.  I wasn't a huge fan of that book and can understand Berlinski's dislike for it - especially, considering the fact that every time she mentioned her plans to move abroad and write, everyone would mention Gilbert to her (as if she was going to copy Eat, Pray, Love).  I just think its funny that people took such offense to Berlinski not being a fan of Gilbert - wasn't this supposed to be a book of personal essays, which means it consists of personal opinions?  So, if she didn't like the book, she didn't like it - big deal!  And, even if she was just jealous of Gilbert, so what?  Its crazy the things that people are sticklers about, isn't?  But I digress...

The bottom line is that I loved this book!  I enjoyed the book's candor and humor.  I found it to be a quick and short read that really gave me food for thought.  I would most definitely recommend A Beautiful Mess to fans of essayists and memoirs. 

To find out more about the author Ali Berlinski, check out her website.  

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.