Every year, I put together a list of books that have appeared in the newsletter or that have been discussed within our community— and it’s that time again!
I’ve read so many good books this summer, at 85 for the year already (I gave up Facebook doomscrolling). Here are a few of my favorites:
Woodworking by Emily St. James might be my very top choice. It was so sweet and I learned so much from it as a cis woman.
When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris just blew me away and is a close second.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of the obvious choices, maybe, but its sapphic romance is freaking out some of those who have read her other books, so read and give it great reviews anyway. It seems like a Pride month obligation.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: I will read everything that Chimamanda writes, but loved this.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach, for many reasons, not only the panda sex presentation at the bachelorette party (which I loved because I have my own panda sex powerpoint from volunteering with pandas at my local zoo.)
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan, who I think is the best romcom author out there right now. Some didn’t like this one for what the FMC put the MMC through, but given her trauma, it felt real to me.
The Bright Years by Sarah Danoff was sad and intense, but also felt just real to me. There was hope at the end.
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong: Vuong’s first two books were poetry, and his prose is just so beautiful. He made me care about a ragtag bunch of characters that I never dreamed I would grow to love so much.
Tilt by Emma Pattee: it’s short, just read it if the plot summary appeals to you. You won’t be disappointed.
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams, because it’s information you should have should you stay on Facebook (which I have, but have cut down my usage to a fraction of what it used to be.)
Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls is a graphic memoir that unearths inter generational history and trauma among women in a Chinese/American family. Honestly it’s like a real look at the some of the themes from the Real Americans novel. It’s the best graphic memoir I’ve ever read, and I think won a Pulitzer this year.
In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty--Essays on grief, change, and sacred transitions. - not out until August, but I would like to purchase to support Al Otro Lado.
Committed, Suzanne Scanlon
Unfit Parent, Jessica Slice
I loved "Committed," too!
It’s so good!!
I’ve read so many good books this summer, at 85 for the year already (I gave up Facebook doomscrolling). Here are a few of my favorites:
Woodworking by Emily St. James might be my very top choice. It was so sweet and I learned so much from it as a cis woman.
When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris just blew me away and is a close second.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of the obvious choices, maybe, but its sapphic romance is freaking out some of those who have read her other books, so read and give it great reviews anyway. It seems like a Pride month obligation.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: I will read everything that Chimamanda writes, but loved this.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach, for many reasons, not only the panda sex presentation at the bachelorette party (which I loved because I have my own panda sex powerpoint from volunteering with pandas at my local zoo.)
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan, who I think is the best romcom author out there right now. Some didn’t like this one for what the FMC put the MMC through, but given her trauma, it felt real to me.
The Bright Years by Sarah Danoff was sad and intense, but also felt just real to me. There was hope at the end.
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong: Vuong’s first two books were poetry, and his prose is just so beautiful. He made me care about a ragtag bunch of characters that I never dreamed I would grow to love so much.
Tilt by Emma Pattee: it’s short, just read it if the plot summary appeals to you. You won’t be disappointed.
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams, because it’s information you should have should you stay on Facebook (which I have, but have cut down my usage to a fraction of what it used to be.)
Really feeling The Cycle Book by Morgan Miller + Laura Federico and God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us by Lizzie McManus-Dail 💜
The Cycle Book by Morgan Miller and Laura Federico!
Dances by Nicole Cuffy
My favorite reads of the past year:
Colored Television, Danzy Senna
Caucasia, Danzy Senna
Television for Women, Danit Brown
The Original, Nell Stevens
Sandwich, Catherine Newman
The End is the Beginning, Jill Bialosky
The Cliffs, Courtney Sullivan
Rabbit Moon, Jennifer Haigh
Mothers and Other Fictional Characters, Nicole Graev Lipson
Some books that have been on my mind, that I’ve dipped into again recently:
My Last Innocent Year, Daisy Alpert Florin
Notes on a Silencing, Lacy Crawford
Case Histories, Kate Atkinson
A Room with a View and Howards End, E.M. Forster
So many good ones, Joanna!
Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls is a graphic memoir that unearths inter generational history and trauma among women in a Chinese/American family. Honestly it’s like a real look at the some of the themes from the Real Americans novel. It’s the best graphic memoir I’ve ever read, and I think won a Pulitzer this year.
The Safekeep by Yael Van der Wouden!!!!
Madwoman by Chelsea Beiker is the best book I’ve read in a while.
Recent pubs:
The Mother Code by Ruthie Ackerman: My story of love, loss and the myths that shape us
Kin by V Efua Prince (was longlisted for Carol Shields prize along with All Fours)
Poetry if you're down for that: purl by Michele Evans & Dear Empire by Holly Karapetkova
Sharing a great guest post by Ruthie next week!
oh that's great!!!
"Mothercoin: the Stories of Immigrant Nannies" by Elizabeth Cummins Munoz
"For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts" by Prisca Dorcas Monica Rodriguez
"ACE: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex" by Angela Chen
"Thin Skin: Essays" by Jenn Shapland
"Protocol: The Power of Diplomacy and How to Make It Work for" You" by Capricia Penavic Marshall
In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty--Essays on grief, change, and sacred transitions. - not out until August, but I would like to purchase to support Al Otro Lado.