I, unfortunately, left my ability to read longer texts in 2020, so this year I've mostly been reading poetry. I have a subscription to Poetry magazine and it's been incredible for finding new works. I've also been revisiting Ada Limón, Natalie Diaz, Chen Chen, Hera Lindsay Bird, among others. My stack of new books continues to grow, though, so I'll be ready when inspiration strikes again.
My favorites from last year:
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (big content warning for domestic violence)
The Archive of Alternate Endings by Lindsey Drager
The Crying Book by Heather Christle
America Is Not The Heart by Elaine Castillo
Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett
Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson
And I enthusiastically second Elaine's suggestion of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. I couldn't put it down.
I often get my writing song inspiration from books--currently reading Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous--fuck he's a brilliant writer. Hard to read before I go to sleep though. I just finished Patti Smith's Just Kids--loved it and read pages over over hoping i could figure out to find musicians to play with like she did. I was born too late as those open mics sounded amazing and these days open mics kinda suck. Thank you for sharing book list--I will check out...i try to read memoir, then a fiction-memoir -fiction. Oh I love Miranda July, I wrote a song from her...Emma Cline...love her writing.. got a song outta her....I better stop this is too long. Thank you for asking.
Back in the Office
I, unfortunately, left my ability to read longer texts in 2020, so this year I've mostly been reading poetry. I have a subscription to Poetry magazine and it's been incredible for finding new works. I've also been revisiting Ada Limón, Natalie Diaz, Chen Chen, Hera Lindsay Bird, among others. My stack of new books continues to grow, though, so I'll be ready when inspiration strikes again.
My favorites from last year:
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (big content warning for domestic violence)
The Archive of Alternate Endings by Lindsey Drager
The Crying Book by Heather Christle
America Is Not The Heart by Elaine Castillo
Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett
Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson
And I enthusiastically second Elaine's suggestion of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. I couldn't put it down.
I recommend Emily Davenport's novel Medusa Uploaded. It's a great sci-fi tale with lots of (classical) music references throughout.
I often get my writing song inspiration from books--currently reading Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous--fuck he's a brilliant writer. Hard to read before I go to sleep though. I just finished Patti Smith's Just Kids--loved it and read pages over over hoping i could figure out to find musicians to play with like she did. I was born too late as those open mics sounded amazing and these days open mics kinda suck. Thank you for sharing book list--I will check out...i try to read memoir, then a fiction-memoir -fiction. Oh I love Miranda July, I wrote a song from her...Emma Cline...love her writing.. got a song outta her....I better stop this is too long. Thank you for asking.