All on a Mardi Gras Day
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Currently reading:
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Out There Screaming, edited by Jordan Peele
An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo
Books finished this week: 2
★★★★★
Where this book came from: Picked up a copy as part of my ticket to Saratoga’s launch event at Twisted Spine.
Why this book: Full disclosure: I work for the publisher and Saratoga is technically now one of my authors. But I actually watched the team pitch this book on my very first day at Crooked Lane and from the cover to the summary, I was all in.
Thoughts: This was purely “good for her,” start to finish——with plenty of body horror woven throughout, of course. The book started a little slowly for my tastes, but once things kicked into gear, it just did. not. stop. I adored the final message about pursuing your joy, even if that means being more than a bit feral.
★★★★☆
Where this book came from: I believe I bought this one at McNally Jackson, though that might just be influenced by the bookmark I found in it.
Why this book: I watched this Read with Cindy video in which she raved about the book and the description hooked me.
Thoughts: I didn’t feel quite the emotional impact that other readers seem to have felt, and while most of the prose was stunning, some of the metaphors began to feel a bit repetitive. But this book asks so many important questions and is genuinely thought-provoking. Plus, I finished the last few pages after waiting forty-something minutes at baggage claim at JFK, and it still made me tear up.
Library updates:
I can’t lie, I had a whole thing I wanted to reflect on this week, about how writing makes me feel powerful and I’m glad to be building a habit again. And then I went to New Orleans and I didn’t write a word all week. Whoops!
New Orleans is amazing, Mardi Gras this year was incredible, and I’m so glad to have gotten to make the trip again, and this time with one of my closest and oldest friends. Thanks for coming with me to my favorite place, Alyssa!<3
For the rest of you, enjoy some photos, while I continue recuperating (after a week away and accidentally overdoing it at a few of my favorite Ridgewood bars last night). More words next week!
Closing thoughts:
Return to the people and places that bring you joy.
Total books read from the Moratorium Library: 197
(Total books added to the Moratorium Library: 421 (aaaaahhhHHHHH)
So I got to New Orleans last Friday and immediately went to my favorite bookstore in town, Crescent City Books. I immediately found two books that were on my TBR, figured it was fate, and walked out happy with my purchases and proud of myself for probably only buying two books this trip.
And then I was on my own Thursday morning and decided to visit the cat at Beckham’s.
And then Matt (hi, Matt!) and I hung out that afternoon and he offered to take me to Baldwin & Co.
I SUPPORTED LOCAL BUSINESSES AND I HAVE ZERO REGRETS. (Also it’s only half of what I came home with last year, SO THERE.)
And then I also had a Kew and Willow order come in right before I left and I picked it up yesterday and YOU KNOW WHAT, I DON’T NEED TO EXPLAIN MYSELF TO YOU.
