The One Without a Title
Currently reading:
Uh, so, I just finished (as in, maybe ten minutes ago, as of this writing on Saturday evening) Devil House and haven’t decided what comes next. So . . . nothing at the moment, I guess?
Books finished this week: 2 (!!)
★★★★☆
Where this book came from: Unfortunately, it’s been so long that I truly do not remember purchasing this book. But it has the air of something I randomly picked up off a display table at Barnes and Noble.
Why this book: Though I can’t speak to why I bought the book in the first place, as I mentioned in this post, I started reading it back on June 23, when the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade came down.
Thoughts: The women in these pages are incredibly brave and their stories are important for all of us to hear. I did sometimes need to take breaks from reading, simply because their pain and rage was too much to carry along with my own. I will also say——and I don’t mean this to sound callous——that some of the stories began to feel repetitive. It’s a sad truth that almost none of the women included in the book seem to have been given a choice about surrendering their children. They were told by their families that they would be giving up the baby for adoption and that they would forget about the whole ordeal, and that would be that. I might have once thought it impossible for so many parents, siblings, doctors, social workers, and others all across the country to be so cruel, but I very much believe it now. It also becomes clear throughout the book that everyone——from the pregnant girls and women to their immediate family to their community——was indoctrinated in the societal beliefs of the time. All of that said, I do recommend the book. It was a lot to take in, and perhaps it would be better to read just one chapter or story at a time, rather than running straight through to the end. I think taking a break to focus on work stuff really helped me get to the end. Though I appreciate that Fessler gave these women back their voices, allowing them to share their anguish often for the first time in their lives, I almost wish there was a bit more to the in-between chapters from Fessler. The stats that are there are often staggering, but a bit more context—and breathing room—between stories might have made this a bit easier to read. Though, then again, does it need to be easy?
I will mention that I saw Come From Away approximately 4958884962313 more times, thanks for listening.
★★☆☆☆
Where this book came from: The Mysterious Bookshop, maybe two-ish months ago, killing time waiting for dinner with a friend (hi, Tori!).
Why this book: 112% the cover. I was expecting spooky ’70s fun. That was . . . not what I received.
Thoughts: Do horrific things happen in this book? Yes. Is this a horror novel? Absolutely not. Unfortunately, I felt that the book was very much marketed as such, and so it was an enormous letdown. It was incredibly slow, but the author’s prose did hook me and keep me reading through to the end (except the one chapter that’s typeset in an indecipherable Ye Olde English font). And I do sort of have the sinking suspicion that I missed something, but I don’t care enough to keep this one on the shelf and try again. I should also disclose that I finished this book literally minutes ago, on the train home from Manhattan after seeing Come From Away for the third time. If the post-show euphoria didn’t make me like this novel, nothing will.
Library updates:
Huzzah, I finished a book!! Actually, two books, but who’s counting!! (Me! I am counting!!) And, uh, well, technically, I finished three books, because I read the one I have to review for the freelance gig I mentioned last week, too, but! All that to say, the Library is back, babyyyy.
I feel very accomplished this week. I got a lot of work- and freelance-related stuff done and had some great conversations. I’m still fairly new to everything I’m working on, so I don’t want to jinx any of it, but I do feel fulfilled by and comfortable in my professional space right now (if also busy).
I do feel a little like I cheated, finishing two Library books this week, since I started both of them weeks ago and just had to knock out the last half or so of both. But I guess a finished book is a finished book, right?
I’m realizing I don’t have very much else to say about this week. (Other than seeing Come From Away. Did I mention I saw Come From Away? It was my third time seeing the Broadway masterpiece, Come From Away. I feel very fortunate.)
Anyway, the Fourth of July also happened this past week, and I “celebrated” by watching The Staircase (the HBO series, not the doc), reading the book I have to review, and working on a (not very good) watercolor painting of the Whitestone Bridge. It was a relatively quiet week, though I would like to fill the rest of my summer up with more——more shows, more concerts, more meals, more drinks, more travel.
I’m still working on the balance with my East Coast hours, as well. I used to use my mornings to run errands and take walks, which I can’t really do anymore. I’m working on learning how to better use my evening hours, and relearning to take breaks during the day. Walking in new parks was the activity that helped keep me sane through most of the pandemic, and I do miss getting to drive out to place and wander until the start of the work day. But I know those places aren’t gone; I just need to figure out how to fit them into my new schedule.
Closing thoughts:
Whatever is going on, whatever you’re working on . . . keep going.
(And welcome to the Rock.)
