Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year by Anne Lamott
"I woke up with a start at 4:00 one morning and realized I was very very pregnant." One of the trends I've noticed about writing about pregnancy more recently is some attempt to remove the sort of automated cultural responses to what pregnancy, birth, and motherhood are. What I mean by this is … [Read more]
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and other writings by Jonathan Edwards
"DEAR SON: I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. You may remember the inquiries I made among the remains of my relations when you were with me in England, and the journey I undertook for that purpose. Imagining it may be equally agreeable to you to know the … [Read more]
Illuminations: Essays and Reflections by Walter Benjamin
"I am unpacking my library. Yes, I am. The books are not yet on the shelves, not yet touched by the mild boredom of order. I cannot march up and down their ranks to pass them in review before a friendly audience. You need not fear any of that. Instead, I must ask you to join me in the disorder of … [Read more]
Pulling the Wings Off Angels by KJ Parker
I started reading KJ Parker's Prosper's Demon as an ARC a few years back. I remember putting it down about halfway through the novella and being fully OK with not continuing it but not having strong feelings about it one way or another. The book has since earned raves. I regularly come across … [Read more]
Murder By the Sea by Robin Jarossi, David Howard
Based on the CBS reality show Murder By the Sea, ten murders that took place in various seaside towns and resorts of Britain are recounted in this book. I like true crime, but my medium of choice is podcasts - I very rarely watch it on TV. As such, I have never heard of this show, but the central … [Read more]
The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman
If you were writing an American History textbook you might be tempted to skip from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the September 11 attacks with just a few brief pitstops along the way. Even as they were happening the Nineties tended to feel less consequential than other eras, and in the years since … [Read more]
