Longing

How much of yourself you have to leave behind in order to look like everyone else

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson

October 5, 2023 by carmelpie Leave a Comment

I’m in this state of one-way desire. I feel this desire swarming in my belly and running up my spine. But I have to constantly contain and compress it so that it doesn’t betray me in front of others. Because I’ve already understood that desire is visible. ― Philippe Besson, Lie With Me I’m guessing that there was probably no bolt of lightning, just a warm night full of wine and fluttering moths and the feeling that nothing is really important and everything is possible. […]

Life is the thing you bring with you inside your own head

Normal People by Sally Rooney

July 8, 2023 by carmelpie Leave a Comment

“He was like a freezer item that had thawed too quickly on the outside and was melting everywhere, while the inside was still frozen solid. Somehow he was expressing more emotion than at any time in his life before, while simultaneously feeling less, feeling nothing.” ― Sally Rooney, Normal People CBR15Bingo: Adulthood CBR15Passport: Books from different countries Connell and Marianne grow up together in the same small town in Ireland. Connell is the nerd and jock who hangs out with the wealthier, more popular kids. […]

Are you Longing for some Longing?

Normal People by Sally Rooney

September 1, 2020 by Wanderlustful 1 Comment

This was one of Faintingviolet’s top reads of 2019, and I also desperately wanted to watch the Hulu show, especially after Dustin’s review. They were both right- this book was great. If you haven’t seen the Hulu trailer, this is a teenage/college age lovestory, set first in Sligo, northwest Ireland, and later in Dublin. The two main characters are flawed but compelling- Marianne is smart, witty, not particularly pretty and uninterested in what other people think about her. She also has the fortune/misfortune of being […]

American Ghost Stories

Battleborn by Claire Vaye Watkins

January 28, 2020 by andtheIToldYouSos Leave a Comment

Claire Vaye Watkins has an infamous father. I don’t point this out in a salacious “looky here” way, but this father looms large over the first story in this collection. Her father is Tex Watson, yes, that Tex Watson. Murderer. Manson Family member. Currently and indefinitely imprisoned Tex Watson who married a prison pen pal and fathered four children while in jail. Claire wrests the reins from her father, her family, and her history to tell her own story- and it’s a doozy. All of […]

Tracy on A Quiet Book About Surviving AloneFrom looking at Goodreads, it looks like at least a couple of her other works have been translated.
Singsonggirl on A Quiet Book About Surviving AloneYAAAS! Haushofer is one of my favourite authors ever, it's so cool to see her popping up here! While this novel is good, her real...
BlackRaven on I cried six times while reading this memoir slash podcast slash pop culture book.Thanks for the review! I had wanted to read this, but it sounds like it might not be "my thing". Though I've enjoyed the show...
BlackRaven on Not sure if this was a hit or miss, so guess it’s appropriate for my third cannonballThanks! I'd love to do 12 again this year.... but we'll see.
Malin on Not sure if this was a hit or miss, so guess it’s appropriate for my third cannonballCongratulations on your triple Cannonball! You are a reviewing machine.

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