Whatcha Readin'?

Have you ever had to stop reading for an extended period of time? Have you ever read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron? I started this book in April and it’s one where you read a chapter a week and there are all sorts of tasks for you to complete and challenges. Last week was Reading Deprivation Week and I thought I was going to die. Life went into a massive tail spin in general with a new puppy in the house and all was calamity.

Despite not being able to read for an entire week, I managed to read 15 books in April and I thought 11 of those were four stars or better. Here they are, in no particular order:

The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty is a medium-paced fiction book that’s dark and emotional and impossible to put down. Full of fascinatingly imperfect characters whose lives intersect due to seemingly nothing more than location, it is actually a novel wholly about love. A stunning debut novel, it was awarded the National Book Award in 2022.

Afterimage by Helen Humphreys is a historical fiction reflective and slow-to-medium-paced book about a woman photographer back before photography was a common/acceptable profession for women. As always, Humphreys’ beautiful prose makes this a pleasant read.

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis is the fourth book in the Narnia series and is a middle-grade fantasy book that’s adventurous and mysterious and medium-paced. I read it with my seven and four year olds and the older one was fascinated, the younger one bored.

My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem is a nonfiction and very challenging book about sociology. Full of body practices at the end of nearly every chapter, this book reads quite a bit like The Body Keeps the Score and is all about how we trap in our genes the atrocities of the past. An excellent book for anyone suffering from PTSD or unaccountable anger or other overwhelming emotions.

How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell is a nonfiction book of essays about (essentially) being mindful. Her contention is that addictive technology is sucking away our souls, I’m paraphrasing. Odell does not actually say that we should do nothing, rather that we should be mindful of where we put our attention because our attention is the most important thing we have. A fascinating book and an older one (2019) that still resonates strongly.

Knocked Down by Aileen Weintraub is an emotional, reflective, and fast-paced memoir about a woman who moves from the city to the country only to find herself pregnant and on ordered bed-rest for nine months! An interesting look at coming to know who you are when all of your options are severely limited.

And a Dog Called Fig by Helen Humphreys is a memoir about the author and her dogs. She begins the book with the loss of her last dog and the acquisition of a puppy. It’s a slow-to-medium-paced book that reminds me quite a bit of Mary Oliver’s writing, very focused on the natural world and how we fit into it.

Joanna Penn: 1) Business for Authors is a nonfiction reference book that’s informative and medium-paced. Chock full of information and a bit overwhelming, it’s full of all the mistakes the author learned from and the tips and tricks she has for beginning authors. 2) Public Speaking for Authors, Creatives and other Introverts is a nonfiction business/self-help book that’s informative and medium-paced. Full of tips and tricks for becoming a better speaker whether to give readings or to become a panelist at conventions, it takes the rather daunting idea of speaking in public and making it somewhat less terrifying. 3) How to Write a Novel is a nonfiction reference book that’s inspiring, informative, and medium-paced. Once again chock full of author mistakes as well as tips and tricks, this book was especially helpful as a reference to additional books/quotes and generally makes the process seem less daunting.

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday is a nonfiction philosophy book that’s medium-paced, informative, and inspiring. The premise is that the things stopping us from doing what we want aren’t really obstacles at all but are the things that show us exactly how to power through and do something new or different or better.

I’m currently reading (jn no particular order):

-Verity by Colleen Hoover

-C--t by Inga Muscio

-Margaret Fuller by Megan Marshall

-The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman

Hopefully none of you had to experience reading deprivation last month; while it can make you very aware of how grateful you are to be an avid reader, it can also cast you a bit adrift. Drop me a line and lemme know whatcha readin’.

Sunday Dutro is an avid reader and eBook convert living in Thompson Falls with her beautiful family and a satisfyingly enormous “to be read” pile. Reach her at [email protected].