We are at the end of another month?! Time, man. What a weirdo.
The dearest wish of my heart is that maybe one day soon we can all read outside a little if we want to? Drink too much iced coffee and read in the sun? Is that too much to ask?? Manifest it with me, people.
Meanwhile, I read some bangers in March and tried to pay attention to our strange world.
March Things
favorite reads:
Spoiler: I simply could not pick one.
First up an instant classic and a certified banger: James by Percival Everett
Far be it from me to imagine what goes on inside the brains of the hoity toity fancy literati who decide on awards like the Pulitzer, but if this novel doesn’t win some BIG FANCY-ASS AWARDS, this reader is going to be mad. James is a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that, if you ask me, dances circles around the original text. Everett admires Twain, draws inspiration from him, and then leaves him in the dust. I know that’s a big claim to make and we were all taught that Mark Twain is a GOAT, but please read this book. No, I didn’t re-read Huck Finn before I read James, but I did read this clear, succinct guide from the brilliant
of Fiction Matters, who I consider to be Bookstagram’s beloved English teacher. She set up me for success to read James without having to slog through Huck Finn. Thank you, @Sara!
But seriously, I think you should read James. Percival Everett has published over thirty novels and I’ve only read three, but this feels like his masterwork. I’ve never read a novel that is this smart and complex while still being accessible and an absolute thrill ride. Everett had me in the palm of his hand to the very last word and my thought on finishing was, “oh, now that is a novel.” Read it! You won’t be sorry!!
And because this month was too good to pick one favorite, I must tell you about another book that knocked my socks right off - There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib.
It’s a book about basketball, but if you are at all familiar with the work of Hanif Abdurraqib, you know it’s much, much more. Hanif Abdurraqib is a poet, essayist, literary critic, music critic, and really a sort of public intellectual and historian who refuses not to love what he loves. My friend
heard him speak recently in Chicago and her reflection makes the best possible case for engaging with his work. It’s about love. It’s about paying attention. It’s about knowing the people and places we love for everything they are and loving them anyway, no matter the cost.Reading this book and watching some of my heroes ball out this week has been one of my favorite reading experiences of all time. Thank you, basketball. Thank you, Hanif. Thank you, world.
one bright glimmer:
We had some warmish days this month, so Rebecca and I got out our bikes and rode around our little town making deliveries to Little Free Libraries. It turns out fresh air really is good for you. Damnit.
book I’m looking forward to:
You are Here: Poetry in the Natural World edited by Ada Limón. Much as I love my number one, Mary Oliver, I am so excited to read this collection of contemporary poets writing on their own beloved local landscapes. Edited by our Poet Laureate, Ada Limón, who will be speaking at Smith College on April 30th. Guess who is going to be there selling books?? Me. It’s me. I will.
biggest surprise:
My friend
invited Rebecca and I to visit the Smith College Bulb show with her this month and it was wonderful. Flower bathing!!! Yes, lord.
This is not a a new idea, but if you are feeling down, have you considered flowers?? I’m kidding but also not….
And speaking of my friend
, she has been doing incredible work this month spreading the word about the Trans Rights Readathon, creating bountiful lists of Trans Literature to read all year long, and raising funds for organizations and mutual aid funds to support Trans liberation. I am so grateful to be in community with Laura and I encourage you to look up the Readathon, make a TBR of Trans books to read this year, and donate to organizations in your area. I am giving what I can to the Trans Asylum Support Network.I’m still learning:
Mr. Dunkin put us through the wringer the past few days. He had a routine vet appointment for two quick shots and it was a bit of a fiasco. Dunkin is not a “routine” dog. He is terrified out of his mind when he encounters a trigger and our dude has a lot of triggers. We are still learning how to love him well. We are still learning how to care for ourselves while caring for him.
The good news is we are getting Dunkin comfortable with wearing a muzzle and he is doing so well with it! It puts us at ease taking him places where he might encounter the unexpected and it keeps everyone safe. Responsible dog ownership! Let’s go! The muzzle might cause people to make assumptions about him or us, but giving him a healthy, happy life just matters more.
We love our nervous, needy boy.
When we have a hard reactive dog day, I often turn to the work of one of my favorite instagram follows, the artist and dog lover, Hannah Simpson.
ALL DOGS ARE GOOD DOGS.
Even dogs that stand on books. Though generally this behavior is frowned upon unless it is absolutely too cute to tolerate. See below.
We love you.
You are doing a good job. Let yourself off the hook for just a minute if you can.
In my mind I am reading on a sunny porch with you, two dogs napping at our feet.
Love,
Rosamond
Aww, Dunkin. What a good boy! I'm eager to read James. It's my local bookseller's recommendation for this month as well. I have an audiobook copy and I'm hoping that format works well for me.
I enthusiastically endorse all elements of this edition! I also enthusiastically endorse Dunkin! We are all just trying to do our best ❤️