Hey! You’re here! Thank you.
We are halfway through the year. It’s deep summer now. I’m scared of twenty-five new things and that’s just since yesterday. There are new wildflowers blooming outside our door. The days are long and fast. I have so many books left to read.
Today, though, I am here to tell you about the books I read in the second quarter of this year. To do so, I’m bringing back everyone’s favorite little game - yes, maybe, and just no.
I sorted the books I read in quarter two into three categories - the books that yes you absolutely should read no matter what (go read them already), the books that maybe you might like, and the books that if you picked them up I would gently shake my head and say, just no.
Check out about my quarter one reads here.
YES
Wild & Precious: A Celebration of Mary Oliver - I wrote about this one here. If a text is going to try to do justice to the work and impact of Mary Oliver, I am going to hold it to the highest standard, and this audiobook exceeded my dearest hopes. A gorgeous close reading of my favorite poet.
Bluff: Poems by Danez Smith - This collection comes out August 20th and it’s going to fuck shit up. This is my favorite poetry collection I’ve read this year. I needed it and I think you might too.
Another Word for Love: A Memoir by Carvel Wallace - The memoir of the year so far. I wrote about it here. Tender and astonishing. Another book I needed.
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino - I wrote about this gorgeous, strange alien novel here. Update: I still can’t stop thinking about it.
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers - I just finished this classic American novel last week and it is my new obsession. I already had an author crush on Carson McCullers and now I am in for life. This book hit me right in the gut. I want to re-read it every year forever. I wish I read it ten years ago, but I am so glad I have it now. If you’ve read this one please come talk to me about it because it has me by the throat.
MAYBE
Carson McCullers: A Life by Mary Dearborn - Maybe, if you want to learn more about a lesbian icon and her courageous, messy, difficult, beautiful, queer life.
Have I Told You This Already? by Lauren Graham - Maybe, if you have taste and therefore are a Gilmore Girls fan.
January Children by Safia Elhillo - Maybe, if you like poetry collections that cover a range of topics from migration to colonization to fan culture and hero worship.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - Maybe, if you want to have fun and can overlook the questionable political views of the author.
All Fours by Miranda July - Maybe, if you like reading about women burning up their lives to see what’s left in the ruins.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer - Maybe, if you want a short and propulsive novel about a surprisingly loveable sex robot named Annie.
Lucky Wreck: Poems by Ada Limón - Maybe, if you want to read the full catalogue of one of our greatest living poets.
No Name in the Street by James Baldwin - Maybe, if you want to read Baldwin’s full catalogue and plumb the depths of his genius. That said, this is not where I would start with Baldwin.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover - Maybe, if you want a quick, propulsive, quite cringy read. Oh and if you want to know what all the hype is about!! You know you do….
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi - Maybe, if you have a high tolerance for reading about people doing terrible, terrible things, and you like books that leave it to the reader to decide right from wrong.
How Far the Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler - Maybe, if you think nature is gay (it is).
No
Real Americans by Rachel Khong - With all respect to Rachel Khong and what she was trying to do with this novel, I think this was a miss. It is 300 pages too long, full of unnecessary plot turns, and ham fisted in its delivery. I don’t think it’s a good use of your reading time. That said, really smart people disagree with me! Shout out in the comments if you think I am wrong and tell the people why.
Okay if you’ve put up with me this long you get a gold star. Thank you for sticking around, and I hope you pick up one of those yes books. You’ll be richer for it. I know I am.
Tell me in the comments - what is one yes book and one just no book you’ve read this year?
Wherever you are I hope your day brings a little softness and maybe, just maybe, some quiet time to read.
I love you.
Love,
Rosamond
We are coming up on one year of this weird little newsletter and I can’t say how much fun I am having writing it every week. I am starting to take myself seriously as a writer and that’s the hardest, best thing. I have ideas on how to grow this space, but I need help doing it. If you are able, might you consider becoming a paid subscriber and financially supporting my work? It would mean the world to me. Thank you.
Yes: 💛💛💛💛 of course, but also There’s Always This Year.
No: Daily Rituals: How Artists Work. I love the idea, short snippets about the routines of all kinds of artists. But the book was at least 80% white men. Give me a break and be serious.
lol, Rachel Khong wrote a novel and you said, SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SHORT STORT and took 3/4 of the book out 😂😂 We read so many books together (even if you were really, really late on Beautyland, it’s ok, nobody’s perfect) and that was the best part! I am reading Another Word for Love rn (except not in public places, because TEARS).