So… I am the least superstitious person ever… but I did a bit of a double take when I typed out the date but not for the reason you’d think. We are almost halfway through June… sigh. Since I spent my year with a timely focus I have come to appreciate so much all the beauty that is June! The greens are so fresh and bright… it is if all the world is celebrating that it has reawakened. It is not the same green of July and August… and I really love it! Next week summer begins and but for now, I am firmly immersed in spring!
I have been reading lots these days… some really fantastic books!
First up, my beloved Ocean Vuong and his brilliant The Emperor of Gladness. Yes, it was so brilliant! The writing is, of course, perfection! I listened to Ocean talk with Ari Shapiro about the book (it is a very worthy listen before you settle in with dear Hai and Grazina). Hai has dropped out of college and is lost and adrift in life when he stumbles upon Grazina, who lives alone. She is in need of help and a bit of a bargain is made in which Hai gets a place to sleep and Grazina gets a bit of help. But really, this story is about love and friendship and the family we choose (and not the same as the family we were born into.) The bond that is forged between Hai and Grazina is a thing of beauty. I laughed and cried with them. (And I really, really loved the incredibly timely undercurrent of immigration that is woven through the pages!!) It is a book that I will be thinking about for a very long time. If this book is not on your radar, it should be… I highly recommend it!
I also recently finished Richard Russo’s latest book, which was published May 13th, Life and Art: Essays… which felt a bit memoir-ish…in a kind of conversational way. I very much felt like I was sitting with Russo as he talked about his writing, himself, and the world we live in today… and what might be a way to move back together… past our differences. I really enjoyed Life and Art, especially hearing about how all the Sully books came to life… I loved Sully before and learning a bit of the why’s of Sully has made me love him even more… and Richard Russo as well! If you like Russo’s writing, you will not be disappointed in his latest offering and I hope that he has many, many more years to write. I highly recommend!
I think Kym inadvertently brought Aysegül Savas’s The Anthropologists to my radar and I am delighted I read it! Short… just 192 pages… but don’t let the length fool you… there is some beautiful writing about the ordinary and everyday. Savas does not ever tell us where the book takes place, but as I listened… it felt a bit like Japan to me. The characters, Asya and Manu, are looking for an apartment… but not in the neighborhood where they live currently… and not near their family it seems. What the book is about is really their dreams of what might be… and it is an incredibly thoughtful journey. The ending was so achingly beautiful… and it has lingered in my thoughts since I finished it. I highly recommend!
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent … a conversation between Brendan O’Hea and Judi Dench sort of fell flat for me. I listened but really had a very hard time settling in with what felt very much like a never-ending podcast episode. Like Carole, I skipped around a good bit. And that is saying something because I really love Judi Dench in whatever I have ever seen her in, but about midway through the book I realized that I have never seen her do any Shakespeare. Perhaps that is why it all sort of was well “over my head.” Although, having Judi babble in your ears as you weed is not a bad thing. If you love Shakespeare, you will likely get much more out of this than I did!
Thanks to Vera, over the last couple of days I devoured Kim Fay’s latest epistolary novel, Kate & Frida. Now, I loved Love & Saffron but I wondered how another novel of letters between two people would work… and it worked even better than the first time! Kate works in a book story in Portland and by the luck of the draw (or her coworkers who tell her that she would be the best to answer a letter from Frida) and thus begins this absolutely gorgeous exchange of letters between two souls who will become the best of friends. I laughed… so much! And I cried… more than once. This novel takes place in the 1990’s and the little “blips” of 90’s life is just spectacular! I also love that they send each other books! If you long for the times when letter writing was the way of communication… you will absolutely adore Kate & Frida. It is the perfect summer read! I highly recommend!
That’s it from me this week! I wish you all a delightful weekend and Happy Father’s Day to all who might be celebrating.
If the weather is not a deterrent, you might want to find a bit of a No Kings gathering this weekend. You will find a plethora of location across this great land. Don’t register, just go… really, Do Not Register! As Benjamin Franklin said… a republic if we can keep it… let’s all work to keep it, huh?
You’ve enjoyed some great and varied reading! I’ve been in the hold queue for quite a while for The Emperor of Gladness and after reading your review I’m even more anxious. I’m going to go check my library for The Anthropologists and Kate & Frida. Thanks for the great recommendations, Kat!
What a fun reading post Kat! Like Bonny, I’m in queue (long) for The Emperor of Gladness. I loved The Anthropologists (I thought they were somewhere in Europe) – such a beautiful book. And, I’m so glad you enjoyed Kate and Frida. Happy Weekend!
Well, now I’ve added a few new books to my list. I have had Kate and Frida on my list since I read about it but the last time I checked my library didn’t have a copy. It would make a good book to take on a trip so I’ll wait a bit longer on the library and then maybe purchase a copy. I would like to read The Emperor of Gladness too. Thanks for the great reviews.
I’m glad to hear Kate & Frida was so good — Love & Saffron was such a comforting read that I was afraid the next one wouldn’t be as good! I’m in a long queue for The Emperor of Gladness, but I’m sure it will be worth the wait in the end.
I’m not sure I’ll make it to a protest today, but I’ll be with everyone who will be in spirit!
I haven’t read Love & Saffron or Kate & Frida but I am adding both to my TBR. Thank you for your honest reviews. Dale and I protested yesterday and it was AWESOME!
since the kids moved here my reading has been scant. I want to improve that! I am not superstitious about the thirteenth but I always not that date in particular!!