Author: LynnDee

Full-time librarian & cat mom. Part-time blogger & cross stitch fiend. Lover of books, libraries, and people.

My Top Reads of 2024

~ LynnDee ~ Leave a comment

Welp, here we are again. Apparently I can only update this blog once a year with my favorite reads of the prior year. Raise your hand if you heard me say I was going to try to get back into blogging last year? Do we think I’ll be successful in 2025?

Well, I’m going to try. In the meantime, here are my top reads of 2024. I’ll first share my 4 and 4.5 star reads and leave you with my two 5 star reads of 2024. Yes, only two! Your girl was a picky bitch in 2024 apparently.

  • Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb: After hearing Mara and Becca rave about the Realm of the Elderling saga for literal *years* I knew I had to hop on this hype train because FOMO is real. Especially book FOMO. And Robin Hobb did not disappoint. Ms. Robin can not only tell a story, but also write a story (and trust me, there is a difference). For the uninitiated, the Realm of the Elderling saga starts with the Farseer Trilogy where we first meed Fitzgerald Chivalry who grows up in his grandfather’s kingdom learning to be an assassin. And then the shenanigans go from there. And the cover!!! I’m obsessed.
  • The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal: this was such a weird little book and when I read the author’s note saying she wanted to write a fairytale about syphilis I was like “ahhh it all makes sense now”. I read this as part of the ALA Read These Banned Books 52 week reading challenge (which I was not successful in completing but it’s FINE). I’m not surprised it ended up on the list (the occult, female reproductive rights, queer characters–and in an YA book no less?? [she says with sarcasm]). But if you like a fairytale vibe with an edge (ala T. Kingfisher), which I happen to adore, then definitely check this one out.
  • The Guncle by Steven Rowley: this book was such a delight on audiobook. I did not anticipate enjoying a book about a gay uncle trying to help his niece and nephew as they navigate their grief but Gay Uncle Patrick made me realize that I really enjoy reading about grumpy men who are actually big cinnamon rolls.
  • The Curse of Sins by Kate Dramis: I can’t say much because this is the second book in The Curse of Saints series by Kate Dramis, but who knew a fantasy could also feature a workplace enemies-to-lovers romance? And when I tell you that the angst is angsting and that it was *chef’s kiss*.
  • Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan: this is a middle grade historical fiction about three children in the years leading up to and during World War II who are somehow connected by a magical harmonica. Very tug-on-your-heartstrings but not in an emotionally manipulative way. I definitely recommend the audiobook because there is harmonica music playing throughout.
  • Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb: After finishing the Farseer trilogy (which all books got 4 stars but it didn’t seem fair to have them all featured on this list), I immediately had to pick up the first in the Liveship Traders trilogy. A sentient ship, a fiery protagonist and pirates? Count me in.
  • Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas: turns out I was not immune to picking up the Maasverse and proceeded to consume all of her series. KoA is the final book in the Throne of Glass series so again, I can’t say much but I can say I wish to be financially compensated for the emotional damage I endured. And Manon Blackbeak is that girl.
  • A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas: while not the last book in the A Court of Thorns & Roses series, this is the 5th book in the series so….all I will say is that Nesta Archeron was so relatable and maybe the most authentic character SJM has written.
  • Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland: this is the first in a debut fantasy series, so I can say something! This follows a motley crew as they are summoned together and given the task of defeating a god-king. It suffers debut book syndrome of telling vs. showing, but the characters and action make it worth the read!
  • How Not to Drown In a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz: one thing about me is that I am a character reader and so I love novels that essentially just follow characters around (as long as they’re interesting) as they live their lives and/or are reflecting on their lives. And How Not to Drown In a Glass of Water does both! This follows Cara, who has lost her job during the Great Recession, as she’s set up with a job counselor to try and secure another job. During their sessions together Cara shares stories from her life that give insight to the woman she has become. This is another one to listen on audiobook as the narrator does a great job and there’s other sounds that make you feel like you’re in the sessions with Cara.
  • The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: on this blog we support gay love, and we support Madeline Miller. So when she writes about a romance between a Greek hero of myth and a minor prince, we will read it and we will enjoy it. Miller just has a way of lulling you into the story to where you feel like you’re just a ship riding the waves of her words across the seas of her pages. I don’t know if that make sense but I don’t know how else to describe it. Anyway, read this book!
  • Unlikeable Female Characters: The Women Pop Culture Wants You to Hate by Anna Bogutskaya: ok to be honest, when I first picked this up, I did not realize it was about women in film–I thought it was about women in the broader pop culture sphere. But that’s on me because this was definitely a title buy! And I wasn’t mad about it. Bogutskaya does a good job of structuring the book by different female archetypes featured throughout film history and interweaving her experience with the points she’s trying to make. And the book has a list of the films that were mentioned that I definitely need to add to my watch list!
  • Noisemakers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voice & Changed the World: this is a middle grade nonfiction that features 25 profiles of famous women throughout history, with each profile being done by a different artist. One thing that I think sets this apart from the other middle grade nonfiction books of this type is that each profile features different traits the famous woman has and asks the reader what they might have in common with that person.
  • The Women’s Hour: the Great Fight to Win the Vote by Ellen Weiss: I listened to this on audiobook, which I definitely recommend. I thought it was well written and well researched. I didn’t realize upon picking it up that it mainly was about Tennessee’s pivotal role in ratifying the 19th amendment but that’s just me not reading the synopsis lol. I appreciate that the author also acknowledged the intersectional politics and racial discrimination that came with the US suffrage movement. Definitely add this to your women’s history reading list.
  • The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs: the epitome of “behind every great man is a great woman”. I think the author did a great job telling the story of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin. She didn’t have a lot to work with because unfortunately not a lot has been documented about these women but you could tell the author really cared about telling their stories with dignity and respect. I think this was a valiant effort to bring these women out of the footnotes of their famous sons’ histories.
  • Our Lives, Their Battlefields: War Through the Lives of Women by Christina Lamb: It’s hard to say I “enjoyed” this book because the topic is disheartening and enraging, but I definitely appreciate it for the project that it was. R*pe is a constant war tactic yet is never prosecuted as a war crime–make that make sense. And many of the women are victimized twice–physically and socially. I definitely recommend this book if you’re interested in these kind of issues, but just beware of the heaviness of it.
  • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In the Age of Color Blindness by Michelle Alexander: this one expertly explores how even though Jim Crow laws have been erased, Black descendants of victims of Jim Crow laws are they themselves still living in their own Jim Crow era because of the way the legal and justice system oppresses the Black community in America. If you’re a D.A.R.E graduate like myself, you remember the “war on drugs“. This is what the author is talking about. If you like this I also recommend Caste: the Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.
  • Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis: this is a collection of the activist’s speeches and writings on the state violence and oppression throughout history and the world. This one is even more relevant 10 years later, and the true epitome of “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere“. Listen to the audiobook so that you can hear her words in her own voice.
  • American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures: I really enjoyed this collection of stories from BIPOC actors, comedians, athletes, writers, etc., gathered by actress America Ferrera. It is a really insightful and poignant collection of the authors’ lived experiences, and what the “American” identity means to them. I think the stories can resonate with any reader and give food for thought on what it means to be “American”.
  • Midnight In Chernobyl: the Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster by Adam Higginbotham: If I could sum this up in one phrase, it would be “pride goeth before a fall”. Even though I did not understand much of the science being explained, the author does a great job connecting the reader to the human stories affected by this tragedy.
  • What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon: this was a tough read for me because it made me confront my ingrained biases against the idea of being fat and how my body image is distorted by having an anti-fat bias. But I thought Aubrey did a great job with the writing and laying out her themes, ideas, and discussion. I definitely recommend this one for anyone who grew up as teen in the early oughts and had their body image affected by the rampant fatphobia of that era.
  • We Were Once a Family: a Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxanna Asgarian: I was already learning about the complexities of US adoption from TikTok (listening to the stories of adoptees and foster parents) when I picked this book up, but wow did this open my eyes to the injustices within the system. I won’t say too much because I want you to read this but just know that Asgarian does a great job with the writing and takes great care with the subject matter and the stories she’s trying to tell. This one has stuck with me the most and is the one I’ve been recommending the most since I’ve read it. I implore you to pick this one up if you want to know more about the adoption/foster care system in the US.

So those were my top reads of 2024! Have you read any of them? Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? What were your favorite reads of 2024? Let me know!

Until next time,

My Top 23 Reads of 2023

~ LynnDee ~ 3 Comments

So, I had grand plans about getting back into blogging and starting off the new year with my top reads right at the very beginning of the year. Yet here we are, almost the end of January–better late than never I guess! I do also plan on doing my 2023 reading stats (anyone else a stats girlie??), but before I get to those I wanted to share the top 23 books I read in 2023. Why 23? Because it rolls nicely off the tongue, tbh. These 23 are my 4 and 5 star reads of the year. I’m also going to include some honorable mentions because my 4 and 5 stars equaled to 28 but that didn’t flow so 3 of my 4 stars will be honorable mentions and then everything else is will be “Top 23” (which includes a series of 3 books).

Still with me? Ok, here we go.

  • Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo: I have been a fan of Leigh Bardugo’s writing since I read Shadow & Bone in 2015 and she is an author I will always pick up. Ninth House is her first adult novel (although Alex is 20, so frontal lobe still not fully formed) and it did not disappoint for me. It’s magical dark academia with some demons and shit. Is it overwritten? A little bit. But I ate it up.
  • The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel: Station Eleven is one of my favorite novels of all time and being that this is the same author AND *kind of* linked to it, I obviously had to check it out. I didn’t find this one as impactful as Station Eleven, but I love St. John Mandel’s writing and the way she weaves interconnected stories with such subtlety. If you haven’t read Station Eleven you could still read this one, but like read Station Eleven because it’s so good (not to mention the HBO adaptation).
  • The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis: this is the first in a romantasy series about a court spy who discovers she has a power that could turn her into a deadly weapon in a war she’s not so sure about. It’s enemies to lovers with Will, who’s the queen’s enforcer. And when I tell you, the ANGST–chef’s kiss. The world building is like typical fantasy, but it’s got political intrigue, which I like and again, the ANGST.
  • In Defense of Witches: the Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still On Trial by Mona Challet: this is an exploration of the character of the “witch” being a symbol of women’s independence and nonconforming to patriarchal expectations throughout history. I found myself nodding my head in agreement a lot and as Taylor Swift says, “they’re burning all the witches, even if you aren’t one, so light me up”.
  • All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir: this is a young adult novel about two friends facing racism and xenophobia who are wanting to escape their small California town for a better life. When tragedy strikes, one of them spirals and their friendship is put to the test. As the title implies, I felt a lot of rage reading this while reading about the injustice they face, but the ending will pull at your heartstrings.
  • Eggshell Skull by Bri Lee: this is a memoir about the author navigating the Australian justice system after she files charges for sexual assault she experienced as a teen. What’s interesting/infuriating is that she also works in the justice system as a judge’s associate, so she sees firsthand from both ends how slow justice can be to come for victims. I thought this was well written and an interesting look at how a justice system works outside of the United States. Also, shout out to the interlibrary loan service my library provides for getting me a copy of this Australian published book when they didn’t have one.
  • To Survive On This Shore by Jess T. Dugan: another interlibrary loan book, this is a photo book of older transgender and gender nonconforming individuals with one (sometimes two) page interviews about their experience being transgender. The adults featured were 40+ years old. The photos were beautiful, and I think an example of two things–1) that transgender and nonconforming individuals have always been a part of society and 2) how beautiful it is when people can be their authentic selves.
  • The Heiress: the Revelations of Anne de Bourgh by Molly Greeley: ok so listen, I am not a Jane Austen girlie. No shade to those who are, I’m sure I’m just uneducated (I have read Pride & Prejudice, so don’t @ me). Anyway, what I’m getting at is that I had no idea who Anne de Bourgh was because it has been literal years since I’ve read Pride & Prejudice. Turns out she was betrothed to Darcy until that harlot (I kid, I kid) Lizzie Bennett stole him. Greeley fleshes out Anne’s backstory as one of opium dependency (at the hands of her mother) and burgeoning sapphic love. I really enjoyed the audiobook and thought the ending was beautiful.
  • Disability Visibility: First Person Stories From the 21st Century, edited by Alice Wong: as the title says, this is a collection of first-person accounts from disabled individuals about their experience being disabled in the United States. Spoiler: it hasn’t been great due to ableism and inspiration exploitation, among other things. This one got me thinking about how I’ve treated disabled people in my life (my granny was wheelchair bound) and how I can be a better disability advocate.
  • Never Coming Home by Kate Williams: ok this one was surprising–I read it because Mara (Books Like Whoa on YouTube) recommended it. It’s a retelling of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, except it’s young adult and features influencers on a remote island. I did not expect myself to enjoy it as much as I did because 1) it’s young adult (no shade, I just am very picky about what YA I like) and 2) I’ve never read And Then There Were None, so I had no reference point. But I thought it was fun! It was a real whodunnit and I still don’t know.
  • Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas: this is a prequel to The Hate U Give, but following Starr’s father Maverick as a teen in the 90s and how he became her father. I really enjoy Angie Thomas’s writing and I thought this was a good exploration of the experience of young Black men in the United States, and how much has changed since the 90s and how much has stayed the same.
  • Excavations by Kate Myers: this is a contemporary about three women on an archaeological dig who discover something that could upend the history of sports as people know it. It discusses misogyny in sports and archaeology, how the patriarchy pits women against each other, and finding yourself after things you used to know are no longer serving you. The wit is very dry; it reminded me of April Ludgate‘s tone in Parks & Rec.
  • When Women Invented Television: the Untold Story of the Female Powerhouses Who Pioneered the Way We Watch Today by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong: I’m a pop culture afficionado and so give me a book about women being great in the entertainment industry. Armstrong features the stories of Irna Phillips (pioneer of daytime soaps), Gertrude Berg (pioneer of sitcoms), Hazel Scott (first African American woman to host her own show), and Betty White (first woman to be nominated for an Emmy)–four very different women who had a major (yet sometimes forgotten) impact on television media and how that impact still resounds today. I had only heard of Betty White (who hasn’t), so it was fun to learn about these other women and their history.
  • Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say by Kelly Corrigan: this is a memoir about phrases we use to connect with one another and it seemed like it could be a little too self-helpy but Corrigan is so relatable and honest that I ended up really enjoying this one. I definitely recommend the audiobook because she narrates it and it had me LOLing quite a few times.
  • Another Day In the Death of America: A Chronicle of Ten Short Lives by Gary Younge: this book came out in 2016, so the statistics Younge is working with has changed, but as of 2019, 4 children under the age of 18 died by a gun, and 60% of those deaths were homicides (pewresearchcenter.org, 2023). This book tells the story of 7 children, all from different races and background, who died by gun violence and the ramifications of being a country without gun control. It really makes one question, “what about the children?”
  • Dancing In the Mosque: An Afghan Mother’s Letter to Her Son by Homeira Qadari: this is memoir about the author’s heartbreaking decision to stay true to herself and her beliefs at the expense of losing access to her son. The author fought for women’s rights in Afghanistan and it got to a point where she had to leave the country and her ex-husband has kept their son from contacting her (essentially telling him she was dead). I’m not a mother, but I could really feel for the author who had to choose between being miserable (and therefore not authentic to her son) or being authentic with all the risks and consequences that entailed.
  • From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty: I read Doughty’s Smoke Gets In Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it so I knew I wanted to check this one out. Doughty does what the title implies and travels the world to learn about different death practices in different cultures. Very interesting and thought provoking.
  • The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe by J. Randy Taraborrelli: I have really only seen like 2 of Marilyn Monroe’s movies but have always felt for her as someone who was just wanting to be loved for being herself. I thought this biography did a good job of depicting the highs and lows of Marilyn’s life with a diplomatic lens–showing Marilyn at her best but also acknowledging her flaws. A well rounded read.
  • In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park: I have to preface this by saying that having since read this memoir I have learned of the controversy surrounding the author and the book, but at the time of reading it I was enthralled and horrified by what the author endured.
  • White Teeth by Zadie Smith: I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed the storytelling. It follows 2 friends, Archie & Samad, who are veterans of World War II and just the mundaneness of them living their lives in London throughout the decades. I love a quiet story that has a simmering theme underneath.
  • Untamed by Glennon Doyle: as someone who is trying to live more authentically, I really enjoyed this one and appreciated the author’s writing style and tone. One of the quotes that has stuck with me is “we forgot how to say no when we learned how to please” (or something like that). As a recovering people pleaser, this has been living in my brain rent free.
  • The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna: this is a contemporary about a witch who is invited to a home where there are 3 young witches that need teaching, but this is dangerous because when too many witches gather magic can do dodgy things. It features a grumpy librarian dude so this book was not only really fucking cute but it also confirmed my grump/sunshine kink.
  • The Body Is Not An Apology: the Power of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor: I picked this up because I have body insecurities and I am trying to love and appreciate my body as is. This book was an excellent reminder that some of my shame has been taught and to truly love your body is to break free of the societal expectations and exploitation placed upon us.
  • Pachinko by Min Jin Lee: give me a multi-generational family saga any time. This is about how one young Korean’ woman’s choice sets the trajectory for the rest of her family’s life. It also features World War II, the Japanese occupation of Korea, the splintering of North and South Korea, and so much more. Extremely well written and enthralling.
  • The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir: I binged all of these as soon as I could (I think I managed to read the 3 that are currently out in 2 months). These books are WEIRD and I was confused by everything that was happening but they were a vibe and I really fucking enjoyed them. If the covers don’t intrigue you, the tagline of Gideon the Ninth is “lesbian necromancers in space” so if that doesn’t get you, I don’t know what will.
  • Know My Name by Chanel Miller: this is the author’s memoir about not only surviving sexual assault at the hands of Brock Turner (who got a six months sentence), but also surviving the justice system where the victim is sometimes made guilty until proven innocent. Miller’s writing is not only vulnerable and raw, but exquisite. I listened to this on audiobook, which she narrates, and I definitely recommend consuming the book that way. It made me outraged on her behalf all over again and wonder what has really changed in our society since then. A very tough and emotional read but so well worth it.

So those were my top 23 reads of 2023! Have you read any of them? Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? What were your favorite reads of 2023? Let me know!

Until next time,

October 2023 Reading Wrap-Up

~ LynnDee ~ Leave a comment

We are already a week into Nonfiction November, but here are some stats and quick reviews of what I read in October!

The stats

    The books

    • The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: this is the first in a young adult series that has been likened to Knives Out. A teen girl finds out she’s inheriting like Elon Musk levels of money from some tycoon she’s never met and has to deal with his family who are NOT happy about it. The family includes a set of brothers and the girl (Avery) is attracted to two of them. I listened to this on audiobook and thought it was fine but I could have done without the love triangle aspect. I wasn’t compelled to continue with the series immediately but I may in the future.
    • Femina by Janina Ramirez: the subtitle of this one is “a new history of the Middle Ages through the women written out of it” and like yes, but also, no. I’m always drawn to titles about women’s history, so that’s why I picked this one up. I did enjoy it for the most part, but I just felt it was very Eurocentric with the women it focused on, and really English-centric if we want to be specific. While it was fascinating to learn about how women were more integral to medieval politics and society than we might think, I wish it had more of a worldview perspective to it.
    • Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman: this is a fiction novel about a drug that lets people see ghosts. It’s supposed to be a look at addiction and grief which like, it is, but the execution was just not great (poor writing, a lot of telling and not showing, boring characters) so it didn’t really have the affect on me that I think it was supposed to.
    • The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastard #3) by Scott Lynch: this is the third in a series so no spoilers but this series is fun and I really like the banter and friendship between Locke and Jean. I do think this series could use an editor but overall it’s a good time.
    • Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas: yes, I have started ToG. And yes, I am enjoying it. Since this is book 2, no spoilers, but SJM just has a way of writing that makes me want to turn the pages. I did think the emotion felt over a certain character’s death was a little contrived, but overall I’m currently enjoying the series ride.
    • The Hidden Witch (The Witch Boy #2) by Molly Knox Ostertag: this is the second in a cute juvenile graphic novel series about a boy who wants to be a witch, even though in his community the men are shifters and the women are witches. This second book is about learning to trust others and found family.
    • Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang: this is both a biography and a historical account of the Republic of China and the rise of communism within it. Jung depicts both her grandmother’s history and her mother’s history alongside the shifting political background in China and how that affected their lives. This is was dense and intense, but ultimately captivating and insightful.

    So that’s what I read in October! You might have noticed that I only mentioned 7 books when I said I read 8, and that’s because one of them was an advanced reader’s copy of a title sent to me for review for Booklist, and the review hasn’t been published yet.

    Have you read any of the books I mentioned? Do you agree or disagree? Let me know!

    Until next time,

    Nonfiction November 2023 Potential Reads

    ~ LynnDee ~ 1 Comment

    I *cannot* tell you how much I love Nonfiction November. You might be like, why LynnDee, your Goodreads says you read nonfiction all throughout the year. And you’re right, I do. But I don’t know, something about the way nonfiction is celebrated during November and the way Olive at A Book Olive develops prompts that get me thinking creatively when crafting my reading list just makes the reading month all the more fun. So anyway, below is a list of what I tentatively plan on reading during this year’s Nonfiction November (tentative being the operative word lol).

    The Prompts

    For each Nonfiction November, Olive gives 4 prompts that readers can use to help guide their reading throughout the month. These prompts can be interpreted however the reader chooses. You absolutely do not have to follow these prompts to participate, but I like to try to create a reading list based off of them. This year’s prompts are fraud, display, capital, and web. Here is what I have on my tentative TBR for these prompts:

    • Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech by Sara Wachter-Boettcher–I don’t remember how I heard about this one but as a frequent user of apps I’m sure I’ve felt the affects (even if I didn’t know it at the time) of what the title insinuates. For this title, I’m interpreting the “web” prompt as the “world wide web” (which apps and algorithms would definitely apply).
    • The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth and Power by Deirdre Mask–what’s in a (street) name? Well, this book says a lot: “The Address Book illuminates the complex and sometimes hidden stories behind street names and their power to name, to hide, to decide who counts, who doesn’t―and why”. The sociology major in me is fascinated by all aspects of society, and this is an aspect I have never really thought of critically. For this title, I’m in interpreting the “web” prompt as the web that streets form when you’re looking at a map (I told you, this prompts make you think creatively!).
    • The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism by Edward E. Baptist–I heard of this one from a mini-newsletter I get from my public library every once in a while. As a cishet white woman, I am continuing to educate myself on all aspects of the Black experience in America and unlearn the sugarcoated version of American history I was taught in school. From the title, I’m guessing this one will discuss how the American legacy was built on the violence of slavery. The word “capital” is literally in the title, so you can see how it fits the prompt.
    • The Whiteness of Wealth: How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans-and How We Can Fix It by Dorothy A. Brown–this another Mara recommendation and as someone who knows nothing about taxes (I mean, I know enough to use TurboTax [not sponsored] to get them done), I figured I could learn something from this one. Our capitalist system involves taxes, so that’s why I’m using this title for the “capital” prompt.
    • Razzle Dazzle: the Battle for Broadway by Michael Riedel–for those who don’t know, I did musical theater in high school so I used to be very in tune (pun intended) with what was happening on Broadway. I’m not so much anymore, so I thought this book might scratch that theater kid itch. For this title, I’m interpreting the display prompt as being when you’re on stage (like on Broadway), you’re on display.
    • The Body Is Not an Apology: the Power of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor–as a millennial, body positivity and self-love was not as widely embraced as it is now (although we still have a long ways to go because misogyny); I’m still working it out in therapy how to really love myself so I thought this book might help (plus it’s been well recommended). For this title, I’m interpreting the display prompt as our bodies being on display and this book talks about bodies.
    • Women Who Read Are Dangerous by Stefan Bollmann–this is a collection of paintings and drawings throughout the history of women reading. As the blurb says, “there was a time when female literacy was a radical idea”, so for me to be able to read this book now seems kind of full circle. For this title, I’m interpreting the display prompt as artwork is on display and this book mentions art.
    • Women In Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World by Rachel Ignotofsky–I’ve read and own Rachel’s Women In Science and Women In Sports, so this is just me catching up on her backlist. For this title, I’m again interpreting display as artwork being on display and this book is talking about artists.
    • Nevertheless, She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments by Ann Shen–Ann Shen is another artist I enjoy and have read from, so I am again catching up on her backlist. And again, for the display prompt, this is another art book.
    • A Little Devil In America: Notes In Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib–I don’t know much about this title but it came highly recommended by a friend. This is another title where I’m interpreting the display prompt as being on display when you’re performing.
    • Forgotten Women: the Artists by Zing Tsjeng–I’m obsessed with reading about forgotten women (which there are a lot of them because, you know, the patriarchy), so obviously this one peaked my interest. And you guessed it, another art book!
    • Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts: a History of Sex for Sale by Kate Lister–I love reading about all aspects of women’s history, and with the conversation surrounding sex work I thought this one sounded really interesting. For this title, this is another one where I’m interpreting the display title as the body being on display.
    • Broad Strokes: 15 Women Who Made Art and Made History by Bridget Quinn–again, another women’s history/art book! I have a type, ok???

    So those titles are what I hope to get to during Nonfiction November! I know I won’t get to all of them, but I like to have options. Let me know what you think of my interpretations of the prompts! And are you participating in Nonfiction November?

    Until next time,

    Hello 35.

    ~ LynnDee ~ 1 Comment

    First off, it’s really nice to meet you. I’ve looked forward to meeting you for the past few months. There’s something about the age 35 that just says “Hi, this is me” that I am ready to embrace.

    I have to say though, you’re not exactly who I thought you would be. You’re more independent and self-reliant than I thought you would be. You’re someone that has a career you adore and a work crew that you have no idea how you would survive work without. You got into public libraries right after college and have never looked back. Your affinity for yearning and people is what makes the library such a fulfilling place for you. You manage your branch?? Which is honestly pretty cool and you don’t really give yourself enough credit for the work you’ve done to become the leader that you are. I need you to be better about that.

    You have so many people in your friends and family who care about you and love you without expectations. They embrace you as you are and are there for you–even though you feel like sometimes you don’t deserve it. Let me tell you something, you DO deserve it. Love is not transactional, babe, love is not something that is only bestowed on the worthy. Love is the safe space you provide someone and everyone deserves that safe space. I need you to believe that you’re the same to your friends and family that they are to you.

    35, I’ll be honest–I was not expecting you not to have met any of the “milestones” that most of your friends have. You’re not married, you don’t have kids, and you don’t own a home. I know it makes you feel like sometimes you’re in some sort of arrested development, like you’re not really the age you are (your body would tell you otherwise). But 1) like fuck “milestones” because that’s just another word for societal expectations you’re not obligated to meet. 2) I’m actually proud of you for not meeting these milestones because it means you haven’t done anything that doesn’t feel good to you. I mean you might do these things one day, right? But not before you’re ready and absolutely sure.

    I also want to say I’m proud of you for starting therapy. I know you were worried initially that you wouldn’t have anything to talk about, but your therapist is helping you interpret all the thoughts going through your mind and helping you think about who you are as a person, and you need that. Also, it’s just nice to word vomit to an unbiased professional, you know? Therapy doesn’t have to be just for processing trauma; it can help you make sense of the world and your place in it.

    Speaking of your therapist, she’s helping you with your self-esteem, which I think deep down you know you needed. You compare yourself to others a lot and she’s asking you what good does that do for you. And you know what? It doesn’t do any good so you might as well stop doing it. 35 is the year to only do things that serves ourselves.

    I know I don’t tell you this a lot (if at all), but I do love you. I think you are stronger, funnier, and kinder than I ever thought you could be. You’re smart, you’re curious, you’re open to changing your mind and admitting when you were wrong; Your body can still move in the way you want it to–you can run a decent mile and still bend and move pretty easily. But honestly, I need you to love your body more. Your body is cute and it does what you need it to do–that should be enough.

    35, I know you’re going to be great. You’ve got a lot of history behind you that has led you to be who you are today. But I am so excited to see who you will become in the year to come.