Heather Cox Richardson is my go-to favorite in trying political times. Her "Letters to An American" always gives me context for the crazy and helps me take a longer view on what is happening. And "Men Yell at Me" feels like a great outlet when I'm just over all of it, especially Dingus of the Week. And the "Middle Finger Project" is hopeful and inspiring, while hilarious. Although not sure Ash is midlife just yet.
Talking about hopeful comments they received... "It reminds me of the way the birds gather in the morning and sing to each other, sing themselves into a new day, exchanging information. What if our voices were birdsong? What would we want to relay to others?"
I have been reading When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill. It was recommended by a woman in my book group and as she was describing it I knew I had to check it out; it is just what I needed after this election which put me in a foul funk and left me adrift in sadness. This feminist novel gave me permission to own my rage and though it veers into fantasy, a genre I’m not normally drawn to, it is so timely that it has helped to regenerate my soul.
Really enjoying Mariana Enriquez's latest collection of short stories, A Sunny Place For Shady People. One story in particular, "Metamorphosis," is about a mid-life woman and her uterine fibroid and subsequent hysterectomy--it's brilliant! Also, a shout out to Unsolicited Press's upcoming 2025 Year of Womxn--an entire year devoted exclusively to publishing books by women! https://www.unsolicitedpress.com/shop/p/the-2025-year-of-womxn-book-box-subscription
I just finished One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson and am now on The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner. Because I write about our reality on my Substack. I’m happy to escape it with leisure reads.
I read this this week https://open.substack.com/pub/tothebed/p/no-my-body-isnt-weird?r=p79oq&utm_medium=ios after seeing Virginia Sole-Smith posting about Loretta’s substack To the Bed. I think it’s so important that women talk to each other more so that we understand what’s common for us instead of assuming the men we are with actually know what they are talking about.
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn! I started a quiet book club on here, called The Life-Changing Book Club, where people share with me a book that has changed their life (how is their secret to share or keep) and then we read it. I love this first pick from Cate Whittle xoxox
Heather Cox Richardson is my go-to favorite in trying political times. Her "Letters to An American" always gives me context for the crazy and helps me take a longer view on what is happening. And "Men Yell at Me" feels like a great outlet when I'm just over all of it, especially Dingus of the Week. And the "Middle Finger Project" is hopeful and inspiring, while hilarious. Although not sure Ash is midlife just yet.
I subscribe to the first two, but I hadn't heard of the Middle Finger Project. Thanks for the suggestion!
I'm reading Chin Up Darling by Mariska Nicholson, https://mariskanicholson.substack.com/ and I Know What Heaven Is by Karen Joy Brown, https://karenjoybrown.substack.com/
Also love Marie Cloutier Writes at https://bostonbibliophile.substack.com/
Here's something for the beautiful and insightful category, "Welcome to the family" by Phoenix Birch on Becoming Phoenix.
https://substack.com/@phoenixbirch/p-151800563
Talking about hopeful comments they received... "It reminds me of the way the birds gather in the morning and sing to each other, sing themselves into a new day, exchanging information. What if our voices were birdsong? What would we want to relay to others?"
Oh, that's just lovely. Thank you for sharing.
I have been reading When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill. It was recommended by a woman in my book group and as she was describing it I knew I had to check it out; it is just what I needed after this election which put me in a foul funk and left me adrift in sadness. This feminist novel gave me permission to own my rage and though it veers into fantasy, a genre I’m not normally drawn to, it is so timely that it has helped to regenerate my soul.
I read that! All those women having an outlet for their rage - amazing!
I love the title! I'll look it up!
https://open.substack.com/pub/keralataylor/p/that-day-i-went-crazy-and-ended-my?r=qwrmd&utm_medium=ios I loved this piece by Kerala Taylor- women are always being told they’re going crazy and I loved how she wrote her story.
Really enjoying Mariana Enriquez's latest collection of short stories, A Sunny Place For Shady People. One story in particular, "Metamorphosis," is about a mid-life woman and her uterine fibroid and subsequent hysterectomy--it's brilliant! Also, a shout out to Unsolicited Press's upcoming 2025 Year of Womxn--an entire year devoted exclusively to publishing books by women! https://www.unsolicitedpress.com/shop/p/the-2025-year-of-womxn-book-box-subscription
I just finished One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson and am now on The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner. Because I write about our reality on my Substack. I’m happy to escape it with leisure reads.
I'm escaping into lots of crime novels!
Loved this by Marta Rose https://open.substack.com/pub/thespirallab/p/metaphors-we-change-culture-by?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=hywgb
I thought the writing in this essay was beautiful: https://open.substack.com/pub/audacity/p/risk-assessments?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=i4r1s
I just finished reading Teronda's A bout of Bell's palsy. https://teronda.substack.com/p/a-bout-of-bells-palsy ~ a terrifying reminder of how we need to remember to prioritize our health!
I just read this article on Continuing Wonderment this morning ... https://open.substack.com/pub/kanderson/p/a-letter-to-my-younger-self?r=20792x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I read this this week https://open.substack.com/pub/tothebed/p/no-my-body-isnt-weird?r=p79oq&utm_medium=ios after seeing Virginia Sole-Smith posting about Loretta’s substack To the Bed. I think it’s so important that women talk to each other more so that we understand what’s common for us instead of assuming the men we are with actually know what they are talking about.
This looks fantastic! Thank you for sharing.
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn! I started a quiet book club on here, called The Life-Changing Book Club, where people share with me a book that has changed their life (how is their secret to share or keep) and then we read it. I love this first pick from Cate Whittle xoxox
SO misunderstood the instructions! Okay, well, that was a book that I'm loving. I really enjoyed this from the ADHD Coach: https://substack.com/home/post/p-149678961
xoxxo