how often do you get to help a friend make their dream or inspired idea come true? i just got home from happy hour and when i pulled this out of my mailbox i got chills up and down my right arm. i’ve heard various vague, embittered criticisms about this anthology but it is so much braver to create something and go for it than keeping the world at arm’s length and sticking to your comfort zone. meaghan, i am so excited to read this, congrats for seeing this end to end!
one of which happens to be written by a beloved former writing professor of mine, sarah shun-lien bynum. i recently read her book, ms. hempel chronicles, and adored it. franzen’s endorsement, my praises, and a spot on the new yorker 20 under 40 list…what more do you need to sway you?
juliet, naked by nick hornby: this was my first hornby book though i’ve seen the film adaptations of about a boy and high fidelity. it was a satisfying read and a good break from some headier books i’ve been reading this summer, though it did broach the topics of creating a legacy and mortality, two themes that have permeated most of my summer reading (accidentally!).
the ask by sam lipsyte: different tone than the usual books i get into but i liked lipsyte’s language experimentation. interesting characters and a nice, gritty new york city story.
the comfort of strangers by ian mcewan: a good friend of mine recommended this to me on a recent expedition to the housing works bookstore and cafe. usually i am the one doing the book recommending so it is nice to be guided a little for once. i love mcewan. i am only halfway done but the creepy tension is starting to build. i always forget that mcewan has a morbid, violent side.
truth.
also serves as a reply to the “what is the meaning of life” question posed to me by thesearetruedreams. the second part of my answer would be love. aww.
even though it has been almost four years since i last sat in a classroom, i still get the itch to stock up on school supplies this time of year. i just bought the desk pictured above and it is inspiring me to re-do the workspace in my apartment.
fall “back to school” wishlist:
4. west elm parsons desk in turmeric
getting some reading done before mad men.
