Quarterly Update (Back Again!)

Hello there, book friends! Yes, I’m back again. With this new Spring season, I have decided to post whatever I feel like when I feel like it rather than feel guilty about not posting regularly. I mostly blog for myself anyway. I want it to be fun and I want to interact with my book friends! I’ll probably just pop in here whenever I feel like (hopefully with at least a bit more regularity) to post about what I’m reading or have liked lately. I just don’t want to completely disappear as I always feel like it’s a community I must get back to!

For now, here’s what I have been up to and loving lately, plus some of favorite reads of 2022 so far.

I think that one of the reasons I have been writing here less is because I have gotten into the habit of journaling every single day. Getting all of my endless overthinking out of my brain and onto the page has been super helpful for me. I’ve also started a reading journal where I write quotes and my thoughts on books as I read…now to translate that to the blog.

Right now, I am using a Hobonichi Techo Cousin A5 for daily journal and a Leuchterrum1917 A5 for my reading journal with my beloved fountain pens (which is a hobby rabbit hole I have fallen deep into to the demise of my bank account). Maybe I’ll do a post on fountain pens soon since it’s kind of overtaken my life at this point.

So far, I’ve read 24 books in 2022. Here are some of my favorites so far!

Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

Yet another Shirley Jackson novel that has found a special place in my heart. This one specifically hit hard as it intensely reminded me of when I went to university and felt wholly isolated and invisible to even myself for the better part of four years. It was eerie how accurate Jackson’s writing was to my experience and what I’m sure is the experience of so many other introverted women thrust into life alone in a new place with what feels like no one to lean on. It also dealt with relationships with parents in such an interesting way. I could go on for ages about this book…and I just might in a post in the future.

Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera, translated by Lisa Dillman

This short 114-page book was a revelation of translation. It was originally written in Spanish and features some odd use of language when translated. The translator did an amazing job transmitting the author’s originally intention through English despite the disconnect that can happen with translations. It’s hard to explain, but I found that it made the book so unique. The story focuses on immigrants to the US from Mexico in such an interesting way, honing in on language and the alienation of being in a place that doesn’t want you and that even you may not want. The style may not be for everyone, but it’s unique structure makes for a fascinating read.

Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes from a Trap Feminist by Sesali Bowen

AH! I read this on a recommendation from my cousin and was blown away. The audiobook was just so good. I can’t even articulate how much I liked this memoir. It was funny, it was insightful, it was flawless.

“People try to erase ratchet Black girls at every turn, but we are not siloed, and our impact is undeniable. In the same way that hip-hop is consumed by diverse audiences all over the world, so are the trends that are set by ghetto ass Black girls. Our style, our language, and our beauty resonate with people across different backgrounds.”

That’s all from me for now, thanks for reading! How has your reading gone for this first quarter of the year? Any favorites so far? Let me know!