Book Blog: January 2023
New year, more books! Actually, I had a big intention to start blogging about other things in my life — say, my health! — this year, and here we are at the end of January and… another book blog! I spent the first week of the month super-sick, so I had the chance to read and rest and get better. Here are my favorites from this month’s 13 books…
Fiction
Demon Copperhead (Barbara Kingsolver): I’m unsure I’ve ever read any novel like this one (no, not even the original David Copperfield by Dickens, which I never read despite an undergraduate degree in English literature… anyway…) in that Kingsolver’s voice, place, and feel of the novel is stronger and more tangible than any other book that I’ve read. Young Demon (birth name: Damon) is born to a teenage, drug-addicted mother in SW Virginia, and the novel, told entirely in his voice, is how he navigates poverty, foster care, addiction, and general ruin as he tries to just survive. It was incredibly difficult to read at points, but no matter the twists or turns, a small part of me was always rooting for Demon to find a way through all of this mess to something, anything.
Elephants Can Remember (Agatha Christie): Am I slightly biased in this rating because I solved the mystery as I went? Of course I am! But I’m also a huge fan of Mrs. Oliver, and as a stronger character I think she’s a strong counterpart to Hercule Poirot. In this book, Mrs. Oliver is approached by a woman who wants information about one of Mrs. Oliver’s many godchildren — Celia Ravenscroft. Her parents died in somewhat suspicious circumstances many years before and this woman is being a bit of a snoop, but it catches Mrs. Oliver’s attention and she asks Hercule Poirot to help her uncover the truth.
Non-Fiction
Spare (Prince Harry): Having heard so much from the media about Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle, and the rifts with other members of the royal family, I was looking forward to this book purely to hear a first-person perspective (okay, and also to compare it to The Crown). I walked away from this book with deep sadness about Prince Harry’s experiences. No one chooses the family into which they are born, and while it seems he lives a life of power and privilege (actually not, come to find out — I laughed out loud about his TKMaxx shopping trips while in a disguise), there are costs to growing up in “an institution” like the royal family, and that attending parties and gatherings seems fine but doesn’t guarantee healthy, supportive relationships. It seemed like Prince Harry felt he belonged in places without his family — with friends in Africa, as well as with his military comrades. The hopeful part of the book is seeing his deep connection with his wife and how they supported each other and built healthy habits together. The book also reminded me that as an information consumer I can support or not support media outlets, so I unsubscribed to a YouTube channel and decided not to pay for any of the media materials that fuel this dynamic (a bit harder to do as an American). Read this book if you’re willing to have an open mind and hear a different perspective than the dominant narrative.
You Just Need to Lose Weight: and 19 Other Myths About Fat People (Aubrey Gordon): As a Maintenance Phase super-listener I was excited to learn from Gordon’s second book and continue to dismantle my anti-fat biases. This book is divided into 20 different myths about fat people, each painstakingly researched and cited; many come with reflection questions and or actions. This helped cement some of the new practices I’ve started (such as our family principle to not comment on people’s bodies) and helped me articulate new ones. Supporting fat people and educating straight-sized folks is a lot to take on — I’m grateful for Gordon and the other fat activists she recognizes for sharing their experiences.
The Light We Carry (Michelle Obama): I’m not sure it’s possible to enjoy books more than I enjoy books written by Michelle Obama. In this follow-up to Becoming she shares more story of her childhood, adult life, and White House years as a way to draw attention to how simple practices can help us stay centered and resilient in difficult times. This feels like a tough line to walk, and Obama does it well by acknowledging the challenges she has personally overcome, the privileged choices she’s been able to make because of who she is and those who came before her, and a reminder that “We go high” is not a bumper sticker, but a call to ACT, to COMMIT, and to ENGAGE.
A Heart That Works (Rob Delaney): Wow, this was a powerful book about the journey Rob Delaney and his family made to support their son Henry in his 2 year battle with brain cancer. Diagnosed near his first birthday, the family is shocked to see the impacts of surgeries and treatments on Henry. I’m not sure it’s normal to say this, but Delaney is freaking hilarious, sharing the beautiful moments he spends with his wife, sons, and those that support him, and yet he adds in jokes and observations that had me laugh out loud. FWIW I had no idea who Delaney was or watched any of his shows, but I walked away from this book with such care in my heart for him and his family and their story.
So, that’s it, my friends. I’m hopeful that the next blog you see will be a different topic… and if not, that’s okay. Books are the best.
Cheers, S
