Book Report

[stormkeeper_lovedoris]

 

 

I swear I did not plan the fact that the first two books start with a number and then “steps”.

 

Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby – A memoir by the creator of the Netflix smash Nanette. If you don’t know Hannah Gadsby, I can tell you that she is fat, lesbian, and autistic. She’s brilliant and funny and incisive and pissed off. Her Netflix special is everything – and this book is wonderful too. Grade; 8

 

12 Steps To A Sharper You by Sanjay Gupta – This is a short, easy read and it’s exactly what the title says. The author-doctor has the research to back up his recommendations, and nearly everyone can do them. He breaks them down into easy steps. It’s not all nutrition and exercise either; there are things like make contact with an old friend or ask yourself some reflective questions or listen to more music you love. I appreciate that Gupta makes it clear that genetics are not the major factor in your quality of life. Funny note: I actually read most of it while hooked to an IV, after the nurse had seen me and while waiting for the doctor for my colonoscopy (LOL) Grade: 8

 

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C. A. Fletcher – A post-apocalyptic novel. In this scenario, humanity has been through what is called “the gelding”, where drastically fewer and fewer babies are born. When our narrator Grizz comes of age, the world’s population has already plummeted. Grizz and his family live on an island off of what used to be the UK. They occasionally trade with another family who lives on another island, but as Grizz tells us, during his entire life, he’s never met enough people to comprise even 1 football team. Then a stranger sails up to their island and Grizz’s whole life changes. I have just two complaints about the novel. One, stop the foreshadowing!! Over and over, dozens of times, the narrator tells you what is coming. Two, as much as I loved the setup, the pacing is a bit off at times; there were whole days when I just read two or three pages and wasn’t compelled to do more. But. The author really turns the pacing around and manages to pick things up. There were some very well-done plot twists and turns, and the last 100 pages are enthralling. It left me craving more fiction. Grade: 8

 

I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins – A few tidbits off the top. This is a work of fiction but the protagonist has the same name as the author and Wikipedia confirms that the outlines of these two women’s lives are very similar. Also, this is the same author who wrote “Gold Fame Citrus”. So, about this book? God this novel is kinda a mess like its main character but I couldn’t put it down either. The way Watkins writes, the way she describes things, I can’t even. (Was thinking I should try to pull out a few examples of her words, like when Claire says she is doing “rich bitch yoga in a strip mall” or that someone is wearing “a very sincere caftan” but a couple of phrases just won’t do it justice). Anyway, the book is about a woman who has recently given birth, is in the throes of perhaps post-partum depression, perhaps PTSD from having lost both her parents, perhaps ADD, perhaps addiction, and I’m not sure what else. She’s also a creative genius who has a lofty academic job and travels to give speeches and workshops, you know jobs most writers would kill for, all the while being utterly out of fucks to give about any of it. While I have sympathy for her given all she’s been through, it needs to be said that Claire’s a total dick.  This novel is….an experience. Grade: 7

 

Unbound by Tarana Burke – Memoir by one of the founders of the #MeToo movement. Y’all know I read a lot of memoirs. I’m a bit stumped about what to say on this one other than that it’s alright and Burke has certainly accomplished a lot in her lifetime but the book lacked whatever the ingredient is that makes a memoir really compelling. There was just nothing making me want to keep coming back and turning the pages. (I really need to do some more reflection when I compare this book to the previous one. Both authors had really difficult circumstances in life. The fictional character based on Claire Vaye Watkins is an asshole, though she sure spins a good tale. Tarana Burke seems to have taken the challenges of racism and sexism and fought like hell to make the world a better place, though she’s not the storyteller than Watkins is. Watkins wrote a better book but Burke is a better person, I think?). Grade: 5