Book Report

 

Followed By the Lark by Helen Humphreys – The legendary Helen Humphreys has a new novel! She is on my “favorite novelists” list. This one is about….Henry David Thoreau. Of Walden Pond fame. Maybe not a subject I’d be eager to read about but Humphreys made every page intriguing. It was like being enchanted, going to a special place, and coming to see the world with the curiosity and wonder that Thoreau embodied. Each evening I looked forward to snuggling in bed with this book and treating myself to 10 minutes of reading it. Grade: 8

 

Playing with Myself by Randy Rainbow – I think I might be the last person in the world who hasn’t watched many of Randy’s videos. My mom even messaged me one or two of his parody works. In any case, this is his memoir. He seems like a lovely person, and he’s had an incredible journey from awkward kid in South Florida to someone who makes his living as an entertainer and performs with legends. The book is a light and fun read, and his jokes land. He does have a section on the time he was “cancelled” for stuff he tweeted when he was in character 10 years ago, and that section was so relevant…like the crazy ways we’re so eager to pile on to people. (As the author of one of the below books said, “Yes, go strong on your principles but go gentle on people.”) Sidenote: Randy Rainbow is indeed his real name, the one he was born with.  Grade: 7

 

I, Parrott by Deb Olin Unferth – Graphic novel; I read a “regular” novel by the same author and enjoyed it so I wanted to check this one out. It tells of Daphne who is struggling to make ends meet and takes on a house sitting job which includes taking care of dozens of rare and expensive birds. In the meantime, Daphne has lost custody of her son and is not sure the guy she’s with is the right one. Book was enjoyable enough, and it’s short so I think I read it in two sittings. Grade: 5

 

Anti-Racism As Daily Practice by Jennifer Harvey – Book on working to end racism, written by a white author who has spent decades in this space.  Btw, is it wrong to include on my reports books that I haven’t read every word of? There is a lot of wisdom in this book, but it’s so bogged down awkward writing and endless personal anecdotes. The personal anecdotes do relate to the subject of the book but there are just. So. Many. Of. Them. It gets to the point where they weigh the book down. Yet I also went through the book and made notes of the educational parts, because there is a lot of hard-won insight in here. One such point I noted above, in my review of Randy Rainbow’s book. There are other points about white fragility and how we tend to be fragile because we’ve never shown up against racism so it’s a vicious cycle. Or how family gatherings and multiple, gentle conversations in person do tend to move the needle. Harvey’s insights are really important; I just wish the book had been more read-able. (No grade, for reasons above)

 

Another Word for Love by Carvell Wallace – A series of essays by the queer Black writer. Some of them are biographical, but they all are beautifully written and contain Wallace’s thoughts on the wonder of life despite its harshness. His writing style is top-notch and even poetic at times, but I have to also say that I believe a year from now, I might not remember this book. Grade: 5