British author Unsworth tells of the terrible postnatal depression she fell into after her son was born. She writes honestly about the immense difficuBritish author Unsworth tells of the terrible postnatal depression she fell into after her son was born. She writes honestly about the immense difficulty of postpartum motherhood, and the grief of losing her identity as it is subsumed by motherhood. "How did this happen? I am tough. I am smart. I have built a career. I have lived alone. I have spent decades carving out a life for myself that feels right and fulfilling. Now I am cracking, right down the middle." Unsworth's writing is raw, smart, and funny. My slim, 146-page copy is heavily underlined. A necessary book in conversations about early motherhood....more
Hilderband has done it again! I ate up this delicious tale of life at a New England prep school. Follow along with a cast of characters from Tiffin AcHilderband has done it again! I ate up this delicious tale of life at a New England prep school. Follow along with a cast of characters from Tiffin Academy--students, staff, the admissions counselor and the director--as a new school year begins. Each of the characters has depth and you feel sympathy for them (or at least some of them) as they navigate increasingly morally-grey areas in their interactions with each other. Fans of her previous novels will love this, as will those who enjoy campus novels or stories about rich people behaving badly. This is a highly readable, undeniably fun book....more
I enjoyed the formatting of this book: each section is an interview with a different expert related to an area of climate change focusing on what is bI enjoyed the formatting of this book: each section is an interview with a different expert related to an area of climate change focusing on what is being done now and what we can do going forward. I felt encouraged reading this book. My biggest takeaways were that we should each apply our own superpower to the problems of climate change--mine is discussing books with others!--and that discussion related to climate change needs to be an aspect of all areas of our lives. We need to center these problems and center their solutions in our narratives (including entertainment, the news, our conversations, etc) and our lives. A good book to read a chapter here and there from and discuss with others....more
This novel opens in Jamaica with a young woman fleeing her wedding--diving into a perilous stormy sea. Her wedding dress is found, the wedding cake smThis novel opens in Jamaica with a young woman fleeing her wedding--diving into a perilous stormy sea. Her wedding dress is found, the wedding cake smeared down the front of it. Her father despairs. Wilkerson jumps back and forth in time between Jamaica in the past and siblings Eleanor and Byron in the future, mourning their mother and learning about her past. Wilkerson's writing is a treat to read. She propels the story along nicely; I always wanted to pick this book up. I can't wait for more from this author and I look forward to reading "Good Dirt" soon. Highly recommended. Great for book discussion....more
Young, a chef, pairs seasonal reading recommendations with food pairings and recipes. She is from Australia but currently lives in England, so she hasYoung, a chef, pairs seasonal reading recommendations with food pairings and recipes. She is from Australia but currently lives in England, so she has an interesting perspective on the seasons. Reading this book is like having a conversation with a bookish friend; I kept writing down titles that I’d like to read. This also made me think of what I would pair with each season. ...more
Reid follows multiple characters at a southern university: a professor, a Residential Advisor, and a student. Their interests converge as each tries tReid follows multiple characters at a southern university: a professor, a Residential Advisor, and a student. Their interests converge as each tries to determine what moral lines they will or will not cross. Reid's writing is a treat to read. I can't wait for more from this author....more