This is my favorite collection from Kevin Young yet!
Publisher blurb: "Divided into “Home Recordings” and “Field Recordings,” Brown speaks to the way pThis is my favorite collection from Kevin Young yet!
Publisher blurb: "Divided into “Home Recordings” and “Field Recordings,” Brown speaks to the way personal experience is shaped by culture, while culture is forever affected by the personal, recalling a black Kansas boyhood to comment on our times."
Kansas boyhood= baseball poetry Our times= moving, devastating tributes to young black men killed needlessly.
My favorites include all the parts of "De La Soul is Dead," which quotes a different 90s song in each one, and "Hive."
I received an advanced reader copy of this from the publisher through Edelweiss. It comes out April 17, 2018....more
I received this book along with others from a Coffee House Press grab bag earlier this year. I've been stockpiling them for this month! Then yesterdayI received this book along with others from a Coffee House Press grab bag earlier this year. I've been stockpiling them for this month! Then yesterday I saw the co-founder of CHP had passed away so I shifted to books they published.
My favorite poems in this collection include "Goodbye to the Twentieth Century" and "The Wounded Day," but overall I found them a bit difficult on the page. Lots of rhythmic changes, titles with long paragraph alternate titles, and I was a bit lost!...more
I loved this in the beginning, when it was about an awkward twenty-something working in a private library of a dusty club in New York CiA debut novel!
I loved this in the beginning, when it was about an awkward twenty-something working in a private library of a dusty club in New York City. When her "best friend" returns and causes havoc, the entire book shifts to focus on everything about that situation, masking the underlying story of identity and discovery that really felt like the heart of the novel. Ultimately I was left feeling the pacing was off, and I would have preferred a longer ending, and a lot less Stephanie.
Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to view this title early through Edelweiss. It comes out April 17, 2018....more
This book of poems (described as songs) and stories is one I encountered at the House of Anansi booth at AWP. It followed me home.
Simpson navigates moThis book of poems (described as songs) and stories is one I encountered at the House of Anansi booth at AWP. It followed me home.
Simpson navigates modernity as an "NDN"* in spaces and rituals that have to be constructed just to connect to the past. Relationships become symbols of the past and future.
I followed a few rabbit holes of the music connected to her work, and recent Canadian events that were mentioned, but I was ignorant of. ...more
This was a fun little debut cozy set in a Chinese neighborhood in Cleveland. I liked that the amateur detective, Lana Lee, is a bit of a failure at liThis was a fun little debut cozy set in a Chinese neighborhood in Cleveland. I liked that the amateur detective, Lana Lee, is a bit of a failure at life, recently moving back in with her parents and waitressing at the family restaurant. Because of this she gets pulled into a murder-by-poison situation, and decides to take things into her own hands.
I can't ever say much about mysteries because the uncovering of details is the pleasure of the book, but I was never bored.
Thanks to the publisher for providing access to this title through Edelweiss. The book came out March 27, 2018....more
A reread for me, because I wanted to read a new book of poetry that is in conversation with this one. This edition has some facsimile in the back of SA reread for me, because I wanted to read a new book of poetry that is in conversation with this one. This edition has some facsimile in the back of Sylvia's drafts, and some original versions that were of course edited by her husband.
Lady Lazarus is still one of my favorite poems, with this final stanza (if I can use that for a poem): "Out of the ash I rise with my red hair And I eat men like air."...more
This started as a joke on the John Oliver show, a response to the Mrs. Mike Pence children's book about the bunny Marlon Bundo, but it's actually supeThis started as a joke on the John Oliver show, a response to the Mrs. Mike Pence children's book about the bunny Marlon Bundo, but it's actually super cute and follows children's book format very well, with repetition, simple message, positive. I'd read it to kids!
When I saw there was an audio version, I decided the money would go to a good cause. Voices like Jim Parsons, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, John Lithgow, Jack McBrayer, and RuPaul make this the best 7 minutes you could spend....more
Although he lived all over the world, it's like Henrik Nordbrandt sees the world through his Danish poet-mind, full of water and coffee and cigarettesAlthough he lived all over the world, it's like Henrik Nordbrandt sees the world through his Danish poet-mind, full of water and coffee and cigarettes, all of which are common themes.
I love the poetry published by Open Letter, with the original language on one side and the English translation on the other. Danish and English are so close, I think what I enjoyed most is seeing what can be translated exactly and which lines required major work from the translator, Patrick Phillips.
I got a bit bogged down in the dream poems but I loved the nature-love-metaphor combinations (like comparing humans to jellyfish.)...more
This is a quick read about a couple and their families in the week before their wedding. In real life I would have zero tolerance for the behaviors thThis is a quick read about a couple and their families in the week before their wedding. In real life I would have zero tolerance for the behaviors they are putting up with, but they're stuck together so they have to find a way.
If you're getting married this summer, I think you should read this, but maybe afterwards. :)
3.5 stars rounded up.
This book came out April 10, and thanks to the publisher for providing early access to the title via Edelweiss....more
I struggled to connect with the poems. I can see they are pondering nostalgia and memory, safety and home, water and waves, but it felt like these thoughts were introspective rather than connective. ...more
I thought this was an enjoyable, quick read in a fun time period and a fun setting - post WW2 in Brighton, and a body shows up in pieces. This leads tI thought this was an enjoyable, quick read in a fun time period and a fun setting - post WW2 in Brighton, and a body shows up in pieces. This leads to investigations of magicians and their assistants, a secret magic spy ring from the war, and pokey little British beach towns that still hire magicians and comedians.
I notice many of the reviews mention that they tried this series after loving the author's previous series, the Ruth Galloway series, so I'll have to check them out. ...more
I have read all the New-Generation African Poets chapbook sets from Akashic, and always find poets I had not heard of, leading to long rabbit holes inI have read all the New-Generation African Poets chapbook sets from Akashic, and always find poets I had not heard of, leading to long rabbit holes in YouTube and elsewhere on the internet. I was very excited to see a new set and jumped into it as soon as National Poetry Month hit. This grouping has some poets from and still living in Africa, some born to African parents but living elsewhere, and some who have never lived in Africa, but their heritage comes from African parents. I was noticing more fragmentation even in the layout of these poems than what I remember in previous sets, and I think that resonates with the feelings of dislocation that many of these poets write about. Many have been displaced by conflict, war, rape, murder, independence; some have had the experience of returning "home" only to discover that they no longer feel the same sense of belonging. There is a lot of recent violence here, and it is painful, but the poems capture it, hold space for it, both soothing and not stepping away from the horrors that have been some of these poets experiences.
There are also poems about nature, family, love, longing, etc. The parts I picked out are not representative of the works as a whole but simply moments that caught me as I read through them. Each poet has their own chapbook with its own cover, and an introduction written by a poet, many whose names I recognized from their own previous chapbooks. I love the continuity this series feels like it has.
Favorite bits:
Thurible by Yalie Kamara (first generation Sierra Leonean-American)
Non-Compliance by Alexis Teyie
Fasting in Tunis by Leila Chatti (Tunisian American)
Time by Saddiq Dzukogi (Nigeria)
Insignia by Saddiq Dzukogi "Keep your body like a neighboring country close to mine...."
We Don't Know Where We Belong by Rasaq Malik (Nigeria)
Gay Boy History by Romeo Oriogun "What they want is for me to say I'm sorry but I'm beautiful like a museum...."
Denial by Romeo Oriogun
Thanks to the publisher for providing early access to this title via Edelweiss. It is available April 10, 2018....more
I met this poet while I was at AWP, because he is a longtime friend of my colleague. So I had to read his poems for National Poetry Month, obviously.
TI met this poet while I was at AWP, because he is a longtime friend of my colleague. So I had to read his poems for National Poetry Month, obviously.
These poems hold a fair amount of farm nostalgia, but it is more the kind of what happens when life is slow and you notice things others never see. While I enjoyed the quiet reflection of those moments, I was more intrigued by the poems that mentioned people, with their stories between the lines.
Poems that stuck out to me:
Mud, Apples, Milk "...I miss their udders too, the mud fresh as wax on the swollen skin. Each day I broke the seals with hot rags, and milk flooded my palm - ..."
Wind "If you sprint fast enough, the corn runs with you, whole rows quick on their roots..."
Food Chain
A Table Prayer (ode to manure!)
Weekly Horoscope (it's just wonderful but I don't want to post the whole thing and that's what you need to get it)
Evening Milkings (because of this line and the anger inside of it: "...the one who will kick him tonight...")
On Kissing My Husband at a Gas Station "The warm, uncomfortable spot shifts between my shoulder blades..." (yes! that's exactly where people glare!)
Wish "When I kiss him, weed sour and tomato green..."...more
When My Brother Was an Aztec is a debut poetry collection. The poems are vivid with language, family history, cultural struggle, and struggles in theWhen My Brother Was an Aztec is a debut poetry collection. The poems are vivid with language, family history, cultural struggle, and struggles in the body.
Before I wrote this review, I spent almost an hour watching Natalie perform her poems and talk about her poems and life on YouTube. It was interesting to hear her talk about her work to help her people retain the Mojave language, and her family's reactions to her poems. She writes about her brother's meth addiction in particular, and its effect on her family and community.
Some of my favorites:
When My Brother Was an Aztec "he lived in our basement and sacrificed my parents every morning...."
Why I Hate Raisins
The Red Blues (possibly the best menstruation poem ever!)
Tortilla Smoke: A Genesis "...Some tortillas wandered the dry ground like bright tribes.."
As a Consequence of My Brother Stealing All the Lightbulbs "...-- we are always digging each other out from an intimate sort of rubble --..."
When the Beloved Asks, "What Would You Do If You Woke Up and I Was a Shark?" ...more
I think this book had the content of a feature National Geographic article stretched out into a book. I got more enjoyment from reading the surroundinI think this book had the content of a feature National Geographic article stretched out into a book. I got more enjoyment from reading the surrounding controversies from these announced discoveries. More to come after we discuss it in book club!
(Finally crossed Honduras off my around the world reading though.)...more
This collection features translations from poets writing about places that are not home, where they are exiles or tourists. Sections on Paris, New YorThis collection features translations from poets writing about places that are not home, where they are exiles or tourists. Sections on Paris, New York, Los Angeles, trains/boats, and imagined places. My library purchased the "first 75" titles from Open Letter Press, so I've been saving the poetry titles for this month!
Some favorite moments:
Jorge Carrera Andrade comparing the eiffel tower to a llama
The Dawn by Federico Garcia Lorca "Dawn in New York has four columns of mire and a hurricane of black pigeons splashing in the putrid waters...."
The epigram, Stay by Ingeborg Bachmann "Now the journey is ending, the wind is losing heart. Into your hands it's falling, a rickety house of cards....."...more
I circled around this book for a long time, not wanting to read another dystopian breeder novel. But I eventually decided to try it, and I'm glad I diI circled around this book for a long time, not wanting to read another dystopian breeder novel. But I eventually decided to try it, and I'm glad I did. Told through multiple perspectives (all female), this is a near future dystopia with very probably legislation that outlaws abortion, IVF, and adoption outside of straight married couples for the entire country. The female characters are known first as these new archetypes - the Mender, the Wife, the Biographer, the Daughter, etc. As the story unfolds we learn their names and stories from their chapters but also the chapters of others, and you start to see how their lives and stories interrelate.
I had one question - the partner of The Mender, is he known as a different name to someone else? He was the only one I hadn't connected up. I thought maybe I missed something.
Bonus points, for me, for Oregonian setting, Oregonian author (teaches at Portland State!), mention of PCOS, and one point which was even more chilling because of recent legislation in my current state of South Carolina, which hasn't outlawed adopted by non married couples, exactly, but the governor signed an order giving preference to married couples, and not just married ones, but married CHRISTIAN ones.
This is a perfectly sweet YA romance novel between two boys in high school. Coming out, friendship, dealing with hipster/overly involved parents - allThis is a perfectly sweet YA romance novel between two boys in high school. Coming out, friendship, dealing with hipster/overly involved parents - all felt pretty 21st century. Now a film; I listened to the audio. There are a lot of emails in this book which are a bit awkward in audio but I still thought the reader was fantastic. ...more
What I was hoping for: a book that deepened my mindfulness practice and potential for leadership by combining the two, assuming some knowledge on bothWhat I was hoping for: a book that deepened my mindfulness practice and potential for leadership by combining the two, assuming some knowledge on both already
What I found: a book introducing basic mindfulness practices to people already in leadership, a focus only on corporations (one day these leadership texts will include other types of jobs, maybe), a lot of repetition of concepts widely covered in other leadership texts, some of them not even attributed (urgent vs. important must be from Stephen Covey but he isn't credited), guided meditations and reflections
In other words, far more basic than I would have liked.
I found some of the quotes from other people to be the best part:
"A leader is a person who has an unusual degree of power to project on other people his or her shadow, his or her light." -Parker Palmer
Four fundamentals of leadership - focus, clarity, creativity, compassion
Gregory Kramer's Insight Dialogue: 1. Pause 2. Open to what is here, actually here 3. Listen deeply 4. Speak the truth with intention to do no harm...more
Steamy, HEA, the last book in the Forbidden Hearts series (I read the first but not second book of this series, somehow.... Eve, the female protagonisSteamy, HEA, the last book in the Forbidden Hearts series (I read the first but not second book of this series, somehow.... Eve, the female protagonist in this book, is the little sister of Nicholas, the male protagonist of the first. Her love interest is a tattoo artist in the same studio as Nicholas's formerly secret lover, Liv.)
There are some similar elements with this romance and some of the Scottish highland romance stories I read around Christmas time. The man is more experienced, tall, older. The woman is less experienced, shy, timid. Then they get thrown into a situation (or multiple situations) where they are alone and can't escape their environment. They are forced to confront their feelings and do. Add in family wealth, family feuds, family secrets, and a secret driver.
Thanks to the publisher for approving my request in Edelweiss. The book comes out March 27....more
This book is intended to use as an accompaniment to practice, so not really the best to read from cover to cover. Short teachings on ways of thinking,This book is intended to use as an accompaniment to practice, so not really the best to read from cover to cover. Short teachings on ways of thinking, ways of being for meditation and beyond. Looks like it is getting a reprint too, because I have a review copy for a version coming out March 27, 2018, but it was previously published in 2002 and 2003.
I particularly liked the discussion and application of tonglen, which is not often introduced as a beginner practice.
Thanks to the publisher for providing access to the title through Edelweiss....more
This is a concise overview of insight meditation, a specifically Buddhist practice that focuses on experiencing what is, and probably forms the basisThis is a concise overview of insight meditation, a specifically Buddhist practice that focuses on experiencing what is, and probably forms the basis of most mindful meditation practices out there, secular or not. While there are some pieces of instruction in this volume, it is really more an overview of the concepts. A beginner would probably want more guidance from a person or group, but would benefit from having this book on hand.
Thanks to the publisher for providing access to this title through Edelweiss. This version comes out March 27, 2018, but it looks like a previous version was published elsewhere in 1995....more
I wanted to read this through the lens of library spaces, and found some interesting tidbits.
The only place I have visited that she mentions is CarrbI wanted to read this through the lens of library spaces, and found some interesting tidbits.
The only place I have visited that she mentions is Carrboro, NC, where she discusses the importance of cultivating an environments for artists, how artists come and others follow, how art creates bridges in a community.
A few quotes I liked from the Moab chapter, perhaps most relevant to the strengths of our library:
"At every turn, there was someone to point out another arch and a bend in the river. They knew their town inside and out and took responsibility for it. That is positive proximity."
"The camaraderie among people working in these places were clearly there, as were their helpfulness and pride."
"Communities must always take care of their human needs and pay attention to their human economy as carefully as they facilitate the love of their landscapes."...more
Lisa Genova writes novels about severe illnesses as an attempt to raise awareness and funds for research of them. I read Inside the O'Briens, about HuLisa Genova writes novels about severe illnesses as an attempt to raise awareness and funds for research of them. I read Inside the O'Briens, about Hungtington's, and have seen the film based on Still Alice, which is about early-onset Alzheimers (and consequently gave my husband and I both more nightmares than we have ever had from any horror movie.) I hadn't quite made the connection to her previous work when I requested a galley of this novel; I was more focused on the classical pianist angle.
Richard is an acclaimed pianist. He is also recently divorced, a messy one, after his infidelities and some other secrets that were hidden. His wife and daughter are not in his life, his daughter having chosen her mother over her father, who often chose piano or his flings over time with her.
But as he is preparing for a tour, his fingers stop responding the way he expects and he is diagnosed with ALS. Eventually he has to figure out who in his family can help him as he loses the ability to care for himself.
This is a timely read with the very recent passing of Stephen Hawking, who lived far longer with ALS than most people do. Most people have the sentence of 3-5 years once they are diagnosed, and much of those years depends on which kind of treatment they get, or more accurately, which kinds of treatment they can afford. Since this is set in the United States, and Richard is limited to the insurance he purchased himself as a fairly healthy self-employed pianist, his insurance doesn't cover his expensive wheelchair, and certainly not the 24/7 care he would have required if he had elected to have the surgery that would have ended up with machines breathing for him. He could have had that surgery, but the rest of his body would still have deteriorated. There is no cure for ALS.
All to say that this presents some difficult decisions, and harder because by the time they are past denial in dealing with the disease, he has already lost much of his ability to communicate. No cure, no insurance coverage - these facts sometimes force a decision that may not be the best, but the options are pretty limited.
ETA: There is also a lot of insight into what "care" and "treatment" look like with ALS. It emphasizes the importance of strong, empathetic caregivers. One scene in particular will stay with me for some time, about what "care" looks like.
This is not a cheery read! It reminds me in some ways of the cancer novels I used to read as a pre-teen although I do think the author has a nobler goal, in raising money. I feel like some of the ending was less realistic, with many of the relationships coming to resolution. Not everyone gets to do that, whether they understand they are dying or not.
Another book about ALS that I read in the last few years is Home is Burning by Dan Marshall. It is a memoir, from the perspective of the son of someone with ALS, as he moves home to help his father as his body starts to go downhill. This novel shows more of the internal emotional struggle (and external physical struggle) of the person with the diagnosis, which I felt made for a richer read.
Thanks to the publisher for providing access to this title through Netgalley. It came out March 20, 2018....more
This was a very difficult read (emotionally) about the complex web of challenges surrounding sexual assault among specific populations in the United SThis was a very difficult read (emotionally) about the complex web of challenges surrounding sexual assault among specific populations in the United States - custodial and farm/seasonal workers. Many either don't know their rights or are undocumented and can't pursue legal action, all really need the money and are taken advantage of at much higher rates than the rest of the population. Bernice Yeung has been researching and writing about this topic for years now, and includes in here some personal stories, some legal battles (most of them frustratingly not helping these workers), and strides some organizations have made in some key states.
There is still so much work left to do.
I think of the national attention to human trafficking (just try to use a stall at the Atlanta airport without seeing information!) and I'm super supportive of that. But this seems like an even greater number of people who are at risk for sexual violence. Some in this book, unfortunately, have been victims of both.
I remember doing research on migrant workers and housing policies in my area of Oregon as a high schooler, and how much effort that took, but how much those efforts paid off in the end. It was like they had to push and pursue legal action until it reached a tipping point, and people employing migrant workers had to make changes because they were no longer protected from having to follow the rules. That's what needs to happen here, but it seems like it will take an inordinate amount of effort. I'm not sure I'm encouraged. It feels pretty bleak, but we must.
Thanks to the publisher for providing access to this title through NetGalley. It comes out March 20, 2018....more
This book was a lot of fun, especially as an audiobook, and kept me company during a long drive to and from a conference in Tampa. Jane Jameson has onThis book was a lot of fun, especially as an audiobook, and kept me company during a long drive to and from a conference in Tampa. Jane Jameson has one really bad day - she loses her job as a children's librarian, where she has been working in her home town in Kentucky, gets drunk, gets shot, and gets turned into a vampire. Now life is different and she has to navigate vampire culture in rural America, relationships with people who were her friends before her change, and avoiding her family. Oh yeah and someone seems to be trying to kill her, again.
I was pulled in to this story (narrated by the author) of Ada, who is a gift from the (plural) Igbo serpent god to her parents for praying the right wI was pulled in to this story (narrated by the author) of Ada, who is a gift from the (plural) Igbo serpent god to her parents for praying the right way. But because they were the child, the god(s) own her, and are always with her. There is a disturbing description of it at the beginning where they go inside the lining of her uterus, among other places. During a traumatic event, they take hold of Ada's body and then have the ability to completely take over when they want or need to. If she has sex with anyone, it is never her, always them.
Halfway through listening to this novel, I encountered this article, which explained to me how this novel is more autobiographical than I would have imagined. The author discusses being ogbanje and also genderqueer, how the one informs the other, how they have modified their body to fit more how they feel. And Ada goes through this as well, except it feels like greater discomfort from the spirits than from Ada. When she hits puberty, they are uncomfortable at how they can't fully identify or control the humanity that comes into being. Ada also pursues surgical answers, and struggles with suicide along the way.
It is worth the read, worth the experience, the writing is beautiful while also being disturbing. The gods in Ada interact with other gods, like "Yeshua" and "Allah," and "Yeshua" is often hanging around waiting for Ada to come back to him. He even reaches out to the serpent gods in friendship. The mother is an important character who is actually shut out from Ada's life at one point, by the gods.
Typically these gods are considered spirits, but of course... they might not see themselves that way. I enjoyed how the author wrote from their perspective, and it is a bit trippy....more
I just returned home from AWP in Tampa. While there, I attended a reading of Milkweed poets, including David Keplinger. I returned to my hotel room anI just returned home from AWP in Tampa. While there, I attended a reading of Milkweed poets, including David Keplinger. I returned to my hotel room and discovered that one of the galleys of poetry I had for books coming out this next week was the same guy! Cool.
My main impression of Keplinger's poems is best described as dealing with artifacts. He seems to use objects to discuss relationships, between people, between a person and their life, between people those who leave and those who stay. They are quiet but some pack a punch, especially those that seem to be talking about loss.
My favorites include:
"The Sibilant," about the different paths a relationship can go
Jenny (Reading Envy)
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