3 novellas by Black authors
Plus 50 classics under 200 pages and a highly anticipated summer release
Hey, readers!
I think it’s time for me to accept that February just isn’t going to be a great reading month for me. Weirdly, it’s not because of a low quantity of books read and the quality of books has been pretty great too. It’s just that my reading has been out of whack. I haven’t really felt sucked into any books or had the urge to drop everything and read much at all. When I do pick up a book, I feel fidgety and distracted. I keep losing interest in the books I’m reading and then picking up something new that I inevitably lose interest in as well. I’ve tried thoughtful literary fiction, thrillers, romance, nonfiction on audio, and I just can’t seem to settle into anything.
I say all of this because I think it’s important to know that even avid readers have times when their reading lives lose steam or stop feeling natural. Typically my strategy for getting out of a reading slump is to let myself not read. Forcing it doesn’t work. Then when I start getting antsy for the feeling of being lost in a book, I’ll pick up an old favorite or choose something at random. Rereading a beloved book is comforting, reminds me why I love reading, and allows me to think about craft in a way I find satisfying. Choosing a book at random allows me to approach a book without expectations, so if I love it it’s a pleasant surprise, but if not there’s no disappointment.
So next week, you can expect to find a pretty strange assortment of books on my reading list. Until then, here are my thoughts on the books I did manage to finish and the ones I’m still in the middle of.
This week in books.
This week I read…
What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons. A short novel that packs an intensely emotional punch, What We Lose is the February book for the FictionMatters book club. I’m going to save my thoughts for that discussion, but for now I’ll say that this book is innovative, evocative, and deeply personal. I highly recommend this to fans of Jenny Offill and other experimental, non-linear fiction. Amazon | Bookshop
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (out 6/1). This thriller set in a publishing house started getting buzz last summer when conversations around lack of diversity in publishing really peaked. I got an early copy of it and I can say it’s definitely going to be a big book of the summer. To me, the best bits were the gripping and insightful ways that Harris depicted micro-aggressions and the ways Black employees at predominantly white institutions are conditioned to doubt their instincts. The pacing was on the slow side for a thriller and some of the plot lines felt confusing and convoluted, but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. It’s a fun read that gets at some essential problems that need to be addressed in fiction. I’m excited to take part in all of the conversations that will undoubtedly happen around this book come June. Amazon | Bookshop
Now I’m reading…
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes du Mez. I picked this up after hearing Annie Jones describe it on her podcast From the Front Porch. I’ve long been interested in the intersection of religion and politics and this exploration of white evagelicalism in the U.S. is fascinating. Amazon | Bookshop
Plus a new release by a renowned author whose backlist I just discovered and a debut collection of short stories.
3 novellas by Black authors to read over the last week of Black History Month
Devoted readers of this newsletter will undoubtedly agree that there are countless Black and POC authors that deserve your attention year-round, but if you’re prioritizing Black voices in February and looking for another title or two to fit in before the end of the month, these shorter titles would be perfect.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. For a story of love, passion, and conventions set in 1950s Paris. Amazon | Bookshop
Luster by Raven Leilani. For an evocative coming-of-age story filled with startling beautiful sentences. Amazon | Bookshop
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson. For a complicated family saga about reluctant motherhood and the sacrifices we make for those we love. Amazon | Bookshop
Links I love.
There were some surprises to me on the the Aspen Words shortlist, and I loved reading what the judges had to say about each finalist.
3 books that celebrate Black love, Black joy, and Black romance.
Since the beginning of this pandemic, I’ve thought a lot about how often I and my students went into school when we were sick. This article examines the physical and mental health dangers of this norm.
50 great classic novels under 200 pages.
I found this deep dive into post-publication corrections completely fascinating.
This article about the fragility of U.S. democracy is a must-read for my fellow Americans.
We’re getting a new Amor Towles’ novel this year.
I’ve had a fascination with the very millennial pink co-working space The Wing for several years now and this article about its rise and decline is an intriguing behind-the-scenes peek at a company that was really selling an idea.
End notes.
Watching: We finally started watching I May Destroy You after hearing fantastic things about it for basically a year. It’s extremely well-done and compelling, and is a great pairing for Promising Young Woman. (Content warnings for sexual assault for both of those watches.)
Listening: I loved this interview with Laura Tremaine on Sarah’s Bookshelves Live, and I ordered three of Laura’s under-the-radar book recommendations.
Making: Plans for another safe getaway. We had such a wonderful time at the cabin two weeks ago and have realized that even a slight change of scenery for a day or two makes a huge difference for our mental health. We’re hoping for another quick and safe break from the norm in March.
Loving: Bingley and I are both obsessed with our new luxurious blanket from West Elm. I also have my eye on quite a few things from the Madewell Insiders Event (20% off everything when you sign up for their emails), including this subtle tie-dye sweatshirt, this flowy midi-dress, and my favorite curvy high-rise skinny jeans in black.
Readers, I hope your reading has been less slumpy than mine this week. For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. I love hearing from you!
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Happy reading!
Sara
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