Hey readers,
After a few blissful months consuming news at a relatively healthy pace, this week I was reminded of the stress and strife of the doom scroll. A mob storming the Capitol—a literal assault on our democracy—honestly feels both shocking and like an inevitable conclusion to four years of Trumpian rhetoric. I know many of us, here and abroad, are stressed and anxious after the events of this week, and I hope you’ve been finding the calm you need. I’m practicing self-care in the form of Yoga with Adriene (even if you don’t do yoga, the Day 8 videos from every series are pure guided relaxation and they’re amazing), and even longer baths than I typically take. I also had the best time virtually chatting about books with my Patreon community this weekend.
But I’m also feeling a sense of urgency and a desire to shape my actions in a manner that moves us towards change. So today, I’m recommending five books to read right now for anyone else who’s feeling that pull to really engage with the issues impacting the U.S.
This week in books.
This week I read…
We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper. It had been quite a while since I read any true crime, and I decided to pick up this one because it had been recommended to me by so many people—online and in real life. Cooper is extremely detailed in her account and investigation of the murder of Radcliffe student Jane Britton in the 1960s, and, for me, this book contained almost too many details, red-herrings, and speculations. However, I did love the commentary Cooper offers about sexism in academia and the way Ivy League institutions like Harvard work to protect insiders. While I felt this book was a little long, I’m glad I read it. I’d also really like to discuss the ending of this with anyone, so please do reach out if you’ve read it! Amazon | Bookshop
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn. After really loving The Duke & I and binging all of Bridgerton on Netflix, I was super eager to get back to Regency London and the Bridgerton family. I think I actually liked this second book in the series better than the first—plus this book doesn’t contain the same problematic elements as The Duke & I. I had so much fun with this one, and I can now definitively say that you can easily skip book one and dive into the rest of the series if that feels right to you. Amazon | Bookshop
Now I’m reading…
Anna K by Jenny Lee. This book is so fun, and so far I am infinitely impressed with how Lee transferred the classic Russian novel Anna Karenina into the world of exceedingly wealthy Manhattan teens. Amazon | Bookshop
5 books to read right now.
If you’re feeling a sense of urgency and a desire to engage with what we’re seeing happen in the world right now, here are five books I recommend.
Culture Warlords: My Journey into the Dark Web of White Supremacy by Talia Lavin. For a horrifying and all-too important glimpse into the most hateful corners of the internet. Amazon | Bookshop
How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America by Kiese Laymon. For a personal and provocative essay collection from a Black wordsmith and educator. Amazon | Bookshop
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson. For an unflinching look at the history and real impacts of white supremacy in America. Amazon | Bookshop
Why We’re Polarized by Ezra Klein. For a clear, concise examination of political divisiveness. Amazon | Bookshop
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson. For an adventurous sci-fi escape that explores race and class divisions in an incredibly inventive way. Amazon | Bookshop
Links I love.
My holy grail anticipated books list from Lit Hub is finally out. So many good books are heading to our shelves in 2021!
The other best annual anticipated release list also dropped this week: R.O. Kwon’s list of forthcoming books by women of color.
And if you’re still looking for books to add to your TBR, here are the books Pop Sugar thinks everyone will be talking about this year.
I just learned that Netflix is making a Matilda Movie Musical…I can’t wait.
This retrospective on the American Dirt controversy that rocked the book world early in 2020 was extremely thorough and well-written.
There are lots of great books out in paperback this week!
Roxane Gay’s article “We’ve Seen the Ugly Truth About America” is honest, angering, and hopeful.
I really enjoyed perusing Real Simple’s list of life-changing winter products. I don’t think I need a fondue kit, but for this price, I just might change my mind about that!
Jasmine Guillory shared this confetti cookie recipe, and now I really want to make these cheerful cookies.
Anthropologie is currently having a mega-sale, and I’m trying to figure out how to use my Christmas gift card. I really want this sequin midi-dress that I have absolutely zero need for, but I’ll probably end up using it for home goods like a couple of these mugs or maybe some fancy pajamas.
End notes.
Watching: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Chadwick Boseman’s last film is now available to stream on Netflix and it is fantastic. It took me a while to settle into but once I accepted that it’s a play on screen, I got completely caught up in it. This one is tragic, but it’s really good.
Listening: The new Jess Parsons EP, Hear Me Calling. My husband worked on this one, and it’s finally out in the world!
Making: Another Hoffelt and Hooper embroidery project! This one’s going to be a gift so the exact pattern must remain a secret, but I’m really enjoying picking this hobby up again.
Loving: My Brooklinen robe. I asked for a robe for Christmas/Hanukkah, but the one I wanted was backordered and didn’t arrive until the new year. Readers, it was worth the wait. This is one of those little purchases that makes a big impact on day-to-day life satisfaction, and I can’t believe I lived a robeless life for 30+ years!! What I really love about this particular robe is made of a waffle fabric so it’s extremely lightweight but very warm. I love it so much!
Readers, I hope you’re taking care of yourselves 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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