Three great audiobooks: science writing, memoir, and a highly anticipated satirical novel
Plus the best and most scathing reviews of the year
Hey readers,
I continue to feel weird about the end of the year. Like everyone, I’m rattled by how quickly this year has passed and feel in some ways like I never fully got my feet under me this year. There are incomplete projects, unimplemented systems, unrealized visions, and lots of unread books. Between seeing everyone on social media’s year-end highlights and experiencing a sense of overwhelm at what I want to achieve in the new year, I’m just feeling a bit out of whack. I usually love this time of year because I thrive on reflection and turning the calendar always inspires me (I love brainstorming new projects!). But instead of joy and inspiration, I’m feeling more self-doubt and anxiety at the moment.
I’m hoping putting these thoughts here will allow me to move past them and tap into the energy and enthusiasm I typically associate with this season. But if you too are feeling some end-of-year blahs, I’m with you!
This week in books.
This week I read…
Eve by Cat Bohannon. In looking back at my 2023 reading, I read very little nonfiction, so I’m glad I prioritized this wonderful and approachable exploration of human history. By investigating specific adaptations, Bohannon looks at how the female body has driven and shaped human evolution. The first chapter, for example, looks not just at how mammals nurse their young, but how this specific trait and how it evolved allowed many of the features we now take for granted as being human to eventually come into being. This is one of those great books that leaves you with a fascinating overarching thesis to consider as well as dozens of little factoids you’ll want to whip out at parties. I also loved all of the evolution-based theories about why our bodies are the way they are. I liken the writing style to that of Mary Roach, scientific, but funny and hyper accessible. I listened on audio, which was great, thought I know I personally won’t remember as many details as I would like to. Interested readers and gifters should know that while the book looks giant, the last 150+ pages are notes so the text itself clocks in around 430 pages. The author reads the audiobook herself and it was an incredible listening experience. I listened slowly over the course of about a month, replacing podcast time with a short section of the book, which was the perfect way for me to take in all of this information. [Thank you to PRH Audio for the free listening copy!] Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley. If you enjoy memoirs in essays, you must read this book. Full stop. Sarah Polley is a beloved (former) child actress, an activist, and a writer and director, and in this book she boldly examines her own personal traumas in order to find healing and redemption. As she takes us along this journey in her beautiful and forthright prose, she also shares a good bit of cultural criticism and social commentary that I found to be both sharp and generous. She holds nothing back and is fierce in her values and beliefs. At the same time, she’s able to explore the real feelings about these events at their time alongside how she feels know that she’s had more time for learning and reflection. This affords a wonderful nuance to her story without sacrificing her conviction. I loved it and hope more readers pick it up, though you should know that content warnings abound. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (out January 30th). I really liked this book, but it definitely won’t be for everyone. The story follows a group of students living in the same dorm at University of Arkansas. Reid shares all of their backstories while exploring the messy relationships that exist between the students, their RAs, and a visiting professor whose become fascinated with the social dynamics at play in this dorm. The book slowly builds to a pretty dramatic event, but from the marketing copy you’d (mistakenly) think this book is high drama from start to finish. Instead, I’d describe this story as high cringe. I was so uncomfortable while reading, and I could not look away. In particular, I love the way Reid explores the subtleties and complexities of social power. Sometimes, the book posits, power is contextual, shape-shifting, and ambiguous. And sometimes it’s constant and inescapable. Fair warning that this book does get pretty messy and then ends a little too tidily, but I enjoyed the ride quite a bit more than Such a Fun Age. I listened to this on audio and that was highly enjoyable. I always get a lot out more out of satirical stories when I hear them read aloud! I’m not sure this will be as popular as her debut, but I hope this one finds its audience and think fans of Disorientation and Members Only might find a lot to like here. [Thank you to PRH Audio for the free listening copy!] Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Now I’m reading…
Eek! Nothing! I finished my audiobook this weekend and have DNF’d several promising 2024 releases. Hopefully I’ll find something great soon.
If you are an international reader or just prefer UK covers, you can also order books through my Blackwell’s affiliate page!
Links I love.
Great 2023 cookbooks to gift for the holidays.
Why you should read Percival Everett’s Erasure before you watch the film adaptation, American Fiction.
The Guardian’s best books of the year, helpfully sorted by genre.
The Millions’ 2023 Year in Reading essay roundup is up. I always enjoy going back through to learn more about what books writers loved and why they loved them.
I always appreciate that Lit Hub rounds up great reviews as well as great books. Here are the best and the most scathing of this year.
End notes.
This week in views, listens, eats, and moments of joy.
I’m watching the newest episodes of The Crown. I’m invested but also kind of annoyed. The royals are all getting very charitable edits this time around and I miss the more biting—or at least nuanced—portraits from previous seasons.
Our electric fireplace hadn’t been working, but we got it serviced this week and I’ve been loving sitting by the fire in the evenings.
The Toniebox may be the best purchase we’ve ever made for Louise. She loves listening to songs and stories and occasionally even falls asleep listening. Highly recommend for any toddler parents out there.
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Happy reading!
Sara
Sara, I’ve been feeling a similar end of year overwhelm and just wanted to say that your work has been a pleasure this year and seeing a post from you never fails to be a delight! So, just wanted to share the compliment since I know it can be tough to feel like what we’re sharing is resonating when it can be so noisy on the internet ♥️
I definitely think you’re right that Come and Get It won’t be for everyone, but it really really was for me ☺️ I adored the commentary on class and race and loved how deeply it went into the characters. For sure not a plot-driven story though, and people who want action will be disappointed. I wish descriptions could do the actual writing more justice so that books could find the right readers!