Novels with political women
Plus uplifting literature and behind the scenes of the Aspen Lit Prize
Hey, readers!
This week in the U.S. we celebrated the inauguration of the first woman Vice President, and I’m still cheering inside!
I’ve also been enjoying a new reading routine. For an hour or so before dinner, I sequester myself in my book room and curl up with a book in my new reading chair. I’m finding this is the perfect time for me to read. I’ve found that I have a hard time reading during the day unless it’s a book for work, because I’m constantly thinking about the other things I should be doing. And after dinner, I like to watch TV or a movie with my husband. This before dinner hour is the perfect way to transition out of my work to-do list and into my evening.
This week in books.
This week I read…
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. I don’t really know where to begin with this Jane Eyre-inspired thriller. Was I entertained? Yes. Did I want to know what happened? For sure. Did I chuckle at some of the Jane Eyre references? Yes…but I’m not sure I was supposed to. I think that ultimately sums up where this book went wrong for me. The way the classic story of Jane Eyre is worked into this book made me laugh more than it made me think, and it definitely didn’t feel like the author was honoring (or even understanding) the themes of the classic with her retelling. And that’s fine…it’s her book and she doesn’t have to integrate Jane Eyre the way I want her too, but it also meant that this book really didn’t work for me. I think this may work better as a thriller for people who haven’t read or don’t like Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece. Amazon | Bookshop
The Comeback by E.L. Shen. As a former figure skater who spent several summers training at Lake Placid’s Olympic Center, I found this book about a 12-year-old doing just that to be an utterly nostalgic delight. Of course that personal connection made the book an extra special read for me, but I do think it’s a truly lovely middle grade story for anyone. I love how the book deals with racism in schools, the experience of gaining and losing friendships, and the difficulties of being a child committed to a competitive sport. I also think that Shen does a great job sidestepping many of the issues you’d expect to be in a book about figure skating so that she can focus on issues that are just as real, but not as front and center. Plus Maxine is just a delightful character who’s both sassy and vulnerable, in a manner that feels very true to life. Amazon | Bookshop
⭐️There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset. I read this for an episode of Novel Pairings so I won’t share much about it here, but I simply can’t believe that Fauset has been excluded from the literary canon for so long. Her writing is impeccable and she’s a wonderful storyteller who’s books are infused with hard truths and joy. Teachers, I highly recommend picking this one up to see if it’s right for your classroom. Amazon | Bookshop
⭐️Each week, I’ll star my favorite book so you can find the best of the best at a glance.
Now I’m reading…
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall. I started listening to this last year and then put it aside because I wanted to pick it up in paper. I still haven’t gotten a hardcopy of the book, but I knew it was time to pick it back up and re-downloaded it in my Libro.fm* app. Kendall is just a fantastic writer and the way she explores and explains Black Feminism is brilliant. Amazon | Bookshop
On Such a Full Sea by Chang-Rae Lee. This is the January book for the FictionMatters book club and something I’ve been meaning to read for a while. It’s dense and I don’t always have an easy time focusing on it, but the writing is stunning and when I sit down with it for an extended period of time, it’s so easy to lose myself in it. Amazon | Bookshop
Good Neighbors by Sarah Langdon. I just started this and I’m hooked. The writing is so-so, but the structure of the novel - newspaper clippings and interviews from the future provide commentary on the story’s present timeline - is quite interesting, and I’m compelled by my need to know how this group of unlikable people will ultimately combust. Amazon | Bookshop
*Use this link to get two audiobooks for the price of one on Libro.fm.
5 fiction books that feature women in American politics
In honor of the new Madam (!) Vice President, here are three books that feature political women. (Sidenote: women are majorly underrepresented in the political sphere, even in fiction. We have a lot of work to do.)
Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza. For a book that dramatizes the balance of a personal and political life in the midst of a Senate campaign. (emphasis on the drama). Amazon | Bookshop
Most Likely by Sarah Watson. For a sweet story about the foundational friendships of a future woman president. Amazon | Bookshop
Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld. For a “what if” story speculating what might have happened if Hillary hadn’t married Bill. Amazon | Bookshop
The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert. For a YA rom-com about a politically active teen that will make you smile and give you hope in young people. Amazon | Bookshop
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin. For a surprisingly light and fun book about a political scandal. Amazon | Bookshop
Links I love.
I was a guest on one of my favorite bookish podcasts, Sarah’s Bookshelves Live. I got to talk all about my experience on the Aspen Literary Prize reading committee as well as sharing some under-the-radar books I love. You can find the episode on your favorite podcast app, or use this link to visit the show notes.
This is a lovely list of uplifting books.
I’ve recently discovered that I very much enjoy climate fiction, but I’ve read very little nonfiction about the climate. This list seems like a great place to start.
Some great, but underrated books entered the world in paperback form last Tuesday.
22 writers weighed in on the books they think President Biden should read.
As a country, we collectively fell in love with Amanda Gorman, the 22 year old poet who stole the show at the inauguration ceremony this week. I’ve loved learning more about her and her poetry.
I’ve been thinking a lot about America’s propensity for selective amnesia, and this article explains why that is a real concern.
End notes.
Watching: Lupin. I love heist movies, so we had to give it a try. This French show is inspired by Arsene Lupin, a classic French novel about a “gentleman burglar” (think France’s Sherlock Holmes). It’s glossy and hits all those fun heist beats that make for such a fun watch. Shot and set in Paris, it’s also excellent armchair travel.
Listening: The Maintenance Phase episode about the TV show The Biggest Loser reveals the unsettling realities of the show and its toxic effect on American health culture, delivered with co-hosts Micheal Hobbes and Aubrey Gordon’s usual bite and levity.
Making: This pressure cooker lentil soup with sausage was so delicious, and just what we needed on a mid-winter’s night.
Loving: My Blundstone boots. I got these last winter and every time I wear them I marvel at their perfection. They’re warm, comfortable, and super cute. I’ve basically given away every other winter shoe because these are the only things I want to wear.
Readers, I hope you’re find the space and time for your own mini reading retreats. 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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