Productivity, throwback reads, and books about community
Plus the Booker Prize, under-the-radar YA, and a must-listen podcast
Hey, readers!
This week I’ve been thinking a lot about productivity. To be quite honest, I’ve never had a problem with giving myself breaks. I’m a hard worker when something matters to me, but I wouldn’t call myself a perfectionist or a workaholic. I’ve never had an issue with taking mental health days or prioritizing self care. I love naps and binging TV shows, and I’ve never felt guilty about making time for those things. I’ve just never felt the need to be productive all day every day. Until recently that is.
The last month or so I feel like I’ve been filling most hours of my day with something. I have a lot going on! There’s professional development to plan for the various scenarios my school is considering (they still haven’t announced our reopening plan). There’s networking and planning for what I’ll do if I don’t return to teach this fall (I’m still figuring that out and it’s down to the wire). There’s reading for the podcast along with recording and editing episodes, and planning lots of new Novel Pairings things (maybe a blog and some IG live…hint hint). And there’s my Aspen Words reading, which is still the coolest thing that’s ever happened to my bibliophile self, but is certainly time consuming.
With all that going on, it’s not a huge surprise that I feel the need to be productive all the time. But in addition to the sheer number of things I have on my list, I think what’s contributing to the pressure I’m feeling is the fact that nearly everything I’m working on at the moment is a passion project. Sure other people are counting on me, but I truly decided to take all of this on for me. That makes it hard to prioritize carving out time to do non-productive things that are also for me. If I’m reading, it’s hard to choose a book that’s not a prize submission (you’ll see this in this week’s books!). If I’m writing, it’s hard to focus on anything other than this newsletter or a Novel Pairings project. I’m even finding that when my mind wanders, it’s wandering to future projects or ideas for where I want to take FictionMatters next.
This week, I’m going to prioritize setting aside some non-productive time each day. Yoga, ridiculous TV shows, and entertaining podcasts are all good starts. I’m also going to make sure I read at least one “for fun” book each week. Luckily my husband and I have a trip planned and will be spending three nights in a cabin at our favorite place, Avalanche Ranch. The best part? No service! I cannot wait to unplug, unwind, and let myself be idle.
I hope if you’re also feeling the need to fill these endless, time-warped quarantine days with nonstop productivity that you’ll give yourself permission to do something just for you and just for fun. You deserve it.
This week in books.
This week I read…
The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene. I read this to prep for my second guest appearance on The SSR Podcast, hosted by Alli Hoff Kosik. The first time Alli had me on, we read one of my favorite books from my childhood, Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson. It was literary and earnest and deep, and you can listen to Alli and I chat about it here. This time around, Chelsey and I got to talk to Alli together and it was super fun to discuss something a little less serious. Our conversation was a blast, and I’ll be sure to let you know when that episode drops in September! Amazon
Silver Blades: Breaking the Ice by Mellisa Lowell. A couple nights ago I was feeling a little down and just overwhelmed by the state of the world at large and the enormity of my own forthcoming life decisions to be made. So I let my nostalgia take hold of me and picked up the first in my recently (re)acquired Silver Blades books — it was just the thing I needed. I was a competitive figure skater growing up, and these books were everything to me when I was little. Not only was the story itself super sweet and nostalgic, it was delightful to relive some of my skating memories through the book. I’m guessing most of you won’t choose to pick up a Silver Blades book anytime soon, but if you have a book or a series that reminds you of your childhood self and passions, I think now is the perfect time to revisit it. Amazon
Her Sister’s Tattoo by Ellen Meeropol*. This is a dramatic portrayal of sisterhood, loyalty, and portrayal set against the backdrop of political protests. It’s certainly a timely and poignant read. Amazon | Bookshop
Glorious Boy by Aimee Liu*. If you love historical fiction with multiple timelines, you need to pick this one up. It’s a heartfelt and meticulously researched novel spanning before, during, and after WWII in India and Britain. Amazon | Bookshop
A Luminous Republic by Andrés Barba*. I always enjoy a novella that packs a punch and this is a fascinating fable unlike anything I’ve ever read. Amazon | Bookshop
*These books were submissions for the Aspen Literary Prize. Due to my participation on the selection committee, I will not be able to fully review these works until the long list is announced.
Now I’m reading…
The Fifth Season by NK Jemison. Hopefully I’ll pick up the pace in my IRL book club pick now that I’m done reading The Fellowship of the Ring! Amazon | Bookshop
Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan. This book is SO. MUCH. FUN. I’m also amazed so far at how Kevin Kwan is able to tackle so much about race and class while still telling a glitzy escapist story. What a writer! Amazon | Bookshop
This week Michelle read…
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. I listened to this audiobook after I saw Sara post about it. It was a great short listen (under 3.5 hours). Keiko, the main character, struggles to fit in with her peers and in Japanese society. The only place she feels at home is working in a convenience store, where she gets a job right out of college. 18 years later, her friends and family still don’t understand why she is content with this job and Keiko has to decide whether to please herself or those around her. I loved learning about how Keiko thinks and relates to the world. Murata does a great job of describing her as strange but relatable and likable and I really appreciated the unpredictability of the plot. Amazon | Bookshop
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory. I really want to try some of Guillory’s other novels. I’ve heard great things about all of her work, but I’m not sure Party of Two was for me. It could be because I am not a huge romance reader. I didn’t totally buy the intensity of Olivia and Max’s relationship but I did enjoy hearing about their careers. If you like a romance that features a power couple, Max and Olivia are the pair for you! Amazon | Bookshop
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby. I found a lot of Irby’s essays to be very relatable, so I appreciated Wow, No Thank You for that. But I don’t think I have the same sense of humor as Irby so I wasn’t LOLing like most people have been. Her writing sometimes moved too quickly for me. However, if you like learning that your dysfunctional life is not as weird as you thought it was, then Irby’s book is definitely for you! Amazon | Bookshop
Now Michelle is reading…
How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang. Chinese siblings Lucy and Sam have just lost their father and now they must figure out how to fend for themselves in the merciless wild west during the gold rush. Covering themes of immigration, poverty, and familial bonds, How Much of These Hills is Gold has been called a smash debut for Zhang. Amazon | Bookshop
Ten books that celebrate community.
As the pandemic continues in the US, it’s natural to want to pretend it’s not happening and spend time with our favorite people, but it’s more important than ever to continue social distancing. In our household, we’ve been having a few friends over in our backyard or re-instituting Zoom calls with friends far away to help fill the need to be with people. Books are another way to do that. For some readers, reading books that celebrate communities might be a little painful right now, and I completely understand that! For others, a book might just be the perfect way to safely get that social fix. If that’s you, here are ten books that feature warmhearted and robust communities to remind us why we need each other.
Another Brooklyn by Jaqueline Woodson. To remember the intensity and magic of teen girl friendships. Amazon | Bookshop
Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout. For a depiction of a tight-knit community told from the perspectives of some of the realest, quirkiest characters you’ll ever meet. Amazon | Bookshop
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley. For Julian, Monica, Hazard, Riley, Alice, and so many others who come together and create their own kind of family when they feel most alone. Amazon | Bookshop
Beartown by Frederick Backman. For a community that is torn apart and then put back together and a story that will do the same to your heart. Amazon | Bookshop
The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien. For an epic adventure that nine friends take together in order to literally save the world. Amazon | Bookshop
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha. For a group of women who refuse to let their patriarchal, beauty-obsessed world turn them against each other. Amazon | Bookshop
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. To see what’s possible when new and old friends nobly come together to create something truly special. Amazon | Bookshop
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. For female friendships that span decades and mother/daughter relationships that will both surprise you and warm your heart. Amazon | Bookshop
The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan. To relive that college campus feeling of having all your friends within arms’ reach. Amazon | Bookshop
The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon. For a different idea of community—one that is scornful and gossiping at first, but understanding and accepting in the end. Amazon | Bookshop
Bookish reading.
Oh how I love the New York Times’ Celebrity Bookshelf Detective.
The Millions’ list of the most anticipated books for the back half of 2020 includes lots of books I want to read.
Check out this list to determine what you should read in August based on your sign.
The Booker Prize announced the 2020 longlist and there are definitely some surprises.
In the mood for a road trip? Check out these books.
I added a couple of these under-the-radar YA books to my TBR.
If you loved Beach Read by Emily Henry, you’ll want to check out the Read It Forward team’s video discussion of it!
These 28 portable 28 bookstands make it easy to read just about anywhere.
Book Riot’s list of graphic memoirs about mothers and motherhood is truly diverse and filled with complex stories.
Novel Pairings.
This week we’re dropping an episode on Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel—just in time for the start of Women in Translation Month! We really enjoyed discussing this modern classic, and you can definitely enjoy listening to this episode without having read the book (no spoilers in this one!).
Next week, we’re previewing the classics coming up in our fall season. For the fall, we’re leaning into our academic inclinations with some books that everyone reads in high school and a few we wish were in the high school curriculum. I think you’re going to love this lineup!
End notes.
Watching: Floor is Lava on Netflix. It’s exactly what it sounds like and is absolutely absurd. But it’s also a super fun, incredibly mindless way to spend half an hour. I know sports leagues are finally returning, but this is also a great filler for anyone missing competitive sports.
Listening: Nice White Parents. The new podcast series from Serial and The New York Times examines the way white families’ relationships with public school systems have shaped those systems over the last 30 years by looking at the history of one school in Brooklyn. It’s a must listen for anyone who cares about education and racial justice.
Making: Another embroidery project! This time I picked a bookish project so I’m finding it extra enjoyable.
Loving: Dutch Brother’s Coffee. I just became addicted this summer—their chai and iced teas are my favorite!
Readers, I hope you’re able to make space this week for some essential non-productive recovery time. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for FictionMatters, please feel free to email fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or respond directly to this newsletter. Michelle and I love hearing from you!
And if you enjoyed today’s newsletter, please forward it to a book-loving friend. That’s a great way to spread bookish cheer and support the newsletter!
Happy reading!
Sara
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