Books: Down & Dirty

Our favorite subject!

All of my life I’ve been a one book at a time reader. My younger self would immerse herself in long sessions of a singular story. I could do that because I was young with few responsibilities and limited demands on my time. Even into my 20s life was simpler so reading mega-paged books was doable. Of course, as life became more complicated my reading suffered. It took much longer to read novels or memoirs. My working life got busier and busier so reading books became sporadic. Watching TV was easier, demanded less focus.

Fast forward, I discovered litmags on the internet.

Sidebar: when I bought my first laptop it sat on my coffee table closed most of the time. I couldn’t think of anything to look up! I’d only used a computer for work til then so I associated it with work. Then, Hurricane Katrina happened, making my laptop a communication line to events in my neighborhood and city while I was in exile and opening the online world to me.

Once I discovered litmags, most of my reading time was there. I still do lots of litmag reading, especially now that I “know” writers that I seek out to read. But I had an epiphany a while back: it’s ok to read more than one book at a time. I can do it. I am doing it. The key for me is reading in different genres. I know if I try to read, say, two novels about an inter-generational family I’ll get characters confused. These are the books I’m reading right now.

Here in the Dark by Meagan Lucas, a collection of dark and gritty short stories, great for goose bump production. Meagan is also a dear friend. I was over the moon when I discovered she named me among her acknowledgments in the book. Me! Thank you, sister!

The Blue Bar by Damyanti Biswas, a dark, moody atmospheric murder thriller set in India. Whodunnit, whodunnit, whodunnit!

Edie: American Girl by Jean Stein, a biography of Edie Sedgewick, 60s “It Girl”, socialite, and muse for Andy Warhol. This is a book I bought several years ago and forgot about, to be honest. Art! Drugs! Sex! Rock ‘n Roll! This book has it all. A few days ago I ran across the movie Factory Girl about Edie, which was so interesting even my movie snob husband liked it, and that prompted me to look through my Kindle. It’s rumored Bob Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman” was written about her. (The movie is free on Freevee right now, click the link above for the trailer.)

Rooted and Winged by Luanne Castle, a book of gorgeous poetry. I’ve had Luanne’s book for a while and am happy to finally be reading it!

Breaking Cover, poems by Michael Maul, whose verse “Anniversary Poem” in Dodging the Rain first introduced me to his work by tugging at my heart.

I’m also reading an ARC of Paul Crenshaw’s upcoming book of essays, Melt With Me. I’ll be interviewing Paul for an upcoming column for Reckon Review.

For those who may not know, I write a book interview column for Reckon Review. Currently, I have an interview online with Jill Talbot, author of The Last Year. I loved her book so much and highly recommend it as well as all the books whose authors I’ve interviewed. You can find them all here.

Speaking of litmags, here are three pieces I read recently that I loved.

“Adrift” by Kim Steutermann Rogers, the 2023 Anthology prize winner for Fractured Lit and it’s easy to see why. Do read it!

“Generational Wealth” by Katy Goforth in Brevity, a creative nonfiction essay that will immerse you in time and place. Loved it!

“Whirlwind” by Beth Gordon in Stone Circle Review, a gorgeous prose poem you don’t want to miss.

In my own book writing efforts……um, I have none. But I am assembling some poems for a chapbook open call. Wish me luck. I’ve never done this before!