The Reading List: Staci's Beach Reads 2017
Truth be told, I am not sure I will make it back to the beach this summer (sad face), so it may be more accurate to call this post "Staci's Patio Reads," but either way, my to-read list has been growing exponentially.
To my delight, lately I've been seeing a lot of the people I follow on Instagram take photos of the books they are reading, and I am excited to take their suggestions (I've been screenshotting the hell out of IG). Here's what is on tap for me this summer.
By Nathan Hill
THE NIX
This one is EVERYWHERE. It seems like everyone is reading it, and it got this raving review from NPR. It appears no one can put it down, and no one wants it to end. It sounds like Nathan Hill was quite the way with words when telling the story of a failed-writer-turned-professor who begins writing about his estranged mother. Can't wait to read it.
WHEN THINGS FALL APART: HEART ADVICE FOR DIFFICULT TIMES
The first time I really learned about Buddhism was when I read 10% Happier by Dan Harris. We all go through tough times, and I think it is hard in our Western minds to not take it personally and learn how to cope. I personally find it ridiculously hard to not become "attached" to our labels of what is "good" and "bad," and it is always nice to have a reminder of how to put everything into perspective. This celebrated title is having its 20th anniversary, so it might be time for me to have a read.
AFTER I'M GONE
I should probably have my Baltimore card revoked for never having read a Laura Lippman book. A Marylander, she is a former reporter for the Baltimore Sun and is married to David Simon, creator of The Wire (arguably the best television show ever made). She writes detective novels (of which I'm a fan), and when this one popped up on my IG feed (hi Sarah Anne!), it was a good reminder that it is time for me to get on the Lippman bandwagon.
TOO FAT TOO SLUTTY TOO LOUD: THE RISE AND REIGN OF THE UNRULY WOMAN
Y'all know we love some modern feminist lit here at Hashtag Jetlag. And who wouldn't like it coming through the lens of celeb culture? Buzzfeed culture writer Anne Helen Petersen explores the rise of unruly women (like Lena Dunham and Nicki Minaj). Let's hope she concludes that fat, slutty, loud women are here to stay on top.
WE ARE NEVER MEETING IN REAL LIFE.
Look at this title. Look at this cover art. Is there any doubt this book is one I MUST read? The description on Amazon makes it sounds like a book of essays written by none other than Sloane Crosley. And you know I love Sloane. I don't actually know if Samantha Irby is as wonderful a writer as Sloane, but while I wait for her next work, I'll give this one a go.
HUNGER: A MEMOIR OF (MY) BODY
Gay is one of the most prominent feminists of our time, and OF COURSE I want to read what she has to say about body image and her own experience of it. Naturally I still need to read Difficult Women and Bad Feminist (because I am one?), so maybe I'll just go on a Roxane Gay binge.
What else are you guys reading this summer? Keep 'gramming those books!
-Staci
