What I Read and Loved | February 2024
Six books, music, a fragrance, and more
I ended up reading six books in February, yet I never felt like I was in a reading rhythm. I started a lot of books, but I set most of them down quickly, uninterested in continuing. I enjoyed most of the books I finished last month, but finishing some of them seemed challenging. Does that make any sense? Do you relate to the idea of a reading rhythm?
Before I ask any more questions, let's get to the books.
What I Read
Leslie Jamison is one of my must-read writers, so her new memoir, Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story, was one of my most anticipated books of 2024. Thankfully, it was as good as I hoped.
Splinters is Jamison's memoir of divorce and single motherhood. She writes about choosing to leave C., a fellow writer and the father of her young daughter. She's unhappy in the marriage and is hurt by C.'s anger. The couple's daughter is only a baby when they separate, so Jamison's book isn't just about a divorce but her evolution as a mother.
While reading Splinters, I kept thinking about Maggie Smith's memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, another story about divorce and motherhood. Smith's book is very good, but Jamison's is much more raw. She doesn't hold back in this book, writing honestly about her ex's shortcomings while not afraid to disclose her own. Jamison is a recovering alcoholic and anorexic, topics she writes about openly, so beware if that content is triggering for you.
I enjoyed much about this book, especially the section set in 2020 which details Jamison's experience having COVID while alone in an apartment with her toddler for days at a time. Her deep love for her child comes through each page of this book, and so do the difficulties of being a wife and mother, especially one with heavy emotional baggage.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.
This style guide is helpful for those who could use some inspiration when it comes to getting dressed and finding the pieces that will make you feel your best. Bornstein has an internet-famous three-word method for finding your signature style, and that's been useful for me. I also appreciate her tips about editing down your closet. I would have liked more photos showing how to style outfits, but overall, this was a fun read.
Sula was my February pick for one of the book clubs I lead. We had to read a book by a Black author, and I chose Toni Morrison since it had been a while since I'd read something from her. Whenever I pick up one of her books, I'm reminded that no one else writes like she did. Morrison has such a unique voice and perspective.
In this novel, she traces the friendship between Sula and Nel, two Black girls, from childhood through adulthood. There's a decade-long gap when Sula moves away, but the friendship picks up where it left off when she returns to their hometown. Sula examines friendship, but it's also about home, community, gentrification, and the expectations we place on women, specifically Black women. I found the first few pages of this novel slow going, but I'm thankful I stuck with it.
Sloan Crosley's latest book is a departure from her usual humor-fueled work. In this memoir, she writes about the suicide of a mentor and dear friend that occurred around the same time as her apartment was burglarized. As Crosley considers the loss of meaningful items that were stolen and her friend's death, she admits "grief is for people" and proceeds to give readers an intimate look at her own mourning.
The juxtaposition of the burglary and the passing of her friend didn't always make sense to me. I understand what Crosley was trying to say about loss, but the comparison sometimes felt forced and repetitive. As for what I enjoyed, I loved the inside look at her friendship with the man she lost, and I especially appreciated her stories about their behind-the-scenes jobs in publishing.
Like anyone would, Crosley wonders what signs she missed and if she could have done more to help her friend. This memoir has many poignant moments, but Crosley's trademark wit remains. Grief Is for People could be a balm for those who have lost someone to suicide and are wondering how to pick up the pieces of their life.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.
In the opening chapter of The Faculty Lounge, an elderly substitute teacher is found dead on a sofa in the lounge of a Texas high school. His body couldn't be picked up immediately, so teachers needed to use the restroom and make copies while ignoring the man under the white sheet. This storyline might sound grim, but it's hilariously done thanks to Jennifer Mathieu's wit. As the story progresses, the man's ashes are spread on school property, a scene that made me laugh out loud. The humor in this novel is one of the reasons why I love it, but the characterization is great, too.
Each chapter follows a different staff member from the high school. A beloved guidance counselor is getting ready to retire. A vice principal is suffering from a drinking problem and gets support from a surprising source. A custodian is afraid her status as an undocumented immigrant will come to light. Every character is fleshed-out and interesting; I wish I could have spent more time with some of them. Serious issues are addressed throughout the novel, but Mathieu uses a light hand to tell her stories. The more serious parts never feel heavy-handed, and the funny parts flow seamlessly throughout the narrative. I laughed a lot, but the final few pages had me teary. I love this book, and other school staffers will, too. Mathieu is a teacher, so even in the zany parts, this novel feels real. Mark your calendars for July 23 when The Faculty Lounge releases.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy.
With the Fire on High is a great YA novel about Emoni, a seventeen-year-old girl and single mom raising her two-year-old daughter with her grandmother and ex-boyfriend. Emoni is about to graduate from high school and needs to figure out what to do with her life. She longs to be a chef and is a gifted cook, so she signs up for her school's cooking class.
I loved how Acevedo explored that "what in the world happens next" feeling we all feel on the cusp of significant change. I also appreciated what a good mom Emoni is to her daughter and how hard she works to give her daughter a good life.
I read this book as part of one of the student and staff book clubs I help lead, and we had some good conversations about family, romance, and growing up. The students enjoyed this book as much as I did. The food descriptions will make you hungry, so keep snacks nearby.
What I Loved
MUSIC: Néo-Romance by Alexandra Streliski
I love listening to music while I work, and sometimes I want something instrumental. That’s when I turn to this beautiful album. It’s full of gorgeous piano melodies.
FRAGRANCE: Vanilla Woods by The 7 Virtues
I love a good scent, and this one always delivers. It’s a warm, rich vanilla that lasts a long time on my skin. I’ve had this bottle for a while, but I’ve been reaching for it a lot lately.
Also, can we pause to admire how beautifully the perfume bottle matches the album cover?
What I Wrote
What did you read in February? Were there any hits? Share in the comments. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the playlist. I can totally relate to reading and writing rhythms. The fact that you read six books is a reminder that sometimes maybe all the time, it’s not the reality but how we feel about the reality.
So many of these things are calling out to me!
I want to read Splinters, and Sloan Crosley.
Listen to the piano music, and Vanilla is one of my favorite scents!❤️
Thank you my friend!