SO, big news since I wrote last is that I’m going to be a published author! My novel, The Butterfly Effect, is forthcoming from Alcove Press on December 8, 2020. It’s a book perfect for book clubs, starring a grumpy heroine who loves insects. I hope you’ll add it on Goodreads.
That’s big, but not as big as whatever-the-hell we’re going through right now. I feel like I’ve written “I hope this email finds you well” seven zillion times since March and meaning it so intensely that I feel like you can feel the hand sanitizer through the computer screen. I truly, truly hope this post finds you well.
Even if you’re not at risk, physical-health wise, I hope you’re taking care of yourself mentally. I’ve been chatting with some of my sober friends— and some of my friends who are disappointed to find themselves way less sober than they usually are— and isolation does shitty things to your brain. No advice, just gentle reminder that I’m here if you need to reach out to someone.
Turns out that finagling three children while suddenly shifting to teaching three classes online has been stressful. Luckily this week marks the end of my semester and I’m grateful for a few months to find balance and strategize for fall— mentally, physically, and pedagogically.
What I’ve Been Reading So Far in 2020:
Best relaxing reads: Well Met by Jen DeLuca, All Systems Red by Martha Wells, New Erotica for Feminists by The Belladonnas, The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal, Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Best debuts: Real Life by Brandon Taylor, Lakewood by Megan Giddings, The Third Rainbow Girl by Emma Copley Eisenberg, and How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang
Biggest/Best WTF did I just reads so far: Brotopia by Emily Chang (rage-making), The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa (surreal and lush), and The World Doesn’t Require You: Stories by Rion Amilcar Scott (broke my brain, and I cannot recommend it more)
I’m 58 books into my 110 book reading challenge for the year already, and ripe for recommendations from you guys. Let me know if you’ve read anything incredible lately.
What I’ve Been Cooking
Beans: Deb Perelman’s Pizza Beans; Ali Slagle’s Creamy White Braised Beans
Be well. Much love. <3