Mid-Month Reading Update: She’s Slumping
But I DO have a ton of great links for you this month!
Hi, book friends.
Yes, this newsletter is hitting your inbox more than halfway through May, but that gives you a sense of how my month has been going — going, going, going! I’ve been especially busy between our baby shower, travel for a dear friend’s wedding in Mississippi (at 34.5 weeks pregnant 😅), and more. And when I haven’t been busy, I’ve been exhausted.
You can see all that reflected in my reading — I’ve only finished three books so far this month. That’s an average of one per week, versus my usual pace of two or three per week.
Thankfully, this past weekend was the last busy one, and I’m looking forward to taking the next month or so to just veg on the couch with my books ahead of baby’s arrival. (I’m not capable of much more at this point, anyway!)
Anywho, here’s where things stand.
What I’ve read so far this month
Full reviews coming soon!
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley* 📖: A fun, grand time of a novel that gives us lots to think about in terms of personal and collective choice. This is going to make a GREAT film.
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright 📖🎧: The voice work here is impeccable and very Enright. I’m not surprised it was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize!
All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow 📖🎧: I was not quite in the mood for this book, but persisted for book club. And yet still, I can’t help but marvel at all it accomplishes. Also a great choice if you’re looking for autistic representation written by an autistic author!
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland* (out 6/11) 📖: Okay so I’m not done yet, only 30% or so in, but y’all this is SO FUN AND FUNNY. It’s also holding my fried brain’s attention the best so far this month. Can’t wait to see where it goes!
*gifted to me by the publisher
What’s left on my TBR this month
Too much. I’ve already moved some things back to June, but here’s what I’ll be choosing from between now and then:
The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang
We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons*
Witch King by Martha Wells
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad
The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma (out 6/4)*
*gifted to me by the publisher
Link it real good
ICYMI, this year’s PEN America Literary Awards were canceled as a result of effective author protests against PEN’s silence about Gaza ✊
A niche crossover of my interests, in case it fits yours too: “The Uncanny Connection Between Ultrarunners and Our Literary Heroes”
Fun thing: the best homes in classic literature, as rounded up by House Beautiful
NOT A DRILL: Siân Heder (who won a Best Picture Oscar for CODA) is adapting Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow!
The Pulitzer Prizes were announced and I don’t wanna talk about that fiction category, lol
If you missed all the drama surrounding Readers Take Denver (aka the Fyre Festival of Books), here’s a helpful overview. Yikessss.
Speaking of film adaptations, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store!!!
Not bookish but still cool: A recap of one social media manager’s evening covering the Met Gala (via the always excellent
)RINGS OF POWER TRAILER, RINGS OF POWER TRAILER!!! (Warning: Do not watch this trailer if you haven’t yet watched season 1!) House of R had a 75-minute podcast deep dive up within 9 hours, lol. Impressive.
RIP Alice Munro, one of the best to ever, ever do it.
As always, thanks for sharing your corner of the internet with me! It would mean a lot if you were to take a second to like this post. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments, too.
Finally, if you like this newsletter, please send a few friends my way.
See you on Instagram!
— Deedi (she/her)
I hope you make the most of your last month and change before baby 📚📚📚📚