is this the best book of the year?
h e l l o from t h e o
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this week’s style inspo:
Tina Alabama in a flower mask
what I’m clicking:
I photographed the LA protests--Here’s my story | Burgernomics: The Big Mac index | A civil rights icon passes the baton | Sqirl mold and the myth of the food pioneer | Congress is a hostile work environment | Why every environmentalist should be antiracist | Facebook employees reckon with what they built | My parents the propaganda dealers | Coronavirus unleashed along the Amazon | Why were people laughing when Meg Thee Stallion got shot? | How to redeem the soul of a nation | The war on frats | Twilight of the imperial chef | Quavo and Saweetie’s love language
what I’m wanderlusting:
Lately I’m dreaming about returning to Ouarzazate, Morocco and the most luxurious hotel you’ve never heard of
what I’m watching:
King of Staten Island. I quite enjoyed it despite the fact that Pete Davidson is a bad actor and it’s not actually very funny at all. Plus it’s truly shocking that they made Marisa Tomei make out with Bill Burr? Yuck.
what I’m coveting:
Why do I feel like I NEED this silk pillowcase that looks like a teletubby barfed on it? Somebody please talk some sense into me.
what I’m reading:
Richard Powers
I heard this book was a little bit dense and boring but still worth reading and right at the beginning, I felt that couldn’t be further from the truth. I was sucked in immediately and totally intrigued by the characters (trees included). But then sometime around halfway through, things got slow. It’s sort of like the author came up with this great premise for a book, started writing, but then had no idea how to finish what he started. The ending is unsatisfying and this book is like 200 pages too long, but I do have to admit it’s pretty great.
Did it make me cry: Yes. It’s really sad. Sort of like The Giving Tree, but for grownups.
Did it make me laugh: I doubt it.
Is it a good pandemic book: No. It will only add to your apocalypse anxiety.
Would I read it again: No. I’ve had enough apocalypse anxiety, thank you.
Would it be a good movie: Too weird, too boring, too expensive to make. I would be like Babel or Crash, but for treehuggers.
Naoise Dolan
Ok, so I broke two of my rules with this book--1. I trusted a review on the back (“It’s like Crazy Rich Asians meets Sally Rooney”--FALSE) and 2. I read the back cover copy that somehow divulged a thing that doesn’t happen until, like, the last 50 pages of the book! I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had burned the damn dust jacket before I started reading. Never again!
Did it make me cry: No.
Did it make me laugh: I don’t know if I laughed out loud, but there are definitely amusing conversations.
Is it a good pandemic book: It’s about a person who has literally no control over their life and who seems to be operating on autopilot, so it’s sort of relatable in that sense.
Would I read it again: No, probably not.
Would it be a good movie: Yes, actually. But let’s keep this to 120 minutes, tops. No TV deals, please.
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race
Renni Eddo-Lodge
So even though this book is written by a British person and almost solely discusses racism through the lens of British history and Brexit, this book is a must-read for people of any nationality. In fact, I would argue that this book has some of the most eloquent and approachable definitions of white privilege and systemic racism--and so much of what the author talks about is applicable almost anywhere in the world. Plus, the writing is great, so this book feels way less like “homework” than other, more academic books feel.
Did it make me cry: The first part of this book talks about the history of racism in Britain and it’s truly horrifying.
Did it make me laugh: I don’t think so.
Is it a good pandemic book: Racism is a pandemic, so yes.
Would I read it again: Probably not the whole thing, but there are some parts I’ve bookmarked to return to again.
Would it be a good movie: No, but I bet this writer could make a good movie.
Kevin Kwan
This book was everything I wanted it to be, nothing more and nothing less. Way less complicated and soap opera-y and wanderlusty than Crazy Rich Asians, but it definitely scratched an itch.
Did it make me cry: No.
Did it make me laugh: Yes, I literally LOLed at one part.
Is it a good pandemic book: This book is FUN and we all need some fun right now, so yes.
Would I read it again: No.
Would it be a good movie: This movie would be dumb as hell but I would 100% watch it over and over again.
Aravind Adiga
Sometimes I read a prize-winning book from years ago and I’m like “holy fuck, what were they thinking.” This is one of those books.
Did it make me cry: No.
Did it make me laugh: No.
Is it a good pandemic book: No.
Would I read it again: No. I’ve read and loved SO many books about India. There are some really incredible stories out there, but this one doesn’t deserve anybody’s time or energy.
Would it be a good movie: You’d have to rewrite it so there’s at least ONE likeable character, and then: Maybe!
Brit Bennett
Oh my god. I’m calling it now--this is probably the best new book I’ll read all year.
Did it make me cry: Yes.
Did it make me laugh: No.
Is it a good pandemic book: It’s a good book, no matter when you’re reading it or what’s going on in the world.
Would I read it again: Yes.
Would it be a good movie: PLEASE?!?!? I was thinking that maybe Tia and Tamara can be in it?