OK. Fine. I know the equinox is still a few weeks away … but, it’s starting to feel like spring. The daffodils are just about to start blooming; I’m only wearing my parka to work about half the time; and I’ve (mostly) lost my appetite for pumpkin spice and hearty stews. Still very much craving cozy reads, though …
Speaking of reads: It’s amazing how many books you can get through when there isn’t a dissertation hanging over your head! I read fifteen books this month – which included three non-fictions! It’s pretty darn close to being a record.
My book of the month: A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
I went into Silver Flame a bit … well … worried. On one hand, it’s Sarah J. Maas. On the other, trauma, loss, and relationships are tricky.
I shouldn’t have doubted. The book was everything I wanted it to be, plus more.
So, is anyone looking to raise their blood pressure on this beautiful Saturday afternoon?
… because, if you are: boy, do I have the book for you!
Women & Power is an essay on speech, public spaces, and the ancient practice of silencing women … purposefully and explicitly removing women’s voices from the conversation.
The book is primarily focused on Greek and Roman practices, – it starts off with a scene from The Odyssey – though there a number of more-modern examples mixed in … like how Margaret Thatcher had voice training, in order to deepen her voices; or how classical imagery of Perseus slaying Medusa has been replicated in modern political contexts.
Highs and lows …
✔️ So. many. infuriating/inspiring. lines. I started sending quotes to my friend as I read. Then I realized that I was sending pictures of almost every single page … We mutually decided that she should probably just read the book.
✔️ Quick and easy. Women & Power was inspired by a series of lectures Beard delivered … so, probably unsurprising, the text adopts an easy and conversational tone. The content is heavy, but it’s communicated in an approachable way. And, there are pictures.
✔️ The historical approach. I wouldn’t call myself an expert in feminist writing, but I’ve read enough to be broadly acquainted with the field and its arguments. Most essays focus on current events and/or recent history, maybe dating back to the late 1800s. I really liked how Beard took a historical approach. On one hand, her message is rage-inducing: women have been silenced for millennia! (MIllennia!) On the other, it’s also super validating: achieving equality (“the radical notion that women are people”) is difficult because inequality is so ingrained in our culture.
❌ The ending. I was ready to give this book at 5-star rating, but then the ending happened. After being a really strong historically-focused essay, Beard turns her attention to intervention / the things that can be done to support women now and in the future. The problem: Her policy-focused discussion is … well, definitely not as strong as her historical analysis.
You should read this if …
You are a women, or you know a woman.
The details:
Book: Women & Power: A Manifesto Author: Mary Beard Published: 2017, Liveright My copy: Public Library Read date: February 12, 2021 Rating/5: 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Good morning, friends! It’s a start of a new week! How are things? Did you get enough sleep this week?
Me? I realized that if you go to bed at a reasonable time, you also wake up at a reasonable time. Amazing, isn’t it?! I actually woke up before my alarm this morning!
Forgive the hypomanic energy. I start my Block 2 residency rotations today, whcih means it’s first-day-of-school v. 2.0. I also have a job interview later this week, which is super exciting! I love the idea of being able to pay rent come September 1.
What am I reading?
I finished Men Explain Things to Me (⭐⭐️), A Reaper at the Gates (⭐⭐️⭐⭐⭐), and A Court of Silver Flame (⭐⭐️⭐⭐⭐) last week. — and, the Silver Flame book hangover is real. Seriously, though: can we pplleeeaaaasseeee get an estimated date for Elaine and Lucien’s story?
I’ve just started A Sky Beyond the Storm – and, while it’s still a bit too early to tell, it’s promising to be absolutely epic. I’m also – slowly but steadily – picking my way through Empire of Storm. I read a couple chapters before bed each night … which, given the book’s size, means I’ll be wrapping up sometime around Canada Day.
My next reads are going to be A Curse So Dark and Lonely and The Thursday Night Murder Club.
What’s happening in my life?
Meal prep.
Breakfasts are … nope. Tea!
Lunches this week are zoodles with parmesan cheese and homemade meatballs.
Dinners are whatever is in my fridge … Salads, cheese, some chicken. I need to start cleaning it out.
Fitness …
T-minus-4-weeks until I’m fully vaccinated. Neighbourhood yoga studio: I’m looking at you.
What am I listening to?
If you’re looking for music to accompany Silver Flame, look no further than Agnes Obel. I had her on for most of the weekend.
OK … What to say about a book called The Vagina Bible?
Well, it’s non-fiction.
And, as you might have guessed, it’s about vaginas. And vulvas. And women’s reproductive health.
… and it was definitely an impulse check-out from the public library.
Well, sort of. I heard about The Vagina Bible through my sexual health friends. They raved about it and gave it a 5-star rating — and proclaimed it as part of the movement against the pseudoscience of Gwyneth Paltrow / GOOP.
Honestly, sexual health isn’t really my thing — I research exercise, and work in chronic disease prevention — so it never made it on to my TBR list. But … I was at the library a couple days ago, and a copy was available … and I had a bit of a well, screw it moment. Might as well see what the fuss was about.
What happens?
Surprisingly, there is relatively little talk of screwing it in this book …
I mean, there’s some. But it’s definitely not the whole book.
I was expecting The Vagina Bible to be one of two things: either (1) a historical narrative / microhistory of women’s sexuality or (2) a medically-informed guide to women’s sexual pleasure. Turns out, it was neither of those things. The Vagina Bible is literally a reference book on a whole bunch of women’s reproductive health topics, from basic anatomy to menstrual hygiene to unusual odors. It’s everything that your mom (or public health nurse or sex-ed teacher) should have taught you about your vagina … but didn’t. (Probably because they themselves didn’t know.)
Highs and lows …
✔️ User-friendly and evidence-based. The book is a super easy-to-read guide that is definitely informed by current medical knowledge. It takes a pretty grounded approach, which essentially amounts to (1) trust that millions of years of evolution knows how to keep your vulva/vagina healthy, (2) be safe, and (3) if something itches/smells/burns/etc., you should probably get it checked out.
✔️ I learnt a ton … and, I say this as someone who’s taken courses in sexual health / health psychology.
❌ The tone. As informative and easy-to-read as the book was … I didn’t like the tone. Gunter adds all these little side comments which interrupt the flow of the text and take away from it being a reader-focused reference manual.
Yes, I know I do the same all the time when writing my reviews.
But a personal book blog is different than a piece of medical reference literature.
The result felt less I’m-an-experienced-ob/gyn-and-I-know-what-I’m-doing … and more:
You should read this if …
You are a vagina-owner, or have a partner who owns a vagina.
The details:
Book: The Vagina Bible Author: Jen Gunter Published: 2019, Citadel Press My copy: Public library Read date: February 13-14, 2021 Rating/5: 🌹🌹🌹
… and you’re enjoying things well enough, but just can’t figure out where it’s going or why it’s taking so long to get there?
But then the ending happens. And it’s amazing and gorgeous and sooooooo sad, and just ties. everything. up. brilliantly.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Girl and the Ghost.
What happens?
Suraya is a child when she inherits Pink, the pelesit: a dark spirit bound by blood, sworn to do her bidding. As an only child and social outcast, she’s thrilled to finally have a friend. And, the same can be said for Pink.
At age 12, when Suraya tranfers to a new school, it’s Pink who encourages her to make a friend. However, Suraya and Jing Wei get along better than Pink anticipated … and, before long, he starts to feel as though Suraya has replaced him. Suraya and Pink have an argument and part ways on not-so-friendly terms … though, Pink decides to hang around haunt Suraya.
With her sanity on the line, Suraya reaches out to her mother for help. However, the holy man contracted by her mother isn’t all that he seems … and Suraya soon realizes the extent of her mistake. In an effort to save Pink from harm, Suraya, Pink, and Jing Wei set off on a mission to put Pink to a peaceful rest.
First lines:
The ghost knew his master was about to die, and he wasn’t exactly unhappy about it.
He knew that sounded bad. You’d think, after all those years together, that even he might have felt a twinge of sadness about the whole situation. But it’s hard to feel sorry for someone when: a) you’re a ghost, and everyone knows ghosts don’t have hearts, and b) that someone made her living out of forcing you to make other people miserable.
Highs and lows …
✔️ The ending. The story was meandering … and, not in a good way. Up until about the 95% mark, I was entirely ready to give it a 2-star rating. But then the ending happened. And, gosh darn, I’m not sure how long it’s going to take me to recover. HEART WRENCHING.
✔️ Pink. I absolutely loved him. This sometimes-little ghost is far too precious … and, then there’s his super tragic backstory.
😭 “Fortune favors the bold.”
❓ The introduction to Malaysian culture. I’ve (attempted to) read a couple #OwnVoices books in recent months … many of which have ended in frustration. The books have felt more like cultural instruction manuals — how-to guides for very! white! tourists! — than stories. It’s very tell, don’t show.
… but then there are #OwnVoices books — like City of Brass – that do an absolutely stunning job. Where the culture is an integral part of the story … but is communicated with subtlety, finesse, and respect for the reader.
Girl and Ghost fell somewhere between these two extremes. Some parts — like describing Suraya’s village and integrating aspects of Islamic and Malay culture — were masterful. Other sections completely slowed the story down …
❌ The pacing. This wasn’t a particularly long book — the audiobook was 6 hours, about the length of City of Ghosts — but it feltREALLY long. Whole chunks of the middle — all that talk about Star Wars, Malaysian food, the bullies, and finding a new friend — could have easily been cut, and would have really helped with the flow.
❌ Jing Wei. Lord, she was so annoying. I’m totally with Pink on this one.
You should read this if …
You’re interesting in learning a bit more about Malaysian-Islamic culture. You enjoy having your heart ripped out and torn to little pieces.
The details:
Book: The Girl and the Ghost Author: Hanna Alkaf Published: 2020, HarperCollins My copy: Public library Read date: February 10-12, 2021 Rating/5: 🦗🦗🦗🦗
I feel like I’m the last person in the world to get to this book …
… because, you would be shocked – shocked I say! – by the number of people who stopped my on the sidewalk / at the bus stop / in the lunch room to talk about how UH-MAZING the book is.
Forget Harry Potter. Apparently Agatha Christie is what unites us all.
What happens?
Yeah right, like I’m going to give away the surprise!
But, here’s a teaser: A mysterious island. A bunch of guests from very mixed and very British backgrounds. A dinner party. A murder.
Highs and lows …
✔️ It was SO Agatha Christie. I’ve never read Agatha Christie before, but she’s a cultural icon … and has been on Doctor Who. I had figured most of the stereotypes around her mysteries were a mixture of pomp, hyperbole, and satire. Turns out, it was pretty true to form.
✔️ The plot. Oh, definitely not what I was expecting. It was a great twist!
❌ The writing. As brilliant as the story was … Christie’s writing just didn’t do it for me. It was extremely dense and detail-laden — which probably wasn’t helped by my aphantasia. I got about 25% of the way through the book before switching over to BBC radio version. Things went smoother afterward.
You should read this if …
You’ve never read an Agatha Christie before, and are looking for a great introduction to the club.
The details:
Book: And Then There Were None Author: Agatha Christie Published: 1939 My copy: Personal copy / Library audiobook Read date: February 3-6, 2021 Rating/5: 🔪🔪🔪
Well, I have a new favourite: snow-filled long-weekends, stuffed with walks, puzzles, tea, and – of course – books.
What am I reading?
I finished eight (!!!) books last week … largely novellas and smaller books, but they still count as books in my book! They were: The Girl and the Ghost (⭐⭐⭐️⭐), Women & Power (⭐⭐⭐️⭐), Rage and Ruin (⭐⭐), The Murderbot Diaries, Books #1-4 (⭐⭐⭐️⭐), and The Vagina Bible (⭐⭐⭐). Girl/Ghost really surprised me. I was ready to give it a three-star — or maybe even two-star — rating … but then the ending happened, and it tied everything up in a devastatingly sad way. I’m not sure how long it’s going to take for me to recover …
My current reads are Empire of Storms and This Is How You Lose the Time War …
… but, we all know that everything is going to come to a halt tomorrow, with the release of Silver Flame. I’m seriously considering taking Wednesday off sick.
What’s happening in my life?
Meal prep. Sigh. Still no new fridge … and I’ve finally caved and bought more food. My sister’s convinced me to try keto (well, my sister and the realization that my parka no longer fits … ) — so, my fridge is stocked with cheese, whipping cream, and kale.
Breakfasts are chia pudding
Lunches are similar to last week – bento boxes with a mix of veggies and cheese
Dinners are eggroll in a bowl
Fitness …
I’m finding the transition to keto both exhausting and uncomfortable, and it’s recommended to take things easy in the first couple days as the body adjusts.
Work & School …
Now that my dissertation has been submitted, I’m starting to convert my manuscripts over to … actual manuscripts. The ones you submit to actual real journals. I hope to have the first one to my co-authors by next weekend!
I have four days left of Block 1! It’s terrifying … I’m almost 50% done residency!
Once upon a time, I was in grade 11 and a super awkward nerd.
… I mean, I’m still a super awkward nerd. But I used to walk around with a graphing calculator to my back pocket.
Anyways.
Even though I was a science kid, most of my friends where theatre kids … and they had just discovered Wicked. (I know, right?!) In an effort to look cool, I checked out Wicked from the school library …
Read the first 6-ish pages …
And promptly decided that the book was hideously boring.
I was sincerely hoping that my experience with A Wild Winter Swan would be different.
I mean, it’s been half a lifetime …
My tastes have changed (a bit … OK, not really).
Maguire’s had 16 years to change up his style.
It wasn’t different.
What’s it about?
If you haven’t read the Six Swans before, I’d 10/10 recommend it. (Grimm’s text here, or audiobook narration here.) The basic premise is: An evil stepmother turns six princes into swans. Their younger sister takes a vow of silence, and spends the next six years spinning shirts out of nettles. She’s wrongly charged with murder and sentenced to death before finishing the final shirt. Right before the pyres are lit, she throws the shirts over her brothers. They transform back into humans, and the sister – able to talk again – pleads not guilty. Everyone lives happily ever after … though, the youngest brother is left with a swan’s wing for an arm.
I love this tale for so many reasons. It’s one of the longer Grimm stories, and there’s so much magic, sacrifice, and psychological stuff going on. What’s the princess experiencing? What happens to the youngest brother after it’s all over?
… Which is exactly where A Wild Winter Swan picks up. The youngest brother is struggling with his transformation, the lingering curse, and its impact on his future.
Sigh.
It’s the 1960s.
Meet Laura. A troubled (?) teen who’s just been kicked out of prep school. She has a love-hate with her VERY (!!!) Italian grandparents, her Irish housekeeper, her mysterious mother, and the two workmen who are continuously visiting to fix that cracked drywall or this plumbing.
There are many talks of menus and food and shopping and church. Like, chapters of it.
We hear about how she threw a record at a classmate.
And how she likes reading to little kids.
And how she makes amends with her classmate.
And her great-aunt’s new husband.
And her wool coat from Macy’s. (Purchased at full price, folks – not on sale.)
Oh. And there’s a swan-boy hiding in the spare bedroom. Because, reasons.
First line:
Knuckles of hail rapped against Laura’s window with a musical jumpiness. Hardly tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, though, when the room was an icebox.
Highs and lows:
❌ What’s the point? This is entirely a character-driven story. It’s about Laura, her troubles, growing out of herself, and her relationships with others. This isn’t a style of story that typically interests me, so I’m not surprised that I disliked it … but, I can understand that some people would enjoy it.
I’m just super confused as to why we have a swan-boy in it.
Hans – the swan-boy – plays absolutely zero role in the story. Sure: he adds a bit of weirdness to Laura’s life … but, that’s it. Nothing hinges on his existence. In fact, if anything, having him in the story takes away from Laura’s journey and difficulties.
It feels more like a marketing technique — part of the Maguire brand — rather than a honest examination of a fairy tale.
❌ Please stop with the owl subplot. I get it. I get it. I get it. I don’t care. Stop.
Winter Swan is a good example of what not to do … the prose is descriptive, but in a bloated and totally ridiculous way. There’s frequent brand-dropping (just! in case! you! forget! it’s! the! 1960s!), and fixation on details that don’t add to i) the story or ii) the reader’s emotional connection with characters. Prose like this:
Laura filled the kettle and pulled some loose mint tea from the canister and milk from the Frigidaire. After checking to make sure there were no peeping Toms in the back alley, she rolled off her tights and hung them over the radiator, which was hissing in a jazzy way. Garibaldi sidled over to sniff the fabric and to claw at it, but Laura made the pssst sound, and the cat ran off.
In short, the book is massively overwritten. Cut out these details, and you’d have a more-satisfying 60-page short-story.
✔️ Hans. While we don’t see very much of him, Hans was an interesting character. I like how Maguire blended bits of swan and human behaviour together.
You should read this if …
You’re a fan of Maguire’s other works? If my 6-page attempt at Wicked is any indication, this book is pretty characteristic of him. Otherwise, steer clear.
Well, I’m glad last week is behind me. It felt a bit like a rollercoaster, with some highs (submitting my PhD dissertation for defence!) — some lows (rude patients. ugh.) — and a lot of freaking out in-between (two grants due).
Thankfully, this week is looking a lot more steady … and, I might actually have some sort of Valentine’s Day event happening this year?! (It’s so weird!) We’ll see what happens!
What am I reading?
I finished three books last week: The Bear and the Nightingale (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐), A White Winter Swan (⭐), and And Then There Were None (⭐⭐⭐). This was my sixth (!!!) Nightingale re-read … and, I swear: it gets better every time. There’s so much depth and texture to the story.
My current reads are The Girl and the Ghost and Rage and Ruin … What can I say? Storm and Fury (for all its two-stars) was addictive. Bring on the gargoyle shifter smut.
Next up: I have a stack of library books sitting on my shelf … and The Bone Season is definitely calling the loudest. Though, I’m hesitant to start another series when I’m half-way through An Ember in the Ashes and Winternight.
What’s happening in my life?
Meal prep. No fridge as of yet, and I really needed some vegetables. This week, I am making …
Egg bites for breakfasts
Turkey, avocado, broccoli, and almond bento boxes for lunch
Oh, Napoleon Bonaparte, you’re the cause of my woe Since my bonny light horseman to the wars he did go Broken hearted I’ll wander, broken hearted I’ll remain Since my bonny light horseman in the wars he was slain
Idea … Can we please get more covers of traditional songs?
Like The Overhaul,A Thousand Mornings is primarily a collection of nature poems … primarily about birds and the sea. But, unlike The Overhaul, these are primarily(-ish) devices to explore greater themes … though, I’m not sure what those themes were. I really struggled to figure out what the overarching focus of this collection was.
The poems follow a more-modern style of verse, that plays a bit — but not too much — with formatting and structure. Some of the lines are lovely; some are solemn; and some get to those bigger questions. Parts certainly hit their emotional target. I wouldn’t count this amongst my favourite collections, but I’m glad I checked it out.
First lines:
I go down to the shore in the morning and depending on the hour the waves are rolling in or moving out, and I say, oh, I am miserable
I go down to the shore
You should read this if …
you’re wanting to broaden your poetic horizons, and are looking for something a bit deeper than instagram poetry.
The Geeky Jock 