Just wanted to share some links...
I want to hang out with the writer of this article (and I maybe should go ahead and re-name my blog by plagiarizing the title of her essay): "My Baby Died and I Can't Shut Up About It."
My friend Jamie sent me this article yesterday. I'd already read it, but it was worth a second read. It's great, and a great one to pass along to people who just don't get it: "Getting Grief Right."
A while back, I read Meghan O'Rourke's book The Long Good-bye. It's about losing her mom, and the first half of the book recounts her mother's struggle with cancer. The second half is a more general reflection on grief that really resonated with me. So much that I e-mailed the author a fan letter and I was so excited she wrote me back! #nerdalert
I've been reading I Am Malala while I nurse Coco. The straightforward prose is a quick read, but the story is haunting. It's so easy to push aside the news of ISIS and not think about it because it feels too big, too scary, and also removed from my reality. But reading about Malala's experience with the Taliban is a painful reminder that there are real people in crisis.
Speaking of ISIS, my friend Natalie sent me this article. It's not exactly fun reading, but it certainly is eye-opening: "What ISIS Really Wants."
Related to the idea of wishing that bad news would go away is this gem of an article that my friend Carol sent me, knowing it was right up my alley: "If You Think Life is Fair, You Might be a Terrible Person." If I were on Face.book, I'd be posting that all over the place.
I'm also reading The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern. It's a great little escape, especially if you like magical things and the nineteenth century (for me: ding! ding! winner!). And I just lent my mom my library copy of Big Little Lies, which was just as engaging as promised by several book lists. I recommend both of them.
Read anything good lately? I'm on the hunt for an article titled something along the lines of "How to Get Your Six and a Half Month Old Baby to Sleep Through the Night Without Crying After You've Spent Six and a Half Months Nursing Her On Demand in the Comfort of Your Bed Because then She Stops Crying and You Can Lie Down and Close Your Eyes." If you've read something like that (or written it!) send it my way, mm-kay?
I picked up Night Circus in an airport on the basis of its cover alone, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteIf you like 19th C + magic, have you read the Glamourist Histories by Mary Robinette Kowal (http://maryrobinettekowal.com/ is her website, but it's currently offline; hopefully it's a transient thing)? I can also recommend the Alpennia novels of Heather Rose Jones: http://alpennia.com/
When on the hunt for something good to read, or skimming through suggestions...often i land on what my theme song in time would be...and that first article is it. I drank that up. Thanks for the link and the read tonight. Holy crap she said it ALL.
ReplyDeleteI believe you're looking for this: http://www.amazon.ca/Go-F-k-Sleep-CD-Unabr/dp/145584165X
ReplyDeleteThe way you feel about Meghan O'Rourke's response is exactly how I feel every time you respond to an email or like something on my IG. #nerdalert #yourefamoustoo :)
ReplyDeleteRead Night Circus a couple months ago and totally loved it. I had the entire circus mapped out in my head. Even though there was SO MUCH description, I still wanted more. I also read Big Little Lies and liked that one as well. It as a quick read, but I really enjoyed the way it was written, reminded me a little bit of Where'd You Go Bernadette, have you read that? I liked it way more than I expected.
ReplyDeleteAs for sleeping....Henry slept in my room, and basically on top of me for 7 months of his life. I had read lots of books and considered trying tons of things, but then I realized that he would only sleep in the Rock n Play in our bedroom (wouldn't sleep in a bassinet or pack n play) and he could sit up and basically fall out at that point. So, I knew I had to do something. One of the best books I read was Good Night Sleep Tight...by the Sleep Lady? Or something like that. Anyway it just talks about how much sleep kids need at a certain age and all that. She also doesn't really think sleep training is a good idea until 6 months, which made me feel better about my situation. So, we started what she calls the Sleep Lady Shuffle at 7 months. I don't know if Henry (or I) was just finally ready, but the transition went so quickly. You are supposed to do it for 2 weeks and I think I did it for 3 days and the kid was sleeping through the night in his crib. It was crazy. Good luck!
I look forward to the day when I no longer say "I continue to be amazed you find any time to read for pleasure at all." Because sister, by the time 9:00 hits, IF my daughter is asleep, there's maybe a few brain cells left for a couple People magazine articles and then it's all over. I sooo admire your ability to 'do it all' - even if you don't feel like you are, I'm here to tell you - you are!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks for the links particularly to the first article. I hadn't seen it and am totally with you - would love to hang out with HER! I feel like I've read The Long Goodbye because I know I'd resonate to it but now think I just WANTED to read it but never did because I can't recall a single specific about the story. So chock up another book on the To Read After Cate Goes To College list.
I appreciate the 'good reads' lists (as well as the Conversations with Zuzu posts). Keep 'em coming!
Oh! And I once wrote Jodi Picoult and about flipped my lid when she wrote back. Practically framed that email! Still have it. It's wildly thrilling when a personal celebrity and admired human being not only acknowledges your existence but actually engages! (Also, I'd like to second Stephanie Erdman's post.) ;)