I often get asked what books I’m reading. I’m really bad at answering definitely (on most things). In part because my memory is shocking. But also because everything is always “for now”.
photo by edina csoboth
So, here are five reads I’ve experienced recently that touched me because the author truly went deep into their search or their fear or their desire to share and connect. And in turn took me to my own version of this place. Not in a bash-over-the-head way. But just through the process. You might like them, too.
1. Your Voice in My Head by Emma Forrest.
A quirky memoir of an eccentric as she grapples with managing her weirdness and various breakdowns via what is almost an ode to her shrink. It’s a tender, sad and real read. It could be accused of being self-indulgent, in a Prozac Nation way. But it dodges such a call with the bravery and rawness of her writing. It’s unapologetic. And this frees it from contrivance. And freed me to dig down deep with her and to feel the freedom of it all. PS a big part of the book is her battle to recover from one particular ex…who is clearly Colin Farrell. Buy it here.
2. This is Not the Story You Think It Is by Laura Munson.
This book started as a Modern Love column in The New York Times in which Laura details how she sticks by her husband when he announces he’s leaving the marriage. She refuses to buy his story. Not because she’s a martyr or damaged or desperate. Instead it’s because she chooses not to do pain. This means sticking by the man she’s always loved. It’s a fascinating and very pragmatic approach to love and I like it. As real as it comes. I interviewed Laura and you can read about it here. Buy the book here.
3. The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tovey.
Another raw memoir of a woman who gets sick and waits out her illness watching a little snail that a friend delivered to her in a flowerpot. She learns from the snail about slowness. Her understanding of the snail’s stillness over the course of 12 months mirrors her acceptance of her illness “standstillness”.If you’ve ever been sick or held back from everything that’s defined you for some reason, I reckon you’ll get this sweet journey. Elisabeth Tova Bailey was struck down with a particularly virulent strain of flu while travelling and it developed into a much more serious illness – something akin to CFS – which left her debilitated for almost twenty years. Beautifully unassuming and in the unassumingness I was delicately taken to my own still acceptance. Buy it here.
4. Lovesong by Alex Miller.
This time fiction. Beautifully written and the treatment is clever – aging writer meets a younger man in Melbourne, who tells his story of love found in Paris. We read the story as it unfolds in the telling by the younger man, but also as the older writer takes the tale on as his project. So we get several takes on what is quite a simple and very believable love story. Of course it has raw and real twists and ugliness and catches. Like all lovesongs. Like all messy, needy, exploratory love. Elegant and full of grace. Buy it here.
5. How it Feels by Brendan Cowell.
I just finished reading this. I can’t say I like the characters. A bit like The Slap – I HATED all the characters in The Slap. But it’s the ugliness of these people that brings me closer to me. I recognise a lot of the ugliness, not so much in what the characters say and do, but in the way what they say and do is deposited on the page in such eloquent “thought bombs” by Brendan. The story is of a toe-gazing artistic type who leaves The Shire to be more important than the people who stay behind. He fucks up his life, returns and has mirrors held up to his judgement. It’s suburban-familiar in so many ways. I felt grimy reading it. But had to smile. Mostly at my own attempts to escape my own griminess. Friggen well written! Buy it here.
Reading anything good right now that takes you to a raw/ugly/still/mesmerising place?
So really wanted to get the...
Awesome book suggestions for my next book club meet! Thanks Sarah
PS. Just sent an email to your info@ address. Hope you find it of interest!
Cheers,
Catherine
[Reply]
Thanks for this list. I’ve had ‘The sound of a wild snails eating’ sitting on my shelf for awhile. I bought it because I thought the title was cute. I think I’ll move it further up my ‘to read’ pile.
You might like Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. It has three seperate stories going on that all intertwine. One character in particular that I loved was a forest ranger and wildlife biologist who lives alone in a small cabin in the National Forest. Her job is to watch the changes in the ecosystem that are brought on by the return of the coyote.
He whole set up, living remotely with no contact with people for a long period of time really soothed my soul and made me wish for some time alone like that. I like the idea of living simply, as she did. And as you do now do too Sarah!
[Reply]
I’m halfway through both The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher. Refuse to Choose is amazing, I spent half the weekend dancing around my house because I had finally recognised my scanner awesomeness, and was so happy. I must thank you for recommending that book Sarah!
Incidentally, I had a dream last night that you held a dinner for all your readers Sarah. We spent the evening discussing quantam physics and whether in fact time is linear, and we all ate lots of vegetables. I had to laugh.
This is what I get for watching What The Bleep and reading this blog before bed! Ha!
[Reply]
October 5th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
I like the sound of that dinner. How much fun would that be…!!??
[Reply]
October 5th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Oh Mia, your dream sounds great, how funny! I would totally want to be there, a healthy dose of quantum discussion and the enjoyment of plenty of veges would be perfect. So Sarah, if you did ever want to organise a dinner party with your readers, I think it would be a great success… Oh yes, yet another idea for you
I need to read about scanners, I know I’d be one, thanks for sharing Mia!
[Reply]
Hey Sarah- thanks for the recommendations! I’d be interested to hear more about your thoughts on having a poor memory.
[Reply]
October 5th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Same…I got the impression you would have a razor sharp memory, so rather surprised to read this. Then again, I have only ever known you through your column and to hear your voice on the podcast yesterday was another surprise! Guess I imagined your voice to a bit intense, slower and deeper. But it’s actually very engaging and bright, with a great laugh.
[Reply]
I love the sound of Lovesong and How It Feels, I’ll definitely scoop them up! I am still in love with Brendan Cowell from his work in Love My Way, he has a gutsy, beautiful vulnerability to his acting and writing.
I’m reading Her Father’s Daughter by Alice Pung. I fell in love from the first page. She is a beautiful writer.
[Reply]
Actually 2 books, both brilliant. Just Kids by Patti Smith. Always wanted to read this and never got around to it, it’s my book club book this month and it perfectly captures a time and a place and a life, that is Patti Smith’s.
Also, A Fraction of the Whole – wowowowowowowow. Australian author Steve Toltz has nailed it in this piece of literary genius. I love it. I haven’t finished it yet, too many books on the go.
revisiting Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer – trauma, kids, NY city, love.
[Reply]
Dinner what a fab idea!!! Yes I too can’t believe you have an issue with your memory Sarah…do you not feel that giving up the sugar has helped your memory and clarity?
[Reply]
Great suggestions Sarah. I haven’t read any of them, but will definitely add to my list.
[Reply]
Hi everyone, I recommend ‘Your Body Speaks Your Mind’ by Deb Shapiro. The vulnerability part: after you read a few pages you get questions for reflection – for example, In what way(s) am I benefitting from my illness?
[Reply]
[...] I read Emma Forrest’s ‘Your Voice In My Head’ in one sitting, greedily slurping up her raw, precise prose. I first came across it as a podcast (which I can’t find online) and was instantly captured by the vulnerability and honesty in her voice. It turned up again on Sarah’s list of books. [...]