What I Read: September 2017

The Body Artist
Written by: Don DeLillo
How I read it: Paperback
Why I read it: I felt drawn to it in a used bookstore and then realized that I've seen a movie based on another DeLillo book, Cosmopolis, and the movie was so atmospheric, grim, and surreal that I figured I'd find the same in his writing, which appealed to me.
One-sentence review: I'm not sure what to say about this novella, other than it is short, ungrammatical in an acceptable way, unsettling and eerie, beautiful at times, and made me feel sad.
My rating: 4/5 ghosts

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Written by: Stephen King
Narrated by: Stephen King (so wonderful to hear him talk about his childhood in his own voice)
How I read it: OverDrive Audiobook
Why I read it: I've been thinking lately how much I'd like to be a professional writer, and a couple different friends have mentioned liking this book. Plus, I've never read a Stephen King book, but I figured someday I should, and this was the only one that appealed to me.
One-sentence review: This book made me want to write more, read more, and live more bravely, so I think that makes it a worthwhile read.
My rating: 5/5 rejection letters

Ajax Penumbra 1969
Written by: Robin Sloan
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos
How I read it: OverDrive Audiobook
Why I read it: Because I always try to read the prequel before the original.
One-sentence review: This is a fun little backstory that provides sentimental flavor for some of the less likable characters in Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, and it is an enjoyable mini-mystery in its own right.
My rating: 5/5 buried ships

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Written by: Robin Sloan
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos (One of the best, most talented narrators I've come across. He was perfect for this role, and I loved this book extra because of what Ari gave to the story.)
How I read it: OverDrive Audiobook (Quick note: besides the fabulous narration, it is especially appropriate to listen to this book, for reasons you'll discover if you do so.)
Why I read it: Because every literary-themed blog I follow recommends this book, and it keeps coming up in every "Recommended Reads" list in my life, so I finally gave in.
One-sentence review: "YES YES YES READ THIS NOW" is what I am thinking right now, because this book is everything wonderful about books, about people who love books, about the delightful and inspiring spaces where books live, and about the future of books and the technology that allows us to preserve and appreciate stories in new ways.
My rating: 5/5 secret societies

Walking
Written by: Henry David Thoreau
How I read it: Paperback
Why I read it: I hadn't had any Thoreau in my life in a while and I missed him. He was my friend who kept me from loneliness when I moved out of my parents' house and into my own apartment when I was 18. Also, I think I read this back in high school for English class, or at least a selection of it, but couldn't quite remember whether I had ever fully enjoyed it.
One-sentence review: I'm not sure I agree with Thoreau that "all good things are wild and free" but I absolutely believe that it is good to be free and beautiful to be wild, and this book made me feel that I am, or can be, both of those things.
My rating: 5/5 saunterers

Six Things I Truly, Deeply Love

Sitting at my kitchen table reading a recipe in a large glossy book with hunger-pang-inducing photos, and then cooking something completely different but my husband likes it and the fridge where I scavenge is closer and cheaper than the supermarket where the real ingredients live.

Being completely underwater, especially naked, during daylight watching my hair splay out in a sinuous spherical tumult around me like fine blonde seaweed, or at night when the water is warm and better than the very best blanket.

Laying down on the carpet after standing up all day, and sensing my spine sigh gladly and expand horizontally like a cat waking and yawning.

When my friend said "That night made my soul glow!" and I knew exactly what she meant, because I had gone home that night feeling the love that an ex-orphan knows when they go home for Christmas to visit their eclectic adoptive parents with the insoluble memory of aloneness and step into the recurring experience of belonging.

Charlotte the Poodle when she comes inside hot with sunlight after lying on the patio passively guarding my mother's midday backyard, and I can bury my skin in her black curls and warm up against her while she patiently allows me the pleasure curling my body around hers.

When my hands are cold, but I can wrap them around a fresh cup of tea, and it nearly burns but at least it melts the icicles of my bones, and I dunk my face in the steam until the tea is cool enough to drink.

What I Believe: A Personal List of Values

Several years ago, I wrote a list of things I believe about the best way to live. At the time, I was reading numerous books and websites about personal development, health, habits, mindfulness, ethics, religion, and so on. I wanted to write a concise guide to myself that summarized some of the crucial ideas about living well and doing good that had become close to my heart and which I wanted to uphold in my daily life.

I occasionally modify this list, but it has largely remained unchanged since I first created it. It is a document I visit somewhat often, especially when I want to remind myself of who I want to be. It's not a comprehensive list of things I believe, and I think that its contents are a reflection of my areas for growth, rather than of my areas of expertise. (You may notice that there is nothing in this list about seeking justice, maintaining individuality, or speaking your mind--important values, but ones that historically haven't been much of a challenge for me.)

I also think that it reflects my deepest concerns about humanity and the way we treat each other. If I could direct a megaphone at the world, these are some of the things I would want to shout. If we all lived by these principles, we wouldn't go to war and kill each other, we wouldn't cruelly and needlessly slaughter billions of animals, and we wouldn't hate or ignore the people who truly need love. I guess you could call this my "Be the change" list, because these are the changes I want to see in the world, recognizing that the only person I can change is myself.

I am rather far away from being this person, but I think it is good to know the direction you intend to go if you want to get somewhere specific eventually.

This is my current "What I Believe" list:

1) Always strive to consistently and deliberately apply your beliefs and uphold your values when making any choice or taking any action, however insignificant or vital.

2) It is good to live peacefully. Do no harm.

3) Be loving. Practice empathy and altruism towards friends, enemies, and strangers. Develop your compassion and give it freely.

4) Treat all humans equally well. Don’t criticize, judge, or dismiss before you seek to understand.

5) Face reality, and take responsibility if you reasonably can. Hold yourself accountable before trying to change others. Blame can lie fully with more than one person.

6) Be of good humor and slow to anger and irritation. Have goodwill towards your fellow humans. Don’t act as though others intend to hurt you, and don’t be easily offended.

7) Choose a few creative hobbies to occupy your leisure time. Reading, writing, music, art, dancing, spending time in good company, playing tabletop games, sports, enjoying nature, learning languages, and science are good options. Exercise your mind, body, and soul frequently, and do so in ways that you enjoy.

8) Eat a healthy, seasonal, and locally-produced plant-based diet. Drink water.

9) Be genuine and tactfully honest with everyone you meet. Listen more than you talk, and talk about things that matter. Things most worth saying are both kind and true.

10) Be honorable both in your actions and in your intentions. 

11) A good decision considers what is best, not just what is right.

12) Take action on your plans as soon as you reasonably can and should. Procrastination is a vice.

13) Be patient and calm. Practice mindfulness. Be present.

14) In all of the above, strive for excellence, consistency, and authenticity.

If you've never written a list like this, I'd encourage you to do so. How do you want to be in the world? What's on your list?