The Library is Open

February Book Club: Less murder, more dystopia. With a hint of romance.

1. Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott

Anne is one of my favorite writers because she’s so funny and self-aware, she swears like a sailor and creates these complex characters that you grow to love and resent. Bird by Bird is her How-To for writers, the lessons she wishes she knew when she started writing, with personal anecdotes throughout. The title comes from her father, who was also a writer, trying to console Anne’s then-teenage brother who was writing a report on birds for school that was due the next day. Her father’s advice to his son was to “take it bird by bird.” Decades later, this is what Anne encourages us to do: to take a story one word, idea, and thought at a time. I learned a lot from this little book, so much wisdom threaded through engaging stories about Anne’s life and career. Even though the themes are geared towards writers, everyone should read this. There’s so much to be learned.

2. The Man of My Dreams - Curtis Sittenfeld

If you are not familiar with Curtis, then you need to get familiar. Her most famous novel is titled Prep, about a midwestern gal who goes to an east coast boarding school. I read this when I was in high school, and it hit hard. I’m sure if I read it today I would find it just as relatable. Curtis’ characters are so real and relatable that they almost become uncomfortable, the decisions they make seem like personal attacks. In The Man of My Dreams, a young woman named Hannah recounts all the relationships she’s had while she continues to yearn for her college crush. Throughout the whole book I wanted to shake Hannah and tell her to snap out of it, but if I were honest with myself, I would have made almost identical choices. I love Curtis and her writing, but it’s borderline bullying to read her stories because I feel so aligned with her subjects. If you want to dip your toe in, start with Prep. And then let me know if you felt the same stomach knot every time Lee opens her mouth.

3. Compound Fracture - Andrew Joseph White

This was the first book I took from the library! This is only significant because it relates to my first Substack post “5 Minutes in The Life”. This book was recommended to me by a librarian who mainly works with high schoolers, but said this was her favorite title of 2024. She looked so happy to be talking about it that I couldn’t say no. Andrew Joseph White is a trans author whose dystopian writing focuses on the topics of autism and the LBTQ community. Compound Fracture takes place in Appalachia and follows a young man named Miles who wants to end the reign of terror the town’s deputy has subjected Miles and his family to for decades. And there’s a trusty dog sidekick. And a supernatural element. Mountains, dogs, and ghosts, what more can you ask for? Although it is considered a young adult book, I think there’s always more to learn and understand about trans identities, and we need to highlight and elevate LGBTQ voices now more than ever.

4. By Any Other Name - Jodi Picoult

When my mom recommended this title to me, I really thought “aren’t we done with all this Shakespeare theorizing? We just got Hamnet, I’m kinda over giving this old dude more of my thought space.” But boy, was I incorrect. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read in the last few years, and it’s kind of a big middle finger to William Shakespeare, and I love it. Emilia Bassano is our new heroine, and if you’re not absolutely emotionally exhausted by the end of this book, read it again. Picoult weaves lines and plots from what we know as ‘Shakespeare’s Plays’ throughout the chapters and challenges the reader to spot them all. Swapping between the 1500s and the present day, By Any Other Name shows us the challenges women have faced since the beginning of time, and how even though everything has changed, nothing has changed at all. It will leave you gasping for air. I want to revisit it again in a few months, but I have to wait until I’m fully healed from the first read through. I was number 53 on the waitlist, so reserve it now!!!!

5. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

I realize this was assigned to almost every high school student ever, but somehow I escaped the pain. It felt apropos to read about the complete destruction of a paranoid and panicked society where neighbors and friends regularly throw each other under the bus to save themselves. Guy is a ‘firefighter’ whose job is to it is to burn all of the remaining books in his town. The firefighters start fires and murder people, they don’t stop fires and save people. Guy suddenly wakes up from his depressed, numb state, grows a conscience, and suffers the consequences. Published in 1953, this story remains relevant today: television-obsessed brainwashed citizens are intimidated into submission. A wild way to end the month, but no serial killers this time.

If you liked this (or even if you didn’t) consider helping me pay for much needed therapy. Or an iced coffee. Your choice. Keep BAB content free

https://ko-fi.com/basicanxiousbitch