Reading, Writing, Ranting, Recommending, Volume III

January 17th, 2023

Maeve Brennan, The Long-Winded Lady.

Reading

I am currently enamored with The Long-Winded Lady, by Maeve Brennan, which I found via Rachel Syme’s Instagram. Brennan was an Irish writer who moved to New York City, and wrote for The New Yorker. Brennan’s writing is mostly made up of her observations: she watches people in subway cars, diners, and on the sidewalks of NYC in the 1950’s—1960’s. Her short, charming tales harken back to a different era. They’re mostly about paying attention: to what people wear, say, and do, to how they move through the world, to how the city moves around you. If you’re looking for something short and delightful, I highly recommend. It’s the perfect thing to read before bed when you want something cheerful and sweet.

One thing about me is that I divide my reading into categories: morning books (poetry, short essays, meditations on craft), serious reading for school (my MFA, not teaching — this might involve annotating or note-taking), craft books (which also often involve annotating or note-taking), hardback/paperback books read Just For Fun (also known as “pleasure reading,” which I prefer to read sitting up, in a chair), and sleepy books, which I read laying down in bed on my Kindle as I doze off.

My school pile remains full, and my pleasure reading TBR truly has no end, but finding the perfect book to read as I fall asleep can be a challenge. While I occasionally enjoy staying up late to finish a book (it’s one of my favorite feelings, actually — a book so propulsive that I must finish it!) I try not to read things that get me too excited before I go to sleep. Please do bear in mind that I also don’t allow myself to watch Jeopardy! after dinner because “it gets me worked up.”

I’m wondering if you brilliant people have suggestions for a nice bedtime book. My criteria: endearing but not boring, backlist preferred so I can borrow it from the library on Kindle, not scary or requiring deep thought, charming and pleasant to avoid kicking my subconscious into having weird or frightening dreams. Please comment below if you have something that fits the bill!

Do you categorize your reading? Do YOU know what I should read before bed?

Writing

When I think about paying attention the way Maeve Brennan does so wonderfully, I can’t help but think of one of my favorite movies, Lady Bird. It makes sense that I’m partial to this film: it’s made by genius Greta Gerwig, it’s set in my beloved home city of Sacramento, and it takes place in 2002, which is just a year after I graduated from high school, so it feels familiar and resonant. I love everything about the movie, but my favorite scene happens when Christine (aka Lady Bird) is speaking to a nun about her college application essay:

Sister Sarah Joan: You clearly love Sacramento.

Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson: I do?

Sister Sarah Joan: You write about Sacramento so affectionately and with such care.

Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson: I was just describing it.

Sister Sarah Joan: Well, it comes across as love.

Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson: Sure, I guess I pay attention.

Sister Sarah Joan: Don't you think maybe they are the same thing? Love and attention?

I love this scene with my whole heart because anyone (else) who writes about Sacramento with love warms my heart. But mostly, I love Sister Sarah Joan’s thoughts, and the truth of love being synonymous with attention.

I grew up with an exceptionally thoughtful mom who always showed up with a gift card for coffee or a tiny present to honor something I mentioned. It’s the greatest thing I learned from her, and something I try to emulate: I listen to what a friend likes when we have coffee, write down the date of an appointment they have coming up, and check-in with the people I love frequently. I’m not perfect at it, and it is not as effortless as my mom makes it look, but I agree with Sister Sarah Joan: love and attention are often the same thing.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how so much of good writing originates with paying attention. The characters I love best are ones that feel real — their dialogue, their quirks, the way they take up space in a scene. I feel the same about dialogue and events in books: I like it when they feel like they could happen — even in the most fantastical stories.

If you’ve ever hung out with me in person, you know I’m an eavesdropper. I love to listen to conversations, have been accused of having a staring problem, and will shush whoever I’ve with if I suspect something juicy is happening within earshot.

Recently, in a writing class, someone recommended keeping a journal of images, conversations, and moments that strike you. Even if you don’t know where they’ll fit in a story or essay, it’s good to have them on hand. To me, keeping track of these things is another version of love: it’s caring enough about my writing practice to pay attention, as a form of nurturing and loving my practice. The hot goss I overhear is just a bonus.

P.S. To every girl ever who I overhear complaining about your husband/boyfriend/some guy you’re blessing with one fraction of your attention, my advice endures: DUMP HIM and get a dog.

Ranting

I don’t know if I have words to share my feelings about the Iowa Caucus, but I am absolutely terrified that we are in for another four years.

On a lighter note, I very sadly had to cancel some fun plans due to not-fun things (dental appointments, work stuff, blah blah) and A HOTEL MADE ME CALL THEM TO CANCEL and then TRIED TO SELL ME A VACATION PACKAGE. If I have to call you (which, how dare you) then at minimum, LET ME OFF THE TELEPHONE WITHOUT TRYING TO SELL ME SOMETHING MY GOD.

Recommending

Continuing my Athleta spree, I want to sing the praises of the Pranayama Wrap. I live in a home that prioritizes coziness, and this is my new favorite thing. It’s light enough that I don’t get overheated, but manages to be warm enough to wear outside or when I need an extra layer. It also HAS POCKETS. I love it. I never look forward to flying, but I can already tell this will be a must-wear for any flight and am mildly excited to confirm my theory.

I recently got a facial (local friends: I saw Cassie at Foster Goodness, run don’t walk) and she reminded me of the magic of oil cleansing. While my skin is looking pretty good these days, it’s also extremely dry and like many people, I get sebum in the pores on my nose. Cassie recommended using jojoba oil as a first cleanse, and my skin has never felt better. I use a cheap one for now, and plan to upgrade to a nicer cleansing oil when I run out, but my skin is so moisturized. I love it, and my pores look incredible.

Thanks for reading, friends! Looking forward to hearing about your book categories, your reading recommendations, and important updates about the state of the pores on your nose below.