Shelf Life 001
January + February reads
This past month was full of ups and downs (aren’t they all?!), but I’m feeling good about what’s coming up in March. I’ve taken a new job that I am very excited to start, and I’ve spent the past few weeks wrapping up all the loose ends and getting ready for the transition.
I’ve put strict time limits on any “scrollable” apps/websites for Lent — including the Substack app. While I love the mental freedom of not wasting precious time, I don’t think I’ve been reading more as a result of spending less time online — at least, not yet. One of my big goals for March is to create time to sit down and read beyond the 20-30 minutes of morning reading that anchors my day. Luckily, I have some good books in the queue to help with motivation!
But first, let’s look back at what I’ve been reading…
Katabasis, by R.F. Kuang
I’ve already sung the praises of Katabasis in an earlier post from this year, and I make no apologies about repeating myself. This is a great book!
Kuang has become one of my favorite contemporary authors for her vivid, intellectual writing. She is genuinely smart and genuinely creative, both of which are qualities in short supply in the current publishing landscape. Katabasis was the first book I read this year, and I immediately knew it would be one of my favorites.
Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen
Jane Austen is very, very funny, and this book was wonderful. It’s so refreshing to read writing from a different period — the style, the pacing, and the humor are all equal parts familiar and foreign. Just like Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice, Elinor and Marianne embody “sense” and “sensibility” as they look to make their way in the world. As an eldest daughter, I loved watching Elinor’s character develop throughout the book.
Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
The premise for Project Hail Mary is great, and I am very excited to watch the film adaptation. That being said, I actually didn’t really enjoy reading the book all that much. The story is told entirely through stream-of-consciousness, and it started to feel claustrophobic as the novel went on. The book wasn’t my cup of tea, but that wouldn’t stop me from recommending it to others.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, by JD Vance
One year into the Trump-Vance administration, I thought I should revisit the vice president’s memoir. I first read Hillbilly Elegy four years ago and was struck by it then, much like I am now.
It’s always good to understand where someone comes from — not only what happened in his or her past, but also how a person understands his or her life as a continuous story. Hillbilly Elegy is both an account of Vance’s upbringing and a metanarrative about his belief in the American dream and the people who made that dream possible. I listened to the audiobook this time, which I would highly recommend.
The Mistress of Husaby (Book 2 of Kristin Lavransdatter), by Sigrid Undset
Book club strikes again! Kristin Lavransdatter is an objectively good and beautiful book that I personally am not loving… The political intrigue that was introduced toward the end of The Mistress of Husaby is a welcome change, but the rest of the story was so-so, in my opinion. Maybe Book 3 will be the redemption?
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1, by Beth Brower
I can’t tell whether this book was written for children or adults. (A friend pointed out that this is a significant mark in favor of the book!) This book is charming. I had seen it a few times on various Substack posts and started the audiobook on a whim while cleaning the house. It is a delightful listen!
Written in diary style, the story follows Emma Lion as she makes her not-so-triumphant return to Lapis Lazuli House in Victorian London, fights for her rightful inheritance, and tells you exactly what she thinks about everyone she encounters. The book reminded me of The Little Princess, but with a spunky, witty heroine at the helm.
I love hillbilly elegy audiobook