My last post to you focused on my top ten movies of 2023, but the day I published it, I went to see Poor Things and it blew my mind and my list all to pieces. Go see this movie with your best friend and definitely not a parent or child because sex is a key plot point and happens approximately every 10 minutes in all sorts of forms. It’s a weird, wonderful, gross, erotic examination of what it means to be a woman in this world. Please consider The Creator replaced by Poor Things on the official list. Now, onto the books.
Hello Beautiful
Oh man, just writing about this one makes me wistful. This book reminded me why I love reading so much—because every now and then, a writer grabs hold of your heart and mind and won’t let go. It’s a story about family, and what that word should mean but doesn’t always mean, and how it ebbs and flows, shrinks and grows with the individuals enmeshed in it. I cried when this book ended, partly because of the story but also because I wouldn’t be reading it anymore.
Fairy Tale
When you’re in the mood for something fantastical, this will more than scratch the itch. It’s a true fairy tale, with giants and witches and talking animals, and it’s delightful. It’s also effectively scary at times, and thrilling, and violent. Stephen King is 76 years old and has written approximately 7,000 books, so you would think his imagination would have long run dry by now. I hope my brain stays as wonderfully wacky.
Empire of Pain
Speaking of long books about monsters… In a time when there is no shortage of rich people to be angry at, the Sackler family’s sins are too vile for even New York society to forgive. After you read this, you’ll google to see where all these fuckers are, and will receive very little comfort to find that while, yes, they’ve been exiled from America, they still have enough money to set up new digs in the Swiss Alps. I hope they develop boils from skiing too much.
Water for Elephants
A thrilling, heart-rending tale from a 20s’-era traveling circus, this book will have you far more invested in the fate of an elephant than you thought possible. I also appreciated that it didn’t just stick with the fun stuff, delving into the dark underbelly of how circuses of the era really ran.
The Great Man Theory
The story of a very divorced, very nerdy man struggling to make it all mean something in Brooklyn, this book keeps you guessing right up to the end.
Barracoon
One of the precious few first-person accounts of slavery ever recorded, this tells the story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last survivors of the Atlantic slave trade. Interviewed by Zora Neale Hurston in the 1920s, he describes his childhood in west Africa, the capture and enslavement of his entire village by a rival tribe for trade with whites, and his eventual settling into a community after emancipation. It’s an astounding read and one you won’t soon forget.
I’m Glad My Mom Died
A wonderfully written account of a pretty horrific upbringing, Disney star Jennette McCurdy shares her pain and the lessons learned from it in a straightforward yet entertaining way. Her commentary on Ariana Grande (her costar on a popular Disney show) is a damn hilarious added bonus.
The Plot
A page-turner that folds a plot within a plot brilliantly. It initially seems to be your standard tale of a frustrated writer turned professor out of necessity, but when it becomes apparent it’s going to be a thriller, that’s when things really get fun. While I enjoyed reading it, the writer in me was also continuously impressed with the intricate narrative feat she pulls off.
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Speaking of impressive writing feats, this one’s a doozy. Written by the author of All the Light We Cannot See, the story alternates between Constantinople in 1453, Idaho in 2020, and an unknown place in the future. That may be too much plot for some people. But I loved his juggling of so many (seemingly) disparate storylines, and the fact that he kept me engaged with each one throughout—then of course wove them all together in the end. If you’re looking for a great adventure for your mind, try this.
Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution
Isn’t that title fantastic? It’s a hint of how enjoyably readable this book is. It’s a super approachable and at times damn hilarious examination of what key parts of the Constitution actually mean, by renowned legal scholar Elie Mystal. Mind you, it’s blatantly biased to liberals but y’all don’t read this newsletter for neutrality. Or I hope to god you don’t.
As an end-of-year bonus, here’s a screenshot of my last review of 2023 on Goodreads.
Well friends, we made it through another year. And next year looks to be a barn-burner. Let’s all cross our fingers and hope real hard that we’re still a democracy this time next year. Speaking of fascists, I’m going to be moving off Substack in the coming weeks to a new platform that doesn’t fund Nazis. (Those interested in the full details can read it here.) You won’t have to do anything; current subscribers port right over like they’re in an episode of Star Trek. But I will be using the opportunity to roll out some new content and subscription levels that will hopefully help propel me to the next level of writer renown. Or maybe I’ll just make enough to buy me a martini every week. Either works.
Happy New Year, my dear friends and thank you for reading! xoxo