Birthday Book Wishlist
Well, my birthday is coming up, so prepare yourself to read my many words pondering that transition for the next month or so. I really struggle with change and last week, I had to check an age bracket box on a form and I realized this is the last year I'm in the 28-35 range. One final year to enjoy this bracket. But then I thought that 35 sounds really comfortable. Old enough to be taken seriously, young enough to still be young. I think this is the last birthday I'm acknowledging. My mom was forever having her 29th birthday, but I think I'll settle into having 35th birthdays for the next few years.
Anyway! I always like to buy myself a full priced book for my birthday. Usually I wait for them to appear at my local thrift bookshop, because trust - they always do eventually. But on my birthday, I go ahead and skip the line and just get something brand spanking new. Here's what's on my wishlist for this year -
1 // Fairy Tale - Stephen King
I'm not much for horror, but I do enjoy Stephen King's work. When he veers away from scary and leans into just weird, I hop aboard. Very excited to give this one a read.
2 // Romantic Comedy - Curtis Sittenfeld
Two of my favorite books - The American Wife and Rodham - were written by Sittenfeld so I'm eager to read her most recent work. Frankly, it has 50/50 reviews, but - and this sound snotty - anyone who highly reviews Emily Henry's books doesn't really have great taste in my opinion so I'm taking those poor reviews with a grain of salt. I have high hopes for this one.
I mean, obviously. There's a lot of "poor little rich boy" commentary around this, but I have a lot of empathy for this person. And also so very curious for what he needed to get off his chest in written format.
This one has very good reviews and came recommended by Cup of Jo, which I place high esteem. Sounds thriller-ish, so my guess is it's a one time read, but one to inhale. I once ignored my family for an entire weekend so I could get to the bottom of the Gone Girl case, and boy do I love that kind of temporary obsession with a book. It's a mental vacation where nothing matters aside from turning the page.
5 // I'm Glad My Mom Died - Jeannette McCurdy
I too, have a complicated relationship with my mom and as cold as the title sounds, I listened to an interview with the author and found the whole conversation to be bright, illuminating, and nuanced. It wasn't a blanket "I hate my mom" conversation. It was actually a "I love my mom, but she was a flawed human" conversation. And aren't we all? Some worse than others, but still, all just humans. I've wanted to read this one ever since.
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PS -
My summer reading list - chiseling away at the books I already bought and have left in a stack on my nightstand.
A few things to read before they hit the big screen.
What I'm currently reading.
I will always and constantly recommend Emma Straub's substack.
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PPS -
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