If you’re a parent, you know all about “Maycember,” the end-of-school-year time that is about as chaotic as the holidays. There is SO MUCH GOING ON. I told my agent I’d have book edits to her by the end of May, which was really silly of me. I always forget how stressful this month is. Anyway! My daughter’s summer break starts next week and we will shift into a new mode (sort of; it’ll still be the usual juggling act). I hope it’s feeling summer-ish where you are.
Quotes I’ve loved this month:
“When I was very little, say five or six, I became aware of the fact that people wrote books. Before that, I thought that God wrote books. I thought a book was a manifestation of nature, like a tree.” —Fran Lebowitz
“The greatest gift is the passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind.” —Elizabeth Hardwick
Books I read:
Somehow, I read 17 books this month, which really serves as proof that I use reading for stress relief.
Standouts for me were:
The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. I thought the middle section was a bit slow, but overall I really liked this. The subject matter is very heavy, be warned.
Lucky Night by Eliza Kennedy. Two people having a 6-year affair meet up in a hotel and then a fire starts on one of the floors. Will they make it out? Will they have to notify their families? It read like a play to me.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo. A bestseller in South Korea about a woman’s reckoning with her identities as woman and mother. Universal themes.
All the Mothers by Domenica Ruta. I went into this blind and the story wasn’t at all what I was expecting. Three women get pregnant by the same guy and decide to raise their children together in a commune-like way. Great voice. Loved the writing.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali. I’ve had this in a stack on my nightstand for months and finally got to it. Very good and especially important for understanding the social issues in Iran.
Exit Interview by Kristi Coulter. An insider look at the behemoth that is Amazon from a woman who worked there. Basically, capitalism is evil.
The Mother Artist by Catherine Ricketts. Very thoughtful look at different artists/writers who are mothers and the various challenges we face.
I’m Sorry for My Loss by Rebecca Little and Colleen Long. One of the best books I’ve read about pregnancy loss. It explains why so many women who have lost much-wanted babies (like me) are also staunchly pro-choice.
What I’ve been watching:
I’ve been pretty wrapped up in Euphoria. I hadn’t seen it before but I heard Season 3 was a stunner, so I had to go back and watch Seasons 1 and 2. It is very well done. Season 3 has “Breaking Bad” vibes.
Writing news:
Earlier this month, my agent sent me feedback on my novel-in-progress and said she loved it. I’ve been working on some edits this month and will be sending it back to her soon!
Interesting things I learned this month:
- A queen ant can live up to 30 years!
- Researchers discovered a drilled-out tooth in a Stone Age cave in southern Siberia, suggesting that a Neanderthal endured the first known root canal 59,000 years ago!
- Amsterdam has outlawed advertising that promotes lifestyles linked to high carbon emissions, including ads for meat, gas-powered cars and cruises
- Caitlin Clark surpassed LeBron James in jersey sales to become basketball’s second-best-selling player
- Finland has installed outdoor reading cabins, allowing people to relax and read in heated small shelters across public parks
- Sweden has a sourdough hotel where people can deposit their sourdough starters to be fed and cared for while they’re on vacation
- A woodpecker’s tongue wraps around its skull, helping protect its brain while it pecks
- Canada set a new world record after the University of Calgary gathered 682 people dressed as dinosaurs at an event called “Rex’s Jurassic Jamboree”
What I’m grateful for:
- A perfect Mother’s Day—yoga followed by brewery brunch
- A really fun month of kid stuff. My daughter was in a dance group at school and I got to see them perform at the talent show—so cute! Flag football season has been a hit. She’s trotting at her horseback riding lessons. And she got her first karate medal at this weekend’s tournament. VERY busy girl
- Connecting with my book club ladies. We always have the best time (and the most laughs)
- Spending time with one of my favorite humans before she and her family move back east (nooooo)
- Feeling good with my running as I increase mileage. I’m signed up for the Sydney Marathon 3 months from today!
- Book edits that feel right. My agent’s feedback was perfect and I’ve enjoyed working on the edits this month
- My sister, who’s shown up when I really needed her this past month or so
Some snapshots:
From top to bottom: Mother’s Day with my girl and my mama; new hat; long run views; Friday’s rainbow; another great running view; the bookmark my daughter made for me; a wild Friday with 3 of my 6 animals
