On My Bookshelf No. 3

I am anxious. I think we all are. This is so unprecedented, and every person’s emotional response is different, and warranted. Right now, my greatest fear is leaving the house. Mainly, because I do not want to potentially contribute to the spread of the virus, but also because I am afraid of the virus itself. I want to underscore that I am remaining calm, and have been going out (when needed) for essentials. In my lifetime, I have seen immediate family members deal with rare and serious medical issues. So, having people close to me be the 1 in 100, or the “we’ve never seen this before,” or having places like Mayo Clinic and major NYC hospitals not have answers, after what felt like a lifetime of searching, I have a heightened anxiety when it comes to things like this. I am a rule follower, and what is providing me comfort and solace right now is following the rules and regulations of the CDC and government. I feel safe and loved at home, I have a warm roof over my head, and a lot to be thankful for, and those are the things I am trying to focus on, so my anxiety does not get the best of me (while dealing with my anxiety head-on, if that makes sense).

While I am trying to focus on the good, I am remaining informed without having it consume me. I am delving into self-growth while at home. I am working remotely from 8:30am to 6:00pm, and having that time before and after work, instead of my long commute, has been really beneficial to my mental health. I can’t imagine commuting during a time like this, and I keep thinking about all those who continue to go to work in order to serve community needs. My heart goes out to them and their families, their selflessness is not lost on me. I am grateful that I am home, and able to facetime with my therapist and friends, which allows me to breathe and get through these unfamiliar circumstances. I am focusing on the fact that I have this time to better myself, lean on my faith, read, needlepoint, and work on things around the house. Having something like reading, or a craft, helps me to not go stir-crazy. So, in an effort to help add a little light in this time of darkness, I thought I would share my February reads if anyone else finds comfort in the escape of a good book! 

What I’ve Read (February):

Such a Fun Age (5/5): This was Reese’s book of the month recently, so naturally I ordered a copy ASAP. It is also the author’s debut novel, and the writing was so refreshing and exciting. This isn’t a book I would typically gravitate towards, but it is probably one of the best books I have ever read. Period. Without spoiling things, it tells the story of a young African-American babysitter, her white employer, and how they navigate their complex relationship. It’s a relevant social commentary, and one that is very needed in the culture and climate we live in. You walk away with a new understanding of race and class in today’s landscape. You must read!!! 

Meg and Jo (3.5/5): Okay, I was on the fence with this one! My friend Phoebe and I had a long chat about our feelings after reading this, and we were on the same page (as we are with everything, right, Phoebs?) So, I was really excited about it given all the hype around one of my all time favorite books, Little Women (still have not seen the movie, but will add to my quarantine to-watch list!). To get you up to speed, Meg and Jo, is a modern day retelling of Little Women. There were aspects of the book I loved: the storytelling was charming and the female characters were well-rounded and relatable in the present day. For me, given that Little Women is one of my favorite books, I think I kept grasping at the original story too much, and had some challenges with choices the author made. But that said, it is just a personal preference and I think this is a lovely read for any young woman. 

Searching for Sylvie Lee (4/5): Wow. I think I surprised myself with how much I loved this book. It is a sensitive mix of mystery, identity, and family relationships. Sylvie Lee is a daughter of a Chinese immigrant family and goes missing when she visits her grandmother. I won’t give too much away, but it was so. good. The storytelling was riveting, and equally as delicate as it was impactful, it had you feeling so many sincere emotions while keeping you hungry for more. I am not sure it would be for everyone, but if you like deep storylines about family and culture, this is the book for you. 

Elsey Come Home (3.5/5): So, here’s the thing, I love a dark story. This book goes into the darkest corners of womanhood, feeling lost, and self-discovery, while offering tender, slower and lighter moments that make it more relatable. Elsey, once an artist, is married with two daughters, and her husband, Lukas, encourages her to go on a week-long mountain retreat in hopes she will sort out her drinking, and other issues. It was a bit slow at times, and I found that the parts of the story that were raw and challenging were the best parts. I wish that the book focused solely on the introspective and dark moments, but I think the fact it was coupled with a slower pace, is what made it more relatable. I enjoyed this more than a lot of my peers did, but I think to each their own. 

What I’m Reading in March: Saint X, The Jetsetters, The Hunting Party, We Wish You Luck.