
Here are my favorite discoveries
Rachel Kushner's, The Flamethrowers
I can't say enough about the incredible art-world dialogue and the author's steadfast refusal to adhere to strict plot guidelines. Did I ever really know Reno, the main character? It's impossible to say because reading this book was more like experiencing a world as it's happening, like jumping inside someone else's skin midstream.
Erica Jong's, Fear of Flying
I'd never read this classic look at the first wave feminist approach to sexuality. To say it was the 50 Shades of Grey of it's time is selling it short from a literary standpoint, but it had similar shock value when first published. All these years later, it stands up to the test of time with its challenges to social norms and customs imposed upon women, that all too often, we accept without question.

The first two installments of this series have been unputdownable (autocorrect tells me that's not a word, but I'm putting my disagreement on record). I love the setting because it hearkens to home, the characters and the way Hart bravely jumped into a brand new genre without even the smallest hint of hesitation.
Molly Ringwald's, When It Happens to You
I'm not a huge fan of short stories, but when I saw this book, I had to pick it up because well, it's Molly Ringwald! I was sold the minute I read the back. Interlocking vignettes told on a family scale. The stand-out in the bunch features a mother as she struggles to accept her young son's desire to cross-dress.
There you have it! My month, week-by-week, book-by-book. All so different, satisfying and a perfect reflection of the myriad of ways women experience the world.
13 comments:
Ignore auto-correct!
Hart will be pleased to know you've enjoyed her series.
Unputdownable is too a word!! You watch, it will be added to the dictionary at some point. lol
Lucky you reading all those books. I'm so behind on my reading right now. :(
Sounds like a good lot! (And I would pick up Molly Ringwald's book for the same reason you did -- Molly Ringwald.) :-)
I didn't know Molly Ringwald wrote a book. I'm going to check it out. Thanks for sharing!
Ooo, Rachel's book is right up my alley. Sounds wonderful.
These sound interesting. I want to go check out Molly Ringwald's! And speaking of Breakfast Club actresses with books, Ally Sheedy has a book of poetry, Yesterday I Saw the Sun, that has some great poems in it. I've had two girls go to State in speech with cuttings from her poem, Local Anesthesia. It's really powerful.
What a nice reading month you made for yourself. We should make it a thing---every September is Women's Reading month. Seriously - I love that idea.
Thanks for the book recommendations! I didn't know Molly Ringwald wrote a book! I like her. I tried reading Erica Jong's book when I was a teenager, but I think I was too young to understand it. So I might try reading it again now that I'm an adult.
Some great picks here, Johanna, I'll have to try them out when I catch up with my reading. By the way I got a copy of your book!
I wish I had more time to read, I am so behind too... I hoped at the beginning of the year to read at least one book a month. I sadly fell short so far. I hope to catch up soon.
Happy that Hart's new books is amazing. I always liked her writing. I need to check it out.
Thanks, Johanna....
Great recommendations here!
Unputdownable is a great word. Keep using it, I sure do. And I hadn't heard of most of these books. So glad you blogged about them!
Yup, I remember Fear of Flying. Risque stuff for sure!!!
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