I’m reading THE WIFE, by Meg Wolitzer. It seems of the moment because it’s about a woman doing the heavy lifting of work and family life while getting neither recognition nor respect.
I’m also helping out family with a newborn and am so in the moment. It’s a gift and I know I will be writing about it.
Meanwhile my latest newsletter offers cheerful diversions and food for election 🗳️ night.
I remember reading THE WIFE vividly. I am such a fan of Meg Wolitzer. And, oh yes, BABIES! I can see how being with a newborn and their demand for us to be in the moment would feel like the perfect anecdote to this moment. Thanks for sharing!
I'm reading THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER from Lidia Yuknavitch. As I write my own memoir, I like to read a variety of others in various 'writing voices.' Lidia's is very unique and very powerful.
Visceral and raw, indeed. The flavor leans a bit sensationalist, I think, but the structure of the memoir is incredibly interesting and you can definitely feel her heart and intensity in every word.
I second The Diplomat. The writing is incredible, particularly the spoken and unspoken moments within marital arguments. It’s just so good. The show’s creator, Debora Cahn, was also a producer and writer on The West Wing, which was similarly excellent in these areas.
We’re in anxious times and reading and writing have helped somewhat. I enjoyed Clare Pooley’s How To Age Disgracefully. Funny, imperfect characters and uplifting themes. I also read All Fours by Miranda July. Whoa! That one blew my mind. Brave writing- also on the theme of aging, but a very different style from Pooley’s book.
The narrator is a 45 year old woman in perimenopause who plans to drive across the country, but then ends up 30 minutes from home....and a whole lotta stuff happens. It's graphic, so if you don't like explicit content, skip it. I found the themes of midlife longing, and questioning marriage and choices to be thought provoking and relatable. Her life is nothing like mine, but the underlying themes rang true.
I'm currently researching/writing about voice changes across the menstrual cycle and how our four weekly hormonal phases affect our voice which leads into how voice can change in perimenopause.
I'm currently reading, The Hormone Repair Manual by Lara Briden for midlife women.
I have been wanting to start podcasting on my substack to expound on my article topics and got my push to do that this week when I felt I should write to my readers about my last 5 weeks of living in the post apocalyptic life after Helene ravaged my mountain city.
However, I started about 5 different drafts trying to articulate it all and finally decided, in order to process it, I needed to talk about it and so I recorded my first podcast and in the notes posted my pictures of my journey.
Midstack, thanks for being here. Such a great resource for us midlife women! ❤️
I wrote a quick note on absurd insistence that I, a Black woman, show kindness to a voting bloc that always votes against their interests, and mine. Ended with a poem from one of my favorite poets since I was a young child, who always seems to have the words, Sterling Brown.
I’m currently reading Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo. Can’t decide what I think of it. Sometimes the writing style is very odd. I hope you enjoy Tell Me Everything. One of my top reads of 2024. I am a huge Elizabeth Strout fan. I did a post recently called 20 Good Things about stuff I was watching and reading and doing as we enter what I call the slumpy time of the year. I am in the UK but totally get current anxieties where you are.
You know the funny thing is I read Beautiful World and can remember nothing about it. I think this one feels like I’m a writer now who can get away with anything - gosh that sounds quite mean!
I honestly don't remember a lot of it either -- I can appreciate that it must be tough to be at that level of success and not everything will connect with everyone. I did see some people saying Beautiful World was their favorite of hers, but I just did not connect with it
I’m in the UK and feel your jitters from here. This week I’ve been reading Tessa Hadley’s ‘After the funeral’ series of short stories which is beautiful and brilliantly crafted. I’ve also been reading Gabor Mate’s ‘When the body says no’ and listening to his interview with Kirsty Young on her Young Again podcast (think you can find it on Spotify).
My local bookshop just posted on FB that they have Tessa Hadley’s The Party in store so that’s one thing that might shift me off the sofa this afternoon 😂
I’m almost done with The Life Impossible by Matt Haig. It takes place in Ibiza, far from where my head is at most of the time these days. It’s refreshing and magical.
I just finished this! Magical indeed. It also made me want to travel back to Ibiza. I haven’t been since I was 21…Now I think I’d have a different experience. 😂
I’m reading THE WIFE, by Meg Wolitzer. It seems of the moment because it’s about a woman doing the heavy lifting of work and family life while getting neither recognition nor respect.
I’m also helping out family with a newborn and am so in the moment. It’s a gift and I know I will be writing about it.
Meanwhile my latest newsletter offers cheerful diversions and food for election 🗳️ night.
https://readwriteeat.substack.com/p/let-me-finish-if-you-dont-mind-a
I remember reading THE WIFE vividly. I am such a fan of Meg Wolitzer. And, oh yes, BABIES! I can see how being with a newborn and their demand for us to be in the moment would feel like the perfect anecdote to this moment. Thanks for sharing!
Just read your post and I too loved Will and Harper. I loved the honesty.
Sending love over the pond from the UK for the week ahead <3
Thank you! We need all the love over here!!
I'm reading THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER from Lidia Yuknavitch. As I write my own memoir, I like to read a variety of others in various 'writing voices.' Lidia's is very unique and very powerful.
I haven't heard of that! Thank you for the recommendation.
Her writing is very raw, visceral. Not your typical writing style but still capturing my attention.
That is a beautiful and hard memoir!
Lidia is such a fantastic writer. Some of her short-form CNF has just wrenched my heart. What great inspiration for your memoir writing.
I have read a lot of memoir and can't believe it has taken me this long to read any of hers. So, so good.
That’s such a great book💙
Visceral and raw, indeed. The flavor leans a bit sensationalist, I think, but the structure of the memoir is incredibly interesting and you can definitely feel her heart and intensity in every word.
I just finished watching The Diplomat -Season 2. One of the best writing. I can't wait for the next season.
Oh, I just started that! It's so good!
I second The Diplomat. The writing is incredible, particularly the spoken and unspoken moments within marital arguments. It’s just so good. The show’s creator, Debora Cahn, was also a producer and writer on The West Wing, which was similarly excellent in these areas.
What did you think about the ending?
I Love The Diplomat!
Looking forward to season 2!
We’re in anxious times and reading and writing have helped somewhat. I enjoyed Clare Pooley’s How To Age Disgracefully. Funny, imperfect characters and uplifting themes. I also read All Fours by Miranda July. Whoa! That one blew my mind. Brave writing- also on the theme of aging, but a very different style from Pooley’s book.
Yes, All Fours was a bit mind-blowing, wasn't it? Thanks for the recommendations!
I need to read All Fours. Everyone seems to be talking about it. Worth the hype?
The narrator is a 45 year old woman in perimenopause who plans to drive across the country, but then ends up 30 minutes from home....and a whole lotta stuff happens. It's graphic, so if you don't like explicit content, skip it. I found the themes of midlife longing, and questioning marriage and choices to be thought provoking and relatable. Her life is nothing like mine, but the underlying themes rang true.
Thanks for the summary Carol. I think I’ll give it a go soon.
I haven't read it yet. I should move it up the list!
Great prompt!
I'm currently researching/writing about voice changes across the menstrual cycle and how our four weekly hormonal phases affect our voice which leads into how voice can change in perimenopause.
I'm currently reading, The Hormone Repair Manual by Lara Briden for midlife women.
I have been wanting to start podcasting on my substack to expound on my article topics and got my push to do that this week when I felt I should write to my readers about my last 5 weeks of living in the post apocalyptic life after Helene ravaged my mountain city.
However, I started about 5 different drafts trying to articulate it all and finally decided, in order to process it, I needed to talk about it and so I recorded my first podcast and in the notes posted my pictures of my journey.
Midstack, thanks for being here. Such a great resource for us midlife women! ❤️
Hi! I’m a voice coach for women and your research sounds fascinating! I’ll follow you ✍️
Ooo, I'd love to hear your take once it's published!
It might help if i drop the link to my recent work here.😅
https://open.substack.com/pub/womenscycleawareness/p/when-i-cant-write-i-talk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=18pm6g
I wrote a quick note on absurd insistence that I, a Black woman, show kindness to a voting bloc that always votes against their interests, and mine. Ended with a poem from one of my favorite poets since I was a young child, who always seems to have the words, Sterling Brown.
Sparked from an honest note I wrote prior to that. https://sherisa.substack.com/p/white-noise-black-bodies
It is truly absurd. I don't have the words myself for how ridiculous it is other than to say that I support you.
I published a column on Friday called I Heard Everything You Said (low engagement and wondering if it has to due with election etc)
https://open.substack.com/pub/ashleykelsch/p/thats-so-mid-5-i-heard-everything?r=h77qf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I used it as a prompt in my for a journaling practice ✨
As for reading- also my personal go to during times of anxiety- I was reading Pet Semetary but got distracted by Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.
I recently picked up Lisa Marie Presleys memoir that was co-written and completed by her daughter.
I wrote a post about my new women’s workbook, Love Your Voice, to help us speak unapologetically, which could be a healthy tool right now.
We’ve got this! Deep breaths. - Jessica
https://open.substack.com/pub/jessicaneighbor/p/im-speaking-damnit?r=4znh7&utm_medium=ios
And I wrote about quelling election anxiety on my Substack this week. Might be helpful to some. Ingridwagnerwalsh.substack.com/election-2024
I look forward to reading!
I’m currently reading Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo. Can’t decide what I think of it. Sometimes the writing style is very odd. I hope you enjoy Tell Me Everything. One of my top reads of 2024. I am a huge Elizabeth Strout fan. I did a post recently called 20 Good Things about stuff I was watching and reading and doing as we enter what I call the slumpy time of the year. I am in the UK but totally get current anxieties where you are.
https://deborahsloan.substack.com/p/20-good-things
I loved Normal People but didn’t love Beautiful World Where Are You so I haven’t jumped on Intermezzo yet, but I do have a library hold in it.
You know the funny thing is I read Beautiful World and can remember nothing about it. I think this one feels like I’m a writer now who can get away with anything - gosh that sounds quite mean!
I honestly don't remember a lot of it either -- I can appreciate that it must be tough to be at that level of success and not everything will connect with everyone. I did see some people saying Beautiful World was their favorite of hers, but I just did not connect with it
Yes success comes with a lot of judgment. I’m not connecting with Intermezzo. Feel I’m skimming it now..
Great work from Midstack here - great resource for this platform!
I’m in the UK and feel your jitters from here. This week I’ve been reading Tessa Hadley’s ‘After the funeral’ series of short stories which is beautiful and brilliantly crafted. I’ve also been reading Gabor Mate’s ‘When the body says no’ and listening to his interview with Kirsty Young on her Young Again podcast (think you can find it on Spotify).
Yes thank you! Tessa Hadley is a favorite and I haven't read After the Funeral.
My local bookshop just posted on FB that they have Tessa Hadley’s The Party in store so that’s one thing that might shift me off the sofa this afternoon 😂
She is one of my all time favorite writers!
I feel like I’ve read her before but when I look at the titles I’m not sure I have and wonder why not 😂
I've just read the blurb of 'After the Funeral' on goodreads and it sounds brilliant. Thanks for the recommendation.
It’s really very good!
"Try to send loving-kindness to someone you find intolerable."
I want to muster up the strength to do this today.
How about you?
https://substack.com/@sarastansberry/note/c-75074920
I shared this to notes recently - it's one thing I'm doing to help feel better during the next few days. :-)
A new post is coming out Monday morning - SOS! Saving our Sanity in This Election (And Beyond)
I just watched Anna Kendrick’s movie “Woman of the Hour” on Netflix and it was excellent! It is dark but an important examination of our society.
I've been too scared to watch it! I'll take another look based on your recommendation. :-)
I’m almost done with The Life Impossible by Matt Haig. It takes place in Ibiza, far from where my head is at most of the time these days. It’s refreshing and magical.
I just finished this! Magical indeed. It also made me want to travel back to Ibiza. I haven’t been since I was 21…Now I think I’d have a different experience. 😂
I’m always in the middle of several books and have been trying to watch it read funny or relaxing things!
I’m currently enjoying the poetry collection A Bit Much.
And for TV I’ve been watching Shrinking on Apple TV and started Lonely Planet on Netflix.
I’m looking forward to the second series of Shrinking so much. I loved the first.
I am liking it so far :)
Just subscribed to your Substack Julie - looks like a fun one.
Thanks for subscribing!