I've been reading, as always; but somehow in the fall I stopped posting my books. Can't tell you why.
However, getting back to it I want to share some thoughts on recent and particularly fine reads. A lot of memoir, lately, and that's not surprising. I love to read the stories of other people. I read the obituaries each day, too - and have done it all my life.
Walking Through Walls: A Memoir. If you are in any way interested in energy work, energetic and spiritual healing, etc.: Run, don't walk, to get this book from your library. It is a fascinating tale of growing up with a father with amazing spiritual gifts. If you shake your head and think, "oh no, woo-woo stuff," reading these sentences: don't bother.
Is it true? Can it be true? I believed yes, I believed no, alternately, as I read. The healings are apparently extremely well documented. There is a brief video of the author (a well-known artist and former editor of GQ Magazine) on the Amazon site talking about his father and the situation. It is a bizarre story. I'd love to hear thoughts from any who read it!
Scattershot: My Bipolar Family. This is an amazing book, about a family of five with four biploar or schizophrenic members (both parents and two of the kids). I have a particular interest in this topic as you know. It was hard to read in places, but so far these people are making it, and that is a hopeful thing.
Epilogue: A Memoir. Anne Roiphe (I'm sure I've read other things by her but cannot recall what...I'll be exploring that more) writes of her attempts to navigate the world of grief and loss after the sudden death of her husband. Fascinating musings on the nature of physical possessions, relationships with friends and children, attempts to date, at this stage of life.
and
Greetings from Bury Park: A Memoir. It's a bit unevenly written, but this is a really interesting reflection on growing up as a Pakistani immigrant in London, and also about the power and effect that the music of Bruce Springsteen had on this fellow. As an 80's girl, I can relate to the latter, though not the former!