We had our first snow day on Friday, which is always a bit of a shock to a Californian living in Canada. On Thursday I had been out raking leaves for hours, which aren’t all down yet. Then Friday it dumped a couple inches. The snow should melt away this week, but we could be in store for a long winter. Gripes, I guess it’s best to stay in and curl up with a book near the fireplace. While I do, my thoughts go out to all the people in the path of Hurricane Matthew. What a monster storm. It’s going to take quite awhile to recover. I remember Hurricane Isabel from 2003, which I experienced while living in Virginia, and I think it took about a week to get my power back on. So stay safe and hang in there.
This week I finished the audiobook of Lindy West’s 2016 nonfiction book “Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman.” Admittedly I didn’t know much about the book or the author before starting it, other than reading that it included feminist essays, and Shannon over at River City Reading had praised it back in May. What I did know was “Shrill” had come up on my queue at the library and I was game to check it out.
And oh my, the author Lindy West, 34, is quite a force. I had no idea, and hadn’t thought about some of these issues like she has. It’s perfect that she reads her book — a collection of personal essays about her life and what she believes — for the audio as she enlivens it and adds perspective. In “Shrill,” Lindy details the derision she grew up with as a “fat person” and her move to become an advocate for fat acceptance and other issues. She talks about her family, self-esteem, boyfriends, stints in stand-up comedy, and jobs in journalism, and how she came to speak out about: fat shaming, anti-abortion views, internet harassment, misogyny, and rape jokes. It’s all told in a way that seems incredibly open, honest, and quite funny as well. I couldn’t help but laugh in places.
I don’t think you have to agree with every opinion or thing Lindy West does in “Shrill” to be open or agreeable to the book. At first, I wasn’t sure it was the type of book for me, and I almost set it aside, but I’m glad I stuck with it. All in all, I commend Lindy for her courage and fight, and found her book to be thought-provoking and different than what I typically read. While some bits of “Shrill” might take one out of his or her comfort zone, other parts shine on its humanity.
Meanwhile, I’m midway through reading Andria Williams’s 2016 debut novel “The Longest Night,” which is based on a true story in 1961 of the only fatal nuclear reactor accident that took place in the U.S. It’s about a young couple who move to a remote army base, whose marriage is tested, and a cover-up that ensues at the base. I’m loving the story so far and plan to review it next week. I’m also midway through reading Hope Jahren’s 2016 nonfiction memoir “Lab Girl” about her life as a scientist studying trees and plant life in her laboratories. It’s interesting and enjoyable in a unique way. I’m liking her quirky sensibility so far. Lastly, I’m listening to the audiobook of Suzanne Rindell’s 2013 debut novel “The Other Typist,” which is set in 1920s New York. Keira Knightley is reportedly set to produce and star in the movie adaption of it, but apparently it’s still in the development stages.
Also last week, my hub and I saw and liked the movie “Sully.” You might have already seen it about the pilot who landed the damaged plane on the Hudson River in 2009 to save the passengers and crew. I found the structure of the movie — how it goes back and forth in time from the investigation to the flight to be quite interesting. You find out details you might not have already known about the crash and the pilots. And despite already knowing what happens from history, the movie is still quite a heart-pumping — and thankfully pleasing — watch.
What about you have you read any of these books, or seen “Sully,” and if so, what did you think?
The Longest Night sounds great — I have added to my TBR! I have heard Lindy West a number of times on NPR and I’m interested in reading her book. I have to admit I got bored with The Other Typist — but maybe I’ll like the movie? Dying to see Sully — I just saw The Light Between Oceans and thought it was a wonderful adaptation of the book. Hope your snow melts soon — it’s way too early to shovel!
Thanks Ann. Yeah I think you would like The Longest Night, and I’m glad you liked the movie of The Light Between the Oceans. I thought it was a good adaptation too. You’ll probably like Sully — it’s a feel-good ending. I’m not sure what to make of The Other Typist so far. I can see where it’s a bit boring in parts. But I will try to get to the end.
I live on Long Island New York. It seems that summer has just ended here. I would be in a state of shock if I had to deal with snow at this point 🙂
It sounds like the Lindy West book raises all kinds of interesting issues. Fat shaming can be a serious issue. We even have it inserted into the current United States Presidential Campaign.
Yes Brian, I think people are in a bit of shock here. Usually most of October is pretty nice so the snow is way earlier than I would like. And you’re so right about fat shaming — people are so cruel. Lindy’s book sort of opened my eyes to that issue. She seems to like who and how she is — so people should be more accepting.
Oh, snow. I hope that’s not coming our area (here in Pennsylvania). I’m not ready. I like fall.
I’ve heard good thins about Lab Girl and might check it out later this winter.
Yeah Bryan. You must get a beautiful fall there in Penn. I can imagine the colors are amazing. I hope to get through more of Lab Girl this week and I can better judge things I like about it. I think it will be a good one.
I love the sound of Shrill….and I’m eager to see the movie The Other Typist. I really liked the book.
While snow sounds really good to me right now, (it’s still hot here, although getting cooler), but I know that I wouldn’t like dealing with the effects of it.
Thanks for sharing…and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Yeah Laurel, I might have heard about The Other Typist from your review. I definitely have wanted to try Rindell for quite awhile now. Shrill was a different read for me but I admired Lindy for her courage & honesty by the time I was done with it. I admit I’m not ready for the snow either this early. Ugh. It’s a long time till April comes. Glad you stopped by, and I plan to stop by your site soon.
Snow already?! I have been ready to move south for the last two winters! 🙂
I like the sound of Shrill and The Longest Night, particularly the latter. I want to watch Sully and The Light Between Oceans, but I think I’ll wait until they come out for rental.
It’s crazy to see snow, I know! Ugh. You’re in Connecticut right? Hope you have a tame winter. Did you know I was born in Hartford? But I never really lived there. My folks got moved by the Army back then to Hawaii :-). I think you would like those movies.
We got snow in Northern MN on Friday, though thankfully it missed me in the Twin Cities. Snow in October must seem like a shock if you’re used to more balmy weather. I remember one time I was visiting my grandma in CA and it snowed about half an inch. Just enough to get the snowbrush out and clean the car a little. And there was this couple that was just THRILLED by the snow, but wondered where on earth we came up with the idea of brushing it off with that convenient little brush that just happened to be in our car. lol
Ha Rachel so funny! Great story. I bet you have that snowbrush already in your car in MN. I remember it once snowed when I was growing up in Southern Cal and we ran around at recess as if it was the Second Coming so to speak. We were totally thrilled and tried to catch the flakes on our tongues. But I don’t think we really had any accumulation. Still it was the greatest. Though not exactly now.
So glad to hear you enjoyed Shrill! You’re one of several people that have raved about the audiobook and now I’m itching to listen to it – I bet hearing her narrate makes it even better.
Yes the audiobook is really good. You can feel what it’s been like for Lindy. As you noted, she is quite funny too. I think you’d get a kick out of the audio. Thanks for letting me know about this book — with your review! It’s been on my radar since then.
I too like the sound of Shrill. Pun intended. Today I am starting Hagseed, Margaret Atwood’s retelling of The Tempest, which I just reread. Last night we watched Amy, the Oscar winning documentary about Amy Winehouse. I only knew that she had died young because of drug abuse, but man, there is so much more to her story and man could she sing! It was sad but eyeopening as far as how the media can distort someone’s story.
Oh thanks Judy for the report. I’ll be curious to hear what you think of Hag-Seed. I never did see the Amy documentary but your note has moved me to see it in the near future. I had a friend in March who died of alcoholism so maybe I thought it would be hard to watch. But I am curious about it.
My husband and I saw Sully and enjoyed it. Our only critique is that we felt like it was a little short and that it would have been great if it had ended with a reunion with his family.
Shrill sounds interesting. I appreciate that you mentioned not having to subscribe to all her beliefs to enjoy or even benefit from her book. I find this often in reading as I tend to be a conservative person in general but I LOVE a thought provoking book, done in a way that presents another view without being antagonistic.
We got a big visit from Matthew this weekend, schools are still out today as our area is under water in several places. My family fared well and never even lost power.
Thanks Darlene for your points and glad to hear your family is Okay after the hurricane. I hear there is record flooding in NC — I can imagine its underwater in places. I hope the recovery goes smoothly. I’m sure it’ll take awhile. Yeah I wanted a postscript on the Sully film saying if the Captain flew again — for how many more years, or did he retire, or what exactly was his future after that. I can look it up. Have you seen the Deepwater Horizon movie? Oh my, it’s quite a film. Being an engineer, my husb said we had to see it, and we it was quite a heart-pumping film. Anyways, thanks for stopping by! talk later.
Ugh, I hope we don’t get any snow at all this winter. I tried to talk my husband into seeing Sully but he wouldn’t go.
Hi Kathy — I hope the hurricane missed you in SC. Too bad about Sully — maybe another time! Enjoy your week.
While you were getting snow, we were getting uncommonly warm weather here on the East coast – I think it was 22C that day. We were camping that weekend, and even got in the lake (admittedly, the water was a little chilly). But the snow will be here soon enough. Any time, really – you just never know.
I love the sound of Lindy West’s book. I didn’t know who she was before this book came out, but she sounds pretty amazing.
Yeah Naomi, I didn’t know who Lindy West was either. Now apparently she’s a columnist at the Guardian — so I guess with her book, she’s doing pretty well. I wish we had an Indian Summer here too, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen here this year. Ugh. I’m not ready for snow. I still need to take down the tomato plants — dead along the garden fence.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us! Such a sweet Labrador pic!!
Oh last time I forgot to mention that we didn’t like the movie “The Light Between Oceans” But, I definitely want to watch Sully 🙂
Oh that’s too bad about Light Between the Oceans movie. What it portrays is not an easy situation (and is quite sad) but I guess it followed the book pretty closely. Better luck with Sully. ps. My dog, Stella, makes for a pretty good model. 🙂
Snow! My husband would be delighted. Me, not so much. I remember that landing on the Hudson quite well, and while I will probably have to wait to see the movie until it’s shown on TV, the previews of it look really good. My reading at the moment is all for German Literature Month, but I did see that the library now has News of the World, which you mentioned in a previous post. I would like to read it. Have you started with it yet?
Hi TJ: Gosh I will have to check if my library has News of the World too. I definitely plan to get to it soon, but I have a book club read first. Did you know that News of the World just made the short list for the National Book Award? Wow, I had no idea it was that good. I can’t wait to read it now. I will check out your German Lit month and see what books I should know about. thanks for stopping by!