SWITCHING MOMS, BOOK TALKS AND FIVE-IN-ONE

LIFE OF A BOOKMAN

Bookman: 1. a person who has a love of books and especially of reading. 2. a person who is involved in the writing, publishing, or selling of books. Oh, hi that's me!!



TRUST, but don't: Ok I finished Trust by Hernan Diaz!!! What a surprising and unexpected (yet totally satisfying) payoff at the end. It weaves 4 different narrative styles (it's basically 5 books in one) to reveal how a powerful Wall Street tycoon's legacy was built, and what role his wife played in his story. I loved how the central female character emerges through layers of narrative, her truth revealed through another complex young woman. Unlike other Pulitzer winners I've abandoned (which says more about me than the prize!!), this one captivated me completely— kinda confusing at first, but ultimately worth finishing.

What I'm writing: Is financial stability a straight jacket? I tackle the question in this week’s Maxiemize column (my new advice column ambitious creatives). It's a 3-part examination of “How much of myself am I willing to sacrifice in the name of security?” Give it a read!!

WOMEN’S STUDIES

What gets passed down becomes our history.
Three child-free women switch mothers for a day and it's 17 minutes of must-watch video. In Iris Zaki's intimate documentary, three child-free women swap mothers for candid conversations about their choices. What unfolds is both deeply personal and universally resonant. I watched thinking a) why oh why are for so many, these conversations are easier with someone other than our own mom and b) women who choose not to mother still makes the world so damn uncomfortable

Oprah and Tracee Ellis Ross discuss not marrying Ooooo this one hit home. About how marriage can often orient us into traditional roles where the wife revolves around the needs of a husband (because of the structure we live in) and how single women's accomplishments and true fulfillment get minimized and undermined in one simple phrase: “what aren't you married yet (read: what's wrong with you)?”



At home cervical tests were approved by the FDA!!! And I will waitlist for Teal so hard, because finally. Advancements in women's basic health.

PASS IT ON

Stories are heirlooms. Here's one of mine:
Daisy came alive in Savannah for a lovely night of conversation, and I'm still floating!! Savannah is where it all started, for her and for me.

To look out into a room of wildly talented, big hearted friends whom I get to call “my community”...it's a damn special thing.

Thank you to everyone who came out, for spending your Friday night with me... for laughing at my bad jokes... for sharing your emotion (blame your tears on Daisy! She was def in the room)... for letting me say “c0cks*cker” three times ...for telling me how much you loved this story...for buying copies for your friends...

And for reminding me what four years of work was all about...you :) 

And a huge huge thank you to Libbie Summers for being the most amazing moderator/talent/question-asker whom I get to call my dear friend. Man, we had fun. Topped off by having my parents in the room, all the way from TX! Lucky, lucky girl, I am! 



Buy DAISY if you haven't already, you're going to love her.



woman on xx