May + June Dispatch
Ok, the last couple months felt a bit slow in terms of reading (books). I feel like I was deep in various substacks and doing more doomscrolling vs. productive scrolling and page flipping. I guess, in order to not be too self-critical, I also spent a number of afternoons doodling during life drawing sessions; which I hadn’t done too much of lately. I think July/August I’ll be catching up on some of my reading, and dissertation writing, hopefully.
Under the Eye of the Big Bird - Hiromi Kawakami: A book I think should be on everyone’s TBR. Yes, its fantastical, its fictional. But it is also about singularity, AGI, and everyone’s very favorite adjacent topics of execution/regulation. Maybe just my favorite adjacent topic, but either way I LOVED it and I loved the structure of it.
On the Calculation of Volume II - Solvej Balle: First, you have to read volume I. Hilarious note is that Balle had the idea for this allegedly before Groundhog Day was produced. It’s similar premise but very different. I am pained by the fact that volume III is not out until the fall! I appreciate her translator(s) here because I am of course reading translated version. Translators - doing important work! I think these volumes will be historically recognized, and if Balle gets a Nobel Prize one day I would not at all be shocked.
On the Clock - Claire Baglin: Melancholy, but I think universal (nearly) experience of parental unmasking. And class consciousness/coming of age. Having worked in food service, some parts are a bit PTSD. UK cover is so much better than US version, sorry.
Hunchback - Saou Ichikawa: Short and totally wild read. I think if you like fucked up stories that the average might feel a bit squeamish about (like me) you should grab this.
Requiem - Antonio Tabucchi: I love Tabucchi and his love of Portugal. He is a portal through which we can all see/appreciate Portuguese literature. This book wonderfully highlights that. It is also masterful storytelling interwoven with food. Something I truly enjoy. Ending is very sweet (because Pessoa homage)!
Perspectives - Laurent Binet: Very fun read. If you enjoy Renaissance historical fiction, this is your jam. Maybe it helped I read this while sitting on my Roman terrace? If you need a book to read while in Rome or Florence this is a good one.
A Love Affair - Dino Buzzati: Ok, so I enjoy Buzzati (read The Singularity if you have not already) but reading him in translation makes me more ambitious to improve my Italian. Because I feel (know) I am probably missing things…this book was good, and I think timeless in some ways - he was essentially writing about a Sugar Daddy of sorts - however it did take me some time to get through.
Family and Borghesia - Natalia Ginzburg: Another book that if you’re Rome you can read it and feel swept up in things. Genuinely laughed out loud at parts of Family. I just adore Ginzburg, she maintains her spot as my favorite Palermitana writer!
Books of Poetry
That Broke into Shining Crystals - Richard Scott: Beautiful and tearful. This was on theme for Pride for June. But, I think in general the applicability of suffering abuse, longing, self-acceptance…relatable for so many. The imagery these poems evoked was just, wow. Really gorgeous. TW: SA.
Love Poems - Idea Vilariño: Was crying. Reminded me a little of Nicanor Parra, a favorite of mine. Anyone healing from a break up, anyone who has ever been in love, any one at all I think this is a wonderful, accessible collection. If you like Plath’s Ariel and you have not read this yet, I would recommend (highly, even).