Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong. A variety of essays, with varying levels of interest. Overall, it was a quick read that I learned a lot from. The idea of disability being time travel (making your body act much older or much younger) resonated with me; I’ve certainly felt like my spondylolisthesis has aged me thirty years. While it’s invisible to anyone looking at me, it affects my life every day, all day long. (It’s very rare for an hour to go by without the pain drawing my attention.) Anyway, this was the first book I’ve read about disability since my injury, and some of the essays definitely felt like they were speaking to me.
Recent fiction reads
The Sudden Appearance of Hope, by Claire North. I think this was maybe my second favorite of hers so far, after Harry August. An interesting science fiction idea (a girl who everyone forgets) with intriguing exploration of the potential ramifications, which is what I like out of science fiction. (Or at least one thing I like out of science fiction.)
Devolution, by Max Brooks. Sasquatch horror. Quite violent in some respects, but overall a captivating story. I liked it more than World War Z, which felt more exhausting to me. Even so, I’m very, very glad this book was fictional.
Upgrade, by Blake Crouch. Another interesting science fiction idea (which comes enough into the book that I won’t spoil it, even though it’s somewhat self-evident and probably all over the back cover copy). During the middle I wasn’t sure how I felt about the book, but the ending turned it around for me in a good way. Also one that I’m glad was fictional.
Books purchased since last post
Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World — Adam Tooze
Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story — Christina Thompson
The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, and the Quest for Earth’s Ultimate Trophy — Paige Williams
The Last Lie Told — Debra Webb
Churchill & Son — Josh Ireland
Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body — Neil Shubin
Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory — Ben Macintyre
The Law — Jim Butcher
Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence — Joseph J. Ellis
The Immortal King Rao — Vauhini Vara
The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday — Saad Z. Hossain
Knives at Dawn: America’s Quest for Culinary Glory at the Legendary Bocuse d’Or Competition — Andrew Friedman
Stet: An Editor’s Life — Diana Athill
The Story of Greece and Rome — Tony Spawforth
Trust: America’s Best Chance — Pete Buttigieg
Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer — Steven Johnson
The Hand of the Sun King — J. T. Greathouse
Upgrade — Blake Crouch
Drunk on All Your Strange New Words — Eddie Robson
Inda — Sherwood Smith
The Immortal Game: A History of Chess — David Shenk
Stray Souls — Kate Griffin
The Glass God — Kate Griffin
Lessons from the Edge: A Memoir — Marie Yovanovitch
Rez Life: An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life — David Treuer