Purely Escapist Reading: WSIR #9
I think it's time.
Apropos of absolutely nothing frightening, exhausting, or dramatic happening in the world, and 100% just coincidentally, this week I’m going to share a few suggestions for escapist reading. Consider it an act of self-care and kindness, to lose yourself in something charming or gripping or just … gestures around … Not This.
Ready? Thought so.
My Sister the Serial Killer is such a fever-dream of a book! It’s a mystery of sorts, about how a woman copes and tries to contain her sister, a (yes) serial killer.
Here’s the first chapter, in total:
Ayoola summons me with these words–Korede, I killed him.
I had hoped I would never hear those words again.
ARE YOU NOT SOLD? It’s fast paced, darkly funny, a little weird and noirish, and a total page-turner.
If you have not read Julia Child’s My Life in France, her memoir about moving to Paris and learning to cook - ooh la la, are you in for a treat. Charming, self-deprecating, endearing. It’s the reading equivalent of nestling in with a cup of tea and a fresh-baked scone (which you probably should do while reading this.) An absolute joy.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette is never my first fiction recommendation because I assume everyone inhaled it when it came out. And then I’m a/ shocked when someone hasn’t read it and b/ envious that they get to read it now.
The summary: Bernadette, a genius former architect, wife and mother, and neighborhood antagonist, mysteriously disappears; her daughter goes to work tracking her down. That précis doesn’t do this book nearly enough justice, though - it’s deeply funny, super smart, big-hearted.
Red, White & Royal Blue is basically the definition of escapist fiction, and I mean that as a complete compliment. It’s an LGBT rivalry-turned-romance between the First Son (of the first woman POTUS, high five) and the Prince of England. The banter, the furious pacing, the steamy sex scenes … it’s frivolous fun from start to finish!
Lastly, if you want immersive but aren’t into fairy tales, might I suggest Into Thin Air? I often find Jon Krakauer’s writing to be too self-involved, and there’s some of that in this book, but on balance it’s a completely visceral recounting of an ill-fated Everest trip. It’s like a long-form Outside magazine article, in all the best ways.
And do I have more suggestions where these came from, so if you want more “escape-it-all” reading - just let me know!
Didn’t see anything you liked? Check the archive!
A Year of Shakespeare: The Reading Challenge
2021 Week 2 Reading: The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Punny wordplay!
96% of Shakespeare’s plays to go. Still on track. OTOH it’s only Jan 10.
Know anyone who could use a book recommendation? Of course you do, you social butterfly.