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I mean first of all look at that cover.
But second third fourth fifth sixth seventh and beyond -
I have never read a book like this. Heady, tender, animated, fascinating, deeply sad, a strange hodge podge of fonversation and dreamlike occurrence.
For anyone who needs to be reminded that it’s ok to be in chronic pain - especially chronic physical pain - and your way of coping is a heroic act. It is a part of you. Also hates on the ultra rich atheistic establishment in a way that rocks.
This writer is so brilliant. We’re lucky to have her.
Mar 12, 2024
Related Recs
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the goldfinch - donna tartt
- my favourite novel of all time. it puts my sorry ass into perspective
the setting sun - osamu dazai
- a pi.fyi rec !! pretty prose… waiting for the cryfest
regarding the pain of others - susan sontag
- there is feeling pain yourself and then there is the empathy of watching someone in pain and trying to imagine that pain on to yourself. basically no matter how hard you try, it’s never done justice from our privileged position of not being in pain. thinking abojt this in regards to the shared images of the Palestinian and Sudanese genocide
Feb 25, 2024
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Captures something essential about grief: the longing to cram your entire body into a small space and stay there until a lover pulls you out.
I tried reading it almost two years ago and had to stop because it made me so mad. Now I think it’s brilliant and the thing that made me mad the first time is the most important thing in the book.
Heti is best Canadian writer since Munro and will go down as the best ever if she keeps batting this high.
Sep 8, 2024
an essay collection by Johanna Hedva that looks at the world through a chronic pain/disability activist lens. Incredible words & the audiobook was narrated by the author & their performance made it even better. A good book to cling to in the state of the world.
reimagining what our world could look like through a reworking of what “care” is & could mean. it‘s a beautiful and honest collection that i will forever hold dear!
Feb 28, 2025
Top Recs from @whatcanibring
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I work three jobs and am getting my BA part time. I have hobbies, friends, and an active social appetite. I’m also subject to the 24 hour day. Sometimes that doesn’t really feel doable.
in the middle of winter, you can get an Airbnb in Burlington Vermont for $30 a night. it’s a small room, a bed, a window. Shared kitchen, both spare and kitschy (a notable achievement I feel). though I can’t afford to leave all that often, this is how I do it. I go for 5ish days, I sleep a lot, I eat well enough, I read and write a lot because I feel like I can really unload. it is so quiet, and if you wanted to go somewhere at night you could, but you’ll find you rarely want to. When I got off the train in Burlington it was snowing and the snow stuck to everything, even the asphalt and I just started laughing maniacally in an empty parking lot.
Jun 18, 2024
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because he’s the king of the hill. obviously. and will make you feel everything.
Other recs:
The World Accoridng to Garp by John Irving is one of the most fucked up and disturbing books I’ve ever read. feel like I almost can’t in good conscience recommend it. But you will feel ill!
The bluest eye. Also super fucked up and sad.
OH! Boy snow bird by Helen oheyemi. Unbelievably good, language is stunning, trippy but heartbreaking.
ok that’s the list.
Mar 12, 2024
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they just put out their first print issue and managed to wrangle some very fun writers (from hannah baer to ed park, some deisgn by pippa garner) into writing some very interesting essays and stories. super charmed by the fact that it is printed on a kind of very thick newsprint? a unique tactile experience.
its like eight bucks and they'll ship it to your lovely little home, wherever it may be.
also this is a great question thank you for asking it.
Feb 21, 2024