I loved this although it feels daunting to consider 20 years of my reading life! I really want to read NERVOUS CONDITIONS this year, I've been slowly making my way through backlist African women's literature and thought CHANGES was great. And so many of the immigrant books you listed were ones I enjoyed; LIPSTICK JIHAD, IRAN AWAKENING. I've got to finally read Jhumpa Lahiri too
Jhumpa’s books are so good. I don’t think I know anyone that has read Lipstick Jihad…it’s never on anyone’s TBR stack that I’ve seen so I’m glad that you stopped by, Ariana
I love how getting to know people’s favourite books helps you understand how they see/move through the world. So many of these books and authors are in my personal canon as well - Meditations (which inspired my newsletter name, Sunday meditations), Audre Lorde, Bell hooks, Octavia Butler, Mary Oliver and more. I see we are literary kin in Black feminisms, philosophy and contemplative thought 🤎
I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment, Stephanie. Reading your comment it is interesting to see that if one’s moved by Audre, bell and butler then meditations and Oliver all make perfect sense to be piled together despite their varying backgrounds…all deep thinkers about the sacred things. Thank you for reading! Proud to be of the same ilk!
As a book lover, this was an absolute delight to read. I too have learned a lot about myself from the literature I consume and how I naturally navigate certain themes trying to learn more about the world and my place in it. I see you've read Tsitsi, I met her at an event at the literature house here in Oslo and got signed copies of both Nervous conditions and Black and Female. I loved both of them and read them in one sitting.
I think you would love the autobiography trilogy of Deborah Levy. Also I absolutely love your paintings in this, Janet.
Can we be friends, forever, Matunda? We are on the same wavelength. Nervous Conditions is excellent on so many levels. What a treat to meet her. I am going to look into Deborah Levy.
Definitely! When you come to Norway next I am cooking you dinner and we are chatting about books and all sorts until the candles die. I think you'll like her. I read a lot of autobiographies last year and hers were memorable. I also really enjoyed reading the Years by Annie Arnaux. I read "Men We Reaped" last year too, it left a lasting impression on me. Loved that you included that here.
I just saved a ton of these to my reading list. I agree that in the winter I need more spiritual/deep books. Also if you haven’t read women who run with wolves I highly recommend it!
I enjoyed this whole essay so much, Janet! I loved the curation of paintings you chose alongside your book lists. A few I have also read and loved & many new titles I’m excited to look into. This is a great retrospective & a special way for us to get to know you! Thanks for sharing 👏🏼
With this commitment, I pledge to resume reading—one book at a time, one chapter at a time—while thoughtfully absorbing the knowledge and applying it to real-life situations. However, I am still uncertain about the types of books I truly enjoy.
Sholanke, it took me a while to notice the pattern of my reading choices and likes. It will come to you over time, just keep choosing what feels right in the moment. Committing to be intentional about reading and absorbing ideas that resonate will only make your life richer. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing, Liz. Enjoyed reading your post. I’ve read the Red Tent, too. I so enjoyed following each sister in that book. Also Freaknomics is a classic book that still has relevance today! Need to the Handmaid’s Tale.
I loved this although it feels daunting to consider 20 years of my reading life! I really want to read NERVOUS CONDITIONS this year, I've been slowly making my way through backlist African women's literature and thought CHANGES was great. And so many of the immigrant books you listed were ones I enjoyed; LIPSTICK JIHAD, IRAN AWAKENING. I've got to finally read Jhumpa Lahiri too
Jhumpa’s books are so good. I don’t think I know anyone that has read Lipstick Jihad…it’s never on anyone’s TBR stack that I’ve seen so I’m glad that you stopped by, Ariana
I love how getting to know people’s favourite books helps you understand how they see/move through the world. So many of these books and authors are in my personal canon as well - Meditations (which inspired my newsletter name, Sunday meditations), Audre Lorde, Bell hooks, Octavia Butler, Mary Oliver and more. I see we are literary kin in Black feminisms, philosophy and contemplative thought 🤎
I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment, Stephanie. Reading your comment it is interesting to see that if one’s moved by Audre, bell and butler then meditations and Oliver all make perfect sense to be piled together despite their varying backgrounds…all deep thinkers about the sacred things. Thank you for reading! Proud to be of the same ilk!
As a book lover, this was an absolute delight to read. I too have learned a lot about myself from the literature I consume and how I naturally navigate certain themes trying to learn more about the world and my place in it. I see you've read Tsitsi, I met her at an event at the literature house here in Oslo and got signed copies of both Nervous conditions and Black and Female. I loved both of them and read them in one sitting.
I think you would love the autobiography trilogy of Deborah Levy. Also I absolutely love your paintings in this, Janet.
Can we be friends, forever, Matunda? We are on the same wavelength. Nervous Conditions is excellent on so many levels. What a treat to meet her. I am going to look into Deborah Levy.
Definitely! When you come to Norway next I am cooking you dinner and we are chatting about books and all sorts until the candles die. I think you'll like her. I read a lot of autobiographies last year and hers were memorable. I also really enjoyed reading the Years by Annie Arnaux. I read "Men We Reaped" last year too, it left a lasting impression on me. Loved that you included that here.
I’d love that!
I just saved a ton of these to my reading list. I agree that in the winter I need more spiritual/deep books. Also if you haven’t read women who run with wolves I highly recommend it!
I am glad some books piqued your curiosity. I have read it. I remember highlighting so many pages in that book.
I enjoyed this whole essay so much, Janet! I loved the curation of paintings you chose alongside your book lists. A few I have also read and loved & many new titles I’m excited to look into. This is a great retrospective & a special way for us to get to know you! Thanks for sharing 👏🏼
The art selections was fun to do. Thank you!
saving this for reference, thank you!!!
Thanks for reading, Emma!
With this commitment, I pledge to resume reading—one book at a time, one chapter at a time—while thoughtfully absorbing the knowledge and applying it to real-life situations. However, I am still uncertain about the types of books I truly enjoy.
Sholanke, it took me a while to notice the pattern of my reading choices and likes. It will come to you over time, just keep choosing what feels right in the moment. Committing to be intentional about reading and absorbing ideas that resonate will only make your life richer. Cheers!
Loved reading your list! I wrote down my own in a recent post and also found it insightful — https://open.substack.com/pub/lizyourforatraveladvisor/p/the-most-important-books-of-my-life?r=4fx705&utm_medium=ios
Thank you for sharing, Liz. Enjoyed reading your post. I’ve read the Red Tent, too. I so enjoyed following each sister in that book. Also Freaknomics is a classic book that still has relevance today! Need to the Handmaid’s Tale.