What Are We Reading This Spring?

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THE SILENCE OF THE GIRLS / MARTYR! / JAMES / ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK / 33 PLACE BRUGMANN / LONG ISLAND

I’ve not been reading as much fiction as I normally do the past six months; I’ve instead been drawn to the creative practice of reading poetry most mornings when I settle into my studio. This is partly my own conscious embrace of the “fractionality” concept — i.e., knowing I don’t have as much time to read in longer stretches and accommodating little pockets of available time by reading sips of poetry instead — and partly because it’s what’s making me lean forward right now. I love the distillation of poetry, its elision and parataxis. Sometimes I re-read my prose and think, “now what would the poet do?” and weedwack about half the words off the page. Concision has never been my strong suit; I’m still learning to “kill my darlings.” Occupational hazard of the noticer, I guess — I want to leave it all in.

I have a couple of trips planned in the coming weeks and I’d like to take those occasions to dig into some novels, though. I miss the feeling of flopping, hammock-like, into a book.

Right now, I’m reading Pat Barker’s Silence of the Girls and my God does it scratch the itch Circe left years ago. I’m about a third of the way through and loving it, but my progress is stymied by the fact that I only seem able to read during that narrow crescent just before bed, when my mind swims as close to the rim of sleep as it can without actually slipping in. Not great; I find myself re-reading 1-2 pages each night. Have you read it? If not, disregard the following, but did anyone else get a small and strange thrill when Achilles cried as Briseis was taken by Agamemnon? I find his portraiture absolutely fascinating. I love the obliqueness of it (at least, as of 30% in) — it almost feels like Barker paints him in profile versus 3D. We see only the cut of his jib, but it’s closer-in than we’ve ever seen him before. The book is so cinematic; I’d love to see it adapted to screen. We’d need a Hemsworth brother for Achilles, and maybe like a Brie Larsen for Briseis? Natalie Portman also came to mind but she’s a bit too delicate for the way Briseis is written…

Next up: The Berry Pickers (check trigger warnings! I know a lot of you have written that you couldn’t stomach this one, as it has to do with the loss of a child) and then All the Colors of the Dark. These have been recommended dozens of times by Magpie readers and I need to see what all the buzz is about. A lot of you have specifically mentioned these books in the same breath as The God of the Woods, which I found gripping and pleasurable to read. (Full review here.)

I also always have a romance or two downloaded to my Kindle. They’re my escape valve when I’m fretting at 3 a.m. or killing time in a waiting room or some other unpleasant situation. I currently have B. K. Borison’s First Time Caller and Elsie Silver’s Wild Side downloaded but not started either. Heads up to check the spice level (i.e., open door vs. closed door) ratings from Beach Reads and Bubbly if you’re new to this genre!

Also on my radar…

+Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy — described as a literary thriller; people have been raving about the poetic quality of this work. “A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon.”

+Martyr by Kaveh Akbar. Have heard this is darkly funny, incisive, poetic — but realistic. “A newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, embarks on a remarkable search for a family secret that leads him to a terminally ill painter living out her final days in the Brooklyn Museum.”

+33 Place Brugman by Alice Austen — “An outstanding debut novel—a love story, mystery, and philosophical puzzle, told in the singular voices of the residents of a Beaux Arts apartment house in Belgium during World War II.”

+James by Percival Everett. I’ve had this downloaded for almost a year. I know I’ll get to it eventually!

+Long Island by Colm Toibin. When I polled Magpie readers on Instagram as to what they were reading, this was the number one response. (“From the beloved, critically acclaimed, bestselling author comes a spectacularly moving novel featuring Eilis Lacey, the complex and enigmatic heroine of Brooklyn, Tóibín’s most popular work in twenty years.”)

Not really my speed / grabbing me, but there’s a lot of buzz right now about the novel I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacquline Harpman (“Ursula K. LeGuin meets The Road in a post-apocalyptic modern classic of female friendship and intimacy.”). Has anyone read? Is it worth the hype?

What’s in your TBR (to be read) pile?

Reminder: embrace your bad book girl self.

Shopping Break.

+Big Madewell sale started yesterday — 25% off sitewide, and this includes their popular darted barrel jeans, which are almost always excluded from sale. I also love these in the butter yellow and this adorable raffia bag.

+So much great stuff at Farm Rio – this dress, this top! Such great Easter options, both.

+This floral vest is beyond adorable for little ladies. Pair with an inexpensive ribbed leggings set for an easy spring outfit.

+Obsessed with these pull-on pants from Banana.

+Our table from Oomph finally arrived (like eight or ten months after ordering!), and it’s so cute…I also like the look of this fun Serena and Lily option if you’re also looking for a pop of color but don’t want the wait (or price tag). Bonus: it’s 20% off.

+CHIC statement shorts at a great price. Pair with a polished tank like this.

+Why do I love this Gucci tote so much…

+Another really pretty spring top. Love this tucked into mid-wash denim or ecru pants.

+My inner prep is finding it difficult to resist this striped tank. It’s very Ralph-meets-Abercrombie but grown up.

+Speaking of our inner prep — the kind of classic oxford dress you can live in. Imagine barefoot on a beach, over a striped bikini. And I’m also swooning over this Reformation dress, which also has a great throwback prep vibe. I had so many pieces like this!

+Ordered this striped performance polo for my son in the lavender stripe! Love when brands offer more than just red or blue for boys.

+Pretty and very well-priced patio umbrella. Serena and Lily vibes!

+Wait – these little loafers for boys remind me of the Loro Piana Summer Walk loafers, which seem to be sold out all the time! I’ve been wanting to snag a pair for Landon for months now. I might get him these similar Brunello Cucinellis instead.

+Fab spring trousers.