recommended
reading
I fill my house, floor to ceiling, with books. They are my darlings. They are my catharsis. They are the portals through which I explore the expanse of humanity, and encounter the darkest and brightest corners of my own personhood.
It is the duty and joy of all devoted readers to put good stories into the hands of others. Here, I keep a list of the things I’ve read that I want to pass on, like the “recommended” shelf in your local, independent book store. First sentences are a topic of much debate for writers, so you’ll find those included too, along with something I love about each book or piece.
If you have a book or essay or story you loved, be in touch. The world is full of writing, and I’m always looking for another good thing to read.
Matrix
By Lauren Groff
A stunning portrait of feminine power and the divine, told from the point of view of a reluctant Abbess in the 1100s. Transporting, insightful, and gorgeously rendered.
Migrations
By Charlotte MConaghy
In the near future, a desperate woman is looking for hope disguised as the last flock of terns on earth. Lyric, and transporting. Hope, humility and heart abound in this magnificent work.
Mexican Gothic
By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“Stylish and edgy. . . While the book draws inspiration from Gothic classics like Rebecca and Jane Eyre—there is a spunky female protagonist and an ancient house filled with disturbing secrets—its archly intelligent tone and insightful writing make Mexican Gothic an original escape to an eerie world.”—New York Times
The Morning Swim
It was an early, very warm morning in July, and it had rained during the night.
The Summer book
By Tove Jansson
A favorite because of its playfulness, irreverence, and spare, searing beauty.
Chapter one
The Streets of Gatlon were overflowing with fake superheros...
Renegades
By Marissa Meyer
A serious escape with all the drama and ambiguity of the best superhero tales.
"Pure Craft" Is A Lie
Like many creative writing instructors, I teach my students that it can be to their advantage in fiction to use the dialogue tags "say" and "ask" instead of less common tags like "commented" or "queried."
Craft in the Real World
By Matthew Salesse
A powerful guide to removing the racist, colonial reality of the current model of the writing workshop. A must read for writers.
White Witchery: An Introduction
Some girl at school once had a mood ring...
White Magic: Essays
By Elissa Washuta
A meta collection of essays that reads like a spell book, written with the passion and insight of a survivor.
The Veil
This is me when I was 10 years old. This was in 1980.
Persepolis
By Marjane Satrapi
A main character with the attitude of a punk-rock superstar, living under the rule of the shah. Magnificent.
Boxing Inside the box
By Holly Iglesias
For women writing prose poems, this is for you. A stunning examination of female poets’ approach to “the box.”