Howdy y’all. I’m sorry I haven’t been more active but now that I’m done with my thesis I should be able to be.
It took a long ass time but I finished reading my first book of the year. I blame thesis writing and reading sections of books and shit tons of articles that didn’t amount to a full book. I changed my 50 Book Pledge to a 25 Book Pledge in light of the year already being more than 1/8 over. (You don’t want to know all the weird math I just did.)
Recommended by my independent study prof Dr. Jennie Case, I read “Another Bullshit Night in Suck City” by Nick Flynn. Depressing with bright moments. VERY well written. Creative non fic, it centers around an estranged father-son relationship. Chapters are super short, a page to three pages at a go. One main focus of the book is treatment of the homeless. After you read the book you should read this follow-up in Brevity. And don’t forget to follow him on Twitter if you go in for that sort of thing.
I forgot my own categories, (it’s been a rough couple months), so if anyone else has too, no worries. Here’s the link.
I’m going with #30 “A book about a character who is different from you.” Nick Flynn’s life involved a fair amount of drug and alcohol use, as well as some other stuff I have not experienced (no spoilers). It was interesting to read about someone on a life path so removed from my own. I’m definitely thinking about things in new ways after this, and it’s sparked some new activist interests.
In case you didn’t know, Nick Flynn is a huge big deal. He’s a memoirist and poet, and he’s done a lot of cool shit. The book of his that I read has even been turned into a movie. You can find out more about him here:
- How a Poem Happens
- Poetry Foundation
- Poets.org
- Poetry Society of America
- NPR
- PBS
- The Rumpus
- Blue Flower Arts
Until next time, My Lovelies.
-Jobe
J. Jobe 