By Rhonda Henderson
With crisp leaves dancing around the Duck Pond, squirrels attempting to surreptitiously hide acorns (but fooling no one), and hoodies now a necessity to walk kiddos to school or make that quick coffee run, we know it’s (finally!) fall in Southwest.
I believe it’s always time for a good read, but the early evenings grant cover to put on jammies early, and get cozy. And for cozy season, I want immersive reads with rich language and a different perspective.
Here’s what’s on my side table, or inside my tote bag if I decide to venture out for a beverage. (I will not be dragged into a divisive debate about pumpkin spiced lattes, so enjoy whatever beverage warms your heart).
- All Fours, Miranda July. Full disclosure: I began reading this novel on vacation in August but I put it down because the main character got on my last nerve with her scandalous choices! Of course, my visceral reaction is just testament to July’s powerful writing, along with the National Book Award Nomination. So, I’m determined to finish the book and find out what happens.
- We’re Alone, Edwidge Danticat. Krik? Krak! installed Danticat on my “will read anything they publish list” and I have been faithful to this relationship. This collection of expansive essays explore travel, safety, racism, and other topics. What I am looking forward to is how her writing is a portal into place, often Haiti, and emotion, often passionately explored.
- Grief is for People, Sloane Crosley. A “new-to-me” author, but well known in the literary world, Crosley is the author of ten books that include novels and essays. That the title reframes the usually sad experience of grief as purposeful – “for people” – sparks my curiosity. How will this humor writer disrupt the common formulation for processing loss? I’ll have to pull out the flannel and find out.