Reading Stack for February 2023
Marilyn Monroe, a Greek Myth, an Eye-opener, a Mindful Refresher
What is it anyway?
Recently, a friend and I were talking about how the act of “writing”—literally filling a blank page with words—is only a small fraction of what the process really is. The seat at the local coffeeshop might be where the words officially move through your fingers, but the real writing is happening all the time.1 It’s happening while washing the dishes, running, walking the dog, relaxing, reading by the water.
The same is true outside the realm of books, from real estate agent to software engineer to athlete to chemist. Our work is infused with, and informed by, the way we do things, what we watch/listen to, who we spend time with, and what we think about.
Still, while it’s important to be intentional about our lifestyles, we also need to (sometimes) let ourselves turn off and (maybe) enjoy some dump-truck television.
How to reconcile the two?
Finding that balance is like locating an electron—always moving, impossible to pinpoint. But we can find it’s general vicinity.
I’m grateful to have found mine in the world of books.
Reading is my fuel. If I don’t read, I don’t write.
Anyway, y’all seem to prefer these lists to my soapbox, so I’ll move onto Febtober’s books.
But while I do, I encourage you to consider:
What’s yours? ⛽️
The Books 📚
1. Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates (Fiction)
I was floored by this novel. Most know Joyce Carol Oates as perhaps the greatest living short story writer, but this fictional retelling brings to life the Hollywood myth of Marilyn Monroe—aka Norma Jeane Baker—in a way that is more provocative than any biography or non-fiction book could. At a sturdy 750 pages, this National Book Award-nominee is the untold history of Norma Jeane: a modern day icarus, an orphan turned mega-star forged within the firmament of 20th century Los Angeles.
Before reading this novel, I knew little to nothing about Marilyn Monroe. Now, I'm thirsting for more. Between Oates masterful writing technique, clever referencing to well-known figures2, and biting social commentary, Blonde is more than a novel. It's a dazzling, portrait of a movie star, singer, and American icon. It’s a journey examining how Hollywood replaced Norma Jeane Baker’s innocent soul and artistic genius with drugs, smoke, and makeup.
If you get as hooked as I did, it might just be the best book you read this year.
(If you want a companion, subscribe to Good Scribes Only and it’ll come up on your feed when the episode releases next week 💥🎧)
2. Circe by Madeline Miller (Fiction)
You might remember this book from the October ‘22 reading list. For the episode on envy in season two of Good Scribes Only, Dan and I re-read Madeline Miller’s wonderful retelling of one of greek mythology’s lesser known tales.
The story follows a witch and titaness named Circe whom has classically been viewed as a fairly ‘evil’ sorceress. But Miller saw something more in Circe’s tale. She was not a vindictive, spiteful, entrapping witch, but rather a woman who was unfairly discarded by her family, treated poorly by a cascade of self-righteous men, and overcame all those slights to become extremely capable and cunning. One of the problems with greek myth is its antiquated language. Miller, however, has a skill (and a track record) for taking a modern slant on ancient stories, telling them with relatable imagery and language. It’s worth a read or listen.
(If you want a companion, subscribe to Good Scribes Only and it’ll come up on your feed when the episode releases this week💥🎧)
3. How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr (Nonfiction)
When I think of imperialism, Europe comes to mind. In How to Hide an Empire, however, Daniel Immerwahr challenges the reader to recalibrate what “imperialism” really means, and how the United States might be the largest empire in history, albeit of a different kind. The book is extremely well researched—I’m ashamed how little I knew about the US history in the Philipines, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska.
The highlight of the book is its final act. In one-hundred and fifty pages, the author shows how, after World War II, the United States moved away from blood, bone, and stone colonialism into a form that used innovations in electronics, transportation, and culture to devise new forms of influence. Still, while Immerwahr's writing style is solid, engaging, and shows an ability to weave together historical vignettes, I can’t help but feel the book could benefit from being significantly shorter.
If you are beholdened to reading a book in its entirety, this might be a skip for you. If you, however, abide by Umberto Eco’s anti-library and are willing to skip around, I would recommend it as an audiobook during a workout or walk.
4. The Path is the Goal by Chögyam Trungpa (Nonfiction)
Years back, I picked a book off my brother’s shelf that turned out to be one of the better mindfulness books I’ve come across. As it happens, Chögyam Trungpa is a well respected monk of the particularly difficult Tibetan buddhist tradition. The Path is the Goal is a combination of written works and transcribed seminars he has held across the world. I found this book a great read when I felt the need to slow down and debug my OS. His matter of fact yet philosophical style is quite distinct, and I found the change of pace refreshing. If you do give it a chance, this is the sort of book you will know straight away whether or not its for you.
A long time ago
I came to realize that I even if I read non-stop from birth until death I still would not come close to reading all the greatest books ever written. Surprisingly, it took the pressure off trying to read only the ‘greats’. So, in my early twenties, I committed to a life filled with books of all kinds. Reading time gets more scarce every year, and this relationship has led me to view reading as a privilege and a practice. Now, I read whatever sounds compelling, and write whenever I can free up a moment.
Remember, books are magic. Learning is magic. And my biggest wish is that you will treat your mind with the books it deserves.
It’s worth mentioning that we talk about most of these books on Good Scribes Only.3 If you ever feel like a reading companion would be nice, you might consider subscribing to the podcast. It helps us a whole lot, and the episodes'll show up on your feed.
They're also v goofy, so you might enjoy yoself ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Ok, bookeroos, that’s all for now. As always, reach out if there’s anything that I can be helpful with.
Thanks again for reading + for your continued support.
Hasta la próxima ✌️
—Jeremy
He had heard the local Austin poet, Roger Reeves speak on this, and I had read it in a book by the Vietnamese monk and writer, Thich Nhat Hanh.
Cass Chaplin, Joe Dimaggio, Arthur Miller, and Jon F Kennedy, to name a few
Plus Dan is basically that cool literature professor you always wanted.