I picked up some books (way too many and I had to carry them home) during my travels in South Africa and Botswana. I was there to do academic research in several archives, and along the way, I spent time in several bookstores. Here are my thoughts on some of these books, now that I've... Continue Reading →
“All my life, I have fought against white domination and black domination, and cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society. It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” —Nelson Mandela, 20 April 1964 Today I visited the prison where Mandela was held until 1990. We were led in a tour... Continue Reading →
I’m headed to South Africa and Botswana in a week, and while I’ve been packing for this three-week-long research trip, I’m realizing that my biggest worry is what I will bring with me to read! I don’t like e-books, so I am planning to bring actual physical copies of books, but I also have to... Continue Reading →
It has been a rough week at my house, for several reasons, many of which I won't write about. But yesterday a lot of emotions overflowed when I received a letter from my piano teacher, Kris Davis, the one who guided me through my adolescent years. More accurately, I received a letter from her husband.... Continue Reading →
Here are my five-word book reviews of what I read this April and May. Here's April. 📚 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: Seems Lighthearted, Has a Twist 📚 Educated by Tara Westover: Journey Away from Messy Family (I can relate!) 📚 The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch: Comedy of Errors Meets Hamlet 📚 Thimble Summer by... Continue Reading →
I've settled into my new assistant professor position at a university near my home. This means I commute less and read more! February was a productive month in terms of reading. Here's what I read. My favorite read from February was The Star Side of Bird Hill (2015) by Naomi Jackson. It is a gorgeous story... Continue Reading →
At the end of each year, many of us reflect on who we are what we did and what goals we may have for the future. I don't tend to set new goals at the start of a new year. I'm not sure why. My life is pretty goal-oriented, so I feel like I just... Continue Reading →
When I was in ninth grade, a boy grabbed me, pulled me into a dark doorway, pushed me against the wall, pushed himself against me, and made me kiss him. He shoved his tongue into my mouth and it tasted like Dr. Pepper. I didn't drink Dr. Pepper for 20 years after that. That was... Continue Reading →
It has been years since I've felt like I've read for pleasure. I mean, of course I have, but even when I was, I felt like I had to post a detailed analysis of it on this blog, or that I had to write a paper about ti for a class, or I wasn't reading... Continue Reading →
