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 →
I’ve had a stressful and unhappy year. My oldest daughter barely survived seventh grade. There were enough tears to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and there were many nights spent worrying over her. There were also many evenings of stressing over homework and grades and friends and boys and teachers and clothes and gym class.... Continue Reading →
The Bookshelf of Emily J. 