What Are You Reading Now? Show Us Your Bedside Table! (No, not that drawer)

She Writers, what are you reading? We are introducing a new feature on She Writes (well, new-ish), an invitation to ALL She Writers to tell us what you are reading now. We have had the wonderful luck to have several of you contribute columns to our "What She's Reading Now" series (if you want to pitch us on one, check out the submission guidelines here), but we'd like to add a component to this that's a little more fast and loose: take a snapshot of the book (or books) on your bedside table, and give us a line or two about what you are reading now.

In case it isn't obvious, I am a complete and total book-aholic, and am always reading something. (Just finished Tess of the D'Ubervilles last night, lest you think I only read books written by women -- far from it!) In addition, I always have a stack of books on my Ikea-nightstand, cued for launch, my version of an "on-deck" circle. I wanted to share them all with you, with a special shout-out to those written by She Writers I adore.

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY: The Election That Changed Everything for Ameri...
by Rebecca Traister
I have been wanting to read this book ever since I got hooked on Rebecca Traister's brilliant reporting -- and political commentary -- during the 2008 election on Salon.com. If you like your critics smart, deep, and fearless, you will love it too.

THE FOREST FOR THE TREES: An Editor's Advice to Writers
by Betsy Lerner
If you want to know why I'm going to (re)read this, read Erin Hosier's post about this seminal book, now in a revised edition, from last week on She Writes. It pretty much says it all.

GREAT HOUSE: A Novel
By Nicole Krauss (who is not a member of She Writes -- somebody, please invite her!)
I was intrigued by the NY Times Book Review cover story on this book, and particularly keen to read a young woman writer frequently mentioned as one of the best American fiction writers working today. (See, NYTBR does matter, which is why we have to stay ON THEIR CASE about reviewing and featuring books by women!) The History of Love is also on my list.

BUNNY LAKE IS MISSING (Femme Fatales: Women Write Pulp)
By Evelyn Piper
I love this series from the Feminist Press (thank you Jean Casella!) "In this fraught and at times freakish tale of suspense, Evelyn Piper takes us deep into the psyche of the 1950s to explore American fetishes, fallacies, and fears around motherhood and sexuality. " Need I say more?

DO IT ANYWAY: The New Generation of Activists
by Courtney E. Martin
I am lucky to count the inimitable Courtney Martin as a friend, but even if I didn't, I would have been drawn to this book. In these trying times, stories of activism, featuring young people with strong beliefs and the will to risk everything in the service of their mission -- feels like just the thing I need to inspire me and restore my hope.

THE MUDDY CUP: A Dominican Family Comes of Age in a New America
by Barbara Fischkin
I love literary nonfiction and stories generated by cultural analysis and reportage, and this title and its subject spoke to me. One of my closest friends (who also happens to be the woman who cares for my children while I am at work) immigrated here from the Dominican Republic, and I am eager to read this book to deepen my understanding of her experience.

SEARCHING FOR TAMSEN DONNER
By Gabrielle Burton
On a recent trip to California, I had the great pleasure of meeting Gabrielle Burton (who joined Hope Edelman, Carley Knobloch and me for lunch), and we agreed to do a book swap -- I sent her mine, and she sent me hers. I am really looking forward to reading it -- Gabrielle's reputation as a novelist was enough to hook me, but the Booklist description sealed the deal: "Burton was first drawn to the story of Tamsen Donner in the 1970s, just as she was becoming enmeshed in the women’s movement...The result is a thoughtful and engaging blend of history and memoir that inspires the reader to delve further into the Donner party’s fate, while at the same time enjoying Burton’s struggle to be both a full-time mother and successful writer." Mother writers -- I think this one should move up fast on your "to-read" lists.

So...what are you reading now? Take a pic of your bedside table, and share a few lines about the books you are reading, or plan to read soon. If you tweet, give those authors some Twitter love with the hashtag #WSRN.

And don't think you have to be reading books (almost) all written by She Writers. But I think it should be obvious (by now) that I will never miss a chance to shout a She Writer out -- or read her latest book.

Tags: #things we care about, reading

0 members like this

Comment

You need to be a member of She Writes to add comments!

Join She Writes

Comment by Joan Colby on October 20, 2010 at 2:31pm: Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
Napoleon's Hemorrhoids by Phil Mason
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Comment by Densie Webb on October 20, 2010 at 2:14pm: Don't have a nightstand pile to snap. Mine are on my desk (the mess of which I would never make public), the coffee table, the dining room table, the kitchen table...you get the idea. Right now, finishing up a book called I Know You Love Me by Doreen Orion as part of research for my WIP. It's about stalkers and erotomaniacs, written by a psychiatrist, whose patient "knew" Dr. Orion was in love with her and stalked her for more than 8 years. Fascinating stuff.

Waiting in the wings is Ape House by Sara Gruen. I loved Water for Elephants, so am anxious to see how this one reads. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. To be honest, I was intrigued by the movie trailer and decided to get the book. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Never read it. Figured it was time. The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver. I read her book, We Need to Talk About Kevin about a year ago and it was deeply disturbing. So I'm back for more.

Comment by Brooke S. Musterman on October 20, 2010 at 2:11pm: i am currently reading the henry miller reader. but i think you should read my book, reptiles on caffeine. a perfect way to deal with daily stressors....b

Comment by Sheba Marx on October 20, 2010 at 2:10pm: I'm reading Margaret Atwood's Year of the Flood. Not a light book. I sure hope it has a happy ending because it is pretty depressing. To counter that, I'm also reading all of Fannie Flagg's books--light and funny. I've read two so far & ordered the rest from the library.

Comment by Holly Beck on October 20, 2010 at 1:38pm: Just want to encourage you all to read my book Revenge of the Dorkoids. Eventhough it is for grades 3-6 it is funny and full of pranks.

What books are on your child's bedside table?

Comment by Molly Campbell on October 20, 2010 at 1:17pm: I ordered the book you recommended about Tamsen Donner. My husband's comment: "Well, THAT won't be uplifting!" molly

Comment by The Agent on October 20, 2010 at 1:07pm: Also, I recently read "Bunny Lake is Missing" too! Weird. I saw the movie and was like, whoa. Of course the book that inspired it goes way deeper. Eerie to the max.

Comment by The Agent on October 20, 2010 at 1:01pm: I'm reading the new memoir by Darin Strauss, "Half a Life" (McSweeney's) It's about killing a 16 year old classmate in a car accident when he was in high school. Really beautifully honest, harrowing, and immediate. I finished it in two hours. I know it sounds like a downer but those are the best reads. Also, Marilyn Monroe's "Fragments" (new from FSG) is really perfect for the Marilyn people in your life who are like, "People don't realize how smart she was." She really did have great taste and handwriting, to be sure.