Handmaids in NYC

While we were in New York, my partner and I took a stroll on The High Line, which is an elevated walkway and park near the Hudson River.  It's quite popular with tourists, because it allows great views of the cityscape without having to worry about traffic, panhandlers, or narrow sidewalks.  It's full length is almost a mile and a half (2.3km) long, extending from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street.

High Line at 20th Street (photo from Wikipedia)

One of the landmarks that the High Line passes is Chelsea Market.  While you can't directly enter the market from the walkway, there is a staircase and elevator that leads from the park to its 16th Street entrance.  In that same area, there are a lot of food and craft vendors set up, so you could buy an ice cream, sandwiches, art prints, and more.  For this weekend alone, commemorating the release of Hulu's adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, an art installation was set up in this area.

You can see the bonnets in the very left side of the lefthand photo.

Created by Paula Scher and Abbott Miller, the piece combines dark, repressive messages with inflated language and imagery to frightening effect.  There are bright, red images of handmaids, topped with lamp-like bonnets.  Beside each handmaid is a panel of slats, representing floor boards.  There are "missing" boards that display glowing phrases of resistance, including the most well-known "don't let the bastards grind you down".  In the cubbies created by the missing floor boards, were copies of The Handmaid's Tale that were free for passersby to take. I was lucky enough to walk through, not long after books had been re-stocked, so I snagged a copy! 

The book, with the Hulu promo cards that were being handed out around the art installation.  

In addition to the installation, there were also handmaids roaming the streets and subways of New York.  I came across a group of them around Chelsea Market, walking in pairs and groups.  It was really amusing to watch how passersby interact with the exhibit and the actors.  Some people had a clue of what was happening and why, but many others were completely befuddled. 

Considering how timely this story is, and how much I love The Handmaid's Tale, I'm definitely going to check out the TV series.  I'll probably wait until all of the episodes are released, however, so I can binge the entire thing over a weekend.  Since that won't be until mid-June, I'm going to try and plan a re-read of the book in late-May or early June, so it's fresh in my mind.

I was really fortunate to be in NYC at the time this campaign was going on, and I'm so thrilled to be able to get a commemorative copy of one of my favorite books!   Did you see the High Line installation, or what do you think about it?  Are you reading and/or watching The Handmaid's Tale?




Librorum annis,

My Indie Bookstore Day

It just so happened that the weekend my partner and I were in New York City was the same weekend of Independent Bookstore Day.  I only get to the city once or twice a year, so with the whole of Manhattan at my fingertips, I knew that I had to visit a few bookshops.  I almost always pop into The Strand, because it's so huge and full of nooks and crannies that are just perfect for browsing, but this time I decided to seek out other indie bookstores.  Of course, there were so many that I wanted to visit, but just didn't have the time.  Here is a rundown of my bookish adventures:

Posman Books, Chelsea Market

In the hustle and bustle of Chelsea Market - chocked full of restaurants, tourist shops, craft stalls, Food Network - there exists the bright and modern Posman Books outpost.  It's actually a bit cavernous, with low ceilings and a long space, giving shoppers the impression that it goes on and on and on...and I wish that it did.  Especially inviting was the whistle seat in the children's section, which is at the very back of the store.  If there hadn't been a pre-teen curled up there reading, I might've tried to squeeze my adult self into it.  Maybe next time.

The store is clearly and conveniently laid out, with tables of books in the front, organized into neat stacks, and more books on shelves against the wall.  In fact, my clumsy self was very conscious of those tables, with books stacked many volumes tall, for fear of knocking them to the floor.  I had visions of myself bumping into a stack, and sending an entire table of books to the floor, like displays of navel oranges in a grocery store.  Thankfully the store wasn't too packed, and I (and the books) survived unscathed. 

Housing Works Bookstore & Cafe, SoHo

Part of the Housing Works charity organization, this bookshop sells new and used books, movies, and music; hosts a diverse array of literary and community events; and provides employment and volunteering opportunities.  The space is large and very inviting, with dark wood shelves, spiral staircases and plentiful lighting.  In fact, it looks just like my dream home library.  This is a place I could easily spend all day browsing, and I hope to someday be in town to attend one of their events.  

There is a cafe in the back that sells coffee, tea, baked goods, sandwiches, beer and wine, and other tasty treats.  It was a very hot day when we stopped in, and we were grateful for the free water dispenser.  All of the proceeds from the bookstore and cafe go back to the philanthropy, so giving them your money is good for you and the community.  An added perk was that all items were 30% off for Indie Bookstore Day, so I definitely didn't walk out of there empty handed.

The aims of Housing Works are to end the plights of HIV/AIDS and homelessness through advocacy, entrepreneurial businesses, and community services.  Read more about Housing Works here.

McNally Jackson Books, SoHo

Literally just around the corner from Housing Works is McNally Jackson Books, a modern and crisply organized bookshop, with an unbelievable range of books.  There are extensive Staff Picks, a whole shelf devoted to chapbooks, and even a hilariously tongue-in-cheek section of recommendations by contentious political figures.  My favorite was Steve Bannon recommending Sinclair Lewis' satirical, anti-fascist novel It Can't Happen Here with "challenge accepted".

I was gobsmacked by the depth and breadth of international and translated works that are stocked at McNally Jackson, organized by country/area of origin, making it incredibly simple to choose books from just about anywhere around the world.  The bookshop also has a full-service cafe and hosts a wide variety of events.  There are also quite a few autographed copies of books available, so if that's your fancy you would be many options from which to choose. 

Three Lives Books & Company, Greenwich Village

Walking into Three Lives & Co. is like passing through a portal into another world - civilized world, where calm and sensibility prevail.  The city melts away and you're in a piece of heaven, with dark wood shelves, exposed brick, and a masterfully curated library.  My ideal of what a bookstore can be, and a true gem in this neighborhood.  Despite its small size, I could easily spend hours perusing the shelves and finding books I've never seen before and can't possibly live without.  There are works from small presses, interesting editions of classic books, and thoughtful collections of poetry, among many other books.  There's no coffee, no food (although someone had brought in a plate of brownies for Indie Bookstore Day), just books books books! 

I had a really fantastic time, visiting some new-to-me bookshops around Manhattan.  There are so many more that I want to visit, the next time I have a weekend in the city, but I can't help but think I'll be back to visit some of these as well.  I just love how each shop is curated and arranged so that it has a personality and character all its own.  Everyone, go out (or go online) and support independent bookshops!  As for the books I truly couldn't live without, here they are:

• Six Decades at Yaddo by John Cheever, Malcolm Cowley, Eleanor Clark, Alfred Kazin, Hortense Calisher, Gail Godwin - Six authors provide brief, personal essays of their time spent at the artist's retreat Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, NY.  I spent a few years in Saratoga Sprints, and visited the beautiful Yaddo gardens often.  While I doubt I'll ever be accepted for a residency there, the colony is a place that will always be fascinating to me (Yaddo)
• The Little Buddhist Monk & The Proof by Cesar Aira, translated by Nick Caistor - Two short stories in one book, comparing East and West.  The cover photo is of a pile of french fries, so how can it be bad!  This will be my first Aira, and I'm so excited to dive in. (New Directions)
• Notes on My Dunce Cap by Jesse Ball - A revolutionary pedagogical text, encouraging the reader to re-think traditional, hierarchical power structures in the classroom.  I'm planning on reading this in tandem with a re-read of bell hook's Teaching to Transgress, for my own classroom use. (Pioneer Works)
• Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski - If I see a Persephone Books edition out in the wild, and I don't already own it, there's a good chance I'll pick it up.  That's the case with this one - a used Persephone Classics edition that is in fantastic shape. (Persephone Books)
• Such Small Hands by Andres Barba, translated by Edmund White - Not a book about Donald Trump, in case you were wondering!  Mariana arrives at the orphanage, very different from the other girls, and has difficulty finding acceptance.  The story is told, alternately, from Mariana's perspective and from a collective chorus of the other orphanage girls. (Transit Books)
• Olio by Tyehimba Jess - Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry collection that incorporates song, story, fact, and narrative to talk about African American entertainers who worked during the Civil War era through World War 1. (Wave Books)

Did you visit any bookshops during Independent Bookstore Day?  Which did you visit, and what books did you find?




Librorum annis,

April Reading Wrapup

April was a busy month for bookishness.  National Poetry Month, National Library Week, World Book Day, and Independent Bookstore Day all happened this month.  I was also able to squeeze in two author events.  All of this, and I read a total of 13 books!  April was a rather winning month, indeed.  Here are the books!

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay (poetry)

This book exists in the Venn diagram of "humanity" and "nature".  Whether it's a fig tree growing miraculously in Philly's Italian Market, a bird hitting a windshield, or lying on the grass during a sunny day, the author beautifully captures the joys and sorrows of when the natural world and the human experience come together.

Never Caught: The Washington's Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar (non-fiction)

It may come as no surprise that, being wealthy Southern farmers, the Washington's held slaves.  Hundreds of them worked the fields, kept the house, and served the owners of Mount Vernon long before our first President was elected.  This book presents the biography of one of those slaves, Ona Judge, and her experience serving Martha Washington until her escape near the end of George Washington's presidency in Philadelphia.

A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin (short stories)

This is a fascinating collection of short stories that were compiled posthumously by Stephen Emerson.  What is particularly fascinating about them is that, although the individual stories were published in various places during her lifetime, when put together they feel linked.  It's almost as if there is a larger story that the author was trying to tell - the story of her life.  The editor graciously includes background information on Berlin, and after reading it (which I would recommend doing AFTER finishing the collection) the reader can clearly see how the characters in the stories were inspired by her own life experiences.

In Spite of Everything by Curtis Robbins (poetry)

The poet lost his hearing at age 1, and has gone on to a successful academic career - teaching deaf culture and American Sign Language.  This poetry collection entirely centers around the deaf experience, the ways in which it is similar and different from hearing experiences, and profiling some prominent, deaf writers.  If you are interested in learning about deaf culture and perspectives, I would highly recommend this collection.   

There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce by Morgan Parker (poetry)

One of the most ambitious and amazing poetry collections I've ever read.  It's surprising in its scope and also the depth and breadth of emotions it evokes.  It brilliantly mixes pop culture, social justice, and inter-sectional feminist topics with a deep rhythm and bright energy.  The wordplay is whip smart and packs a serious punch.

Greenery Street by Denis Mackail (novel)

A novel (originally published in 1925 and republished by Persephone Books in 2002) that gives readers a glimpse into the first few months in a generally happy marriage.  There are no issues of infidelity or any other serious temptations that might draw partners apart.  Instead, Ian and Felicity represent a devoted couple who are still figuring out how to be adults and how to live with each other successfully.  It's light, delightful, and very sweet.

An Age of License: A Travelogue by Lucy Knisley (graphic memoir)

During this graphic memoir, we follow the author on a whirlwind European trip that turns out to be so much more.  She is initially asked to attend a Comic Con in Norway, to talk about her experiences as a graphic artist and memoirist.  She decides to dovetail trips to Sweden (a love interest), Germany (friends' honeymoon), and France (mother's holiday with her friends) onto this trip.  We follow her as she stresses about making arrangements and packing, and dealing the unpleasant people she has to sit next to on flights.  She's also experiencing that ennui that many mid-20's aged people feel; she's between relationships, uncertain about her career, and constantly comparing her situation to those of her friends.

The Story of My Teeth by Valeria Luiselli (novella)

In this book, we are introduced to Gustavo Sanchez Sanchez (aka "Highway"), a factory worker-cum-auctioneer in a suburb of Mexico City.  He is also a collector - of objects, educational courses, stories, and ideas.  He has an ex-wife, Flaca, and an estranged son, Siddhartha.  This son appears later in his life, in a very sinister and surprising way.  Highway narrates 1/2 of the book, and tells the audience his story.  The next 3/8 of the book is narrated by Highway's "dental autobiographer", Jacobo de Voragine.  The final 1/8 is a chronology of historical events (called "The Chronologic") written by Christina MacSweeney.

Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe (non-fiction)

What the author does masterfully is to take complex, often technical, ideas and explain them in the most simple language.  This allows people of all language and education levels to learn and appreciate the concepts.  You won't need an advanced degree in engineering or chemistry to be able to understand this book.

Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen (graphic novel-comics)

A hilarious and completely self-conscious look at modern, female life.  Whether it's stealing your significant other's clothes, posting cat photos on the internet, or dealing with your monthly issues, this book covers it all.

Footnotes From the World's Greatest Bookstores by Bob Eckstein (non-fiction)

This is a beautifully crafted book, and would be a lovely gift for a lover of books, but especially for a lover (and visitor) of bookshops.  The author has curated a collection of diverse bookshops around the world, provided a brief overview (at most, a few sentences), some testimonials from authors or other bookish people, and a beautiful drawing of the building.  I found myself flipping through the book, picking out the ones I've visited and noting the ones I want to visit.

Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions by Valeria Luiselli (essay)

For those who aren't well-informed about the realities of immigration, this essay will be an awakening.  The dominant political rhetoric in the US does not at all reflect the truth, and actively avoids admitting culpability in the root causes for this immigration...which should really be called "seeking asylum".  These children are fleeing their home countries because there is no future without violence and poverty.  They are willing to risk everything for a chance at a better life.  If that isn't the American Dream, then I don't know what is.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (fiction)

The book centers around the modern day Black Lives Matter movement, but also gives some history and background information of what came before it.   It doesn't shy away from the hardships experienced by disadvantaged people, but gives those people the humanity that media outlets often don't. People are people; we all deserve justice, fairness, and truth - no matter our outward appearance.  That is the message of this novel, and this message is vital for us all to hear.


I'm looking forward to what May has in store!  Happy reading!




Librorum annis,