7. A Girl’s Story by Annie Ernaux *(Patti says it’s heavier than The Bell Jar)
8. Notorious by Maureen Dowd (Patti hasn’t read it yet but has a lot of respect for her work and has interviewed her a few times; Maureen is an NYT columnist).
Coming to this post late, but I'm really enjoying reading all of the recommendations in the comments and thought I would add a few of my favorites I haven't seen mentioned:
Lucy Ives (always brilliant, especially a fan of her novel "Life Is Everywhere" and her essay collection "An Image of My Name Enters America"), Nikki Giovanni, Bernadette Mayer, Alice Notley, Anne Waldman, Maggie Nelson
What an inspiring selection of writers. It would be great to read the work you've done on "The Waves". My favourite passage from this book is the scene in Hampton Court: I often re-read it, as I find it one of the most beautiful pieces ever written.
I love Virginia Woolf, and when in Bloomsbury, I always go to Tavistock Square to salute Virginia's bust in the garden.
Love hearing you describe the books you've read! I just moved from Florida to Tours, France. We brought just four suitcases and two carry-ons. Sold or gave away most of our possessions. I gave many books to family and friends. Donated many more to the library. Left the remaining, 100 or so, to be sold in an estate sale. Leaving behind books was the most difficult part of moving. So, my question is, how did you manage to keep so many of the books you treasure? The ones you have from the 1970's?
Not to discredit or minimize the struggles and triumphs of the women here celebrated, but I'm unmotivated to persevere as I am weary of finding my experiences of blackness (African American) absent from the party. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. . .
My new pleasure is to hear you talking as long as I can. So great do find out new books of author that I already admire, as Sylvia Plath. And, as a brazilian, I cried when you mentioned Clarice Lispector <3
There are easy solutions to avoid the mirror effect on your vids. As you often share books in a show and tell format it would be useful if what you are sharing isn't backwards and illegible. Enjoy your posts, C.
Thanks so much for these suggestions Patti. Some writers I particularly love are Elif Shafak, Yaa Gyasi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I wonder if you are familiar with the French artist Sophie Calle's work? All of her books are objects of beauty!
Dear Patti, A few days late...Thank you for sharing just a few of the amazing women writers that you like... here are a few contemporary writers I like, Isabel Allende, Suleika Jaouad, Elizabeth Gilbert, Kirstin Hannah, Amy Tan, Elena Ferrante, Cheryl Strayed, and Julia Fehrenbacker (poet) Julia always full of love, light and hope.
Hi Patti, I'm a visual/concrete poet from the UK (based in Berlin), currently working on my second book of concrete poetry. I'd love to connect with you and discuss possible visual-poetic translations of your work. If you happen to be interested, you can discover previous work on my website https://www.kittydoherty.com/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kldwriting/?hl=en. Thanks so much! Kitty
A few days late replying to this. That light on your bed is quite angelic, in some kind of way. My birthday is on the same day as International Women's Day .. which I quite like. I'm not a woman / I prefer to keep a low profile on my birthday. Either way, someone who I have felt some kind of strong connection to since I was about 17, Jack Kerouac, his birthday is a few days after mine. I posted this today in connection with this -- https://substack.com/@nightlymoth/note/c-99971075?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=lqmvf -- I know you will have seen this, but I put the pages from the Mexico City Blues after the video, with Bob's and Allen's voices. I liked how it turned out.
Also, just want to thank Patti and commentors here ( here's looking at you @robinflicker, who have mentioned translators. Translators are often overlooked and play an enormous and often unthanked role in bringing great global literature to us.
1. Villette by Charlotte Bronte
2. Astragal by Albertine Sarrazin
3. The Runaway by Albertine Sarrazin
4. The Colossus by Sylvia Plath
5. Ice by Anna Kavan
6. A Bright Green Field by Anna Kavan
7. A Girl’s Story by Annie Ernaux *(Patti says it’s heavier than The Bell Jar)
8. Notorious by Maureen Dowd (Patti hasn’t read it yet but has a lot of respect for her work and has interviewed her a few times; Maureen is an NYT columnist).
9. The Waves by Virginia Woolf
10. The Lover by Marguerite Duras
11. The Cafe with No Name by Robert Seethaler
Coming to this post late, but I'm really enjoying reading all of the recommendations in the comments and thought I would add a few of my favorites I haven't seen mentioned:
Lucy Ives (always brilliant, especially a fan of her novel "Life Is Everywhere" and her essay collection "An Image of My Name Enters America"), Nikki Giovanni, Bernadette Mayer, Alice Notley, Anne Waldman, Maggie Nelson
What an inspiring selection of writers. It would be great to read the work you've done on "The Waves". My favourite passage from this book is the scene in Hampton Court: I often re-read it, as I find it one of the most beautiful pieces ever written.
I love Virginia Woolf, and when in Bloomsbury, I always go to Tavistock Square to salute Virginia's bust in the garden.
Love hearing you describe the books you've read! I just moved from Florida to Tours, France. We brought just four suitcases and two carry-ons. Sold or gave away most of our possessions. I gave many books to family and friends. Donated many more to the library. Left the remaining, 100 or so, to be sold in an estate sale. Leaving behind books was the most difficult part of moving. So, my question is, how did you manage to keep so many of the books you treasure? The ones you have from the 1970's?
Villette is my favorite Bronte novel. Reminds me to reread. I’m getting old snd there’s not an infinite amount of time!
Patti you are so sweet. I love being a fellow book nerd with you.
Not to discredit or minimize the struggles and triumphs of the women here celebrated, but I'm unmotivated to persevere as I am weary of finding my experiences of blackness (African American) absent from the party. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. . .
this.
My new pleasure is to hear you talking as long as I can. So great do find out new books of author that I already admire, as Sylvia Plath. And, as a brazilian, I cried when you mentioned Clarice Lispector <3
Hi Patti,
There are easy solutions to avoid the mirror effect on your vids. As you often share books in a show and tell format it would be useful if what you are sharing isn't backwards and illegible. Enjoy your posts, C.
Thanks so much for these suggestions Patti. Some writers I particularly love are Elif Shafak, Yaa Gyasi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I wonder if you are familiar with the French artist Sophie Calle's work? All of her books are objects of beauty!
Dear Patti, A few days late...Thank you for sharing just a few of the amazing women writers that you like... here are a few contemporary writers I like, Isabel Allende, Suleika Jaouad, Elizabeth Gilbert, Kirstin Hannah, Amy Tan, Elena Ferrante, Cheryl Strayed, and Julia Fehrenbacker (poet) Julia always full of love, light and hope.
Hi Patti, I'm a visual/concrete poet from the UK (based in Berlin), currently working on my second book of concrete poetry. I'd love to connect with you and discuss possible visual-poetic translations of your work. If you happen to be interested, you can discover previous work on my website https://www.kittydoherty.com/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kldwriting/?hl=en. Thanks so much! Kitty
A few days late replying to this. That light on your bed is quite angelic, in some kind of way. My birthday is on the same day as International Women's Day .. which I quite like. I'm not a woman / I prefer to keep a low profile on my birthday. Either way, someone who I have felt some kind of strong connection to since I was about 17, Jack Kerouac, his birthday is a few days after mine. I posted this today in connection with this -- https://substack.com/@nightlymoth/note/c-99971075?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=lqmvf -- I know you will have seen this, but I put the pages from the Mexico City Blues after the video, with Bob's and Allen's voices. I liked how it turned out.
Best wishes to you,
nightly moth.
Thank you for sharing books! Wish I had more time to read. <3
Patti, when is your book coming out?
Also, just want to thank Patti and commentors here ( here's looking at you @robinflicker, who have mentioned translators. Translators are often overlooked and play an enormous and often unthanked role in bringing great global literature to us.