The Update - March 1st 2023

 

Welcome to The Update

It's basically just an excuse to talk about myself. 

        Welcome, readers, whoever you may be. Now, I think that it is safe to say that I neglect this "blog," if you can even call it that, more often than not. The problem is, reviewing books like this can be a lot of work, and I am a busy gal. Also, sometimes I just don't have that much to say about every book I read. So I decided to create what I have now officially dubbed "The Update," in which I update you on my life, mostly just pertaining to what I am reading, with a sprinkle (or maybe like a rain, I'm sure I will do this more often than not) of my own personal ideas about life and literature. Think of this as my informal newsletter, as I absolutely have no right to be releasing a newsletter, yet I intend to talk about my ideas as if I do have the agency to do so. Lol. 

    Now, there is something so cathartic about writing on a blog that you are pretty sure no one regularly reads. It means I can just say my peace, get all my little book ideas into the world, and then move on! As I write to you today in the midst of my International Law class that I have stopped paying attention to, I want to share some exciting news. I, Emma, have received my very first ARC!!!!!!! I know, exciting, right?! I LOVE the idea of getting an ARC. Like, it's all I have wanted since I decided I wanted it (lol) like two months ago. So, I did what every other bookstagramer has been doing since like 2012, and I signed up for Netgalley and applied for the ARCS! The problem is I have no platform, nor do I have the time or like creativity to create one. So, I got denied. A lot. Until yesterday, when I got that one fateful email saying I could actually read one, so, like, yay, go me! In the words of my roommate, this is the biggest accomplishment yet at college. She is not wrong. 

    Getting an ARC is obviously an exchange. I get to read the book early, and in exchange, I give an honest review. Easy enough, but I wanted to make sure that I could adequately give a review and so I decided to ramp up my "presence" online, being a reader who has received a single ARC and all. So I decided to do this; a little update on my reading currently because individually reviewing every book I have read over the last month is way too much work. So I will post this, and then when the time comes, stay tuned, and I will do a real proper review of the ARC. 

    So, what have I been reading lately? Quite a few things, actually. One of which has been the one and only The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by the one and only Taylor Jenkins Reid. I know I am like totally late to the party of this one, but I wanted to be sure to read it after reading a few of her other books first. Knowing this has been dubbed her "best one," I did not want to disappoint all her other books for myself. I have to say, it has sparked an interest in me to learn more about old Hollywood, specifically more about Elizabeth Taylor (on whom the book has been told to be loosely based.) I picked up her new official biography of her, and while I am not too far in, her life is fascinating. It's hard to read about an industry that greatly disrespects and controls women. I am only a little of the way in, and already Taylor has faced intense control from the people around her and a disheartening first marriage in which she was abused and mistreated. Such strong women from history inspire me, and I'm sure the message will continue to bring in Reid's book, and I look forward to reading more. 

    Speaking of TJR (you know, Taylor Jenkins Reid), I am so so very excited about the release of Daisy Jones and the Six in a few days. I loved the vibes of that book, and as an old music nerd, I am SO SO SO excited to hear Aurora as an actual album. I find it so cool that something from this beloved book, something like music, can be made an actual tangible (well, audibly tangible) thing. Plus, the cast looks perfect, the fashion looks so fun, and did I mention that the vibes are just totally there? The PR team has been working overtime on social media, releasing snippets of songs, and I am buying right into it because, obviously, it will be amazing. Also, did I mention how adorable Sam Claflin is because it's true? He is going to make the perfect Billy. Also, we LOVE a Suki Waterhouse moment, so clearly, this show will be a good time. 

    Shifting a bit to a more serious topic, last night I finished All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks, and while I did a short little Instagram post about it, I wanted to talk more about it here. This is a book that I think will stick with me for a long time, one which I will need to read again and again to fully grasp, one which I don't feel I am nearly old enough to understand and appreciate. Each essay must be savored, taken, and appreciated over time. Throughout the book, hooks discuss love, familial, romantic, and spiritual. It brings a perspective on love we may not always think of, promoting a love ethic and encouraging readers to choose love over all else. There were certain things I did not identify with in this book, the biggest being the religious component, but I also found immense comfort in this book, particularly at this point in my life. At the risk of getting too deep online here, I want to share with you exactly why. 

    Recently, my father passed away. We had a tumultuous relationship that was complex and difficult. I have often struggled to grapple with my love for my father in such a dysfunctional familial situation (as hooks would put it) in the face of my love for him as my parent. His death has, undoubtedly, been a sad affair and a time for reflection for me, and I am fortunate enough to have picked up hook's work during this time. One chapter in this book discusses love and death, how one needs to accept death, live with death, and accept real true love. This chapter gave me some insight into death, and I often found myself tearing up reading about it. I will not go too much into it, for I think it would be much more effective than reading hook's words yourself. Still, it has provided me great comfort in this time, and I wanted to reflect a bit upon it and how I am taking these ideas with me as I move forward with life after my father's passing. I have finished the book and would like to leave it be for now, but I know I have not fully digested it, and I hope to reflect back upon it occasionally. 

     Sorry to get a bit drab on you here, but I find it essential to reflect on all aspects of my life as they relate to the literature I am reading. Some of it is fun and fluffy, others deep and impactful, which is most certainly something I wish to reflect on here. In doing so, I also want to reflect on the hopeful, so to do so I wanted to share with you a few books I am very much so looking forward to reading, hopefully very, very soon! 

Catch me reading these titles soon: 

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi - I picked this one up in a fantasy-themed book store and am currently dazzled by the vibes it is giving. I need a good fantasy novel soon, and I have chosen this to be the one. 

My Body by Emily Ratajkowski - I hear nothing but amazing things about it; my roommate recently gifted it to me with a glowing review; therefore, I have bumped it up to the top of my TBR. 

Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth - angsty female horror contemporary fiction seems to be my new reading mood lately, and I LOVE the cover of this one, so I had to order on amazon! 

Ok, folks, that's all for today! I hope this was fun to read, and I'm sure I will come back with more of The Update soon, but Im not going to post at a specific time because, let's be real, we all know that's just not how I roll.  So go read a book, and maybe I will see you around!

xoxo,

Emma