Matt > Recent Status Updates

The words in this book smolder on the page.

What the fuck

Takes a minute to get going, then it really takes off around page 40.

Reading these stories before bedtime... because the difference between bravery and foolishness is all about perspective, or something like that, ha.

Just read the first half of this two-novella novel in one sitting and... whoa... this shit is gruesome and hilarious! Going to read the 2nd half tomorrow. Wow.

This book might just be fucking incredible

Skipped the intro as it's the longest intro I have ever seen in a book of poetry, will circle back to it though.

Getting back to reading two poems a day.

Bought this on impulse from an indie bookstore in LA that is in trouble due to the pandemic (one of several in town). I've read other stuff by Butler, and so far this feels like him in total command of his craft.

Goodreads gave me a copy of this book for free last month, so I hope they will be happy to see that I have changed the status to Currently Reading. Also I love the book so far.

I’ve read a number of these essays before in their original publications, and have said for a long time now that Elisa Gabbert is one of my favorite writers and “Vanity Project” is one of my favorite essays of all time, so getting to reread them here in print is an absolute delight—bleak subject matter aside; yes she’s that good.

Unfortunately I am not enjoying this very much. There is a fundamental issue with the premise and a lack of veracity from the narrator. I am putting it aside from now to catch up on other books I've obtained during quarantine.

Picked this up after hearing the author on the Otherppl podcast, she seemed super smart and down to earth. I can't remember the last time I felt so engrossed in a story collection. Jordan Harper's Love and Other Wounds, maybe?

Onto the final section of the book. Many of these essays are re-reads for me, and I think I want to write something longer about several of them and how they've influenced my thinking over the years. Just noting this here.

Haven't fallen so head over heels for a prose style since I read Stephen Florida in 2017. Just amazing writing and compelling characters right out of the gate.

Funny and concerningly relatable.

God this book is fantastic

Re-reading this because the person I loaned it to gave it back to me and I felt like it.

Ditto the Rimbaud, I’ve been read a couple of these every morning lately

Been reading this one for a while as part of my deal where I read a poem every morning before I look at my phone or computer.

Frank, Charlotte, Rosemary, Joan, Lou, Barrone, Seraphine... characters I won’t forget for a very long time. A masterfully written novel by a writer whose older books I will be seeking out and whose future books I will be waiting for.

Instantly engrossing and so well-written.

The two main characters are good, but the story/stories are pretty uneven. In fairness the book is getting better as it goes on.