Category Archives: What I’m Reading Now

Monsters, Miss Americana, and Me: A Taylor Swift Fan’s Objection

As I listened in this crowded room to a discussion referencing the names we’ve come to associate with fan exodus–JK, Woody, Roman–a particular biography that is everywhere began to form a montage in my thoughts unbidden: the biography of Taylor Swift. A biography dear to me as a Swiftie who’s found great joy not only in the music of Taylor Swift but in the Swiftie TikTok community that admittedly relishes connecting the dots between her lyrics and what we know of her life. Like a whirring and clicking microfiche in a movie about a 1970s exposé, my inner filmstrip zoomed in and offered up grainy images of Taylor’s reported new love interest, Matty Healy, at her May 2023 concerts in Nashville and Philly followed by truncated clips of TikToks outlining the questionable quality of the character of this guy, lead singer of the band 1975 and a known “provocateur” (ugh!). Over the last day, the temperature of the conversation had escalated, and I’d seen TikToks allude to his harmful comments. I watched but didn’t investigate, perhaps because I didn’t want it to be true. Continue reading

Posted in More Stuff for Writers, Taylor Swift, What I'm Reading Now | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What I’m Digging Right Now #5

I love this time of year! My two yearlong classes* have wrapped up, and while I’m still coaching and teaching a few classes, I’m mostly reading, writing, getting my yard under control, and hanging out with friends and family. So, … Continue reading

Posted in More Stuff for Writers, What I'm Digging Right Now, What I'm Reading Now | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

What I’m Digging Right Now #4

 Alison Bechdel Right now I’m preparing to teach a new course called “Writing the Self” at Seattle University where I’ll be a visiting writer next winter. We’ll be examining the autobiographical impulse in multiple literary genres, including graphic novels. I … Continue reading

Posted in More Stuff for Writers, What I'm Digging Right Now, What I'm Reading Now | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What I’m Digging Right Now

Moonlight and all the conversations surrounding this film. I’m touched by the autobiographical impulse behind Moonlight; the vulnerability of the writer and the director, Tarell Alvin McCraney and Barry Jenkins, and the complexity of the protagonist, Chiron; and the simple … Continue reading

Posted in More Stuff for Writers, What I'm Digging Right Now, What I'm Reading Now | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Two Good Reasons to Read Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit

I first learned of Twyla Tharp’s book The Creative Habit from Claire Dederer, author of Poser: My Life in Twenty-Three Yoga Poses, when she quoted Tharp during a guest lecture for my memoir class. The quote? “You don’t really have … Continue reading

Posted in More Stuff for Writers, What I'm Reading Now, Writing Tips | Tagged , | 10 Comments

For the Love of Lynda Barry

To love the work of an artist or writer you believe has not received due recognition is its own special hell. You’re doomed to an infinite loop of recitation as you eternally rattle off X’s accomplishments and chant reminders of … Continue reading

Posted in More Stuff for Writers, What I'm Reading Now | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Divorce Is The Worst

Divorce Is The Worst is the book you should bravely buy for your divorcing friend. You could leave it in your friend’s car after you go out for tea with him. You could go by her house with a casserole … Continue reading

Posted in Author Interviews, More Stuff for Writers, What I'm Reading Now | Tagged | Leave a comment

Theo’s Summer Reading Recommendations

Interested in learning more about personal narrative and memoir? Here are some books you might want to read: Barrington, Judith. Writing the Memoir.Eighth Mountain Press, 2002. Goldberg, Natalie. Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir. Free Press, … Continue reading

Posted in Memoirists, What I'm Reading Now | 10 Comments

What I’m (Re)reading Now: Lynda Barry’s One! Hundred! Demons!

I read–devoured?–Lynda Barry’s One Hundred Demons last summer, mostly prone on the chaise on my balcony. It was more ecstatic transporting than true reading.  One Hundred Demons is a graphic novel, using the term in the loosest form, that portrays … Continue reading

Posted in More Stuff for Writers, What I'm Reading Now | 3 Comments

Interview with Naturi Thomas, author of HOW TO DIE IN PARIS

Can a book about being homeless and suicidal be poignant AND funny?  After reading Naturi Thomas’ memoir, HOW TO DIE IN PARIS, I would have to say the answer is yes.  Within a few pages of the book, the narrator’s … Continue reading

Posted in Author Interviews, Memoirists, What I'm Reading Now | 1 Comment