a ten-minute video where I talk about books and being brave, bold and daring
Whether you want to be enraptured with the last exhalation of a beautiful and brave women’s life, or embark on a cold, quiet, elegant journey with a writer who rhapsodizes on her life-long obsession with the color blue and all of its twisted and magical meanings and overtures, I implore you to read these two books now: Carole Maso’s Ava and Maggie Nelson’s Bluets.
And yes, I realize this video is TEN MINUTES LONG, practically Titanic for our fickle attention spans. But I propose that it’s a ten-minute chat between old and new friends. As I mentioned in the video, books have this magical way to provide clarity in the midst of emotional chaos; literature has been my refuge, home, for as long as I can remember. The first thing in my hand that I loved was a book, and my affection for literature never tires.
So this is me, a woman, a writer, looking within and on the page in an effort to chip away at the dark.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Felicia, you’re such a natural at this! Thank you for your thoughtful and inspiring post. You meld the review with the personal so wonderfully.
Have you seen this book by William Gass: http://tinyurl.com/lnbw8g
Hope you’re feeling better! I’ve missed your presence on Twitter. I’m the same way about books: they’ve been my refuge ever since I can remember.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Felicia, I can completely relate to taking refuge in books and to your desire to always have a plan for the future. It’s the hardest thing for me to be patient and see what life brings! I’m so ready to jump ahead and see what happens next. (Much like the way I read books the first time around.) Lately, I’ve been wanting to read specific books over again instead of spending time with new ones. I guess that’s a reaction to not knowing where my life is headed — at least I know what to expect at the end of my favorite stories.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Cheryl – I couldn’t agree with you more. There’s comfort in mainstays. However, what I love about re-reading some of my favorite books is the fact that I see them differently each time I read them. My take on Madame Bovary changes every five years. And I hope that I can attribute this to growth and perspective.
Brava to holding our beloveds close.
Delia – Thanks! I will have to check out the Gass recommendation. I’m never opposed to a book expansion.
xo
September 18th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Felicia, thank you. I will check out both books. I always go back to poetry. “Grace Notes” and anything else by Rita Dove.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=172132
http://www.afropoets.net/ritadove12.html
September 20th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Kathleen – I haven’t read any Rita Dove, but I love poetry. Thanks for the great recommendation!