What I’m Into (November 2016 edition)
by Stacey
Today I’m going to borrow a post idea from my one of favorite bloggers, Modern Mrs. Darcy. Each month, Anne writes a post called What I’m Into and I’m always excited to see what has caught her eye that month. So here goes…
What I’m Reading…
I have to admit that the election hit me hard and I really couldn’t concentrate on anything. Usually when I’m in a reading slump, I turn to mysteries and thrillers but for some reason, I downloaded The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory and it was the best possible pick. Being immersed a world so totally different from our own was exactly what I needed. And you know what? There was some pretty crazy political stuff going in the time of Henry VIII too.
What I’m Watching…
This month I watched the third season of The Fall which was completely unrealistic but still super fun and the first few episode of season three of The Affair which might just be my current favorite show.
What I’m Talking About…
Shortly after the election, I turned to Facebook and asked if anyone might want to read the book Hillbilly Elegy with me. Hillbilly Elegy is a memoir written by J.D. Vance who grew up in Appalachia and went on to graduate from Yale Law School. I was hoping that this book would teach me about a part of the electorate that voted for Donald Trump. I asked if anyone wanted to read with me and get together to discuss what we had learned. I expected a handful of people to respond. But… last night fifteen people, some I knew but many, many more friends of friends, joined at my favorite book store, The Curious Reader, to discuss the book, what we had learned and what we could do to learn more. I love the power of books to bring people together and I am thrilled that our group will be meeting again.
What I’m Writing…
This was a month to get back to writing. I had been in a real slump and I realized that writing makes me feel better and it was time to get back to it. I spent ten days writing to short prompts with the super wise Jena Schwartz and now I’m in an interesting on-line class with Jessica Smock and Stephanie Sprenger of the HerStories Project called Using our Words to Change our Worlds. It is great to be putting pen to paper again. Or fingers to keys but you know what I mean.
What I’m Listening to…
Podcasts, podcasts and more podcasts. A few of my current favorites are The Axe Files, From the Front Porch and What Should I Read Next.
So now it’s your turn. What were you in to this November? I’d love to know…
Ditto the election/concentration problems here. This month I mostly read 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel, by Jane Smiley, and was encouraged by her argument that reading novels can change society. I’ve been watching Friends with my 15-year-old son, which is maybe my favorite activity ever. I’ve been listening to peace and quiet, home alone most days with no kids, no hubs, no job. I love your idea of a book discussion group for Hillbilly Elegy. May consider starting something similar around here.
I read The Other Boleyn Girl a few years ago and loved learning about the history through her words. I like watching The Affair too – great writing and compelling characters.
SO great you’re doing those writing groups. I saw the first two seasons of The Affair and loved them. But now we don’t have Showtime so I’m going to behind. 🙁
I enjoyed reading your post about what you’re in to. It’s so hard when external forces (i.e. the election) keeps us from doing what we love. I get that! I also watched “The Fall” and was pleasantly surprised by this third season. Also liking “The Affair,” but I almost wonder if I should save all the episodes and binge watch them. I’m finding I like shows better that way now.