Here is a list of my fav books to help you get through quarantine and enjoy the sunshine all summer.
Literature - Novels
I have to share that my husband is an author and all of the books on this list have been given to me by him. I was not a reader of fiction prior to meeting the man. I like to read essays and philosophy and always thought made up worlds in novels were boring until I had a curator to guide me in the right direction with literature.
Astragal by Albertine Sarrazin
”Astragal” means “Foot” in French
An amazing story written by a young French girl who herself was a prostitute and died at a very young age. It’s an unconventional love story that ends in tragedy.
I injured my foot the first summer I lived in NYC so my husband gave me this book. Since Patti Smith discovered it, she has written an intro, so you may already be familiar with this book, but if not READ IT NOW.
Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan
"Bonjour Tristesse” means “Hello Sadness” in French
Written by the author when she was only 18, this is a great summer and coming of age story. There are plot twists, but the overall listlessness of the novel suits the quarantine mood especially well.
I didn’t mean to make the top two books by French women, but here we are. I love this book, I got so into it that I would accidentally miss my stop on the train when I was reading it.
Play it as it Lays by Joan Didion
You may have already read this book, but if you haven’t it’s a most def, 100% must. Joan Didion Is a genius, her writing is so emotional and somehow detached at the same time. This is a story that takes place mostly in Los Angeles, following a married woman who can’t seem to put her finger on what’s the matter.
The opening scene in this book describes the main character driving the freeways of Los Angeles. When I lived in LA, I would hop in my car during any emotional crisis (of which there were many in my 20s) and drive the freeways, trying to comb the entire city, looking for an answer.
This book hit so close to home for me that I found myself acting like the character: suddenly I chain smoked and drank in bed. (I am not a big drinker at all). Highly recommend.
The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe
I recently finished this book and it Is GOOD in capslock. It’s about “career girls” in NYC - and peers into the lives of young women before womens’ lib. It was said to be the first book to openly talk about the secret things people did behind closed doors.
I can’t stop thinking about the characters, they sort of became my friends as I read the book and now I’m sad it’s over and I can’t see them anymore. The book was also made into a film by the same title with Joan Crawford and an all star cast. I haven’t watched it yet, but that’s happening very soon.
Another Country by James Baldwin
You may be familiar with this book if you’re a reader. James Baldwin is such an important writer.
This was the first piece of literature I read outside of school besides when I was trying to read classics like Catch 22 during my hand rolled cigarette days. It is so good that I laid on the couch every night after work in San Francisco and read it until there was no more to read.
The story takes place in New York – mostly Harlem and Greenwich Village. It follows a black man and his friends in pre-civil rights America. Before reading this book I felt like all my troubles were mine alone, that no one understood me, and then I read this and realized we all go through it, or worse.
Angels by Denis Johnson
This book follows two people who live somewhat aimless lives: a single mother with two children, and an ex convict. The characters will become your friends, people you want to keep checking in on every time you put the book down.
This is a precursor novel to Johnson’s very dense and hard to read Tree of Smoke, only it’s a much easier read and honestly just a damn good story.
I still think about one of the main characters, Bill Houston on a regular basis.
White Noise by Don Dellilo
You may also have had to read this book if you went to college and took a lit class. I know I did, but def did not actually read it. This book comments on the human experience in post modern America. It is so good that even scenes in mundane grocery stores are of utmost importance.
Consider this book the Andy Warhol’s Campbells Soup Cans of literature.
Literature - Short Stories
If you’re new to reading but really want to, short stories are a great place to start. Trust me, these are so much better than whatever you were forced to read and didn’t (maybe I’m projecting here). In short story books, not one story links to the other one, so instead of reading chapters of a large book, you feel accomplished by reading short stories one at a time.
Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill
Written in the 1980s, mostly in New York these short stories are from a female’s perspective. The 80s “shock value” is very present in these stories, but that era’s vibe is easy to overlook because the stories themselves are timeless and important.
Largesse of the Sea Maiden by Denis Johnson
Yes, that’s right, another Denis Johnson book. These short stories are hilarious, like laugh out loud funny. Just trust me and read them.
Can’t and Won’t by Lydia Davis
A very important voice in feminism, these short stories will also have you laughing if you’re cynical like me, or at the very least you will never want to stop reading them.
A Manuel For Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin
Also a very important feminist voice, these short stories will help you understand life.
Biographies
Maybe you’re not into fiction. Well then here are some biographies that I couldn’t put down
Naked by the Window: The Fatal Marriage of Carl Andre and Ana Mendieta
If you’ve followed along with the Periodical, you know I love Ana Mendieta. I’m not going to say Carl Andre killed his wife, but it sure seems like he did. The book is long, but it’s an easy read and goes through Ana Mendieta’s early life, her move to NYC, meeting Andre and then her ultimate death by “accidentally falling” out of a 34th floor window in Greenwich Village.
The Master of Us All: Balenciaga, His Workrooms, His World
I don’t know what made me read this book, but Cristóbal Balenciaga was such a visionary, learning about his life and work process somehow helped me. It also helped me stop comparing myself to others, mostly because I’m also a designer and had none of the same experiences or opportunities as he had, so it showed me how ridiculous it is that we ever compare ourselves to others.
Assata: An Autobiography
This book is so important. It’s about Black Panther Assata Shakur - her life, her involvement with the panthers, how she was framed for crimes she didn’t commit, and an ending if you’re not already familiar with I won’t spoil for you. (Just read the book, it’s so good).
This book also helped me come to terms with some of the struggles I had growing up, I’ve never really been good at putting my feelings to words or explaining myself, but after reading how Assata describes her upbringing and her reasons for reacting the way she did to some of the things she was exposed to, I realized I experienced a lot of the same feelings without being able to recognize why. So helpful.
Loulou & Yves: The Untold Story of Loulou de La Falaise and the House of Saint Laurent
This book is about Lou Lou La Falaise, who worked with Yves Saint Laurent for almost her entire life. She was a huge part of the company and played a major role in the success of the brand. Oh how annoying it is that men even get to dress women. Anyway, no shade on YSL, he rules but of course I’d never heard of Lou Lou La Falaise until this book, smdh.
