What We're Reading (and Watching!) - May Edition
It's hard to believe May is already here. In Oregon, the weather is getting warmer, the sun is out, and it's becoming a bit more difficult to shelter in place. I'm very grateful that I have a backyard to escape to, and that I can take long walks around my neighborhood, but it would be so nice to escape for a hike or a beach trip!
Since it's the beginning of a new month, I wanted to introduce our book club pick for May! This month, we'll be reading This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. In honor of Mother's Day and Father's Day, my "theme" for the month was parenting and families, and I have both heard and read wonderful things about Frankel's novel. This Is How It Always Is follows the Walsh-Adams family, whose youngest child, Claude, realizes he wants to be a girl at the age of five. The novel takes us through the family's journey of change, the tough choices parents must make, and the complexities and joys of raising a transgender child.
This Is How It Always Is is a semi-autobiographical and fictionalized account of Frankel's own family: one of her children was born a biological boy but now identifies as a girl. You can read an interview with the author about her experience, and about writing this novel, here. I'm so excited to read this book and to learn more about transgender issues.
I've got quite a bit on my reading list for May. In addition to our book club book, I'm hoping to get through quite a bit this month and am looking forward to taking you through it all! Currently, I'm listening to Dune by Frank Herbert in preparation for the December film release. The audiobook is fantastic, complete with a full cast of narrators, sound effects and creepy music. I'm a big science fiction fan, and love me some Timothée Chalamet, so I'm loving it.
I've been watching Ozark on Netflix, and have quickly become obsessed. Laura Linney is a boss. For those of you who aren't familiar, Ozark follows a financial advisor (Jason Bateman) turned money launderer who, after his partner is killed by a cartel, moves his family to Missouri to wash millions of dollars to appease his boss. It's definitely a binge-worthy show.
My husband and I have also started a bit of a challenge for ourselves: to watch every James Bond movie in order. I haven't really seen many - if any? - of the films so it's been fun! I read an article (and of course I can't remember where I found it!) about setting goofy television and movie-watching challenges like this, and as we're still in quarantine I think I might need to come up with some more!
Happy reading and watching! I hope you'll read along with us this month!
-Emily
*Cover image by illustrator/artist Abbey Lossing!