Our House in the Middle of Our Street

  Canoeing down Pitt River in Pitt Meadows  This is a good spot to stop you---before I'm even ahead-- and tell you that by putting off the reflecting on these books before months have passed, that I don't remember all the details now. When I talk about a book with someone, I can typically remember the general jist, whether I liked it or not, and how I *felt* reading it (or completing it). This is what I can offer you right now, in these reviews. Some, I will not remember much detail, but the jist.  The Tradition by Jericho Brown - This book of poetry was a 2020 Pulitzer Prize winner, so I knew I wanted to check it out after I heard Brown on the On Being podcast and was entranced by his conversation. I remember liking this book of poetry but not loving it. It was mostly about the body, and it's connection to the world in many different ways.  Master of None by Jordan Raynor - This is the second book of Raynor's that I've read, and I enjoyed both of them. I had my l...

  late summer beach time with long-time friends Well, we are already down another month in 2020. It is September. The year where time is so bizarre it's equally surprising that we're rotating into Fall and wishfully hoping we'd fast-forward into a new year with better realities. My attention and focus has taken such a hit in the last 6 months that I barely have any books to share, so I have to double up months for my list to look normal.  The pandemic (et al.) has affected everyone differently, but my lack of ability to read deeply, or well during this time has been an interesting shift in my normal life. I expected things to look differently.  Now, each book feels like a small victory! Over the last month, I've felt a shift in my ability to consume literature; it's creeping back. I'm starting a lot of books but trying to really push through the sleepiness, distractions, and restlessness that have marked my reading year.  *Edit in December* The inability to com...