Book Chat Issue #62
A book to steal your heart
Hello reading friends
The weeks seem to be flying by, don’t they? I could have sworn I sent the last edition out just yesterday, and yet here we are again. I’m not complaining. This newsletter is a pleasure to write and I’m grateful that you have given me a space in your inbox.
If you’re new here, welcome. I’d love to know where you live and what kind of books you like to read, so feel free to hit reply and say hi.
What I’ve been reading
If we’re friends on Instagram, you'll have seen me raving about Stealing, by Margaret Verble. I was a bit reluctant to read this book because I knew it was about a Native American child being taken from her family and I wasn’t sure if would enjoy it. I know that sounds terrible, but sometimes it feels like there’s enough sadness in the world and I cope with that by reading lighter books.
But let me reassure you that although this book is sad and sometimes hard going, it’s also beautiful and memorable. The author, a member of the Cherokee tribe, has captured Kit’s young voice perfectly.
I thought the cabin was empty until I saw the red rooster out in the road. He was really flame orange, but people call those roosters red, and he had a big, bright green feather curling over the top of his tail. I had on my sneakers and walking in a smooth gully the rain had created. So I wasn’t kicking gravel or making any kind of noises, and he didn’t look up from his pecking until I was close on him. Then, he cocked his head to the side and looked me over, slit eyed.
It was March. I hadn’t been down that road since fall. And by the tilt of the rooster’s head, it was clear to me that he’d been around some time, maybe all winter. He owned that territory, or at least he owned the chicken part of it and he wasn’t going to give ground scared, or even in a huff . He lifted a foot, held it up in a claw for only a second, and then he walked off like he had business in the weeds he’d been meaning to get to all morning. I admired him for that.
Kit Crockett lives happily with her dad after the death of her mother. The mobile library delivers books once a fortnight and she spends most of her time fishing or playing with the carved frontiersmen (Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone) that her father whittles in his spare time. She’s a self-sufficient girl, reminiscent of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, but she’s also lonely, and is pleased when she makes friends with a new neighbour. Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, Kit’s father ends up in jail and Kit is sent to an orphanage to ‘get straightened out’. The conditions are terrible, but Kit is courageous and resilient. I learnt a lot reading this book, and encourage you to read it.
What I’ve been listening to
I have a couple of podcasts that I return to again and again. One is What should I read next? hosted by Anne Bogle. In the podcast, Anne asks her guest to name three books they love, and one that wasn’t for them. Sometimes people name books they haven’t enjoyed that are also on my list of ‘not for me’ and that always makes me smile. In her most recent episode, her guest named Stealing as one of her favourites, and The Book of Goose as one she didn’t enjoy. I didn’t like that book either, to be completely honest. Because I had just finished Stealing and loved it, I was interested to see what Anne recommended her guest read next. Her recommendations included Angie Kim’s new book Happiness Falls (not out yet) and Heavy by Kiese Laymon, which sounds interesting, but hard going.
Happiness Falls is going on my list. Not sure about Heavy. How do you feel about reading books you know are going to be confronting? I’m often torn between the desire to learn something, or just remain blissfully ignorant.
What I’ve been eating
I haven’t made anything exciting in the last couple of weeks, so I thought I’d share a favourite recipe from my collection.
Cheese and Corn Fritters
Book club
If you missed the announcement in the previous issue, the next book club pick is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I have a copy on order at my library and can’t wait to start reading. We will be meeting in mid October, so you have plenty of time to get your hands on a copy.
That’s all for this edition,
Keep well and thanks again for reading and commenting.
Marg xxx
I read Heavy. It is indeed very hard going. I’m glad I did because living in the US I feel these are the kinds of stories that have been typically silenced and that I’ve been unaware of. That said, this one can be especially bleak.
Marg, thx for your update on your reading list. Another one to check out. I enjoy corn fritters and they can handle many various sorts of toppings as well.