I had every intention of bringing Bus Reads back once I was in building after maternity leave, but you know, it’s a lot harder to find time to read when you are a new mom – who would have thought?! And while I still had my commute, it was really hard to focus…mom brain really is a thing! Now I find myself reading books about parenting or reading picture books with my kid, but I thought I’d write one more Bus Reads post for my last commute (Goodbye Seattle, hello Tacoma!)
Who Is Wellness For?: An Examination of Wellness Culture and Who It Leaves Behind by Fariha Roisin
There’s so much in this book that rocked me and checked my privilege, but at the same time I felt so much that resonated with my own life. I saw a lot of my husband’s trauma while reading it, also. Colonialism, patriarchy, capitalism, the nuclear family – causes so much harm. The earth, community, indigenous wisdom, mutual aid, transformative justice, female strength – everything that we devalue is the only way to survive. We are all we have. Wellness is for all, but not in the world we live in right now. How will you make a difference?
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Patricia’s life as a stay at home mom is quite tedious and unfulfilled. Her book club, with a group of mothers from her neighborhood, is the only thing she looks forward to. Together they read true-crime and suspenseful fiction – adventure through the written word. When a stranger moves into the neighborhood, all those books they have been reading might just come in handy! This was a hard one – I had to keep reminding myself of the time period because it got me quite riled up at how invisible the women in this book were to their spouses and, honestly, even to each other at times, but I also couldn’t put it down. Additionally, it’s a fun little horror read for the month of October! BOO!
I’ll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood by Jessi Klein
The thing about “mom” books is it’s hard to find ones that aren’t trying to make you a super parent…this is definitely not a super parent book. This book makes you laugh and cry at the craziness of motherhood, the loneliness of motherhood, and everything in between. All those things we were never told because for some reason it’s all still a big secret. This book shouts those secrets from the rooftop! I wish I read this sooner, but reading it now, I still get a rush of gratitude for its existence. Jessi feels like a best friend who takes your hand and says, “You are doing great. This is really hard. I see you.”
~ posted by Kara P.
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