News from Womb House Books
Hello from the void . . .
I want to begin by validating how you are feeling in your body. I see and validate your anger. I see and validate your grief. I’m asking for grace for myself and I’m giving you grace. Take the time to take care of yourself, and then let’s come together. Caring for ourselves is caring for each other.
“Your real job is if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then you need to empower somebody else.” —Toni Morrison
Being present in a feminist bookshop these past two weeks has been healing, and also, it’s been heavy. One woman told me, “I’m just trying to stay embodied,” while another replied, “I’m doing the exact opposite.” Another shopkeeper in Temescal Alley told me “I’m keeping things local. I’m focusing on the people closest to me, because when I pan out at the bigger worldview, I can’t handle it.” Staying embodied. Or not. Taking care of yourself. Keeping it local.
Some of us want some guidance for the time, and, as always the excellence and genius of Black women writers will show us the way—Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, bell hooks. Their work is all around us and always necessary. Others need a vector for anger, a way to process rage. I recommend my favorite novel of the year, Liars, by Sarah Manguso. Some of us want to laugh. I love Eve Babitz’s essay, “I Used to Be Charming,” a laugh-out-loud story on how she almost died in a fiery car crash on her way to brunch as a result of setting her harem pants on fire as she ash-ed from her joint.
We have three events this week at Womb House Books, our monthly book club meeting tonight, Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30pm will discuss Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen Ghodsee. Worthy discussions on what is sex, what is better sex, and why does it matter? We’ll also meet for a second time this Thursday, November 21st, at 6:30pm. Think about joining us. There’s power in just being together.
Tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 20th at 6:30pm, Sarah Thornton will be joining us to discuss her book, Tits Up, a history of breasts in America. Now, perhaps more than ever, bodily autonomy is at risk for all people in this country. We are blessed to have Sarah with us to discuss what she learned in her five year journey researching and writing this important book.
And finally, after the holiday, on December 1st at 5pm, we will be gathering to read “Last Letter” by Cookie Mueller to commemorate World AIDS Day.
Beginning in January, the Womb House Books Review will be a paid subscription to support writers who would like to contribute their work and be paid for their writing. We are looking for book reviews, longish essays on literature or current events, film reviews, and more. If you would like to contribute, please submit a pitch to wombhousebooks@gmail.com.
Our gift guide will be coming to your inbox in early December.
Courage, bread, and roses,
Jessica