Well, maybe not funny. More like the complete opposite of what I intended. In my last post, I panicked about not having any fiction in my apartment and I purposely checked out some fiction. But since that last post, I’ve finished two non-fiction books. (I also finished two fiction books and a graphic novel, but they were for book club and for me, there is a difference between reading for pleasure and reading so I can have intelligent things to say when I’m leading a discussion.)
In I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life without Kids, Jen Kirkman writes about not wanting to have children. Ever. Complete strangers tell her that she’ll change her mind or ask her really personal questions about her ability to give birth. The book is smart and funny and by sharing her experiences, she gives good advice on what to do when you know who you are and what you want, but other people are certain they know what’s best for you. Kirkman doesn’t give herself enough credit in the title because she seems to be doing a great job taking care of herself, writing for Chelsea Handler‘s show, “Chelsea Lately”, working as a standup comedian, and writing a book.
The other book I finished was Everything is Perfect When You’re a Liar by Kelly Oxford, who’s best known for her Twitter feed. I was not having the best of days when I read about a trip she, her husband, and some friends took to Vegas to see David Copperfield, but after laughing through the entire chapter, nothing could bring me down. Oxford is incredibly talented at finding the humor and the heart in many situations, even her time working in a brain injury center. Of course, she has little choice in being witty and warm; she is Canadian.
I’m currently reading another non-fiction book, Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown. I am firmly in the adult side of life, but if there were a quiz on how adult you are, I’d score in the “Well, Technically You’re an Adult, But You Should Really Be Trying Harder” column. I can do basic things like regularly scheduled laundry and paying my bills on time (if not early!), but if someone came over to my apartment, I could only offer them a lemon, some coconut yogurt, and frozen green beans. (Now that I’ve written that, a meal of those things doesn’t seem so bad. You’re all invited to my apartment.)
I guess it’s possible that I’m just in the mood for non-fiction these days, but need to keep some fiction around as my security blanket. I’m sure I’ll read fiction for fun any day now.
-Aisha
Eleventh Stack 