Mega Miscellany: Walking in the madman’s wood
Notes from July 13 - 26
Hello, hello! I missed you last Monday, but that morning we had a carpenter crew at the house doing their final tidy, and after they left I simply couldn’t focus on anything besides deep cleaning and starting to put things back in their places. You understand!
I was going to share a few before and after photos of our entire water damage repair journey here, but as I started gathering images (and knowing how wordy I can be when unchecked), I realized it would probably work better to just write a little bonus post about it for the curious. That way you can skip over it if you don’t care, and I won’t be weighing today’s already-longer-than-usual missive down any further. So keep an eye out for that soon soon soon. And for now just know that walking from room to room no longer requires unzipping a sheet of heavy plastic, our floors are no longer covered in plywood and brown paper, and I am sitting here writing to you from our proper couch and coffee table for the first time in months. We’re not fully back to normal yet, but we’re well on our way. Thank goodness.
The fortnight in books
When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman (2011)
Having enjoyed Winman’s 2018 book Tin Man, I was intrigued to find a reissued version of her debut novel while browsing Shelf Life Books in Richmond on my birthday earlier this year. This one’s a coming-of-age story about a young English girl named Eleanor, and it focuses particularly on her relationships with her brother, Joe, and her best friend, Jenny Penny. It starts very strong; Elly’s young voice is really distinct and funny, and I loved spending time with her and her family. The writing soon becomes almost too lyrical and flowery, though, and plot points get buried in the language. I found myself having to go back and re-read passages pretty frequently, as I kept feeling like I was missing things. Transitions between scenes can be abrupt, too. While aspects of the narrative are really beautiful, in retrospect I wonder if Winman is trying to do a little too much—sibling relationship, Jenny Penny, life at the family’s bed and breakfast, side characters, 9/11, magical elements, sexual assault—and as a result can’t give all of it the development and attention it deserves. I liked but didn’t love it.
Room Swept Home by Remica Bingham-Risher (2025)
Guys I finally read The Stacks book club pick from APRIL! Please clap! I bought my copy from Shelf Life on the birthday trip mentioned above, meaning I had it in hand in April, and yet. I think I literally put it off for so long just because it’s poetry? But poetry isn’t scary. I almost always enjoy it when I read it. So what is my deal? Why am I so intimidated and hesitant, every time? TBD, investigation ongoing.
But back to Room Swept Home. I would call this “poetry plus.” It’s largely centered around two of Bingham-Risher’s grandmother ancestors and structured accordingly, with photographs and documents and ephemera included throughout. There’s an enormous and beautiful family tree at the beginning. It’s almost like going to a museum, in book form. The writing is personal and powerful, gorgeously crafted with meticulous word choices and inventive layouts. A few favorite poems include:
“Work Song”
“Seems Like We’re Building a City”
“25 days after I am born”
“Where did you come from / how did you arrive?”
Lonely Crowds by Stephanie Wambugu (2025)
Another The Stacks pick completed, this one from May! And the timing actually worked out really well, because Wambugu’s debut novel felt like something of a mashup of When God Was a Rabbit and Dave Egger’s Contrapposto (discussed in my most recent newsletter). As in Winman’s story, here we are focused on two young female friends, Ruth and Maria, one from a slightly better economic background than the other, and following the arc of their relationship as they grow into women. The connection to Eggers appears in the role of art in these women’s lives; both are creatives, and both, but particularly Ruth, struggle to find their artistic voices and identities. There are also hints of Kiran Millwood Hargraves’ Almost Life when their relationship veers into the possibility of more-than-friendship, and strong echoes of the toxic energy between Elena and Lila in Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend throughout. Though ultimately I found myself frustrated with the central characters and their seemingly endless push and pull, Lonely Crowds is a strong debut and I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever Wambugu publishes next.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025)
Unless you were hiding under a rock last year, you probably saw this one everywhere. It was a Reese pick and a huge bestseller and a favorite of many readers whose taste I trust. I originally read it last December and didn’t think it quite lived up to the hype (comments are here), but I picked it up again after my book club chose it for our most recent discussion. This time around the story gripped me more quickly and I felt more invested, but I might’ve also liked it less in the end. My gripe about first person point-of-view and secret keeping still stands. And on this reading I was really confused by the simultaneous complete lack of hope (climate change is irreversible, nowhere is safe, we will all eventually drown or burn or starve) and overly sentimental optimism (~*children are the future!*~), which felt like mixed messaging. What is McConaghey trying to say here? Also, no spoilers, but must women have kids to fully know love? and must they forever sacrifice themselves for others? Can women live??
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (1988)
Okay, I’m on a roll, so let’s keep the crankiness coming. I know I read The Alchemist at some point many years ago, and I’m sure at the time I thought it was so deep, but I mostly rolled my eyes through this re-read for The Stacks book club.1 Like, if you, the author of the book I’m about to experience, spend the entirety of the foreword talking about how successful said book has been and how many awards it has won and how Rush Limbaugh liked it and how you yourself re-read it regularly,2 you’re kind of setting me up to hate it. Don’t do this.
There were one or two quotes that made me go “okay, yeah, true,” like this advice to live in the present:
“If good things are coming, they will be a pleasant surprise,” said the seer. “If bad things are, and you know in advance, you will suffer greatly before they even occur.” (106)
But for the most part it’s giving Old Testament vibes (derogatory), and there are hardly any women besides the main character shepherd boy’s love interests (all of whom are supposed to wait for him and not have lives of their own because he’s the only one here who matters I guess?), and I didn’t particularly care for it. At least it’s short.
Dearly by Margaret Atwood (2020)
Two poetry collections in as many weeks? After what I said earlier about poetry? Man, I guess I just needed to break the seal. This one has been hanging out on my unread shelf since 2020, when I bought it as my “ticket” to a Covid-times virtual author event featuring Atwood in conversation with Madeline Miller.3 It covers a range of topics, but the most prominent overarching themes are nature, time, aging, and loss. And though they aren’t all bangers, the poems that hit really hit; she especially shines when writing about personal relationships and the natural world. A few personal favorites:
“Ghost Cat”
“September Mushrooms”
“Walking in the Madman’s Wood”
“Plasticene Suite”
“Oh Children”
“Mr. Lionheart”
“Invisible Man”
Reader, I cried several times. Do recommend, especially if you’re already an Atwood fan or have followed her career for a while.
Right now and upcoming
I’m currently wrapping up my The Stacks book club catch-up effort with July’s pick, and then I’ll be turning my attention to an upcoming release about friendship and motherhood to tell you about next Monday!
It’s been a minute, so I’d love to hear what you’ve been getting into these past couple of weeks. Anything good??
If you purchase a book through the bookshop.org affiliate links in this post, I earn a small percentage commission. This is an easy way to support my work at no additional cost, and I appreciate it very much. ♥︎
This fortnight on screen
We finished the final season of The Bear and ohhhh, it’s good.
This series is not without its triggers and trauma, especially for folks who have worked in food service and/or come from complicated families. BUT, having made it through the whole thing now, I can confidently say that there is growth and redemption and that the intense moments are worth it. Every character’s ending feels satisfying and correct. I already want to rewatch from the beginning.
Until next time
Looking through my recent photo roll, I’m realizing that I haven’t used my camera much over the past two weeks. But I do have these shots, the first snapped with my phone as I set out for an evening run, and the second a gorgeous display over the highway on our way home from a baseball game in Durham last weekend. I might miss a Monday here or there but fear not, the sky remains gorgeous as always.
See you next week, and until then, oh my god, I love your plance!
♥︎ Emily
P.S. If you especially enjoyed today’s newsletter but a paid subscription isn’t possible:
For those playing along at home, yes, that is three The Stacks picks in the last two weeks! We’re almost caught back up, bay-beee!
Embarrassing!
I set my laptop on a small table by the tub so I could watch while soaking in a hot bath. It was deluxe.