Things I loved reading
Things I've loved reading recently. Things that taught me something, clarified things for me, gave me something important to think about. Or were just plain beautiful.
I love everything I have read so far of
. His clear explanations have helped clarify some troubling experiences and observations that I have struggled for years to articulate to myself.“Our choices in this world matter. They matter quite a lot. But the ever-whirring capitalist propaganda machine doesn’t want us thinking that some of the most important choices we can possibly make are to join collectives, to be a part of organizations and institutions larger than ourselves. Especially organizations that exist largely to challenge the status quo. Capitalists don’t want us joining unions, because when 1,000 coworkers demand something of the boss, it’s a little different than when you or I demand something individually. And when 1,000 tenants demand something of their landlord together, it’s just a little different than when we go alone.”
There are many heartfelt and powerful pieces on Aaron Bushnell’s devastatingly courageous political act of self-immolation.
But this post by
is the most beautiful tribute I’ve read to Aaron Bushnell and his ultimate sacrifice illuminating the suffering and hoping to save the lives of countless Palestinians. It also includes some valuable history and context. Frederick Joseph writes beautifully articulate pieces on social and political issues.Chloe Hope!
She writes so gorgeously, and yet so approachably. She has beautiful thoughts. She is delightfully witty. I want to be her friend. Have coffee (or tea) with her, sitting on her porch watching the birds. Talk about…well…everything.
I absolutely love this poem by Aldous Huxley. Since I read it I have thought of it many, many times. Often when I am lying awake at night, life weighing very heavily on me, I will think of this and consciously lighten the load. This is a poem that will live in me.
Scroll down a little to the mind-and-heart-exploding poem Andrea reads, Tincture. This is another one that has become part of me, and part of what gets me through rough nights of sleeplessness. I think of the stars excitedly asking, “tell us again about goosebumps. Tell us again about pain.” So much I could say about this, but just wait until you hear/read it!
But read the whole thing (and I link below to Part 2)—This interview with Andrea is full of their delightfulness and life.
Three posts by
of interviews with . OMG. The more I learn about Andrea Gibson (they/them), the more singular and amazing they become. I’ve loved their work since I discovered and fell in love with Take Me With You, in 2018 (the year it came out.) It became a dog-eared bedside book for me. It made me feel better, and it inspired me. In fact, I might not be on Substack now myself if it weren’t for Andrea Gibson. But I guess I didn’t know that much about them before. These interviews are like a whole new world of Andrea. In fact, I am starting to think that Andrea is a whole new world. Like not actually of this one, this one that most of the rest of us come from.And this one, about her writing process. Again, singular. (Makes me feel like my process is pretty dull and run-of-the-mill.) There is just nothing about Andrea Gibson that isn’t extraordinary. So, so cool.
Or, if a subscription is too much—I know it can be!—maybe a one-time donation
Erika, what a round up, I’m honoured to be included, thank you. That Aaron Bushnell piece was just brilliant. And I’m more than happy to be friends and drink coffee and look at birds together :)
Thanks! Yeah, I know this is a mix of authors with quite a large reach, and some with quite limited subscriber lists. I definitely hope to help those (like me) lower-subscriber writers who are SO FABULOUS to get more visibility and appreciation! I really love what you are doing with your father. If my father were still around he would have made a great writing partner like yours. He would have loved this whole platform. I bet he would have started his own Substack. He wasn't a writer by profession, but he sure was a good writer. And a great thinker. Anyway, I am glad you are liking the authors I am shouting out, and I am glad I'm doing it. It feels like something good and even kind to do for the community, which I really, selfishly, appreciate--it make ME feel good. A little payback for the support I feel like I am getting on here.