currently reading

(nearly) everything I've read this summer with reviews

I was going to write this newsletter about a recent instagram post by Britney Spears but I am still processing all of my thoughts. My second intention was to write about women and aging but that is coming next week because, truthfully, I am just too emotionally shot today to do the subject justice. So here is my list of currently reading and recently read. An (almost!) complete list of everything I can remember that I’ve read since I arrived in South Africa.

I often read several books at once, this list will be a little bit all over the place but alas, I am a bit all over the place.

In the future, I plan to do a currently/reading/watching/recommending post once a month with various books, shows, clothing, make up, whatever. Today, we’re playing catch up.

Nonfiction

currently reading (yes, all of them, it depends on my mood):

• Anna: The Biography by Amy Odell

I am enjoying this portrait of Anna, it humanizes her and it’s a very interesting insight into the fashion mystique. I think it’s interesting if you’re a Vogue reader or fashion obsessive, it reads like an in depth biography rather than as a story, it’s not “The Devil Wears Prada” and I don’t think more casual fashion lovers would enjoy it.

• We Had a Little Real Estate Problem by Kliph Nesteroff

Truthfully, I just bought this and downloaded it last night (I am linking bookshop.org but as I have been in South Africa for a minute, I’ve been reading on my kindle.) but I am enjoying it so far. It’s a history of Native Americans and First Nations people in comedy and an explanation of how they’ve impacted the field. It is not, as I originally thought, a comedy book. I’m enjoying it but don’t have a full review.

• Breaking Cover by Michelle Rigby Assad

This is a CIA memoir. I bought it without reading any reviews because I saw a tiktok from a former clandestine agent that mentioned it and I love a spy story. Truthfully, I’ve been having trouble getting through it. I keep wanting the author to just get to the point (I know this is ironic as I am the queen of taking my time getting to the point). She speaks a lot about Christians in the Middle East but I feel she lacks any nuance or real insight into that community. If you know of another CIA memoir, please comment it below.

• Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

This is the story of the Sackler family, the billionaire founders of Purdue Pharma, the company behind Oxycontin. There is a lot of rich people drama, intrigue, and horrible ethics. (Purdue has negotiated billions of dollars in settlements for their part in the opioid crisis in the states) It’s a compelling read and does not go easy on the family. That said, I’ve been reading it on and off for months and haven’t gotten through it.

• House of Hilton by Jerry Oppenheimer (I believe this is out of print, I linked the kindle edition)

This is one of the wildest celebrity biographies I have ever read. I do think that Oppenheimer takes a dim view of the Hiltons; there isn’t a lot of balance to the sensationalism. This was also published before Paris began speaking out about her experience at Provo Canyon School. That said, it’s a fascinating and enjoyable read particularly for Housewives fans.

Recently Finished

• Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

I really enjoyed this memoir. I’ve been reading a fair amount of more dense South African history. Noah explains much of the history of SA in an approachable, easy to understand, funny way. Much of the book is about his relationship with his mom. I love an honest parental memoir. I think I finished it in less than a day.

• I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

Everyone has been talking about this memoir. I doubt you need my summary; it’s the story of McCurdy’s childhood and her horrifically abusive mother. It’s told from her perspective as she lived through the events (so stories from when she was six are told as she processed them as a child, not from her current, adult perspective on them.) I enjoyed it, finished it quickly. I’ve seen others mention that they would have preferred a more reflective voice but I liked the ‘in real time’ point of view.

• How the Other Half Learns by Robert Pondiscio

Pondiscio spent a year imbedded at Success Academy, a controversial chain of charter schools in New York City. His portrait seems honest (I have never been to Success Academy so I cannot say for sure) but certainly leans positive. If you’re interested in education, I think you’ll enjoy it very much.

Fiction

Recently finished (I tend to read novels more quickly and less piecemeal than I read nonfiction)

• Such a Fun Age by Kiely Reed

A novel about a Black woman who works as a babysitter for a white family and who is confronted by security while she is watching their child at a grocery store. The book goes on from there and explores a lot of racial themes. I enjoyed it. It’s a character rather than plot driven story.

• The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

I’ve read this collection of semi-autobiographical, interconnected short stories five or six times. It’s my favorite portrait of male psychology and the writing is, in my opinion, really beautiful

• Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I read this because I enjoyed Malibu Rising. It’s a quick read and I enjoyed the story but thought it lacked the complexity of Malibu Rising.

• Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

I really enjoy Moriarty’s books, they’re thriller light- twisty mysteries that aren’t disturbing or scary. This story, about the matriarch of a family of tennis greats who goes missing under mysterious circumstances, is at the top of my list of Moriarty’s books.

• The Perfect Marriage by Geneva Rose

Several friends recommended this psychological thriller. It’s fine. I found the main characters unlikable (not in a good way) and the twists predictable.

Thank you for reading!

Please comment any book recommendations you have and, as always, if you enjoy Moxie please share with friends!

I’ll be back next week with more long form, essay style content.

All my love,

Hannah