cybermule: (books)
cybermule ([personal profile] cybermule) wrote2018-07-19 12:38 pm
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The art of being alone - two book reviews

Catching up on book reviews - I've started reading again, but I've yet to create any evidence of that. Two books I read in quick succession were essentially two treatments of being a woman living on your own.

Live Alone and Like It - Marjorie Hillis
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-Alone-Like-Classic-Single/dp/0446178225
This is what would probably be described as either plucky or spunky. Written in 1936 to support the rise of the batchelorette, it is in fact still relevant and interesting today. I may just think that because it seems I've nailed it, the living alone thing, but there are great chapters on how to make the most of being single, buck up, be cheerful and make it a good thing. And it manages that without being annoying or patronising. This was a library copy but I'd purchase it as a joking/not joking present for people of any gender finding themselves alone for the first time in a while. People could learn from it :)


The Body Artist - Don DeLillo

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Artist-Don-DeLillo/dp/033052495X

Been meaning to reread this for a while - I love some things about Don DeLillo. Mostly his writing style these days, rather than his cishetwhite-ness. But this is a peculiar, slim, haunting tale about a woman randomly left on her own after the death of her partner and how she deals with this loss. I still really enjoyed it on a second reading. Can recommend.

ashlyme: Picture of me wearing a carnival fox mask (Default)

[personal profile] ashlyme 2018-07-19 11:53 am (UTC)(link)
I have to read both. Especially the first. <<3
ashlyme: Picture of me wearing a carnival fox mask (Default)

[personal profile] ashlyme 2018-07-19 12:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I know. But I could do with a bit of pluck. :)
ashlyme: Picture of me wearing a carnival fox mask (Default)

[personal profile] ashlyme 2018-07-19 12:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I really should get on that... still haven't got over them not having "Jerusalem"!
inulro: (Default)

[personal profile] inulro 2018-07-19 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes it is!