Fathers in Life & Memory, and Families

The grieving process in fact and fiction

[2 books arranged next to each other: left - Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like "Journey" in the Title by Leslie Gray Streeter; right - The Martian Contingency (Lady Astronaut #4) by Mary Robinette Kowal]

Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like "Journey" in the Title by Leslie Gray Streeter

non-fiction memoir

Little, Brown and Company, May 2020

In eighteen chapters with titles from lyrics of popular television show theme songs and other cultural references, this author offers readers candid emotional details about her experiences in coping with the sudden death of her spouse. Grief as a form of emotional schizophrenia. Her insightful revelations are poignant and funny in unexpected ways. Connections between family by blood, by choice, neighbors and extended community create an engaging picture of a relatable life with lots of often overwhelming responsibilities and commitments.

From the last chapter: ... This isn't the end of anything. It's just the beginning.

In addition to being a substantive memoirist, Leslie Gray Streeter is an award-winning journalist with the Baltimore Banner and a novelist as of the April 2025 release of Family and Other Calamities. Earlier this month she, Heather Brooks (founder and co-organizer of The Write Women Book Fest) and I enjoyed a lively chat about the challenges and rewards of hosting a big book event, being authors and much more.

The Martian Conspiracy (Lady Astronaut #4) by Mary Robinette Kowal

alternate history sci-fi set in the 1900s

Macmillan, February 2025

An alternate history of the 1950s through the 1970s interweaves battles for and against entrenched gender roles, racism, reproductive autonomy, sociopolitical maneuvering and upheaval, and a variety of natural and man-made disasters in the context of emotional intimacy, assorted cultures and religions--all while exploring space. Outstanding and gorgeous character development and narrative dexterity.

More library books (of course) in support of my BAC - Book Acquisition Compulsion - issues

[a bookstack from top to bottom: Problematic Summer Romance, What Happens in Amsterdam, It's a Love Story, The Love Haters, Dying to Meet You]

[Libby ebook app showing cover art for 2 titles on loan: Crossing Paths, Gold Coast Dilemma]

Some people stress eat (don't ask me how I know, but you can guess). Stress reading is my jam.

Comments

Legacies of Octavia Butler & June BAC Issues

It's so exciting to read about a trailblazer who was ethical, thoughtful, generous, and funny in addition to being diligent and multifaceted. [Positive Obsession atop a bookstack of 7 books - The Last Lady B spine showing, then 6 books showing page edges; Communion propped to the left of the bookstack] Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris non-fiction biography Amistad, 2025 Opening with a quote from Parable of the Sower, this biographer uses every word in the O.E.B. chronology, author's note, introduction, six chapters, epilogue, and acknowledgements to engage readers in an intimate personal study of this extraordinary, talented, driven woman who was vulnerable and complicated in her brilliant humanity. The author's access to the O.E.B. archives adds layers of emotional depth that enrich the context of the details of the author's personal life and creative and professional development. from the Author's Note:...

When What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Funny

Need to laugh out loud? To feel inspired? To feel seen? To feel encouraged to pursue your heart's most ambitious desires despite overwhelming odds against succeeding? Read Zarna Garg's memoir, which offers an intimate, compelling coming of age, immigrant's journey, family saga, and keen observations about humans and life as experienced by a hilarious, intrepid individual. [front cover of "Zarna Garg, This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir" showing the Statue of Liberty holding the author in her arms with the New York City skyline in the lower half of the background] This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg non-fiction memoir Ballantine Books, April 2025 Universal themes of family love and family conflict, support and abandonment, grieving as a years' long process with lulls, parenting and being parented (or not), finding your people in friendship, romance, community presented and dissected with the author's sharp wit ...

New Arrivals Giving BRBF Vibes + BAC Issues

Even as my friends and I enjoyed a fantastic community event yesterday in and around the Bowie Branch of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System, there was envy in my heart for all of the attendees and participants at the Black Romance Book Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. Reports of issues of crowding just made me happy for the event organizers' success while they posted apologies and corrective strategies for crowd control during the last day. In the meantime, the new arrivals shelves at the closest library in the neighboring county offered a variety of books by BRBF authors. "Where the Melanated Are Celebrated" indeed. [9 books, from left to right: Positive Obsession, Communion, Big Girl Blitz (atop a bookstack), The Started Ex, Fire Sword & Sea, Leave Your Mess at Home, Archangel's Eternity, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, First Sign of Danger] Currently reading Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Mo...

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