Book Reflection May

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

TW: Sexual Assault

In the last six months, I have become an unexpected fan of memoir and Chanel Miller’s writing touched parts of my soul that I did not realize existed. As a fellow survivor of sexual assault (which I shared in my article, Pristine), Chanel’s story in some ways felt parallel to my own experience and in other ways veered off into an experience that was completely hers. The vulnerability of her storytelling and the way she conveyed the real struggles and grief associated with being assaulted struck a powerful cord for me - she is the only writer I have personally read who can describe the pain and trauma of sexual assault while also providing glimpses into the joy that can still happen in your life while you are processing your trauma. I hope she is inspired to continue writing because her storytelling abilities, and her bravery, create immense value for the collective.

Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo

TW: Racism, white supremacy, violence

I am loaning this book out to all of my friends and encouraging anyone who grew up in the United States to read this book (particularly those who consider themselves to be anti-racist). Ijeoma Oluo has a gift wherein she maintains the brutality and honesty of the United State’s past while using thoughtful research to create a multi-dimensional understanding of white supremacy and its impact on the United States over time. Oluo’s research transcends the wild west, the “Bernie Boys” and the NFL. She addresses the notion of the welfare queen and the way in which cis-females are used and abused by the structures of white supremacy. Through her narrative, Oluo is able to show us how we must be critical of the institutions that many of us were raised to adore and may feel nostalgic towards if we ever seek to create meaningful change for people of color, and specifically Black people, in the United States. If you have any open questions or curiosities about how white supremacy shows up in the culture of the United States, this book is a key and accessible resource.

Milk Fed by Melissa Broder

TW: Disordered Eating

Melissa Broder writes weird books. I say this as a compliment, but acknowledge that this selection may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Broder crafts a world in which fantasy, reality, mysticism, religion, love and trauma create the fabric of life for a young 20-something Jewish woman living in Los Angeles which is simultaneously wholly believe-able and fully unbelievable. The main character, Rachel, is at a pivotal point in her life. Rachel’s relationship with her therapist explores her toxic relationship with her controlling mother and how she seeks to control herself through her eating patterns. When Rachel’s therapist asks her to participate in clay therapy, she unknowingly brings to life a golem (in Jewish culture, golems are clay creatures which have been magically brought to life. Golems are typically cast to be something that is unfinished, which creates an interesting narrative arc as Rachel comes into her self as the story progresses). With the golem in the trunk of her car, Rachel proceeds with life as normal but one day meets a woman in the yogurt shop she frequents that changes her relationship to herself, to others, and to food. This story is a beautifully painful reminder that coming of age is always a bit of a sloppy process, irrespective of the control we may seek to create during a time of transition and exploration.