Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wrote this short piece in response to a friend's request for advice on how to raise her daughter as a feminist. That inspired some reflection on her part, and eventually this book.

Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions lays out many great points on how to raise a daughter to feel she is equal and to stand up for herself. Some arguments are weaker than others, but overall she clearly and strongly makes her points.

If the Fates Allow: A Short Story by Rainbow Rowell

 If the Fates Allow: A Short Story by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a short, sweet tale of family, romance and Christmas in the Covid era.

I enjoyed the wit laced throughout, and that main characters were socially awkward and didn't look like models. My people!

This is my first book by Rainbow Rowell, though I have one or two languishing in my Kindle library from past sales. I'll definitely be cracking the (digital) spine of those next year. Probably/maybe anyhow, who knows what I'll actually get around to doing next week, let alone in the next twelve months?! 

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Steve Martin, and have since I was young enough to think an arrow through the head was hilarious, and not because it was an ironic juxtaposition. That's some high comic art to a little kid! 

I'm a fan of his comedy, his movies, his Hulu series, his books — the man does a lot of things extremely well. Hell, A Wild and Crazy Guy was one of the first albums I ever bought. I even enjoy hearing him pick a banjo now and then. This book, however, was my least favorite by him. It's intelligent and interesting, but the main character never feels real to me. Or maybe I just don't connect with her. 

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Damn, Elizabeth Strout can write! Beautifully developed, complex characters abound in this series of glimpses into interlinked lives, all having a degree of connection to Lucy Barton (the main character in a previous book by Strout, My Name is Lucy Barton).

Strout is amazingly insightful, able to delve deep into emotions and motivations and describe them for readers like few others can. Her work is intelligent and compassionate and, yes, grim as hell. But so, so good. 

What to Watch December 2021

Santa's not the only one delivering gifts this December; streaming services have a sackful of goodies, too! I'm looking forward to the third and final season of Lost in Space on Netflix, And Just Like That ... and Station Eleven (based on the outstanding book) on HBO Max, Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett on Disney Plus, and much more! 

As always, I've compiled a list of shows I'd like to see that are coming soon, and I'm sharing it here along with links to everything coming to those streaming services so you can go through and pick your own must-watch viewing. Most of what I've collected is on streaming, but a few shows can be found on old-fashioned network TV. And away we go!