Books, Fiction

Complexities of Being an Artist in We Play Ourselves

Jen Silverman’s novel "We Play Ourselves" is a sharp, humour-filled exploration of the human condition... specifically pertaining to being a queer writer navigating scandal and ambition in her thirties. Running from New York to L.A., Cass encounters a diverse cast of characters, including a filmmaker documenting teenage girls' reinterpretation of the cult classic Fight Club. Silverman skillfully weaves themes of success, joy, criticism, and being human, keeping readers; attention while questioning the nature of good intentions against the backdrop of life's complexity.

11..., Lifestyle

11… Moments of New Self-Awareness After Getting Engaged

If you're wanting an engagement story, this is about as close to it as you're going to get not directly from my mouth to your ears until I write the fairytale novel that seems to be my life now. What a love story this is. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to be living it with the most extraordinary woman I've ever met.

In My Own Words, Lifestyle

Sappho to Shakespeare to Sparks; We Write of Love

Oh good lord, do I want to be one of the great writers to really get it right. I probably won't be. The fact you, dear readers, know my name is quite baffling to begin with. I don't write for you. I write for me, but I also don't necessarily want to be lost in the ever gnashing maw of time. What a balance I'm striving for.

Books, Fiction

Lesbian Love, Affair of Poisons, and Abuse in The Disenchantment by Celia Bell

The world needs more queer literature, so I'm glad this exists and was published. Ultimately, I'm disenchanted with The Disenchantment by Celia Bell. Muddy and meandering, it leaves the reader bored and a little confused.

Books, NonFiction, Travel

Dame Traveler by Nastasia Yakoub; Exploration of the Feminine Gaze

"Dame Traveler" curated by Nastasia Yakoub is a visually-driven book, highlighting women through their travel experiences. Yakoub creates a platform and community for women from around the world to display their perspectives on culture, architecture, nature, and water and fosters representation and autonomy in a world that is only just beginning to give women space to exist fully.