My January in reading

Not quite as many books in January because I moved to another state. Fine by me—I’m glad I prioritized unpacking. Makes it easier to access my books in February!

The Sandman Vol. 7: Brief Lives by Neil Gaiman

This is a particularly heartbreaking chapter in the Sandman series, when Morpheus accompanies his sister Delirium to find their long-lost brother, Destruction—who doesn’t want to be found, and they both know it. Endless family ties stretch to the breaking point, and humans suffer the unintended consequences of the search. It might be my favorite volume of the series, though.

Dark Archives: A Librarian’s Investigation into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin by Megan Rosenbloom

The moment that this book opened at the The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, which I finally had the opportunity to visit last summer, I knew I would love it. An academic librarian and member of the death positive movement, Rosenbloom not only discusses the history of books bound in human skin—which is often more rumor than fact—but she also delves into the ethics of this practice, as well as the ethics of keeping these objects in libraries. What’s more, she works with several scientists to test books that are potentially bound in human skin—a fascinating project. Can’t recommend this one enough.

Matrix by Lauren Groff

A novel about medieval nuns building their own world and wielding their own power inside their convent? Sign me up. The book follows Marie de France, a woman cast out of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s court and forced to become prioress of an abbey that’s fallen on hard times. Throughout her life she takes the abbey in hand, making it a wealthy, powerful force in the community. The visions she receives from the Virgin Mary certainly don’t hurt. And why is Marie, who never wanted to be a nun, so adamant about this? Does she truly care for her sisters? Does she only want to impress Eleanor, who she loves impossibly and forever unrequitedly? Does she want to make herself a force that rivals Eleanor in power? All three? Marie de France was a real person—historians suspect she may have been a nun, but nobody knows for sure. Pulling on these small historical threads, Groff weaves a splendid tapestry worthy of any cathedral, but probably too blasphemous to display.

People Are Strange by Eric Gamalinda

I encountered the title story of this collection in a body horror writing class taught by Julian K. Jarboe, so I assumed the rest of the stories would follow suit. Not so—and I’m glad they didn’t. This collection is so weird, and weirdly funny, too. It’s not magical realism so much as weird realism. Surrealism, I suppose. The title tells you everything you need to know. Many of the stories take place in Manila, or deal with Filipino immigrants to the United States, and I get the impression that much of the collection’s sense of unease comes from characters straddling cultures or coping with the long-term impacts of U.S. imperialism and the political chaos that results. I still think the title story is my favorite though—it’s deeply paranoid. I’d give this book a try if I were you.