April & May 2024 Dispatch

Well, well, well — it has been a busy few months. My reading cadence has been a bit relaxed, but only because we’ve had a lot of exciting things happening at Exceptional Capital. Of course I still made it through some books and have some thoughts.

Wednesday’s Child — Yiyun Li

Oh, how I enjoy a Yiyun Li book. This was short stories and I just felt equal parts joy and sorrow for the many stories she unspools within. The Book of Goose still is my favorite of hers but this is well worth the read.

Butter — Asako Yuzuki

Must have food nearby whilst reading. You will want to butter a baguette or toast or eat a bowl full of rice at the very least. Fair warning. Without being reductive or overly comparative, this book kind of falls into the category of Penance, which I loved. I also loved Butter and thought it was brilliant and sinister and honestly, a timely read in terms of how we think about femininity, feminism, bodies, dominance, and more. True crime-esque and fully unforgettable.

Prophet Song — Paul Lynch

*MUST READ ALERT** I really think everyone ought to read this book. Just. Read. It. It is a book the world needs now, will always need. There is nothing that I can say that has not already been said about this book. Important literature. Sometimes I get asked why I read so much fiction. Well, sure I read a lot of philosophy books that I don’t add to these lists, mostly because its rare I read those cover to cover. I digress; I read fiction because of books like this, that mirror and portray something back to us (the reader) about our society, our history, our creation of the world as we know it — or may come to know it. There are reasons why this won the Booker Prize and for those reasons, at least, you should grab a copy.

Study for Disobedience — Sarah Bernstein

Neighbors, hexes, history. I think the narrator’s experience is never NOT an essential topic for everyone, everywhere to have more exposure to.

Premonition — Banana Yoshimoto

Yoshimoto tells the sweetest stories; even tinged with tragedy she always depicts a world so beautiful and tangible in her work. A bit of mystery and thrill to her writing, what is uncovered is always worth the journey there.

The Taiga Syndrome — Christina Rivera Garza

I enjoy Garza’s writing and it is incredible how, even in a short number of pages, she can compel your engagement into a gripping story. This was no exception.

The Kamogawa Food Detectives — Hisashi Kasiwai

A bit different for me because very much a feel good book (comparatively) but I full understand why this book is much beloved globally! Unique and will leave a smile on your face.

I started about 5 books that are to be finished so…more to follow next month! Until then, very happy reading.