When you mentioned vintage NYC books I immediately thought of "Manhattan When I Was Young" by Mary Cantwell. It details her post college years/young professional woman (who eventually had to juggle a marriage and children and a career) living in the Village in the 1950s and into the 60s. It is a *wonderful* memoir of NYC during that time as well as her work at a few fashion magazines of the day.
Love this, Christene! For me, re-reading certain books really is, for lack of a better word, “steadying” -- beautiful writing, reliable, brings up all the feelings that made me love the book in the first place, takes me places. And you can dip in to any page and know exactly where you are. My always-and-forever favorite is “A Moveable Feast” (discovered in my 20’s too!) gets me every time ❤️
Ahh! You somehow knew I needed book recs. I am currently rereading Slow Days, Fast Company after I spotted the bright pink paperback for sale at my previous city's second-hand store. (I recently moved from Southern CA to Seattle). I first read Slow Days, Fast Company when I moved to Los Angeles for college and the reread has been eye-opening. 20 years of life experience makes the tales hit different! I love that about rereads! SO good. I have reread Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy every few years (usually around the holidays) since I was 14. The comfort it brings me!!
Thank you Christene for your list and the beautiful explanation of why these texts moved you.
The books I am always rereading tend to be poetry. I like the condensed language and the imaginative transport. My go to books, always on my nightstand or in my bed are:
1) Collected poems of Emily Dickinson
2) Collected poems of Wallace Stevens
3) “M Train,” by Patti Smith
4) Collected essays by James Baldwin
5) Virginia Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse”
and “The Waves”
6) Jorie Graham’s “(To) The Last (Be) Human”
7) Every book by Helen Vendler. Every single one ❤️
8) Letters of John Keats
9) Collected poems and letters of Gerard Manley Hopkins
10) “Lincoln in the Bardo,” by George Saunders
Sorry that’s 10; I could go on. I keep a lot of books in my bed! 🛏️ 📚
5 Books I'm Re-Reading (Again)
When you mentioned vintage NYC books I immediately thought of "Manhattan When I Was Young" by Mary Cantwell. It details her post college years/young professional woman (who eventually had to juggle a marriage and children and a career) living in the Village in the 1950s and into the 60s. It is a *wonderful* memoir of NYC during that time as well as her work at a few fashion magazines of the day.
Love this, Christene! For me, re-reading certain books really is, for lack of a better word, “steadying” -- beautiful writing, reliable, brings up all the feelings that made me love the book in the first place, takes me places. And you can dip in to any page and know exactly where you are. My always-and-forever favorite is “A Moveable Feast” (discovered in my 20’s too!) gets me every time ❤️
Ahh! You somehow knew I needed book recs. I am currently rereading Slow Days, Fast Company after I spotted the bright pink paperback for sale at my previous city's second-hand store. (I recently moved from Southern CA to Seattle). I first read Slow Days, Fast Company when I moved to Los Angeles for college and the reread has been eye-opening. 20 years of life experience makes the tales hit different! I love that about rereads! SO good. I have reread Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy every few years (usually around the holidays) since I was 14. The comfort it brings me!!
Thank you Christene for your list and the beautiful explanation of why these texts moved you.
You once recommended Pain, Parties, Work to me and I'm a better person for it.
Thank you for these, dear Christene xo
currently reading yogananda --- omg, we're kindred spirits indeed =)
Love the tattered copy pictures!
The books I am always rereading tend to be poetry. I like the condensed language and the imaginative transport. My go to books, always on my nightstand or in my bed are:
1) Collected poems of Emily Dickinson
2) Collected poems of Wallace Stevens
3) “M Train,” by Patti Smith
4) Collected essays by James Baldwin
5) Virginia Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse”
and “The Waves”
6) Jorie Graham’s “(To) The Last (Be) Human”
7) Every book by Helen Vendler. Every single one ❤️
8) Letters of John Keats
9) Collected poems and letters of Gerard Manley Hopkins
10) “Lincoln in the Bardo,” by George Saunders
Sorry that’s 10; I could go on. I keep a lot of books in my bed! 🛏️ 📚