Welcome back everybody, this month was all about getting back into the thick of it. I made a post at the beginning of last month, where I talked about wanting to get out of my reading slump and start reading again. In that post, I had made a few choices for books to read in the month of February that I knew I would love. This is what I ended up reading instead:
Chroma by Derek Jarman
★★★★★
I said I was going to read this book this month and I did. I have been going on and on about this book for the past three months that it didn’t feel right to take a pass on it. This is a very short read which is undoubtedly the best kind of read for getting out of a reading slump.
I loved this book. It was an interesting read to say the least. Jarman discusses color in a nuanced way: historically, scientifically, sociologically and personally. His writing style is refreshing but jarring - it took me some time to get familiar with his voice and the way he presents information.
Chroma is part color theory and part memoir about Jarman’s struggle with HIV/AIDS. Jarman doesn’t always talk about these experiences openly, instead he alludes to them in short vignettes. Although, in the chapter on the color Blue, Jarman talks more about his illness in relation to the color blue. It is one of the book’s most powerful moments.
Like I said I loved this book. I can see myself rereading it again, using it as a reference and discovering new bits of information and nuance. It’s a great book, if you love art history and want to learn more.
Bluets by Maggie Nelson
★★★★
I read this right after I finished Chroma because I’m on a kick to read books about colors that are also memoirs. I really adored this book but I found that of the two books I’ve read by Maggie Nelson, Bluets is not my favorite. Bluets is a list of propositions on the color blue. Throughout the book Nelson explores heartbreak and sexuality. The way the book is written in short proposition that connect but not always seamlessly is perhaps my favorite thing about Nelson’s exploration with the color blue. This book is new and experimental and I really appreciated the level of creativity with which it was written.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
★★★★
This was my first audiobook ever and I loved it. I was really surprised by this book. I wasn’t expecting to love it but then I fell head over heels in love. A Very Large Expanse of Sea is a YA contemporary novel that follows a Muslim girl name Shareen as she settles into her new school and falls in love with a boy named Ocean. This book has a lot going for it and I really appreciated how Tahereh Mafi explores racism and the legitimate insecurities Shareen has dating a white man. The relationship between Shareen and Ocean is healthy, they’re open with one another about their feelings, they’re supportive of one another and they care about each other’s health and well being. This was such a great book, and I highly recommend everyone give it a chance.
That’s it for me this week! I’ll see you all again very soon, until then, happy reading!
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