We've teamed up with our friends at [reads], a platform for reading and learning new things, to bring you a feline-minded reading list. Check out what they've suggested and read along with us!
From Rachael & Emma—
For this first iteration of [reads] + Smalls we looked at cat personality types; we looked for the rebel, the independent, a recluse in nature. We imagined French film director Agnes Varda in our minds, someone wise, accomplished and somewhat unreachable. We want the books we choose to inspire—like all books do— the magnitude of this all-encompassing idea of being a woman. Like Julia Childs, she didn’t know she wanted to be a chef until she was 36. Life is long and there are so many books to read and help you find your path. Along with embracing femininity, we also explored the idea of “landing on your feet” or that things always seemingly work themselves out with a little kindness and observation.
- The Feminine Mystique
Perhaps you’re also watching Mrs. America, perhaps you also read My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem, either way, The Feminine Mystique is by Betty Friedan is credited with sparking the beginning of second-wave feminism in the US, and we’re picking it up to read this month.
- The Odd Woman and the City: A Memoir
We’d recommend anything by Vivian Gornick really, but for starters we’ll go with The Odd Woman and the City. Because we are also right now at home, stuck inside, longing for long walks around the city, full of overheard conversations, ideas sparking, buildings, patches of grass and garbage. Vivian Gornick is childless and happily divorced, and lives alone, for us this makes her catlike in nature.
- Cassandra at the Wedding
Well written and narcissistic, this novel by Dorothy Baker is right up there for us alongside the likes of Sylvia Plath. The main character is conniving like a cat and brilliant, determined to sabotage her identical twin sister’s wedding.
- Writers & Lovers
Like many of our friends and contemporaries, we picked up Writers & Lovers by Lily King this month. A love story. A story about grief. A portrait of an artist as a young woman. It took us a moment to get into but then we found ourselves happily wanting to be left alone sitting in a comfy chair enjoying this read in solitude.
- I Feel Bad About My Neck
This is a wonderfully disarming book about the ups and downs of being a woman. What it means to get older, and what it looks like to deal with the tribulations of maintenance, moving on, serial monogamy and life itself. She discusses anything from how much she hates purses, to necks, nails and city dwelling. Utterly courageous, wickedly funny and unexpectedly moving.
[#BeginTLDR#] Check out [reads] on Instagram for more book suggestions! [#SplitTLDR#] These books aren't about cats per se, but they do capture the feline spirit of independence, creativity, and uniqueness. [#EndTLDR#]
