I began to flip through the visual descriptions of harm around the halfway point. Once if I start having too visceral a reaction it is time to head immediately back to land!! With that yes I did eventually finish and no I do not go most days without thinking about this book!! I think it’s branded into my mind forever and I continue wrestling with the extent of such graphic depictions of trauma and art for arts sake. Will all this I think Roxane Gay aptly described the reading experience in her goodreads review
Feb 25, 2024
Related Recs
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(anti rec…) got around halfway through before i realized how genuinely unhealthy was for me (17 at the time) to be reading in depth descriptions of self harm and abuse. genuinely dislike this book and cannot begin to understand the societal adoration of gay men’s pain that led people to dub it the “great gay novel". im not trying to be a downer or piss anyone off with this post, but i have very strong feelings about this novel.
Feb 25, 2024
I really struggle to read. I’m one of those people who looks at words and most times don’t read them. Whenever I try to read a book I get distracted and panicked about how I’m gonna turn the page now that I’m soooo comfortable lying down. The last book I read (held the book and listened to it) was Down The Drain by Julia Fox - so you can trust I have TASTE. This book feels very close to home. Very gay, sad, happy, promiscuous. Ten out of ten, if it were a person I’d make out with it.
Sep 18, 2024
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I went to Miami for Art Basel and by the end of the weekend I was filled with hangxiety so I spent an extra day sitting on the beach reading Stephanie LaCava’s newish novel I Fear My Pain Interests You. It’s about the daughter of two punk rock stars who suffers from “congenital analgesia,” which means she feels no physical pain, and though it’s definitely not a breezy beach read, it destroyed me, in a good way.
Jan 23, 2023
Top Recs from @gabobinson
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- The grocery store franchise closest to you is possibly overcharging, so sometimes groceries become a sort of Halloween style I buy fruit from here, pantry things from here, etc etc
- Lots of free things to do with a library card!! so many museums have discounted / free admission, the Met for example allows you to do a suggested donation when showing a library card
- Obvious but tap water is 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 no need to buy fancy water when going out to eat (and on this note I always carry around a reusable water bottle and one of those little electric fans bc the temperature outside never matches the subway)
- There is no greater joy than getting a blanket and a book and people watching on Sheep Meadow/the Mall/ at any park
- Explore the other boroughs!!
- It’s so cliche but you can stumble upon so many fun restaurants, events, bars, shops, concerts, museums, etc etc by just strolling around
- In tandem with the above I sometimes check the Time Out NY website, the New York Times daily newsletter, New York Magazine. The New Yorker, etc for inspiration and info about things going on
- Citymapper is your bff for navigating the subway/bus/transit/walking/etc and is great with keeping you posted on any delays
- On this note also always check an MTA app or citymapper etc to see if trains are running, can save you time and sanity
- So many free concerts and events at places like the 92nd Street Y, in Bryant Park, SummerStage in Central Park
- If you like TV you can go to tapings of shows or get paid to be part of the studio audience on websites like 1iota or Shadow Casting and Productions
- Also can get lots of free things from pop ups that different brands host throughout the city, my roommate usually finds them on instagram
- Join the free rewards program of your favorite coffee place / grocery store/ etc
Feb 21, 2024
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- Sporcle, I love the blank map quizzes and what a perfect way to realize ooo I don’t know enough and I need to learn more
- Poptropica for when you want to go on a little quest
- Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure bc how else will I learn about what chic people are up to??
- this may not count but youtube dot com to watch BBC live lounge
- Merriam Webster bc those divas have a magnificent cross word
Mar 10, 2024
Call me Kylie Minogue bc I can’t get this out of my head diva!! I think about it on most days and cannot stop hearing every beautiful, somber, heartbreaking, yearning line!! I want to print it out and put it everywhere !! I want to lay on the floor and wallow in it!!
Feb 16, 2024