You should be famous for your scathing reviews! I will never tell you about the book I'm writing out of fear of ending up on this blog LOLLLL
In my mind because of what people tell me, having a baby is completely and utterly devastating on multiple levels so it's intriguing to find out that maybe it is not completely horrible??? Tell us more when you like!
LOL Sara! The author of one of my favorite self-help books, "The Artist's Way," says that critics are blocked creatives so maybe my scathing reviews are simply a veil for my jealousy? Please share your future book with me!!
To be fair - it is devastating in a lot of ways (giving birth is gnarly and recovery is intense!) but now that I'm a few months in, I think the criticism is often overblown. Yes, I am very privileged - my husband is super involved and I am not working right now. Having to go to work outside of the home would be tough. Obviously, our society is set up for women to fail in a million different ways but I'm talking about the daily tasks of childrearing. It's tedious and tiring but it's also just so cute and fun! It helps that my little muffin sleeps well and is generally a very smiley, happy dude. Having a colicky baby sounds dreadful.
Hey Kendall, glad you asked how parenting's going for me. Pretty well, too! I mean, objectively worse on a day-to-day basis than not having a money-, sleep-, independence-sucker, but big picture better.
I'm with you on book recommendations. Have you tried using AI? Maintaining a list of your favorite books and why (and maybe least faves and why), then asking for recs?
Of the 9 ChatGPT found, I had already read 3, borrowed and didn't attempt/finish 3, and had never heard of 3. Decent recs. Much better than GR!
1. “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” - I borrowed this from the library in 2021 but never read it. Will give it a go!
2. “Eileen” by Ottessa Moshfegh - hadn't heard of this, will add to my TBR list.
3. “Severance” by Ling Ma - I read this in 2022 and gave it 4 stars!
4. “Luster” by Raven Leilani - never heard of this. The people I follow on GR as split on it. Will check it out!
5. “Pretend I’m Dead” by Jen Beagin - I also borrowed this from the library in 2021 but never read it. Will try again.
6. “Nightbitch” by Rachel Yoder - Borrowed this one in April this year but didn't read it. Just read that it's turning into a movie with Amy Adams. It might be too weird/horror-ish for me.
7. “Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid - I read this in 2020 and gave it 4 stars!
8. “Dept. of Speculation” by Jenny Offill - Haven't heard of this one. Tried to read her book "Weather" 3 years ago and was not a fan.
9. “Uncanny Valley” by Anna Wiener (Memoir) - Read this in 2021 and gave it 4 stars!
GREAT! Best playgrounds in the world. Generally excellent infrastructure - parks, pools, libraries, etc. Cool birds to point at. Lots of other parents with kids during the day cuz nobody can afford nannies (unlike in Cape Town, for example). Most importantly, the weather's not crap so we can be outside all the time.
Amazing! I am trying to convince my husband to follow your lead and live abroad! We are sad that the PNW winter has begun. So jealous of your life down under!
Sorry I asked? 🫣
You should be famous for your scathing reviews! I will never tell you about the book I'm writing out of fear of ending up on this blog LOLLLL
In my mind because of what people tell me, having a baby is completely and utterly devastating on multiple levels so it's intriguing to find out that maybe it is not completely horrible??? Tell us more when you like!
LOL Sara! The author of one of my favorite self-help books, "The Artist's Way," says that critics are blocked creatives so maybe my scathing reviews are simply a veil for my jealousy? Please share your future book with me!!
To be fair - it is devastating in a lot of ways (giving birth is gnarly and recovery is intense!) but now that I'm a few months in, I think the criticism is often overblown. Yes, I am very privileged - my husband is super involved and I am not working right now. Having to go to work outside of the home would be tough. Obviously, our society is set up for women to fail in a million different ways but I'm talking about the daily tasks of childrearing. It's tedious and tiring but it's also just so cute and fun! It helps that my little muffin sleeps well and is generally a very smiley, happy dude. Having a colicky baby sounds dreadful.
Hey Kendall, glad you asked how parenting's going for me. Pretty well, too! I mean, objectively worse on a day-to-day basis than not having a money-, sleep-, independence-sucker, but big picture better.
I'm with you on book recommendations. Have you tried using AI? Maintaining a list of your favorite books and why (and maybe least faves and why), then asking for recs?
FWIW - I dropped your post into ChatGPT's o1 and here's what it spat out. Thoughts?
“My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by Ottessa Moshfegh
Irreverent, biting humor with a self-destructive female protagonist who’s no role model.
Explores mental health, modern ennui, and alienation without sugarcoating anything.
Plenty of people hate it—just the kind of divisive, off-kilter vibe she might appreciate.
“Eileen” by Ottessa Moshfegh
Another Moshfegh pick because her style is dark, wry, and full of misanthropic humor.
Eileen is a flawed, odd protagonist who wouldn’t win any likability contests but has an unforgettable voice.
“Severance” by Ling Ma
A satire on modern work culture and consumerism with a pandemic twist.
Deadpan humor and a protagonist who’s stuck in a soul-sucking job, making it a perfect match given her fondness for “soul-sucking job” memoirs.
A bleak sense of humor and a commentary on how we live and work.
“Luster” by Raven Leilani
Edgy, often uncomfortable situations.
A protagonist who’s young, directionless, and often makes questionable choices.
The tone is bracingly honest and humorous in a cynical, modern way—think messy female lead done right.
“Pretend I’m Dead” by Jen Beagin
Dark humor, a scrappy protagonist who’s far from perfect.
Offbeat and irreverent, it deals with big emotional messiness in a strange, often hilarious way.
Doesn’t shy away from the grimy details of life.
“Nightbitch” by Rachel Yoder
A mother dealing with intense life changes in a supernatural/metaphorical scenario (she believes she’s turning into a dog).
Strangely humorous, raw look at motherhood’s identity crises.
A good pick if she’s open to weirdness—just make sure she knows it’s offbeat.
“Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid
Tackles tough topics (race, class, privilege) with a brisk, humorous style.
Characters are flawed and complicated, no moral grandstanding.
Not a thriller, but the tension and social critique might appeal to her.
“Dept. of Speculation” by Jenny Offill
Compact, wry, and thoughtful—no bloated prose.
Deals with marriage, motherhood, identity, and existential dread with humor and brevity.
“Uncanny Valley” by Anna Wiener (Memoir)
A personal account of working in Silicon Valley at a soul-sucking tech startup.
Similar to Exit Interview or Private Equity in spirit—a front-row seat to corporate absurdity.
Told with a wry, skeptical tone.
AI! Why didn't I think of that!?
Of the 9 ChatGPT found, I had already read 3, borrowed and didn't attempt/finish 3, and had never heard of 3. Decent recs. Much better than GR!
1. “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” - I borrowed this from the library in 2021 but never read it. Will give it a go!
2. “Eileen” by Ottessa Moshfegh - hadn't heard of this, will add to my TBR list.
3. “Severance” by Ling Ma - I read this in 2022 and gave it 4 stars!
4. “Luster” by Raven Leilani - never heard of this. The people I follow on GR as split on it. Will check it out!
5. “Pretend I’m Dead” by Jen Beagin - I also borrowed this from the library in 2021 but never read it. Will try again.
6. “Nightbitch” by Rachel Yoder - Borrowed this one in April this year but didn't read it. Just read that it's turning into a movie with Amy Adams. It might be too weird/horror-ish for me.
7. “Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid - I read this in 2020 and gave it 4 stars!
8. “Dept. of Speculation” by Jenny Offill - Haven't heard of this one. Tried to read her book "Weather" 3 years ago and was not a fan.
9. “Uncanny Valley” by Anna Wiener (Memoir) - Read this in 2021 and gave it 4 stars!
How is Australia with your money/sleep/independence suckers?!
GREAT! Best playgrounds in the world. Generally excellent infrastructure - parks, pools, libraries, etc. Cool birds to point at. Lots of other parents with kids during the day cuz nobody can afford nannies (unlike in Cape Town, for example). Most importantly, the weather's not crap so we can be outside all the time.
Amazing! I am trying to convince my husband to follow your lead and live abroad! We are sad that the PNW winter has begun. So jealous of your life down under!