Gasoline Books Newsletter #2
New Year's resolution reading list, a must-read underdog story, & more
Well, the hangovers have been tamed, the decorations are stored (maybe), and the onset of the year has arrived. If you’re anything like me, 2023 snuck in like a shock of thunder on a clear summer day. I wasn’t necessarily ready for it, and yet, here we are. January 2. Boom rumble crack, Happy New Year.
I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. In my opinion, they’re a marketing scheme born out of capitalist-driven shame to keep you buying crap you don’t need (or want). I could tell you the stats and percentages of how likely you are to fail at that new gym routine or self-care regime, but that’s helpful to exactly no one. Let’s focus on the positives.
Here’s what I propose. Rather than vowing to take on some habit that’s bound to hang over your head like a cockroach marching up and down your bedroom ceiling (shout out to my NYC readers, IYKYK), just maybe don’t? Instead, do more — or keep doing — what you love. That’s it. That’s the resolution.
For me, it’s obvious. Easy. A cake walk. I’m going to fling myself into the depths of disassociation by way of gluttonous reading. I’m going to ladle essays and horror, contemporary literature and memoir into my brain until I can’t stand it.
Okay, whoa. Don’t what got a hold of me there. TL;DR: I’m going to keep reading. I’m going to stretch in new directions, and revisit some well-worn others. But mostly, I’m going to pepper in some classics and classic-adjacent books that I’ve been too intimidated to read until now. If you checked out my IG lately, you might have caught that my high school’s English program wasn’t the most inclusive or accessible, turning me off from reading and my potential alike. We read random archaic shit, most of which I’ve thankfully blacked out along with other terrors of the time like the taste of regurgitated Smirnoff Ice and the moves to the Electric Slide. So. Classic(ish) books will be part of the rotation for 2023. Here goes nothin’.
For some of you, maybe you’re interested in reading more intentionally. Maybe not, that’s cool, too. Maybe you want to dig into historical fiction or poetry or something else entirely. Do you. Grow where you’re rooted.
Below, you’ll find some book recs to get the new year rolling and tips from a couple badass booksta ladies. Happy 2023, folks. We’ll get through it, one page at a time.
Book of the Month
It’s not every day you get gut punched by a sentence. After finishing “Demon Copperhead'' by Barbara Kingsolver, I didn’t know if I needed medical attention, a shoulder to cry on, or a stiff drink. Don’t stress if you haven’t read “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens (I haven’t either; it’s on my classic, to-read list of the year). From what I can gather, the plot is loosely arranged according to the OG, but mainly, it’s a sweeping story of addiction, the search for family, and the rolling tides of life that promise to pull you under if you’re not paying attention.
Set in the Appalachian region of Virginia, Demon (née Damon) endures the cruelty that is the foster care system, a litany of bad luck dolled out like Sunday communion, and enough self-doubt to make this cynic blush. It’s not all doom and gloom, though (if that’s what you’re searching for, read “A Little Life”). Instead it’s about the events that ultimately shape us and force us to come to terms with what we’ve made of this situation called living. Kingsolver’s voice is exquisite. The descriptions are unparalleled. You’ll root for Demon from page one. You’ll miss him once you finish. For glory’s sake, just read it.
Read If: You’ve given up on perfecting your grandma’s biscuit recipe and need something else to occupy your time.
Reading Lists
If you’re hoping to shake up your reading list this year or are embarking on becoming a book nerd (welcome, friend), these books are near fail-proof for kickstarting a reading routine.
“Detransition, Baby” - Torrey Peters
“We the Animals” - Justin Torres
“Wow, No Thank You” - Samantha Irby
“A Visit From the Goon Squad” - Jennifer Egan
“Let the Great World Spin” - Colum McCann
“Crossroads” - Jonathan Franzen
“I’m With the Band” - Pamela Des Barres
“The Goldfinch” - Donna Tartt
“My Soul Looks Back” - Jessica B. Harris
“Girl, Woman, Other” - Bernardine Evaristo
Social Scene
Sometimes it just takes one book to uncover an entirely new genre, author, or series that could be low-key life changing. But what do you reach for after you’ve finished that earth-shattering tome? Below, these booksta ladies drop some knowledge (and book recs!) to help you ramp up your reading — and keep at it.
LiteraryOverflow: Molly’s smart snippets will get you right in the mood to sit down with something bookish. From major shelf inspo to friendly recs, Molly’s a fast follow for anyone looking to add more bookstas to their feeds.
On the book she most recommended in 2022: “I probably recommended Ursula K. Le Guin books the most in 2022, especially her “Earthsea” series. They’re kind of a literary type of high fantasy. The series is great for people of all ages, and they have a lot of depth to them.”
The Spines: I love a book account that manages to find balance between thoughtful reviews and recs, and not taking themselves too seriously. Megan manages to do just this. Her reels are exactly what you want when you’re panicked at a used bookshop and unsure of where to start (guilty) and equally as useful when you’re looking for a little comfort in your book fiendishness (also guilty).
Her rec to encourage consistent (and focused) reading: “Always have a book with you. So much of my time reading is while I’m waiting for other things or when I’m out and about! I also highly recommend picking up a cube timer if you’re struggling to focus on reading. Start with ten minutes on the timer and just read for that entire time without doing anything else. Increase the time as you go!”