Open to all - paid or unpaid subscribers. As long as you have an interest in oddball books that are not on other book club lists and want to read them along with Jane, you're in!
This looks like the early front runner. I voted for all three, which means I guess that I'm letting you all decide. I'm so psyched for all of this. I'm also interested to check out write in candidates if any come in.
I always want to suggest The Basement by Kate Millett because it was so formative and influential for me. But it's not exactly controversial, I don't think. That's just an aside!
Oh my God, you're so efficient! I didn’t know you were doing this right now and I definitely appreciate it. Let’s get the link and the word out in a newsletter before this cutoff - and I'm guessing you mean this coming Monday? Because if there’s any room for misinterpretation, I will do it! And Roberta will probably do it too! Thanks, Corynne!!
I just came back to add that I did get your joke about the cut off being before "Monday at 11:59 PM". It took me a few minutes though !
Love this idea (and book clubs!), and I vote for How to Lose Your Mother. I’ll admit I don’t know much about Molly (though I know the premise of the book), but I loved Fear of Flying when I read it in my early 20s and always assumed Erica Jong was super cool. Also: what makes a good mom or a bad mom? Possible controversy all over the place. I’m in
You should see how many times Corynne and I went back-and-forth in texts because I wasn't understanding the voting method. So no worries if you missed it too.
A Year on Earth with Mr. Hell by Young Kim, an erotic memoir about her affair with Richard Hell - who hates the book, but is also the kind of writer who put a naked picture of himself in his own book proposal.
Wow, the suggestions are blowing me away. I'm voting for this one for whenever other people also want to read it and going to check it out myself now. Thank you!! I love this!
That's so wonderful and I love to hear that and I'm also not at all surprised. Are you going to join us for the discussion of his book? We still have to schedule it and if you talk to James before I do, let him know I'll base it on his schedule. Thank you for writing this!
Thrift books.com is claiming it’s “the most beloved gay love story of all time. “ This inspired me to get the paperback off eBay, thanks AJPT! Enabling my musty 70s paperback habit
I will wait for all the results to come in of course (especially because I made a mistake and only sent this out to paid subscribers which I didn't mean to do, so we're resending it to everyone hopefully right now). But I did meet Molly a couple weeks ago and told her we were putting her book into this book club. So it would be nice to have been honest!
Respectfully, I don’t see why this counts as a controversial book. I read it—it is an enjoyable read—and I liked the depiction of her relationship with her mother which didn’t seem that surprising though. What struck me most was her insular, ultra-privileged life: private schools, life in Manhattan, shopping sprees at Bergdorfs, lots and lots of famous friends. That this person is a political commentator seems possibly controversial. Her life barely resembles anyone in the population. My vote is for The Salt Path or a book by Abigail Shrier. I think at one point Amazon actually refused to sell her books—now that’s controversial.
It is controversial because some people felt that it was not fair for her to write it when her mom had dementia. And that she was using her mom’s fame to promote herself. Nobody has to agree with that take (I don’t) but that’s why it’s controversial.
I think we already said in the write up above what we were considering the controversial element of How To Lose Your Mother, and that was based on publicity when it came out. But your description of that lifestyle that's captured in the book is the kind of thing that really irks me and could easily turn it into a hate read.
As I said, I just met Molly a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I liked her tremendously. She was super outspoken and sober, two things I like.
All this does make me want to read it more. And I was dead serious about how much I appreciate you disagreeing. That is going to be an important element of book club, and we need more of it around here in general anyway. Thank you.
As I said in my comment, I actually enjoyed reading the book, although that shouldn’t be a requirement. My personal reaction to a factual lifestyle described does not, in my opinion, turn it into “a hate read.” Hope you enjoy it.
I wasn't suggesting you felt that way - your description of the facts in the book reminded me of having had that reaction myself to related stories.
I also am thinking more about the potential controversy over a political commentator having a background that is not reflective of most of the population.
And Abigail Shrier's work fits the bill perfectly, in my opinion.
I love and so appreciate these takes. I want to come back here and write more when I have another second but I wanted you to know how much I value getting these opinions - dissenting or contradictory ones are so helpful, interesting, and still fairly uncommon here.
I love memoir~ possibly more than any other genre. The title of Jong's book instantly grabbed me by the throat because...*reasons*. What I find compelling is that, while I can't relate to a wealthy, privileged upbringing ( QUITE the contrary), that gilded lifestyle rarely acts as a shield against difficult relationships..especially with a parent. Especially with a mother. So ( and I KNOW I'm doing this wrong. My apologies, Corynne) I vote for this one.
I love that you brazenly admit to knowing you are doing it wrong. And, I love that title you're considering for your memoir below. I can't wait to read it!
I'm just SO used to how my ND brain processes information, I rarely even pretend anymore to "get it". It's embarrassing but it's been explained to me by an expert. Sometimes it feels like the left and right sides of my brain have never even met!
What a wild and great way to put it. One of my best friends told me years ago that it struck him how I would so often say "I don't know" or "I don't understand or I don't get it". It's so much more freeing just to say that rather than pretend.
I really want to read it! And I think it’s the front runner — but I am going to add up the votes and announce the winner VERY soon. Roberta, we just adore you and thank thank you for your incredible series. Obviously you have a memoir in you, too.
I adore you both, too!! This is such a great space. And yes...I've been working on a memoir for quite a while now. My tentative title is: The Work, The World, and Me: In-Between. Something like that. It is about my upbringing iin that bizarre cult, escaping as an adult, and raising my child on my own in a world that was a foreign landscape.
How To Lose Your Mother (Vote)
This looks like the early front runner. I voted for all three, which means I guess that I'm letting you all decide. I'm so psyched for all of this. I'm also interested to check out write in candidates if any come in.
All The White Friends I Couldn’t Keep (Vote)
The Salt Path (Vote)
I always want to suggest The Basement by Kate Millett because it was so formative and influential for me. But it's not exactly controversial, I don't think. That's just an aside!
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
We’ll be posting the book club winner shortly. I don’t want to promise any specific date bc IT’S AUGUST but before Monday. Monday 11:59pm PT 😆
THE ONLY REAL WAY TO VOTE IN THIS VERY REAL ELECTION IS TO LIKE / 🩷 THE COMMENT (from me) THAT LISTS YOUR CHOICE.
Also! We recently welcomed Roberta and you met her here in the comments but we’d love to get your response to her latest story here.
https://www.anotherjaneprattthing.com/p/my-therapist-paid-for-me-to-change?r=19wfo&utm_medium=email
Oh my God, you're so efficient! I didn’t know you were doing this right now and I definitely appreciate it. Let’s get the link and the word out in a newsletter before this cutoff - and I'm guessing you mean this coming Monday? Because if there’s any room for misinterpretation, I will do it! And Roberta will probably do it too! Thanks, Corynne!!
I just came back to add that I did get your joke about the cut off being before "Monday at 11:59 PM". It took me a few minutes though !
Love this idea (and book clubs!), and I vote for How to Lose Your Mother. I’ll admit I don’t know much about Molly (though I know the premise of the book), but I loved Fear of Flying when I read it in my early 20s and always assumed Erica Jong was super cool. Also: what makes a good mom or a bad mom? Possible controversy all over the place. I’m in
I vote for HTLYM as well. Sorry - I didn’t see the way to vote as described in the post.
Oop now I see it!
You should see how many times Corynne and I went back-and-forth in texts because I wasn't understanding the voting method. So no worries if you missed it too.
Hahaha I am not counting up comments 😆😆😆 heart / like your choice everyone!!
SO glad you are in charge here, Corynne!
All 3 are great choices. We could do them 1 at a time.
You always have a smart idea and I like this one. If no other suggestions come in that everyone wants to rush to read first, I would do this for sure.
A Year on Earth with Mr. Hell by Young Kim, an erotic memoir about her affair with Richard Hell - who hates the book, but is also the kind of writer who put a naked picture of himself in his own book proposal.
Wow, the suggestions are blowing me away. I'm voting for this one for whenever other people also want to read it and going to check it out myself now. Thank you!! I love this!
This sounds great
I’ve been working with James while he’s on book tour. One of the nicest authors I’ve worked with.
That's so wonderful and I love to hear that and I'm also not at all surprised. Are you going to join us for the discussion of his book? We still have to schedule it and if you talk to James before I do, let him know I'll base it on his schedule. Thank you for writing this!
I will join & I’ll remind him!
Thank you and see you then!
O and I vote for all of them lol
Just be sure to actually vote by hitting like / heart in the choice! Thank you!! And I owe you an email … Im behind on life!
I was going to say to vote that way too, but I knew you would cover it! Thanks, Corynne!
I appreciate this, did not understand that part . lol announcing my preferences like anyone cares
Ha ha, you are hilarious. We care Ajoy, we care!
Good choice, AJoy!
The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren
Read this paperback of my hippie parents in early hs. It was stolen from me by my gay friends in HS. (Uhh of course)
Curious if it’s viewed as risqué or if it’s well known or not.
Maybe I am from a hick place and this is not suppressed book, I just do not understand the 70s.
I'm looking into this. Sounds great!!
Thrift books.com is claiming it’s “the most beloved gay love story of all time. “ This inspired me to get the paperback off eBay, thanks AJPT! Enabling my musty 70s paperback habit
I'm looking for it now too. Xoxoox
Something to consider re The Salt Path: https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-real-salt-path-how-the-couple-behind-a-bestseller-left-a-trail-of-debt-and-deceit
Yes that’s why we chose it! Because of the controversy.
Got it. I guess I misinterpreted the plan.
I think you are just so completely in sync with us that we all thought of the same thing.
How to Lose Your Mother gets my vote (mostly because I already own it and haven't yet cracked it open!)
I vote for How to Lose Your Mother.
I will wait for all the results to come in of course (especially because I made a mistake and only sent this out to paid subscribers which I didn't mean to do, so we're resending it to everyone hopefully right now). But I did meet Molly a couple weeks ago and told her we were putting her book into this book club. So it would be nice to have been honest!
Respectfully, I don’t see why this counts as a controversial book. I read it—it is an enjoyable read—and I liked the depiction of her relationship with her mother which didn’t seem that surprising though. What struck me most was her insular, ultra-privileged life: private schools, life in Manhattan, shopping sprees at Bergdorfs, lots and lots of famous friends. That this person is a political commentator seems possibly controversial. Her life barely resembles anyone in the population. My vote is for The Salt Path or a book by Abigail Shrier. I think at one point Amazon actually refused to sell her books—now that’s controversial.
It is controversial because some people felt that it was not fair for her to write it when her mom had dementia. And that she was using her mom’s fame to promote herself. Nobody has to agree with that take (I don’t) but that’s why it’s controversial.
Hi again, Lisa.
I think we already said in the write up above what we were considering the controversial element of How To Lose Your Mother, and that was based on publicity when it came out. But your description of that lifestyle that's captured in the book is the kind of thing that really irks me and could easily turn it into a hate read.
As I said, I just met Molly a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I liked her tremendously. She was super outspoken and sober, two things I like.
All this does make me want to read it more. And I was dead serious about how much I appreciate you disagreeing. That is going to be an important element of book club, and we need more of it around here in general anyway. Thank you.
As I said in my comment, I actually enjoyed reading the book, although that shouldn’t be a requirement. My personal reaction to a factual lifestyle described does not, in my opinion, turn it into “a hate read.” Hope you enjoy it.
I wasn't suggesting you felt that way - your description of the facts in the book reminded me of having had that reaction myself to related stories.
I also am thinking more about the potential controversy over a political commentator having a background that is not reflective of most of the population.
And Abigail Shrier's work fits the bill perfectly, in my opinion.
I love and so appreciate these takes. I want to come back here and write more when I have another second but I wanted you to know how much I value getting these opinions - dissenting or contradictory ones are so helpful, interesting, and still fairly uncommon here.
I love memoir~ possibly more than any other genre. The title of Jong's book instantly grabbed me by the throat because...*reasons*. What I find compelling is that, while I can't relate to a wealthy, privileged upbringing ( QUITE the contrary), that gilded lifestyle rarely acts as a shield against difficult relationships..especially with a parent. Especially with a mother. So ( and I KNOW I'm doing this wrong. My apologies, Corynne) I vote for this one.
I love that you brazenly admit to knowing you are doing it wrong. And, I love that title you're considering for your memoir below. I can't wait to read it!
I'm just SO used to how my ND brain processes information, I rarely even pretend anymore to "get it". It's embarrassing but it's been explained to me by an expert. Sometimes it feels like the left and right sides of my brain have never even met!
What a wild and great way to put it. One of my best friends told me years ago that it struck him how I would so often say "I don't know" or "I don't understand or I don't get it". It's so much more freeing just to say that rather than pretend.
I really want to read it! And I think it’s the front runner — but I am going to add up the votes and announce the winner VERY soon. Roberta, we just adore you and thank thank you for your incredible series. Obviously you have a memoir in you, too.
I adore you both, too!! This is such a great space. And yes...I've been working on a memoir for quite a while now. My tentative title is: The Work, The World, and Me: In-Between. Something like that. It is about my upbringing iin that bizarre cult, escaping as an adult, and raising my child on my own in a world that was a foreign landscape.
I don't know why my vote posted twice - sorry about that!! 🤦♀️
Though Corynne will say to make sure to vote by liking the comment where she posted the name of the book you want. She's got a system!
Yes you have to hit like on your choice!!
Vote early and often! I love the effort!
How to Lose Your Mother (Vote)