February 2022 Books

Come As You Are: The Surprising Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski surprised me in myriad ways. I didn't expect it to make the science so approachable. Nagoski focuses on acceptance of once self without trying to force one's self into conventional roles. She explores the science of genitalia with the theme of "all the same parts, organized in different ways" repeatedly because of how it applies to various aspects of sexuality and sexual identity. While I knew this on some level, Nagoski brought the concept to life in a way I didn't expect. I enjoyed Come As You Are quite a bit but did wonder about whether or not new research had been done in some areas. It wasn't until I was writing this review that I realized I bought the 2015 version, so I don't know how much the 2021 version is updated on the science. Nagoski's writes about sex, gender, and sexuality in a way that is engaging, inviting, and nonthreatening yet still grounded in science.


The Da Vinci Cook by Joanne Pence is a typical Angie Amalfi story complete with a dash of humor combined with a dash of danger. Angie makes rash decisions that puts both herself and her sister in danger. Detective Paavo Smith must deal with Angie's family in San Francisco, California while Angie and her sister, Cat, traipse over Rome, Italy chasing a religious relic to prove Cat didn't commit a crime for which she was framed.


 Your Body Is Not An Apology Workbook by Sonya Renee Taylor furthers the work of the book, The Body Is Not An Apology also by Sonya Renee Taylor. The workbook pushes one to delve into whatever issues they might have with their own body and to examine how society, the media, and expectations have contributed to feelings of body shame. I found most of the activities thought-provoking even when not exactly applicable to my experience. I finished the workbook today even though I'd expected to take through March to finish it because of the way many of the sections came together over the past month. I think it's a workbook one could work through at one's own pace. The questions were interesting and pushed me to think about where my answers originated as well as the kind of person I want to be toward myself and others when it comes to how we all live in our bodies.



Ongoing:

Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag Montefiore - I started this book about mid-way through February. So far it's interesting, but, man, the names - of people and places - can get confusing. I really don't want to say more than that until I finish it. 


Complete Poems of Bertolt Brecht by Bertolt Brecht is a very long book of poetry. I  continue to read a few poems each night. They are translated from German to English. The poems are always interesting even if not always pleasant. He isn't shy about taking on uncomfortable topics. I'll share more of my thoughts as I read more. As this book is 1071 pages, expect it to show up for several months.


52 Lists for Calm by Moorea Seal - I started this journal, but it will take all year to complete. It's a list journal with prompts that one fills out weekly rather than daily. So far, so good.

52 Lists for Bravery by Moorea Seal - This is another list journal I started at the beginning of the year. Like the one for Calm, it is a weekly list journal with prompts. Again, so far it is going well.


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