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It’s the start of a new year, which means it’s resolution time! Who doesn’t love coming up with all the ways they’re going to be a better, thinner, thriftier human and then losing enthusiasm for the project by January 31st? This year I’ve decided to do something I’m much more likely to follow through on: be more mindful of the books I choose to read.

As you may have read in a previous blog, the number of books I read in 2017 was, for me, completely abysmal. My optimistic goal of reading 35 books last year died sometime in July. In addition to the number of books I read being much lower than I’d expected, the variety of authors was just embarrassing. Mostly male, mostly white. I definitely need to widen my horizons, challenge my thinking, and support writers of color, particularly women.

It became glaringly obvious in 2017 that white women like me are failing women of color at every turn, and we need to do better. So, with that in mind, I’ve found some book lists to help me (and you) make better reading choices in 2018. As R. O. Kwon so eloquently states in the first article below: “If we can’t imagine one another, how will we get through these next few years?”

R.O. Kwon at Electric Lit put together a list of 46 Books by Women of Color to Read in 2018.

If fantasy fiction is your thing, here is a list from Goodreads of fantasy fiction by women of color.

Here are 23 LGTBQ books, all featuring protagonists who are people of color.

Into the YA scene? Here is a list of 100 inclusive science fiction/fantasy books from Book Riot.

This list is a few years old, but there is a good variety of genres to pick from.

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2017, Think Progress collected a list of 30 must-read books by women of color.

Check back in a few months for some reviews of the books I’ve read so far!

Happy New Year, and Happy Reading!

The year 2017 has been a rough one for many people. Whenever you think it can’t possibly get worse, that humanity can’t really be that bad, it does, and it is. From the election of the least popular president in U.S. history and the rise of neo-Nazism, to the refugee crisis and climate change, there has been a lot to be worried about (in fact, I had a hard time paring down the list of horrible things going on in the world, so that was fun). The future seems like a bleak, empty black hole whose gravitational pull is sucking us all in toward oblivion.

This morning I found myself reflecting on my own personal journey this year and how it would have been next to impossible to make without the love and support of my friends and family. I have leaned on them more than usual these past twelve months, and I am eternally grateful that they rushed in to support me with selflessness, love, and unwavering kindness. My wish for you, whatever you celebrate at this time of year, is that you’re able to find your own tribe of lovingkindness. Or, that you can be that person for someone else. We’re all going to need to hold each other up to face whatever comes.

On that note, I’ve rummaged around that garbage heap known as The Internet (damn it, I just remembered about net neutrality—f*ck) and found some things to, hopefully, lift your spirits.

This article in the New York Times, celebrating the arts in 2017.

This story about a Baltimore police detective who brought joy to a 98-year-old woman in her final days.

Two wealthy, beautiful people got engaged. (I know, I know. But they seem happy, so whatever.)

Sesame Street got a grant to bring some joy to refugee children from Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria. (Actually, just tool around that website for a minute. You’ll feel better.)

This bag of dicks was finally found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to life in prison.

Wonder Woman happened.

This questionable (but still heartwarming) excuse for getting out of jury duty.

These tech billionaires did something good with their money.

Bill Gates noted some positive news from Twitter.

Also from Bill Gates, some positive news on climate change.

I hope these stories have restored your faith in humanity a little bit. Now, go forth and be a positive force in the world.

Happy New Year!

For many of us, the words poetry and poem conjure up painful memories of high school English teachers trying desperately to get us to thee and thou our way through Shakespeare’s sonnets and arrive at some kind of understanding of what the Bard was getting at. Personally, I had always thought poetry was a bit beyond me. I hardly ever knew what a poet was trying to say, and for the love of everything could not figure out why they couldn’t just bloody well say what they wanted to say.

Or whether shall I say, mine eye saith true,
And that your love taught it this alchemy

-from “Sonnet 114” by William Shakespeare

Whatever, Shakespeare.

Sometime in college, however, it was pointed out to me that perhaps that was the problem. Why must we figure out what the poet is “trying” to say? What if we just listened to the words, the shape of them, the sound they make, the order in which they appear on the page? What if we just took the poem on it’s face and saw it for what it was? A gathering together of words that evoke an image or a feeling, even if it’s not the image or the feeling that the poet might have intended or had in mind when she was writing. It was like someone switched on a light. I suddenly “got” poetry.

Mind was a prison, ruby lined
in its lipstick noir—

-from “Everyone in Me is a Bird” by Melissa Studdard,

I have become a lover of poetry. I read poetry every day, thanks to poets.org and their fantastic Poem-A-Day email. I even buy books of poetry in the bookstore, on purpose. I have found poetry to be like mental yoga. When the world is a flaming pile of horse sh*t (which, let’s be honest, is pretty much always these days), reading a poem brings my brain a sense of calm. I turn off whatever noise is happening around me and I zero my attention in on a few lines and I read them slowly. I even backtrack and read lines over to make sure I’ve gotten the full flavor before I move on. I read the whole poem again. Repeat asana.

Once in a sycamore I was glad
all at the top, and I sang.

-from “Dream Song 1” by John Berryman

I have a folder in my email inbox where I put the poems that I really love. I’ll forward them to friends I think might enjoy them.

I also have the the Poetry Foundation‘s poetry app. This delightful app puts hundreds of poems at your fingertips, and is a great way to spend time in line at the grocery store. Bonus: Someone will see you staring at your phone and assume you’re doing something mundane and mindless, when, in fact, you’re reading the sublime lines of William Blake. Take that, Judgey McJudgesalot.

in love. I shout with the rough calculus
of walking. Just let me find my way back,
let me move like a tide come in.

-“The moon rose over the bay. I had a lot of feelings.“ by Donika Kelly

Perhaps the best part of the poetry app is the spin feature. Click the “spin” button and you’ll land on a random pairing of topics (Joy & Life, Passion & Youth, Boredom & Family, etc.) and it will give you a list of poems on that topic. You can then slide the top half and the bottom half to make different combos and see what poems come up (Joy & Youth, Boredom & Life, etc.). I like to use it as a kind of Magic Eight Ball. Think of a question you want to know the answer to, keep it in your mind as you hit the spin button, and the first poem in the list will have the answer to your question! Of course, if you don’t like that answer, or if the answer is unclear, just move down the list. Fate is nothing if not reasonable.

what was once lost
now leaps before you.

-from “Why Whales are Back in New York City” by Rajiv Mohabir

The point is, friends and lovers, that poetry is not something to be afraid of or confused by. Poetry is experience distilled down into its essence. It is a combination of words chosen with precision and care to make an image in your mind, or a feeling you can’t quite put your finger on, or maybe a feeling you can put all five fingers on and you’d rather not think about that right now so you move on to another one. Poetry is a quiet moment with your mind, in which you can take a break, stretch, breathe.

What is known as love, what can become 
the heart’s food stored away for some future
Famine

-from “May Perpetual Light Shine” by Patricia Spears Jones

Listen, I get it. The holiday season is a busy time. There are relatives. There is food. There are various and sundry school and work festivities you’re obliged to take part in. You have to buy gifts (from your favorite online shop, probably) and you have to practice your “Oh this is such a great gift!” face for when someone gets you a truly heinous thing that no one in their right mind would ever pay actual money for. It’s a hectic time of year. I get it.

However:

THIS DOES NOT EXCUSE YOU FROM APOSTROPHE ABUSE IN YOUR HOLIDAY CARDS.

There. I said it. STEP AWAY FROM THE APOSTROPHE.

Since I know you’re busy and you don’t have time to Google the rules for making names plural, I have taken pity upon you and created a little guide. I know, I’m amazing. You’re welcome.

• Do NOT use an apostrophe. I know you want to. I know it’s right there, just waiting to be the hook that you hang that s onto, but resist. You can do it. Back away.
• If your name ends in any letter other than s, x, z, ch, or sh, just slap that s right on there. Bam! Done.
• If your name ends in s, x, z, ch, or sh, add an es (e.g., Rodriguezes, Joneses). I know it looks weird. Get over it.

Whew! People. It’s that simple. You can do it. We believe in you.

And if you need a quick reminder, or if you can’t quite get this concept across to a loved one, we have the perfect gift.

Order by December 15th to get it by Christmas!

If you’re anything like me, you started out 2017 with grand plans for reading All the Books, perhaps also keeping a reading journal where you would write out some brilliant thoughts about All the Books. Unfortunately, if you’re like me, 2017 took a hard right turn somewhere and all of your lovely reading, and thinking about reading, plans went right down the crapper. I read 33 books last year, according to my Goodreads Reading Challenge. This year I thought I could read 35 with no problem. It’s just two more books. What could possibly go wrong?

The answer: 2017. The year 2017 went wrong.

It is November 28th and I have read 15 books so far. Fifteen! It’s hard for my brain to even comprehend this. Probably because I only read 15 books and my brain has gotten slow and flabby.

If you find yourself in the same predicament and you just can’t decide what to read next, fear not. I am here to present you with a quick review of All 15 (sigh) Books Amberly Managed to Read in 11 Months. Click on the book titles to go to their respective Goodreads pages for more info. Happy browsing!

1.) Turner: The Extraordinary Life and Momentous Times of J.M.W. Turner by Franny Moyle

Wow, I was really hoping to ease you guys into the depths of my nerdiness. Alas. This is the first book I read in 2017, so, here we go. I highly recommend this book if you love J.M.W. Turner paintings. He was an interesting and complicated person and later in life he kind of just started to do his own thing and it’s fascinating. If you don’t like J.M.W. Turner paintings, or if you have never heard of him (Google him, for the love of everything) then I don’t know what to do with you.

2. & 3.)The Name of the Wind  and The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

I’m doing these together because they’re books one and two of the Kingkiller Chronicle series by Patrick Rothfuss. Book three has yet to be written, so if you’re the kind of person who needs to know how things end RIGHT NOW, I recommend waiting until the third book comes out, which, spoiler alert, may be never (although there is a TV adaptation in the works). If you’re not that kind of person, these are some fantastic fantasy novels with all of the fantasy staples: poor kid who doesn’t know he’s destined for greatness, magic, bad guys, faeries, lutes, etc.

4.) The View from the Cheap Seats: A Collection of Introductions, Essays, and Assorted Writings by Neil Gaiman

Well, that pretty much sums it up. If you love Neil Gaiman, you will probably love this book. He has Wise Things to Say about Life, Writing, and Whatnot.

5.) Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

A retelling of classic Norse mythology. It’s good on its own, but I found the experience slightly enhanced by casting a Hemsworth brother (honestly, does it matter which one?) and Tom Hiddleston as Thor and Loki in my head.

6.) The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss

Although this book also takes place within the same story of The Name of the Wind  and The Wise Man’s Fear, it’s a small book that explores the life of a side character, so it’s not technically part of the series. It’s not necessary to read it in order to understand the main books, but it’s still beautifully done and will hold you over for an hour or so whilst we wait patiently for Mr. Rothfuss to finish the third book…

7.) Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Are you sensing a pattern here? This is a straight-up fairy tale told Neil Gaiman-style. It’s a fun, fast read that would be perfect if you’re trying to beef up your Reading Challenge numbers quickly.

8.) The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy

I swear I have no idea what possesses me to pick these kinds of books up. I can think of exactly one other person I know who would enjoy this book. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys a plodding English family drama with bits of salacious sex that never actually appear on the page, but drive the entire plot, then this is your jam. Warning: Contains lots of Old White Men doing idiot things to the detriment of most.

9.) The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster

This trilogy usually appears bound together as one volume, so I think it only counts as one book. The three books are loosely related to each other and are a little weird and completely brilliant and I had a ton of fun reading them. They’re about people in New York City, but they are not at all conventional or beholden to your preconceptions. You’ve been warned.

10.) Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

I picked this up because J.D. Vance is a hometown boy and I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the 2016 election. I’ll keep my opinions on the conclusions he draws to myself. The book is well written and I think it portrays the places I grew up with a degree of fairness.

11.) Villette by Charlotte Brontë

If you’ve read Jane Eyre and you’re not on a “I must read everything Charlotte Brontë ever wrote” kick, then I would suggest passing this one up. It’s basically a lesser version of Jane Eyre and there is a lot of French dialogue that isn’t translated (at least not in the copy I have) so you’ll spend a lot of time typing things into Google Translate. Unless you read French, of course, in which case, you know. Good for you.

12.) Hermit in Paris: Autobiographical Writings by Italo Calvino

If you’re not into Italo Calvino or his writing (sort of magical realism), then you can probably skip this book, too. If you do like his writing, it’s an interesting look into his writing processes and his life generally.

13.) The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon

I cannot recommend Michael Chabon enough. This is the second book I’ve read of his (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay was the first) and each time I marveled at his ability to nail down humans being human. And he does it with wit and gorgeous writing. The Yiddish Policemen’s Union is an alternative history exploration with a murder mystery, social commentary, a bit of a love story, and some good old fashion noir.

14.) Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman

Who has two thumbs and kept Neil Gaiman in expensive notebooks this year? This girl.

This is the first of the Sandman comics, though I think it wasn’t originally published in that order. It’s brilliant, just like all of the other stuff he does.

15.) The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

This book is a subtle punch to the gut. Arundhati Roy has an uncanny ability to sneak the most life-altering, horrifying experiences into prose and then weave in the repercussions in such a way that you don’t realize you’re dead until you’re a ghost standing over your own corpse like “What just happened here?” This book won the Booker Prize in 1995 and no wonder.

Bonus Books

Just in case those weren’t enough to whet your bookish appetite, I’m currently reading:

The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman, a fascinating look at the science of ornithology and how studying the way bird brains work could help us understand ourselves;

and

The Brontës: Wild Genius on the Moors by Juliet Baker, the most in-depth biography of the entire Brontë family available. I hope.

Not Slim Shady, sadly. Or maybe, thankfully. Either way, my actual name is Amberly and I will be your friendly neighborhood blogger at Grammatical Art for the foreseeable future.

Hello!

A Brief History of, Well, Me

I’m originally from Ohio. I went to undergrad at the same illustrious institution that the two amazing Women of Grammatical Art attended, received my bachelor of arts in English with a creative writing emphasis, did some random stuff for a year or two and then moved to Baltimore to pursue an MFA in creative writing and publishing arts. After that, I worked in medical publishing for about four years, then moved back to Ohio to be closer to my family. Currently my day job consists of comparing one document against another document in the hope that I catch all of the errors before the first document goes out in the market. It’s all very exciting.

In my free time I read, write, watch movies, plan world domination, go to the gym, and volunteer. I drink more coffee than is probably wise.

What I Shall Be Blogging About

Books, grammar, science, coffee, movies about books, grammar, science, or coffee, how I will never forgive Linda or Paul McCartney for the line “…world/in which we live in.” That type of stuff.

What I Hope You’ll Gain from Said Blogging

A laugh, some knowledge, and a small but nagging irritation whenever you hear “Live and Let Die.”

See you around!

I am a self-proclaimed Grammar Queen. I’ve been told by numerous people that I care too much about the Oxford comma. I’ve been known to end relationships before they’ve started because he texted “your welcome.” I rule my grammar queendom with an iron fist. However …

I STILL don’t know the difference between past and passed. There. I said it. Did I just walk past something? Or have I gone passed the point of no return? I couldn’t tell you. I know that the past already happened. But if you’ve passed something, it’s in the past. So did you go past it, or passed it? I get so caught up in this circle, talking myself into and back out of choosing one over the other that I end up rewriting the sentence so I don’t have to use either one. Sound familiar? I’m not proud of it, but I’m not ashamed to admit that my Grammar Queen crown perhaps has one or two scuff marks.

It turns out I’m not alone. The English language is huge and complicated and has taken on so many different parts of other languages over the years that it’s frankly amazing that anyone gets it right. (Speaking of which, check out this doozy of a mistake on bbc.com. It threw me off so badly I couldn’t finish the article. Now I’ll never know where that stupid gold wound up.) We all make mistakes, and while sometimes all it will cost you is a date with me (you should be so lucky), another time it could be a multi-million dollar settlement on the line (I wasn’t kidding about that Oxford comma, y’all) or cost you a promotion.

So, while some people may be able to look passed your grammar foibles, others will not be able to get passed it, and you may find your position as Grammar Queen a thing of the past. (Did I do it right?)

While you’re here, check out our merch! You might find just the thing you need to reclaim your Grammar Queen crown.

Happy Halloween from Grammatical Art!

Or should we say “Happy Hallowe’en?” Ever wonder where that seemingly random apostrophe in some spellings of Hallowe’en came from? Hallowe’en, or All Hallows’ Evening, was traditionally celebrated the night before All Hallows’ Day, a Western Christian holiday honoring the dead. (It’s much more complicated than that, but we’re not going to get into the whole Judeo-Christian-pagan connection here. If you want to know more, Google is your friend).

All Hallows’ Evening was shortened to All Hallows’ Even, which was eventually contracted into Hallowe’en, with the apostrophe taking the place of the ‘v’ in Even. This was pretty common practice in English writing in the past; you’ll find e’ens all over old English poetry and prose. The apostrophe has been dropped from modern spellings, but traditionalists still take up the banner in defense of grammar. We can’t really blame them.

Enjoy the holiday, everyone!