I recently did something for myself, by myself. I joined five strangers in a dark bar, a fifteen minute walk from my house, to discuss the novel Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. 

I have been a part of a local parents group bookclub Signal chat for possibly over a year and have read each month’s book club pick but have never actually gone to an in-person meetup. Prior to a week ago leaving my house, alone, to do something as frivolous as discuss a novel felt, and actually was, impossible. Just reading the book was an accomplishment.

Read More