18 Comments
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Baird Brightman's avatar

"enjoying yourself as you are, right now, is not something the world tells you is possible."

And so that is something we must tell ourselves, every day, more than once.

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Kate Jones's avatar

Absolutely! We should make it a mantra…

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Loredana's avatar

I have recently read "stronger: changing everything I knew of women's strength" by Poorna Bell. Although it's a book focused on strength and sport rather than pleasure, I found it very feminist and insightful on how we are conditioned to see our bodies (by the patriarchy, society etc.) and the disconnect with what healthy women bodies should look like (spoiler alert: not thin!). It's more of an essay than a memoir, but I found it very inspiring.

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Kate Jones's avatar

That sounds so interesting! Thanks, I will add it to my list :)

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Rebekah Shoaf's avatar

I've been wanting to read this since I heard GM on Everything is Fine a year ago, and your post was a reminder to put this at the top of my TBR. Thank you for this thorough and enticing recap!

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Kate Jones's avatar

Excellent!! I hope you enjoy it, although be prepared to want to jump straight on a plane to Paris...

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Love the reflection about different paths, and always nice to discuss it with you, Kate, and see the different threads in the books and artists you uncover. Agree there are many 'right' answers, and sometimes it's choosing to make it the 'right' one for you. so many circumstances that change things as well. I could see how this might be somewhat annoying in the book, though. It depends how it's said and maybe one side or the other will always be a bit naive in being able to understand how they are perceived. Rather, I don't think there are just two sides and we may be assuming the ways people interact or make comments as certain kinds of judgements when they may in fact be curiosity, insecurity, or not much at all that instead we take a certain way.

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Kate Jones's avatar

Thanks, Kate. I know we have had many similar discussions! And yes, there are so many nuances, it can sometimes feel like judgement when it is just a different perspective. It’s great that we can have these open dialogues and read about other perspectives, I think. I find it SO interesting to be parenting grown up kids now and getting their perspectives!

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

I bet they have a lot to say about it!

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Franca's avatar

You have share some interesting insights and I will be seeking this book out to read. I too have wondered about the posts people put online of all their travel pics. Whilst its lovely to share memories of travel, there is a lot of oversharing and I too have been thinking about the impact on others. I am tending to share less and more to specific groups of individuals who share a similar interest. You have given me lots to think about!

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Kate Jones's avatar

Thank you for reading, Franca. It's interesting to think about!

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Franca's avatar

Certainly is! I have put a copy of the book on reserve with my local library…thank you.

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Chiara Mapelli's avatar

Sounds really lovely, I’ll check it out! I’ve been reading Milk Fed by Melissa Broder and I have loved it just as much as All Fours (which I read in January and still haunts me daily!) xx

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Kate Jones's avatar

Oh, I haven't read Milk Fed but have heard a lot of good reviews! I will need to check it out. All Fours is remarkable!

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Jon (Animated)'s avatar

A great piece. Paris, it ain’t cheap.

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Kate Jones's avatar

But one day…

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Claire Holden's avatar

Honestly, I think you single-handedly have the biggest impact on the size of my reading wishlist 🙈 Still haven’t read the Miranda July! Another thoughtful review, thank you.

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Kate Jones's avatar

😄 sorrynotsorry 🤓 📚 The July and MacNicol back-to-back would be great fun!

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