I didn’t post much in March, because I was busy (and stressed) filling out retirement papers. On March 31, I left a job I’ve had for 22 years at the U.S. Department of Education. I don’t normally write about my work, but what’s happening to the federal government is devastating. I’m fortunate to have the option of taking early retirement and the means to make that work. Many of my colleagues and friends were unceremoniously laid off, then treated like criminals instead of the hard-working, dedicated employees they are.
Many people aren’t sure what the Department of Education does; this is enabling a false narrative about the Department as inefficient, unnecessary, and intrusive. The Department doesn’t tell any school in this country what to teach. Instead, it supports financial aid, collects data, funds education research, and holds states and school districts accountable for complying with statutory and civil rights requirements. Notably, these legal requirements are set by Congress, not by the Department.
So it’s been difficult to read, and even more difficult to write about books like nothing else is going on. This week I’m unemployed for the first time since I started law school; that’s a privilege, I know, but it’s also terrifying. I’m excited to have time to think and process, to look for new opportunities, and to pour more of myself into this blog. But I’m devastated to leave a job I love and work I care deeply about. And I’m frightened for my friends and co-workers who have lost or remain at risk of losing their jobs.
Here’s what I read in March:
- The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (audio)
- Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (ebook/audio)
- The Chosen by Chaim Potok (audio)
- Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (ebook)
- The Husbands by Holly Gramazio (audio)
- Swordheart by T. Kingfisher (ebook/ARC)
My favorite reads:
Everything I read this month was really good, but maybe my favorite was The Husbands, a book many of you have recommended. Lauren comes home one night to a man standing on her doorstep who turns out to be her husband – only she’s never seen him before. In a flash her life changes; but then the husband goes up into the attic and a new one comes down. These husbands know her but she doesn’t know them, and her past and present change with each one. What’s brilliant about this book is how it explores all the small ways your personality, interests, and even appearance change depending on who you’re with. What would happen if you could swap out your husband for a new one any time you wanted? How would you know which one to actually keep?
The Charm Offensive was the second book I’ve read by Alison Cochrun, and I loved it. I’ve never watched The Bachelor but I’ll admit to a fascination with Love Island. In this book, Charlie is the “Bachelor” on a show called Ever After, only he finds himself falling for his handler on the production team instead of the dozen women he has to date, and he’s contractually obliged to propose to one of them. This book is a fun behind-the-scenes look at romantic reality television, but it’s also a moving love story.
On the blog:
I posted a review of Swordheart by T. Kingfisher, and I posted about my progress on the Jewish Genre Reading Challenge.
Books for challenges:
- Jewish Genre Reading Challenge: The Chosen, Shred Sisters
- Backlist: Starling House, The Chosen, The Charm Offensive
What I’m reading now:
Right now I’m reading two ARCs, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools that Built the Civil Rights Movement by Elaine Weiss and Barely Visible: Mothering a Son Through His Misunderstood Asperger Syndrome by Kathleen Somers. For fun, I’m reading Well Matched by Jen DeLuca.
What’s coming up:
I have quite a few ARCs to read in April. I’m excited about Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, and The Vengeance by Emma Newman.
That’s my somewhat-abbreviated March wrap-up. Much thanks to the friends who have reached out to me and the co-workers who have been so supportive during this difficult time. I hope you’re reading something good!
