Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter
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It’s my party and I’ll read if I want to
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A recent story in the New York Times documents the rise of reading parties, where participants meet on rooftops, in parks or at bars to spend a few hours absorbed in books, communally, but in silence, and then discuss what they’ve read.
The idea behind Reading Rhythms is that it is NOT a book club. It’s just a planned, paid ($10 admission) event where folks read their own books for an hour or so, and then participate in a discussion led by loose prompts. Name tags facilitate engagement with one’s neighbour.
Of course, snarkier NYT readers were quick to point out that these parties just seem to be replicating an experience you could just as easily get free of charge at a library. And to be sure, there’s something unavoidably performative and pretentious about the whole exercise — I highly doubt anyone turns up with the latest Jennifer Weiner tucked under his arm, or a dog-eared Ken Follett paperback — but I’m still drawn to the idea (not least because libraries don’t serve beer).
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As someone who straddles the line between extrovert and introvert, I like the notion of combining the solitary nature of reading with the social element of talking about books and maybe (gasp!) meeting new people.
And although I read plenty, sometimes there’s an element of guilt — shouldn’t I be cleaning the kitchen or developing a lucrative side hustle? — that would be mitigated by making it a night out, something to put into your calendar like a real hobby. Plus a consciously screen-free evening seems like a balm.
“I got an hour of reading done and I hung out with some of my best friends, which I’d wanted to do anyway,” one of the original organizers told the New York Times. “That doesn’t usually happen.”
As any of my long-suffering friends and family can attest, I’m fond of sharing particularly piquant phrases from books I’m enjoying — I eventually just bought my sister a copy of Samantha Irby’s latest collection of essays so that she wouldn’t have to hear me read the whole thing aloud — and I love being turned on to writing I normally wouldn’t seek out by other people’s enthusiasm.
Though it doesn’t capture the back-and-forth of a good in-person literary discussion, I’ve enjoyed hearing from Applause readers about their favourites. So in the spirit of end-of-the-year lists, in no particular order, here are the five books I was most compelled to share with others in 2023 (they are not necessarily new releases, or the “best” releases, just things I couldn’t shut up about).
- Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town and the Road to Reconciliation by Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson: When you hear something is “essential reading,” there’s a mental recoil, like, “Uh-oh, here comes a homework assignment.” But I devoured this beautiful, important, deeply researched book in a day. It’s briskly paced, as compelling as a novel and, most importantly, offers up real ways to address the ongoing damages of colonialism. I am trying to divest myself of a glut of books, but this is one I will keep on my bookshelf.
- The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann: Martin Scorsese and Leonardo Di Caprio have acquired the film rights for this breathtaking work of narrative non-fiction from the author who penned the source material for their most recent collaboration, Killers of the Flower Moon. Grann’s recounting of a doomed ocean voyage and its fallout literally made me feel seasick, and his use of historical source material to craft a nail-biting tale is unparalleled. If it hadn’t been a library copy, I would have underlined the crap out of it.
- Real Tigers by Mick Herron: Who knew spy fiction could be so freakin’ funny? The third in the Slough House series (the current season of Apple TV’s Slow Horses is based on this book) is a tautly plotted thriller about tiger teams infiltrating MI5 that is also a showcase for Herron’s delightfully dry humour. Actual LOLs.
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb: I’m actually surprised how many non-fiction books are on this list, because I think of myself as tending toward novels, but facts are facts — I recommended this book by therapist Gottlieb (which was recommended to me by Applause reader Tim Magas) to anyone who would listen. It’s such a wonderful, warmly written window into talk therapy, how it helps, who it helps and why even therapists have therapists.
- Comedy Sex God by Pete Holmes: It’s obvious comedian Holmes (HBO’s Crashing) is smart from watching his performances, but this memoir about his strict religious upbringing and spiritual development is also insightful, joyful and, of course, hilarious. It’s not every day an autobiography from a giant goofy standup comic makes you want to read Joseph Campbell. (He also has a fantastic new Netflix comedy special out now, I Am Not for Everyone.)
This is the last Applause for 2023. I’ll be using the time off to catch up on my reading. See you in 2024!
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Jill Wilson
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What’s up this week
Since there won’t be an Applause next week, here are some NYE options for y’all. (Did you know that in Pittsburgh, the second-person plural term (ie: you guys) is “yinz,” as in “What are yinz doing New Year’s Eve?” Language is fascinating.)
Pop Fizz Clink!!! (Club 200, 9 p.m. — Hosted by Feather Talia (Miss Club 200). Tickets at eventbrite.ca
Monochromatic Midnight (Exchange Event Centre), 9 p.m. — Feat. Haus of Panda, Fahjah, ACX Money, Kratom, Baby Snakes, Diced Up, Dezner, MVMA. Tickets at ticketweb.ca
New Year’s Eve at the Oval Room (Fort Garry Hotel), 9:30 p.m. — Feat. Leonard Shaw. Call 204-926-6550 for reservations
Real Love NYE: The Funky Miracles (Good Will Social Club), 9 p.m. — Feat. Roman Clarke, Dom Adams, French Class, Snackie, Super Secret Special Guest. Tickets at showpass.com
Top Hats & Tiaras (Manitoba Children’s Museum), 11 a.m.– 1 p.m.
2024 New Year’s Eve Bash (Osborne Taphouse), 9 p.m. With Electric Feel. Tickets at eventbrite.ca
Hot & Dirty New Year’s Eve Dance Party (Park Theatre), 9 p.m. — Feat. Dr. Hotbottom and the Dirty Catfish Brass Band. Tickets at ticketweb.ca
Desi NYE Celebration (Punjab Cultural Centre), 10 p.m. — Feat. Dr. Hotbottom and the Dirty Catfish Brass Band. Tickets at eventbrite.ca
NYE with Stickybuds (Pyramid Cabaret), 9 p.m. — Feat. DJ Stickybuds Tickets at allevents.in
Manitoba Indigenous New Year’s Eve Gala & Social (RBC Convention Centre), 7 p.m. — Gala dinner feat. Charlie Major, The C-Weed Band, Tracy Bone w/ the Tribal Road Band. Social feat. Keith Secola, Fred Mitchell, The Mosquitoz, Shades of Dawn. Email nyegala@berensriver.ca for more info
R&B and Reggae: New Year’s Eve Eve 2023 Wrap Up (Rudy’s Eat & Drink), 10 p.m. Feat. DJ Chubby D and DJ Hunnicutt. Tickets at eventbrite.ca
New Year’s Resolution Regrets? (Shannon’s Irish Pub and Eatery), 10 p.m. With Blue Monkey Overdrive. Tickets at allevents.in
Let’s Party Like It’s 1999 (The Wood Tavern), 9 p.m. — Feat. Atomic Trio, DJ Supreme. Tickets at eventbrite.ca
There will be no fireworks or festivities at The Forks on Dec. 31, as the New Year’s celebration has been moved to Jan. 1, with free family-friendly activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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