This week on Back to Bed: Susie is tired of homilies about caregiving and “self-care.” When the going gets tough, the tough go library-shopping! Yes, my attempt to run away from my responsibilities takes me down some unexpected paths . . We’ll look at three books that saved me from a nervous breakdown this week:
This was outstanding. I love that a podcast on caregiving shares a really intriguing book. But either I am just hyper-receptive these days or you have a genius for putting the reader right in the middle of the piece. It’s seductive
Caregiving also pulls up all those thoughts and anxieties about someday being cared for. It’s so fraught with competing desires, family dynamics, and NO social safety net — all very privatized and beholden. Talking and forethought can help, of course, but we don’t have any idea how it will play out really, and money determines much of it anyway. Ahh capitalism, extolling the virtues of family while shredding every little family formation in sight
Celia! Yes, yes, yes. You’re so articulate. I know all these pieces, but when I read them from you, my eyes well up again. It’s all too easy to take everything to heart, “not doing enough,” “not doing it right,” etc. And, as you saw from my podcast, I get contrarian and just want to shout “I GIVE UP” before I pay the last remaining cash in a VERY small suitcase and head for the hills! ;-) Thank you for reminding me, “we really don’t know how it wil play out” … so true.
This was outstanding. I love that a podcast on caregiving shares a really intriguing book. But either I am just hyper-receptive these days or you have a genius for putting the reader right in the middle of the piece. It’s seductive
Novels have been my salvation! The library, my “spa.” It’s the only thing that really takes me out of my head.
Caregiving also pulls up all those thoughts and anxieties about someday being cared for. It’s so fraught with competing desires, family dynamics, and NO social safety net — all very privatized and beholden. Talking and forethought can help, of course, but we don’t have any idea how it will play out really, and money determines much of it anyway. Ahh capitalism, extolling the virtues of family while shredding every little family formation in sight
Celia! Yes, yes, yes. You’re so articulate. I know all these pieces, but when I read them from you, my eyes well up again. It’s all too easy to take everything to heart, “not doing enough,” “not doing it right,” etc. And, as you saw from my podcast, I get contrarian and just want to shout “I GIVE UP” before I pay the last remaining cash in a VERY small suitcase and head for the hills! ;-) Thank you for reminding me, “we really don’t know how it wil play out” … so true.
Alice Munro is amazing! She'll cure whatever ails you. She'll let you know you're not alone. And reading her will teach you how to write.
Yes, her craft is such an instructor.
Madame Psyche, from The Feminist Press, right? I interned there many moons ago and read it then. They have many amazing under read titles, love them!