OCTOBER 2020

OCTOBER

TALLY: 10 Books—3 Poetry; 4 Essays; 1 Non-fiction; 1 Memoir; 1 Art

Notes on Mother Tongues by Mirene Arsanios (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2020). Essay. Read Oct. 29.

Scentsibility edited by Ayo Gutierrez and Edentu Oroso (GMGA Publishing & Pixel and Feather Printing & Digital Services, Philippines, 2020). Poetry. Read Oct. 29. One of my poems is in this anthology but I was mostly pleased to see a young poet (in ninth grade) trying the hay(na)ku with her poetry.!

Observations From the Hillside by "Harlan Estate" (Harlan, Oakville, CA, nd). A public relations coffee table promotion; read it because it's in the temporary rental I'm living in due to the Glass Fire. Read Oct. 16.

Quartet by Claudia La Rocco (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2020). Essay. Read Oct. 29.

The End by Aditi Machado (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2020). Essay. Read Oct. 27. I discuss my wonderful reading experience HERE.

A Poet's Survival Journal in the Covid-19 Pandemic by Rosalinda Ruiz Scarfuto (Re-Bound Publishing, 2020). Memoir/Poetry. Read Oct. 10.

F LETTER: NEW RUSSIAN FEMINIST POETRY, Editors Galina Rymbu, Eugene Ostashevsky, and Ainsley Morse (Isolarii, 2020). Poetry. Read Oct. 28. Here's my response that I posted elsewhere in Social Media:

I don't often feel honored by receiving books out of the blue, but I am in receiving this important anthology, F LETTER: NEW RUSSIAN FEMINIST POETRY. The book assembles feminist poets who have "palpably changed the Russia language over the last decade. Against the backdrop of state violence and oppression, this is electric dissent in pursuit of a democratic, egalitarian future. A lexicon for revolution worldwide." Thank you editors for trusting I would be receptive to your work, and I am.

There's a Foreword by Eileen Myles that's available online: https://isolarii.com The book's Introduction by Galina Rymbu is not online but is educational and evokes, for me, the activities of the feminist Philippine press Gantala--I mention that here since it's sometimes important to know that as one pushes at the margins that define the literary (or any) landscape, one is not alone. I recommend you go to the link and order. This is a unique and valuable introduction.

Last but not least, I am appreciating the powerful and, logically if sadly, devastating poems. The Myles introduction also features examples of some gorgeous lines.

Btw, it behooves moi to note the almost miniature size of this book. It's 2.75 x 4.25 inches. I'm going to shelve it in the Miniature Book Library though it's 0.25 inches over--because how this book doesn't follow the (measurement) rule is just form fitting content, is appropriate for what it is: a revulsion and a revolt.

NAPA: Behind the Bottle by Bill Tucker (Chicago, nd). Photographs; read/viewed it because it's in the temporary rental I'm living in due to the Glass Fire. Read Oct. 16.

Marcelina: a meditation on the murder of Cecilia "Celing" Navarro by Jean Vengua (Paloma Press, 2020). Poetry. Read Oct. 14.

Being Human Is an Occult Experience by Magdalena Zurawski (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2020). Essay. Read Oct. 29.