Welcome to Litsy!

After years of trying to take as many books as I can in electronics, just to be sure to have something to read, it's really nice to get back to physical books again. There's just something about it.

I absolutely loved it.
I read it in one day. Honest, humble, full of insight. I will definitely be reading more by Emilie Pine.

Intimate essays on addiction, fertility, caring for an alcoholic parent, on being a woman, self-inflicted violence, on grief, sexual violence and disordered eating. In these six essays Pine's words are like an emotional punch in the gut. Each one offers something different, something true and raw. This book sat on my shelves for over a year, so glad I finally picked it up because once I did I couldn't put this down! #bookreview

This is a deeply personal & intense read. Pine writes with a stark honesty & doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths about herself. The essays here, covering her relationship with her alcoholic father, her "off the rails" period in her late teens/early 20s & other aspects of her life, are so revealing that it's impossible not to empathise with her. This cannot have been an easy book to write.

Starting this one today, another long overdue NetGalley review. It's been so long since I requested this that I can't remember a thing about it so it's a bit like a lucky dip (or a box of chocolates) - I don't know what I'm going to get!

A thoughtful, personally reflective collection. Pine writes with an emotional vulnerability which is compelling, particularly if the issues and experiences she writes about have touched your life. I didn‘t feel like Pine necessarily ‘broke new ground‘ on any of the ideas she explored but felt that the deeply personal framing of the essays meant she wasn‘t really trying to. There were a couple here that resonated quite strongly with me.

(it's really bothering me that the title/author is in all caps but oh well)
I have to jump on the unpopular opinion train for this one... It's a quick read that I thought would work well as palate cleanser for the week but, as I gradually worked my way through it, I realised I was wrong. The tone with which Pine's voice comes across is very unsympathetic and even pedantic at times. Doubtful literary quality, reads like cheap self-help at times.

#bookhaul from work today.... with a birthday gift card! 😊

I love side dishes often more than anything else on the table, and this book has 1001 inspiring recipes.

The tagged book of essays I heard about on the Waterstones podcast. I love how they have a theme each episode..... this one was ‘family‘...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waterstones-podcast/id1374190347?i=100...

This series of essays circles Pine‘s life; from her sick father, to her dreamed for child, and back again to her own childhood. She writes with grace and candor.

Pine‘s essays are so very personal, I can only imagine the strength it took to write them, share them, and see them sent out into the world. Between traumatic memories and trying to navigate what it means to be a woman, Pine pushes herself (and her readers) to face some incredibly painful, dark, and complex experiences and emotions.

Brilliant collection of essays that are personal but speak to bigger themes related to feminism, body image, abuse, and more. By writing about events in her life that she has never discussed with anyone before, Pine shows both vulnerability and power. https://cannonballread.com/2019/07/notes-to-self-essays-elcicco/

This was a short and powerful read. Pine doesn‘t shy away from talking about tough subjects and certainly doesn‘t sugarcoat anything. I feel like it‘s tricky to say I like books like this, in that they aren‘t fun reads, but I think they‘re really important honest reads. I‘d definitely read more from her.

Starting on this one today. I picked it up because I read about it somewhere, but I can‘t remember where or what I read! Anyway, it‘s non-fiction and the first essay was enough to make me think it was a good pick!!

I wanted to enjoy this more.
I did find some of it upsetting and affecting and redemptive, especially the chapter on infertility. But unfortunately I felt a little cold upon finishing this.

Book mail....excited to start this book of essays. They seem personal, deep and well written. Right up my alley. This ARC will be available in June, but available on netgalley now!

I'm in awe of these incredible essays. What a great way to start my 2019 reading list! I can't speak highly enough of this book 👌 #readingchallenge book 1 of the year

I got this as part of Shakespeare and Company‘s Year of Reading-wow, double wow. Beautiful, heart aching, a triumph on many levels. Emilie‘s essays are a gift, and what a privilege it is be able to read them.