I’ve realized that writing a monthly breakdown about the books I’m reading is… kind of boring? Are you bored? I’m bored. Lately all I’m doing is scribbling on sticky notes, sending postcards, filling up notebooks and I’ve been thinking about how to make this feel more like that: a little note. Something that breathes.
So this month, we’re trying something new. In this monthly-ish feature, I’ll recommend a book to someone I’ve bumped into recently that I wanted to chat to about a novel or memoir or maybe even cookbook but felt too shy and/or awkward, or was running late for work, or was hangry and could only think about getting to the nearest taco bell.
As always, you can buy any of the books I mention here. Every penny of my Bookshop fund is going directly to Madeline’s, an online bookstore I hope to launch later early next year with plans to transition to a brick and mortar bookstore and literary community center down the road but I also wholeheartedly recommend your closest public library as the most wonderful place to find books and generally wonderful vibes. You can also subscribe to get missed connections, book recs, announcements and other surprises!
OK, enough logistics. You can find my first MiSsEd cOnNection below. <3
Dear barista at the coffee shop closest to my apartment which is always way too busy at way too early an hour,
You absolute ray of sunshine. How do you do it? Even when the line is snaking out the door, you’re so nice! You ask how my day is with an expression that conveys that you care about the answer. It’s okay if you don’t. Just being earnestly asked at 8 in the morning how I’m doing really is the loveliest thing.
Sorry for eavesdropping, but I overheard you mention something about a fantasy series the other day while I was waiting for my coffee and I was dying— DYING— to talk books but it did not seem appropriate to get in line just to ask which book it was and did you like it and what did you like about it specifically, especially in terms of characters, and if you were marooned on a desert island with only one book, which would you bring?
I don’t know you but I wish we were friends and I could say oh my gosh there’s this book called The Shimmering State that I think you might like, I’ll let you borrow my copy. It would have been weird for me to say that while I was waiting for my coffee, right? So I’m writing this note instead. The Shimmering State doesn’t fall under the fantasy genre but it has a fantastical, mysterious element in the form of a drug called Mem that gives one the abilities to fully inhabit another’s memory. It also has my favorite book cover of the year 2021, not that we judge books by covers around here, but...
The story is about two characters, one of which is a dancer who also works in a restaurant where customers are frequently insufferable (maybe you’ll find this relatable?) and a photographer. They both end up in a rehab center for people who have taken mem and been traumatized by memories that don’t belong to them. GOD it’s so good. It’s set in California which beautifully rendered: dusty and fiery and vivid and full of complicated people— the setting is one of my favorite parts of the book. I also wanted to start taking ballet lessons after reading about the dancer and the nuances of that world. I did not do this, but that’s how well developed this world is! I think I read this entire thing in one shift when I used to work at the bookstore. It goes down fast and bubbly like a diet coke or a pamplemousse la croix. There’s love! Lust! Goop adjacent knick knacks! Fire! Grandmothers! A maybe nefarious, maybe not doctor! A decidedly nefarious film director! Sex!
Anyway, I think you might like it. Can’t wait to hear what you think.
Your friend,
Stuart a/k/a oat milk latte with an extra shot
Stuart,
As I sat looking at Lake Wateree this morning your writing provided me such joy! I hope your neighborhood Barista becomes your friend. It seems both of your lives would be enriched by the connection.
Cannot wait for your next post.
Wishing you amazing success,
Molly Bridges