Summer started as Texas Hold Em’ around the table and plans for picnics. We’re just over halfway through the ten weeks with kids home, and while we haven’t played cards or had a picnic for a while, we’ve found a good rhythm of time together and time apart. In those moments of quiet, I’ve been reading, reading, reading.
When Breath Becomes Air is our Life-Changing Book Club book and I’ve dipped in and out this summer, even though the book is very short. Here are a few reflections from my reading:
The themes of mortality and identity have been resonant as I’ve stood beside Yann while he cares for his mother. She’s 85 now and her Alzheimer’s is at the point where she's living entirely in the moment—painful and present to witness.
Most mornings, I’ve been doing a ten minute meditation. These small peaceful acts have given me a lot as I get through very full and fun days. When Breath Becomes Air feels like a meditation, too—do you meditate? Any tips?
While I’m really enjoying the book, I’m also teaching a class on August 17th on How To Write a Scene in Memoir and Autofiction over at The Novelry. I’ve added into my reading this month I’m Glad My Mom Died, which was suggested to me by one of the editors on our team as having lots of scenic writing. Also, I’m reading On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, a beautiful work of autofiction/memoir by Ocean Vuong. It’s leading me to ask a lot of questions about fiction/autofiction/memoir.
What is Autofiction?
That’s the question! I was walking with a lovely friend, heading to see the house she’s having built—steps toward a new adventure for her—children scattered around us like butterflies. She’s a Professor of English at the University here, and we started talking about autofiction and its definitions. There are many, no one agrees, but often it’s written in the ‘I’ voice, stays close to the truth of the main character (the author) and has a ‘knowing’ quality. I’ve written a lot more about this, which I’ll share as I learn more, too. For the moment, it’s all making me want to know (and read) more!
I’m inspired as a writer by everything I’m reading at the moment. There’s a fizzy magic to having a new idea (a new idea, a new idea!) that transforms the mundane into possibility. As I’m reading memoirs and books of autofiction, I’m asking myself: what do I want to share? What’s private? How do I fictionalize bravely and not through fear? Do I want to add in mermaids?
In When Breath Becomes Air, I think the author has done the bravest thing—shared his truth so we can hold it up to the light ourselves.
What’s Standing Out to You?
Let’s check in:
Are there any themes or ideas that have surprised you in When Breath Becomes Air?
How are you finding the reading pace?
Tell me what else you’re reading, if you have a moment. And how’s your summer going? And if you know someone who’s looking to join a book club, reshare this post so they know about our Life-Changing Book Club. Otherwise, just let me know how you’re doing—I’m missing adult conversation, much as I love all the time with the kids!
xoxo
Alice
If you’re new here, my name is Alice Kuipers and I’m a writer, mother and dog & cat-owner transplanted twenty years ago to the Canadian prairies from England. I’ve published fourteen books in 36 countries and my writing has been described as: “For storytellers and story lovers,” by Kirkus Reviews; ‘Gorgeous, heart-ripping, important,” by VOYA; and “Intense and wonderful” by Bif Naked. Join me for coffee breaks, book conversations, and to share my writing life together.
Xoxo
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