life

Finished: 9/13/2019

Danielle K. Roux is one of my fellow Parliament authors, and when I read the blurb for this book including LGBT characters and a road trip, I knew I had to pick up a copy!

Garnet is a trans woman who is a diehard fan of August Prather’s books – so much so that she breaks into her car to read her unfinished manuscript of her next book before it’s even been published. Being the quirky and unpredictable person that she is, August isn’t even mad when she finds out either. Before Garnet knows it, she’s dragged into a road trip and an adventure that helps her put her life and goals into perspective.

First of all, this book is experimental. You can tell from the structure and from the plot that this story is different from most other books on the shelf. If you’re looking for a book that has a single, easily understood storyline, you probably won’t like this book. There are three different timelines going on concurrently throughout this book, and one of them you don’t understand who the narrator is until the end.

That said, this book explores some big topics. From gender identity, to mental illness, to trying to figure out your place in this big hamster wheel of life, this book will change your perspective. I can feel the characters reaching for purpose, I can feel the juxtaposed glossy sheen that is so opposite from the rawness of our characters.

Garnet’s apathy and floating through life makes little sense until you understand what all she’s been through. Each stop they take on their road trip lets you see a little bit behind the curtain. Each incident helps you understand your ragtag group a little bit more.

Also there is a lot of explicit sex, assault, and dark moments of mental illness in this book. Just a heads up if any of that makes you uncomfortable.

Also that ending! I never saw it coming but it just so fits!

Even three months later, I can still confirm that this book is still just as good at getting under my skin as it was when I first read it. When I’m asked what’s a recent book I’ve read that has made me think, this one immediately comes to mind. I’m so looking forward to reading more of Roux’s work!

My overall rating: 5/5

Andrei, when he was able to relax

The last few days have been kind of weird, which is mostly why I haven’t been updating more frequently up here. Saturday was a sad day for everybody cause we had to put one of our kitties down. Andrei was well over 10 years old, and never quite seemed the same after he had his ‘accident’. We’re not quite sure what happened exactly since we weren’t home at the time, and for a full day he just laid in one spot. When he stood up he was shaky, and although the vet said he’d passed a kidney stone, we think there must have been more to it – a stroke or something. After that he couldn’t see very well, couldn’t hear very well, and always walked in circles. In the same direction. Indeed if he wasn’t asleep he was endlessly walking in circles until he wore himself out. Needless to say, he had no interest in finding the litter box and barely seemed to know us anymore. His only joys were the fireplace and wet kitty food.

He’d been like this for a full year, with us making numerous visits to the vet, and each time they couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him. In the end, he was getting even worse by tracking his feces around the carpet and then promptly stepping in his food. We were worried he’d get not only himself sick, but his 3 year old kitty companion Salem. This was a very difficult decision for everybody involved. I’d never had to make a schedule with the vet for euthanasia before, and kept strong for my sister all the way to the end. I admit it’s going to be some time for me to remember him as the cute kitty that loved climbing into sinks to sleep and not the kitty that walked endlessly in circles, but I think it’ll get easier.

Salem looking adorable

We’d been expecting this for a year as I said, even though the act of doing it felt like a punch to the gut. The next day we went down to Petsmart and picked up a new kitty that needed a nice home. He’s perhaps the most lovable cat I’ve seen, and was amazed when we got him home and he just wanted love. He’s so grateful to have a place to live and no longer be kept in a cage. Apparently he’d been up there for three weeks without getting adopted, which is never good.

So lots of emotional turmoil lately, but with a new beginning. I guess it all works out in the end, right?

In more lighthearted news, I’m going to start getting allergy shots soon. Last year I found out I was allergic to everything from grass to trees, dust, cats (even though I’ve always owned two!), and slightly to milk. The milk was surprising too since I used to drink a glass of it a day as a kid. Lately I’ve been more a fan of soy milk anyway, but still. I admit I’m a bit nervous, shots are never fun, but weekly shots (eventually monthly shots as my body adapts) sounds even less fun. Anybody had a good experience with these before? Know any good tips?

I think it’s 2-4 years worth of weekly to monthly shots, so it’s definitely a commitment to start them. The allergist told me it would help my asthma too since he thinks that’s brought on by my allergies. Still not looking forward to it though!