We’re trying something new here: Scary Mommy’s Book Club — which you can join for free! (more below) — will be taking over this spot in the newsletter from time to time to talk about books. First up, is December’s book pick: How Not To Drown In A Glass Of Water.
Here’s a brief synopsis: Fifty-six year old Cara Romero is going through a life crisis. After decades of working at a lamp factory in New York City, she’s laid off during the Great Recession of 2008 and is forced to come to terms with everything that’s come before that moment. An immigrant from the Dominican Republic and a survivor of harrowing domestic abuse, Cara finds herself in job counseling, telling her life story to a stranger over 12 brief sessions. This book is made up of those 12 sessions.
There are some literary characters that we will never forget. Jo March, Boo Radley, Anne Shirley… Cara Romero is one of those characters. She’s complex, hilarious, fierce, loving, and strong as anyone. She’s also battling against a world that isn’t made for her: a Latina woman, an immigrant, a single mom who started with literally nothing. I can’t remember the last time I read a book in which I fell so hard for a protagonist, as if she was standing right in front of me, as real or realer than anyone I had ever met. — Sarah Aswell, Senior Editor
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