I personally feel like Sula is meant to be re-read over and over. It's so heartbreaking and challenging. It really pushes up against the structures of how marriage, family, and friendship is "supposed" to look like. I love how Nel and Sula's friendship was beautiful, fragile, and toxic all wrapped up into one! I honestly don't even know how to properly review this after the first read lol If you love a community study, PLEASE read Augustown by Kei Miller! interesting theory about sula's death! I can see it.
Totally! You know, people in book club were saying why should you have to read a book twice to gain access to it. And I really agree with that, and am super curious if Morrison was like yeah. They gon' have to come in here a few times to be right side up in the story. I never ever find this personally as a con, but could see others coming to this book once and writing it off and it makes me sad LOL. And ooooooh, ok Ill add that one to the list! Im just suspicious! I dont trust Nel at all 😂
i'm obsessed with miranda july!!! she's such a weirdo freak (def aquarius coded) and i love her. highly highly recommend the first bad man, no one belongs here more than you, and it chooses you by her!!
I'm at the very end of Sula (I'll finish it today) and your thoughts and theories on the book literally gave me goosebumps and made me really understand so much more of it so I truly thank you for sharing that!
yes love that you took it slower in the winter. i can get in the mindset where i need to change everything up even tho…that’s when we should hibernate LOL must be just all the new years goals that makes me feel that way
stop wait the synopsis for ‘all fours’ sounds so good LOL dead over her being like “i’m not a parker!!!” tries to be a driver and proceeds to be a parker 😂
i still think about that section in “all fours” you texted about her talking to someone and realizing her friend had her beat in re: to their sex lives 😂
hmmmm i didn’t get along with miranda july’s short story collection but i might have to give all fours a try!! the passages that you read from the wren the wren were beautiful as well - that one wasn’t on my radar before! absolutely love seeing your annotated copy of sula 🤩
Oh interesting! What about it didn't work for you?! I do feel like her voice is superrrrr distinctive and strange and could see it not being everyones cup of tea (sure is mine though! love that weirdo 😂) Also, what were the stories about? I feel like thematically this one is def up your alley! You should give it a go! And ugh, the wren the wren was such a nice time!
omg the ill speak of Sula 😭😭😭 but i also think you've proved the beauty in rereading a book! so much more to offer with another reading with Morrison. read The Bluest Eye early in the year and it's already begging me for a reread! but there are so many Morrisons to read i need to keep going 😭
Omg so I’ve never read a Miranda July book but I’m laughing that you said it was Aquarius coded. I’ve only watched her movies and they are both meaningful and strange. Wait until you watch her films. She definitely is a weird person and you got the right vibe from her book hahah. I am happy I found your channel!
Meaningful and strange are the absolute best combo -- I can't wait to finally watch her films! Do you have one you recommend starting with the you really love?
@katsfieldnotes they really are! :-) so I've only watched her movie "Me and you and everyone we know" so I would recommend it cause I think it's one of her most well known movies. I do want to warn there's a weird internet love interest between a kid and an adult. The adult has no idea the person she is talking to is a kid. I just want to put that out there cause they also have a moment where they kiss on the mouth 😬so, that was a weird part of the movie.
Hi Ana! Thank you so much! And TOTALLLY! It's a book you can return to so many times. Sometimes I think all the delving we do as readers is incidental and maybe a lil bit projection, haha. But there is soooo much intention in her work, layered precisely to come back to. Its wonderful!
I just found your channel and I've been binging all your videos. I love the way you talk about books and your perspective in general. I really think you're so cool and I just wanted to leave a little appreciative comment!
ok watching halfway thru, but so so glad you enjoyed the July! she crafts things in such humorous and strange things that works! give anyone else the task to imitate her, and it would just not fly! if you enjoyed this, i think you'd like The First Bad Man, her previous novel. also much yearning, but womanhood from a younger standpoint. also pls pls pls watch Kajillionaire! i think it encapsulates her very wonderful strangeness.
truly inimitable! I sooooo deeply enjoyed her! and I just added both to my Goodreads (and letterboxd!) thank you for being the most excellent July guide!
Hiii, this is the first video I've seen from you, and coincidentally I'm currently reading Sula for the first time (also my first time engaging with Morrison's work!). I was kind of intimidated by the first couple of scenes, but hearing the way you discuss the themes within this book really made me want to continue :) Loved the vid - I'll definitely be coming back for the spoiler section!
Hiiiii! Omg what perfect timing haha! How has it been going with Sula since then! I definitely think you should stick with it, it's worth it even to just get the lay of the land in case you decide to return to it one day. And the explorations in it are just fascinating! Happy to have you here :)
I actually Picked up and read Sula after your last video on Toni Morrison. I had a mixed feeling of “this is a good book?” And “I have no idea why that specific thing just happened in this book and why it happened”
You're so not alone in that feeling! I definitely almost felt like ... bamboozled after my first read! But if you feel led to it, give it another read in some time. Its so worth it to see the edges and corners of everything which are impossible to catch your first go!
I loveeeeee Sula so much! It's my favorite Morrison novel. I love the dimensions of the novel and the readings! I wholeheartedly agree with your reading about Jude + Sula + Nel and I think Nel wasn't even initially concerned with Jude but only Sula. And that realization takes Nel. If you really love Sula, I think you'd like the book The Summer We Got Free. It gives Sula vibes and I think you'll find the Nula you kept mentioning 🤭
Kat, somehow you are able to convince me I liked The Wren, The Wren when I thought I didn’t like! 😂 Sometimes the depth of a story goes over my head when I’m listening on audio. Maybe I’ll reread the physical book at some point.
LMAOOOOO! I will say I was reading on my kindle and I was like I need this book physically 😂. I ended up tandem listening and physically reading and it added so much texture! Im so curious about her other books now, have you read any others by her?
Oh I'm so curious where you'll land with So Late in the Day after your recent Claire Keegan discussion. And thanks for the reminder that Cultish is on my TBR - I'll have to see if I can find the audiobook somewhere!
Okay so I did finish it and was thinking of what you said in the comments last video 😂 Veryyyyyy much agree with you. And if you have Spotify premium, it's available on there! Has been a rideeee of a book (as someone who knows nothing about cults but is endlesssssly fascinated by them!)
@@katsfieldnotes glad to know I'm not alone lol. Turns out my library has the Cultish audiobook! Already started listening to it and it is indeed fascinating. I'm a big language/linguistics nerd so this is right up my alley 🤓
Hi Becca! Thanks so much, love! Okay so I def have a hazy half-formed list in my brain, but im going to think on this and come back to you! (or make the vid and tag you haha!)
I also reread "Sula",this is probably the 5th time. I still think Sula is her best work. The dialogue in that book is out of this world. So when I read the book when younger, I really loved how Morrison built Sula's character. Now a little older_i also agree that Sula is insufferable and extremely selfish. But the last chapter, made me question is Nel was worse. Also, loved the concept of motherly love and its forms. Oh yes, I agree with your hypothesis on Sula's death.
I still don't know which I would slot into the number one spot, but definitellllly see why Sula was your choice! And wait wait, cause I stand tall and strongggg behind Sula 😂 Its the one time I actually disagree with Morrison (I mean, who am I to disagree with MOTHER lmao but!) I think Sula tried to learn compassion, but her model or her teacher so to speak was Nel. And we all know Nel's true colors! I truly feel like Sula moved through the world with hunger and audacity and I cant fault sis for any of it! Though Im curious if on my next read Ill be less sympathetic to her (the only thing consistent about my feelings around Sula are that they are inconsistent 😂) But yeah, I def think Nel is the one we should have been side eyeing but she played house so well, its easy to overlook her, which I think in part was the point!
Agreed. Also made me think of how most of us are products of our environment from all angles, particularly relationships and forms of love. Nel is similar to Sula in so many ways but because of the environment she grew up in-she tried to fullfill societal expectations. On the other hand, Sula was surrounded by women society side_eyes.
I completely forgot about plum I was shocked. Also this situation with Jude I think the “I love you, but don’t like you” idea consumed Sula’s life as she became the town pariah , she assumed Nell would still love her but dislike her like everyone else.
Omg yes! The ones that immediately come to mind are Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel, The Neopolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante (and her novellas, The Lost Daughter and Days of Abandonment), and Motherhood by Sheila Heti for a more experiemental exploration around this question. I have The Nursery by Sylvia Molnar which Ive not yet read but its about that theme as well!
I love your thoughts so much on the books, you are very compassionate and insightful!!! But please try not to give spoilers, I haven’t read sula yet and had to stop the video because I felt that it revealed too much
Hi love! There is actually a spoiler notice in the video and the chapters haha! I tried to be as vague as possible (and there is soooooooo much that happens in that book, it's kind of easy to do 😂) Totally understand if you want to go into it with as little pretext as possible, I enjoy doing that sometimes as well!
I don't like Sula at all (neiteher the character nor the book), I am sorry, but I love the way you talk about Sula and your analysis made a lot of sense to me👏👏👏
Omgosh don't apologize! That's totally fair, Sula is superrrr polarizing and I totally understand why someone would not vibe with her. Have you tried any other Morrisons?
Ahhh! Absolutely loved this video. Perfect pick me up. 😊🫶🏽I cannot wait to get my hands on All Fours. It was one of my anticipated reads as well. Girl the way you’ve annotated Sula 😳😅🤪 Love it! So glad you grew a beloved appreciate for it the second time around. BTW..Love the hat, dahling!
I personally feel like Sula is meant to be re-read over and over. It's so heartbreaking and challenging. It really pushes up against the structures of how marriage, family, and friendship is "supposed" to look like. I love how Nel and Sula's friendship was beautiful, fragile, and toxic all wrapped up into one! I honestly don't even know how to properly review this after the first read lol If you love a community study, PLEASE read Augustown by Kei Miller! interesting theory about sula's death! I can see it.
Totally! You know, people in book club were saying why should you have to read a book twice to gain access to it. And I really agree with that, and am super curious if Morrison was like yeah. They gon' have to come in here a few times to be right side up in the story. I never ever find this personally as a con, but could see others coming to this book once and writing it off and it makes me sad LOL. And ooooooh, ok Ill add that one to the list!
Im just suspicious! I dont trust Nel at all 😂
i'm obsessed with miranda july!!! she's such a weirdo freak (def aquarius coded) and i love her. highly highly recommend the first bad man, no one belongs here more than you, and it chooses you by her!!
Book recs have been NOTED! I put in a request for First Bad Man, everyone is saying to start with that one! I'm so excited!
I'm at the very end of Sula (I'll finish it today) and your thoughts and theories on the book literally gave me goosebumps and made me really understand so much more of it so I truly thank you for sharing that!
Ah I'm glad my rambles were useful haha! It's such a hard book to digest on your own too, so I feel you!
yes love that you took it slower in the winter. i can get in the mindset where i need to change everything up even tho…that’s when we should hibernate LOL must be just all the new years goals that makes me feel that way
i’m a parker LOL def not a driver lololol
stop wait the synopsis for ‘all fours’ sounds so good LOL dead over her being like “i’m not a parker!!!” tries to be a driver and proceeds to be a parker 😂
i still think about that section in “all fours” you texted about her talking to someone and realizing her friend had her beat in re: to their sex lives 😂
i feel like i’ve seen that cover of ‘wren, wren’ but never looked into it but wow the quotes you read were so BEAUTIFUL
SULA ❤️
Ughhh I just love your taste!! I can’t wait to read All Fours & The Wren, The Wren. Anddd I think it’s time to reread Sula 💕💕
Hi love! They were all such great ones, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them!
Your Lit Fic hat is so cute! Those passages from The Wren, The Wren were stunning. I've added it to my TBR.
The wren had soooooo many beautiful passages in it. Did you see it was shortlisted for the Woman's prize recently too? Another reason to pick her up!
hmmmm i didn’t get along with miranda july’s short story collection but i might have to give all fours a try!! the passages that you read from the wren the wren were beautiful as well - that one wasn’t on my radar before! absolutely love seeing your annotated copy of sula 🤩
Oh interesting! What about it didn't work for you?! I do feel like her voice is superrrrr distinctive and strange and could see it not being everyones cup of tea (sure is mine though! love that weirdo 😂) Also, what were the stories about? I feel like thematically this one is def up your alley! You should give it a go! And ugh, the wren the wren was such a nice time!
omg the ill speak of Sula 😭😭😭 but i also think you've proved the beauty in rereading a book! so much more to offer with another reading with Morrison. read The Bluest Eye early in the year and it's already begging me for a reread! but there are so many Morrisons to read i need to keep going 😭
the tension between wanting to just retrace your steps or hop over to new terrain with her 😭 which are you looking to pick up next!
Omg so I’ve never read a Miranda July book but I’m laughing that you said it was Aquarius coded. I’ve only watched her movies and they are both meaningful and strange. Wait until you watch her films. She definitely is a weird person and you got the right vibe from her book hahah. I am happy I found your channel!
Meaningful and strange are the absolute best combo -- I can't wait to finally watch her films! Do you have one you recommend starting with the you really love?
@katsfieldnotes they really are! :-) so I've only watched her movie "Me and you and everyone we know" so I would recommend it cause I think it's one of her most well known movies. I do want to warn there's a weird internet love interest between a kid and an adult. The adult has no idea the person she is talking to is a kid. I just want to put that out there cause they also have a moment where they kiss on the mouth 😬so, that was a weird part of the movie.
Inspiration for a reread of _Sula._ Some books have to prepare the ground for you, and you just can’t catch it all on the first read.
That's a beautiful way to put it, David!
I love all your book recommendations. Sula! I always go back to it and get more out it each time.
Hi Ana! Thank you so much! And TOTALLLY! It's a book you can return to so many times. Sometimes I think all the delving we do as readers is incidental and maybe a lil bit projection, haha. But there is soooo much intention in her work, layered precisely to come back to. Its wonderful!
I just found your channel and I've been binging all your videos. I love the way you talk about books and your perspective in general. I really think you're so cool and I just wanted to leave a little appreciative comment!
Hi there! This is so sweet, I'll always take the appreciative comment haha! I'm so happy you're here! Exciting to keep connecting in this space ☺️
A Kat video, yay! And yes, I mean, I’m going to read more Morrison, but this will be my next one…Sula. 🥰
Ah, very excited to hear your thoughts on Sula once you make your way to her!
ok watching halfway thru, but so so glad you enjoyed the July! she crafts things in such humorous and strange things that works! give anyone else the task to imitate her, and it would just not fly! if you enjoyed this, i think you'd like The First Bad Man, her previous novel. also much yearning, but womanhood from a younger standpoint.
also pls pls pls watch Kajillionaire! i think it encapsulates her very wonderful strangeness.
truly inimitable! I sooooo deeply enjoyed her! and I just added both to my Goodreads (and letterboxd!) thank you for being the most excellent July guide!
Hiii, this is the first video I've seen from you, and coincidentally I'm currently reading Sula for the first time (also my first time engaging with Morrison's work!). I was kind of intimidated by the first couple of scenes, but hearing the way you discuss the themes within this book really made me want to continue :) Loved the vid - I'll definitely be coming back for the spoiler section!
Hiiiii! Omg what perfect timing haha! How has it been going with Sula since then! I definitely think you should stick with it, it's worth it even to just get the lay of the land in case you decide to return to it one day. And the explorations in it are just fascinating! Happy to have you here :)
I actually Picked up and read Sula after your last video on Toni Morrison. I had a mixed feeling of “this is a good book?” And “I have no idea why that specific thing just happened in this book and why it happened”
You're so not alone in that feeling! I definitely almost felt like ... bamboozled after my first read! But if you feel led to it, give it another read in some time. Its so worth it to see the edges and corners of everything which are impossible to catch your first go!
I loveeeeee Sula so much! It's my favorite Morrison novel. I love the dimensions of the novel and the readings! I wholeheartedly agree with your reading about Jude + Sula + Nel and I think Nel wasn't even initially concerned with Jude but only Sula. And that realization takes Nel. If you really love Sula, I think you'd like the book The Summer We Got Free. It gives Sula vibes and I think you'll find the Nula you kept mentioning 🤭
I totally agree with you! And ok I just added it to my reading list, thank you for coming through with the recommendation! 🥰
Kat, somehow you are able to convince me I liked The Wren, The Wren when I thought I didn’t like! 😂 Sometimes the depth of a story goes over my head when I’m listening on audio. Maybe I’ll reread the physical book at some point.
LMAOOOOO! I will say I was reading on my kindle and I was like I need this book physically 😂. I ended up tandem listening and physically reading and it added so much texture! Im so curious about her other books now, have you read any others by her?
@@katsfieldnotes I haven’t yet…I’ve heard mixed reviews about The Actress, but I think I might give it a go!
girl, I like your vibe 💫💖
Ooooh, thanks sis! ♥️♥️
omg i just found ur channel and I'm in love! i love the way u talk about books sm :')
Hi friendddddd! Hahaha thank you so much! Happy you're part of our lil corner of the interwebs 🥰♥️♥️
so glad to see you on my subscription box kat!!!! you look stunning
Hi corazón!! 💕❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oh I'm so curious where you'll land with So Late in the Day after your recent Claire Keegan discussion. And thanks for the reminder that Cultish is on my TBR - I'll have to see if I can find the audiobook somewhere!
Okay so I did finish it and was thinking of what you said in the comments last video 😂 Veryyyyyy much agree with you. And if you have Spotify premium, it's available on there! Has been a rideeee of a book (as someone who knows nothing about cults but is endlesssssly fascinated by them!)
@@katsfieldnotes glad to know I'm not alone lol. Turns out my library has the Cultish audiobook! Already started listening to it and it is indeed fascinating. I'm a big language/linguistics nerd so this is right up my alley 🤓
Sula will forever remain in my top books ever.
Unmatched. The mother of friendship books, motherhood books, community studies. How lucky are we that Morrison left us that gem? Totally totally agree
that's good to hear that you are enjoying catalina! i need to start it!!
Its a lot of fun!
i loved this video!! i’m always eager to read your recommendations :) could you make a video on books that explore the themes of limerence?
Hi Becca! Thanks so much, love! Okay so I def have a hazy half-formed list in my brain, but im going to think on this and come back to you! (or make the vid and tag you haha!)
Loooooove seeing you here 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
Hiiiiii!
I’m sending you all the love and great vibes❤
I receive this and send you some, too! ❤️❤️❤️
I also reread "Sula",this is probably the 5th time. I still think Sula is her best work. The dialogue in that book is out of this world. So when I read the book when younger, I really loved how Morrison built Sula's character. Now a little older_i also agree that Sula is insufferable and extremely selfish. But the last chapter, made me question is Nel was worse. Also, loved the concept of motherly love and its forms.
Oh yes, I agree with your hypothesis on Sula's death.
yes that last chapter was the plot twist I never knew I needed.
Definitely, I am now tempted to reread the last chapter again because I have lots of questions about Nel.
I still don't know which I would slot into the number one spot, but definitellllly see why Sula was your choice! And wait wait, cause I stand tall and strongggg behind Sula 😂 Its the one time I actually disagree with Morrison (I mean, who am I to disagree with MOTHER lmao but!) I think Sula tried to learn compassion, but her model or her teacher so to speak was Nel. And we all know Nel's true colors! I truly feel like Sula moved through the world with hunger and audacity and I cant fault sis for any of it! Though Im curious if on my next read Ill be less sympathetic to her (the only thing consistent about my feelings around Sula are that they are inconsistent 😂) But yeah, I def think Nel is the one we should have been side eyeing but she played house so well, its easy to overlook her, which I think in part was the point!
YUPPPPPPPP. Proud to say ive always been ambivalent of Nel 😂
Agreed. Also made me think of how most of us are products of our environment from all angles, particularly relationships and forms of love. Nel is similar to Sula in so many ways but because of the environment she grew up in-she tried to fullfill societal expectations. On the other hand, Sula was surrounded by women society side_eyes.
I completely forgot about plum I was shocked. Also this situation with Jude I think the “I love you, but don’t like you” idea consumed Sula’s life as she became the town pariah , she assumed Nell would still love her but dislike her like everyone else.
Ooooh, this is an interesting take! I think in the end, that's exactly how Nel felt about her! WOAHHHH SIS. You're onto something!
I am so jealous you have an ARC (?) of Miranda July's new novel. She's one of my favorite authors.
I can totally see why! She's INCREDIBLE at what she does!
Also I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Danzy Senna's new book, 'Colored Television,' coming out in July.
Ooooooh, I'll keep my eye out for that!
I soooo need this hat omg!!
hahahah litfic gang unite!
Subscribed after the first 10 seconds of the video!
Hahahaha this is the best comment! I'm happy youre part of the family!! 🥰❤️
If you like Toni Morrison’s writing I’d recommend Eva’s Man by Gayl Jones.
Ive been meaning to read Gayl Jones, thid was a wonderful reminder!
Could you recommend some of the books you’ve read about women who are a bit ambivalent towards motherhood? Interested in reading some of this
Omg yes! The ones that immediately come to mind are Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel, The Neopolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante (and her novellas, The Lost Daughter and Days of Abandonment), and Motherhood by Sheila Heti for a more experiemental exploration around this question. I have The Nursery by Sylvia Molnar which Ive not yet read but its about that theme as well!
@@katsfieldnotes Thank you for these
Yayy 🤍 but I need the hat 😍
Hahahaha sunnys book truck is my loveeeee 🤍
I love your thoughts so much on the books, you are very compassionate and insightful!!! But please try not to give spoilers, I haven’t read sula yet and had to stop the video because I felt that it revealed too much
Hi love! There is actually a spoiler notice in the video and the chapters haha! I tried to be as vague as possible (and there is soooooooo much that happens in that book, it's kind of easy to do 😂) Totally understand if you want to go into it with as little pretext as possible, I enjoy doing that sometimes as well!
I think I need to read The Wren The Wren immediately if not sooner 😩
It was such a sweet read 😭😭 You have to let me know if you pick it up!
Also, i feel like all Toni novels are meant to be reread, especially Beloved and Bluest eye
I so fully agree with you. I lowkey feel its impossible to get all of it your first go! Beloved needs lifelong study, whew!
You make me want to read this book Sula definitely adding it to my list.
Yessss! Its such a classic! Contentious! Controversial! But a great, timeless classic ♥️
😊
🥰❤️
Yay, regular vids again 🎉❤
But also yes to touching grass!!!😂
All Fours sounds really good!!!
THIRD reread! I love how u track that!! Video/short request: a flip thru ur annotations!
LOLOLOL @ throwing Sula in the 🚮
I really wanna watch Problemista!!
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💯💯💯
I made a leap and started a booktube so now I am reading two novels for my first vlog video.
SO EXCITING! Wish you a ton of luck with your channel! Have fun with it, there are so many wonderful people here ☺️
@@katsfieldnotes Thank you. ❤️
I just started sula
oooooh, enjoy her! (and also know that if you're like wtf is this, that's normallllll first go 😂)
Throwing sula in the trash is crazy….
TRULY!! 😂
Let’s see how this is going to affect my TBR…😂
Borrowing The wren, the wren…
Not ready to read Morrison yet
I’ve had Cultish on my TBR for a while, might read it soon!
I hope you enjoy the wren x 2!!
And hahahhha re: Morrison. She will be there for ya once youre ready
is this the first video without your glasses also excellent video
Hahaha ive done a couple without! And thank you, friend! ♥️
I don't like Sula at all (neiteher the character nor the book), I am sorry, but I love the way you talk about Sula and your analysis made a lot of sense to me👏👏👏
Omgosh don't apologize! That's totally fair, Sula is superrrr polarizing and I totally understand why someone would not vibe with her. Have you tried any other Morrisons?
Hey. Are you on good reads?
Hiii! I added my goodreads to the links in my bio! 😊
Ahhh! Absolutely loved this video. Perfect pick me up. 😊🫶🏽I cannot wait to get my hands on All Fours. It was one of my anticipated reads as well. Girl the way you’ve annotated Sula 😳😅🤪 Love it! So glad you grew a beloved appreciate for it the second time around. BTW..Love the hat, dahling!
Yesssss! All Fours was a weird, fantastic one! Cant wait to hear your thoughts on it!! And hahaha that book is vandalizedddd 😂