for the love of
I.
lately it’s been difficult to write as they become indistinguishable every thought an extrapolation of another with no beginning no middle no end no point.
on the one side it is important to do something, i write, lingering on every syllable because i know something is important and i think something should be done but frankly more often than not i find myself at a loss.
on the other side creation never happens in a vacuum (except maybe that one time)
make due by marina manoukian
II.
Transgressive Circulation by Johannes Göransson
a text read and reread. littered with stars underlines exclamation points superpositions of black ink. thought about turned over relished regurgitated and still i reread a line and find ever folding refractions.
III.
Feminism for the 99%: A Manifesto by Cinzia Arruzza, Tithi Bhattacharya, & Nancy Fraser
from the moment i read this i had to write about it.
IV.
sometimes it’s easy. sometimes every sentence every word illicits a response and margins find themselves scribbled with notes with interest with passion for something that is outside and unattainable and yet we circle it frantically like vultures trying desperately to figure something
and when there’s passion there’s delight there’s purpose. telling a story not for the audience not even for you but for the story for the investigation for the expansion.
V.
Dangerous Love by Ben Okri
The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif
Dear Shameless Death by Latife Tekin, trans. by Saliha Paker and Mel Kenne
fall into stories. stories of multitudes. multitudes that fold onto each other. other stories might shed light on resemblance but the investigation of differences teaches the potential for more. more often than not there is something you didn’t realize.
VI.
Killing Plato by Chantal Maillard, trans. by Yvette Siegert
this book of poetry made me cry on the u-bahn. words that couldn’t have been said better myself were said were printed were there to witness. i was so happy someone had pinned them down even if for a moment.
VII.
i should read more poetry.
we should all read more poetry.
acknowledge by marina manoukian
VIII.
Whites, Jews, and Us: Toward a Politics of Revolutionary Love by Houria Bouteldja, trans. by Rachel Valinsky
i used to horde books stories keep them collect them wanted to have them. there was the intention of revisitation but underneath was the desire for possession. now i ransack the bookshelves of friends taking whatever catches my eye in the moment. i’ve been borrowing books from one friend for over a year now and while her bookshelf hasn’t changed i find new books there every time. the desire for possession is still there but possession isn’t material possession is the experience of variety possession is the acknowledgement of my own blind spots.
now i try to find the books i wouldn’t have found before.
IX.
Strangers From A Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans by Ronald Takaki
it’s depressing how much history isn’t taught in grade school.
it’s a privilege to have the time to read. it’s a privilege to have the time to read different things to compare contrast comprehend.
X.
the nagging thought that more should have been read.
most of october was spent rereading, sometimes like a fervent re-watch of your favorite movie marinating in every line. sometimes like putting on a series in the background while your eyes glaze over as you try not to think.
sometimes you need that
•
additional play
-the full list of my ‘books to recommend’ from 2019 and previous years can be found here.
marina manoukian is a reader and writer and collage artist. she currently resides in berlin while she studies and works. she likes honey and she loves bees. you can find more of her words and images at marinamanoukian.com or twitter/instagram at @crimeiscommon.