The Pleasures of Reading, Viewing, and Listening in 2020, pt. 20: Kristi Carter

 

 

Reading in 2020
by Kristi Carter

 

This year has been traumatic and memorable to say the least. In the spirit of pleasure though, I want to share the highlights from my reading this year. With the increased need to stay plugged in to maintain social distancing and sate the ever present need to stay informed, I found print to be a welcome relief from screen fatigue, physically, mentally and otherwise.  

While I will get to my favorite reads in a moment, I must (excitedly) note that my collection of poems, Aria Viscera, was published this May by indie press April Gloaming. It's a joy to have it out in the world and I look forward to re-celebrating its publication once the vaccine is more available and life resembles pre-Covid a bit more.  Those who have (and haven't) read my book of poems with Aqueduct, Cosmovore, may find the book of interest. Both are gory and unapologetically feminist, ha.



In no particular order, these were some of the titles that resonated with me this year:

The good people - Hannah Kent

Women - Chloe Caldwell

My Dark Vanessa - Kate Elizabeth Russell (I do still plan to read Wendy C. Ortiz's Excavation, which is now inseparable from conversation about Russel's book.)

The Knockout Queen - Rufi Thorpe

Book of Little Axe - Lauren Francis-Sharma

Take me apart - Sara Sligar

Cuntry - Kristin Sanders

My year of rest and relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh

The Earthquake Bird--Susanna Jones

The Vegetarian- Han Kang

Love Cake - Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Such a fun age--Kiley Reid


I think Aqueduct fans will enjoy some of these titles. Take care.

Kristi Carter is the author of Aria Viscera (April Gloaming), Red and Vast (dancing girl press), Daughter Shaman Sings Blood Anthem (Porkbelly Press) and Cosmovore (Aqueduct Press). Her poems have appeared in publications including So to Speak, poemmemoirstory, CALYX, Hawaii Review, and Nimrod. Her work examines the intersection of gender and intergenerational trauma in 20th Century poetics. Currently, she is editing, along with James L. Brunton, a collection for students consisting of scholarly and creative work on trans* studies and experiences. She holds a PhD from University of Nebraska Lincoln and an MFA from Oklahoma State University.