Coffee and books. What is not to like. #reading #alwaysreading #books #fiction #marygaitskill

Picture of the book cover showing an abstract line drawing of two people facing each other, showing just their outlines and brightly coloured lips

My #RecentRead*
#ThisIsPleasure by #MaryGaitskill

*books I’ve really liked/loved

The House We Lived In ...where people "Don't look at you weirdly"

An appreciation of @WestbethArtistsHousing and the multifarious creator @ChristinaMaile from my book, The Twilight of Bohemia (Black Sparrow, 2025). With thanks to #MaryGaitskill for running it on her Substack.

The House We Lived In open.substack.com/pub/marygait...

This image shows a cozy café setting with a round wooden table bathed in warm sunlight. On the table, there’s a copy of This Is Pleasure by Mary Gaitskill, its minimalist cream-colored cover featuring abstract line drawings of faces and lips in black and pink. The book is placed near the top left of the table. Beside the book, to the right, is a cup of matcha latte in a ceramic mug, topped with delicate heart-shaped latte art. Below the book and latte, a golden-brown croissant is placed on a plate lined with branded parchment paper reading “Sonder.” The croissant is topped with vibrant green pistachio cream and crushed pistachios, giving it a textured appearance. A silver fork rests on the plate. To the right of the latte, a textured, round, earth-toned object with a hollow opening sits on the table, possibly a decorative lamp or sculpture. In the bottom left corner of the image, part of a yellow gingham fabric—likely a skirt or dress—is visible, adding a soft contrast to the warm wooden tones of the table. The overall aesthetic is warm, inviting, and thoughtfully arranged.

This is Pleasure – Mary Gaitskill

A sharp, unsettling look at consent, power & perception. Quinn, a publisher, is accused of harassment; Margot, his friend, reflects on his behavior. Gaitskill’s unsentimental style makes this a thought provoking read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#MaryGaitskill #ThisIsPleasure #LitFic

Woman in cocktail dress bending over to buckle her sandal.

I came across #MaryGaitskill in a "Best American Short Stories" compilation where I read her moving story "This is Pleasure." I knew I had to read more of her work. Completely enamored with her descriptive so-purple-its-black-and-blue writing. 🧠✨ #nowreading Veronica.

My comment re: GONE GIRL and Gaitskill's revealing "review": #GoneGirl #marygaitskill #sourgrapes @bookforum http://t.co/DE7xkDJ24y