Friday Friyay: 'Nightbitch' by Rachel Yoder

 I bought this book earlier this summer, when I was visiting my mother, but I only got around to starting it this week and oh my God, it is absolutely blowing my mind. So I would like to introduce you, too, to the blazing fury if Rachel Yoder's Nightbitch.

One day, the mother was a mother but then, one night, she was quite suddenly something else...

At home full-time with her two-year-old son, an artist finds she is struggling. She is lonely and exhausted. She had imagined - what was it she had imagined? Her husband, always travelling for his work, calls her from faraway hotel rooms. One more toddler bedtime, and she fears she might lose her mind.

Instead, quite suddenly, she starts gaining things, surprising things that happen one night when her child will not sleep. Sharper canines. Strange new patches of hair. New appetites, new instincts. And from deep within herself, a new voice...

With its clear eyes on contemporary womanhood and sharp take on structures of power, Nightbitch is an outrageously original, joyfully subversive read that will make you want to howl in laughter and recognition. Addictive enough to be devoured in one sitting, this is an unforgettable novel from a blazing new talent.

Book Beginnings is at home on Rose City Reader, hosted by Gilion Dumas, and Friday 56 at Freda's Voice, hosted by Freda. I'll also be joining the Book Blog Hop, hosted by Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. 

BB:

'When she had referred to herself as Nightbitch, she meant it as a good-natured, self-deprecating joke - because that's the sort of lady she was, a good sport, able to poke fun at herself, definitely not uptight, not wound really tight, not so freakishly tight that she couldn't see the humor in a light-hearted not-meant-as-an-insult situation - but in the days following this naming, she found the patch of coarse black hair sprouting from the base of her neck and was, like, What the fuck.' p.1

And that is just the opening line! I love the heaping up of things that happens here, the circular argument to not be wound too tight that just clenches everything more. There is also a recognition to the 'not-meant-as-an-insult' situation, I think most women will have that recognition. I also really like how human and normal the voice of "the mother" is.

F56:

'She could not comprehend her husband's great expertise with complex machinery yet complete inability to trouble-shoot their child.' p.56

While there is a jokey tone to this, this is very much not something light-hearted to "the mother", who has given up her own career and just, very much, wants to have a shower in this moment. 

BBH:

This week's question was suggested by Julie over at Jady Sky/Stepping Stones Book Reviews:

Are you more like to choose to read a book based on the synopsis, or the cover?

Great question! If I'm completely honest it is a combination of the two. Usually it is the cover that first draws my attention, as it is of course designed to. But then if the blurb doesn't match it, doesn't add anything new to keep my interest, then I will still put the book back down. Sometimes I do try to shop "blind" in bookstores, pick up things based on title, ignoring the cover design, and then seeing what the blurb has to offer.

This is actually the perfect chance to nag about a major gripe of mine that I swear has become worse of late. Why is the back of a book nowadays usually full of advanced praise, reviews, etc. instead of featuring the blurb? How am I supposed to know what a book is actually about? Am I supposed to divine this from the raving review from another author? So yeah, I find that increasingly annoying because while I'm a big fan of reading the first few pages while still in the bookstore, I would prefer to be able to read a blurb as well. 

So, that's me! What are you reading? And how do you pick your reads?

Comments

  1. OMG! How fascinating this sounds. I am not a fan of the cover, though, lol, since I avoid red meat most of the time.

    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. The cover is quite aggressive, but even without it the title catches plenty of attention on the bus xD I would really recommend it! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  2. This has always looked interesting to me

    Here is my link:
    https://twogirlsandtheirbookishlife.blogspot.com/2021/09/book-beginnings-summer-sons-by-lee.html

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    1. It really gripped me, even if it is a little odd at times. That just adds to the charm in my opinion though. Thanks for dropping by :)

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  3. This sounds so interesting! Something different indeed!

    Love the cover with the meat.

    Happy Weekend!

    Elza Reads

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    1. Different is definitely what it is. It also took me ages to see the little wolf/dog shape made by the meat and the paper! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  4. Wow! I need to get my hands on a copy of this book!

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    1. Absolutely do! It is such a vivid, real book, despite its weird premise! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  5. I agree 100% about the back of the book. I hate the fact that they leave it filled with "new York times..." this or she said that. Whats worse is when its in plastic and you cannot open the dam thing to find out if its worth your money. Just because someone else likes it doesn't mean I'm going to. Blah...im ranting...sorry, its just super annoying that they do that.

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    1. Right?! I literally find myself in bookstores looking up books on Goodreads just so I can find out what they're about, which is insane! And this is a rant-accepting zone, I'm all about a good book rant myself most of the time! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  6. I love how the snippets sound! It sounds hilarious and a page turner all-at-once! :-) Happy weekend!

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    1. I literally laughed out loud at some moments in this book, and then other moments just had me staring into space contemplating deep truths xD Thanks for dropping by :)

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  7. I wasn't sure when I saw the cover, but the synopsis and snippets have sold me on it. I'm so intrigued and want to know more. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great weekend! :)

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    1. The cover is very bold, to put it mildly. I'd absolutely recommend it though so hopefully you get a chance to read it soon! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  8. Do we actually believe those editorial reviews anyway? Like you a cover might catch my eye but the decision is based solely on the blurb.

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    1. Most of the times those reviews don't do anything for me. In the case of 'Nightbitch' the back had a recommendation by Jenny Offil on it, an author I do really like, which kind of made me interested, but even then I'd rather have read the blurb xD Thanks for dropping by :)

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  9. I have to agree that the blurb should be on the back. If you've picked up the book and flipped it over, you should get rewarded with more information about the book. As for Nightbitch, that new mom zaniness is definitely relatable.

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    1. Right? That is literally what the back is for, especially if it's not a jacket but the actual back of the book. If a book has a jacket and the blurb is on one of the inside bits (I'm sure there's a word for that...) then fine, but then do make sure I can open the book to look at it xD Thanks for dropping by :)

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  10. Sounds like it could be a good one. Interesting cover too.

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    1. I thought it was amazing, as vibrant and "in your face" as the cover promises! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  11. Your book sounds like a unique treat. I hope it is as enjoyable as it sounds.

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    1. It really was unlike anything I've read so far. I'm attempting to write the review at the moment but am struggling to find the words for it! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  12. I've been eyeing this. I think I'm going to have to try it.

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    1. Oooh do! And then let me know what you thought! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  13. Great quotations! Really make me want to read more.

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    1. They do really make you want to keep reading, right? You really get a sense for the mother's voice as well. Thanks for dropping by :)

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  14. This sounds awesome, and I remember seeing it not long ago. I think I need to get it- it sounds both hilarious and thought provoking!

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    1. It is absolutely both of those things! I hope you get a chance to read it soon! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  15. I guess I'm lucky since I read mostly e-books that the etailers require a proper blurb... I won't buy a book I don't know is going to be something I want to read - I also find that sometimes an author can go too far the other way and the synopsis is so thorough that you don't need to read the book :)

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    1. I have had that as well, where I've actually removed paragraphs from a blurb when I post my reviews because they spoil key developments! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  16. That book sounds amazing. I'm gonna have to add it to my tbr. Come visit me to find out my response https://www.readinggrrl.com/2021/09/book-blogger-hop.html

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    1. Yesss do add it! I hope you get a chance to read it soon! Thanks for dropping by :)

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