A review by kacovarrubias
Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of My Appetites by Kate Christensen

4.0

Spoiler

(3.5 stars)
Even though I'm an avid memoir reader, since the onslaught of COVID-19, I have stuck mainly to fiction. I picked it up because I started reading [b:Why We Write About Ourselves: Twenty Memoirists on Why They Expose Themselves (and Others) in the Name of Literature|25489389|Why We Write About Ourselves Twenty Memoirists on Why They Expose Themselves (and Others) in the Name of Literature|Meredith Maran|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1445457737l/25489389._SY75_.jpg|45263782] and I loved the chapter about Kate Christensen. I think I have been avoiding reading about how life can be painful and just brutal. And this memoir reminded me why. Without going into too much, the author had a tumultuous childhood, certainly nothing like the authors in Glass Castle or Education, but transient and heartbreaking in its own way. That said, the writing is lovely. And, even though there were times that I wanted to scream at the author to do (or not) something, I was nonetheless rooting for her happiness and fulfillment. I recommend this book, but not if you're looking for something light and summery. Season wise, I think this book might be best read in the winter, sitting by a fire and eating a delicious and hearty soup or stew. (Funny note, at one point, the author is eating copious amounts of granola in order to comfort her homesick self. I texted a friend that I thought that I already read this book -- the granola part reminded me of something that I swear I had already read. I kept reading and didn't recall any of the book after that point. However, I just reviewed my library account, and I checked this book out in 2014, so it is entirely possible that this was a re-read. And obviously, this underscores the awesomeness of Goodreads!)