Carrie Brownstein's book reading: Six memorable quotes
by Kelsey
November 25, 2015
Last month, I was fortunate enough to catch Carrie Brownstein's book tour at its stop in Chicago. This particular stop dovetailed with "In Sight Out," a discussion series centered on music and presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, along with Pitchfork. Brownstein was interviewed by Pitchfork's senior editor (and author of two books herself), Jessica Hopper.
When I entered the 200-seat theater at MCA, the dark stage was set with two modern and oversized black leather chairs and two glasses of water. A brief introduction was given (in which the audience was strongly encouraged to use social media throughout the night) and the two women promptly walked on stage. Brownstein read a brief passage from her new memoir Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl, which had been released just a few days prior ("Seriously, I'm going to read for one minute. I've found that that seems to be just the right amount of time at these things."), and then the discussion began.
As is often the case with book tours, the conversation started off slightly stiff, but brought to life many of the themes that weave through the memoir. I was pleased to find that Brownstein's down-to-earth and genuine nature came across as strongly in person as it did in ink. Both Brownstein and Hopper had many inspiring things to say throughout the course of the evening, but here are the quotes from Brownstein that most stuck with me on that winding trip back up north.
On her motives for writing a memoir
"[I wanted to] be a willful protagonist in [my] own story...wanted to have a say in what was said about me. You kind of have to create a mythology for yourself."
On revisiting difficult memories
"[There is a] wholeness that reflects vulnerability, and through that vulnerability [you can] find strength."
On the legitimization of being a fangirl
"[Fandom] wasn't a passive decision for me...it was a transformative state...and a part of creativity."
On humor and relatability in writing
"I don't think there's a huge difference sometimes between sad and happy; they can complement each other."
On reviewing old letters to Miranda July
"I was most struck by how similar I am [to my younger self]...Who do I think I am? Virigina Woolf?!"
On developing compassion for her younger self
"In any social situation, I would insert myself via performance, often clumsily. In that sense, [I look back with] a combination of empathy and head-shaking disbelief."