Truong Tran’s Book Notes music playlist for his memoir How to Exi(s)t

In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book. Previous contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Lauren Groff, Bret Easton Ellis, Celeste Ng, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Hanif Abdurraqib, Andrew Sean Greer, Roxane Gay, and many others. Truong Tran’s memoir How to Exi(s)t is brilliantly inventive in form and powerfully told. Publishers Weekly wrote of the book: “Vietnamese American poet and visual artist Tran (Book of the Other) examines racism, queer history, and his own life in this striking nonlinear account.” In his own words, here is Truong Tran’s Book Notes music playlist for his memoir How to Exi(s)t: This playlist is unusual in that I do not consider myself a connoisseur of music. I listen to music in a way that feels very utilitarian. I look for music that helps me do the work of excavating memories. And as such, these are the songs I listened to, for the most part on repeat, while writing this book. They…

Commenting on Bubbles has been removed. Why? If you want to talk about this post, write to the author, use the comments on their blog if it has them, or reply with a "RE:" post on your own blog. Suggestions? feedback@bubbles.town