I finally returned my overdue library book yesterday. I’m typically a conscientious patron, not holding onto something I know others are waiting to read. But this time I wasn’t ready to let go.
You know when you read something and the story just seeps into every pore? That’s what this book did. More than once, I wanted to scream out loud. I’ve lost count of the number of male doctors who’ve dismissed why I’m there. Or they try to mansplain away my symptoms. I’ve even had them misdirect me, just to protect their own fragile ego.
I hate feeling horrified and helpless. It’s how felt again reading Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel.
My holds were piling up. The library won’t let you check out anything new when you’ve got an overdue book. So I had to return Enormous Wings before Laurie and I go live on The Return Window with Rani Aug. 27 @ 7:15 PM Central.
The book is about a 77-year-old woman who gets pregnant living in a retirement home. When Laurie first started her book, it was set in Seattle. She moved the setting to Austin after abortion became illegal in the state where I live.
Roe v. Wade started in Dallas, where Wade was the district attorney. It then was lawful for 49 years, until June 2022 when the Supreme Court overturned Roe. Texas and 12 other states have banned abortion outright. Eleven more have provisions more strict than Roe. It means I have outlived a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion.
So I was ok holding onto the book. I more than paid for it with my $11,418 property tax bill. Welcome to Texas.
I’m pleasantly surprised I could even borrow Laurie’s book at all, given the Lone Star State loves to ban books. Three states — Florida, Texas and Tennessee — account for 80% of the school book bans nationwide. Texas was second highest, with 1,781 school book bans during the 2024–25 academic year. Once it works it’s repeated.
Public libraries and schools have been exempt from obscenity prosecution. Until now. As of July 30, this longstanding protection was reversed in Arkansas. Now a librarian who hands a minor a book they know is “harmful” can face up to a year in jail.
To get in front of all that, I bought my own copy of Enormous Wings. To support Laurie and to reference during our live conversation on Aug. 27. Don’t bother to chide me. I know I’m going to hell for buying books on Amazon. And while I hate to say never given what we’ve witnessed, here I go. Nobody can take my copy off my shelf.
Author Laurie Frankel Live 8/27 @ 7:15 PM Central
A talk with the writer of Enormous Wings: a fictional take on women considering abortion in red states. It’s scary because it’s true.
Join us. Bring your commentary and cocktail.
Which is what our conversation will be about. Retail Therapy is why we buy. The Return Window is what we keep. Join Laurie and I when we go live Aug. 27 at 7:15 PM Central.
If you’ve got questions you want to make sure we discuss, drop them in the comments. They’re open to everyone.
It’s OK If I Go to Hell for Buying Books on Amazon
106 Amazon orders this year. Nine were books. I'm not apologizing.