"Having and Being Had" by Eula Biss

"Having and Being Had" is a book on capitalism. The author explores everyday situations from the angle of how capitalism affected it. She purchases a home and then ruminates about how her life is split into two sections by acquiring a washing machine. I don't know how to make sense of the book except as essays on various aspects of capitalism in an everyday setting.

Some essays highlight aspects of the past, such as when people were treated like objects and property. Some make you giggle because you might see yourself in it. A lot of the book is dedicated to privilege.

However, most of the time, the author ends the essays with something akin to "it is what it is." For example, when she says that she decided to do something (e.g., make her investment portfolio more selective), and then she doesn't do that. I guess the meaning here is that even though we're talking about economic class privilege, we rarely do anything, as doing anything is difficult.

It's like a standup comedian telling a story; it's hilarious, relatable, and ultimately quite sad.