Nonfiction has not been rewarding for me this year. My guess is the petulant part of my brain feels that it is already working too hard to process this country’s current reality and has no room for more information. But then I discovered The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward by Melinda French Gates and while the book’s title did not specifically talk to me, the ... Read More...
A Knock at Midnight
If nothing else, 2020 has been my year of more “I had no idea” reading than any other in my adult life. I’ve read fiction and nonfiction on a number of issues for years, but somehow race was never a large part of that reading. Now, like many others in this country, I’ve seen just how insidious systemic racism is in America and want a better understanding. To that end, I read A ... Read More...
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Several weeks ago, I enthused about a novel that I thought was outstanding even though it was DARK (The Road, which I would not recommend reading anytime soon). Now I’m back to balance the scales by going full-on evangelical about a book so bright it glows. Untamed is Glennon Doyle’s journey, extracted and distilled into a nourishing and energizing blend of inspiration, wisdom, ... Read More...
Almost Everything: Notes on Hope
Anne Lamott’s new book Almost Everything: Notes on Hope is not straight path reading. It’s not her style and I, for one, am grateful for that. But if you looking for succinct advice on how to feel better about the world today, you’ll be frustrated and, maybe, disappointed. She’s a wanderer, but one who always reaches her destination. In this lovely little book, she makes the ... Read More...
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
It’s no secret I’ve been struggling since November to make sense of not only where our country stands, but where it is headed. I’d like to say I’ve been able to insulate myself from the impact of a new president who is horrifying in every sense of the word, but I haven’t. As a result, my reading since November has changed. It may be that I feel so challenged by current ... Read More...
Inventing the Rest of Our Lives by Susan Levine Braun
Yesterday, I had a milestone-ish birthday. 55, which means I can no longer say I’m in my early 50s. Boo to that. I’m not generally one to find age markers to be difficult—I thought 40 was a blast, but this one, for whatever reason hit me harder than any other in awhile. I decided I really needed to let go of the self-doubt and irritation that’s been dogging me recently and jump ... Read More...
