I lost all my books in the Palisades Fire. It's been a struggle for me to read. My child and I were at Target the other day and I found Mary Oliver's book called "Devotions" which is a collection of her poems. I read several a night. It brings me back to nature, back to the the parts of my soul that I need.
I'm so, so sorry! That is absolutely devastating and my heart goes out to you. I'm glad that you and your child are safe and hope the same for the rest of your family and loved ones.
Thank you. My family is safe. It's been a hard time and then add all this wackiness from the Trump admin - especially their immigration efforts in Los Angeles. It can be very depressing. However, poetry to me is an art that I can appreciate in little parts of my day.
I know all too well what you are going through. We lost everything from damage to our home caused by Hurricane Sandy. So glad you find comfort in Mary Oliver!
I'm reading (well on last pages) The Serviceberry, Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. While it IS about serviceberry trees, it's much more about a good way to live, a social system based on a gift economy...like the serviceberry tree, we use what we need, and give (not sell at a profit) the rest to others and in one way or another it all comes back to us. One of the comments she makes about serviceberries is "part of my delight comes from their unexpected presence". Many of us are making an unexpected presence both for our neighbors, for folks we don't know and beside other protestors as we march. I imagine people in communities under attack by ICE are delighted and surprised by our presence, even if it is only monetary. Let's all continue to work to be the delight of an unexpected presence for others!
I'm reading "There is no Place for Us" about homelessness among working Americans. It should be required reading for everyone. Very good and engrossing read.
If you enjoy historical fiction, Jacqueline Winspear's series- Maisie Dobbs. A very strong female character! The series starts with her as a young girl in southern England before WW1. Much history about what it must have been like to live in those years in England.
I loved that entire series and was sorry to see it end. Her stand alone The White Lady is also very good. Within the story she brings up why men might become obsessed with guns after returning from war.
I'm pretty skeptical about impeachment. Not only the practicalities, but the consequences. OF COURSE, Trump should be impeached for high crimes. But if he is removed, J.D. Vance becomes President, and Speaker Johnson is on deck. Did I hear someone ask who/what could be worse than Trump? Just remember that Vance is much smarter than Trump and probably better able to focus on the cruel agendas he would continue--with a literal religious flair.
I understand your concerns about Vance and Johnson. However, nobody will hold the MAGA cult together like DJT. I’m not sure what he has, certainly not charisma by my standards. He is the head of the snake/cult. When he’s gone, MAGA will fall apart. The spell will be broken for most. I’m confident that the majority of them will not follow anyone else. Congressional Republicans will not fear Vance, Johnson, or anyone else. I say, IMPEACHMENT ASAP! 🇺🇸
If you liked Lost Words, I recommend The Broken Teaglass by Emily Arsenault. A fascinating mystery embedded in cryptic clues found in the files of a dictionary company ever so like Merriam-Webster, where Emily and I both worked over 20 years ago
If you need to unwind with a more lighthearted, easy read, “I See You’ve Called in Dead”, by John Kenney was recommended to me. I am in the process of reading it right now and totally enjoying it. It’s about an obituary writer, who drank a little too much one night and wrote his own obituary and then accidentally published it…. and the craziness that ensues.
I’m having a hard time with reality, so I turn to fiction. If you want to read some good, philosophical fiction, I recommend anything by Ruth Ozeki (esp. “A Tale for the Time Being”), anything by Sigrid Nunez (esp. “The Friend”), and “The Children’s Bible,” by Lydia Millet.I read them all a long time ago, but they are good summer books.
Nearly finished with "John Lewis: A Life" -- essential in these times. Recently finished "Parable of the Sower" (dystopian fiction, but ditto above remark), "Cabin" (about a person tired of his corporate life who fixed a true cabin up and changed his life), "All Fours" (fiction that became a signpost in past year for women in their 30s and 40s), "Rebel Girl" (autobiography from punk icon Kathleen Hanna), "The Women" (Kristin Hannah pays overdue tribute to women who served in Viet Nam with engaging fiction), "Eight Bears" (excellent albeit sad nonfiction about the eight bear species and their fates), and "Careless People" (book by Facebook whistleblower that is a must-read). And since you're off to Canada, a great excuse to wholeheartedly recommend the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny.
Reading "The Splendid and the Vile" by Erik Larson about Britain during the Blitz of 1940-41. really good tidbits about misinformation in Germany and actual stuff going on in Britain. Unbelievable that they did not give in! Gives me hope that we too can stand up to tyranny for several years.
I’ve been on a big transit and urban planning kick. The Lost Subways of North America by Jake Berman; Dividing Lines by Deborah Archer; The 99% Invisible City by Roman Mars & Kurt Kohlstedt; and Human Transit by Jarrett Walker. Also my picks for resilience! On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder; Mutual Aid by Dean Spade; and Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier.
I haven’t! I love this interconnectedness, I had never heard of 99% Invisible before this book and it turns out they cover a lot of stuff I'm interested in! I’ll check it out next or at least soon, because one should never pass up an opportunity to hate Robert Moses.
I lost all my books in the Palisades Fire. It's been a struggle for me to read. My child and I were at Target the other day and I found Mary Oliver's book called "Devotions" which is a collection of her poems. I read several a night. It brings me back to nature, back to the the parts of my soul that I need.
Goodness, Denise, I'm so, so sorry. Poetry is a wonderful salve, isn't it?
I'm so, so sorry! That is absolutely devastating and my heart goes out to you. I'm glad that you and your child are safe and hope the same for the rest of your family and loved ones.
Thank you. My family is safe. It's been a hard time and then add all this wackiness from the Trump admin - especially their immigration efforts in Los Angeles. It can be very depressing. However, poetry to me is an art that I can appreciate in little parts of my day.
🙏❣️🙏❣️🙏
I am so glad you are all safe. Just so much to take at once. Poetry and nature are both wonderful salves. My heart is with you.
Mary Oliver’s poems bring so much peace and comfort.
I know all too well what you are going through. We lost everything from damage to our home caused by Hurricane Sandy. So glad you find comfort in Mary Oliver!
So sorry that happened. You're the second person this week to recommend that book!
I am so sorry for your loss. Nature is truly the great healer. Sending love to you and yours.
I'm reading (well on last pages) The Serviceberry, Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. While it IS about serviceberry trees, it's much more about a good way to live, a social system based on a gift economy...like the serviceberry tree, we use what we need, and give (not sell at a profit) the rest to others and in one way or another it all comes back to us. One of the comments she makes about serviceberries is "part of my delight comes from their unexpected presence". Many of us are making an unexpected presence both for our neighbors, for folks we don't know and beside other protestors as we march. I imagine people in communities under attack by ICE are delighted and surprised by our presence, even if it is only monetary. Let's all continue to work to be the delight of an unexpected presence for others!
That's wonderful!
I've heard that recommended by several people.
I am currently read E. Jean Carroll’s book “Not My Type”
The Overstory! MUST READ The Overstory. If you haven't already. xoxo
That author is INCREDIBLE.
One of my favorite of hers!
I'm reading "There is no Place for Us" about homelessness among working Americans. It should be required reading for everyone. Very good and engrossing read.
ooh that sounds amazing!
If you enjoy historical fiction, Jacqueline Winspear's series- Maisie Dobbs. A very strong female character! The series starts with her as a young girl in southern England before WW1. Much history about what it must have been like to live in those years in England.
I loved that entire series and was sorry to see it end. Her stand alone The White Lady is also very good. Within the story she brings up why men might become obsessed with guns after returning from war.
I'm pretty skeptical about impeachment. Not only the practicalities, but the consequences. OF COURSE, Trump should be impeached for high crimes. But if he is removed, J.D. Vance becomes President, and Speaker Johnson is on deck. Did I hear someone ask who/what could be worse than Trump? Just remember that Vance is much smarter than Trump and probably better able to focus on the cruel agendas he would continue--with a literal religious flair.
I understand your concerns about Vance and Johnson. However, nobody will hold the MAGA cult together like DJT. I’m not sure what he has, certainly not charisma by my standards. He is the head of the snake/cult. When he’s gone, MAGA will fall apart. The spell will be broken for most. I’m confident that the majority of them will not follow anyone else. Congressional Republicans will not fear Vance, Johnson, or anyone else. I say, IMPEACHMENT ASAP! 🇺🇸
Recommend the Dictionary of Lost Words.
Fiction?
If you liked Lost Words, I recommend The Broken Teaglass by Emily Arsenault. A fascinating mystery embedded in cryptic clues found in the files of a dictionary company ever so like Merriam-Webster, where Emily and I both worked over 20 years ago
That was very good. I liked her next book, The Bookbinder, even better, and there is some overlap of characters.
Madeleine l’Engle. “A wrinkle in time”
If you need to unwind with a more lighthearted, easy read, “I See You’ve Called in Dead”, by John Kenney was recommended to me. I am in the process of reading it right now and totally enjoying it. It’s about an obituary writer, who drank a little too much one night and wrote his own obituary and then accidentally published it…. and the craziness that ensues.
That sounds fun.
It definitely is bringing me some needed smiles 😊
I’m having a hard time with reality, so I turn to fiction. If you want to read some good, philosophical fiction, I recommend anything by Ruth Ozeki (esp. “A Tale for the Time Being”), anything by Sigrid Nunez (esp. “The Friend”), and “The Children’s Bible,” by Lydia Millet.I read them all a long time ago, but they are good summer books.
Nearly finished with "John Lewis: A Life" -- essential in these times. Recently finished "Parable of the Sower" (dystopian fiction, but ditto above remark), "Cabin" (about a person tired of his corporate life who fixed a true cabin up and changed his life), "All Fours" (fiction that became a signpost in past year for women in their 30s and 40s), "Rebel Girl" (autobiography from punk icon Kathleen Hanna), "The Women" (Kristin Hannah pays overdue tribute to women who served in Viet Nam with engaging fiction), "Eight Bears" (excellent albeit sad nonfiction about the eight bear species and their fates), and "Careless People" (book by Facebook whistleblower that is a must-read). And since you're off to Canada, a great excuse to wholeheartedly recommend the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny.
Good to know! Thank you!
Yes! ALL Louise Penny Gamache books are outstanding.
Reading "The Splendid and the Vile" by Erik Larson about Britain during the Blitz of 1940-41. really good tidbits about misinformation in Germany and actual stuff going on in Britain. Unbelievable that they did not give in! Gives me hope that we too can stand up to tyranny for several years.
Ooh that sounds liike my kind of book!
Distraction reading: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Just saw that at Barnes and Noble while browsing. Thanks for the recommendation!
I loved that as an audiobook! So funny and endearing! The sequel is also great.
Why not call "Alligator Alcatraz" what it is: a concentration camp.
That's what we basically arrived at in the podcast.
I’ve been on a big transit and urban planning kick. The Lost Subways of North America by Jake Berman; Dividing Lines by Deborah Archer; The 99% Invisible City by Roman Mars & Kurt Kohlstedt; and Human Transit by Jarrett Walker. Also my picks for resilience! On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder; Mutual Aid by Dean Spade; and Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier.
Wait, have you read the Powerbroker yet? First, it's ALL about urban planning. Second, the 99% Invisible guys have a 12 part podcast series about it!
I haven’t! I love this interconnectedness, I had never heard of 99% Invisible before this book and it turns out they cover a lot of stuff I'm interested in! I’ll check it out next or at least soon, because one should never pass up an opportunity to hate Robert Moses.