My favorite book is whatever I happen to be reading at the time. But as far as Fiction goes, I really enjoy Rick Riordan's ya series based on mythologies. It all started 12 years ago when my daughter read them in middle school. We went and heard him speak & we both were hooked. They are fun, entertaining and I learn a lot about mythology.
Ack! Favorite novel of all time? It stresses me out to try to decide! I asked myself what would I take to a desert island if only allowed one novel. Maybe *The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe*? Stressing. And you've read that, I'm sure.
Oh my word. Thank you for this. More tears after yesterday’s tears. Optimistic but not hopeful...I am going to have to think about that. I am kind of a Debbie Downer...okay, not kind of. My default especially after the last two week is anger, not optimism or hope and yet I just finished a zoom conversation that asked, specifically regarding my state, what gives me hope. Hard to answer. Best I could do was that so much has been exposed I hope there is a renewed willingness to have hard conversations.
Favorite novel of recent years: All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. Beautiful and powerful, threaded throughout with the mesmerizing notes of Claude Debussy's Clair de Lune, I couldn't stop thinking on the story for months after finishing it.
Currently about to begin The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett after she was featured on PBS Newshour's art and culture segment.
The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune. Beautiful, fun, a little fantastical, with my favorite theme of finding where you belong. It was also the first book I've read with two men falling in love - I'm enlarging my mind. Read this one!
I highly recommend the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny. The first book is called "Still Life", and the books just get better and better as they go. There are currently 16 in the series.
I recently enjoyed "The Water Dancer" by Ta-Nehisi Coates. "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas is easily one of the best books I read last year. On a somewhat lighter note, "Rules for visiting" by Jessica Francis Kane is about a woman who is turning 40 and find herself s bit disconnected from herself. She says out to connect with friends from different seasons of her life to try to make sense of herself. Her sorry is interspersed with bits of information about trees (her line of work) and her dad making arguments about the pros and cons of each tree for his memorial tree. Overall, meandering and quirky.
Loved Transcendent Kingdom so much. I got it first on audio and then had to get the hard cover too. Nothing compares but The thing with Feathers by Noah Strycker is a science book with the soul of poet.
I don’t have a recommendation right now but wow I am grateful for you. This letter spoke directly to my heart - and my tummy - we have a great bagel bakery here in Raleigh!! Thank you
Transcendent Kingdom was one of my favorite novels I read last year - just a magnificent work of fiction.
I recently finished Even As We Breathe by Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, which is also magnificent. It's the first novel published by an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, and has some historical fiction, some suspense, and some seriously gorgeous prose.
The striking contrast in Bernie and Miss Gorman shouts to what we have felt and where our hope begins; not just in posture and movements (which you so beautifully described) but in colors, textures, expressions. I will imagine her words will begin to change all our “ pictures” maybe like that of a darkroom process. For me, i find wonder and comfort in how you share your world. Thank you. I will 2nd “All the Light We Cannot See” and add This Tender Land.
Favorite book, but not new, is Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. I really like Madame Bovary, also. But oh, my. I tried to share today's blog on FB and now I am locked out. Something easy has turned into a mess.
My favorite book is whatever I happen to be reading at the time. But as far as Fiction goes, I really enjoy Rick Riordan's ya series based on mythologies. It all started 12 years ago when my daughter read them in middle school. We went and heard him speak & we both were hooked. They are fun, entertaining and I learn a lot about mythology.
Ack! Favorite novel of all time? It stresses me out to try to decide! I asked myself what would I take to a desert island if only allowed one novel. Maybe *The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe*? Stressing. And you've read that, I'm sure.
Oh my word. Thank you for this. More tears after yesterday’s tears. Optimistic but not hopeful...I am going to have to think about that. I am kind of a Debbie Downer...okay, not kind of. My default especially after the last two week is anger, not optimism or hope and yet I just finished a zoom conversation that asked, specifically regarding my state, what gives me hope. Hard to answer. Best I could do was that so much has been exposed I hope there is a renewed willingness to have hard conversations.
Favorite novel of recent years: All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. Beautiful and powerful, threaded throughout with the mesmerizing notes of Claude Debussy's Clair de Lune, I couldn't stop thinking on the story for months after finishing it.
Currently about to begin The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett after she was featured on PBS Newshour's art and culture segment.
Yes, I loved the Doerr book! I will look up The Vanishing Half. Thanks.
I’m reading a beautiful book, “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Such beautiful language - almost poetic.
Let’s stumble together Jeff. I’m ever so grateful for this letter each week. I read it with your voice in my head and your smile in my mind.
The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune. Beautiful, fun, a little fantastical, with my favorite theme of finding where you belong. It was also the first book I've read with two men falling in love - I'm enlarging my mind. Read this one!
Interesting! I haven't heard of it. Thanks for the recommendation. I could use something fun. I usually don't do fun haha.
I highly recommend the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny. The first book is called "Still Life", and the books just get better and better as they go. There are currently 16 in the series.
I’ve heard these were good and keep meaning to start reading the series. I just placed my order for Still Life!
I recently enjoyed "The Water Dancer" by Ta-Nehisi Coates. "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas is easily one of the best books I read last year. On a somewhat lighter note, "Rules for visiting" by Jessica Francis Kane is about a woman who is turning 40 and find herself s bit disconnected from herself. She says out to connect with friends from different seasons of her life to try to make sense of herself. Her sorry is interspersed with bits of information about trees (her line of work) and her dad making arguments about the pros and cons of each tree for his memorial tree. Overall, meandering and quirky.
Loved Transcendent Kingdom so much. I got it first on audio and then had to get the hard cover too. Nothing compares but The thing with Feathers by Noah Strycker is a science book with the soul of poet.
Steinbeck....
Yes, Steinbeck. Always.
My favorite novel from 2020 was A People’s History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian.
Some of my all times ones would be Good Omens and Everything I Never Told You.
I just finished Everything I Never Told You. Brilliant!
I don’t have a recommendation right now but wow I am grateful for you. This letter spoke directly to my heart - and my tummy - we have a great bagel bakery here in Raleigh!! Thank you
Transcendent Kingdom was one of my favorite novels I read last year - just a magnificent work of fiction.
I recently finished Even As We Breathe by Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, which is also magnificent. It's the first novel published by an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, and has some historical fiction, some suspense, and some seriously gorgeous prose.
The striking contrast in Bernie and Miss Gorman shouts to what we have felt and where our hope begins; not just in posture and movements (which you so beautifully described) but in colors, textures, expressions. I will imagine her words will begin to change all our “ pictures” maybe like that of a darkroom process. For me, i find wonder and comfort in how you share your world. Thank you. I will 2nd “All the Light We Cannot See” and add This Tender Land.
Favorite book, but not new, is Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. I really like Madame Bovary, also. But oh, my. I tried to share today's blog on FB and now I am locked out. Something easy has turned into a mess.