I have read 3 books by The Minimalists and was so excited to read their newest release! Their take on minimalism is expansive, refreshing and consistently inspiring. Josh and Ryan let themselves be very vulnerable in this book, laying bare the personal struggles they’ve encountered on their minimalism journeys. Along with providing fun, actionable steps to minimise possessions, we also get to see how fixing our relationship to “stuff” only scratches the surface. It goes so much farther than aesthetics and convenience. Minimalism can help us rediscover what really matters in life and find fulfillment in ways we didn’t think possible. A great pick for those who love Marie Kondo or Rich Roll!
This book is one poem. My experience of this poem was through the lense of embodiment. After the experiences of 2020, of isolation and immobilization -- the flight, falling, and awe inspiring dynamicism of this piece was so liberating. This is also an incredibly personal piece, one that draws the reader into moments of despair and elation, and ultimately of justice.
Goldenrod reads like a drive through your hometown, past land and houses you once knew, catching glimpses of people you love. Her poems ring with such truth and clarity they bring me to tears. This is a collection for mothers, for those yearning, struggling, and caring for our world. I highly recommend this book for those who love poets like Mary Oliver and Kate Baer.
This book was such a joy to read: touching, sensual, and powerful. The language was so rich and transported me to the world of each story so effortlessly and graciously. I was especially struck with how refreshing it is to read love stories centering empowered women of color. My heart felt so full by the end, like the love poured into this book was overflowing right off of the page. I can’t wait to recommend it to others!
I adore this book and could not put it down. The story explores important topics of racial injustice. It is a touching family drama throughout history with a bit of teen romance. There were also parts that were so thrilling and was a fast paced mystery! This is a young adult novel, and I think adults will get swept away by it as well, I know I did.
This collection is such a balm for weary hearts. It is clear that the editor has lovingly selected each poem, and that passion for poetry is seeped into every page. The forward is a gorgeous meditation ushering the reader into the perfect headspace for poetry, asking us "how we witness makes our world." And in this collection this witnessing of the world is studied through gratitude and hope.
This is one of my very favorite poetry collections. Ross Gay is such a loving, powerful, masterful poet, and this collection of poems bring the reader right to the heart of it all. I highly reccommend this collection for fans of Mary Oliver.
I am drawn to retellings of myths and legends but tend to struggle with Greek mythology with its vastness and complicated relationships. This book captured me in way I haven't felt with Greek mythology before! It fleshes out these timeless characters with such grace and depth. The story beautifully weaves through so many eras of that cannon, and I felt like I could finally connect to the characters, dramas, and intricacies of this vast world. I love the world created here through the lens of the character Circe, who is a wonderfully complex, passionate, and caring witch and herbalist.
I loved and highly recommend this historical fiction novel based on a real community of deaf residents on Martha’s Vineyard in the 1800’s. The main character Mary is an empowered, spunky young girl who is deaf and gets kidnapped by a Boston doctor who doesn’t understand deafness. It’s a page turner of a book that has heartfelt themes of friendship and family, some thrilling action, as well as fascinating local history, conversations about prejudice, and beautiful language based on first-hand experience of communicating with sign language.
I was immediately drawn to this book by the mysterious foggy cover, which turned out to be very fitting for this story. Part mystery, part ghost story, part coming of age story in the subculture of 2000's Toronto, it spans diverse and fascinating topics with compassion and intrigue. I was thoroughly enthralled by how it all threads together.
I love time travel stories. In this one, I was genuinely amused by the "rules," quotidian nature of the characters, and unapologetically casual pacing. This book took a touching look at relationships and our universal desire for understanding and closure. A perfect book for a rainy day with a cup of coffee.
Maggie Smith is an exquisite poet! I’m a huge fan of her book Good Bones. Keep Moving is a project that she started on twitter, where each day she shared a goal, an affirmation, or an encouragement, all about moving forward through difficult times. I so appreciate the simplicity, honesty, and generosity of this book. You can read it cover to cover to follow her journey chronologically, or you can open the book to any page for a bit of wisdom and inspiration. I’ve found it so grounding and helpful this past year, and think it’s a perfect choice for those going through challenges and transitions.
This is a perfect gift for the flower lover in your life. The illustrations are lovely, colorful paper collages that capture the essence of each plant. The stories delve deep into each flower’s history and mythos in ways that are illuminating and surprising. It’s beautifully designed and inspiring!
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