Special Note:
See you later in the summer
and hope you will enjoy these literary thoughts.
I won’t be surprised if the infamous Covid-19 virus photo makes the cover of TIME – subject of the year. As I write, while other social issues are rightfully demanding the center stage, so far in 2020, health has been the key news story. Given that health (and quality aging) is more than staying alive, there’s been a reasonable concentration on mental health and isolation. As such, there has been no shortage of suggestions of what we do with that isolation. Reading is top among them.
Summer is here, which has traditionally been tantamount to more time for reading. I hope to dawdle over extra books this year, despite the fact I am not finding ‘isolation time’ synonymous with ‘downtime.’
The last time I posted a blog piece about reading (in 2018), I offered some favorite books. I also explained my mental health motives. I want to briefly repeat those points before sharing this post’s titles, which are not so much suggestions as ideas if you need one. Presumably, it’s better to keep an on-going list of books recommended to you, or from hearing an author interview. I suspect that at least half of my readers do that naturally.
5 Reasons Why I Read for Mental Health
- Relaxation. Maybe heightened by a warm bath, a cozy chair, or a nice glass of red (or white).
- Escape. When you are sick of news or updates on Covid-19, and don’t want to tackle your waiting TO-DO list, a bit of time ‘away’ is luxurious. Since I often read via audio books I can continue with household chores and still feel like I escaped.
- Vicarious Living. Enjoy that life you will never have – or suffer through one you are grateful never to know.
- Learning. Hobbies, new professions, skills. My autodidact-husband believes he can learn just about anything he (really) wants to by teaching himself. [Maybe you HAD to read to learn zoom recently, but I am not counting that.]
- Sharing. Your book club may have moved online. At least we can continue to enjoy such clubs, recounting our feelings and thoughts about a special recent read. And if you are having Skype cocktail hours with friends, what better than to discuss a common book.
Sharing My Eclectic Titles
Not all on my list are new titles. Nor do they include the many unworthy ‘junk’ novels which sadly took invaluable time before I was able to sort them into my junk collection. No articles either; they are just overwhelming in number – and often don’t add the mental health aspect of ‘getting away’ or being absorbed in a book. I admit that several of my titles below aren’t pleasant get-a-ways either, but most transported my mind (or spirit) to a different space and away from other mental tasks.
Non-Fiction
Frontier Grit: The Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Women by Marianne Monson (2016). If you miss Bonanza, Rawhide, or Gunsmoke (especially Kitty) these stories can bring you back to those times and places, albeit with a gender-twist in heroes. Monson gathers true, diverse and unusual stories of woman with amazing perseverance, strength and stamina who conquered all kinds of adversity in the American West. Each is a mini-drama you wish wouldn’t end – until the next one grabs you. Not all are the anticipated crusade for women’s rights, although some are. These women display all sorts of skills and avenues of work: frontier doctor, Gold Rush hotel owner, farmer or stagecoach driver (although to be fair, no one knew she was a woman). Their travel was not always simply from the East to West, but also from distant lands (as far away as New Zealand). Some are migrants, others face racial discrimination (one a former slave). Each woman influenced her community, broke barriers and served as a role model (even to this day).
The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman (2007). The NYTimes bestseller, which became a movie in 2017, is worth the more detailed reading. This true story of Christians, Antonina and Jan Zabinski, is one more look at WWII from a different perceptive. This one is an obscure, impactful account of struggles and covert, subversive acts against Nazism. The setting is a zoo in Warsaw, Poland (which offers a disturbing platform for Nazi obsession in pureblood studies). The author’s storytelling is funny, terrifying and always touching. If it were a novel it would be a powerhouse thriller, but its historic reality makes it all the more moving. I found myself continually thinking “breathe.” Jan and Antonina (often on her own) are said to have saved the lives of more than 300 Jews after the German invasion. SPOILER ALERT. Ultimately (……stop now, if you wish to know nothing of the outcome), the zoo does reopen one day.
How Democracies Die: What History Tells Us About Our Future by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt (2018). Perhaps one of the scariest books to read this decade. Well-documented, academic account of historical failures of Democracies, and why the USA is not immune. While the chronicles do not favor one political bent only, each example demonstrates the lust for power. Authors contend that democracies die when elected leaders gradually subvert the democratic process to increase their power – and when they are allowed to do so. Leaders, whose instincts are not strongly democratic, can ‘lead’ a nation into the destruction of a stable democracy, and in its place establish totalitarianism. [Interestingly, authors comment on Plot Against America – also on this list.] While this fascinating (history) book may seem dark and irrelevant to our lives, it’s relevancy is the lesson to protect guardrails and protocols of our nation, despite party or politics. Democracies don’t die – unless people take them off life support.
How Democracies Die.
Interview with authors
(partisan warning: authors are asked — and speak bluntly — about President Trump).
Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and Warriors Shaped Globalization by Nayan Chandra (2007). An academic look at the history of “globalization” from the roots of early man until today. His unfolding of individual stories puts globalization into reality, depicting human nature and a search for something better. He recounts how, since the migration from Africa and the start of diaspora classes, we have worked, played, ate and shopped together – connecting with each other and establishing a global market through new trade routes and expanding empires. Chandra’s premise is that “globalization” is nothing new, begun before we kept records, and will be ongoing. He describes it as an “ever-growing interconnectedness and interdependence.” Only its shape and form vary today, with technological influences at play with the economic forces. He recognizes that globalization is sometimes considered an evil. I suggest an open mind here, as the author will probably annoy every political point-of-view out there in one section or another.
Raising the Floor: How a Universal Basic Income Can Renew Our Economy and Rebuild the American Dream by Andy Stern (2016). Here is a terrific primer, introducing us to the possibilities of UBI (Universal Basic Income). Yes, the same basic income that was the platform of Andrew Yang’s 2020 presidential bid. Formerly, the head of the fastest growing and still vibrant US union (SEIU), Stern’s background may put some off. But that’s the joy of this book; he proceeds in looking at the issue from vastly-different political views (left and right, progressive and conservative/libertarian). He explores the reasoning (economically and morally) of such a vast undertaking, and how it may stabilize and revitalize a nation. A large portion of that exploration is interviewing economists and supporters at the libertarian think tank, the CATO Institute. While the devil is always in the details, Stern lays out various plans and approaches that might (or might not) make this viable. You may be surprised. I have heard others say it as well, but Chapter 8 alone (meat of the many models) is worth the price of the book.
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover (2018). This popular book is worth the read now, if you haven’t already succumbed to the 10 other people who suggested it to you. Westover’s memoir is not just a coming-of-age story. She recounts her life growing up in a survivalist Mormon Family, far outside the mainstream Mormon Church. Her life is uneducated and isolated in Idaho backwoods where her bipolar father rules the roost, her mother practices natural healing, her brothers have questionable lives and violent streaks. She doesn’t enter a formal class room until the age of 17 and her description of the remote milieu of the family’s farm and existence explains how this – and their unapproachability – can happen. While most reviewers seem to concentrate on her quest for knowledge and rebellion from the family, it doesn’t come quickly, easily or naturally. In the end, while the broken-ties of family are painful, we can’t help but cheer for some of Tara’s choices. Education obviously makes all the difference. [This has been on the NYTimes Best Seller list for a long while, and has received lots of attention, been the center of numerous interviews and earned notable awards.]
Are we Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals are? by Frans De Waal (2017). One of my favorites. DeWaal, a Dutch-American biologist, with a Ph.D. in ethology and zoology, is also the author of Our Inner Ape. ‘Are we Smart Enough’ is a very entertaining book tracking the author’s many experiences and experiments on the science and research of various nonhuman minds (those of animals). These include more than chimpanzees, but dolphins, crows, parrots, wasps, bats, elephants, sheep, bonobos (his specialty) and more. You may have seen the author in one of his frequent appearances on PBS nature shows. He turns the tradition of science-snobs (and the taboo of anthropomorphizing) upside down, as he explores the complexities of cognitive abilities in these ‘other’ animals. I will read this book twice (a total rarity for me). If you read it you will learn why (in this first video below) laugher isn’t the only response to what WE don’t understand. The second clip is a short section of DeWall’s TED talk demonstrating one of the first experiments about common nonhuman senses of fairness.
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Short clip from a TED talk, demonstrating the fairness experiments
Fiction
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (2014). A must for elephant lovers, and fans of the much-beloved author. Part mystery, part novel, part primer on elephant-behavior. Also an unusual look at death, afterlife and communications between us all. Young teen, Jenna Metcalf is on a search for her mother Alice, a scientist in the field of elephant grief and who has been missing for 10 years. The book weaves the story of each of the characters in the present and past. An extra Kleenex supply may be necessary.
The Widow by Fiona Burton (2016). A psychological thriller exploring several complicated relationships between partners in marriage and the secrets they can keep from each other or from the world. We soon learn that Jean’s husband is a suspected pedophile and is alleged to have kidnapped a young girl. But how much does Jean know? To me, this often felt like it was approaching one of those books with annoying characters who make infuriatingly-poor decisions. Some books with that character flaw are ‘cheap’ novels, deploying stilted literary devices, and are difficult to finish, let alone recommend. This mystery captures interest long enough to rise above any borderline annoyances.
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (2004). One of my favorite books of the decade. Since in 2020, this was made into an HBO mini-series, you may choose not to read the book; but I would suggest you do. It was fabulous. It’s fiction, but (while written in 2004) has scary tones of today and how policies could easily change America. The premise is that in the 1940 presidential election, FDR is defeated by Charles Lindberg (aviator, American hero and isolationist, often described as a Nazi sympathizer). The antagonist is young Philip Roth (which can feel confusing at times, but creates an even greater sense of ‘this could happen’). Antisemitism is on the rise, and the Jewish-American Roth family faces ever-growing persecutions, starting with minor insidious events and mounting as antisemitism grows more accepted in America, and by allies in other nations. When to run, when to hide, when to assimilate, when to act? Such questions, which hint of history, tear at the extended family members, neighbors, co-workers and friends as the democracy they knew seems to disappear before their eyes.
The Daughter’s Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick (2011). An historical fiction novel based in part on the real walk across the rugged US by a Scandinavian-decent duo of daughter and mother, a suffragist and survivalist. Mother, Helga Ailda Ida Marie Johannsen was born in Oslo Norway before establishing a new life in Minnesota and relocating to Spokane County, Washington. To save the Estby family farm (home to her husband and many children), Helga accepts a wager of $10,000 from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane to New York City within 7 months in the year 1896. The eastward half of the adventurous, uncomfortable 7000-mile journey is taken with her 19-year-old daughter, Clara. While the walk begins in response to economic pressure, (and only secondarily as support in the fight to achieve votes for women), it reveals more than either bargains for, as both walkers ultimately struggle with life issues, money and betrayal. Literally and figuratively, the road is rocky. The secrets revealed and obstacles to overcome will change both their lives (and that of the family) forever. The walk divides the family, also determining Clara’s future independence, estrangement and endeavors. Clara’s many paths revolve around scripture often quoted by reviewers: “This is the Way, Walk in It” [Isaiah 30:21]. However, her “way” has changing elements of modernity, foreshadowing women in the decades to follow. While much is imagined in this historical novel, most of the original walk is documented.
LaRose by Lousie Erdrich (2016). Painfully, within a few pages we learn of an ancient Ojibwa story of profound atonement. When Landreaux Iron (LaRose’s dad) is out hunting he accidently shoots LaRose’s best friend, Dusty. The boys, both 5-year olds, are neighbors and semi-related. After Landreaux and his wife Emmaline are unable to resolve their guilt, or to deal with the grief of Dusty’s parents, a decision is made. They will follow ancient tradition and offer their son, LaRose, in exchange for Dusty to the now-grieving (and unforgiving) family. Intense, spiritual and heartfelt tale, the corresponding and interwoven stories of tribal and historical family characters provide the reader insight into the Ojibwa background. Life on the Ojibwa First-People’s reservation in North Dakota, during the time of 9/11 and George W. Bush, demonstrates a modern life many of us may not recognize in all aspects, but will find a heart-resonance with others. The tragedies, need for justice, grief, anger, depression and atonement are emotionally haunting, as are the other-worldly characteristics that LaRose demonstrates.
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozaki (2013). In a different novel I learned the difference between flotsam and jetsam. Here a writer named Ruth, living near the Pacific, finds flotsam in the form of a teenage-girl’s sadly-lost diary. Perhaps from the Japanese Tsunami? That’s where this possibly meta-fictional novel starts and where this Zen-Buddhist author explores the meeting of two souls. Are we looking at quantum physics or magical thinking? We meet two narrators. First is Nao, a 16-year-old Japanese-American girl who, with her family, must leave NY, when her dad losses his job, and relocate ‘back’ to Tokyo to live a more simple life. But life is not that simple, neither in her new ‘foreign’ school nor from her grandmother’s teachings of Dōgen. Life is also complicated for Japanese-American writer, Ruth, living on an isolated British Columbia island with her husband. When Ruth finds Nao’s diary (hidden in a “Hello Kitty” lunch box), we experience Nao’s life, anger, depression and family dynamics as the diary-voyeur eagerly absorbs every word. Ruth’s obsession and profound questions begin about time, death, partners, responsibility to the earth and interconnectedness. You can enjoy the story, scratch your head over the concepts or appreciate both.
Circe by Madeline Miller (2018). Named one of the best books of the year by NPR, I put it on my list. Note my list can be several years out-of-date. I hesitated to wrestle with this book as I feared by limited knowledge of Greek Methodology might be a determent to enjoyment. Still, hard for me to dismiss an herbalist. This is a fantasized look at Greek Gods, and their intertwining lives with mortal playthings. Circe is born to one of the mightiest of the Titans, Helios, the sun god. Still it seems that Circe is weak and without power, and she suffers many years under this misconception (few seem willing to offer a helping hand). Names you have heard before come to (everlasting) life in this subversive account of Circe’s story as we meet Minotaur, Daedalus, Icarus, Medea and more. It’s compelling, whether or not you remember your education of Greek mythology, or even if you think you aren’t interested in the subject. It’s like the greatest soap opera meets the Greek Gods: murder, betrayal, adventure, sacrifice, sex, intrigue, love, family feuds, monsters (okay, the soap opera may not have those). As always, protagonists struggle. Circe must ultimately choose between the gods of her birth and the mortals which she loves. Greek mythology or not, in trite human terms, this is a ‘page turner.’
Under the Wild And Starry Sky by Nancy Horan (2014). Historical Fiction novel. A delightful account (partially imagined) of Robert Louis Stevenson and his older, American wife, Fanny. Horan is author of the much-acclaimed Loving Frank (an inside look at Frank Lloyd Wright). While that was a good book, I found this one more captivating and engaging. [Maybe I just like Robert Louis Stevenson more.] Scottish poet and author (Long John Silver, Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Kidnapped), Stevenson is followed through 18 years of romance on 3 continents and through his sicknesses, ambitions, disappointments and travel adventures, extraordinary for the time period. Starting with Fanny escaping with her 3 children from the American, philandering husband stifling her life through their marriage; she finds her way to Europe for art lessons and a more creative life. It all leads to a wonderful loving partnership. Without more research, it’s unclear to me how much of this account is historic and how much imagined, but either way it is simply lovely and inspiring. Told mostly from Fanny’s perspective, both are ‘characters’ beyond their time.
Requiem
Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you ‘grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
— Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
FINAL THOUGHT
I hope to take time this summer for other enjoyable activities and a few more good books. You may notice I don’t necessarily stick to a genre. I feel like I never know what awaits me in any book. I’m often astonished. I see I have no Sci-fi on this list, which is surprising, as I don’t turn my nose up at that category often. I hope this summer you might pick just one new title out of your comfort zone. I suggest no virology. Perhaps anything else would boost your mental health, and further the goal of QUALITY aging.
Happy Summer and Good Reading to all.
drb
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Picture Credits: Book of Dr. Seuss and little girl Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash; Reading promoted on garbage can: Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash
