My daughter calls me in the middle of the day on a Tuesday. It’s February and she’s away at college. A phone call from her at this time of day when I usually think of her in class is a little jarring. I pick up. Right away I can tell from her voice that something is off. It comes tumbling out. She’s just broken up with her boyfriend and is feeling REALLY sad. Plus, she laments, classes are REALLY tough and she’s feeling A LOT of stress. 

I immediately tell her I’m so sorry, although I’ve … [Read more...] about The Book of Delights

I did manage to squeeze in an hour of sightseeing while in D.C. this past July. Bill and I went to the National Archives Museum where the Constitution is housed.  There’s also a sobering and powerful exhibit in the museum that highlights how minorities and people of color have often been denied and barred from exercising the rights guaranteed by the very documents housed in the museum. I stood rapt in front of vintage video of African Americans marching side by side down the streets of D.C. as … [Read more...] about The Nickel Boys

A fun, immersive novel with lots to think about.  Great writing and surprise ending! … [Read more...] about Fleishman Is In Trouble

This description from the book cover captures the essence of this powerful book:

"How can we live our lives when everything seems to fall apart--when we are continually overcome by fear, anxiety, and pain? The answer, Pema Chodron suggests, might be just the opposite of what you expect. Pema shows that moving toward painful situations and becoming intimate with them can open up our hearts in ways we never before imagined. Drawing from traditional Buddhist wisdom, she offers life-changing … [Read more...] about When Things Fall Apart

Really enjoyed these words of hers: "Fitting in and belonging are not the same thing, and, in fact, fitting in gets in the way of belonging. Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are."

Important and inspiring description, me thinks! … [Read more...] about The Gifts of Imperfection

Have you ever wondered “Is the world going to catastrophically end because of global warming and other factors associated with the destruction of our planet?” while also going about your regular day, like life is both normal and not normal? If so, you’ll relate to the mom protagonist of Jenny Offill’s new novel about how we navigate our daily jobs, families, relationships, and interactions with others amid a world teetering on the edge.  It’s a brisk read that will leave you wanting to talk … [Read more...] about Weather

I often drink two glasses of wine at night. For years, I’ve been trying to stick to one glass. I think I want the second, but the reality is that it just makes me tired and less productive.
Atomic Habits is literally helping me achieve my goal. The following idea is one that really impacted my behavior.
First, Clear emphasizes the power of 1 percent improvements, that tiny habits are the building blocks of big results.
Next, instead of focusing on a goal i.e. “I will lose ten pounds” or “I … [Read more...] about Atomic Habits

Tim Ferriss is a well-known writer and business leader. He has been called “a cross between Jack Welch and a Buddhist monk” by The New York Times.
Tim reminds you that you are the author of your own life, and it’s never too late to replace the stories you tell yourself and the world. It’s never too late to begin a new chapter, add a surprise twist, or change genres entirely.
In his latest book, he asks over 100 people (of note) a series of carefully curated questions.
One of my favorite … [Read more...] about Tribe of Mentors