Book Review // April 2022
“Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space” Edited by Zoraida Cordova
A beautiful book of short stories from across the Latin American diaspora. In reading stories from different cultures, we get glimpse of their background as well as where they are headed. We also see how many life lessons are universal and shared across cultures, just with a slightly different POV. I liked the magical elements in the stories which are actually for a YA audience but cool for adults as well.
“A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century: Evolution and the Challenge of Modern Life” by Heather Heying and Bret Weinsteim
We live in weird times don’t we? I often say in yoga class that we do certain postures to un-do the perils of 21st century life. Think: sitting in a chair for 8 hours looking at a screen. This book is a history lesson as well as a prognosis for the future. Humans evolved with nature yet in some ways our evolutions make no sense (see previously mentioned chair + screen time comment) The authors are evolutionary biologists and suggest that the world is changing too fast and we are out pacing the development of our brains and bodies. I loved the exploration of systems like marriage, education and wellness. Are these systems what we need right now? And what will we need in the next 200+ years? An interesting read!
“RubyFruit Jungle” by Rita Mae Brown
A 50+ year old book focused on the LGBTQA+ experience with one woman’s understanding of her own sexuality in context of culture that doesn’t (or can’t) full grasp her. This coming of age story discusses class issues at the intersections of race, gender and love from the Deep South to New York City and beyond.
“Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and Life” by Dr. Susan David
Any book recommended by Brene Brown is one I’m going to read. And this did not disappoint. I loved it for the practical suggestions, as both an adult at work and for parents (I’m not a mom but an Aunt who of course will interact with little kiddos and want to do everything I can to help them grow to be kind and loving souls). When we feel stuck we aren’t able to show up as our best selves. Here, we learn how to go with the flow and navigate our inner landscapes. Because trying to hyper control a situation never works…change is the only constant in life. With courage and compassion, for ourselves and others we can be more skilled partners, parents and people in the world. If you’re a personal development nerd like me, this is a great book to read (or listen to as Dr. David has a cool South African accent) I also love the word “agility” and that might be my 2023 word of the year (someone remind me of that in December please! haha)
“Oh William!” by Elizabeth Strout
Although this book got great reviews and a few accolades, I found it to be average at best and a little boring. I spent part of the book feeling sorry for William but then also annoyed with his behavior. This is the nature of being human, someone can be loveable and also disappoint you at the same time. We are complex and it is our complexity that binds up to each other.
“Housekeeping” by Marilynne Robinson
A slow burn of a book and a needed fiction read for me. I actually thought it was going to end a totally different way so I liked the surprise. I love a coming of age story and to see the progression of the main character was cool.
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less ” by Greg McKeown
Turns out, I’ve been using essentialist principals and I didn’t even know it. As someone who likes to cut the clutter (literally, emotionally and energetically) this book really spoke to me. The Way of the Essentialist isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done. BOOM, I needed to hear that! When we are stretched too thin we look for more time to do things but really we need to do only the things that are inline with our highest purpose. It means saying “no” to some things, activities or people so that we can say “yes” to the right things (and we define what those things are). Having less stuff and doing less is key but for me the biggest take-way is that I don’t need to do it all, I just need to do what I love and value. If you have trouble saying no or often take on too much, I would encourage you to read this book and really sit with some of the lessons
Monthly Total: 7
Yearly Total: 22