The Women

Fiction writer Kristen Hannah has somehow transitioned into the writer that everyone either loves or loves to hate. Her name frequently gets bandied about in social media book groups and I’m always shocked at how combative her haters are and how overzealous her supporters can be. 

Personally, I like her more recent works but that’s not a hill I’ll die on. Meanwhile, I despise Stephen King but would never dream of going to a discussion about how great he is to rain on someone’s parade. 

That’s probably bordering on unAmerican these days but, there, I said it. Discouraging others from embracing what they like isn’t my thing. I clearly don’t know how the internet works. 

This has been on my mind since I finished reading Hannah’s new historic fiction book The Women earlier this month.

It’s about a young nurse who enlists in the Army to serve in Vietnam. She serves two tours before coming home a changed person with PTSD. I won’t tell you much because I don’t want to spoil the story for you but I will tell you some things that are general facts about Vietnam.

Her time in country was brutal. The hours and the devastation of endless waves of soldiers and civilians ripped limb from limb are described in this book. The horrifying and utter loss of it all was experienced by soldiers and the doctors, nurses and camp support staff there to help them. 

Then, these veterans returned home to an ungrateful nation that was fighting its own war in the media and in protests across the country. They were spat upon, called unspeakable names and denied basic services. The federal government didn’t even consider these women nurses who served bravely in dangerous conditions to be veterans. 

Yet, we don’t talk about these things enough or very well. We have generations of people living in this country today who know none of this and I have witnessed plenty of them lately showing their ignorance in online conversations about this book. 

They don’t believe a combat nurse would be relegated to changing bedpans and taking temperatures in hospitals back home. They don’t know that women of that era couldn’t get a bank loan without a signature from her husband or dad. They don’t understand any of it or how our activities at the ballot box today can either advance women’s rights or turn back the clock decades at a time. 

They don’t understand how those women were treated or how they suffered because their own government didn’t recognize their service.

I was in a Barnes and Noble recently and found just three books about Vietnam on the shelves. There was another one about President Johnson’s mucking up of the war but it really was about the man and his strategies rather than the people fighting under his leadership. Three books. 

The section on feminism and women’s issues was pretty scrawny too. 

It was downright sad. 

Kristen Hannah has written some good books and some not-so-good books throughout her career. In this book, I found a couple of mistakes that should be attributed to her editors. The book stretches on a little too long. It’s like she got stuck in a loop and got herself lost on the way to the end. The main character isn’t the most likable. 

But I’m happy to recommend this book and am glad that it exists. After all, with her enormous bestselling reputation, she has a platform to reach a breathtaking amount of people. 

This story needs told and it needs heard. We still have plenty of Vietnam veterans living in this country today who deserve our sincere thanks and apologies and who might find some small comfort in knowing that history will judge them differently than their peers did. 

When you read this book, check out the list of recommended reading in the back. Not a fan of fiction writing? Ken Burns did a fantastic documentary about Vietnam you might want to check out. 

Yes, there are more and probably better ways to learn about Vietnam. This is one avenue and a darn good one if you want to learn the human side of war. The Women is available for purchase in hardback and audiobook right now. Your local library probably has a copy too. Give it a chance!

A Year In Review: Books Of Note

Last year was not a banner year for reading as my commitment ebbed and flowed rather unpredictably. Sometimes I read voraciously, carrying a book everywhere and sneaking in a few pages whenever possible. Other times anything more insightful than a Little Golden Book seemed like too much effort. 

I started and tossed aside more books in 2023 than ever before and my final tally was just 54 books – well short of my annual goal of 100. Luckily, there were a few that rose to the top. 

Here are my top five fiction from 2023:

Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Have One by Raphaelle Giordano – I won’t lie. I bought this book because I liked the cover and the title was intriguing. Imagine my surprise when this #1 French bestseller from 2018 grabbed me by the hand and wouldn’t let go. It’s a novel that doubles as a sort of self help book that’s Inspiring and fun to read. It tells the story of a woman who has a seemingly wonderful life but who still isn’t happy. She meets a routinologist who offers to help her find her joy and so begins a journey that we all should be fortunate to take. 

The Secret Book Of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry – This was a Book of the Month pick that also drew me in quickly and held my attention. It’s about two girls who evacuate their war torn home in 1939 London and find themselves in the English countryside. The older sister distracts the younger one by making up games and stories about a magical land called Whisperwood. All was well until one day the younger sister disappeared. Years later, a book surfaces that tells the story of Whisperwood, a story that only those two girls knew. A quest follows as the mystery unfolds. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – This is one of the single best pieces of contemporary fiction I have read in some time. Using multiple viewpoints, the author weaves together a mystery involving some unlikely characters including Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who lives in an aquarium. The story is terrific with outstanding characters but I was particularly fond of Marcellus who is witty, smart and charming. 

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger – I have written about this author before including the day I acted like a giddy school girl when I met him at the West Virginia Book Festival. This book is rare because I literally did not want to put it down but I badly wanted to hit the brakes and savor every word. Beginning with a small town Memorial Day parade in 1958, this book enlists a believable cast of characters to tell the story of a series of crimes. It’s set in Black Earth County, Minnesota where the scenery and the atmosphere of the time and place become almost like another character. Lovely, lovely, lovely storytelling. This is a must read. And while you’re at it, pick up This Tender Land, another book of his which is one of my all time favorites. 

Wayward by Emilia Hart – I found this wonderful book because of the Book of the Month Club. It tells the story of three generations of women – one in 2019 who is fleeing an abuser, another in 1942 who wishes for the same rights and luxuries as her brother, and the third is an accused witch in 1619. The thread that holds them together is Weyward Cottage where they all live. This is a story of resilience and hope. It’s well told and creative. I hadn’t read anything quite like it and found myself awake well into the night more than once because I couldn’t sleep without reading “just one more chapter.” 

Here are my top five nonfiction from 2023:

Winter’s Song: A Hymn To The North by TD Mischke – This book will be part of my winter repertoire for years to come. In fact, I expect to reread it as soon as the snow flies. The author somehow managed to encapsulate all the reasons why winter is an amazing season. Winter’s charm comes in the darkest, coldest, snowiest days when staying home and being cozy is the very best use of life. “I’ve come to view the darkness as a real gift because of the way it presents me with an opportunity for contemplation. It’s as though winter is giving me this chance to just be, rather than do,” is a passage from my favorite chapter in this book of many great thoughts. If you enjoy winter, this book is for you. If you hate winter, this book makes a case for the reasons why others enjoy it and maybe you should give it a chance too. 

Travels With Charley In Search Of America by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck first published this book in 1961. It’s a collection of essays about his road trip across the country with his dog Charley. He special ordered a three quarter ton pick up truck capable of going anywhere. He had it fitted with a custom camper top with a double bed, chemical toilet, fridge, butane heat and storage space galore. He named it Rocinante after Don Quixote’s horse. His objective was to be incognito as he explored America and got to know the nation again. He met some characters along the way, experienced a crisis or two and learned a lot. It sounds like an epic road trip and tagging along was a lot of fun. 

Democracy Awakening: Notes On The State Of America by Heather Cox Richardson –  This author is a history professor at Boston College and an expert on American political and economic history. In 2019, she began writing a newsletter called Letters From An American where she writes about the news of the day, connecting the past with the present and exploring the consequences of our events and actions today. She explores how today’s political crisis began in the 1930s and then traces the roots of those events to a century before that. This is a fascinating read but one that was hard to stomach. Did you know that in 1939, the Nazi party had gained such footing in America they had a rally in Madison Square Garden? It was to celebrate George Washington’s birthday and attracted about 20,000 people for a “true Americanism” event. Oh, the things we don’t teach in history class in the name of making our country sound better than it is. 

A Fever In The Heartland by Timothy Egan –  Along the same lines, Egan tells the riveting story of the Ku Klux Klan’s plot to take over America. For all you Hoosiers out there, you may be disappointed to know that the core of these events took place in Indiana. That’s right. The Klan had a major foothold in small towns across the north and midwest and Indiana was the model for how to build membership. All but two of Inciana’s 92 counties had a chapter. Women had a kind of auxiliary organization and children had their own as well. They were bigger than the Freemasons and the Elks. They owned cops, judges, ministers, mayors and even the governor. Their recruiting techniques read like a modern political playbook for how to divide and conquer and cultivate an environment of intolerance and hate. Another hard read but worth the effort. Just buckle up because it’s a bumpy ride. 

One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty –  This memoir was a literal breath of fresh air after reading the last two. Her story is rooted in simpler times but is somehow timeless as well. She relates lessons learned through her parents and interactions in the small world of a child. The language is simple but rich and the stories are short but meaningful. It’s a small book that packs a wallop if you’re an aspiring writer or simply a curious person. 

Are you a reader? I suspect you are if you’re still reading this. What books can you recommend? The shelves of books waiting for me to read them are nearing an out of control status but I’m convinced there’s always room for one more!

Some Goals Are Meant To Be Forgotten

A few years ago, the Goodreads app suggested setting a reading goal for the year. I had no idea how many books I could reasonably read in twelve months but set the goal high at 100.

That happened to be 2020 when there was plenty of time to settle in with one good book after another for months at a time. I met and exceeded that goal and was quite proud.

I have left this goal the same ever since, getting close but falling short every year. This year, though, that goal is going down in a blaze of glory. With some focus, 55 books will be the final tally.

And you know something? I’m ok with that.

I have read some great books and some mediocre ones since January. I have started and tossed aside some that simply weren’t for me. There were weeks when I barely touched a book because that degree of focus simply wasn’t possible while other times found me awake late at night and tearing through an enthralling tale.

This year found me on my usual adventures and on the hiking trail a lot more than normal, making it hard to sit and read. In other words, life got in the way, taking me to rewarding places where I didn’t even know I wanted to be.

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from the stories I have told on this blog over the years, it should be this: the best stuff in life is about the journey, not the destination.

Read the books you enjoy. Pass on the ones you don’t like. Take the trip, hike the hike, care for yourself and spend time with those who prove themselves your people.

If all that interferes with an arbitrary goal then so be it. Maybe I’ll do better in 2024

Hitting The Reset Button

Me with author William Kent Krueger.

This blog has been quiet while I have wrestled with whether I want to continue writing at all. When I started writing here in 2018, it was a place to tell stories about my travels for friends and family to enjoy.

Since then it has evolved into a daily creative and accountability exercise. Lots of strangers have found their way here and become new friends. I hold myself accountable to show up every day and write something or to at least match a quote with an original picture of interest.

I took a break, thinking it would last for three days, but the respite has stretched into weeks. The more distance I put between me and writing, the less I missed it. I also journaled less and spent absolutely no time thinking about other types of writing besides what I do for work.

My brain felt tired and I was lacking in motivation.

Then something special happened. I received some encouragement from an author I admire. William Kent Krueger spoke Saturday at the West Virginia Book Festival. If you aren’t familiar, he is a New York Times bestseller and popular mystery writer. Known for his Cork O’Connor mystery series, as well as three fabulous stand alone books, he earned a spot in my heart with This Tender Land. If you haven’t read it, you should.

On Saturday, he talked about how he became a writer, crediting his parents for reading to him as a child and encouraging him to understand that there are no limits when it comes to storytelling.

He talked about his career, his failures and second chances. He wanted to write the great American novel but couldn’t find his voice so he just stopped writing.

He didn’t write a thing for years.

Then one day, he woke up in middle age and decided that he was going to write again. This time it wouldn’t be a botched great American novel. It would be something people would actually want to read. He got a laugh at that comment! So he did something unexpected. He embraced the Mystery genre even though he had never read a mystery before in his life.

After a grueling period of daily writing and stretching to find his voice, Cork O’Connor was born. This character would elevate the writer Kent Krueger to the New York Times Bestselling Author William Kent Krueger, making him a household name for readers far beyond his chosen genre.

I’m sad to say that I didn’t discover his work until he published This Tender Land a few years ago. This stand alone book captivated my imagination and won a spot on my bookshelf as an all time favorite.

This is what brought me to the room where Kent (he asked us to call him Kent!) told his own story.

He spoke about writing with a sense of profound joy, inspiring me to go home and write something of my own.

He seems like a common guy, reminding me of some librarian friends and a little of a favorite college English professor. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to sit in a writing class with him!

It ended all too quickly but he did sign books afterward and you can believe I took my two favorites to be personalized. I used my time in front of him wisely and acted like a fan girl as he signed my books. I let him know how much I love his writing and that he made me want to go home and write. That caught his attention and he asked some questions and offered encouragement.

He encouraged me to not let my writing projects at work sour me or get in the way of writing for myself. He advised writing every day and working to find my voice. When he worked a regular job, Kent said he got up early every day to write for an hour before work.

This advice makes sense to me because it would give a writer an opportunity to use their authentic voice before venturing out into a noisy world that insists on crushing our individuality.

I walked away knowing that I wanted to accept his advice.

My first act is to try reviving this blog because I need the accountability exercise. The next step is to dust off my journal because journaling is akin to a daily tidying routine for my mind.

The fiction piece is harder. I have a writing project in mind and it’s manageable. There’s another writing project that is less manageable. While we were out book browsing after the festival, I procured a book of writing prompts to help establish what I hope will be a morning writing exercise habit. I’m not a morning person so this may get shifted to another time of day to humor my morning failings.

I can at least try.

Something else I need to work on is my inability to call myself a writer. When one of my favorite writers took an interest in me and asked if I’m a writer too, I honestly didn’t know what to say. So I stammered out some nonsense about how I write but am not really a writer. In my mind, I just scribble and have never written anything that really mattered.

Yet, my professional resume includes writer/editor positions and two other jobs where writing has been a central responsibility. Personally, I practice writing here, drop thoughts in a journal and occasionally work on a short story.

I shared this with someone important to me the other day. He aptly responded “that means you’re a writer.”

And so it goes.

Will I ever be a writer like Kent Krueger? Not a chance. The man is brilliant. However, I will enjoy the journey as I work to improve myself. In this results oriented world, we forget sometimes that there’s merit in simply bettering ourselves – even when no one less is looking.

Meanwhile, I’ll see you back here tomorrow morning.

Finding Great Books And Fortune’s Frenzy At Maria’s Bookshop

Independent bookstores are my absolute favorite places in the world. They all have their own style and character making many feel like old friends.

That’s how I feel about Maria’s Bookshop on Durango’s picturesque Main Avenue. I visited Maria’s during my first trip to Durango last year and spent the last twelve months thinking about the place.

Housed in a historic downtown building, Maria’s has been around since 1984. I badly wish I had thought to take pictures here. Unfortunately, I was in some kind of weird book fueled frenzy and totally forgot to take a few snaps. Instead, I wandered through all my favorite sections, grabbing and considering, putting back and finding more to add to my pile.

Friends, I acted like I would never step inside another bookstore again. I got some great stuff because of it – so there are no regrets.

It’s bright and airy. If I remember correctly, there was art and maybe some vintage stuff decorating the walls. They have a robust collection of books related to nature and outdoors, mental well being and people who inspire. I loaded up so much from the non fiction side of the store that I didn’t shop much in fiction but it looked nice. They also have a great selection of journals and other notebooks as well as stuff for kids.

My blogging friend Eilene, who lives in that area, has a new book being released today. I was lucky to purchase an early release copy from Maria’s during my visit. Their friendly staff helped me find it and were excited to share how good it is.

I haven’t read it yet but Eilene is an excellent researcher and writer so I’m excited to dive in soon. You can buy your copy from Amazon or, better yet, from Maria’s online.

Incidentally, Eilene’s book was reviewed by the New York Times this week. If you’re interested, check that out too! Just click here. I’m so proud of my friend for her hard work and accomplishments and hope you will support her. Click here to read her blog Myricopia.

Bookshops

I just want to sit in a bookshop and breathe. That’s all. Just flip through used books and study the titles in a section I don’t normally frequent. Maybe find a good western or a coffee table book about a painter I don’t yet know.

Bookstores are special places. They’re portals into new worlds, rocket ships to places only our imaginations can construct.

Oh, to just stand amidst the books and breathe!

The picture above comes from a bookshop in Little Switzerland, North Carolina. Read about that surprisingly amazing experience here!