Day 8 – Books

I’m nearing the end of a 300 plus page book, “Jewel”, by Bret Lott. I likely would’ve never heard of it had I not heard him describe his journey to writing in an interview on “The Habit” podcast.

Writers of fiction fascinate me.

I once wrote an essay I thought was a short story. It was short, that’s all. It was a love story inspired by my grandparents’ relationship. I don’t remember the title. I remember describing my grandmother and the angst of she and my grandfather’s marriage.

It was sweet. It was honest.

So, why are books good?

Other than the escape they invite or the lull into sleep, I’m saying books are good for another reason.

Books require commitment, relationship, partnership to travel all the way to a destination.

Books invite rest, suggest we’ve not been completely controlled by our phones.

Books are gifts that beckon.

Settle. Enjoy. Stick with it.

I’m about 50 pages to being finished. I’ve stuck with it, this book about family in the South with some language that’s a bit unsettling.

Characters who are true.

Southern women who are strong, strong-willed and wise, children who are dreamers and men who are mostly seeking to be known.

I love the honesty of Lott’s characters.

Next, I’m reading Ann Patchett’s latest, “Tom Lake” mostly because I’m not sure I’ve read a book that captures sibling relationship in the way Patchett did in “The Dutch House”.

What are you reading?

Not self-help or educational.

Give it a try. It’s a departure worth the discipline.

Now, I’m thinking I’ll find my little “short” story and I just might share it with whoever.