Reviews with TLC

Morning in the Burning House: Poems by Margaret Atwood is a beautiful and heartfelt book of poetry examining myriad aspects of life. Atwood writes about family, love, life, and grief in moments that transcend personal experience reminding me of my own life experiences. As I read the poems, I often felt I could extrapolate a wider meaning from the seemingly personal experience in focus. Atwood plays with words to provoke thought and emotion in creative and accessible ways. Morning in the Burning House feels rooted in reality and symbolism simultaneously.   Currently Reading: Vulture Capitalism: Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts, and the Death of Freedom  by Grace Blakely One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse  by Ali Abunimah Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links meaning if you click on those links and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. If you'd like to follow what I'm reading in real time, please fo...

A Manual for Creating Atheists by Peter Boghossian delves into the Socratic method in an interesting and accessible way. Boghossian's writing technique is both academic and approachable. There's an air of arrogance that bleeds into the writing that left me wondering if Boghossian applies the same principles to his own beliefs that he pushes other people to apply to theirs  A Manual for Creating Atheists offers myriad examples of Boghossian using the Socratic method in debate and/or conversation, but sometimes feels like one-upmanship rather than efforts to lead people to epiphanies. I wanted to love this book but ended up only liking it well enough but with caveats. Anyone wanting to better understand the Socratic method might find A Manual for Creating Atheists helpful even if left questioning Boghossian's motives and willingness to apply the methods he promotes to his own beliefs.   Currently Reading: Vulture Capitalism: Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts, and the Dea...

Popular Resistance in Palestine: A History of Hope and Empowerment by Mazin B. Qumsiyeh is a dense book in many ways, especially because  it is packed full of history, context, and experiences. Qumsiyeh presents a historical context for resistance that comes in myriad ways appropriate to individual moments over time. Qumsiyeh addresses the humanity of the Palestinian people in a clear and decisive way by personifying Palestinian life throughout history. Popular Resistance in Palestine is an interesting, informative, intense, and inspiring look at the layers of resistance necessary for people living under occupation.   Currently Reading: A Manual for Creating Atheists  by Peter Boghossian Vulture Capitalism: Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts, and the Death of Freedom  by Grace Blakely One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse  by Ali Abunimah Morning In The Burned House: Poems  by Margaret Atwood Disclosure: This blog contains a...

The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller came highly recommended from several sources. I'm grateful for those recommendations because I doubt I would have read it otherwise. I have mixed feelings about The Wild Edge of Sorrow . Weller writes well making the material accessible and understandable. There are many beautiful moments in The Wild Edge of Sorrow that urged me to think about my aversion to ritual as a general rule. I enjoyed the reflection on the importance of community and connection as well as the descriptions of myriad cultures' grief rituals and beliefs about grief. Even given those descriptive explorations, there were moments when Weller, like many in this type of work, seems to make assumptions meant to be inclusive that exclude those who might view the suggested ideas from a different perspective. At times, I also felt like the goal was to convince me to enroll in one of the paid grief ritual events. If so, it ...

Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha screams life through an examination of facing death. Abu Toha writes his heart onto the page and invites us all to join him. We come to feel like we know him and his family through his words and cheer for their wins while lamenting their losses. Forest of Noise feels like a meditation as well as a call-to-action to live more compassionate, connected lives. Forest of Noise examines the experiences of everyday life we can all relate to juxtaposed against experiences many of us cannot even fully imagine giving us just a small glimpse of life under occupation and bombardment. Currently Reading: Popular Resistance in Palestine: A History of Hope and Empowerment   by Mazin B. Qumsiyeh The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief  by Francis Weller A Manual for Creating Atheists  by Peter Boghossian Vulture Capitalism: Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts, and the Death of Freedom  by Grace Blakely One Co...

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer dropped me gently but intensely into a deeper understanding of how plants and humans interact with one another. There were moments that surprisingly reminded me of my dad in ways that felt comforting. Kimmerer weaves science, culture, and history into an engrossing story of humans and nature  that feels like coming home while also feeling like a lesson in living in cooperation with the planet as well as each other. Kimmerer creates an immersive environment whether in forests, marshes, gardens, ponds, or a home.   Braiding Sweetgrass braids memoir, history, and modernity into a story that travels through time and place creating a sense of being oriented, then disoriented, and then oriented in a whole new way. Currently Reading: Popular Resistance in Palestine: A History of Hope and Empowerment   by Mazin B. Qumsiyeh The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Ren...

Shattered Dreams: The Arranged Marriage #1 by Jyotsna Ramani explores an arranged marriage in Indian culture with a reluctant bride as the arranged marriage spells the end of her dreams of being a career woman. The story was emotional and engaging. The exploration of culture, changing generational attitudes, and tradition clashing is interesting and offers a chance for the characters to grow. Shattered Dreams: The Arranged Marriage ends on a bit of a cliffhanger setting up the next story. Currently Reading: Braiding Sweetgrass   by Robin Wall Kimmerer Popular Resistance in Palestine: A History of Hope and Empowerment   by Mazin B. Qumsiyeh The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief  by Grancis Weller Manual for Creating Atheists by Peter Boghossian Forest of Noise: Poems  by Mosab Abu Toha Morning In The Burned House: Poems by Margaret Atwood Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links meaning if you click on those links and make a...