On a Positive Note

book recommendations plus

I don’t know who created this graphic; I found it on social media. But, thank you.

It’s not that I have nothing to say.

My words are full to overflowing, my emotions are threatening a takeover, and I have to reserve my smiles and warm fuzzy professional demeanor for work. Sorry to my partner who listens patiently when I let loose on “how will I or we get through this” or “have you read the latest about fill-in-the-blank?” or stammer again, “they must be stopped.” She has almost always read or heard it all well ahead of me; she’s a very voracious reader.

I will be “okay.” But if I’m being honest, sometimes in this moment of time, I’m not sure if I’m okay.

So I go silent.

A coping strategy learned long ago. One that has served me well. I’m an introvert and shy and I listen. Listen and read and learn. Listen and grow and bear witness, even when it hurts. I learn. I grow. I see.

So, sometimes, my silence is even in my writing. Or lack of. Or held close to my heart in order to not overwhelm. Myself? Others? Maybe all of us.

Catnap with Books

What I want to share right now is some book recommendations. I am very excited by these four. I started composing a recommendation for the first one as I was reading it; then decided to pair it with a second book which was on its way. Which I received and it is - not surprisingly - as fabulous as the first book I’m excited to tell you about. Then a third arrived and before I’d even unwrapped it I read an email about book number four and put in my pre-order.

Two memoirs and two books about writing. Are you surprised? No? Me, neither.

“Reading the Waves” by Lidia Yuknavitch. Released February 2025.

It was a near-can’t-put-down book for me. I was engaged, captivated from the first page. I did have to put it down, because I needed to get some sleep in order to make it through work the next day. If not for the need for sleep, I would have read it from beginning to end in one sitting. Which is not my usual reading habit. I wasn’t going to include reviews or blurbs from others in this writing, but this one from Willamette Week hits the highs, the sweet spot for this book. I’ve already recommended to several friends and do recommend it to anyone reading this here, right now, or in the future. As she says, herself, in the book, this is memoir, this is not memoir. In case you’re worried, she explains what she means. Beautifully written. If you’re an audiobook fan, an extra bonus is to listen to it, as well. It is read by the author.

“Reading the Waves is another no-bullshit Yuknavitch memoir with a strengthened maturity alongside the grace and curiosity of an artist.” —Willamette Week

“Rehearsals for Dying, Digressions on Love and Cancer” by Ariel Gore. Released March 11, 2025. Yes, it is that new.

I have been fortunate to have read a few parts from this book as it was developing. It is both vulnerable and strong, it is heartbreakingly beautiful and at times just heartbreaking. Honest, well-written, with laying out everything she and her wife went through after her wife’s cancer diagnosis. As many point out, she uses wit and humor to show us these years, the process, the experiences; there is much to be learned and experienced and it is a book which should be read by everyone. I let my partner read this one first, as I was at the exciting end of another book and she is a quick reader. she did read it in one day, saying, “it is so good I couldn’t put it down.”

I have a couple of important coordinating projects I need to wrap up this week, then it’s my turn to jump into “Rehearsals for Dying.”

“Rehearsals for Dying is stunning: highly informative, wildly crafty, and incredibly vulnerable. I marveled at Ariel Gore’s ability to weave together so many stories and threads all while remaining emotionally ferocious and tender and loving. This is a book everyone should read.” —Tomas Moniz, author of Big Familia

“Imagine a Door” by Laura Stanfill. Released March 2025.

This is a luscious to look at and hold book. That may seem trivial, but as a writer I am excited by holding this book and letting it fill me with being seen and held, with the four pages of Contents, and all of the good advice and conversations and experiences it contains. I have listened to Laura Stanfill present at various places, I’ve taken a few writing/publishing virtual workshops with Laura and Liz Prato, so I know that she knows of what she writes in this book. I have read a few pieces of this book, but as with Rehearsals (above), diving into this more deeply has to wait until the thing taking much of my time is completed.

While prioritizing genuine community over platform building, Laura Stanfill, publisher of Forest Avenue Press and author of Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary, explores these questions from both sides of the desk. — Beth Kephart, author of Handling the Truth

“Brilliant: The Art of Literary Radiance” by Jenny Forrester. Available for pre-order; due out later this month.

Obviously, I have not yet read this book. But I will. I have known this author for many years. When we lived in the same town, we got together to write for a while and it was really good. In classic Jenny Forrester style, she says, “I’ve written a writing instruction book.” If you know her, then you know that, yes, this is her style - no muss, no fuss, say the thing and go onto the next.

She has many years of experience as a writer, editor, writing coach, and more. Her stories are magical and musical and pull you into the heart of them, as they enter your heart. She has done much to create strong community for writers, no matter where she’s living. She is also the publisher and editor of Mountain Bluebird Magazine, which is a gem filled with stories, poetry, and art. You might want to check that out, as well.

For now, here is what she has to say about her next book:

Brilliant: The Art of Literary Radiance blends craft talk, creative nonfiction, and motivation for writers and teachers. It explores storytelling as witness, vision, and discovery—breaking rules, mingling forms, and embracing writing as prophecy, liberation, and joy. With reflection and exercises, it empowers writers to craft luminous, purposeful work

Turtle with Rocks and Pens, by Dot.

Now is a time when we need to pay attention to our surroundings. We need to fill our history knowledge gaps. We need to build community, take care of each other, our neighbors, friends, family. We need to know what is happening in the world, have people we know and can trust on the rapidly changing landscapes of our lives.

We also need time to take a pause, come up for air, take a nap. We need to find our lane in this frenzy and do what we can with our skill sets and resources, help each other, find a way to contribute to the causes in whatever way we are able.

As someone pointed out in a social media post last month - we need more people working the bake sale than the star or representative activist out front. It takes all of us in our unique and varied skills, knowledge, resources.

One way of care is through creating art, including writing. Another is through reading. Support each other. Be safe. Read a good book (or two or three or a few dozen).

Detail of Wall of Books and Art Supplies. by Dot.