Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Courage



It takes courage to get through this life. Even with an embarrassment of riches: family, looks, shelter, food, spiritual belief and strong relationships. Even with all of that, it’s not easy. It’s so evident when we see the tragic stories of those who seemingly have everything. So, does it come down to courage or some other indefinable quality? What is called inner fortitude?

There are those in my immediate circle that have had, and continue to have, unimaginable challenges; physical disabilities, deeply troubling medical problems, family tragedies, premature deaths; situations too troubling to conceive. How do they do it? Where do they get their strength? How do they cope? No one knows anyone’s dark night of the soul and we can never really see the struggle. But something gets them through.

It has been said that the original meaning of Courage comes from the Latin, meaning "heart." BrenĂ© Brown says the original meaning was to “tell the story of who you are with your whole heart.” That seems right.  

I wish I knew what it is. I wish I understood it. I know I admire it immensely. It helps me shrug off petty problems. I think it’s important to identify what you conceive of as your purpose. Your “heart,” if you will. If you are not sure, continue to look for it. When you do find it, you will know. Grab it. Hold on to it. Get on with it. No whining.

Courage.



Monday, May 14, 2018

THE CUKOO’S CALLING-MAY 2018 BOOK SELECTION


Detective Comoron Strike is down on his luck, to put it mildly. A former war veteran and military investigator, he has a nasty breakup with his longtime girlfriend, is being hounded by creditors, is homeless and sleeping in his office. To add insult, he lost a leg in an explosion during his service in Afghanistan and is in constant pain. This is our introduction to one of the most interesting characters since Lisbeth Salander of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

The Cukoo’s Calling is the first crime novel in what is now a three-part series (soon to be four) by Robert Galbraith. Mr. Galbraith is the open-secret pseudonym of J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame. I have never read the Potter series but of course know of its popularity. At the time it was released I was working on part three of my own fantasy Middle Grade series and did not want to be influenced. (I needn’t have worried. :)

Strike is about to have a sea change. He is approached by a wealthy client who wishes Strike to prove that his famous sister’s death was not a suicide as was reported. On the same day, he hires a temp to answer the phone with no hope of paying her. Both events alter his trajectory.

Galbraith/Rowling hits it out of the park with this book. Fast-paced, suspenseful and fully literary, I loved every page. By the way, while researching Galbraith I learned that there is about to be a TV series based on this book called Strike on BBC. Woot!

Highly Recommend.