Today is a New Day

 What I am realizing more and more, is today is a new day. Every day is new. A chance for a fresh start. Every breath, a new breath. Nothing is engraved in stone. Except maybe on a tombstone. (Is that where that expression comes from?) But even then, then what? We don’t know. But until then, fresh starts abound.

It’s been extremely difficult to make plans for a new start during the pandemic. It’s as if I was waiting for it to be over. Like all of us, I expect. But more and more I’m hearing about people being exceptionally creative and prolific during this time. As I talked about before, Willie Nelson wrote a book and new music. Andrea Bocelli created an album. It’s a mindset, I believe.

Life as we knew it changed for sure. I’m not sure if it’s permanent. I suspect not. But no one knows for sure, not even the experts. We’ve not been here before. In the meantime, while I still can, I’m going to keep working toward something besides cooking and laundry and dog-walking. All necessary activities, sure, but think I can do a little more.

I started working on my third book again. It makes me very happy.

Here’s to the new days. Everyday.

PEACE LIKE A RIVER & ANXIOUS PEOPLE- AUGUST 2021 BOOK SELECTIONS

 

I have read two books of note in August:  Peace Like a River by Leif Enger and Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. One of the things I love about being in a book club is the opportunity to be exposed to books I normally wouldn’t have heard of or would have neglected to pick up. Both of these novels fit into this group.

Peace Like a River is Enger’s first novel. It is not easily categorized. It takes place primarily in the Badlands of North Dakota and centers around one family’s quest for justice. Told from the point of view of the youngest son, Rueben, it is equal parts tragedy, romance, adventure and a depiction of fierce devotion.

Tragedy strikes when the family is targeted by two bullies in their small town. As a result, the oldest son must flee a questionably, wrongful conviction for a crime. It poses the question, should someone be convicted of protecting their loved ones? What follows is the family’s search for their son and the colorful, sharply written, diverse characters they encounter on the way.

There is also an element of magic in the form of miracles performed by the father that adds a fascinating and entirely different dimension.

Highly recommend.

Anxious People was also a book club pick. I had read A Man Called Ove previously. I thought it was fine and charming in its way.  However, although Backman is a prolific writer, I was not especially in a hurry to read more of his work. This book proved to be an exception.

A very diverse group of people are taken hostage by a bank robber during an apartment showing. What follows is an examination of each person’s motivations and thoughts during the experience. This includes the two police officers that are called to the scene and who interview the victims afterwards.

The novel is laced with an examination of human nature, laugh-out-loud humor, sadness, tragedy, unexpected twists and surprises that play on the reader’s own preconceived notions.

Recommend.