The Mark and the Void by Paul Murray

A lot of non-fiction books came out of the most recent financial crisis — books explaining what happened and why, how things got so bad, biographies and analysis of the major players, and details of the aftermath. But it hasn’t spawned a lot of novels, so far. There are a few, but Paul Murray’s new novel, The Mark and the… Continue reading The Mark and the Void by Paul Murray

Thirteen Ways of Looking by Colum McCann

Thirteen Ways of Looking is a collection of four pieces of short fiction by the wonderful Irish author, Colum McCann. They don’t have interconnecting characters or plot lines, but they do share a theme: investigating events from different angles and determining if it’s ever possible to know the full story, or if we are forever trapped in… Continue reading Thirteen Ways of Looking by Colum McCann

Looking at Mindfulness by Christophe André

I received a digital galley of Looking at Mindfulness: 25 Ways to Live in the Moment Through Art by Christophe André a few days before it was released. Then I saw it in print while I was browsing McNally Jackson and I knew I had to own it. It’s a simply designed but incredibly beautiful book: it’s… Continue reading Looking at Mindfulness by Christophe André

Fail Fail Again Fail Better by Pema Chödrön

I enjoy reading the occasional commencement speech, especially from authors I admire. I think my all time favorite is the one George Saunders gave at Syracuse in 2013, on kindness. I don’t usually seek out commencement addresses in print, but I made an exception for Pema Chödrön. She’s an American-born Buddhist nun, she’s incredible and wise, and her… Continue reading Fail Fail Again Fail Better by Pema Chödrön

Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg

The TLDR version of this post is: Run, do not walk, to your bookstore or library and get Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg. // At their core, all our reactions to tragedy are about regret. Regret for what happened, even if we didn’t cause it. Regret for an altered future we… Continue reading Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg

Phenomenal by Leigh Ann Henion

When I started mapping an agenda for my extended travel last year, I planned out a combination of city-based sightseeing and nature-based exploration. I’d spend time sightseeing in European, Australian, & Asian cities, and I’d also snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, see Uluru, and take an expedition to the Arctic circle. I expected that I’d enjoy both kinds… Continue reading Phenomenal by Leigh Ann Henion