I’m having a tough time posting today because it’s the first post since losing my father on February 25th. He was 87 years old, and, I believe, a faithful reader of this blog till the end, even the Weekend Cooking posts, although he was as far from a foodie as you can possibly be, and even though our taste in books didn’t overlap too much. As a friend at work told me, this is going to be a year of many “firsts.”
And so, it’s fitting that this week I’m reading a memoir called From Darkness to Dawn: A True Story of Recovery from Postpartum Depression, written by Marcia Orcutt, a friend who just had her book launch on Saturday. She wrote her book with the support of two writers’ groups and has been bravely sharing her experience of years of clinical depression that began after the birth of her second daughter, but had its roots, she believes, going back much farther.
I’m also reading and enjoying Laurie Frankel’s latest novel, This Is How It Always Is, about a family with a transgender child, based in part on her own experience, and listening to All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, narrated by Zach Appelman, which I started once before and didn’t get to finish before the library loan expired; so I started over from the beginning.
There. I did it. Thank you for reading!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (#IMWAYR) is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome in, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye’s Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at Book Date.
Well done, Laurie! Sorry to hear about your father. How nice that he followed your blog!
It must have been hard to do this but your grandfather would be proud that you did it just as I’m sure he was proud of his little grand-daughter’s many achievements in life (we are forever little in the eyes of our grand-parents)
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Even though I lost my mother and father a few years back, I still get emotional when I hear about others’ losses. Parents are so important, and it is lovely that he read your blog.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father, Laurie. How wonderful that he was a reader of your blog; I hope in time it will become easier to continue, sustained by memories of his love and support.
The books you mention sound so interesting. It’s such a precious gift to be able to share our life stories through reading.
Thank you, Tracy! I’m sorry for your loss, also!
Thank you! I’m guessing you are a lot younger than me because when you hear age 87 you think grandparent, not parent!
Thank you, Judith!
Thank you, Lory!
thats funny – but I suspect I am not much different in age to you.My parents are in their early eightees…..
I am listening to “All the Light We Cannot See” right now too! I really like it so far. I am more of a memoir/nonfiction fan myself but I have heard FANTASTIC things about it. I wanted to recommend a truly inspiring biography/memoir called “Get Back Up” by George Santino (http://georgeasantino.com/). This book follows the personal journey of the author and his many setbacks in life. He had all the reasons in the world to give up but he didn’t. His father was an abusive alcoholic, he and his siblings lived in poverty in Philadelphia, he was discharged from the military due to a freak injury, his real estate venture failed miserably along with other businesses and yet he is now a partner at Microsoft. I read this book and was amazed by his determination and perseverance. I don’t know if I would have kept pushing forward after all of those setbacks. If you are looking for motivation or a pick me up this is the book to read this year! I hope you will check it out