Hard to call LA winter right now with our beautiful weather, but it is winter in season! I have become an avid reader since my Dad passed away. I am not sure if the timing had anything to do with it, but I had a dear friend who came to visit my mom and me during the mourning period. She was mentioning all these books she was reading, and I felt like I was left out of an entire universe. It was an inspiring moment in a dark time. I decided I wanted in on that “what are you reading” conversation. Not only that, there are so many benefits being in a good story, being transported and inspired. And now, I am leading the conversation here, talking about the books I have read and loved in the past 6 months, and it's a fun way to connect with others. The pandemic has made reading easier to do, with being less busy, so I wanted to recommend some favorites you can pick up for the holidays. Please share what good reads you have as well!

In no order whatsoever:

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This story follows 3 generations of an African American family. The story deals with identity and the repercussions of trying to change who you are, but are not. We witness the struggle and effort that comes when people try to live as another identity. They get more benefit from being this other race or gender, but the facade that has to go up to maintain that becomes their breaking point. So much hiding. Then, the relief and truth of finally accepting who you are. The ending was chill inducing perfect! This book encourages all to be comfortable in your own skin.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummings

This book received so much controversy because it is about an immigrant Mexican woman and son trying to escape a violent situation and cross the border, but it wasn’t written by an immigrant Mexican woman. Admittedly, I got caught up in that controversy, and I didn’t want to read it because of that. My sister started reading it, and highly recommended it to me. I listened to her, as she is a gifted writer, and well, my sister. It is a page turner, and although it wasn’t a voice from deep in the writer’s blood, bones, and lineage, she did a compelling job telling someone else’s story, as writers should do. It’s obvious Cummings put a lot of research into it. I am sure it’s just the tip of the iceberg of what occurs trying to cross the border. I felt so much compassion, reading this story from my comfortable home, to those trying to escape impossible situations in Mexico and leave their home to find a new one. I still think about the story. It’s not a statement on immigration, it’s apolitical in fact, but highlights a respect and a tenacity of how much superhuman endurance it takes to endure, push through, and survive to live a safer and better life for themselves and their families.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Woah! This is probably my number 1 of the year, with Dear Edward a close second. It’s a historical novel about two sisters in France before the start of War World 2, just before it got invaded by the Nazis. The sisters take two drastically different paths. One stayed home with her son. The other, on a mission to find American Soldiers fighting the Nazis who were separated from their troops, and lead them through the Pyrenees mountains to safety. I think what really resonated with me about this book was thinking how my family lived through this time in Europe. My mom’s family escaped the beginning of Hitler’s regime in Germany, and my mom and grandmother went to England, while my aunt and grandfather went to France, and they managed to escape just before the Nazi invasion. I felt connected through that book to my ancestors who survived, and those who didn’t. The depravity, sacrifice, cruelty, and incredible hardship these characters go through, is written in a way that you feel in the story with them. With all of us surviving the pandemic year, it’s a good read for perspective.

Women who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

This book came out a long time ago, but it is my book club read this month, which begs the question, why have I never crossed paths with Estes’ work before now?? She is a Jungian psychoanalyst and gifted storyteller. Using fairy tales and myths all related to the wild woman archetype, she guides us to finding the deeper meaning and life lessons in them. She defines a femininity that is grounded and intuitive. It’s refreshing to read! This book is long, and I am reading it slowly, as Estes is a gifted writer with so much imagery and profundity in one sentence. It’s also a great gift to other wild women in your life!