Book Chatter

Sunday Matters

It occurs to me that this title might lead you to think that a college decision is enclosed. It is not. Soon, though. My “decision” reference has to do with my reading choices. I gotta keep this reading train going by picking just the right read or it will all come to a screeching halt. It’s a fine balance between review copies, what I already own and what I have on my Kindle. Oh, and I cannot forget mood. That seems to change hourly.

The reason for all my decision talk is that I picked up The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and could.not.get.through.it. I gave up. I read all the wonderful reviews and I respect all of your opinions but what the heck? It dragged so. I read enough of it to consider it read but I won’t do a formal review of it here because it’s not fair to review a book that you haven’t finished. However, I could not go on and pulled the trigger. That left me in a ditch with my reading for a day because it’s a longish read and I didn’t have the next one lined up so I stared at walls and got all worked up.

Right Now:

I have since found something else to read. Noted, below.

This morning I have big church and then little church, youth group. After that we will take the pup for a long walk. She is not a fan of afternoon walks because it cuts into her nap time but when the morning activities interfere it’s better than nothing and I still like to get a walk in.

This Week:

Fun stuff this week! I have an online book club meeting. I think everyone in my club is now vaccinated except for me (counting the days until 4/6) so maybe we can meet in-person soon.

I am also having lunch with a friend this week!

We see my son this weekend in Solvang. That will be fun. The pup has never been. We will try to grab that photo of her in a wooden shoe.

Reading:

I picked up The New Neighbors when my other booked didn’t work out.

Watching:

My son kept trying to get me to watch WandaVision and by episode four, it clicked. I have to say, it’s a very clever show but you have to give it some time.

We finished Schitt’s Creek and the documentary of their final table read. What a great show. I will miss it a lot but I have to agree with Dan Levy, I am glad it closed on a high note. It easily could have gone on for another season but it was perfect where it ended.

The Walking Dead. I wish the showrunners would turn the show over to the fans. I have all sorts of plot lines that would bring the viewers back. It’s falling apart.

As for movies, we watched Knives Out. Really enjoyed that one. We will watch Midway soon and the new Godzilla vs. Kong movie when it comes out on HBO Max.

Grateful for:

Daylight Savings didn’t do a number on me like it normally does. Maybe because I am not commuting for work. The transition was just fine.
The time we will spend with our son this week. My son and daughter will have lots to discuss because she has made her decision but I am not allowed to say until she announces it herself. My son’s grad school decision is close too.
New couches. We got our new couches delivered for our family room. We love them. The pup approves.

Movie theatres have opened in LA County at 25% capacity but ours have not and I fear they may never. I don’t think they took the hit all that well. What is one movie you are looking forward to seeing in the theatre soon? All I can think about is the new Bond movie. I love those movies.

The Beauty of What Remains
By Steve Leder
Avery, 9780593187555, January 2021, 240pp.

The Short of It:

I did not expect a book about death and grief to be one of my favorite reads of the year.

The Rest of It:

As the senior rabbi of one of the largest synagogues in the world, Steve Leder has learned over and over again the many ways death teaches us how to live and love more deeply by showing us not only what is gone but also the beauty of what remains. ~ Indiebound

The Beauty of What Remains is my book club’s pick for March. When I picked it up, I really had to push myself to read a book that is essentially about death and the grief that follows it. Death is depressing to me. It’s probably depressing to most people but this book is incredibly uplifting and hopeful. Leder, having sat by thousands of deathbeds as a rabbi knows a thing or two about death but it never really dawned on him what true grieving was until his own father passed away from Alzheimer’s a few years ago.

Death is a great teacher if it impels us to serve the living. ~ Steve Leder

Through anecdotes and real life experiences from those who have sought his counsel, Leder provides a revelatory look at how death can look to loved ones who are forced to face it. It doesn’t have to be the sad, depressing life passage that we’ve come to expect. Leder provides a different viewpoint, one that focuses on the good and his easy, affable way is like the hug you never knew you needed.

“We are helpless in death, but we are not helpless in life.” ~ Steve Leder

I’ve heard countless times how people need comfort reads right now. This pandemic is finally showing signs of moving on and yet, we are still a little raw and on edge. Comfort reads, food, the warm embrace of a loved one (once vaccinated) are all things we need right now. If you don’t think you can get anything out of this book because you haven’t lost anyone recently, think again. Leder’s writing can help you through any loss and we have all experienced loss lately. He has this amazing way of putting things. I would love to just sit in a room with him and listen to him talk. Here’s a clip from the Today show that effectively illustrates what I mean.

The Beauty of What Remains is a beautiful book. It’s funny and hopeful and a valuable resource for anyone who has ever wondered what to say to a friend after they’ve lost a parent or a child. It’s filled with heartwarming examples of how loved ones can be honored before and after death and includes very practical information for anyone who has to plan a funeral or a celebration of life. This stuff is gold. I never thought a book like this would end up on my list of faves for the year but it’s earned a spot on it. I highly recommend it.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Chatting with friends about books and life…