Hey everyone, hope you’re well. I just finished a book called “Lessons in Chemistry”. As I was reading, it started triggering all these memories of my own single mother and the challenges that she faced during the 1960’s. That in turn inspired the idea for a series on Books.
I’m thinking that I’ll share a few stories from my own life involving everything from single moms to tattoos to bullies and then invite you to reflect upon your own experiences. And then, each week, conclude by recommending one of the books I’ve read that also deals with these topics in an interesting and helpful way.
I also wanted to let you know that I decided to give myself a little break during the month of August. So, please know, it’s not a technology glitch, it’s not going to spam, I’m still enjoying it and that my new series on “Books” will begin in September.
But first, I wanted to write about a related concern along with a few examples of what an impact books have had upon my own life.
EXAMPLE ONE: As I was sitting at the gate, tears were running down my face. I don’t remember which airport or where I was flying (It was about 30 years ago) but I do remember thinking: This is embarrassing. You need to get a grip. I was reading the final pages of “The Bridges of Madison County”.
EXAMPLE TWO: Ruth loved teaching kids about the Civil War and is always on the look out for whatever battlefield sites might be near our various road trips. We’ve been to many and made it to Manassas earlier this year.
But it wasn’t until I read “The Killer Angels” that all of the bravery, sacrifices and tragedy experienced at Gettysburg alone, brought the entire Civil War to life and why it still matters.
ONE MORE: It's been decades now, but I can also remember the shock, the excitement and the joy I felt while reading: “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”. I couldn’t believe it! Just when things couldn’t get worse, I was suddenly filled with hope!
I remember wondering if this is what that first Easter felt like. Why? I had just read the part where Gandalf the gray was not dead. He had miraculously come back to life as Gandalf the white. This was long before “spoiler alerts”. I didn’t know. I didn’t see it coming. And it changed EVERYTHING!
CHILDHOOD
I fell in love with reading when I was young. I can still remember crawling under the covers at night after being told to go to sleep. And then using my 1963 “Kenner Give a Show” projector to keep on reading. Of course, not everything I read was good. And even as I got older I may or may not have gone through a “Stephen King Phase”.
It was my mother who encouraged me. She also loved to read and I can still remember us walking out of the public library with so many books I could barely carry them. Turns out, that’s how a lot of people got turned on to reading.
Jean Lien is a good friend who also loves to read and recently shared this wonderful and unforgettable story…
“I come from a family of avid readers. My dad read thick paperbacks. He had this quirk that once he read the first half of a book, he would just rip it in two, toss the first half and keep on reading.”
I’ve also heard rumors that even “Barbie” has been doing more reading this summer!
If you like the idea of reading more too, there are lots of ways to incorporate it into your life. Ruth has been part of the same book club for about 15 years. She loves it.
Our daughter Steffanie, who lives out of state, began a new reading tradition with me just this year. Every month we take turns recommending a book. Then, when we talk by phone, in addition to catching up on the weather, work and family, we also talk about the book we’re reading.
Never in a million years did I imagine a day when my grandchildren would be told that many of the books that helped to shape me are no longer appropriate. This trend hit even closer to home just last year when we were actually far from home.
We had an opportunity to spend some time in Maine. It was our first time and we were really enjoying it. But then, as we were meandering around the town of Bar Harbor working our way toward the one place that Ruth really wanted to visit: Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop…. It looked like it was closed.
As we got closer, we realized that all of the Xs on the display window had actually been placed in front of some very well-known books, along with a sign that says:
We sell banned books.
Once inside Ruth began talking to the owner who explained how all of the books on display were books that have been banned or challenged in Texas. Including….
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
"The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
"Animal Farm" by George Orwell
"1984" by George Orwell
"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
I was stunned. I had not only read each one, they were so good that 50+ years later, I can still remember a lot of the themes and conversations they inspired.
I’m guessing that many of you have read at least some of them. Anyway, taking a shine to Ruth, the owner of the shop then said: And where are you folks from? Which led to what I would describe as… A Very Long and Awkward Pause!
Here in Arlington, Texas, teachers report back August 7th and students return August 16th. As you may have heard, there are a lot of people these days who don’t have a degree or any training in education and have never spent a day in a classroom, and yet, they now want to control what our students are allowed to read and learn about.
Teaching has always been a challenging career. Thankfully, some of the most amazing people I know are teachers, including my wife Ruth who taught 40 yrs. I know they always appreciate our prayers and support, but it’s clear to me now how they are in need of all that and more.
To be honest with you, I don’t really have the stomach to attend the kind of school board meetings where these folks are way better at yelling than me, but fortunately, there are a lot of ways to make a difference.
For me that will always include my ongoing love for reading, learning, growing and thinking for yourself. But now, it also includes a renewed effort to encourage our kids and grandkids to do the same.
Ever since I was that little kid, reading under the covers, it’s always been the one constant that has helped to broaden my understanding and appreciation for just about everything… Including our need for humility.
And why in the world would something like that cross my mind? Most likely because of the current book on my bed stand: “Nobody Wants To Read Your SH*T".
My kids gave me the best Christmas present EVER last year. They went to a secondhand bookstore and picked out 12 (okay really 13 or 14) books, put them in a box, wrapped it all up with the directions to read one a month. I've only hit a couple that weren't my taste, but the great part is, many are titles I would have overlooked if I was buying a book for myself. And when I finish, I'm putting said books into a shopping bag to donate to the public library near where the kids live. Win Win!
Reading has been a love since my childhood, where it too included reading under the covers, for me with my little Girl Scout flashlight. That love has never gone away and the beauty of being in a book club is that I've read books that would not have been on my radar were I selecting. We read Lessons in Chemistry a few months ago - loved it. We're reading another of your recommendations, Dictionary of Lost Words, this month - I read it and loved it too. The banned books are a tragedy, particularly since some were required reading in my youth and the themes still come to mind for discussion. I look forward to your September posts and wish you a terrific August!